From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 5 January, 1867. Price 1d.

Henry Ralph, a farm labourer, aged 29, was charged with stealing £1 18s., the money of William Meers, at the Villa of Dunkirk, on the 16th October.

Mr. Francis prosecuted, and Mr. Smith defended the prisoner.

Charity Meers said:- I am the wife of William Meers, of Dunkirk. On Tuesday the 13th October, I placed 38s. in a red handkerchief in my cottage window. The money was tied up in the handkerchief. I left the cottage shortly afterwards, and went to a beer-shop where I staid half an hour. The prisoner was there. He left with us. I went away and saw the prisoner with my daughter. As I was coming bock home, I met my daughter who said the money was gone, and that the prisoner had taken it, and I have not seen it since.

Cross-examined:- I have not lost any money before. When I got home I went to see if the money had been put away anywhere. I looked in the window because I thought the money might he hidden there.

Mary Ann Meers said:- I am the daughter of the last witness. On the 16th of October, I was at my mother's house, and I saw her place some money in the window of her cottage. I saw the prisoner on day. I had known him before. When prisoner came to the cottage with me he asked me for a light which I gave him. He then took the money out of the window, and he also took my net off my head, and he would not give me them back again. At last he gave me back the net, but he would not return the money, and I saw the handkerchief in his pocket.

Cross-examined:- We were about a quarter of an hour in the beer-shop. The prisoner was with us. When we left a man named Goodwin was following us as well as the prisoner. They were close behind us. Goodwin did not come in when I gave the prisoner a light. Emma Hadlow was with Goodwin, but they were not in the house at the same time. I asked the prisoner to return the money, and tried to take it from him. I told Hadlow and Goodwin that prisoner had got the money, and the former said go and tell your mother.

Emma Hadlow was with the previous witness at the beer shop together. Saw the prisoner go in with Mary Ann Meers into the cottage. Witness did not go in at that time. Did not see Ralph leave the cottage, but after he had gone the last witness said something about the money.

P.C. Bradley said:- I saw Ralph on the 17th of Oct, at Canterbury Fair. I apprehended him. He said he knew who had got the money. I asked him how much money he had, when be produced 2d. and that was all he had got. On my pressing him he produced 12s. 3d. in silver.

The prisoner's statement before the magistrate was put in and read, and Mr. Smith called George Goodwin, who said he lived at the “Dove” public house, where the prisoner and witness were on the day in question. He, the prisoner Emma Hadlow, and Mary Meers went into Mrs. Meers cottage together. Ralph and Meers went out of the house and left witness and Hadlow together. Did not Ralph come in again.

Cross-examined:- Meers told me that she had lost the money about a quarter of an hour after Ralph had left.

The Chairman said that he thought the slight discrepancy of evidence between the witness for the defence and those for the prosecution was hardly worthy of notice, but the Jury thought different and acquitted the prisoner. There was an attempt at applause in the Court when the verdict was announced which was immediately suppressed.

Canterbury Journal, Kentish Times and Farmers' Gazette 10 December 1887.

HERNHILL. A SOCIAL GATHERING.

The annual dinner at the "Dove Inn," Dargate, took place on Monday last, when a large party assembled, including many visitors from Whitstable. Host Goodwin provided a capital repast, to which full justice was done. After dinner Mr. C. Gurr, of Whitstable, was moved to the chair, and toast and harmony followed during the remainder of the evening. The Whitstable visitors included several well-known for their musical and literary talents, who enlivened the proceedings with songs, instrumental music, and recitations and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent.

From the Whitstable Times, 13 September, 1902.

REFUSING TO QUIT.

Henry Wright was summoned for refusing to quit the “Dove,” Hernhill when requested to do so by the landlord.

John Thomas Pout, the landlord, stated that he refused to serve the defendant and requested him to leave the house. He declined to so and witness put him out of the bar door.

There were six previous convictions against defendant, who was fined 5s. and 9s. costs, or seven days.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 03 August 1935.

FREE FLIGHTS. SUCCESSFUL READERS.

The readers of "The Whitstable Times," "The Kentish Observer" and "The Faversham Mercury" who have been successful in becoming entitled to free flights at Sir Alan Cobham's aerial display at Swalecliffe to-morrow (Saturday ) INCLUDE:-

Mrs. T. Hockless, the "Dove Inn," Dargate, Faversham.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 27 November 1937.

THE WHITSTABLE IMPS.

The soup supper at the Headquarters, Hamilton Road, on Monday last, was a great success.

On Sunday, a large party of Imps set out on a mystery hike and with the aid of clues all but two reached the "Four Horse Shoes," Graveney, in time for a very welcome tea. We learn that the two "lost sheep" ended their wanderings at the "Dove," Dargate, which is a favourite haunt of the Imps.

A large contingent from Whitstable attended the Herne Bay Imps' dance at the "Connaught Hotel" on Wednesday evening.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 09 April 1938.

THE WHITSTABLE IMPS.

Another enjoyable hike, organised by the Whitstable Imps, was held on Sunday, when members walked to the "Dove Inn," Dargate. An excellent tea was served by Mr. & Mrs. T. W. Hockless.