Still another commercial step is to be taken by the Battersea Borough Council, this time in the direction of municipal billiards. Finding that the management of three municipal billiard tables at competitive prices is proving popular to some residents, if not with rate payers who partially obtain a living from billiards, the Baths Committee of the Council have decided to hire one more table.
Already there are three municipal billiard tables in winter use at Battersea—two at the Latchmere Road Baths and another in Plough Road. As they are hired at very cheap rates their popularity with players is assured. The new table is to be placed in the public recreation room, into which the Latchmere Road Baths will be converted for the winter months.
Municipal billiards are not new to Battersea, as they have existed since the days of the old vestry. but the number of tables has been slowly increasing. Several years ago the Local Government Board auditor refused, at first, to allow the charge for a new billiard table; but Mr. John Burns gave the matter his attention, and, on the grounds that the billiard tables were self-supporting in Battersea, remitted the surcharge.
Municipal provision is also made in the borough for boxing entertainments, and the Baths Committee have given directions for a. reconstruction of the portable boxing stage at the Latchmere Road Baths at an estimated cost of £26 16s. 7d.