From the Whitstable Times, 13 July, 1901.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S PETTY SESSIONS.

Saturday, July 6.— Before Captain T. Lambert (in the chair), Mr. F. H. Wilbae, and Mr. A. Collard.

OF INTEREST TO PUBLIC HOUSE VALURES AND AGENTS.

Mr. Ben Twyman applied for the transfer of the licence of the "Sportsman Inn, Sturry, from William J. Benge to Williim Gore.

Superintendent Jacobs said that before the application was granted he should like to say that a fortnight ago Mr. Twyman applied to the Bench for a temporary authority for Gore to sell and it was granted. On making enquiries afterwards he (the Superintendent) found that Gore had been in possession since the previous Tuesday and he was thus carrying on the house from Saturday till Saturday in another name. The man's character was satisfactory, but the outgoing tenant would be liable if anything occurred on the premises after he had left. He (the Superintendent) knew nothing of the application until he heard it in court. He had no proper notice.

Mr. Twyman said he must contradict the Superintendent, he left notice at his office and enquiry was made by the police.

The Superintendent.— I had no notice at all.

The Magistrates’ Clerk (Mr. W. N. Wightwick) said he not know that the Superintendent was entitled to any notice.

Superintendent Jacobs said the only thing he objected to was persons taking possession of a house before they had the authority of the magistrates.

Mr. Twyman contended that he had only been following the practise of the court and all other courts in East Kent where he had dealings.

The Chairman said it was not right and must not occur again. The Superintendent did right in bringing the matter forward.
The licence was granted.

On Mr. H. M. Briggs making a similar application the Superintendent raised the same objection, saying it meant that the agents and valuers acted as magistrates in such cases.

The licence in this instance was also granted, and the magistrates decided to discus the question at their next meeting.

From the Whitstable Times, 20 December, 1902.

SPORTSMAN SLATE CLUB.

With a view of encouraging thrift and to enable the members to provide against “a rainy day” when it comes in the form of sickness disability, a slate club has been recently started at the “Sportsman Inn,” Sturry. Slate clubs appear to be the rage hereabouts just now.

From the Canterbury Journal and Farmers’ Gazette, Saturday, 21 February, 1903.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S ADJOURNED LICENSING SESSIONS.

STURRY.—BAGATTELLE LICENCE GRANTED.

William Gore, landlord of the "Sportsman," Sturry, applied for a bagatelle licence. He said he made the application in order that he might have more amusement for his customers.

There was no objection on the part of the police and the application was granted.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, 2 March 1907.

THE SPORTSMAN, STURRY.

This licence was opposed by the Magistrates on the ground of redundancy.

Mr. R. M. Mercer appeared on behalf of the licensee and also on behalf of the owners, Messrs. Flint and Co., of Canterbury.

Superintendent Jacobs stated that this house was situated in Sturry Street, and the tenant was George Port. It was a beer house. The rent was £12, the rates were £4, and the assessment was £24. The house did a low class trade, and the tenant went out to work. The tenant informed witness that he could not get a living in the house and had to go out to work.

Mr. Mercer said last year the tenant took in 153 barrels, and “he must be an ass if he could not make a living out of that.” There must be gross waste somewhere. There was no particular crime in Sturry except the driving of motor cars furiously round the corner.

THE JUSTICES’ DECISION.

After considering the evidence in private for some time, the Chairman announced that the decision of the Bench was that the following houses should be reported to Quarter Sessions for the licences to be taken away on the grounds that they were not required The “Queen’s Head,” Herne Bay; the “Rose and Crown,” Herne Bay; the “Lower Red Lion,” Herne; and the “Sportsman,” Sturry.