From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 18 February, 1860.

James Rogerson, a wooden-leg man, 20, was charged with stealing a cheese, value 7s. 4d. from the “Castle Inn,” Week Street, the property of Mr. Biggs.

Thomas Abnett deposed that on the previous evening, about a quarter before seven o'clock, he saw the prisoner come out of the “Castle Inn” gateway with the cheese under his arm, and go down Gabriel's Hill, where he was taken into custody by a police constable.

Sarah Baker, barmaid, at the “Castle Inn,” deposed that she placed the cheese now produced in the larder at about half-past six o'clock on the previous evening, and missed it soon afterwards.

P.C. Baker said that on the evening in question he saw the prisoner come from the direction of the “Castle Inn,” and go down Gabriel's Hill with a cheese under his arm, and on questioning him as to how he became in possession of it, the prisoner said he had picked it up a short distance from where they were standing. Witness, however, did not believe his statement, and took him into custody. He afterward found that a cheese had been stolen from the “Castle Inn.”

Committed for trial.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 25 February 1860. Price 1d.

ANCIENT ORDER OF THE DRUIDS.

This ancient order held its usual weekly meeting at the “Castle Inn,” Week Street, on Tuesday evening last, when six non-commissioned officers were initiated into the mysteries of Druidism, in the presence of about 60 brothers; much goodwill and brotherly feeling seem to exist with the new made brothers, and harmony was kept up till a late hour. We understand it is intended to open a new lodge at the “Ancient Druid's Inn,” on Thursday evening next, which will doubtless be well attended.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 23 February 1861.

(To the editor of the Maidstone Telegraph.)

Sir, Seeing a widespread notice of a Reform Meeting to be held at the "Castle Inn," last evening, I felt pleased there was some means of hearing what your townsmen thought about for the reform question, &c. I accordingly walked into the room, found it well filled and a general business appearance about the chairman. I sat down and listened for 2 hours to some very good remarks, but entirely of a local nature. I waited, hoping after this surely some mention would be made of the Reform question. However, thanks were voted to the chairman, &c,. and I came away with the conclusion that the reform is made a fool of by Government, by the House of Commons, and now, by that body of men whoever they might be who called the meeting. Being comparatively a stranger I did not feel it advisable to intrude my views before them; but knowing well the feelings of a great mass of our industrial classes, how bitterly disappointed they are at all deceit of all the governing classes, I do most earnestly seek some way whereby they might give expression to their own views up on the Reform question. I would urge you with all the influence you possess, to obtain a public meeting, where every man might speak his own opinion. Other terms are doing this, why not Maidstone? Let us have a fair field and no underhand secretly prepared resolutions, but plane outspoken intelligence of any and every man, and a petition framed in accordance with those expressions forwarded to our M.P.s for presentation, and instruction to them to support the prayer of such petition.

I yield to no man in admiration of many of the present administration members and acts, particularly its foreign policy, but I can never cease to force that measure before them by which they obtained their present position. A Reform Bill we must have. Why Lord Derby himself will give us a Reform Bill and many of us thought then, and are convinced now, it would have been wise to have accepted this.

I am, yours truly, C Snugs. 5, Cambridge Square, Maidstone, February 21, 1861.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 22 June 1861.

True Liberality.

On Monday last J. Whatman, Esq., granted the use of a portion of his park at Vinters to Lodge 81 of the Andulucian Order of Druids, held at the "Castle Inn," Maidstone, to commemorate the anniversary and kindly permitted the members, with their friends, to view his splendid gardens on the production of a steward's tickets. 

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 26 October 1861.

King Street Ward.

A meeting of the Inhabitants of this ward was held at the "Castle Inn," Week Street, on Thursday evening, for the purpose of nominating two burgesses to serve in the common Council. The chair was taken at 9 o'clock by Mr. Clayton. Mr. Dye moved and Mr. Ford seconded the nomination of Messrs. Allwork and Edmett, the out-going members, which was carried without opposition. The members having returned thanks, with a few remarks from Messrs. Leney, Goodwin, Nicolson, Forrest, and Puttock, and a vote of thanks to the chair, the affair was brought to a quiet conclusion.