Folkestone Express 6 September 1879.

Saturday, 30th August: Before The Mayor, Aldermen Caister and Sherwood, General Cannon, Captain Carter, W.J. Jeffreason and J. Clark Esqs.

Richard Lyne was summoned for keeping open his house, the Druids' Arms, otherwise the Isle Of Cyprus Inn, on Saturday, the 23rd ult. during prohibited hours.

P.C. Montague Smith said on Saturday the 23rd he was on duty in Bayle Street at twenty minutes to six in the morning and saw the door of defendant's house open. He went inside and saw the landlord at the counter. A glass was standing there, three parts full of malt liquor. A man named Thomas Golder was in front of the bar. He said to the landlord “This won't do”, and told him he should report the occurrence.

Cross-examined: No-one told me to go to the house. I do not know if there is another door leading to the street. I do not know how many lodgers there were in the house, but several. I did not taste the liquor, but it looked like porter. The man Golder was standing about a yard from the glass.

Arthur Darrell, a visitor, lodging in the house, proved that on this morning another lodger went out at about 20 minutes to six to bathe.

Mr. Wightwick, who appeared for the defendant, said the facts were that the man Golder, referred to by the Constable, was an industrious man, who went to the defendant's house early every morning to scrub down the passage and outside premises, and had done so ever since Mr. Lyne had been in the house, upwards of a year. There was no liquor drawn, and the small quantity which the constable saw in the glass was left standing on the counter the night before.

The Magistrates consulted for a few minutes on the bench, and then retired. On their return the Mayor said they had decided to convict, and defendant would be fined £2 10s. and 10s. costs, or 21 days' imprisonment.

Mr. Wightwick said his client would appeal against the conviction.

Thomas Golder was then summoned for being found on the above premises on the same occasion.

P.C. Smith repeated his evidence. He said he saw Golder go into the house, and before he went in he asked witness if he would “have half a pint”, but he declined. Witness was standing outside a few minutes before he went in.

In cross-examination witness said he did not see the door opened, nor had he seen anyone go in or come out.

Mr. Wightwick said the man went there to do his work. He had always been employed by Mr. Lyne to clear up the premises, and did not go for the purpose of obtaining drink.

Mr. Lyne was called, and said he had several lodgers in the house, and that there was no way out except by the front door. About sixteen minutes to six he opened the house to let one of the lodgers out, and at the same time Golder came in for the purpose of doing his work. His duty was to call up the lodgers and to clear up the bar. He neither drew any beer nor sold any that morning. Defendant, he believed, worked for Mr. Tolputt, and had to be at his work at six o'clock. Witness paid defendant a shilling or eighteen pence a week, according to what he had done, and frequently gave him clothing and other articles.

The Magistrates consulted for some minutes as to this case, and on the Mayor announcing that the Bench had decided to convict, General Cannon interposed the remark “A majority of the Bench”.

Defendant was fined 5s. and 10s. costs, or seven days' imprisonment.

Folkestone Express 23 April 1881.

Saturday, April 16th: Before The Mayor, Aldermen Caister and Sherwood, General Cannon, Colonel de Crespigny, J. Clark and J. Holden Esqs.

Richard Lyne was summoned for opening his house, the Druid's Arms (or Cyprus Inn), on the 10th inst. during prohibited hours. Mr. Wightwick appeared for the defence.

Superintendent Rutter said on Sunday the 10th, at 8.25 in the morning, in company with Sergeant Ovenden, he visited the defendant's house, the Cyprus Inn, on the Bayle. The front door was shut, but not locked. He saw two men standing in front of the bar; one had a pint glass in his hand, containing malt liquor, the other man was standing near him talking. He did not see defendant.

Cross-examined: I saw the defendant's wife. She came in whilst I was there. He asked why the men were there, and she said she didn't know.

Mr. Wightwick explained that one of the men, named Jordan, was called in by the landlord and asked to fetch some flour, for which he gave him a glass of beer. The other man, named Stevenson, went in to explain his neglect in not delivering some coal, and to ask if Monday would do for them.

The defendant was sworn, and said on Sunday, the 10th inst., he saw a man named Jordan and asked him to get some flour, for which he gave him a glass of beer. Another man named Stevenson went in to give a reason for not delivering some coals. He had nothing to drink. Jordan did not fetch the flour after the police came in, nor would witness allow Stevenson to bring the coal in.

Richard Jordan said Mr. Lyne opened the door of his house and asked him to fetch some flour. He said he would, and Mr. Lyne gave him a glass of beer. Stevenson followed witness in, and asked Mr. Lyne about some coals.

In reply to the Magistrates' Clerk, witness said he did not pay any money.

Stevenson said he heard defendant call Jordan. He followed him in and asked defendant if Monday would do for the coals he had ordered.

The Bench dismissed the case, considering there was a doubt as to whether an offence had actually been committed. They, however, cautioned the defendant.

Richard Jordan and William Stevenson were summoned for being on licensed premises during prohibited hours.

Superintendent Rutter asked permission to withdraw the summons in consequence of the former case having failed, and the Bench consented to the withdrawal.

Folkestone Express 24 December 1881.

Wednesday, December 21st: Before The Mayor, Colonel De Crespigny, Captain Carter, Aldermen Caister and Sherwood, J. Holden and J. Fitness Esqs.

The license of the Cyprus Inn was transferred to the widow of the late landlord, Richard Lyne.

Folkestone Express 9 December 1893.

Wednesday, December 6th: Before H.W. Poole, W. Wightwick and W.G. Herbert Esqs., and Surgeon General Gilbourne.

A music licence was granted to Mr. Mepham of the Cyprus, Bayle.
 

Folkestone Express 8 September 1894.

Saturday, September 1st: before The Mayor, Captain Carter, Aldermen Sherwood, Pledge, and Dunk, and J. Fitness, G. Spurgen, and J. Holden Esqs.

Mr. L. Mepham, of the Cyprus Inn, was granted an occasional licence for a smoking concert at the Town Hall, on Thursday, from seven till ten.

Folkestone Express 8 June 1895.

Wednesday, June 5th: Before C.J. Pursey and W. Wightwick Esqs.

The licence of the Isle Of Cyprus was transferred to Mr. G. Priest.

Folkestone Express 24 July 1897.

Friday, July 16th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Pledge, J. Fitness and T.J. Vaughan Esqs.

John Pearce was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and using obscene language on The Bayle.

P.C. Johnson said he saw the defendant in the bar of the Isle Of Cyprus inn, very drunk and using obscene language. He called the landlord's attention to defendant, and he requested witness to remove him. He replied that he would assist the landlord.

Superintendent Taylor said the defendant was before the Bench on a similar charge on the 24th June, and was then discharged with a caution, as his arm was injured and he had been treated at the hospital.

Fined 10s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs, or 14 days' hard labour.

Folkestone Express 16 June 1900.

Wednesday, June 13th: Before J. Fitness, W. Wightwick, C.J. Pursey, and J. Pledge Esqs.

The Bench granted the transfer of the licence of the Isle Of Cyprus, The Bayle, from Mr. Charles Grist to Mr. Frank Clayson.

Folkestone Express 1 November 1902.

Trade Notes.

Squadron Quartermaster-Sergt. Halford, who has taken over the Isle Of Cyprus, is well-known and respected in Folkestone, Shorncliffe, and Sandgate. His connection with the Royal Dragoons (the German Emperor's Own) has extended since 1881. Starting as a private, he advanced to the position of Quartermaster-Sergt., and held this rank when he left the service. Upon the outbreak of the war he was left at home with the depot at Shorncliffe, and his duties there for over two years were very arduous indeed, the responsibility of feeding the fighting squadrons abroad being cast upon him. Now that his old regiment has come home, Mr. Holford has received very extensive patronage, and there is no doubt he will increase the business of this well-known hostelry to a very appreciable extent.

Folkestone Express 27 February 1904.

Friday, February 19th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Alderman Vaughan, and Lieut. Col. Westropp.

James Henry Dorran and Richard Dean, privates in the South Lancashire Regiment, were charged with maliciously damaging a front window of the public house, the Isle Of Cyprus.

William Henry Holford, the proprietor, said that soon after eleven o'clock the previous evening he heard a loud smash at the front window, and going out, saw the prisoner Dean striking the windows with a cane. Immediately a lance corporal of the police came over from the other side of the road, and arrested the prisoners and took them to the police station. He (witness) estimated the damage at £4 15s., four panes being broken.

Lance Corporal S. Anstey, of the military police, gave corroborative evidence.

The prisoner Dean said they were drunk, but Anstey denied this.

An officer of the regiment said that Dorran bore a very fair character, and Dean an indifferent one.

The Bench said they would have to pay for the damage done, £4 15s., and imposed a fine of £1 each, and costs 5s. 6d. each, or one month's hard labour.

They went to prison.

Folkestone Express 5 November 1904.

Monday, October 31st: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Aldermen Spurgen and Vaughan, Liuet. Col. Fynmore, J. Stainer and W. Carpenter Esqs.

A well-known character, named James Butcher, was placed in the dock charged with committing wilful damage by breaking the plate glass window of the bar of the Isle Of Cyprus public house the previous night.

William Holford said he was the landlord of the house. About forty minutes past ten the previous night he was in the bar with his man, James Spicer, when he heard tapping at the door. Spicer opened the door, and the prisoner, who was carrying the tin can produced, asked for some beer. Witness told him to go away because the house was closed. Spicer shut the door, and immediately afterwards he heard the smash of glass. On going outside he found the plate glass window of the bar broken. Both Spicer and himself ran after the prisoner, who made off towards the Bayle Steps. They overtook him, and witness asked him why he wanted to break the window. He replied “Because I want to get locked up”. Witness took him up Rendezvous Street, and then handed him over to P.S. Dunster. He found the tin can on the ground outside the window. The window was valued at £6 15s.

Butcher, asked if he had any questions to put to Mr. Holford, said “He had brought it on himself by kicking me. I am flesh and blood and not stone”.

James Spicer, the barman, corroborated the last witness. Butcher asked this witness if he did not beat him half way down the street. Witness denied doing so.

P.S. Dunster said Mr. Holford handed the prisoner over to him in Rendezvous Street for smashing a plate glass window in the bar of his house.

Prisoner: Serves him right, too.

Witness took prisoner to the cells, and afterwards returned to the house where he saw a large hole had been made in the window. It was almost large enough to admit a man.

The Chief Constable asked the Magistrates to commit prisoner for trial at the Quarter Sessions.

Asked if he had anything to say, Butcher said he wished to say a lot.

The Chairman: Take my advice and say nothing.

Butcher said he wanted to be tried that day, but he was told by the Chairman that he was committed to the Quarter Sessions. Bail was offered him in one surety of £20 and himself in £20.

Butcher: I will write to my brother. Money is no object to him.

Folkestone Express 7 January 1905.

Quarter Sessions.

Saturday, December 31st: Before John Charles Lewis Coward Esq.

James Butcher was charged with unlawfully and maliciously damaging the plate glass of a certain window, the property of William Halford, the damage so committed being to the amount of £6 15s., at 10.40 p.m. on October 30th. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

Mr. Dickens said the prisoner broke the front window of the public house the Isle of Cyprus, on The Bayle, during a fit of anger, because he was refused drink. The value of the glass was £6 15s.

The Superintendent said prisoner had been in the town on and off for four and a half years. He was always getting drunk, and there were 35 convictions against him in different parts of the country – five times for larceny, one as an incorrigible rogue, and others.

Prisoner: It was all through drink, your Worship.

The Recorder: Yes, it is the curse of the country.

The Superintendent, continuing, said prisoner was in the habit of going into gin shops and helping himself to the gin when no-one was about.

The Recorder said the gin shops should be shut up, and then prisoner could not help himself.

Prisoner: This is all through drink. It is the road to ruin, and has been my downfall.

The Recorder: Has he been on bail?

The Superintendent said prisoner had been in custody.

The Recorder, in passing sentence, said prisoner's record was a bad one. It was shocking and could not have been worse. When he came out of prison he advised him to leave the town. He would take into consideration that fact that prisoner had been in prison for two months, and he would have to go to prison for one calendar month.

Folkestone Express 14 July 1906.

Wednesday, July 11th: Before Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Alderman Vaughan, and R.J. Linton Esq.

This being the day fixed for the special licensing sessions, the following licence was transferred: The Isle of Cyprus, from Mr. Holford to Mr. E. Taylor.

Folkestone Express 17 August 1907.

Monday, August 12th: Before The Mayor, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd Esqs.

On Saturday afternoon, shortly after two o'clock, P.C. Butcher was on The Bayle, when he saw Edward Moriarty being assisted out of the Isle of Cyprus public house in a rather unceremonious way. The landlord also came out of the house, and when in the roadway, Moriarty, who was drunk, put himself in a fighting attitude and twice rushed at the publican. The constable then thought it was time to interfere, and upon Moriarty refusing to go away he felt bound to take him away and keep him safe for a short time. When his bad behaviour was told to the Magistrates he said he had nothing to say as he was drunk.

The Chief Constable explained that the man had been about the town selling lavender for some days, and he had been spoken to once or twice about his conduct. The constable had made enquiries at the licensed house from which the man was ejected, and had found that he had not been served there.

The Mayor said the prisoner would have to pay 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days' hard labour.

Moriarty had no money, so he went down.

Folkestone Express 17 April 1909.

Tuesday, April 13th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

Thomas Spearpoint, a fisherman, was charged with committing wilful damage by breaking a plate glass window at the Isle of Cyprus public house.

Corpl. Edmonds, of the Military Foot Police, stationed at Shorncliffe, said shortly after ten o'clock he was on duty on The Bayle, where he saw the prisoner, who was very excited, about half way between the Globe and the Isle of Cyprus. He was surrounded by a large crowd. He was shouting “I will fight any soldier you have got in the Cyprus”. He came up to witness and shook his fist in his face, and made use of an obscene expression. His friends took him away in the direction of the Parade Steps. He returned a few minutes after, and walked on the pavement past him (witness) in the direction of High Street. As he walked past the front window of the Isle of Cyprus he struck it with his fist and smashed it. Mr. Taylor, the landlord, came out of the house, and witness pointed the prisoner out to him. A constable eventually took the prisoner into custody.

William Edward Taylor, the landlord of the Isle of Cyprus, said just before 10.30 the previous night the prisoner was in his house with several friends. Prisoner was kicking up a bit of a row, and witness asked him not to do so. After using obscene language, the prisoner left the house with all his friends. About ten minutes after he heard a crash of glass, and on going outside he saw the prisoner in the middle of the road. He also found the centre window broken. Witness followed the prisoner and overtook him at the top of High Street, and when P.C. Johnson came up he gave him into custody. It would cost him £10 to replace the glass. The prisoner had been in and out of his house all the evening and was sober.

P.C. H. Johnson said he was called to the Isle of Cyprus public house at 10.40, and the landlord gave the prisoner into custody. He noticed that Spearpoint was bleeding from the right hand. He was under the influence of drink, but was not drunk. He became very violent, and witness had to obtain the assistance of P.C. Sales and two or three military police to get him to the police station. The window was 7ft. by 6ft.

Prisoner had nothing to say, except that he was very sorry.

The Magistrates committed him for trial at the Quarter Sessions on Monday next, bail being offered, himself in £20 and one surety of £20.

The Chairman called Mr. Taylor forward and said the Magistrates understood there had been several rows at his house lately, and it was not quite so well conducted as they would like it to be. He had better be careful. Spearpoint was in and out of the house all the evening, and although he was not drunk, he was suffering from drink. No sober man would have done such a thing. He must be more careful in the management of his house.

Folkestone Express 24 April 1909.

Quarter Sessions.

Monday, April 19th: Before J.C. Lewis Coward Esq.

Thomas Spearpoint, aged 28, a fisherman, pleaded Guilty to wilfully breaking a plate glass window, the property of William Edward Taylor, the landlord of the Isle of Cyprus public house, and doing damage to the extent of £10, on April 12th.

Mr. Weigall, who prosecuted for the Crown, said about half past ten the prisoner was in the Isle of Cyprus and he got a little noisy. The landlord properly requested him to leave. He went, and walked up the street, and about ten minutes or a quarter of an hour afterwards the landlord heard a crash of glass, and on going outside found that the prisoner had deliberately put his fist through the plate glass window. He did not know whether he did it to show a little resentment because of him being requested to leave. The constable who took the man into custody said Spearpoint had been drinking, but was not drunk.

The Chief Constable said there was nothing against the man, who was a Folkestone fisherman.

The Recorder: I have not had a Folkestone fisherman in the dock for many years.

Prisoner: I should not have been here now if I was not drunk at the time. I was in the house from seven o'clock to 10.30. The landlord said I was sober. I was drunk, and had been drinking all the evening. I also had drinks before I went into that man's house.

The Chief Constable further said the prisoner was a hard-working man, and was single.

William Edward Taylor, the landlord, was called into the witness box. In reply to the Recorder, he said he had been in the house two years and nine months.

The Recorder: This man was in and out of your house, apparently, the whole of the evening?

Witness: About twice.

The Recorder: That is not what you said before the Magistrates. You said “He had been in and out of my house all the evening”. Is it true that it was so? Why do you say twice now? Be careful how you give evidence in Court. He says he was the worse for liquor. What do you say?

Witness: He only had two bottles of ale during the evening.

The Recorder: I do not believe you. I disallow your expenses. Go out of the Court.

The Chief Constable was questioned by the Recorder as to whether he had had any complaints about the house, and he replied that it had not been altogether satisfactory during the last few months.

The Recorder: I gathered as much from the depositions. Keep your eye on it.

The Chief Constable: Yes, sir.

The Recorder, addressing the prisoner, said he was very sorry to see a Folkestone fisherman in that position. The law looked upon that as a serious crime. Unfortunately, it said that he must be brought either before a judge at Assize or before him. He saw that the prisoner was violent when taken to the police station. He (the Recorder), however, believed he was really sorry for what he had done. He would give him another chance. He was not going to make a gaolbird of him. He (the prisoner) had had a taste of what prison was like. He should bind him over to be of good behaviour for a year. If he broke his parole he would be severely dealt with. He wished to say that he thought the prisoner's position was brought about a great deal by the amount of drink he was allowed to have in the Isle of Cyprus.

Folkestone Express 15 February 1913.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

The Brewster Sessions were held on Wednesday morning. The Justices present were E.T. Ward Esq., Major Leggett, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, G. Boyd, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, and J. Stainer Esqs. Mr. Boyd and Mr. Stainer did not take part in the licensing business, not being on the committee.

The Chief Constable read his report as follows: Gentlemen, I have the honour to report that there are at present within your jurisdiction 119 places licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor by retail, viz., Full Licences 73, Beer On 7, Beer Off 6, Beer and Spirit Dealers Off 15, Grocers, etc. Off 9, Confectioners' Wine On 3, Chemists Wine Off 5. This gives an average, according to the Census of 1911, of one licence to every 281 persons, or one on licence to every 418 persons. As compared with the return submitted last year this is a decrease of two licences. At the general annual licensing meeting last year a new licence was granted for the sale of beer off the premises at Morehall, and two other off licences were discontinued.

At the last adjourned general annual licensing meeting the renewal of the licence of the Rendezvous Hotel was referred to the Compensation Committee on the ground of redundancy, and at the meeting of that Committee on the 7th August, 1912, the licence was refused, and after payment of compensation the house was closed for the sale of drink on the 28th December last.

During the past year fifteen of the licences have been transferred; one licence was transferred twice.

Six occasional licences have been granted for the sale of drink on premises not ordinarily licensed for such sale, and 34 extensions of the usual time of closing have been granted to licence holders on special occasions.

During the year ended 31st December last 85 persons (62 males and 23 females) were proceeded against for drunkenness; 64 were convicted and 21 discharged.

In the preceding year 54 males and 31 females were proceeded against, of whom 66 were convicted and 19 discharged.

The number convicted of drunkenness last year, viz., 46 males and 18 females, is, I find, the smallest number convicted in any year since 1896.

Of those proceeded against, 31 were residents of the Borough, 34 were persons of no fixed abode, 13 residents of other districts and seven were soldiers.

No conviction has been recorded against any licence holder during the past year. Proceedings were taken against the holder of an off licence for a breach of the closing regulations, but the case was dismissed.

Eleven clubs where intoxicating liquor is sold are registered in accordance with the Act of 1902.

There are 17 places licensed for music and dancing, eight for music only, and two for public billiard playing.

I have no complaint to make as to the conduct of any of the licensed houses, and offer no opposition to the renewal of any of the present licences on the ground of misconduct.

The Chairman said it was a very satisfactory report indeed, but they felt that there were still too many licensed houses, particularly in certain portions of the Borough, and the Justices would direct that a certain number of the applications for renewal should be deferred till the Adjourned Sessions, so that they might have evidence as to the trade those houses were doing, and decide whether any of them ought to be referred to the Compensation Authority.

The houses to be dealt with were seven in number, namely; the Raglan Tavern, the Oddfellows, the Royal Oak, the Isle of Cyprus, the Lord Nelson, the Lifeboat, and the Wellington.

With those exceptions the existing licences were granted.

Folkestone Express 15 March 1913.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

At the annual licensing sessions seven licences were deferred to the adjourned sessions, which were held at the Town Hall on Monday. The Magistrates on the Bench were E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Alderman Jenner, and W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, G. Boyd, W.J. Harrison, J.J. Giles, E.T. Morrison and A. Stace Esqs.

Isle Of Cyprus.

The Isle of Cyprus was the next licence considered. Mr. G.W. Haines represented the owners and the licence holder.

Mr. Reeve, the Chief Constable, said the house was situate on the Bayle, and was formerly known as the Druids Arms. The licensee was Mr. William Edward Taylor, who had held the licence since 11th July, 1906. The registered owners were Messrs. Mackeson and Co., of Hythe. The rateable value was £28 10s. There were two front entrances to the house opening into a front bar which was divided two compartments by a partition six feet high. There was a door from the street into the separate compartments. Behind the bar there was a small bar parlour, which was dark, having no outside light. That room was approached from the compartment on the left side of the house. Behind that room was another room, which was not now used by the public, and appeared to be simply a store room used by the licensee. From the front bar or right hand side compartment a door opened into a narrow passage, which ran down by the side of the houses for the whole length, about 48ft. long. That passage was covered over for about 17ft. 6in. There was a urinal three parts of the way down the passage. At the far end a door opened to the scullery of the house. The right hand side of the passage to which he had referred for the whole length was really the wall of the adjoining house, and in the glass-covered portion of the passage there were two windows looking into the passage. One of those was a window opening into a living room in the house next door, 76, The Bayle. That was five feet wide by 2ft. 4in. The second window, which did not appear to have been opened for some time, looked into the living room of 70, Bayle Court, which adjoined and backed onto 76, The Bayle. In the open portion of the passage there was another window, 1ft. 9in. by 1ft. 4in.. That opened into the scullery of the house, 70, Bayle Court. That small window was open on his recent visit. The cottages were occupied, and they both had an entrance from Bayle Court. The nearest licensed house was the Globe, 37 yards away, the rateable value of which was £40. The Earl Grey was 84 yards away, and the rateable value was £30. The George Inn was 82 yards away, and the rateable value was £40. The trade was small, and smaller than that done at the houses in the immediate neighbourhood. In his opinion if the licence was taken away there would be ample accommodation provided in the licensed houses in the vicinity.

Cross-examined, Mr. Reeve said his objection was that the licence was not required for the requirements of the neighbourhood. No notice had ever been given to the owners or tenant to remedy the so-called defects. He considered it was a very improper thing for windows to look into licensed premises as those in the two cottages did. He had never heard of any breach of the licensing laws owing to those windows. If the trade was double what it was said to be he would still say he was of opinion that there was an excessive number of licences in the neighbourhood. In his opinion, the more public houses they had, the more drinking there was. It was not desirable to have an excessive number of licensed houses in a working class neighbourhood. Since they had closed public houses drunkenness had gradually decreased. Some people said drunkenness in that town was excessive, but he did not think so.

Inspector Lawrence said he knew the house, and that in the passageway there were three windows looking into adjoining property. The only access to the premises was by two front entrances in Bayle Street. He knew a door led from the public bar into the passage. He further corroborated the Chief Constable as to the construction of the premises. The fact that the windows were situate in the position they were made it difficult for proper police supervision to be given to the premises.

Cross-examined, the witness said apart from the three windows there would be no difficulty in having proper police supervision over the premises.

Mr. H. Mackeson said the barrelage from 1908 up to 1912 was an increasing trade. In 1910 and 1911 there was a trade of three barrels a week, and in 1912 four barrels. That included bottled beer and crates. With regard to the spirits and wines, in 1910 75 gallons were sold, in 1911, 80, and in 1912, 53, which was caused by the Budget. In 1908 the number of gallons was 108, and in 1909 about 70. He was satisfied with the trade done.

Cross-examined by the Chief Constable, Mr. Mackeson said he did not know that the houses in Bayle Court backed the licensed house. He did not know that the window from that passage in the cottages was the only means of through ventilation.

Mr. Taylor said he had £350 indebtedness when he went into the house, and out of the profits of the house he had paid off all that with the exception of £20. His average takings were over £20, and in the season they exceeded that. From June, 1912, up to the present, the purchasers in his house numbered from 200 up to 350. He was well satisfied with his business and he hoped to save a little money from it. Since had had been there he had not done anything he ought not to have done in connection with the windows.

Cross-examined, witness said he did not mean to say he had 200 customers in his house each day. He had only been out waiting three or four times recently. It was not because trade had fallen off that he had closed one room, but it was because he could not control it. He was going in for a more classy trade now than he did previous to an affair over a broken window.

Re-examined, witness said if there was a considerable demand for lunches he could use that particular room.

Mr. Haines said the owners were willing to carry out any alterations the Bench might suggest. The house was just on the fringe of the congested area. The place was used a great deal by the military and was more easy of supervision as it was situate near the Town Hall. The trade was an increasing one, and he put it that there was no evidence the house was not required.

The Magistrates retired, and on their return the Chairman announced that the licences of the Lord Nelson and the Isle of Cyprus would be referred to the Quarter Sessions. For those there would be provisional licences. The five other licences would be renewed, but they thought that the owners of the Wellington and the Raglan should consider the question of the urinals.

Folkestone Express 12 July 1913.

East Kent Licensing.

On Wednesday, at St. Augustine's, Canterbury, the Compensation Authority sat for the purpose of considering applications for the renewal of licences which had been referred to them by the various licensing authorities in East Kent. Amongst the licences which came before the Authority was the Isle of Cyprus, Folkestone. Lord Harris presided.

Mr. C.M. Pitman (instructed by Mr. G.W. Haines) asked for the renewal of the Isle of Cyprus on behalf of the owners, Messrs. Mackeson and Co., and the tenant, Mr. W.E. Taylor. Mr. E. Wetton opposed the granting of the licence.

Mr. H. Reeve, the Chief Constable, said the Isle of Cyprus was in the congested area, in which there were 841 houses, and he reckoned five people to a house. In that area there were 30 on licenses – 26 full and four beer on licences. There were also seven other licences, making a total of 37 premises licensed for the sale of drink. That gave one licence to 113 persons, or one on licence to every 140 persons. For the whole of the borough there was one licence to every 286 persons, or one on licence to every 418 persons. They had 117 premises licensed for the sale of drink in the borough. The Bayle, on which the Isle of Cyprus was situate, was an isolated district. The present tenant, Mr. W.E. Taylor, became the licensee on July 11th, 1906, and was the ninth tenant in fourteen years. In the district of the Bayle there were sixty occupied houses, and allowing for five inmates per house, that made a population of 300, and in that district there were three fully licensed houses. From the public bar there was a passage running from the side of the house for the whole of the length. There was no back entrance to the house. The passage for 17ft. 6in. was covered with glass. There was a urinal about three parts of the way down and at the end of the passage there was an opening in the landlord's kitchen or scullery.

Mr. Pitman interposed by saying that the licence was brought there on the question of redundancy, and not because of its structure.

Mr. Reeve, proceeding, said a window in the passage opened into No. 76, The Bayle. The next window opened into the living room of No. 70, Bayle Court, and further down another window opened into the same house.

Lord Harris: The house sounds so structurally bad, I cannot understand why the local authority allows the licence at all. Have you ever objected to it on the grounds of structural defects?

Mr. Reeve: I did not know about the structure until recently. Continuing, he said the house had a very small trade during the day, and the trade at night was chiefly soldiers and girls.

Cross-examined, the Chief Constable said the house was on the edge of the congested area. He certainly objected to the windows in the passage, but no objection had been made to the licensing Justices about them. He considered it would be a difficult matter to make any alterations because the other property belonged to someone else. If the windows could be done away with, and the other houses were able to get the light and air they had received, his objections to the structure would be done away with. Seven houses were adjourned to the adjourned annual licensing meeting, but only two were referred to the Compensation Authority. The second house was the Lord Nelson, the licence of which was renewed when it came before the preliminary meeting.

Inspector Lawrence said owing to the windows in the passage it made it very difficult to have proper police supervision of the house. There was very little day trade done at the house.

Mrs. Johnson, of 70, Bayle Court, gave evidence as to the urinals of the licensed house.

Mr. H. Mackeson, giving evidence in support of the renewal of the licence, said since the adjourned meeting of the Justices he had made inquiries, and he had found that the figures he then gave to the Justices with regard to the trade were not correct. In 1909 they did 181¾ barrels of beer, 114½ gallons of spirits, and 38 gallons of wine. In the following year the figures were 157 barrels, 147 gallons of spirits and 37 gallons of wine; in 1911, 172, 153, and 24; in 1912, 207, 167, and 20; in 1913, up to June 30th, 103 barrels, 67 gallons of spirits, and 11 gallons of wine. When the matter was before the licensing Justices he gave the figures of spirits sold in 1912 as 54 gallons, but since then they had found the tenant had been purchasing spirits elsewhere than from them, thus breaking his agreement. There had been no complaint made to them about the structure before. If there had been he would have taken steps to have had it altered. He produced plans which showed how access by the windows could be stopped. His firm were willing to take them before the Bench and carry out the plans.

Cross-examined, Mr. Mackeson said in 1912 the tenant purchased over 100 gallons of spirits and wines from elsewhere.

Mr. W.H. Wilkins, clerk to Mr. Haines, solicitor, said he went through Mr. Taylor's books with the tenant, and he had found since he had been in the house he had paid off a total indebtedness of £260 10s. 3d., which he incurred in a lodging house in Marine Parade. He had also paid £60 8s. 6d. for an automatic piano. He produced a list of various payments made by the tenant to Mr. Binfield for wines and spirits, and he produced invoices showing the amount of spirits he had also purchased from Mr. Binfield and Messrs. Lukey. He had been through Mr. Taylor's account books, and he found in 1906-7 the cash takings were £1,121; in 1907-08, £1,088; in 1908-09, £1,100; in 1909-10, £809; in 1910-11, £853; in 1911-12, £959; and from June, 1912, to June, 1913 £1,024. His cash register also showed that there were, on an average, 200 purchasers in the house daily.

The application for renewal was refused, and the house will go for compensation.

Folkestone Express 8 November 1913.

East Kent Licensing.

At a meeting of the East Kent Licensing Committee on Tuesday, compensation was awarded to the owners and tenants of houses in the district which are to be closed, as under:

Isle of Cyprus, The Bayle, Folkestone; tenant Mr. William Edward Taylor; owners, Messrs. Mackeson and Co. Ltd., Hythe. Total £1,408: owners £1,238; tenant £159 10s.