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Bexley Heath and Bexley Observer - Friday 6 March 1903.
"CRICKETERS' ARMS," ORPINGTON: LICENSE RENEWED.
Mr. G. F. Hohler, instructed by Mr. Gregory, applied for the renewal of
this license on behalf of the licensee, John George Jennings.
Inspector Lee stated that on March 17th, 1902, he was present at that
Court, when the then licensee, Robert Wilson, was fined £5 and costs for
permitting drunkenness to which charge he pleaded guilty. The license
was transferred to the present tenant on January 5th, 1903.
In answer to Mr. Hohler, witness said with that exception the house had
been well conducted.
Mr. Hohler said he understood that the explanation given in answer to
the charge was that the man entered the house in a drunken state, and
instead of turning him out, Mr. Wilson put him in a room to sleep.
The Chairman:- The explanation is that the Bench fined the landlord and
£5 and costs. That is sufficient to guide us at present.
In reference to the needs of the neighbourhood, he (counsel) could call
respectable people to testify to that, and also to the good conduct of
the house under the present tenant. He was told it was a thickly
populated neighbourhood, and the house was on the main road. Coming
towards St. Mary Cray there were no fully licensed houses nearer that
"The Bull" at Chislehurst.
Mr. J. George Jennings, the present licensee, said he was not aware of
the conviction when signed the contract; in fact, he did not hear of it
until he appeared at court for the protection order. The accommodation
consisted of tea rooms, bedding, &c. The nearest house on the Orpington
side was "The White Hart."
Mr. G. St. Pierre Harris, an architect, residing next door but one to
"The Cricketers." said he had occasion to pass the house several times
in the course of a day also between eleven and twelve at night. In his
opinion it was well conducted and was much required.
Mr. J. Townsend, butcher, of Orpington, said the house was needed from
the fact that it was on the main road to Chislehurst, and it was very
convenient for carmen to pull up to to water their horses.
The magistrates, without retiring, renewed the license. |
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