From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 30 September, 1865. Price 1d.

LICENSE OF THE LONDON PACKET INN

The only case of any interest concerned the transfer of the license of the "London Packet Inn." This house had been kept by a man named Stephen Stanley, who had lately died, and his widow now applied to the Bench to have the license transferred to a person named Wilson. It appeared, however, that prior to this application Thomas Stanley, brother of the deceased, wished to take over the house and carry on the business, preliminaries had been so far arranged that he had obtained from the magistrates the promise of the license. In consequence of a family feud, Thomas Stanley afterwards refused to give anything to the widow for the goodwill of the house; and it further appeared that he had not only abandoned all intention of carrying on the business, but the landlord of the house, Mr. Norwood was unfavourable to his tenancy. Stanley, however, was not disposed to give up the license, which, he appeared to consider the Bench had granted to him. - Mr. Fox attended to watch the case in the interest of Stanley, who was at sea, and argued that the promise of the Bench amounted in point of law to the granting of the license, although his client had not got the bit of paper which was evidence of the fact; and he submitted that therefore no transfer could take place without his client's consent. On the part of the applicants for the transfer, a witness, Mr. Hadlow, painter, was called upon to prove that Stanley had in conversation with him expressed his intention not to take the house. - After a long argument the Court was cleared for deliberation; and on the readmission of the public, Sir Luke Smithett, who sat as chairman, said the Bench had come to the decision that the first license was granted under a false impression and was therefore void; and they therefore granted the license to Mr. George Wilson, one of the present applicants.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 10 March, 1882. Price 1d.

J. TORR v. JENKINS

This was a case in which some glass had been broken by “larking” in a public-house, (“London Packet”) and the evidence not being conclusive, it was adjourned for further witnesses. The claim was for 7s. 6d. The defendant said that no one could say how the glass was broken, but he had offered to pat three shilling's towards it.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 9 May, 1884. 1d.

PUBLIC-HOUSE TRANSFER

Mr. Coleman applied for the license of the “London Packet” to J. H. Osmond, who has kept the “Noah's Ark,” Peter Street, Deal, but as his wife was still in charge of the house at Deal, the application was allowed to stand over.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 30 August, 1889. Price 1d.

A PUBLIC HOUSE PROSECUTION

On Monday, at the Dover Police Court, before J. L. Bradley, Esq., Dr. Astley, and J. Finnis, Esq., a case of keeping a public house open during prohibited hours was dealt with.

H. Corsan was charged with keeping the “London Packet” public house, on the 20th inst., open during prohibited hours, that is, at ten minutes to one in the morning, and allowing a person not a bona fide traveller to be on his premises.

John Marsh was charged with being on the premises of the “London Packet” at ten minutes to one on the 10th inst.

Both defendants pleaded “Not Guilty.”

Mr. Vernon Knocker appeared for the prosecution and Mr. M. Mowll for the defence.

Mr. Knocker having briefly opened the case.

Police-constable Scutt said: I was on duty in Commercial Quay last Tuesday morning. At about ten minutes to one I saw three men cross the road from the “London Packet” over the quay. They remained there. I was about twenty yards away when I first saw them. I went on in the direction of the house, and when I got nearly opposite it I saw the landlord behind the door in the act of closing it. I put my hand on the door to prevent him closing it. I then said to him, “What is the meaning of this?” he asked “What?” and I called his attention to the three men, I said, “I have just seen these three men cross from your house.” He said he knew nothing of them and had never seen them before. The three men then went away. There was a light in the bar, and the landlord stepped back and put it out on my entering the bar. I then turned on my light and saw the defendant Marsh leaning against the counter. He was on the outside of the counter. I asked the landlord who he was, and he said, “All right, Constable, he's a lodger,” and turning to March he said, “Now Jack, you go up to bed.” I asked the landlord how long he had slept there, and he said, “Last night; he belongs to the London tug, Cambria.” I then told him I knew the man by sight as a Dover fisherman. He said, “Oh! You must have made a mistake.” There were several empty glasses on the counter which appeared to have contained beer. Marsh did not go upstairs, but said he was going home, and went out of the door. I told the landlord that I should report the case, and probably he would hear more about it. I then went after Marsh and asked him his name and address. He refused to give them and wanted me to take off my coat and fight him. We proceeded as far as the Post Office where we met Police-constable Bathy, and the man still refused to give his name. I then went up Snargate Street with him, where we met Police-sergeant Suters, who tried to persuade the man to give his address, but he still refused. I then took him to the station, but at the bottom of Five Post Lane he said his name was Marsh and he lived at 8, Albion Place. I then let him go. He was under the influence of drink.

By Mr. Mowll: I saw these three men coming down the steps of the “London Packet.”

By Mr. Vidler: I passed up several times before. There was a low light burning all the time. There is a blind which prevented me seeing in.

Mr. Mowll said that Corsan and Marsh were two old friends, and on the night in question they had had supper together. Marsh was leaving the house as the Policeman came by. He called the two defendants and Corsan's niece, who was at supper with them, to prove this.

The defendant Corsan was then sworn. He said: I have kept the “London Packet” five years, and have never been before this Court. On Monday, the 19th inst. I locked up my house at eleven. Mr. Marsh stayed till after closing time. No one else stopped. Marsh stayed because I asked him to have a little supper with me. I have known him well these 16 years. We went out in the evening together to see the fireworks. He has had tea at my house on several occasions. My niece was at supper with us. I had just gone to the door to let Marsh out when the Policeman came by. The Constable did not come in the bar. I never left the door and turned the light out. I had only lit it just before to let Marsh out.

By Mr. Knocker: Marsh had nothing to drink from eleven o'clock till he left with the Constable. We went out to see the fireworks about nine and came back at ten. We had supper at 11.10. We were talking over old times. (Laughter). The Constable could not see on the counter from the door, and he could not see any glasses on it because there were none.

The defendant Marsh was then sworn, and he corroborated the evidence of the other defendant.

Caroline Corsan, the niece of H. Corsan, said she had supper with the two defendants of Regatta night. Marsh did not pay for anything, and there were no other men in the house.

Mr. Knocker: What time do you usually retire?

Witness: Between eleven and twelve.

Mr. Knocker: Why do you stop up later on this night?

The witness did not answer.

The Bench said they had no doubt about he Policeman's statement, and fined Corsan £1 and 11s. 6d. costs, and Marsh 10s 6d. and costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 30 August, 1889. Price 1d.

DOVER BREWSTER SESSIONS

THE LONDON PACKET

The landlord of the “London Packet,” who had been fined that morning for having his house open at prohibited hours, was cautioned by the Chairman and the license renewed.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 13 November, 1891. Price 1d.

PUBLIC HOUSE CHANGE

Mr. Spain applied on behalf of Mr. George Sharp for permission to draw at the “London Packet.”

The application stood over until the agreement was produced.