From the Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald, Saturday 29 June, 1912.

INNKEEPER'S FAILURE.

At a sitting of the Canterbury Bankruptcy Court on Saturday, Mr. Frederick William Alexander, of the "Anchor", Stowting, appeared for his public examinations. he was represented by Mr. A. K. Mowll.

Debtor, in reply to the Official Receiver, stated that he was a farmer at Egerton for a number of years. He was not successful, and in 1899 he found his affairs to be somewhat involved. During that and the two following years, he obtained loans amounting to £115 from Elizabeth Ann Taylor, his wife's sister, on a note of hand only, but even with these loans he was not able to regain his feet. In February of 1903 he was owing a lot of money, and made a deed of assignment in favour of Mr. Champion and Mr. A. J. Burrows as trustees. Under that deed a dividend of 5s. 7d. in the £ was paid on liabilities amounting to £594 3s. 11d. Miss Taylor did not participate under the deed, and he thought he would be able to pay her back, but he was never able to do so. The trustees, as a matter of fact, knew nothing about her claim, as it was not sent to them, but Miss Taylor was aware that he was making an arrangement with his creditors. For a number of years subsequently he worked as a labourer at Monks Horton Farm, while his wife earned money as a caretaker. between them they saved £100, and in October, 1909 he became the tenant of the "Anchor Inn," Stowting. The ingoing valuation amounted to £84 6s. 7d., which sum was paid out of the £100, and the balance he used as working capital. As the takings of the Inn were insufficient to meet all expenses, he augmented his receipts by working for Mr. Marwood as a farm labourer, while his wife looked after the Inn. He dealt entirely with Messrs. Mackeson for beer, stout, spirits, and crates, but was free for minerals. he kept no books, and had no banking account, His insolvency was due to the loss of a recent law suit, by which he became liable for £181 1s. 11d., and the costs.

Examined as to the law suit, debtor said he had always considered his original debt of £115 to have been released, or in any case to have become statute barred, but about three months ago Miss Taylor began to press him for the amount and interest, and a writ was issued on March 8th against both him and his wife. On the advice of his solicitors he disputed the claim, and counsel advised that the claim statute barred. The action was tried before Mr. Justice Coleridge in the King's bench Division, and he and his wife had judgement given against them for £181 1s. 11d. and costs. Counsel wanted him to appeal against the decision, but he had no funds. Execution was levied on the whole of his effects at the Inn on May 17th, and as he could not make any arrangement he filed his petition. All the debts in the statement of affairs, with the exception of £13 due to the brewers, were in respect of the trial of the action.

In reply to Mr. Mowll, debtor said that, not understanding the question, he told the judge at the trial that he had made over his property to his wife. As a matter of fact, he had not made anything over to his wife.

The public examination was closed.

Folkestone, Hythe, Sandgate & Cheriton Herald 4 September 1915.

LICENSING.

The "Anchor Inn," Stowting, was transferred to Mr. J. James.

The Chairman said it was the desire of the Bench to impress upon all licensees the necessity for great caution to be observed in serving soldiers with liquor, and especially soldiers who were in a state of convalescence at coming out of hospital. The Magistrates hoped all licensees would be very careful in this matter.