From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 10 December, 1864.

ACCIDENT

On Monday last a workman employed on the "Clarence Hotel," now in the course of erection, was struck on the head by a falling brick, and injured in the face. He was taken to the Hospital, where his injuries were attended to.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 20 July, 1866.

THE CLARENCE HOTEL, DOVER

This magnificent hotel, which fares the sea opposite the opening in the Marine Parade formed by Clarence Lawn, is now finished, and will shortly be opened to the public, the upholstery fittings and other internal embellishments being now in course of execution. We shall no doubt shortly have an opportunity of giving a more detailed description of the internal arrangements of the hotel, its decorations &c., which are described as of the most perfect and elaborate kind, rending it the most elegant as well as the most spacious of such establishments that can be found in any watering place.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 21July, 1882. Price 1d.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST A PUBLICAN

John Parks Rushton, the late landlord of the “Clarence Inn,” Council House Street, was charged on remand with allowing his licensed premises to be used as a brothel.

The Magistrate's Clerk said that this case had arisen out of a charge of larceny, when a young man named Ross, a photographer living on the Commercial Quay, accused a young woman named Emily Herrington, of stealing a watch and £3 in money, on the night that they had slept together at the defendant's house, the “Clarence Inn,” Council House Street, and from what had been given in evidence this charge had been brought against the landlord. The girl had been discharged. When this came first before the Bench the witness Rose had refused to give evidence, and was committed to seven days' imprisonment, but on arriving at Canterbury he had repented, and returned to Dover willing to give evidence, and it was taken the following day. There had been four witnesses called, and he would read their evidence.

The evidence of Emily Herrington, Police-constable Crookford, the landlady, and Rose, and then read and confirmed, with the exception of the witness Rose, who the Clerk said had left the town.

The evidence went to show that the man Rose and witness Herrington had slept together at the public-house, and it was alleged that the landlord well knew that they were not married.

Mr. W. Mowll, who appeared on behalf of the defendant, said there was no question as to the man and woman being not married, and that they slept there, but by the appearance of the female the magistrates could well see that the landlady might not have known that she was not the wife of that man, for she was unknown to the landlady. The Bench had seen the style of woman the witness Herrington was, and could see that she did not bear the brand of ill-fame upon her face, as so many unfortunate women did, and the Bench could very fairly say that the landlord was not put upon his absolute warning that she was not a married woman. In question of the kind, the character of the landlord was everything, and if the Bench decided to inflict a mark upon him, it would never be effaced during his life. He should put in on behalf of his client a letter that he had received from Lord Spencer, and also the letter that he had written to him, the noble earl. (The two letters were here read, and the one from his lordship gave the defendant an excellent character.) The letter, the speaker said, was in his lordship's own handwriting. After the defendant left Althorpe, near his lordship, in whose company of volunteers he had been, he went to Ramsgate, and kept a lodging house for twelve months, and then came to Dover and took the “Clarence Inn,” and until that case of larceny which Rose had preferred against the girl in the house, there had been nothing against the landlord. Mr. Clark, a butcher, and Mr. Wilkins, the grocer, who live opposite that house, he should call, and they would say that there was nothing against the house that they knew of. The landlord had certainly been guilty of indiscretion in not making a little enquiry before allowing them to occupy a bed in his house. He was not guilty of permitting his house for use as a brothel. The Bench knew perfectly well that in hotels frequently persons occupied rooms who were not husband and wife, and it was not as if the girl bore upon her face the brand, or undoubtedly the defendant would have been upon his guard, but she appeared as a respectable woman, and they allowed her to have the room, believing at the same time that they were man and wife. He could not put the matter more strongly before the Bench, but he would call Mr. Clark and Mr. Wilkins before them. The Lord Lieutenant for Ireland would not have gone out of his way unless he had been convinced that the defendant bore an excellent character, and taking those facts into consideration he would like the Bench to dismiss the case.

Mr. William Clark, a butcher, carrying on business in Council House Street, said: My shop is opposite the “Clarence Inn.” I have known the house, living near there for over twenty years, and as far as my observations have gone, it has been conducted as a very respectable house up till the present time, and while the defendant was landlord.

George Thomas Wilkins, a grocer carrying on business next to the previous witness, said: I can corroborate the evidence that has been given by Mr. Clark with reference to this house. I have been in the public-house several times, and have never seen anything that was improper.

The Bench said that had decided to dismiss the case.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 3 January, 1890. Price 5d.

EXTENSION OF TIME

Mr. Spain applied on behalf of Mr. Charles Stewart, of the “Clarence Theatre” for extension of time on Tuesday night till 2 o'clock on Wednesday morning on the occasion of a supper for the Orchestra Staff, and employees of the Theatre. The application was granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 January, 1905. Price 1d.

ANNOYING A LANDLORD

Frederick Banks was summoned by H. Pilcher, who complained that on the 25th December, at the “Clarence Inn,” the defendant was quarrelsome and disorderly, and refused to quit the premises.

The defendant said that his mind was a blank. He had been a teetotaller for 18 months.

The complainant was asked if he wished to proceed with the case. He said that he did, as the defendant had been uttering threats to shoot and murder his relations.

Herbert Pilcher said that the defendant was his wife's brother-in-law. Between 20 minutes and a quarter past two on Sunday the defendant brought up about a family affair, that witness told him that he did not want to hear. The defendant got excited, and witness put him out. He came back, and witness put him out again. He then used abusive language outside.

The Magistrates bound the defendant over in the sum of £10 to keep the peace, and 8/6 costs.

From The Dover Express, Friday, March 10, 1905.

FOR BUFFALOES.

Herbert Robert Pilcher, landlord of the "Clarence Inn, Council House Street, Dover, applied for a singing and dancing licence. His chief reason was on account of his having a Buffalo Lodge.

Granted.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 10 March, 1905. Price 1d.

ABSENTEE

Frank Bennett, 32, was charged with being an absentee from the Royal Navy Barracks, Chatham, since the 27th February.

Police Constable Fleet said: Yesterday morning, about 10 o'clock, from information received, I went to the “Clarence Hotel,” Council House Street, where I saw the prisoner sitting in the back room. I questioned him, and as he could not produce a liberty ticket, I brought him to the Police station, where he was detained. Whilst enquiries were being made, he admitted being an absentee since the 27th February last, from Chatham Barracks. He was then charged.

The prisoner admitted being an absentee from the Royal navy Barracks, Chatham. He first joined the navy in 1902 at Chatham.

The prisoner was ordered to be taken back to Chatham.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, 3 February, 1911.

DOVER LICENSING SESSIONS

THE CLARENCE, COUNCIL HOUSE STREET

This was a notice of objection to the "Clarence Inn," Council House Street, on the ground of redundancy.

The Chief Constable said the "Clarence" was situated in Council House Street, and was fully licensed. The brewers were Messrs. G. Beer and Co., Canterbury. The present tenant was Mr. P French, and it was transferred to him on December 5th, 1907. The rateable value was gross, £30, net £24. There were ten licensed houses within 140 yds. There had been five changes in the tenants in eleven years.

Inspector Lockwood said that he found eighteen customers on six visits.

The Magistrates without retiring, stated that the house would be sent forward to the Compensation Authorities to deal with.

From Dover Express 21 July 1911.

DOVER PUBLIC HOUSE CLOSURES. CORPORATION LOSE HOPED-FOR COMPENSATION.

The East Kent Licensing Compensation Authority on Wednesday confirmed the decision of the Magistrates at Dover as to the closing under compensation awards of the "Eight Bells," New Street, the "Clarence Inn," Council House Street, and the "Mechanic's Arms," Strond Street.