MINIATURE GOLF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21242, 24 January 1931, Page 18

MINIATURE GOLF.

NO CHARGE FOR SUNDAY PLAY. THREEPENNY ICE-CREAMS FOE ONE SHILLING. (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, January 23. Three charges of keeping open a miniature golf course at Milford on Sundays were preferred against Ernest Hallam Henderson in the Police Court before Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M. Constable Wood, of Takapuna, said that on December 14 play was in full swing at the golf course. He saw the defendant there and he admitted he was responsible for the place being open. Two assistants were acting under his instructions. When asked if he was making any charge the defendant replied that he was not making a straight-out charge. He said there was a notice indicating that admission to the course and the use of clubs and balls were free, but that soft drinks and ice-creams were Is each. Witness said the defendant explained that anyone desiring a round of golf would purchase an ice-cream or a drink for Is, and would be supplied free with a club and a ball and be allowed to have a round of golf. The ice creams he was selling for Is were the same as those to be bought elsewhere for 3d. He said that as the police had stopped him from making a direct charge on Sunday his solicitor had advised him to take the course he had adopted. “The law can be evaded, and it is no crime to do so,” said Mr Inder (for the defendant). “On Sundays there were drinks and ice creams available at the golf course, and if anybody was fool enough to pay Is for a 3d ice cream he could do so. People had gone into the place and played many rounds without paying anything on Sunday, and also without buying anything at the stall. Fortunately, the sporting public realised that it was not a fair thing to take everything for nothing, and the majority who played free were sporting enough to pay Is for a 3d ice cream. The idea was to popularise the game by allowing people to play for nothing on Sundays. It was hoped they, would learn to like the game and go there on week days. The defendant said that the stocking of ice cream was not a farce, as large quantities were sold. The majority of the people who played for nothing on Sundays bought their drinks or ice creams after their game. An extra charge of 9d on ice creams was made for the purpose of keeping the green in order. Children who called on Sunday could buy their ice creams at the usual price. The magistrate reserved his decision.