LICENSING BILLIARD SALOONS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 3734, 22 December 1906, Page 2

LICENSING BILLIARD SALOONS.

Constable Woods is a police officer who believes in carrying out his duties thoroughly for tho well-being and protection of the public, and without fear or favour. Such an officer should be supported by every worthy citizen and especially by the local authority. He lodged a complaint at last night’s Council meeting against allowing the billiard s Moons to remain open after the public houses are closed, contending that habitues who arc shunted off licensed premises resort to the saloons and become boisterous. This applies particularly to Saturday nights. Constable Woods says that if the billiard saloons are closed at 10 pan. this would be obviated, The Council moved on the motion of _Cr Gray that Constable Woods be informed that there is no by-law dealing with the control of b.lliard rooms. If this be so, then we ask by what authority does the Council issue licenses to billiard saloon keepers ? We might point out that the control of billiard saloons is vested in the Council and that body has power to state the time when such rooms shall close when the license is issued. If the Council has failed to piss such a by-law, then it has been wanting in its duty in this respect. B.lliard rooms in all the important centres of the colony are closed by the local authorities at 10 p.m. We regret the Council did not look more fully into the matter last night.