Kentish Gazette 23 November 1858.

SITTINGBOURNE PETTY SESSIONS. Monday, Nov. 15. (Before Dr. Poore.)

CAUTION TO OVERSEERS AND BEERSELLERS.

Charles Adsley and James Anstey, beershop-keepers, severally appeared on summons taken out by the chief constable of Sheerness, at the instance of one of the overseers of the parish, charged with "obtaining licenses to retail beer under false certificates." Mr. Large, supervisor, proved the granting of the licenses to each of the defendants, on the 23d of Oct. On that occasion they produced certificates to the effect that they were rated at about £11 10s., the sum required under the Acts 3 and 4 Vic. cap. 61, sec. 18, to render them eligible for licenses.

Mr. Burley, overseer, stated that under the act the certificates should be signed by six ratepayers as to the character of the applicants, and signed by one of the overseers, as to the rating. He produced his rate-book, and proved that the defendants were not rated at a sum sufficient to meet the requirements of the act, and that several of the persons whose names were attached to the certificates were not rated as required. The certificates were signed by the senior overseer, Amos Cheeseman.

Defendants said that what they were now rated at would have been sufficient, but that the last rate had not been signed by the magistrates.

The Bench had no option but to convict, and each were fined £18 and costs, £3 8s. 8d., and disqualified from again holding a license.