From the Dover Express, Friday 18 March 1904.

A public house scene.

John King was charged with being drunk and disorderly and causing to be broken a glass panel value 14s. the property of Charles Edward Wraith, the landlord of the "Avenue Inn," Snargate Street.

Beatrice Knight said: I am barmaid at the "Avenue Inn," Snargate Street. The prisoner came in yesterday afternoon about 3:45. He was alone, and was the worst for drink. He called for some ale, and I refused to serve him. I asked him to go away, but he stood there and did not go. He went into the next compartment and assaulted one of the customers, and struck him in the face. I then went in to the parlour for some water, and while away I heard a crash of glass. When I came back I saw him kick another customer's dog. The man that the prisoner struck had hit the prisoner back again, and a fight ensued. Mr. Wraith came downstairs, and the prisoner asked him for a drop of ale, which he refused, and went to fetch a Constable. He asked for a drop of ginger beer, which I gave him. The prisoner had gone before Mr. Wraith got back. On several occasions he has been a nuisance in the bar.

Prisoner:- Didn't I have a glass of ale in the bar?

Witness:- No, all you had was a glass of ginger beer, which you refused to drink.

Police Constable Fox said:- Yesterday afternoon about 5:30 while on duty I was called by Mr. Wraith to the "Avenue." I went there, and was shown the glass panel which was broken, and from what I was told I went across to the "Grand Sultan," where I found the prisoner. He had just been supplied with a glass of soda water. He was the worst for drink. Mr. Wraith gave him into custody for creating a disturbance in the house. £7 11s. 1d. in money was found on him when searched at the Police Station.

In reply to the Chairman, witness said the prisoner was a marine stoker.

The prisoner said:- I went into the house about 3:45. I called for a glass of ale, which barmaid gave me. I sat down near the glass panel. A soldier came directly in and spoke to one of his chums. He walked into the next compartment, came and looked at me, and said, "What are you doing here?" I said, "Nothing. I haven't done anything to you." He then struck me, and my head struck the panel and broke it. The soldier then went into the other compartment. The barmaid went out, and he walked straight out and across the road.

The landlord, Mr. C. E. Wraith, gave evidence in corroboration of the barmaid.

The Magistrates fined the prisoner 23s. including costs, or in default 14 days. He went to prison.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 9 February, 1917.

DOVER LICENSING MEETING

The annual meeting of Justices for the purpose of issuing licenses for the ensuing year was held at the Town Hall on Monday before Mr. W. J. Barnes (in the chair), Messrs. Edward Chitty, W. J. Palmer, W. D. Atkins, F. W. Prescott and A. Clark.

RENEWAL OF LICENSES.

In the case of the “Avenue Inn,” Snargate Street, Mr. E. le Gros having joined up, the license was transferred to Mrs. Le Gros. It was stated that the house had been in the family for many years. The Bench warned Mrs. Le Gros to be very careful.

ALTERATIONS.

In the case of the “Avenue Inn,” Snargate Street, notice had been given to present plans of alterations. Mr. Mowll appeared, and showed that the corner of the partition where the barrel was in the recent case should be taken off, so that there should be no corner.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 2 March, 1917.

ADJOURNED LICENSING SESSIONS

In regard to the alteration at the “Avenue,” it was stated that it had now been carried out, and was quite satisfactory.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 14 October, 1938.

Plans for alterations to the sanitary and licensee's accommodation at the "Avenue," Snargate Street, were approved.

Dover Express 25th August 1944.

£10 WHISKY FINE. ADDED WATER AT DOVER.

At the Dover Police Court on Friday last, before Messrs. G. Golding and C. Byford and Mrs. Binge.

Frederick William Hendy of the “Avenue” Inn, 161 Snargate Street, was summoned for selling whisky which had 7 per cent added water, on 13th July.

Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared for defendant, who pleaded guilty, Mr. Mowll stating that he would explain the circumstances.

Mr. S. R. H. Loxton (Town Clerk), prosecuting, said that on 13th July at 6.45 p.m. Mr. Cuckney, Sanitary Inspector, went into the “Avenue” Inn and asked for two double whiskies, and, after paying for them, said that they were for samples and asked for a third double. These three whiskies were poured into a glass, mixed, and divided into three measures, one of which Mr. Cuckney handed to the Public Analyist. A certificate was issued which showed that the whisky had 7 per cent added water. The whisky was sold by Mrs. Jenkins, manageress of the house, but defendant had not given notice, as he was entitled to, of blaming her.

Mr. Mowll said that defendant was not at the “Avenue”, but the bar was in the charge of a competent manageress. Mrs. Jenkins had had 10 years experience in public house work. It was very customary for the young lady behind the bar to be asked to have a drink with the customer and Mrs. Jenkins kept a bottle of diluted whisky for her own use in such circumstances. By an accident which occurred when the bar was being cleaned at midday her bottle was placed in the position normally occupied by the customers’ whisky. It was not until she was cleaning up in the evening, after Mr. Cuckney had called, that she discovered that she had been serving out of her own bottle, which was marked. Mr. Mowll added that the defendant had been a licensed victualler for 18 years and there was nothing against him previously.

The Chairman said that the Magistrates appreciated what Mr. Mowll had said, but the customers must be safeguarded. That sort of thing was going on in other parts of the country and they did not wish it to occur in Dover. Defendant would be fined £10 and the Magistrates hoped that it would be a warning to others to be careful.