XN000022-1988-06-03 — Page 14

13

FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 1988

THE CLAIM SHOULD STATE THE SUM OF MONEY HE IS WILLING TO ACCEPT IN FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT OF HIS CLAIM TOGETHER WITH SUCH PARTICULARS AS HE MAY POSSESS TO SUBSTANTIATE THE CLAIM.

COPIES OF PLANS OF THESE WORKS AND COPIES OF THEIR RESPECTIVE NOTICES OF AUTHORISATION MAY BE INSPECTED BY THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE AT THE BUILDINGS AND LANDS DEPARTMENT, SURVEY AND MAPPING OFFICE, 14TH FLOOR, MURRAY BUILDING, GARDEN ROAD, CENTRAL.

TIGHTER CONTROL ON BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS PROPOSED

A BILL GAZETTED TODAY (FRIDAY) SEEKS TO REQUIRE (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GENUINE PRIVATE HOMES) "ANY PLACE OPENED,

OR USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLAYING BILLIARDS, SNOOKER, POOL OR SIMILAR GAMES" TO BE LICENSED BY THE AUTHORITY THE URBAN COUNCIL OR THE REGIONAL COUNCIL UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES ORDINANCE.

-

THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND MUNICIPAL SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL ALSO SEEKS TO EMPOWER THE AUTHORITY TO EXEMPT WHERE APPROPRIATE BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENT FROM THE REQUIRMENT OF OBTAINING A LICENCE.

A MUNICIPAL SERVICES BRANCH SPOKESMAN

WHO CONDUCTED THE EXISTING LAW, ANY PERSON BILLIARD SALOON WAS REQUIRED TO TAKE OUT A LICENCE.

1988

ANY

SAID THAT UNDER THE BUSINESS OF A PUBLIC PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOON

OPENED,

A PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOON WAS ANY PLACE

KEPT OR USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PLAYING BILLIARDS, SNOOKER, POOL OR SIMILAR GAMES TO WHICH THE PUBLIC WERE ADMITTED WITH OR WITHOUT PAYMENT FOR ADMISSION.

"OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, THE GAME OF BILLIARDS HAS BRCOMF MORE AND MORE POPULAR AND A LARGE NUMBER OF BILLIARD ESTABLISHMENTS HAVE BEEN SET UP IN THE NAME OF PRIVATE CLUBS WHICH ARE SUPPOSEDLY OPEN ONLY TO MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS, THE SPOKESMAN SAID.

"HOWEVER, MEMBERSHIP OF SOME OF THESE

PRIVATE

BILLIARD CLUBS ΤΟ THE GENERAL PUBLIC

IS EASILY AND ALMOST INSTANTLY AVAILABLE THROUGH PAYMENT OF A SMALL ENTRANCE FEE ($5 TO $10).

IN

"THESE CLUBS PROVIDE FACILITIES VERY SIMILAR TO THOSE FOUND PUBLIC BILLIARD SALOONS, AND A CHARGE IS LEVIED ON THE USE OF FACILITIES, MOSTLY ON AN HOURLY BASIS.

"THEY ARE IN FACT OPERATING AS DE FACTO PUBLIC BILLJARD AVOIDING THE NEED SALOONS UNDER THE GUISE OF PRIVATE CLUBS, THEREBY TO BE SUBJECT TO PAYMENT OF LICENCE FEES AND LICENSING CONDITIONS.**

THESE LICENSING