From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 5 January, 1861.

INFRINGEMENT OF LICENSES

Stephen Sneller, landlord of the Havelock Arms, Tower Hamlets Charlton, was charged with infringing his license by having his house open for the sale of beer at ten minutes to four o'clock on the afternoon of Sunday December 23rd.

It appeared from the statement of Superintendent Coram that the police visiting the house in question, which is situated at Tower Hamlets, on the morning of Sunday week they were met when near to it, by a man named Feakin's who returned by a short cut and warned some persons who were assembled there that the police were coming. By the time the constable arrived therefore they found the house cleared.

Feakin's and some of his companions meeting them at the entrance and one of the men remarking to the police, “we've beaten you this time.” This happened during the hours of Divine Service. On the circumstances being reported to him he (the superintendent) directed the constables to visit the Havelock Arms again in the afternoon, which they did at the house named, and found several persons assembled including the scout of the morning the man Feakin's. Geddes said that on entering the house at ten minutes to four o'clock he found six men in one of the rooms with pots and glasses before them.

He (witness) was accompanied by P.C. Corrie. Sneller in defence said he had endeavoured to clear the house at church time but he had been unable. The beer the men were drinking had been drawn previous to the time of Divine Service. The men refused to go till they had drunk their beer and when five or six men positively declared they would not move it was a difficult thing for a man to make them. The only thing a landlord could do was to refuse to draw any more beer and that he did. Superintendent Coram in reply to questions put by the magistrates said that although the defendant had not previously been summoned before the Bench for an offence of this nature there had been several complaints by the neighbours of the manner in which the Havelock Arms had been conducted. The defendant was fined 20s. including costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 21 December, 1861.

INFRINGEMENT OF LICENSES

Stephen Sneller, landlord of the Havelock Arms, Tower Hamlets, was charged with infringing his license by opening his house for the sale of beer before half-past 12 o'clock on Sunday morning, but it appeared that there were mitigating circumstances in the case he was fined in the low penalty of one shilling and costs ten shillings which he paid.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 24 June, 1870. Price 1d.

INFRINGEMENT OF LICENSE

Stephen Sneller, landlord of the "Havelock Arms," Tower Hamlets, summoned for having his house open on Sunday morning last, was fined £1 and costs, this being his second offence.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 8 July, 1870. Price 1d.

CAUTION TO SUNDAY MORNING TIPPLERS

Thomas Blackman and William Brenchley, a couple of labourers were brought up, charged with being in a public-house  on a Sunday morning during prohibited hours. It appeared that they had been found on the same Sunday morning at the "Havelock Arms," Tower Hamlets, the landlord of which (Stephen Sneller), like the landlord of the "Canterbury Bell," had been convicted.

In this case Corrie said he visited the "Havelock Arms" at 11.20, on Sunday morning, June the 19th. The two defendants were there and Blackman had a quart of beer in his hand. The two drank in beer in front of the bar, and then went out.

The defendants had no excuse to offer. They were out for a walk, and the house being open they walked in.

The Magistrates said the case must be treated like the last; but the Bench hoped that the proceedings of that morning would have a beneficial effect, and that there would be no repetition of offences of this sort. The defendants would each be fined 1s. and 9s. 6d. costs.

Brenchly paid the fine; but Blackman said he had no money, and all he could do was to "stamp it out." At the same time he devoutly congratulated himself on having a good pair of shoes.

The Magistrates said the decision of the Bench was final. The defendant was liable to a fine of 40s. and they had reduced it to 1s; and if he could not pay the penalty, he must take the alternative.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 June, 1908.

TOWER HAMLETS FIRE

On Friday night, about 11.45, a report was received of a fire at the Havelock Arms, Tower Street, the landlord of which is Mr. E. W. Smith. Police Sergeant Hambrook, who received the alarm, at once went to the house, and found a large wooden building in the rear, and detached from the house by a few feet, with the roof alight. The curricle from the Town Hall, in charge of Chief Constable Fox, was quickly on the scene an a large number of firemen attended. A good supply of water was obtained and the fire soon extinguished. The damage to the building, which was originally a skittle alley, was confined to the roof, caused by the fire and breaking away.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 21 December, 1923. Price 1½d.

LICENSING BUSINESS

At the Dover Police Court of Monday an extension was granted until 11 p.m. for the “Havelock Arms.” Share Out on Friday evening, and to Mr. Clark, churchwarden, on behalf of St. Barnabas' Parish hall, for a New Year's dance on December 31st.