From the Rochester and Chatham Journal and Mid-Kent Advertiser, Saturday, September 2, 1876.

The Chatham Skating Rink.

Mr. Montague Williams, of London, barrister (instructed by Mr. Foster of London), said he had the honour to appear as counsel for the proprietors of the Chatham Skating Rink, in whose behalf he asked for a 6 days' licence. It was a somewhat exceptional application and as "good wine needs no bush" he would make very few observations, because he felt satisfied you should show the bench at this was an application which needed to be granted. The gentleman who applied for the licence were the lessees of the rink. The ground on which the rink was built was leased by two gentleman named Toulagln, who had been in the army, and another gentleman named Burners, and they sort for a licence, not in the name of any nominee, but for themselves. He understood there was to be opposition, but he could not tell its nature or from whom it emanated. He would be much obliged if the attorney who appeared on the other side-

Mr. Hayward:- There are no attorneys now.

Mr. Williams:- Well, the gentleman in the other branch of the profession. I don't mind whether I am called barrister or council. I mean no affront.

Mr. Hayward did not think that for a moment.

Mr. Williams said he would like to know what enemy he had to meet.

Mr. Hayward stated that he opposed on behalf of Mr. Burford, who keeps the "Gibraltar," and adjacent house.

Mr. Williams:- Now I understand. It is a publican's opposition and I shall deal with it as such. All that was sought by the lessees - and they were willing that the magistrate should tie them down in this - was to sell to persons who paid their 1s. or whatever the price might be for the purpose of entering the rink, in order that they might not be driven through the turntable turnstile to be drenched with liquor that possibly would not be as good for them as a liquor that would be provided by gentleman who would have the means of ordering direct from the wine merchant and testing for themselves. It would be only a 6 days' licence and for the hours during which the rink was open. The rink was a very expensive undertaking - they had to pay something like £500 simply for using the Plimpton skates - and in point of fact the lessees had every inducement to do that which as gentleman he was sure they would do, keep the premises orderly and well-conducted. He might say that the Rev. H. B. Stevens, who leased the land, actually supported the application, because there was a provision in the lease directing certain things in the event of a lease being obtained. He did not know whether the person who opposed was the one who, under a daily Excise licence, had hitherto supplied refreshments on the rink. But even under that state of things the bench had heard no complaints made or suggested. The lessees of the rink were anxious to keep the place respectable, and it would be madness on their part to admit any but respectable people. He could not understand what opposition there could be on the part of this solitary publican he could not see how he would be injured in any way. It could not effect the ordinary public house sale. It was not a question of remaining in the tap room to drink hour after hour; it was an exceptional supply, and simply to persons who, if they were not o the rink, would just as soon think of entering the pot houses alluded to as they would have walking from here to London for a glass of whiskey and water (a laugh). It was ridiculous, and how the publican, who appeared very much like a dog in the manger, could feel aggrieved, he was at a loss to understand. He might add that there was no power for the present lessees to reassign the lease without the consent of the lesser. He handed in a memorial, and said he understood there was a rink club of 150 members, most of whom had signed it.

By Mr. Prall:- I appear for them.

Mr. Williams:- Then I need say nothing about them. He concluded by reminding there worships that if they granted his application it could only be in the shape of a rule nisi, but he trusted he would be able to get the confirming committee to make it a rule absolute.

Mr. Prall asked the courtesy of the bench in listening to a few remarks he had to say on behalf of the members of the rink club.

Mr. Hayward said it was a little out of order to hear anybody in support of applications, and it was opening a floodgate.

The Clerk said it was rather unusual.

Mr. Prall admitted it was with the bench.

Mr. Hulks said the bench would take it simply that Mr. Prall appeared for the club.

Mr. Prall:- Very well, sir.

Mr. Hayward said the bench would have to consider, first, whether it was desirable that the licence should be granted - whether it was not only a place to employ muscular exertion and not to smoke a pipe and drink a glass of brandy and water in afterwards; and secondly, if the licence should be granted under ordinary circumstances, whether the rent was so situated that there was or was not any particular objection to a licence being granted to it. Of course the club was anxious, naturally, to do anything to get people to the rink, and as at present establish persons went there simply to rink; but if they were going to have a "pot house" licence they should have people go there for a very different purpose, and the probability was they would drive away those respectable persons whom he was informed now attended the rink. He was very much surprised that the proprietor, in their own interests should have made this application. It had nothing to do with that similar applications hade been granted to other places, but as other places had been mentioned he might tell the bench that at Maidstone a licence had been refused. Some magistrates thought it desirable the pot house should be united with the rink; others thought it should be for the purpose of muscular exertion only. Of course Mr. Stevens did not oppose the application, because he would not get so much rent if the licence were not obtained. He was certainly surprised the Rev. Stephen should have granted the lease, considering the position of the place and how it had annoyed the Rev. Mr. Joseph.

Mr. Williams objected to anything being said about the Rev. Joseph unless that gentleman was to be called as a witness.

Mr. Hayward said he would like very much for the Rev. Stevens to be called (a laugh). But as Mr. Williams had stated that Mr. Stevens approved of the rink he had surely a right to state that the Rev. Joseph disapproved of it.

Mr. Williams said the lease spoke for itself with regard to the Rev. Stevens.

Mr. Hulks thought the bench might take the lease as a fact, while they had no such thing before them respecting the Rev Joseph.

Mr. Hayward continued:- It seems to him there could not be a more improper place for a licence then a rink. Would the managers be always on the premises to see that good order was observed, because that was a most important thing? Then was there any actual necessity for a license? He was opposing in behalf of the "Gibraltar" which was the nearest to the entrance of the rink. They were told that temporary refreshments had been applied by Mr. Wisdom. Well there were private rooms in Mr. Wisdom's house in which person's could get whatever they required to drink, and just as unadulterated as if supplied as a wine merchant would supply it. If it was said that that would drive people outside all difficulty was obviated by giving them return tickets available for a certain time. But he implored the bench to pause before they turned the rink into a place where there was nothing to prevent smoking and drinking. He was astonished not so much that the holders of the lease but that the members of the club should come there to ask for a licence for such a place.

Mr. Williams intimated that if a licence were granted the lessees were willing to abide by any terms they might be put under.

The Magistrates retired for a few minutes, and on their return into court, Mr. Hulks said they had decided to grant the licence, subject, of course, to confirmation, and subject also to its only being used for rinkers. And that if the drink was not conducted properly the lessees need not be surprised should the licence be refused next year.