Folkestone Express 9 January 1869.

Transfer of License.

Wednesday, January 6th: Before The Mayor and R.W. Boarer Esq.

The Hope, Fancy Street transferred from Mr. Ayliffe to John French.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 25 October, 1871. Price 1d.

IMPUDENT ROBBERY

Patrick Brady, a gunner in the Royal Artillery, aged 35 years, was charged with stealing a ring, valued at 35s., the property of George Baker, at the South-Easter Railway Terminus, on Monday evening last.

George Baker deposed: I am the landlord of the “Hope Inn” at Folkestone. Last Monday evening I was going to Folkestone by the 7 o'clock train. I was in a third-class carriage, and just as the train was about to start the prisoner came up and shook hands with me, and took the ring off my finger. The prisoner does not know me, nor I him. I have not met him before. This is the ring produced. It is worth 30s., but I would not take £10 for it. I followed him along the platform.

Major Crookes: Was he running?

Witness: Yes, sir. The train was on the start, and I was told to get in, which I did. I saw the ring yesterday morning in the possession of the detective.

Major Crookes: Where did the prisoner shake hands with you?

Witness: I was leaning out of the carriage.

Mr. Mowll: Then I suppose that, instead of shaking hands, he took hold of your hand and wrung the ring off?

Witness: Yes, sir.

Major Crookes: Your hand was hanging out of the window, and was visible to everybody on the platform?

Witness: Yes, sir.

Major Crookes: Did he say anything?

Witness: yes, sir. He said, “Helloa, old chum,” or something to that effect.

Major Crookes: As soon as you lost it you jumped out of the carriage?

Witness: Yes, sir.

Charles Hemmings deposed: I am a detective police-constable. About 7 p.m. on the 16th inst., I was on duty at the South-Eastern Railway Station, and just a minute or two before the train started, I saw the prisoner running down the platform, and the prosecutor followed him. I heard the prosecutor say, “He has got my ring.” I stopped the prisoner and asked him what he was running for, and he said he did not know. Prosecutor ran back and got in the carriage just as the train was starting. A few minutes after, I saw the ring in the possession of police-constable Davis, one of the company's men. From information I received from the prosecutor yesterday morning, I apprehended the prisoner at the Hospital at the Dover Castle, and charged him with stealing the ring. In answer to the charge, he said he knew nothing about it, and had not taken the ring. I then took him to the police station, and on the charge being read over to him there, he made the same reply.

Morris Davis, one of the constable's constables, corroborated the evidence of the previous witnesses and added – About 10 minutes after the train had started, I found the ring produced, about 20 yards from the place where Hemmings had stopped the prisoner.

Major Crookes: Was he running towards the “Lord Warden Hotel.”

Witness: No, sir; towards the bookstall. I took the ring to the lost property office, where it was claimed by Hemmings. I delivered it myself.

Prisoner, in answer to the clerk, said he was guilty of the charge.

An officer in attendance gave the prisoner a very good character, and stated that he had been in the service two years and six months.

The Bench told the prisoner, that in consequence of the good character given him by the officer, the sentence would be but six weeks' imprisonment with hard labour in the Dover Gaol.

The ring was then returned.

Folkestone Express 10 January 1874.

Monday, January 5th: Before W. Wightwick, J. Kelcey, R.W. Boarer, J. Clark, and J. Hoad Esqs.

William Boorn applied for temporary authority to sell excisable liquors at the Hope, Fancy Street, under the license granted to George Baker. Application granted.

Note: Date is at variance with information in More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 31 January 1874.

Transfer:

Wednesday, January 28th: Before Col. De Crespigny, J. Tolputt and R.W. Boarer Esqs.

The following transfer of public house was granted:

Hope Inn – to William Boorn.

Folkestone Express 14 February 1874.

Monday, February 9th: Before The Mayor, J. Kelcey, J. Hoad and R.W. Boarer Esqs.

Catherine Wood, alias Kate Murray (23), whose career appears to be one of delinquency, having been three years in a reformatory, and against whom was registered some half-score convictions, was brought up on remand from Saturday, charged with stealing sundry books of the value of 1s. 6d., from the shop of Mr. Edward Dale, bookseller, Dover Street.

Annie Dale, prosecutor's daughter, deposed: I was in my father's shop on Wednesday afternoon, when prisoner came in and asked for a ticket for the Servants' Home. I told her to go to Mr. Birch's. She then left the shop and came back in a quarter of an hour and said she had been to Mr. Birch's and found she was too old to go into a Servants' Home. I then told her to go to Mr. Pope's and she went away. She had a bonnet or shawl on.

Prisoner to witness: I told you I could not find Mr. Birch's.

Elizabeth Dale, prosecutor's wife, deposed: Prisoner came to our shop on Wednesday evening between seven and eight o'clock, and said she wanted to get into the Servants' Home. I told her my husband had no means of getting her into such an institution and that it was of no use her calling again. She left the shop, and after she was gone I looked round and missed about a dozen “Churchman's Almanack” and “Dover and Deal Guide”s. The books now produced correspond with those I missed.

Hannah Carter, wife of John Carter, Oddfellows Arms, Radnor Street, said: Prisoner has lodged at my house. She came on Wednesday and called for a glass of beer and porter and paid a penny for it. She had a yellow covered book in her hand and asked if I liked reading, and I replied that I could not read and she then gave the book to my little girl. Prisoner went out after she had drank her beer. I gave the book to P.C. Keeler.

Harriett Hall, wife of William Hall, fishmonger, said: I saw prisoner come out of the fishmarket about half past three on Wednesday afternoon. She went through the arch in front of the Royal George, and was tossing up a number of books. She said “I am going to put these up for a pint of beer”. I said “You may as well give me one for my little girl”, and she gave me one and then went away.

Charlotte, wife of William Bourne, Hope, Fancy Street said prisoner came into her house in company with a tall man on Wednesday, and he paid for a pint of beer. Prisoner had several books in her hand and offered to give witness them, and as she said she did not want them, she gave her a “Churchman's Almanack”, and said if she kept the books she would only make away with them. Witness threw the book prisoner gave her on the tap room fire.

P.C. Keeler said: On Thursday morning, from information received, I went to the Oddfellows Arms and received the book I now produce from Mrs. Carter. I then went in search of prisoner and apprehended her in Tontine Street about noon. After being cautioned she said she was drunk and went into a shop, but she would not have done it if it had not been for a young man who was standing outside, and she gave him a portion of the books. She said she did not know his name, but they called him “Charlie”. Prisoner was searched by the female searcher, but nothing was found upon her. I have been to Dover and Hythe in search of the man, but could not find him.

Prisoner, after being duly cautioned, said: I came to Folkestone on Monday with a young man named Mackson, whose father keeps a farm. We went to the Dew Drop and got a bed there; we went into the tap room and had a pot of beer. I had just come out of prison and got a little beer, which upset me. If you will be so kind as to forgive me I will go into a Home: I could go in one today. I have lost my mother. I will go down on my hands and knees if you will forgive me. I don't want to go to prison again.

The Mayor said the Bench had no alternative but to commit prisoner for trial, and she was accordingly committed to the Quarter Sessions.

Folkestone Express 2 May 1874.

Quarter Sessions.

Tuesday, April 28th: Before J.J. Lonsdale Esq.

Catherine Wood (22) was charged with stealing fourteen books, value of 1s. 4d., the property of Mr. Edward Dale, stationer, 1, Dover Street, on the 4th February. Mr. Minter for the prosecution.

Prisoner, on being called upon to plead, said she could not remember taking the books.

Mrs. Elizabeth Dale deposed: I am the wife of Edward Dale, carrying on business of stationer, 1, Dover Street. Prisoner came into the shop between seven and eight o'clock on the evening of Wednesday, 4th February last. She said she wanted to get into a servants' home. I told her Mr. Dale had no means of getting her into one, and it was no use her calling again. I missed some books after she was gone. I had a bundle of the “Dover and Deal Guide” on the counter between two and three o'clock. After she had gone I missed them. One contained “The Dover and Deal Guide”, and the other the “Churchman's Almanack”. The books now produced by P.C. Keeler correspond with those I lost.

By Prisoner: I did not see you take the books.

Annie Dale, ten years of age, deposed: On the 4th February I was in my father's shop in the afternoon between three and four o'clock . Prisoner came in and said she wanted to get into a home, and inquired if my father could get her in. I told her to go to Mr. Birch, the Relieving Officer. She then left and came back in about quarter of an hour, and said Mr. Birch could not get her into a home. I then told her to go to Mr. Pope's, Registry Office. She went away again. I was in the shop at half past seven, and heard mother tell her father had no means of getting her into a home.

By the Recorder: The books were on the counter, and prisoner stood near to them. I found her in the shop when I came downstairs. She was standing near the books.

Hannah Carter, Oddfellows Inn, Radnor Street, deposed: I have known prisoner some time. She came to my house on the 4th February between six and seven in the evening and asked for a glass of half-and-half. She had a book in her hand and asked if I would have the book. I said I could not read, and she gave me the book for my little girl. It had a yellow cover, and I believe it was a “Dover and Deal Guide”. I gave the book to P.C. Keeler on the following morning.

Harriett Hall deposed: I saw the prisoner on the 4th February between three and four o'clock. She came from the fish market, and had some books in her hand, which she was throwing up, and said “I am going to put them up for a pot of beer”. I said “You might as well give me one for my little boy”, and she did so. The book was put on the table by the side of my bed. P.C. Keeler came the next day and I gave the book to him, and at his request I put a mark upon it. The book now produced is the samen Charlotte Bourne deposed: I live at the Hope, Fancy Street. I remember prisoner coming to my house on the 4th February about five o'clock, with a man. She had several books in her hand, and offered to give them to me, and she gave me a “Churchman's Almanack”, which I afterwards put in the fire.

P.C. Keeler deposed: On the 5th February I went to Mrs. Carter's house and received a “Dover and Deal Guide”. I also went to Mrs. Hall's and received a “Churchman's Almanack”, and requested Mrs. Hall to make a mark upon it, which she did. I then went in search of prisoner and found her in Tontine Street, and took her into custody on the charge of stealing a number of books from Mr. Dale's shop. She said she would not have “tooken” them if it had not been for a man who was standing outside. I asked her who he was, and she said “Charlie”, which was all the name she knew, and she had given a portion of the books to him. She said she had been in Mr. Dale's shop.

This was the case for the prosecution.

The statement made by prisoner when before the Magistrates was read, to which she now added: I had done a long sentence in prison, and I took a glass of beer or two, which one and another gave me, and it upset me. I came to Folkestone with the intention of seeing a Sister of Mercy, and have not the slightest memory of taking the books. A Sister of Mercy was going to put me in a home. My mother was killed, and my father ran away, and I have not a friend in the world. I had not broken my fast after coming out of gaol till I got to Folkestone.

In answer to the Recorder, Mrs. Dale said she did not think prisoner was tipsy when she was in the shop, but she smelt strongly of what she thought was rum; she seemed to know what she was about.

Prisoner: If you will be merciful to me I will never take another drop of beer as long as I live. It has been the ruin of me.

The learned Recorder summed up the case as favourably as he could for the prisoner and remarked that if she did not know what she was about when she took the books there was no offence, but there was great inconsistency in her statements. A second count charged her with having been convicted at the Dover Quarter Sessions of felony on the 27th December.

Prisoner pleaded Guilty to the former conviction.

Mr. Minter remarked that His Honour ought to know that there were no less than thirteen previous convictions against prisoner.

The Recorder said that from a document before him he saw that prisoner began her evil course when she was only fourteen years of age by stealing a silver spoon; after that there were convictions for being in workhouses for an unlawful purpose, assaulting a child, absconding from a reformatory, four times drunk and disorderly, stealing boots,, and breaking fourteen panes of glass in Dover gaol. She was really a habitual criminal.

Mr. Minter remarked that the Visiting Justices offered to get her into a Home, but she refused to go, and the chaplain of the prison offered to get her into a workhouse in order to see if that would do her any good.

Prisoner: Since the death of my mother my father ran away, and I have seven little brothers in the workhouse, and I did not want to go to see them there. Mrs. Smith wanted to get me in a Home, but Mrs. Quilter, the Matron of the gaol, told her an untruth that I used bad language when I was coming out of chapel. Mr. Simmons put me in a dark cell three days on bread and water. If you will be merciful I will leave England.

The Recorder: I really don't know what to do with such a habitual criminal. I have power to send you to penal servitude, but I will not go to that length. I cannot pass a less sentence than twelve months' hard labour.

Prisoner destroyed all faith of her professions of contrition and amendment by threatening Mr. Simmons as she was removed from the dock.

Folkestone Express 31 May 1890.

Wednesday, May 28th: Before The Mayor, H.W. Poole Esq., Surgeon General Gilbourne, W.G. Herbert and W. Wightwick Esqs.

The licence of the Hope Inn was transferred to Mrs. Donaldson, widow of the landlord, who is supposed to have been lost at sea recently.

Folkestone Express 14 June 1890.

Wednesday, June 11th: before J. Clark, J. Hoad, J. Dunk, F. Boykett and E.T. Ward Esqs.

The licence of the Hope Inn was transferred to Mrs. Donaldson.

Folkestone Express 13 December 1890.

Transfer.

Wednesday, December 10th: Before The Mayor, Col. De Crespigny, Surgeon General Gilbourne, Alderman Banks and W.G. Herbert Esq.

Temporary authority was granted to John Coghlan for the Hope Inn.

Note: Hope transfer is at variance with More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 10 August 1901.

Wednesday, August 7th: Before W. Wightwick, C.J. Pursey, W.G. Herbert, and G.I. Swoffer Esqs., and Colonel Keily Westropp.

The following licence was transferred: Mr. William Richard Heritage was granted a temporary renewal in respect of the Hope.

Folkestone Express 14 September 1901.

Wednesday, September 11th: Before T.J. Vaughan, G. Peden, and J. Stainer Esqs., Lieut. Col. Westropp, and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.

Fredk. Hart was granted a transfer of the licence of the Hope Inn, Fenchurch Street.

Folkestone Express 26 April 1902.

Local News.

On Thursday the licence of the Hope Inn was temporarily transferred to Mr. William Finn.

Folkestone Express 13 February 1904.

Annual Licensing Meeting.

Wednesday, February 10th: Before W. Wightwick Esq., Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Colonel Westropp, and W.G. Herbert, E.T. Ward, and C.J. Pursey Esqs.

The following was the report of Supt. Reeve: Chief Constable's Office, Folkestone, 10th February, 1904. To the Chairman and Members of the Licensing Committee of the Borough of Folkestone. Gentlemen, I have the honour to report for your information that there are at present within your jurisdiction 139 premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors, namely: Full licences 87; Beer on 11; Beer off 6; Beer and Spirits (dealers) 16; Grocers 12; Confectioners 3; Chemists 4; Total 139 – an average of one licence to every 220 persons, or one “on” licence to every 313. This is a decrease of one full licence as compared with last year's return, the licence of the Marquis Of Lorne having been refused at the adjourned meeting in March. Twenty of the licences have been transferred during the year, namely, 14 full licences, two beer on, two beer off, and two grocers. One beer off licence was transferred twice during the year. One licence holder has been convicted since the last annual meeting of committing drunkenness on his licensed premises. He has since transferred his licence and left the house. The alterations which the Justices at the adjourned meeting last year directed to be made to the Packet Boat, Castle, Tramway, Bricklayers' Arms, Granville, and Star Inns have all been carried out in a satisfactory manner, and none of the licensed houses are now used as common lodging houses. Ten occasional licences, and extensions of hours on 21 occasions, have been granted to licence holders during the year. There are 14 places licensed for music and dancing, and two for public billiard playing. Eleven clubs where intoxicating liquors are sold are registered in accordance with the Licensing Act of 1902. For the year ending 31st December last year, 154 persons (131 males and 23 females) were proceeded against for drunkenness. 131 were convicted and 23 discharged. This is an increase of 65 persons proceeded against, and 51 convicted, as compared with 1902. The increase is chiefly due to the additional powers given to the police under the Licensing Act, 1902. Up to the present time no person within the Borough has been convicted the necessary number of times within the 12 months to be placed on the “black list” as provided by Section 6 of the Act of 1902. With very few exceptions the whole of the licensed houses have been conducted in a satisfactory manner. The only objection I have to make to the renewal of any of the present licences is that of the Swan Inn, Dover Road, and I would ask that the renewal of this licence be deferred until the adjourned meeting. I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your obedient servant, H. Reeve (Chief Constable).

The Chairman: I think, gentlemen, you will agree that the report of the Superintendent is a satisfactory one – in fact, I may say very satisfactory – for the whole year. With your permission I well read the report we now make to you. At the adjournment of the last general licensing meeting we stated that in our opinion the number of licences for the sale of intoxicating liquor then existing in the borough of Folkestone, especially in the part of the immediate neighbourhood of the Harbour, was out of all proportion to the population, and that we proposed between then and the general annual licensing meeting of this year to obtain information on various matters, to enable us to determine what reduction would be made in the number of licences. We invited the owners of licensed houses in the meantime to meet and agree among themselves for the voluntary surrender at this general meeting of a substantial number of licences in the borough, and to submit the result of their united action to the Licensing Justices for acceptance. Failing any satisfactory proposal for reduction by the owners, the Licensing Justices last year intimated that in the exercise of their discretionary powers they would at this year's meeting decide in a fair and equitable spirit what reduction should be made. But at the opening of Parliament last week it was announced in the King's speech that the Government intended to introduce in the House of Commons during the present session a Bill to amend the Licensing Laws. In view of this legislation we are of opinion we ought not, pending the passage of this Bill through Parliament, exercise the discretionary powers vested in us, and take measures for effecting a further reduction in the number of licences within the borough on the ground that certain licensed premises are not required for the public accommodation. We have recently inspected certain houses known as the Imperial Brewery Tap, the Hope, East Cliff Tavern, Victoria, Lifeboat, Duke Of Edinburgh, Railway Tavern, and Channel Inn.

As to the Hope, we direct that the holder of the licence of this house shall, within fourteen days from this date, close up the gateway forming the back entrance to the licensed premises from a yard leading out of Bennett's Yard into Dover Street, inasmuch as the existence of this gateway renders it more difficult for the police to exercise proper supervision over the licensed premises.

Folkestone Express 16 April 1904.

Wednesday, April 13th: Before W.G. Herbert Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Westropp, G.I. Swoffer and J. Stainer Esqs.

Alfred Geo. Burwell (sic) applied for the licence of the Hope Inn to be transferred to him from Stephen James Smith. Granted.

Folkestone Express 4 June 1904.

Wednesday, June 1st: Before W. Wightwick Esq., Lieut Colonel Westropp, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, C.J. Pursey and W.G. Herbert Esqs.

Special transfer sessions were held, when the licence of the Hope Inn was transferred from Stephen James Smith to Alfred G. Burvill.

Folkestone Express 25 February 1905.

Monday, February 20th: Before The Mayor and Alderman Spurgen.

Fanny Moore was charged with being drunk and disorderly on Saturday night.

P.C. Fagg said at 8.20 on Saturday evening he was called to the Hope public house by the landlord, who said he had refused to serve the defendant. She was drunk, so witness asked her to leave, but as she refused he was obliged to eject her. When outside she commenced to swear and shout, causing a large crowd to assemble, so he took her into custody.

The Chief Constable said he heard a sample of the woman's language, and he had never heard anything like it from a woman.

Defendant was fined 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs.

Folkestone Express 15 April 1905.

Wednesday, April 12th: Before Lieut. Col. Fynmore, and W.C. Carpenter Esq.

Temporary authority was granted to Mr. Boorman to sell at the Hope Inn.

Folkestone Express 3 June 1905.

Wednesday, May 31st: Before W.G. Herbert, C.J. Pursey and J. Stainer Esqs.

This was the day fixed as the special sessions for transferring licences, and the following temporary transfer of licences was confirmed: The Hope Inn, from Mr. A.G. Burvill to Mr. G. Boorman.

Folkestone Express 4 November 1905.

Wednesday, November 1st: Before Aldermen Spurgen and Vaughan, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, and W.C. Carpenter Esq.

Robert James Smart, Patrick Maloney, and Robert Richard Fitzgerald were charged with stealing a mackintosh, an overcoat, a woollen scarf, and a pair of woollen gloves, the property of General Jackson, from the hall of No. 6, Castle Hill Avenue, the previous Wednesday.

Kate Hunter, parlourmaid in the employ of General Jackson, of 6, Castle Hill Avenue, said she recognised Maloney as a man who went to the house on the previous Wednesday evening and asked for assistance. On Sunday she missed from the hall a mackintosh coat, and also a dark cloth overcoat. The cloth coat had silk facings, and had covered buttons. She also missed a white woollen knitted scarf, and also a pair of woollen gloves. The articles were missed from the lobby of the hall, the door of which was only closed at night. On Monday evening Det. Sergt. Burniston showed her the mackintosh, which she identified as the property of General Jackson.

In answer to Maloney, she said he went to the house about seven o'clock, and he was in the lobby.

Charles Dobbs, residing at 24, Athelstan Road, said he recognised the three men. At half past eight on Saturday night he saw Smart and Fitzgerald in Harbour Street. The former was wearing a dark overcoat and a white knitted scarf. The latter had the mackintosh produced on his arm, and was trying to sell it. Smart asked him if he could sell the mackintosh, but previous to that he asked witness to have a drink. He accepted the invitation, and they went into the Wellington public house, where he asked him to sell the overcoat. He said if witness sold it he would give him a shilling. Witness told him he would not, as he did not know where to sell it. They came out of the house together, and witness left him after directing him to the Pavilion Shades stables, where he said he might sell it. He remembered one day last week he saw Maloney and Smart going up Canterbury Road.

Frederick Charles Rigden, a licensed cab driver, residing at 5, East Cliff, said he recognised Smart and Fitzgerald. On Saturday night he was in the harness room at the Pavilion Shades when they came to him. Smart had the mackintosh, which he asked him to buy. He replied he did not want it, and the prisoner then said he could have it for 4s. Witness told him he did not want it, and he had better take it away. Prisoner then said he had been out of work several weeks and had got the coat from General Jackson, who had given it to him because he was going away. Witness eventually gave him 3s. for it. On Monday he handed the mackintosh to Sergt. Burniston.

In answer to Smart, witness said he told him that General Jackson had given him the overcoat.

Smart: It is a lie.

Fitzgerald then said that Smart did tell the witness General Jackson gave him the mackintosh, but as he was drunk at the time he could not remember what he said.

Det. Sergt. Burniston said on Monday, from information he received respecting an overcoat and mackintosh missing from 6, Castle Hill Avenue, he made enquiries, and at 7 p.m. he called on Rigden, who handed him the mackintosh produced. Witness continued the enquiry, and the previous evening he went to Canterbury. At 10.20 p.m. he saw Maloney and Fitzgerald together. He said to them “I shall charge you with being concerned with a man named Smart, who is detained at Canterbury police station, in stealing from the hall of No. 6, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, a mackintosh, an overcoat, a woollen scarf, and a pair of woollen gloves, the property of General Jackson”. Neither made any reply. Witness took them to the Canterbury police station, where Smart was brought forward, and he then charged the prisoners with being concerned in the theft. Later on he brought them to the Folkestone police station, where they were formally charged. Maloney replied “About 10 a.m. last Sunday I went in the Tramway public house to look for Smart. I waited half an hour, when I saw Smart and Fitzgerald. Smart said “Can you sell an overcoat for me?” I told him I would try, and Smart then handed me a dark mixture overcoat, which was silk lined. I took the coat and tried to sell it. I could not sell it, and later on I took the coat back to Smart”. Smart said “Maloney and myself kept a look out while Fitzgerald went to the house and stole the coats. When he sold the coat on Sunday, Maloney had a share in the money”. Fitzgerald said “I am not going to get the old sergeant into trouble”, no doubt referring to Maloney as the “old sergeant”.

The Chief Constable said that was as far as he could take the case that morning, and he should like the Magistrates to grant a remand, so that he could endeavour to trace the other coat.

Prisoners were the remanded until Saturday.

Folkestone Express 11 November 1905.

Saturday, November 4th: Before Aldermen Spurgen and Vaughan, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, and W.C. Carpenter Esq.

Robert James Smart, Patrick Maloney, and Robert Richard Fitzgerald, who were before the Magistrates on Wednesday, were brought up on remand and charged with stealing an overcoat, a mackintosh, a woollen scarf, and a pair of woollen gloves from the hall of No. 6, Castle Hill Avenue, the property of General Jackson.

The evidence given at the first appearance of the prisoners before the Magistrates was read over.

Miss Hunter, a parlourmaid in the employ of General Jackson, said she identified the overcoat produced as that of her employer.

Detective Sergeant Burniston further stated that at midday on Wednesday he called on Alfred Howard, who handed him the coat now produced, which was afterwards identified by Miss Hunter. The value of the coat and mackintosh was 30s.

Henry Boorman, the landlord of the Hope Inn, said he recognised Smart and Maloney. On Sunday, just before two o'clock, Maloney went to his private bar and asked him if he wanted to buy the coat produced. He said the man was “on the road” and stopping at the Radnor, and wanted 4s. for it. Witness told him he had no use for the coat, and prisoner replied if he had the money he would buy it. When Maloney got outside, he was joined by Smart and another man and went off towards Dover Street.

Alfred Howard, living at the Tramway Tavern, said on Sunday, about a quarter to two, he saw Smart in the Clarendon Hotel with a man with whom witness worked. Smart was wearing the coat, and he asked witness if he would buy the coat for 4s. Witness asked him if the coat belonged to him, and he said it did, but he had not had it long. He further said he was hard up and wanted to get to Canterbury and also wanted food. Witness told him he could only afford to give him 3s. for the coat, and also said that when the prisoner pulled himself round at Canterbury he could have the coat if he returned with the 3s. he gave for it. On Wednesday Detective Sergeant Burniston came to him and he handed the coat to him.

Smart pleaded Not Guilty to stealing the coat, but Guilty to selling it knowing it to have been stolen. Maloney did not steal the coat.

Maloney said he was Not Guilty. He met Smart on Sunday morning about ten o'clock, and he asked him if he could dispose of the coat. He (the speaker) took the coat, silly enough, because he thought the coat actually belonged to Smart.

Fitzgerald pleaded Guilty to stealing the coat.

Inspector Swift said he had not been able to find any convictions against Maloney and Smart. However, he identified Fitzgerald as William Murray, against whom there were nine convictions for larceny dating from 1887. One of the sentences was three years penal servitude for theft from a hall.

The prisoners were sentenced to six weeks' hard labour, and the Chairman said it would have been a serious thing for Fitzgerald if he had been sent to the Quarter Sessions with a record like he had.

Smart said that if the two others had spoken the truth they would have said that he did not steal the coat but that Maloney took it.

The Chairman further said that people ought to be more careful in buying anything from unknown men.

Folkestone Express 10 February 1906.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, February 7th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Major Leggett, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, W.G. Herbert, C.J. Pursey, W.C. Carpenter, and R.J. Linton Esqs.

The Chief Constable presented his annual report. (See Folkestone Chronicle for details).

The Chairman said they were pleased to see that the whole of the licensed houses had been well conducted. There had only been one conviction during the year. He wanted to point out that that year there was an increase of twelve cases of drunkenness in the borough. They earnestly asked the licence holders to help the police as much as possible to prevent drunkenness. It was always a curious thing where those people got their drink, and they must ask the licence holders to try and do their utmost to stop drunkenness on their premises.

All the licences were granted with the exception of six. The Chief Constable was instructed to serve notices upon the tenants and owners of the following public houses on the ground that they were not necessary; The Channel Inn, High Street; the Hope, Fenchurch Street; the Providence, Beach Street; Blue Anchor, Beach Street; and the Tramway, Radnor Street. He was also instructed to serve notices with regard to the Welcome Inn on the ground of misconduct.

Folkestone Express 10 March 1906.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

The adjourned licensing sessions were held on Monday, when the six licences which were adjourned from the Brewster Sessions were considered. On the Bench were E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, W.G. Herbert, C.J. Pursey, and R.J. Linton Esqs.

The Hope Inn.

The licence of the Hope Inn was then taken. Mr. Mercer appeared on behalf of the owners and occupier.

The Chief Constable said the ground of objection was the same as in the previous case. The house was situate in Fenchurch Street, and the licensee was Harry Boorman, who obtained a transfer of the licence on May 31st last. The brewers were Messrs. Ash and Co. The rateable value was £17 10s. The accommodation for the public consisted of a bar in front and tap room behind, with a serving window in the passage leading to the tap room. The landlord lived in the basement, approached by a very dark flight of stairs behind the bar. The rooms were very low-pitched. The licence had been transferred six times in the past six years. Within a radius of 100 yards there were 16 other on licensed houses, within 150 yards there were 27, and within 200 yards there were 35. He wished particularly to call attention to the low rateable value and the number of transfers. The trade was very small, and the licence was unnecessary.

Mr. Mercer said there was a good tenant, and it was a quiet and well-conducted house. The landlord told him he did not live in the basement, but he did his cooking there and lived upstairs.

The Chief Constable: I will withdraw what I have said with regard to that.

Mr. Mercer: Is the George the Third required?

The Chief Constable: That is a very funny question. If you were to ask me my private opinion, I should say we could spare it very well.

Mr. Mercer said he would undertake to do any alterations the Magistrates might call upon him to do. He asked the Magistrates not to allow him to go away depressed. He appealed to them to allow it.

The Chairman: I am afraid you must go away depressed. The licence will be referred.

Mr. Mercer: Very well, I must take it as best I can.

Folkestone Express 28 July 1906.

Wednesday, July 25th: Before W.G. Herbert, R.J. Linton, and G.I. Swoffer Esqs.

Herbert Ireland and John Dimsdale, two soldiers belonging to the East Yorks Regt., were summoned by Harry Boorman, the landlord of the Hope Inn, Fenchurch Street, for assaulting him on Saturday night. Dimsdale pleaded Guilty, but Ireland denied the assault. Mr. Haines appeared on behalf of the prosecutor.

Prosecutor said on Saturday at 10.45 p.m., Ireland came into his house and called for two pints of beer. He supplied him, as he was quite sober. A gang of soldiers came in, and, after having a drink, they went out, going to the bottom of the street. They returned, and a soldier and a sailor came into the house first, being followed by other soldiers. Ireland jumped on a form and said he would fight the best man in the house. He then struck a man belonging to his own regiment, and they commenced fighting. He (prosecutor) went and held him back, when Dimsdale came up and knocked him down. Ireland then struck him. The soldiers were got out of the house, and when he was standing on the step, close to the door, Ireland struck him on the forehead with his stick and pushed him through the window, which was broken.

P.C. Minter said he saw the two defendants belabouring the landlord outside his house. There were about nine soldiers there altogether. He pulled Ireland away from the landlord several times.

An officer from the regiment said both men had good characters. Dimsdale had six years' service and Ireland two years', and there were no civil convictions against either of them.

Neither of the defendants had anything to say.

The Chairman said licensed victuallers must be protected, and soldiers ought to be very careful and try to help them. As both men had good characters, they had decided to deal leniently with them. They would be fined 20s. and 10s. costs each, or 14 days' hard labour.

The defendants said they wished to pay, and the officer said he would send the money from the Camp.

Folkestone Express 6 October 1906.

Local News.

On Monday last the East Kent Licensing Bench at Canterbury considered the question of renewing the licences of the Providence, the Hope, the Tramway Tavern, and the Blue Anchor, public houses referred to them by the Folkestone licensing justices. In each case they decided to refuse the granting of the licence, and the next matter for them to consider will be how much compensation is to be paid to the brewers and holders of the licences for the closing of the houses.