AMENITIES OF THE CARD-ROOM.

Observer, Volume 4, Issue 86, 6 May 1882, Page 115

AMENITIES OF THE CARD-ROOM.

New Plymouth is becoming distinguished for something else than generals and colonels in slopclothes who have never seen a shot fired in anger, for abortive breakwaters, and raids on Maori potato patches and hen-roosts. It seems to be aspiring to become the Monaco of New Zealand. In former issues we have touched with a gentle hand on the gambling propensities displayed by some of the elite of the " Garden of New Zealand," and owing to the commotion excited by our remarks have been sileut as to the goings on in some of the snug green-rooms where the scions of Taranaki nobility beguile the night with 100 and poker. But we cannot always defraud our readers of every choice morceauss whicb comes to us from this exceedingly godly and respectable town. In the interests of public morality an example must be made. The latest card transaction took place last week, Avhcn two gentlemen of Hibernian extraction had a dispute over a considerable sum of money, which resulted in an adjournment outside, and a reference of the question to fisticuffs. After a few lively rounds one of the combatants caught his foot in a hole and fell, and his opponent beiug uppermost, sat on him and began to pluck out his whiskers like feathers from a fowl. He had a " full hand " every deal. Not relishing this method of " plucking," the prostrate belligerent tried another suit, ousted the incubus, and played a lively flush, winning the odd trick every time, and scoring heavily on the other man's countenance. The " poulterer " kicked out viciously, but in the end cried a go. The affair has been reported to the police, and though strenuous efforts are being made to hush it up, is likely to furnish a case for the lawyers.