GAMES ON HOLY DAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 220, 16 September 1924, Page 8

GAMES ON HOLY DAYS.

. ■ i OPEN BILLIARD SALOONS. REJECTED BY ONEHUNGA. A clause in the Onehunga by-laws forbids the opening of the local billiard saloons on Christmas Day and Good Friday. A fortnight ago "the proprietors of the saloons petitioned the Borough Council to allow them to keep open on the days named. The report of this request led the Presbyterian, Methodist, and St. Peter's (Anglican) Churches to lodge a protest against the request being granted by the council. The subject was dealt with last night, when Mr. W. C.Coldicutt moved, "That the by-law be amended by deleting the words Christmas Day and Good Friday. The mover said Onehunga was the only place in the vicinity of Auckland where the billiard saloons were compelled to close on these days. He saw no harm in the billiard saloons being open on Christmas Day and Good Friday. •It looked , for a moment as if the motion would lapse for want of a seconder. Mr. T. Gilbert saved the situation by doing so pro forma. Mr. A. J. Hipwell said the hotels and all business places were compelled to close on those days, and why should not the billiard saloons? Air. W. N.,,Mclntos„ said-the council should consider the wishes of the churches. He characterised the resolution as an offence against public taßte. In reply, Mr. Coldicutt said the picture theatres were allowed to, open on Christmas Day and Good Friday, then why not the billiard saloons? He saw no difference in them. He wished to make it clear, he said, that he did not frequent the billiard saloons himself. Mr. P. R. Lipscombe;. No, you would not vote for them if you did. (Laughter.) I When the resolution was put to the meeting it was lost by 8 to 1, Mr. Coldicutt being the only member to vote for it. ' ■