From the Kent and Sussex Courier, Friday 29 September, 1893.

ASSAULT.

Ephriam Simmonds was summoned for assaulting Harriet Jane Brotherwell, at Capel, on the 11th September.

The plaintiff said that her husband kept the "George and Dragon Inn," and on the date named there was a row with the hoppers at the house. The defendant was one of the men, and as she saw him trying to strike her husband's father, she interfered, when the defendant threatened her. She went into the tap room, when the defendant rushed at her and struck her several times about the head and on her neck with his fist, and her eye glasses were broken and her right eye cut.

George Brotherwood, the husband, corroborated.

The defendant denied that he first struck the woman, and called Marshall Burr, a labourer, of Pembury, who said that he went into the "George and Dragon," Capel, on the day in question for his dinner beer, and saw the complainant hit the defendant over the head with a quart pot, and he at once left the premises, and therefore did not see whether the defendant struck Mrs. Brotherwood, who was three parts drunk.

The Bench fined the defendant 10s. and 12s. 6d. costs, or 10 days' hard labour.

The Court lasted nearly five hours.

From the Sussex Express, Surrey Standard. 9 December 1893.

THE GEORGE AND DRAGON, CAPEL.

Mr Cripps, of Tunbridge Wells, made an application to the Bench respecting the licence of the "George and Dragon," Capel. He said the house had been in the occupation of a man named Brotherwood since 1887. There was no conviction of any kind up to August last, when the license was renewed to Brotherwood. No objection was then made, nor had previously been made to the renewal by the police. Unfortunately for himself Mr. Brotherwood contracted matrimony. He (Mr. Cripps) said "unfortunately" because he married a woman who turned out to be of intemperate habits. She got drunk in the house, and he was charged before the Bench with permitting her to be drunk on the premises, and the Bench had no alternative but to convict him.

The Chairman:- There was another person drunk on the premises as well.

Mr. Cripps:- Yes, but the main person was the wife. At all events the conviction took place and notice was given as required by statute to the owners of the house. They were desirous, whatever might be said for Brotherwood, that the first consideration should be the way in which the house was conducted, and they at once arranged that a new tenant should be provided. The "George and Dragon" was not simply a public-house, six or eight acres of land were occupied with it. The owners had found a thoroughly satisfactory tenant, Mr. Robert William Foster. The Superintendent of Police had made enquiries respecting them, and he believed they were thoroughly satisfactory.

Supt. Barnes. Yes.

Mr. Cripps, continuing, said he had a testimonial signed by the Rector of Ditton and many well-known country gentlemen certifying to the good character and good behaviour of Mr. Foster. The transfer had taken place on the previous day, and the valuation was paid in cash by Mr. Foster, and the usual tenancy agreement was entered into. In addition to the testimonial he had mentioned, he had also a letter from Mr. Stratton, who said he had known Robert Foster all his life. He was a thoroughly respectable man, and had been employed for many years as a cement miller. His wife bore a high character, and was a very respectable woman.

In reply to the Bench, Supt. Barnes stated that he had no objection to Mr. Foster, but he should ask the Bench not to renew the license to anyone.

Mr. Cripps:- Oh, really; you cannot object.

The Chairman:- It is not a new license.

Supt. Barnes:- But the Bench have power to refuse it.

Mr. Cripps:- But not at this time. I object to any opposition now.

Supt. Barnes:- You have no right to object.

Mr. Cripps:- But I have a right, and I do object to opposition at this time of the year. There is a proper course to be pursued if there is any objection. Reasonable and proper notice must be given.

Supt Barnes:- If your Worships grant a temporary transfer to-day I will serve notices and object on transfer day. I shall certainly do that.

The Magistrates' Clerk pointed out that the license was granted for a whole year, and, although the present tenant might not hold it, there was no reason why it should not be transferred to somebody else until next October.

The transfer was granted.

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 9 March 1906.

The Tudely "George."

The licence of the "George and Dragon," April, was next considered.

Mr. J. Brennan solicitor, Maidstone, appeared on behalf of the tenants, Frederick Marshall William Russell, and the Brewers Messrs Style and Winch, Maidstone. He admitted the service of this notice of objection, and the convictions against the house.

Sergeant Burbridge K.C.C. proved a conviction for permitting drunkenness against the then landlord, Brotherwood, in 1890.

Detective Everest proved a conviction in March, 1905, against the late landlord, Thomas Bowles, for selling adulterated gin.

Mr. Brennan submitted that there was no case to answer.

The Chairman said if there had been a continuity of tenancy it would have been different, but it was an absurdity going back to 1890. The licence would be granted subject to the remarks he had made in the previous case.