25th May 1T was reported on good authority in the Settlement yesterday that question, which has been the subj ct of considerable correspon dence in our c: lumns during the past week, wus further discussed ut the of the Council on Wednesday, with the result that way was found of materially modifying the attitude of the Council on the matter. It will be reinembered that the question, which is not exactly a new one, arose in the P: esent instance through a letter addressed to the Svorctary of the Council by Mr. R. E. Lewis, General Secretary of the Chinese Y.M.C.A,, who, calling attention to whut is admittedly the nuisance of unrestricted gambling on the vacant land opposite the Ruce Course, while the Spring and Autamn meetings Ore In progress, suggested that the Council might suppress it by the simple act of enforcing regulations which have hitherto been relaxed ab these special periods. The Council's Secretary replied i brief letter which stated complete suppression of gambling is x matter which presents many and serious difficulties and the Council is of opinion that the arrangement circumstances, in need of no modify. cation." Mr. Lewis returned to the charge, fortifying himself with the names of a number of prominent Chinese gentlemen who "in consideration of the welfare of the Chinese respectfully and urgent ly requested the Council to reconsider its action," To this the Council again replied emphasising the magnitude of the entire question on which " it would not be fitting to embark without the assurance of publio support", and asking for " a definite mandate from the ratepayers t can hardly be claimed that the public correspondence which haseince taken place amounts definite mandate," for the argument has been almost entirely on one side. There is no question, however, that there is a very general opinion, not only among those who view gambling as a vice, that the public toleration of the proceedings on Cadastral Lot 6 is not n credit to the Municipality, and, if practicable! means can be found of abating it as a public nuisance, that something should be done, Further than that the restriction of police activity at these particular periods has been a very effective argument in several of the Consular Courts when occasion has arisen at other times to prosecute gambling offenders against the Municipal Bye-laws. It may be safely assumed that the Council have nob failed to seo the disadvantage under which they have been placed in such prosecutions, and that they have only been deterred from putting end to the anomaly by the belief that inter fence with this old. established usage was impracticable, If, o8 we understand, on further consideration they have discovered that action is practicable, they will be entitled 10 general congratulation, for no one, exc-pt the sh"rpers who run the booths and delude houseboys and office boys into parting with their earnings and possibly mangy which 18 nod so honestly come by, will rogreb the sweeping away of thi wugavouring annexe to the race course, Owing to the system by which the decisions of the Council are not made public until [they are a week old, we are unable to confirm the reported solution of the problem. In matter of such general interest the Council may perhaps see their way to make an earlier announcement than usual,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.