CITY AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 211, 30 May 1908, Page 6

CITY AFFAIRS.

* i THE CHIEF INSPECTOR'S REPORT. CONDUCT OF BILLIARD ROOMS. In his annual report to the Wellington City Council tho Chief Inspector (Mr. James Doyle) states that during tho year ended March 31-, two thousand and forty-six notices 1 under the various by-laws (exclusive of 1990 j sent on to tho Engineer's Department) wore ' served —1988. of tlicso were complied with, , and the remainder are in hand. Fifty dairies wore registered. They aro inspected at least once every mouth by Inspector Watson, 1 who reports favourably on their condition. Forty-five buildings were brought under the notice of the Department of Public Health; five wore condemned as unfit for habitation; three of theso liavo been removed, and the others are no longer being used as dwellings, Of the other 40, eight were renovated, and tho rest are being dealt with by tho Department. • ■ Disinfections. . \ " Mr. Pasley joined tho staff as Disinfecting Officer in February last. He has carried out disinfection in 45 cases, the fees for which amounted to £5 7s. 6d. When not engaged in this way, lie acts .as AssistantSanitary Inspector. I would/suggest in this connection that an up-to-date disinfecting chamber bo added to the new destructor, so that this work could bo carried out more effectively. * Sanitary Condition of the City. "I think this can be said to be'fairly good. Tho death-rate (11.28) is as usual— the lowest in the four centres—and if health statistics can.be taken as a guide, Wellington, as compared to other places, appears in a very favourable light. There is, of course, still room for improvement, and with, tho advantage of tho new destructor, which will enablo the Department to deal with the city refuse in more thorough manner, the introduction-, of paved or asphalted yards, and the assistance of the Department of Public Health in effecting tho demolition of ruinous or insanitary buildings, that improvement may reasonably be expected. House to house inspection goes on continually by Inspectors AVatson,' Taylor, and Greeks, and the necessity and value of their work is shown by the number of notices sent. Outlying Districts. 1 " Inspector Greeks, who has charge of the outlying, districts . (late Melrose), ■ reports an increaso 0f'597 houses during the year.. In my last annual report, I said:.'' The Inspector combines the duties of ranger, sanitary inspector, and inspector under tho Dog Registration Act.- It.-is clearly■ impossible for him to carry out the duties in such a scat-tered-district on foot, and Ihope the Council will see tho necessity of providing him with a horse.' "Although 143 convictions in respect of wandering cattle wore obtained during the yoar, and fines, etc., amounting to £112 19si were imposed, complaints (from tlio people who profer to have gardens) continue to bo received. Tho pound is quite useless in its present position, and should be removed either to Kolburne or Island Bay, and tho ranger should be provided with-a horse. Billiard Rooms. "Twelvo billiard rooms were licensed, as under: — , ' , Address. Owner. ' Keeper. Brandon Streot Ridding, T. Ridding LambtonQuay Scott.&Mar--1 ' tindale R. Mulholland Exchange B'ldings. M'Ca'rthy, M'Carthy Empire Chambers , D. Ross T. Foster Willis Street' J.Wise J.Wise ( Manners Street Ryan Ryan Manners Street Green Green Manners Streot Conriek Eager Marion Street Reddihaugh Reddihaugh Riddiford Stieet Poarce . ■ Jepson_ Brooklyn Hicks "Hicks;,"" / Kilbirnio . . Price . .-.Price"; "I visited these rooms at intervals, and I have other reliablo 'sources - of information as to' tho manner inY-which -,they are 'conducted. With this knowledge, I am able to say that the statements that, at least two , of the rooms owned by bookmakers aro' their, ' recognised betting resorts', and that in- another a poker tablo is run in conjunction with the businelfe, aro entirely without foundation. I am satisfied that' the Billiard Room Proprietors' Association is doing all in its power to avoid anything in connection with tlieir business which, might bo objectionable or illegal. I must, however, point out that ' pool'. .in its various forms' is oommon in all- billiard rooms', licensed or otherwise, and that it is usually played for money. This appears to be in-contravention of Clause 848 of the by-law, but it js essentially a game of skill, and there is such a wide distinction between it and such games as two-up, hazards, etc., at which' legislation is specially aimed, and, the game is, bo genoral, that without specific instructions from the Council-1 have not attempted to prevent it."