Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 14 February 1903.
CANTERBURY BREWSTER SESSIONS.
CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT.
I have given notice of objection to the following houses:-
"Maid of Kent," Blackfriars:— That the house is not structurally adapted
for the use of the public and not in a fit and proper state of repair to
be kept open as a public house; that part of the premises are in an
unsafe condition; that the licence is not required to meet the wants of
the neighbourhood.
THE MAID OF KENT, BLACKFRIARS.
Mr. Arrowsmith (Messrs. Kingsford and Wightwick), on behalf of the
brewers (the Canterbury Brewery Company), said it was not proposed to
rebuild the house, but anything in the way of decorative repairs would
be carried out to meet the magistrates' views. The house was used mainly
as a club and a respectable class of people visited it.
The Surveyor considered the front wall of the house was unsafe, but Mr.
Adley, builder, Havelock Street, contradicted this statement and
remarked that the same thing might be said of a good many more houses in
Canterbury.
It transpired from the evidence of the tenant that he lived in the house
free of rent, and the landlords paid all the rates and taxes. Ha also
told the Superintendent that he only just managed to exist, and that he
received one penny profit on each quart of beer sold.
The Chairman thought the house was in such a dilapidated state that it
seemed hardly desirable to continue licensing the premises.
THE DECISIONS. SIX RENEWALS REFUSED
The Magistrates retired for the purpose of considering the cases. On
their return into Court the Chairman said the Magistrates had given a
great deal of consideration to the cases having regard to the
consequences of their decisions.
The "Maid of Kent"
was in an insanitary state and the owners were not prepared to spend a
considerable sum to make structural alterations. The house was not
required and the license would be refused.
The Sessions were then adjourned until February 25th.
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