From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 4 September, 1885. Price 1d.

OBJECTION TO A PUBLIC HOUSE FOR CLARENDON STREET

An application was made for a provisional license for a public-house proposed to be built by the Dover Brewery Company, on a plot of land at the top of Clarendon Street.

Mr. Worsfold Mowll appeared for the applicants and Mr. T. Lewis opposed.

Mr. Edwin Coleman proved that the statutory notice had been published, producing a copy of the Dover Express in which it had appeared, and also stated that the notice had been affixed to a piece of timber on the sides and on the doors of Christ Church and Hougham Church on two Sundays.

Mr. Lewis said he should have something to say about the notices.

Mr. Mowll: May I ask on whose behalf you appear?

Mr. Lewis: Technically I appear on behalf of Mr. George Solley of 30, Clarendon Street, and I appear also for other parties.

Mr. Mowll objected that Mr. Solley had not such an interest in the proposed license as to give him a locus standi in the matter.

The Mayor said it was the opinion of the Bench that the locus standi was quite sufficient.

Mr. W. J. Wyles, builder, proved the plans, and said that the house would let at about £35 a year.

Mr. Stimpson said he was a junior partner in the Dover Brewery Company who applied for this provisional license.

Mr. Lewis: I suppose it is intended to be an ordinary brewer's house?

Witness: Yes.

Mr. Lewis: You do not propose keeping it yourself?

Witness: No.

By Mr. Mowll: We purchased this plot of ground when we took over business from Kingsford and Co.

Mr. Lewis said it would perhaps save the time of the Court if he first objected that Mr. Stimpson was not a proper person to have this license granted to him. Mr. Lewis then proceeded to quote authorities and statutes to show that the person who was going to keep the house was the person who ought to apply fro the provisional license.

After some discussion the Magistrates over-ruled this objection.

Mr. Mowll then proceeded with his application, and called Mr. Horace Freeman, clerk to Mr. E. W. Fry, architect, who put in a plan of the Clarendon Estate with certain houses marked.

Mr. Mowll put in a memorial, which was not read, stating that it was signed in favour of the license by either the owners or occupiers of the marked houses. He then proceeded to inform the Bench that this application for a licensed house at the top of Clarendon Street was in accordance with the plan on which the estate was laid out. It was proposed to have two licensed houses on the estate. The license for the “Malvern” at the town end of the estate, the Magistrates granted a few years ago; and now the estate was complete, it was proposed to erect another public-house at the other end at the top of Clarendon Street. The public-house would be, there and back, three-quarters of a mile from the “Malvern,” 500 yards from the “Engineer” on the Folkestone Road, and about half a mile from Mr. Brazier's at Maxton. (“Orange Tree”) he wished the Magistrates to notice that the plan showed that they had not got any signatures from the part of the estate next to the “Malvern;” and he contended that Mr. Solly, who lived at 30, Clarendon Street, was not at all interested in public-houses which it was proposed to place at the other end of the street. He was also instructed by the Dover brewery Company to say that if the Bench granted this license they would abandon the license of the “William and Albert” public-house in Seven Star Street, so that the number of houses would not be increased.

The Mayor asked if there were not two beer shops having off licenses on the Clarendon Estate?

Mr. Mowll said there were two at Clarendon Place, but they were granted when the Bench had no discretion as to off licenses.

Mr. Lewis said he did not propose to occupy the time of the Court at great length. He represented, in addition to Mr. George Solley, other persons residing in Clarendon Street, and a body of persons who were interested in this matter. Having already dwelt on the technical point, he would proceed to deal with the local circumstances. He would ask the Bench to look at the plan and memorial and to remember the trouble that had been taken to influence the people in the neighbourhood to sign; and considering the influence that had been brought to hear, he thought that he was entitled to draw the conclusion that every case where there was a blank on the plan and a signature could not be got for the public-house, the householder might be fairly reckoned as being against it. The inhabitants of Clarendon Street went there when there was no public-houses there, many of them in order to secure peace and quietness which could not be had where such house existed; and as the restriction with regard to the other houses was not that they were not to be used as public-houses, they would naturally conclude that there was to be no licensed house there. Look where this house was situate, at the extreme end of the estate. If it were for the convenience of the street it would have been placed in the middle. It was evidently put there with a view of supplying a number of houses, which it was hoped would spring up on the other said; but at present there were but two new houses on the other side, therefore he would urge the Bench that the house was not wanted. Then as to the character of this proposed house. It was to be a brewers' house. They had already had an illustration of the working of one of those houses before the court that morning, and he thought if ever a license were granted it should be to the person who was actually going to keep the house. He did not think it desirable to weary the Bench with details, because they well understood all the circumstances, but he asked with confidence that the license be not granted.

Mr. Mowll remarked that Mr. Lewis had produced no evidence.

Mr. Lewis said that all the facts that he had relied upon were before the Court.

The Magistrates retired to consider the matter privately, and on returning to Court the Mayor said: The Magistrates are of opinion at the present time there is no need for another licensed house in the neighbourhood, and the application will accordingly be refused.

The Court then adjourned until the 16th of September, when the sitting will be held at Broadstairs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 3 September, 1886. 1d.

DOVER LICENSING SESSIONS

Mr. Worsfold Mowll, on behalf of the Dover Brewery Company, applied for a provisional license for a house that it was proposed to erect at the top of Clarendon Street. Mr. Mowll said that he had advised his clients on the Bench, not being inclined to the policy of increasing the number of licenses in the town, it would be useless to ask for this license without another of substantial value were given up. Arrangements had been in progress for selling some property and surrendering the license in a district sufficiently supplied, but the arrangements for the sale of the property not having been completed he had to ask that the case be adjourned to Broadstairs.

Mr. Lewis, who was instructed to oppose the license, said that under the circumstances he should not object to the adjournment, it being understood that if the license referred to could not be given the application for this license should be abandoned.

The application was adjourned to Broadstairs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 17 September, 1886. 1d.

BROADSTAIRS LICENSING SESSIONS

APPLICATION FOR A WINE AND SPIRIT LICENSE.

At the Adjourned Licensing Sessions of the Borough of Dover and its Liberties, held at the “Balmoral Hotel,” Broadstairs, on Wednesday, before the Mayor of Dover (W. J. Adcock, Esq.), Sir Richard Dickeson, Dr. Astley, Mr. J. L. Bradley, Mr. T. V. Brown, Mr. S. F. Peirce, and Mr. A. Bottle, Mr. Knocker applied on behalf of Samuel brine, tea dealer, Market Square, Dover, for a wine and spirit license in respect of premises underneath the Carlton Club.

Mr. Mowll appeared on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers' Association, and urged that the applicant ought before making this application to have taken out a wholesale dealer's license for spirits. With regard to the beer license, there was no option for their worships if the applicant satisfied them that he complied with the four requisitions of the Wine and Beer House Act of 1860. He thought he would be stating the feelings of the Bench when he said he was sure that they would have been very pleased that he had the discretion, for it must be patient that it was utterly necessary to add another wine dealer's to license those required in the square.

The Mayor said the Magistrates were of opinion that the requirements of the Act was not complied with in regard to spirits, and therefore that application was refused. With regard to wine they had no option, and therefore the license was granted.

The licenses for the Liberties were renewed.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 2 September, 1887. 1d.

DOVER LICENSING SESSIONS

THE CLARENDON ESTATE APPLICATION

An application was made on behalf of Mr. R. V. Elvey for a provisional license for a public house proposed to be built at the top of Clarendon Street.

Mr. Martyn Mowll applied for the hearing of the application to be adjourned to Broadstairs. His brother who was familiar with the facts of the case was unavoidably absent, and he desired to make the application. Mr. Lewis appeared to oppose the license and he had on being appealed to, declined to agree to that postponement, but he (Mr. Mowll) hoped the Bench would grant it.

Mr. Lewis said he must strongly oppose the adjournment of this case to Broadstairs. This was a matter of great interest to the people of Dover and it aught to be dealt with in Dover, and not in a remote limb of Dover twenty miles away. The granting of the license would be strongly opposed for the reason that the Magistrates had previously refused it and there were no new facts to recommend it. It looked like an attempt to weary the opposition, being made year after year, and if the hearing were adjourned to Broadstairs it would very unfairly increase the expense of the opposition. He objected to the adjournment as a matter of principle and also as a matter of law. He was aware that Dover cases had been dealt with at Broadstairs, but he contended that it was not right for the Magistrates of Dover to exercise jurisdiction in a remote limb of the Borough relating to the heart of the Borough.

After a short consultation with their Clerk the Magistrates resolved to adjourn the case to Broadstairs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 16 September, 1887. 1d.

BROADSTAIRS LICENSING SESSIONS

On Wednesday the Dover Licensing Sessions held by adjournment their annual Licensing Sessions at Broadstairs. Only two Dover cases were reserved for consideration there.

CLARENDON STREET APPLICATION

The application for a provisional license for a public house proposed to be erected by the Dover Brewery Company on a plot of land at the top of Clarendon Street was postponed at the Dover Sittings owing to the absence of Mr. Worsfold Mowll, who had made the application on a previous occasion.

Mr. Lewis who opposed the allocation on that occasion objected to the license being granted and also to the adjournment of the case to Broadstairs on the grounds that it was not fair that the parties residing in Dover should be put to the expense of going to Broadstairs to make the objection.

When the case was called Mr. Worsfold Mowll said that the applicants had decided to withdraw it and that notice had been given to the opponents to save them the trouble and expense of attending.

There was no other business of local interest.