Folkestone Express 10 April 1869.

Tuesday, April 6th: Before J. Gambrill and R.W. Boarer Esqs.

John Delo was summoned for committing an assault on William Burvill on the night of the 27th ult. Mr. F.J. Till, from Mr. Minter's office appeared for the defendant.

The plaintiff, being sworn, said: I am a mason and live in Dover Street. The assault complained of took place on Saturday week about twenty minutes past eleven o'clock in the evening in Dover Street, when the defendant assaulted me in the street. I went into the Oddfellows Arms (sic) to have a glass of beer. I had been there about ten minutes when the brother of the defendant came in and insulted me. I then went out and a few yards away from the house I met the defendant. He said “I have been waiting for you” and struck me on the right side of the head with his fist and knocked me down in the road. I had not seen him previously to speak to for some weeks. Some people then came along and said “That's not fair, two or three on one”. I was sober. I said “I will make you pay for this”, and walked to the police station, and from there home.

Cross-examined: I had been in the house about ten minutes. I was insulted in front of the bar. I had a witness with me there. I do not know how many more people there were in the street, as I walked off directly it was over.

William Swain was then called. He said: I am a butcher, and live at 62, Dover Street, and was with Mr. Burvill on the night in question. He came into my shop about ten minutes before this happened and asked me to go and have a glass of beer. I said I did not mind, and we went. The defendant's brother then came in and insulted Mr. Burvill, when he walked out of the door and I followed him out. We had only got a few yards when Burvill was knocked down by the defendant. I heard him say “I have been waiting for you”. Burvill had not spoken a word to him. He got up, and he and I walked away. Defendant hit him once on the right side of the head. I then said to plaintiff “You had better come away with me”.

Cross-examined: I did not see a man there named Stone. I did not come out of the house close behind him. There was only one blow struck; it came quite unexpectedly. Burvill was not drunk. The blow left no mark. I am certain I did not see William Stone. Some people followed me out, but I did not see anyone in front. A sailor came up at the time; I do not know who he was.

Mr. Till, on behalf of the defendant, said he was quite sure the Bench would find this was a very paltry case and they ought never to have been troubled with it. He had two witnesses to call who would prove this was merely a squabble.

William Stone was then sworn. He said: I was at the public house on the night in question, when I heard a quarrel between Burvill and William Delo. Mr. Burvill then left the house; Swain left behind; I slipped out before. I then saw John Delo and Burvill tussling together. I did not see any blows. Burvill then slipped down; he got up, I put his hat on and he walked away.

By the plaintiff: I did not see you come into the house. You were laughing and chaffing the defendant's brother. I did not see the beginning of this rumpus.

Francis Poole said: I was in Dover Street at quarter past eleven. I was going into the house in question for some beer. Just as I got to the door, I met a great many people coming out in a hurry, and I turned round to see what was up. I saw Burvill fall as if he was tight; I did not see anyone knock him down. I was about four yards from them; he got up and walked down the street.

By plaintiff: I was the nearest to you. I never saw anyone strike you. I fancied you were tight.

By Mr. Gambrill: I was on the path, and Burvill was on the path when he fell.

The Bench had no hesitation in saying an assault had been committed, and they fined the defendant 10s. and 13s. costs, or one month's imprisonment. The fine was paid.

Folkestone Express 14 September 1878.

Saturday, August 7th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Caister, and Captain Carter.

John Macpherson was charged with begging in Dover Street on Friday. P.C. Keeler said he saw the prisoner go into the "Oddfellows Arms" (sic) about eight o'clock, and beg of all who were in the bar.

Prisoner was sentenced to seven days hard labour.

Folkestone Express 3 May 1890.

Saturday, April 26th: Before The Mayor, Capt. Carter, Alderman Pledge and J. Clarke Esq.

The licence of the Oddfellows, Dover Street, was temporarily transferred to James Harris.

Note: This transfer does not appear in More Bastions.

Folkestone Express 8 May 1890.

Tuesday, May 4th: Before The Mayor, General Cannon, and Alderman Sherwood.

George Morley was charged with refusing to quit the "Oddfellows Inn" on the 23rd ult., and also with being drunk and disorderly.

James Harris, landlord of the "Oddfellows," Dover Street, said on the 23rd April, between nine and ten o'clock at night, defendant went to his house and stood in front of the bar. He had one or two glasses of beer before witness discovered he was in such an excited state, and he then refused to draw him any more. Defendant then said he could demand it, and should leave the house when he chose. Witness requested him to leave and he refused. He then sent for a constable. P.C. Knowles, who went, had to use force to eject defendant from the house.

P.C. Knowles said after he had ejected the defendant he went up the steps and into the house again. He got him out a second time, when he was very abusive and threatened to “do for him”.

Defendant was fined 5s. and 9s. costs in each case, or 14 days' in default.

From the Folkestone Express 3 May 1890.

Saturday, April 26th: Before The Mayor, Capt. Carter, Alderman Pledge and J. Clarke Esq.

The licence of the Oddfellows, Dover Street, was temporarily transferred to James Harris.

Note: This transfer does not appear in More Bastions.

From the Folkestone Express 14 June 1890.

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

The licence of the Oddfellows Inn, Dover Street, was transferred to James Harris.

Note: This transfer does not appear in More Bastions.

From the Folkestone Express 21 December 1895.

Saturday, December 14th: Before The Mayor, Surgeon General Gilborne, W.G. Herbert, and W. Wightwick Esqs.

Mr. Adams, of the "Oddfellows," Dover Street, was granted an extension for the first annual dinner of the Sick and Dividend Society.

From the Folkestone Express 16 May 1896.

Saturday, May 9th: Before The Mayor, C.J. Pursey, W. Wightwick, and W.G. Herbert Esqs.

Frederick Adams was summoned for having his house open for the sale of drink during prohibited hours on the 25th April. Mr. Martyn Mowll appeared for the defendant.

Sergeant Lilley stated that on Saturday, 25th April, in company with P.C. Reed, he watched the "Oddfellows" public house, in Dover Street. At 5.45 he saw two men go to the side door, opening into Saffron's Place, and one of them tried it. It was fastened. At 27 minutes to six he saw defendant come downstairs, and at 22 minutes to six the two men, who had previously tried the door, went in. They had waited outside from the time they tried the door till they went in. Before they went in he heard one of the men say “He's about now”. They stayed inside about a minute and a half, and came out. Two other men then went in. He and Read then went in, and found in the bar two men named Wade and White. Wade was drinking beer out of a glass, and White was served with a pint of beer by the landlord in witness's presence. He said to the defendant “What is the meaning of these men being here?” He replied “What is the time, then?” Witness said “Twenty minutes to six”. There was a clock in the bar, and it pointed the time as ten minutes to six. After they were gone the landlord said “I haven't got any excuse to offer, only the men came in for a pint before they went to work”.

By Mr. Mowll: The actual time by the clock in the bar was not seven minutes to six. Adams did not say “It's pretty close work, Sergeant. My clock is seven minutes to six”. There are no houses in Folkestone with an early opening licence.

Mr. Mowll said there was no dispute as to the facts, but there was a little difference as to the actual time. The Bench knew the situation of the house, in the locality where there was a large number of working men, who often desired some refreshment before going to work for two hours. Defendant had an excellent character, and had kept the house for several years without any complaint. The defendant's clock might have been a little fast, but if there was a good fault a publican could have it was to keep his clock a little in advance of actual time, so as to ensure the closing of the house at eleven o'clock at night, when those offences were usually committed. He expressed surprise that there were no houses in Folkestone licensed to open before six o'clock for the accommodation of men going to work early in the morning. In Dover 33 houses had early opening licences, and 17 of them had a right to open at three o'clock, and 16 at five o'clock, and it was within his own knowledge that there were several publicans that did a very large trade in selling coffee to people before they went to work. In the ordinary course of things working men could not get refreshments in their own houses at that time in the morning, before they started for their work at six o'clock, and in cold weather to a man who was at all delicate it was a great comfort to him if he could get something before he began his day's work. No doubt the defendant had committed a technical offence, but he suggested the justice of the case by the summons being dismissed, merely on payment of the costs. Defendant would be very careful in future, and would in all probability come before the licensing committee at the proper time and ask permission to open his house a little earlier, so that he would be able to serve those men with some kind of refreshment before they went to their work.

Superintendent Taylor said there had been no case against the defendant before, but in consequence of complaints made to him he gave instructions for the house to be watched.

Mr. Mowll said there had been no complaint made to defendant. But he happened to have had some unpleasantness with a neighbour, and under those circumstances neighbours made themselves very officious.

The Bench imposed a fine of 10s. and 9s. costs, treating it as a technical offence.

From the Folkestone Express 19 December 1896.

Saturday, December 12th: Before W. Wightwick and W.G. Herbert Esqs., and General Gwyn.

Mr. Adams was granted an hour's extension on the occasion of the annual dinner of the Sick Divident Society at the "Oddfellows Inn," Dover Street.

From the Folkestone Express 26 June 1897.

Local News

At the Dover Police Court on Thursday, John Woods, foreman of the men employed on the South Eastern works at the Warren, between Dover and Folkestone, was summoned for selling beer without a licence. Mr. F. Hall, of Folkestone, prosecuted, and Mr. M. Mowll defended.

Sergeant Weller, of the K.C.C., said that on the 26th May he went over to the works at the Warren, where there was a large number of men employed. They went to a spot looking down on the defendant's hut, and were about three hundred yards from it. With the aid of a pair of field glasses, about 2.50, they saw a lad named Spratt go to the defendant's hut, and leave shortly afterwards carrying four glass bottles. He took them across the line to a forge and handed them to some men working there. About 3 p.m. a man came across the line to defendant's hut, and he left shortly afterwards carrying a heavy wooden case. At 3.10 they saw the lad Spratt go to the hut again, carrying a bag on his arm, and when he left he had something in the bag. He went up the line to a gang of men working there, and they saw him take some bottles out of the bag and give them to the men. Four of the men put their hands into their pockets and handed the lad something, which he took, and after examining it, handed them something back. On the 27th witness saw the defendant and had some conversation with him. Defendant said he had not been selling beer without a licence, and that the men had paid for the beer beforehand, and he had a book which could prove it. He said further that the beer was obtained from Mr. Adams, of the "Oddfellows Arms" (sic), Dover Street, Folkestone, and that he obtained a small commission for storing the beer and collecting the money.

Alfred Spratt, a lad employed at the Warren works, gave evidence to the effect that he did the fetching and carrying for the gang, and it was part of his work to fetch beer for the men from the foreman's hut, and he did so in the ordinary course on the 26th of May. Every man was allowed a bottle of beer a day, and it was all paid for beforehand. If a man did not want his bottle, he could let any other man have it, but there was no more than one bottle per man issued. Teetotallers were supplied with Kop's ale.

Mr. Mowll, in defence, submitted that the action of the defendant was not a breach of the law. The defendant was a man of very high character, and was in charge of a large body of men whose hours of labour made it an almost necessity that they should be supplied with beer. For example, on some occasions they worked 46 hours at a stretch, and on others 36 hours. Mr. Woods had devised a means by which the men could be supplied with refreshments, and that was by having the liquor sent over from a fully licensed landlord in Folkestone. The defendant had dealt with a most difficult class of men in a very proper manner, consistent with sobriety, and it was to his credit that there had not been a single accident from any cause since he had been in charge of the works.

John Woods, the defendant, said he had had as many as 300 men under him at a time, and last October the men asked him to get them some beer. He told them that he would if they signed the book produced, and after that was done he ordered it from Mr. Adams.

Frederick Adams, the landlord of the "Oddfellows Inn," Folkestone, said that the order for the beer was executed by his brewer, and was sent by him direct to the siding at the Warren.

The Bench said that it was a very proper and important case to be brought before a Court. They were of opinion that it could not be placed in the same category as that of a restaurant keeper sending out for liquor for his customers, and therefore they had decided to convict. Defendant would be fined £4 16s. 6d., including costs and solicitor's fee.

Mr. Mowll afterwards applied for and obtained an occasional licence for Mr. Adams to sell at the works.

From the Folkestone Express 11 December 1897.

Wednesday, December 8th: Before The Mayor, J. Fitness, and W.G. Herbert Esqs.

An hour's extension was granted to the "Oddfellows Arms" (sic) on the occasion of an annual dinner.

From the Folkestone Express 14 January 1899.

Saturday, January 7th: Before Alderman Banks, and W.G. Herbert and J. Fitness Esqs.

Mr. Adams applied for an hour's extension for an annual dinner at the "Oddfellows Inn," Dover Street. Granted.

From the Folkestone Express 16 December 1899.

Wednesday, December 13th: Before John Banks, W. Wightwick, W.G. Herbert, and C.J. Pursey Esqs.

Mr. Adams was granted an occasional licence for a dinner of the Oddfellows Society.

Oddfellows Inn 1900s

From the Folkestone Express 30 June 1900.

Monday, June 25th: Before J. Fitness, W. Wightwick, W. Salter, and C.J. Pursey Esqs., and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.

Mr. H. Adams, who has for many years been a member of the Folkestone Fire Brigade, applied for a temporary licence for the "Oddfellows Inn," Dover Street. It was granted.

Fromk the Folkestone Express 15 September 1900.

Wednesday, September 12th: Before J. Fitness, J. Pledge, W. Wightwick, and J. Stainer Esqs.

Thomas Adams applied for a transfer of the licence of the "Oddfellows Arms" (sic), Dover Street. Mr. W. Charles James appeared for the applicant. The Bench granted it.

From the Folkestone Express 15 December 1900.

Saturday, December 8th: Before J. Stainer Esq., and Lieut. Col. Westropp.

Mr. Adams, of the "Oddfellows Arms," Dover Street, was granted an extension of time on Friday, when the club will hold their annual dinner.

From the Folkestone Express 14 December 1901.

Wednesday, December 11th: Before W. Wightwick, W.G. Herbert, and G.I. Swoffer Esqs.

Mr. Adams, landlord of the "Oddfellows Inn," Dover Street, was granted an extension of time on the occasion of the annual dinner of the Oddfellows.

From the Folkestone Express 29 February 1908.

Wednesday, February 26th: Before W.G. Herbert Esq., Major Leggett, J. Stainer, W.C. Carpenter, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd Esqs.

The transfer of the licence of the "Oddfellows Inn," Dover Street, from Mr. Adams to Mr. Hartley (temporary authority having been granted) was confirmed.

From the Folkestone Express 7 March 1908.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

The adjourned Licensing Sessions for the Borough took place on Monday, when the licensing Justices on the Bench were E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Cols. Fynmore and Hamilton, and J. Stainer, W.G. Herbert, W.C. Carpenter, R.J. Linton and G. Boyd.

"Oddfellows Inn"

The licence of the "Oddfellows," Radnor Street (sic) was granted to Mr. Hartley, a temporary licence having been obtained.

From the Folkestone Express 27 May 1911.

Thursday, May 25th: Before W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer and R.J. Linton Esqs., and Major Leggett.

William Henry Farley, a sailor, was charged with being drunk and incapable. He pleaded Not Guilty.

P.C. Piddock said at 7.30 p.m. the previous day he was in Dover Street, when he saw the prisoner staggering from one side of the street to the other. He cautioned him and told him to go away. Prisoner said “All right”, but entered the "Oddfellows Inn," from which he was ejected. Prisoner was drunk, and narrowly escaped falling through a shop window. He then took him into custody.

P.S. Sales, who was on duty at the police station, said prisoner asked for a doctor, and Dr. Bateman attended and gave a certificate.

Fined 2s. 6d. and 5s. 6d. costs, or seven days'.

From the 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.

The Oddfellows

The next licence to be considered was that of the Oddfellows. Mr. Drake represented the owners, Messrs. Leney, and the licensee, Mr. A. Hartley.

The Chief Constable said Mr. Hartlet obtained the licence in 1908. The registered owners were Messrs. Leney and Co., Dover, and the rateable value of the house was £24. The house was situate in Dover Street at the corner of Saffron's Place. The front entrance in Dover Street was approached by five steps from the street, and it opened into a front bar. There was a side entrance from Saffron's Place, which opened into the lobby, from which there was a bar or taproom which overlooked the back yard. On the first floor, approached by stairs from the lobby or side bar, was a club room in front, 15ft. by 12ft., and another behind 11ft. by 10ft., with a moveable partition, so that the two rooms could be thrown into one. The living room of the licensee was in the basement. The entrance to it was by five steps down from Dover Street. There was a small enclosed yard at the back of the premises. That was approached by three steps down from the lobby or side bar. There was no other entrance to the yard, which was divided from the next door by a wall only five feet high. The nearest licensed house was the Granville, in Dover Street, 79 yards away. The rateable value of that was £19. The Chequers was 125 yards away, and it belonged to the same firm of brewers. The rateable value of that was £28. Next door to the Chequers was the South Foreland, with a rateable value of £72. There were eleven other on-licensed houses within a radius of 150 yards, and most of them did a similar class of trade to that house. He considered the premises to be ill-adapted for the business and it was an awkward place altogether. He had no doubt that a very fair trade was being done, but he felt that if the licence was taken away there would be ample accommodation elsewhere.

Cross-examined, Mr. Reeve said the house was easy of police supervision. It had been conducted in a proper manner. There had been no complaint against the house. There had only been two transfers during the last thirteen years. The premises were ill-adapted for the business, and did not seem to be the class one would wish for a public house. The front bar was very stuffy.

Mr. Hartley said he had held the licence during the last five years. His average for the last three years for the spirit trade was 112 gallons. The Homing Pigeon Society and the Wednesday Social Club met at his house. He did a good trade and wanted to keep on the house. He was making a good living.

Mr. Leney said the average trade for beer during the last three years was 325½ barrels. In 1912 the trade went up to 343 barrels from 325. It was, therefore, an increasing trade.

Mr. Drake, for the owners, contended that the two houses belonging to Messrs. Leney should not be sent to the compensation authority. His chief and only objection to that course being adopted was that both were doing a considerable trade, one over five barrels a week, and the other just on five barrels. If a licensee was doing five barrels a week, in addition to his spirits, it showed there was a necessity for the house in the district.

The Magistrates retired, and on their return the Chairman announced that the licence would be renewed.

From the Folkestone Express 27 November 1915.

Local News

At a sitting of the Folkestone Bench on Wednesday, before E.T. Ward Esq., and other Magistrates, Mr. Collar, on behalf of the owners, Messrs. Leney and Co., submitted plans of proposed alterations to the Oddfellows, Dover Street. These were passed by the majority of the Bench, Councillor G. Boyd voting against.

From the Folkestone Express 9 February 1924.

Annual Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, February 6th: Before Alderman R.G. Wood, Dr. W.J. Tyson, Miss Weston, Miss Hunt, the Rev. Epworth Thompson, Alderman Pepper, Col. Owen, Col. Broome-Giles, Messrs. G.I. Swoffer, G. Boyd, A. Stace, W. Hollands, E.T. Morrison, J.H. Blamey, and W.R. Boughton.

The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) presented his report as follows: I have the honour to report for your information that there are at present within your jurisdiction 114 premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, and taking the population of the Borough according to the last Census this gives an average of one licensed house to every 329 persons. The following are particulars of the licensed premises: Full licences 71; beer on 7; beer off 6; beer and spirit dealers 13; grocers, etc., off 6; confectioners wine on 3; chemists wine off 4; cider and sweets off 1; Total 114 (81 on and 33 off). Fifteen of the licences have been transferred during the year. Four occasional licences have been granted to licence holders to sell drink on special occasions elsewhere than on their licensed premises, and 60 extensions of hours have been granted to licence holders when dinners, etc., were being held on their licensed premises. In no case has any abuse of the privilege been reported. Six hotels and one restaurant have authority under Section 3 of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply intoxicating liquor with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, viz.: Metropole Hotel, Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Regina Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Royal Pavilion Hotel, and Central Cafe. During the year ended 31st December, 1923, 26 persons (21 males and 5 females) were proceeded against for drunkenness; 16 were convicted and 10 discharged after being cautioned by the Bench. Of those proceeded against, 8 were residents of the Borough, 5 were soldiers, 10 were of no fixed abode, and 3 were non-residents. This is an increase of one as compared with the number proceeded against last year, when 25 persons (16 males and 9 females) were proceeded against, of whom 16 were convicted and 9 discharged. The permitted hours, as allowed by the Licensing Act, 1921, have been fixed by the Licensing Justices for the Borough of Folkestone as under: On weekdays from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Sundays from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eleven clubs where intoxicating liquor is supplied are registered under the Act. All the licensed premises have been periodically visited at irregular intervals by my officers during the year to see that the same are being conducted in a satisfactory manner, and I am pleased to report that with few exceptions no adverse reports have been submitted to me. There are 28 premises licensed for music and dancing and one for public billiard playing. During the year two licensees have been proceeded against for breaches of the Intoxicating Liquor Laws, viz.: (1) 15 June 23 Henry William Cork, George the Third, Fenchurch Street, permitting intoxicating liquor to be consumed on his licensed premises during non-permitted hours; the case was withdrawn upon my application to the Bench. (2) 7 September 23 Alfred John Cope, Rose Hotel, Rendezvous Street, failing to have his name and expression of business for which the licence was granted affixed to the premises; fined 10s. On 20th October, 1923, Michael Ivory, of the Bouverie Hotel, Bouverie Road, was convicted and fined £1 at Newport, Isle of Wight, for consuming intoxicating liquor on licensed premises during restricted hours. I beg to report that in my opinion there is still a redundancy of licensed premises on the older portion of the Borough. Observation has been kept, and it would appear that very unequal trade is done between house and house in the same neighbourhood. Three houses, viz.: The Oddfellows, Dover Street, The  Belle Vue, St. John's Street, The Richmond Tavern, Richmond Street, according to reports received, are doing the least trade in the area referred to, and I have no hesitation in saying that they are redundant to the needs of the public, and I accordingly recommend that the licence of each house be referred back for your consideration at the adjourned meeting. I have to express my appreciation of the fairness and courtesy extended to me by the Bench during my first year of office, and also for the able assistance I have received from your Clerk, Mr. John Andrew.

The Chairman said they were especially pleased, it being the Chief Constable's first year there, that he was in a position to present such a good report. The members of the Licensing Authority were very gratified that the report was so good. They were of opinion that such a good report must point to the fact that the licence holders had been careful during the past year to see that the law had been carried out and adhered to on every possible occasion. Proceedings had only been taken against two licence holders, and they were reminded that in one instance the Chief constable withdrew the summonses, and in the other case the offence was of a technical nature. Then with regard to the cases of drunkenness, out of the 16 convictions only eight of them were residents of the Borough. When they considered the population of Folkestone and that Folkestone was a port, with a fishing quarter, and with a military district adjoining, the Magistrates thought it spoke well for the community. They knew the community of Folkestone was very sober, but it only required a few indiscreet persons to spoil their record. They were glad to know that those few indiscreet persons had exercised great discretion during the past year, and they hoped the number would not be increased during the present year. On behalf of the Bench he offered his congratulations to the licence holders and the general public, who had enabled the Chief Constable to present such an excellent report. The Justices had given full consideration to the question of the renewal of those houses specifically mentioned with regard to redundancy, and they had decided to put back the renewal of those licences for consideration at the adjourned meeting, and they directed the Chief Constable to cause opposition to their renewal. As proceedings were also pending against the Prince of Wales Inn for alleged breaches of the Licensing Act that licence would not be renewed, but would be put back to the adjourned meeting also. The question of the renewal of the licences of the Rose Hotel and the George the Third had also been considered, and they would be renewed that day. All the other licences would also be renewed.

Folkestone Express 1 March 1924.

Adjourned Licensing Sessions.

Wednesday, February 27th: Before Dr. W.J. Tyson and other Magistrates.

The Magistrates considered the opposition of Mr. Beesley to the renewal of the licences of the "Oddfellows Inn," Dover Street, the "Richmond Tavern," and the "Belle Vue" on the ground of redundancy.

Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared in the cases of the "Oddfellows Inn" and the "Richmond Tavern," both of which are owned by Messrs. Leney and Co., of Dover, and the respective licensees, Mr. G. A. Woodley and Mr. A. Ingleton, and Mr. G. W. Haines appeared for Messrs. Mackeson and Co., the owners, and Mr. F. J. Taylor, the licensee, of the "Belle Vue Inn."

Evidence was given by Mr. Beesley and Inspector Pittock to the effect that the houses were unnecessary for the needs of the district, and the latter gave evidence as to the result of his observations regarding the trade done at the three houses compared with the other houses in the district. The Magistrates decided to renew the licence of the "Richmond Tavern," but referred the other two houses to the Compensation Authority at Canterbury.

From the Folkestone Express 22 November 1924.

Local News

A meeting of the East Kent Compensation Authority was held at the Sessions House, Longport Street, Canterbury, on Monday, to approve the awards agreed as regards houses which had been referred for compensation. Lord Fitzwalter was in the chair. The following were the awards: "Oddfellows," Dover Street, Folkestone, £1,525 - £1.314 1s. 1d. to Messrs. Alfred Leney and Co. Ltd., of Dover, and £210 18s. 11d. to Clement Augustus Woodley, the tenant; "Belle Vue Hotel," St. John's Street, Folkestone, £1,320 - £1,071 18s. 6d. to Messrs. Mackeson and Co. Ltd., and £248 1s. 6d. to Frederick John Taylor, the tenant.