CORRESPONDENCE.

Kumara Times, Issue 1049, 10 February 1880, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

[Tile Editor does not, necessarily, adopt the opinions ♦expressed by spondents:] THE “TEMPERANCE HERALD ’* CORRESPONDENT IN REPLY; [to THB EDITOR.] Sir—l am not the regular correspondent of the Temperance Herald, but ad a Templar 1 thought it incumbent on some one to send to our official organ some account of out dispute with the Picnic Committee. Yonhave indulged pretty freely in epithets not very cord* plWtitary, but if. you have got quit-,of v any superfluous bile in that sort of. way, 1 am glad of it} probably, too, ybif ' may have eased the cbnhctences of some of the Committee who were smarting Under the iniquitous conduct of" introducing intoxicants at a children’s fhtC; As to my sayitig that we Were attacked by the Editotf of the KUMara Tnias* and our protest twisted* I reassert that such was the case; You object to my version of the brandy befog thrown in the river, if it Is incorrect 1 am §orry for it, but it was told to mein that Way by one of the Picnic Committee ilot many minutes after it took placC; Ad to the drinking that WaS done at the booth I think I understand it* ag ther e were both men and women drUnk in the paddock, which was a fine spec* tacle for the children. As far as a regard for the feeling of the community are concerned you are quite correct, for so long as I state the truth, I have more regard for that troth than for tire feelings of the community. When you write of an unblushing distortion of facts I would just remind you that that is not the way to state a case that every body knows as much about aS yourself. For me to reply to you with a similar string of uncomplimentary adjectives would not strengthen my ease any more than yours, so I leave the community at large to judge whe-» ther my account of the picnic was over drawn or not. No doubt the few publicans that usually spurt and splutter at the Templars will say so, but that wont alter the case much. To conclude Mr Editor I think it is a hopeful sign for the temperance cause in the Kumarawhen you seem ashamed that an account of the picnic should go forth to the world, and if X mistake not, the leading men of the town will think twice before they authorize tbe sale of intoxicants at a childrens fete again. Yours respectfully. Fergus Barrowman. Larrikin’s Terrace. [We accept the challenge of our correspondent, and leave the question at issue to the judgment of the community at large. —Ed. K. T.] ♦ 1 BILLIARD-ROOM LICENSES. [to the editor.] Sir—Under present pressing circumstances, the Borough Council no doubt 0 consider it to be advisable to increase 4(" their income enforcing the Municipal Act relating to places of amusement, the owners of which are liable to pay license. The Act relating to these institutions is very simply worded and comprehensive; b u t at the same time, the power of deciding what houses or

'places are . liable,-is left with the members of Council. The Act contains these words, “Or Any ‘Other- place of amusement” Although the Council have power to act even to absurdity, it Should not be their object to form and pass a resolution, having a semblance of tbe Act only, for the purpose of Compelling one person to take out a ten pound license for his billiard saloon whilst-others who use the the same means to attract business, go free. Evidently this was nofonly attempted, but was carried, at theft? last meeting. On that-'occasion it was argued that a person spaying a £3O license was, or should be, entitled to employ amusements such as billiard tables, «fec., withput farther payment J yet, strange to say, the Council is now receiving £lO In addition to £3O from' one hotel as license fee for dancing. It is evident the licensing Act will not ackonwledge an hotel as a place of amusement, especially for the purpose of dancing 5 yet the Borough Council pretends to legalise the violation of a law dispensed in a CoUrt of authority higher than their own by accepting £lO. The £3O license imposed by Government entitles the hotelkeeper to sell spirituous liquors only ; therefore it is evident that should the Council consider a billiard room a place of amusement within the meaning of the Act, the publicans using a billiard table are liable to pay £lO on tbe same ground as One depending alone on that game. Should the Sorough Council enforce their resolutions in its present form, namely, force £lO from the person they have aimed at, I prediet they Will not only fail and make themselves ridiculas in the eyes of the public, but put the Borough to another serious and unwarrantable expense.—l am &c., Fair Play. February 9-, 1880.