From the Kentish Gazette, 16 May 1865.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S PETTY SESSIONS.

Saturday. (Before Wm. Delmar, Esq., G. T. Tomlin, Esq., T. G. Peckham, Esq., and P. Marten, Esq.)

Public House Offence at Herne Bay.

Alfred Holness, landlord of the "Prince of Wales" public house, Herne Bay, was charged with allowing skittle playing, for beer, on his premises, on the 2nd May. Mr. Furley, of the firm of Furley, Callaway, and Furley, appeared for the defendant.

P.C. Pucker said that on the day in question he was at the defendant’s skittle alley, where he saw a number of men playing for beer. He watched them play three games, and after each game the losers paid for some beer, which was served by the defendant's son, a boy of 12 or 13 years of age. He afterwards spoke to the landlady about it in the bar, and she admitted she knew the men were playing skittles.

In reply to Mr. Furley, the witness said he did not think the landlord was aware of what was going on, as he was from home.

Mr. Furley then submitted that the charge, which was that the landlord did "knowingly" suffer unlawful games to be played on his premises, was not made out.

In reply to Mr. Tomlin, the witness said he did not sav anything to the landlady at the end of the first game, as he wanted to see sufficient to make out a clear case.

Mr. Tomlin said he considered the policeman ought to have spoken to the landlady at once, instead of allowing the men to continue gaming as it appeared he did.

The Clerk said it appeared that the landlord did not know what was going on.

Mr. Furley again submitted that the case was not made out, as the landlord did not know of the gaming. If he had been at home he would not have allowed it.

Mr. Delmar said the magistrates were of opinion that the case must be dismissed, and he could not help saying that he thought the policeman ought to have stopped the playing as soon as he knew the men were playing for money.