WHAT IS SNOOKER?

Haslingden Gazette, Saturday 15 February 1913

I fancy there are very few magistrates in Accrington who do not know what “snooker” pool is, but at Blackburn on Thursday, when the licensing justices were asked to allow “snooker” to be played in two licensed, billiard halls in the town, they appeared rather dubious as to the meaning of “snooker.” Mr. Harry Backhouse, in his usual jovial manner, told them that if they had any difficulty in understanding the finer points he would be pleased to give them a demonstration. Further questions being asked, Mr. Backhouse observed that he and Mr. Carter would play the Clerk and the Chairman to decide whether the application should be granted. After this challenge the Bench decided to grant “snooker” licenses for half the tables in each hall.