Bromley & District Times, Friday 6 August 1897.

A Belvedere "Beano."

John Manning who was on the date of the offence a beer-house keeper, his house being the "Builders Arms," of Colman Street, Victoria Road, Belvedere, was before the Court for permitting drinking on his licensed premises after 11 p.m. on the 16th of August, and William Cooper, Henry Lawrence, George Lawrence, and George Jenkins were summoned for being found drinking up on licensed premises after closing time, on the same date.

Detective Hardy said that on a night in question he heard singing in the beer-house, kept by the defendant Manning, and, on looking in, he saw the defendant's there.

Inspector Sly was called to the house by this witness, and that officer, accompanied by Detective Hardy, entered.

Inspector Sly gave evidence. He put in a formal notification to the effect that Manning was the licence holder of the beer house in question on the 16th, and that application was made for the temporary transfer on May 17th the George Henry Hook.

The Inspector found the four men in the house, the defendant Manning said they were his lodgers and that as he was going out of the house on the morrow he was singing them a parting song.

Defending Manning told the Magistrates that he could see he did not take any money after 3 minutes to 11 o'clock.

In announcing the decision of the Court, the Chairman said it must be understood that holders of licences are required to comply with the licensing laws up to the last moment they were in possession of their houses. Under the circumstances, however, the magistrates were inclined to deal leniently with the case, and Manning will be fined 10s. and the cost. The other defendants also fined 10s. including the costs, with the exception of Cooper, who was fined 15s.