From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 9 March, 1906. Price 1d.

ALTERATIONS TO PUBLIC HOUSES

At the Police Court this morning, Mr. A. K. Mowll asked permission of the Bench to make alterations to the structure of several public houses.

At the "British Queen" it was proposed to slightly alter the internal arrangements in order that the tenant should have greater supervision over the house.

The Magistrates approved of the various plans showing the alterations.

Dover Express 8th June 1917.

Kentish News Faversham. DOVER PUBLICAN IN TROUBLE.

At the Faversham Borough Police Court on Saturday before Mr. F. Austin (in the chair) and Mr. G. Johnson, Dick Wakefield, a publican, of 76 Biggin Street, Dover, was charged with using obscene language in the Market Place on the previous night. P.C. Bowsher stated that at 10 p.m. prisoner wanted to shake hands with several persons in the Market Place and, when they refused, he made use of bad language. He had had a drink or two but was not drunk. Supt. Lawrence stated that prisoner was very excited when in the cells and he had to turn his light out to keep him quiet. Charles Frederick Taylor, 8 Mendfield Street, corroborated P.C. Bowsher’s evidence. The Supt said he thought the prisoner ought to be made an example of, as being a licensee in another town, he ought to have known better. Prisoner, who denied the offence, was fined £1 which he paid out of the £1. 13s 10d found on him.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 27 March, 1925. Price 1½d.

ALLEGED DRINKING OUT OF HOURS

At the Dover police Court on Monday, before Messrs W. J. Palmer, S. Lewis, C. E. Beaufoy and W. Hollis.

Edward John Wood, 65, Clarendon Street, was charged with unlawfully consuming intoxicating liquors on licensed premises; and Dick Wakefield, licensee of the "British Queen," was charged with aiding and abetting him in the offence.

Mr. Rutley Mowll defended, and pleaded not guilty.

Mr. Taylor prosecuted and outlined the facts of the case.

P.S. Merricks said on March 6th, in company with P.C. Pollington, he entered the "British Queen" public house by the back door at 4.05 p.m., finding the back door standing wide open. they went into the passage and heard voices in the smoking room. He tried the door, found it unlocked, and they entered the room. Defendant Wood had a pint glass to his lips, and was drinking apparently alcoholic liquor. Witness said to him, "What are you doing here;" and he replied, "I have just finished my pint of beer." He then added, "I bought it before half past two." Mrs. Wakefield was present and drew her attention to Wood's remark, and she said he was served with the drink before 2.30 p.m. the defendant Wakefield then came in. Witness cautioned him, told him what he had seen and what had been said. he replied, "Quite right; there has been no beer served here in this room since 2.30." Witness told him he would report the matter.

In reply to Mr. Taylor, witness said that defendant was just finishing the drink.

Mr. Mowll: Did you actually see what was in the glass?

Yes, sir.

Did you taste it?

No, sir; there was nothing to taste.

Mr. Mowll: Then you could not have seen it. (Laughter.)

P.C. Pollington said he was present with P.S. Merricks, and he corroborated his evidence.

Mr. Mowll questioned whether there was any evidence against Wakefield, as he was not present. There was some evidence against Wood on account of his remarks.

The Bench decided there was no evidence against Wakefield.

Mr. Mowll said that the law was that no alcoholic drink must be sold between 2.30 and 6 p.m., and neither must a customer consume what he had previously bought. There was no objection to a customer being on the premises. Public houses might be open all day and night, and non-alcoholic liquors could be supplied at all hours of the day and night, and a licensee was entitled to treat his friends during prohibited hours and was entitled to supply persons who were residents in the house, although that did not apply to this  case.

Dick Wakefield said he had been a licensed victualler in Dover for 20 years, and this had been the first summons he had ever had. On March 6th Wood came in at 2.05 p.m. he knew him well, said he was a friend of his since a boy. he supplied Wood as a customer during permitted hours. When they closed he invited Wood to come in and have a drink. He "stood" him a glass of beer, and they sat down together with his (Wakefield's) wife in the smoke room and made arrangements  to go out together that evening. At about 3.30 p.m. the defendant said he was going to have a half hour's nap.

Mr. Mowll: Nap! That is an unfortunate word. I suppose you mean sleep, not a game of cards. (Laughter.)

Continuing, the defendant said on going through he met the Police. There was only a speck on the glass when the Police came in. The drink that Wood had when the Police arrived was the drink he had treated him to. Wood remained and had tea with them, and then went out in the evening.

Mr. Taylor: You often give Wood drinks?

Yes - and he is not the only one - and anyone else who wants one.

Mr. Taylor: He is rather fortunate, is he not?

He is, absolutely.

Mr. Taylor: have you ever given his tea before?

No, I cannot afford to give him too much.

Mr. Taylor: On this occasion you particularly wanted him to be a friend?

Not particularly, because he is a friend.

Edward John Wood corroborated Wakefield's evidence.

Mr. Mowll said that was the case for the defence, and if those facts were true the defendants were entitled to be acquitted. The case Corbett v. Hague was cited in such cases, and the editor of "Patterson's Licensing Act" noted in reference to it that a person holding the position of a customer could not become a friend. They would find, however, on reading the judgement of the case that the view was quite wrong. It simply came down to the point that if they were satisfied that the evidence that had been given was true, both were entitled to be acquitted, and Wakefield was quite entitled to give his friend liquor. No doubt the Magistrates  were thinking of  the Police evidence, in which Wood was said to have said, "I bought it." he could not get away from that, and it was for them to say whether they believed the evidence or whether they thought that the statement made to the Police on the spur of the moment was more correct.

The Bench retired to consider the case. They were away some minutes, and on their return the Chairman said that they believed the statement of Wood to the Sergeant was correct, and that the liquor was bought before 2.30 p.m. They had taken into consideration Wakefield's previous good character, and they had decided to dismiss the summons against him on payment of costs. Wood would also be dismissed on payment of costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 27 February 1953.

THREE IN THE SIXTY.

Jack Wittall, the well-known local darts player, receives a certificate for obtaining a "possible," three sixties, from Mr. Harry Vyse, captain of the Elvington Working Men's Club team. Jack was playing for the "British Queen" against the Elvington Club when he scored his points.