ILLEGAL BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15931, 31 May 1915, Page 5

ILLEGAL BILLIARDS.

Saloon-keeper fined.

[by telegraph.—own CORRESPONDENT. ] . \ . \ . ■ Wanganui, Sunday. A case of considerable interest to billiard saloon-keepers lias been determined by Mr. Poynton, S.M., at the Feilding Court. The police charged the licensee of a saloon at Apiti, with(l) Failing to close his billiard saloon; and (2) permitting a game of billiards to be played after closing time. In the first" case, evidence showed that the saloon was closed at the right time, : and the information was dismissed. With regard to the second charge, the Bench considered 'it was committed. It was contended that tha case ; was analogous to a barber shaving a man. If. during the operation, closing time arrived, it would be absurd for the barber to stop work, leaving his customer half sliaved. The cases were different, however, • said His 'Worship. No one was'injured by a game of billiards being interrupted by closing time. The highest scorer at the moment would be regarded- as the winner. lli 3 jaw gave a whole day, until a rea- j sonable hour at night, for this recreation, I and room-keepers ana players must regu-1 late games accordingly. . • ; The accused was convicted and fined i 20s and. co;ts 7s, h 'M) I