Kent & Sussex Courier 06 February 1914.

TONBRIDGE BREWSTER SESSIONS. SIX LICENCES HELD UP.

"A PECULIAR HISTORY."

Mr. R Vaughan Gower made application for a temporary authority in respect of 91, London-road, Southborough.

The Chairman said it was only fair to point out that this house was one that was marked in their list.

Mr. Gower said the late tenant had been ejected on Monday last. The owners, Messrs. Smith and Sons, Ltd., and the freeholders were desirous of transferring the license temporarily to another manager, to enable the house to be kept open until the adjourned Licensing Sessions. He was much obliged to the Bench for the hint that the house was marked on their list.

The Chairman: This house has had a very peculiar history. You appear to have had eight tenants in seven years. The man you have ejected appears to have staved the longest of any tenant.

After further discussion, the Chairman said the Bench would grant the temporary authority until the adjourned Licensing Sessions.

The Chairman said that all the licenses would be renewed, with the exception of the following, which would be adjourned for further consideration:- .... "off beerhouse," 91, London-rd., Southborough; .....

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 6 March, 1914.

TONBRIDGE BREWSTER SESSIONS.

THE ADJOURNED MEETING.

THREE HOUSES REFERRED.

The adjourned meeting of the Tonbridge Brewster Sessions was held on Tuesday morning, when the Magistrates present were: Mr. C. W Powell (in the chair), Colonel Stanley Williams, and Mr. W. Baldwin.

91, LONDON ROAD.

Mr. B. Vaughan Gower appeared for Messrs, Smith and Co., Lamberhurst, the proprietors of 91, London-road, Southborough, and formally applied for the renewal of the license.

Sergt. Wratten stated that there were at present five full, four "on" beer, and eight "off" beer licenses in Southborough. There were two "off" licenses within 73 and 178 yards, and a full license opposite. The licenses canvassed for trade. There had been eight tenants in seven years. The premises were closed from December 15th to February 6th. There were 13 licensed houses within the half-mile radius. In his opinion there was little trade done, and the house was not necessary.

By Mr. Gower:- Messrs. Smith had not another house in Southborough.

Mr. Clement Simpson, a Director of Messrs. Smith and Co., Ltd., said that the firm had had occasion to change the manager of the premises on eight occasions. The trade done at the house was in small crates principally. Messrs. Smith were wholesale people, and would not retail the beer in crates themselves. They therefore took these "off" licenses to enable them to carry on the retail trade. The amount of beer supplied in casks in 1913 was 14 barrels; in bottles, 315 dozen; in crates, 3,389. If the license was taken away the trade in crates could not he carried on by this. Smith, as a retail license was necessary for this.

The Chairman said the Bench had carefully considered the case, and after the evidence put before them, they would renew the license.