From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 11 October, 1867.

INFRINGEMENT OF PUBLIC-HOUSE LICENSE

Richard Chard, the proprietor of the "Laurel Tree" public-house, pleaded guilty to having his house open last Saturday afternoon at ten minutes past 4.

He was fined 10s. and 9s. 6d. costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 11 September, 1868.

THE ANNUAL LICENSING DAY

THE LAUREL TREE

In this case, on Richard Chard, the present landlord, applying for renewal of the license, the Magistrates, after hearing a report from the Superintendent of the Police, decided that the license could not be renewed.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 20 August, 1869. Price 1d.

FELONY AT TILMANSTON

George Richards and John Williams, two labourers were charged with stealing two scythes from a field in the parish of Tilmanston.

Martin Ayres said he resided at Tilmanston, and worked for his father, who is a farmer. One of the scythes produced he identified as being his property, and the other as the property of his brother George Ayres. he saw them on Saturday last, about five o'clock, in a field at Tilmanston where he had been at work. About an hour afterwards he went to the field to fetch them, when he found that they had been taken away. He afterwards saw them at the Dover public-house. The value of the scythed was 20s.

Police-constable Nixon said that the prisoners passed him on Saturday night on the London Road, Charlton, and they were each carrying a scythe, similar to those produced.

Police-constable Stevens said that in consequence of information he received on Saturday night he went to the "Laurel Tree" public-house, Priory Street, and saw the prisoner Richards sitting down in the tap-room. He saw the scythes in another room under a table. Witness asked the prisoner Richards if they belonged to him, and he replied that one belonged to him and the other to his mate, who had gone out. Witness then asked how long the scythes had been in his possession, and he said a twelve-month. He then told the prisoner that he should take him into custody on a charge of stealing them, when he said, "Very well, I suppose you'll give me something to eat." The prisoner Williams having entered the room, witness asked him if one of the scythes was his property, and he replied that it was. Witness then charged him with stealing it, and he also replied, "Very well." The prisoners made no answer to the charge when it was read over to them at the station-house.

The prisoners pleaded guilty, and the Magistrates sent them to the House of Correction for one calendar month with hard labour.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 16 September, 1870. Price 1d.

THE ANNUAL LICENSING DAY

TRANSFERS

The “Laurel Tree,” Priory Street, was transferred from Mr. R. R. Chard to Mr. E. Cheeseman, the Magistrates, however, remarking that they hoped the new tenant would conduct it better than his predecessor.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 7 October, 1870. Price 1d.

DOVER POLICE COURT

Edward Cheeseman, Landlord of the "Laurel Tree" public-house, Priory Street, was summonsed for allowing common prostitutes to assemble on his premises, was fined £2 and costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 25 August, 1871. Price 1d.

DISORDERLY HOUSE

Edwin Cheeseman, landlord of the “Laurel Tree” public-house, Priory Street, for harbouring disorderly characters, was fined £3 including costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 8 September, 1871. Price 1d.

ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING

TRANSFERS

In the case of the “Laurel Tree,” Mr. Fox made application for the license to be transferred from the present holder (a man named Cheeseman) to William Elliott, who had formerly acted as turnkey in Canterbury gaol; but the certificate of character which he presented was dated five years ago, and the Magistrates thought that this was not sufficiently satisfactory, especially in the case of a house like the “Laurel Tree,” which had been very badly conducted.

The license was refused.