MATTER FOR REGRET

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 137, 7 December 1926, Page 10

MATTER FOR REGRET

SHOWMEN ON BEACHES

'NOT JUSTIFIED ON BEACHES"

"To me it is a matter of extreme regrot," writes Councillor J. Aston, " that the City Council at its last meeting agreed to allow professional showmen to operate on tho Lyall Bay Beach for tho purpose of running a carnival. I claim, to have as much interest in and admiration for life-saving clubs and similar institutions as those who approved of this method of raising funds, but I certainly cannot subscribe to the doctrine that 'the end justifies the means.' It is agreed that the arrangements will bo under tho control of the Director of Parks, but is it just a fair thing to ask him to carry out a job to which for most excellent reasons he is definitely opposed, and in his reports to the council has just as definitely said so? Tho fact that these questionablo games have been permitted at winter and other shows docs not by any means jnstify us in allowing them on the public beaches, tho property of tho citizens, and set apart and controlled for their recreation and enjoyment.

"Further, when operating at a show, these stalls and stands are not in opposition to the shopkeepers, such as obtains along the waterfront. I contend that the nearby shopkeepers liav.c just cause for complaint in so far that money which would in the ordinary course of events be legitimately spent over the counter will bo gambled away on 'hoop-la' and similar games without in the majority of eases obtaining any return. The chances of winning a bok of chocolates or other prize is very limited. The feature most to be regretted is that these stalls and tables are for the most part patronised by children and young folk.

"A correspondent, 'Searchlight,' in tho 'Evening Post' says:—'At tho last exhibition on the waterfront of tl-3 Winter Show Association it was a matter of general remark by serious and decent-minded people that it was to be regretted that in tnc interests of the younger generation all games of chance were not forbidden. I really think it is the duty of the council to see that this shall not occur again. Children and all young people at their most impressionable ago should most certainly not be brought in contact with gambling or games of chance in any shape or form. They have not /the stability of maturity, and habits engendered amid unhealthy excitement and surroundings have later deplorable results in too many cases.'

"A carnival recently held in another part of the city was run on somewhat similar lines, and I am informed that the profit to the showmen ran into hundreds of pounds. I contend that it is a sorry day for. any city when ,they .have to resort to methods such as these to obtain funds for a deserving cause, and it is certainly not to our credit that we permit it, especially against the wishes of that officer of the council whoso duty it is to see that our beaches and pleasure resorts are kept morally clean and fre* from anything objectionable to the majority of its citizens.''