Kentish Gazette, Tuesday 01 May 1855.

Caution to publican's.

John Coleman, of the "Kings Head," Chartham, appeared on the information of Superintendent Walker, to answer a charge of unlawfully suffering certain gaming on his premise, with skittles, on the 14th April. The Superintendent deposed to the fact of seeing skittle playing on the occasion in question; and of his asking George Lawrence, one of the players, whether they were playing for £1 a side? To which he replied "for beet only." Having called in the defendant he admitted the same thing, and added, that no one could stop it. Lawrence, who was examined, declared that he was so drunk at the time as not to know what he stated to the Superintendent; and Mr. Walker tried to elicit from him a subsequent admission, that he had made on the 24th, that the party were playing for beer.

The witness denied this altogether.

Mr Delasaux, for the defence, submitted, that there was no case for conviction, as there was no proof of the skittles being played for beer, as implied by the Superintendent. The witness Laurence distinctly denied having made any admission.

The Chairman:- He either did not or would not recollect.

Superintendent Walker stated that, had he been drunk he would not have submitted him; the fact was, he was not drunk at the time alluded to, nor on the subsequent occasion of conversing with him.

Mr. Delasaux then called a witness to speak to the generally good conduct of the house.

The Chairman, in announcing the decision of the Bench, observed that they were was quite enough on which to convict. They never had reason to suspect Superintendent Walker of giving false evidence. believing that the conversation had taken place which he stated, they felt bound to convict the defendant; but it appearing that he did not think he was transgressing any law, they would fix the nominal amount of 2s. 6d., with costs £1 2s. 6d. The penalty was paid, and the witness Lawrence received 3s. 6. for his day's attendance, which the Chairman regretted, but too late, as he said he should have been included, under the circumstances, not to allow him anything.