BILLIARDS IN PARLIAMENT.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 977, 7 June 1872, Page 3

BILLIARDS IN PARLIAMENT.

The Melbourne correspondent of the Hamilton ' Spectator ' writes:— A stranger in the strangers* room of the Assembly, has a novel treat provided for him this session. If the debate is stormy—as it was the other night when the Treasurer lost his temper, and with it i;very nearly the thread of his argument—the stranger can hear the gentleman who is addressing the House without troubling himself about a Speaker's order, for he has only to raise the window and seat himself on luxnrious cushions as he sips his wine and water. That he can also enjoy another pleasure—the click of the billiard balls, for Alcock has invaded the sacredness of the place, and one of his most valuable tables has been added to the furniture of the establishment. I confess that I did not quite like the mixture of sounds, and am somewhat disposed to think that billiards and business don't go well together. While Mr Duffy was fixing Mr Langton on the horn of Balaam's ass, four operators with the cue were busy. They seemed to take greater interest in the progress of the little game upstairs than in that of the greater going on downstairs; and I had some difficulty in persuading myself that it was proper that the country should pay £3OO a year to representatives who, in the height of a debate of great importance—to the Government at least —could give the evening to billiards and cigars, caring nothing of what was being said, and waiting only for the call of the Whip, or the division bell. Perhaps the Whip was right when he argued in favor of the billiard table as likely to assist him greatly in keeping members at hand, ready for a rush to the chamber below at division time. At all events, it may be recorded that Dr. L. L. Smith scored the first " win " on the Parliamentary table,