From the Sevenoaks Chronicle, 31 August 1852.

ANNUAL LICENSING DAY AT ROCHESTER.

Friday being the day appointed for the general annual Licensing day, and for hearing applications fro granting new licenses, the county magistrates assembled in petty sessions at eleven o'clock. There were present, the Rev. G. Davies (chairman), Capt. Baker, W. M. Smith, Esq., M. P., W. H. Nicholson, Esq., Major Boys, and the Rev. J. J. Marsham.

There were several applications for granting new licenses, and the proceedings were watched with some interest by those concerned.

Mr. Prall, on behalf of Mr. J. Dutnell, applied for a license for the "Prince of Wales" beer-shop, a house situates in Church Path, leading from Brompton to Gillingham. The house, he said, had been built on an extensive scale, at a cost of from £1,500 to £1,600, was situate in the road leading from the barracks in Gillingham, and inasmuch as it was the first built in Fox Lane, it was, he thought, fairly entitled to the license. A plan was produced, and the number of houses built within the vicinity of it, referred to: the only licensed house near being the "Black Lion."

The Rev. Chairman:- What is the distance from the "Black Lion?"

Mr. Prall:- I should think about 200 yards.

The Rev. Chairman:- I should think not above 150; I have been carefully over the whole of it.

Mr. Acworth applied for a license for the "Royal Observatory" beer-shop, in the occupation of Mr. Wood, being, he said, a well-built house, and having every accommodation for a superior class of people, the nearest licensed house being within a quarter of a mile of it.

Mr. Lewis, on behalf of Mr. Croncen, applied for a license for the "Viscount Hardings," situate 150 yards from the "Black Lion." There were, he said, 100 beer houses in the neighbourhood, with a population of 5,000 inhabitants, and having only two licensed houses. The "Viscount Hardings" was situated opposite to the field granted by the Head of Ordnance for cricket and other sports, was close to the race course, and on the high road from Brompton to Canterbury. The monopoly now existing, he said, ought to be done away with, and whilst the "Black Lion" was in no fear of having its trade disturbed by another licensed house being opened, those residing in the neighbourhood were favourable to a license being granted, and in support of which he handed in a memorial, signed by many of them.

Mr. Stephenson applied for a license for the "Gunzee Fort," a beer shop, situated at the same locality, and which he submitted, from its peculiar position, was the best entitled to a license. It was, he said, capable of affording every accommodation, having stabling and a coach-house, was in a direct line from Brompton to Gillingham, and altogether was far more eligible for a license than any other application that had even been made to the magistrates. He handed in a memorial signed by several of the inhabitants residing in the neighbourhood, favourable to license being granted.

Mr. Arnold, of Gravesend, solicitor, applied on behalf of Mr. Ladd, for a license for the "Halfway House" beer-shop, the granting of which, he submitted, could in no way result to the injury of others. In addition to other accommodation which the house afforded, it has a pleasure ground for rural sports and a club room, which, during the election of Sir F. Smith, held 280 people.

The Rev. Chairman:- All voters? [laughter].

Mr. Arnold said his instructions were silent on that point. In conclusion he would merely repeat, if the magistrates granted the license it would not be inflicting an injury upon any other house, but conferring a boon on her Majesty's subjects to indulge in lawful recreation.

The court was now cleared for the magistrates to deliberate, and on admission the Chairman intimated that licenses were granted for the "Prince of Wales," "Gunzee Fort," and the "Viscount Hardinge."

Mr. Arnold then applied on behalf of Mr. Wright, for a license for the "Dover Castle," a beer shop at Northfleet, situate on the road leading from the "Leather Bottle" to Perry Street, and at a distance of 430 yards from any other public house.

Mr. Nichol applied on behalf of Mr. Willis, for a license to the "Shepherd's Delight," in the same neighbourhood, situate at a distance of only 100 yards from the "Leather Bottle." The house, he said, applicant had resided in for 22 years, and in support of the application he handed in a recommendation signed by 43 of the inhabitants, including the churchwardens and overseers.

Mr. Tyler, landlord of the "Leather Bottle," opposed both applications, on the ground that there were already a large number of licensed houses in the neighbourhood, and handed in a memorial against granting a license, which proved to contain, amongst others, the names of those who had signed in favour of more licenses being granted.

The Rev. Chairman said it was so perfectly ludicrous, that it was unnecessary to read them.

Mr. Arnold next applied, on behalf of Mr. William Cole, for a license for the "Crown" beer shop, situated at Perry Street, having five bedrooms, five sitting rooms, and two cellars, and being rated to the relief of the poor at £30. The locality, he said, was a place of considerable resource, being on the way to Springhead. Nineteen years ago his client built it, and it was now his own freehold. He handed in a petition in support of the application numerously and respectably signed.

By the Court:- The "Rose" is the nearest licensed house, which is within fifty yards.

The Court was again cleared, and on the re-admission the Rev. Chairman said the Magistrates granted a license for the "Dover Castle," but not for the "Shepherd's Delight" or the "Crown."

Mr. Arnold then applied for a license for the "Elephant and Castle" beer-shop, situate on the Luton Road, Chatham. The ground near it, he said, was laid out for building purposes. The nearest licensed house on the Chatham side was the "Dark Sun" and on the Luton side the "Hen and Chickens," the former being half a mile distant from the "Elephant and Castle."

Application refused.

The Magistrates then proceeded to granting the renewal of the several licenses within their jurisdiction, and at the close of the business dined together at the "Crown Inn."

CITY ANNUAL LICENSING DAY.

On Saturday a special petty session was held before a full bench, consisting of eleven magistrates, for the hearing of applications for new licenses and for other business of the general annual licensing day.

Mr. Lewis, on behalf of Mr. James Prudhoe, proprietor of the "Railway Tavern" beer shop, applied for a license for that house, the property of Sir H. Maux and Co., and situate at the terminus of the North East Railway at Strood.

Mr. King, solicitor, of Maidstone, opposed the application, and submitted that the service of the notice had not been consistent with the statute, inasmuch as the affixing on the church door only took place on one Sunday and not on three several Sundays as prescribed by the Act. The Court over-rules the objection, and the case proceeded with.

Mr. Lewis then stated the grounds on which he made the application, which, although nominally for Mr. Prudhoe, was really on behalf of the public. The house had been at an outlay of £1,000 and although having every accommodation, was capable of further improvement.

Mr. King opposed the application on behalf of the owners of the "Windmall Tavern," belonging to Mrs. and Miss Hulkes, and also the occupier, Mr. Roffway. Mr. Roffway had occupied the "Windmill Tavern" for about twenty years, a house containing all the accommodation that was requisite, and which had been increased by improvement from time to time. The application had been refused on two previous occasions, and there were no new grounds, he submitted, for coming to any other decision.

Mr. Coles said he was anxious to arrive at Mr. Prudhoe's position with regard to the road. The magistrates had had recently three or four cases before them, in which some doubt had been expressed as to whether it was a public road. Certain omnibuses were kept out, which the South Eastern Company said they had a right to keep out.

Mr. Lewis said there was an ancient public foot-path from Strood Street to Frindsbury, but he could not say whether the road was a public one.

Mr. Alderman Essel explained that until of late years the public had no right to the road. The pathway to which the public had a right was formerly on the top of the sea wall, but in order to negative the right of the public way, a bar was placed along the road. The public had no right to pass along that road with carriages, and it was not a public carriage way. He then called Mr. Roffway, who deposed that his house was within a minute or a minute and a half's walk of the station, and was on the same side of the way. When the works of the new bridge were begun, a great number of houses were taken down, by which he was deprived of a large portion of the trade which formerly belonged to this house.

Mr. Lewis having replied, the magistrates granted the license.

Mr. Clark, of the "Porter Palace" St. Margaret, situate on the high road leading from Rochester to Maidstone, applied for a spirit licence for his house. The application was opposed by Mr. Lewis on behalf of Mr. Allen, of the "Royal George," and Sir H. Meux and Co., owners of two other houses in the immediate neighbourhood. The application was refused.

Mr. James Tutt, beer retailer at Strood, applied for a license for his house. The case was stopped, and the application refused.

The licenses of the several houses within the jurisdiction of the city justices are now 73 in number; in Frindsbury parish 4, Strood 15, St. Nicholas 31, Chatham intra 2, St. Margaret 21.