Above photo, date unknown.

Unknown publication 1918.

COUNTY BENCH.

The beer "on" licenses of the "Forresters' Arms," Pembury, and the "Rising Sun," Lamberhurst, and the off-license at "Swiss Cottage," Pembury, had been adjourned for consideration by the Bench, and Mr. S. A. Cheale now appeared for the owners and licensees concerned, and applied for renewal.

The case of the "Rising Sun," Lamberhurst, was taken first.

P.S. West stated that having regard for the needs of the inhabitants, he thought the "Rising Sun" was hardly necessary. The house was in good order and well conducted.

By Mr. Cheale:- It was the only beer house in Lambehurst, and was very suitable for business. A fairly good trade was done. The husband of the present licensee held the license prior to joining the Army in 1916.

With reference to the "Foresters' Arms," Pembury. P.S. West gave similar evidence.

With regard to the off-licence at "Swiss Cottage," the witness stated that he was of the opinion that the licence was necessary as it was the only off-licence in the village.

By Alderman Caley:- The "Royal Oak" was about 300 yards away, and the freehold was held by the same person as "Swiss Cottage."

By Mr. Cheale:- If the license was taken away people would have to go to a fully licensed house for their bottle beer, and would object to sending their children to the "Royal Oak," at which there was no off bar.

Mr. Cheale submitted that there was a great distinction between fully licensed houses and beer houses, as the latter were necessarily established for the working classes with the idea of encouraging people to drink beer instead of Spirits. With regard to the "Rising Sun," it was a fact that before the war the barrelage had shown an increased, but from 208 barrels sold in 1913 the trade fell to 76 barrels in 1917, but this was mainly due to the difficulty in obtaining supplies of beer. The bottle trade had increased.

Mrs. Bishop, the licensee, said her husband joined the army in 1916. With half acre of garden they had made a good living. To be near to her relatives during the absence of our husband she made arrangements in January to leave the house to take the "Duke of York," Tonbridge Wells.

Leonard Victor Willett stated that he was wounded during the Battle of Ares, in consequence of which he had lost his right arm, and now had an artificial one. He was a native of Lamburhurst and upon his discharge, having to make a living for himself, wife and child, he agreed to take the "Rising Sun" for the sum between £50 pound £70. With the trade and the garden he could make a decent living, as the profits was estimated to be between £3 and £4 per week.

Mr. Allen Simpson gave evidence as to the restriction of the brewing of beer affecting the trade at the "Rising Sun."