From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 25 August, 1876.

THE ANNUAL RENEWAL OF LICENSES.

This was the annual sessions for the renewal of existing licenses to licensed victuallers, beerhouse keepers, and dealers in wine. The whole of the licenses were granted with the exception of the following, which, at the request of Supt. Dance, stood over until the Adjourned Licensing Days—James Painter Davis, “Albion,” Hadlow; Thomas Longley, “Wheat Sheaf,” Marsh Green, Edenbridge; and Alfred Allard, “Telegraph,” Tonbridge. Mr Allard attended and denied the truth of a report that men had been served with beer at his house while in a drunken state.

The following renewals of beerhouses were also adjourned:—Ann Chapman, Fanny Warner, and Edward Atkinson, pending transfers.

The application for a renewal of an out-door license to be granted to William Benjamin Gasson, was, on the application of Mr Rogers, adjourned until the Adjourned Licensing Day; but the Bench afterwards granted a license on a fresh application.

NEW LICENSES.

Charles Jones applied for a license to sell beer and wine at the Tonbridge Skating Rink.

The application was supported by Mr Palmer, who said that the application was for a six day license, and it was really in the nature of a renewal, because the Bench, on the 28th March, granted a recommendation, on which a license had been obtained. He referred the Bench to some complimentary remarks made by the Chairman (Mr Moore) at that time, and said the license would be only used to supply those who frequented the rink.

The Magistrates’ Clerk having read these remarks, as reported in the K. & S. Courier.

The Chairman said it must be understood that the license was only granted for the Skating Rink. Of course, when a license was granted to a house it applied to the whole oft it, but if it were discovered that any improper use was made of the license, that any other part of the premises were used for the purpose of supplying intoxicating liquor the license could be revoked. A six day license would be granted, and for one hour less than the usual time; id est, to close at ten o’clock.

William Benjamin Gasson applied for an out-door license to sell beer, at Bidborough.

The application was supported by Mr Rogers, who proved that the usual notices had been duly given.

The license was granted.

William Hazelden applied for a similar license to sell beer, at Penshurst.

Mr Rogers supported the application, which was granted.

Alfred Goodwin, grocer, Brenchley, applied for a license to sell spirits and wine off the premises, at Brenchley, which was granted.

The Bench fixed the Adjourned Licensing Day for the 26th September next.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 30 August 1876.

TONBRIDGE WELLS PETTY SESSIONS.

Before W. F. Browell. Esq. (in the chair), the Hon. V. G. Molyneux, J. Stone-Wigg, Esq., Lieut.-Col. Ramsden, Major Lutwidge, W. D. Alexander, Esq., F. W. Curteis, Esq., and G. Fereday Smith, Esq.

BREWSTER SESSION.

This was the annual Session for the renewing of licenses, and for the hearing of applications for new licenses.

The whole of the existing licenses were renewed, neither Supt. Embery nor Supt. Dance having any complaints to make.

Prior to the commencement of the business the Magistrates retired and consulted for some time, and on their return into Court, the Chairman said:- We have considered the applications for new licenses, and, subject to any remarks which may be made by the legal gentlemen present or any of the applicants themselves, we have determined to refuse all the application for new full licenses with one exception. The exception is the one in St. James's, road. We don’t absolutely refuse that, and I will state the reason presently. With respect to the applications of David Boorman (Calverley Parade). John Haley ("Bricklayers’ Arms," Victoria-road), Kenward & Co. (for house about to be erected in the Upper Grosvenor-road), William Meggy (Skating Rink), and Charles Wood (for house about to be erected in Upper Grosvenor-road), subject to what I have said—to anything the parties themselves might like to urge—we have come to the conclusion to refuse them.

Mr Cripps:- As regards the application of Mr Meggy, of the Skating Rink, you mean the full license. Not wine and beer.

The Chairman:- Quite so.

Mr G. D. Warner:- I was instructed to apply on behalf of John Roberts with reference to a license for the St. James road.

The Chairman:- There is a little peculiarity about that. We are told that the license for a beer-house on Mount Ephraim -----

Mr Warner:- The "Devonshire Arms."

The Chairman:- The first suggestion was that the license should be transferred to John Roberts. In that case we are prepared to entertain an application for a full license for the house in St. James’s-road. But it occurred to us that the period is so very near when that license will lapse that it is scarcely worth while to transfer it; but if there was a distinct understanding that that license would be allowed to drop at Mount Ephraim we should be disposed to entertain an application for a full license in St. James road.

Mr Warner:- The application I was going to make was this. There have been two notices given for an application to-day, but since those notices were given there has been a proposal to waive the license of the "Devonshire Arms." My application will be, therefore, that the matter shall stand over until the adjourned meeting when we shall give the notices as required by the Act.

The Magistrates’ Clerk (Mr Simpson):- That is not necessary.

Mr Cripps:- I should object most strongly, and I say the Magistrates have no power to act unless the notices are before them.

Mr Wigg:- Who do you object for?

Mr Cripps:- I object on behalf of several.

The Chairman:- Does Mr Warner represent the owner of the "Devonshire Arms?" Any objections that may have to be made had better be deferred now.

Mr Cripps:- I contend that a regular notice ought to be given of the intention to transfer from one house to another, and then all the parties will be before the Court.

Mr Wigg:- We propose to drop the old license altogether.

The Chairman:- It is another way of affecting the same object.

Mr Cripps applied that a beer-house certificate lately held by Mary Mercer at Rusthall, and which on her death was transferred to Mercy Mercer, should now be granted in the name of Mercy Mercer.

The application was granted.

Mr Cripps applied on behalf of Mr D. Boorman, confectioner, &c., of Calverley-road, for a fall license. Having conferred with their clients, they (the solicitors engaged) had felt it their duty to bring before their Worships the special circumstances under which the applications were now being made. His clients at any rate felt that they could not do now as in former years, and that on this occasion they ought not to acquiesce in the intimation that had come from the Bench. Knowing so well what their Worships’ views were, having heard them expressed at the different licensing meetings, they had not ventured upon one application without due consideration, and without feeling that there were special circumstances which should be brought before their Worships’ attention. It was perfectly true that they had only pronounced as it were a preliminary decision. Subject to what might be said with regard to these applications, but however hopeless it might appear all parties had concurred in thinking the applications should be made separately. He was quite sure after his very long experience of this Bench, extending over 25 years, notwithstanding what had been intimated by the Bench, if any professional advocate could make out a good case by showing special circumstances they would have their weight, and the Bench would feel that if a license should be granted they would do so. Their Worships’ would remember that some two years ago they granted to Mr Boorman a license to enable him to sell beer and wine upon premises which were just then opened as a confectionery shop. That license had been appreciated by the public, and it had really supplied a public necessity. Many of Mr Boorman’s customers required something more than wine and beer, and he, therefore, asked their Worships to give him an opportunity of supplying soda and brandy and things of that kind. The Bench might ask—What is there to prevent him making it a common public-house? If that were so he should feel the force of the objection, but the Bench had the most absolute power, if they found their power abused, to withdraw the license and refuse to renew. A case very similar to this had occurred at Brighton, and no harm had been found to be done, but good. He was prepared to give an undertaking that the house should only be used as now for the supply of refreshments, and if the applicant agreed not to turn it into a common public-house, the license, he thought, in fairness to all parties might be granted. Perhaps Mr Warner appeared for some publican in the neighbourhood, who was, no doubt, very much opposed to the granting of a license to a house of this description.

The Chairman asked if the applicant afterwards turned his house into a common public-house that would be an offence against the license?

Mr Cripps undertook to say that the Bench had full power to refuse the renewal of the license.

Mr Warner, who opposed, asked if he need address the Bench.

The Chairman said they were not quite unanimous, but the majority of the Bench were of opinion that the license should be refused.

Mr Cripps applied for a full license to be granted to Mr John Haley, of the "Bricklayers' Arms."

Mr Warner opposed.

The Bench refused the application.

Mr Cripps, on behalf of Messrs. Kenward & Co., brewers, of Hadlow, applied for a full license to be granted them for a new house about to be erected in the Upper Grosvenor-road.

Mr Cheale, solicitor, opposed on behalf of Mr Charles Wood, and urged that there was a better site Charles Wood, and urged that there was a better site than the one purported by Messrs. Kenward & Co. All must be of opinion that a public-house was needed in the locality, and he applied for one on behalf of Mr Charles Wood.

The Magistrates’ Clerk said some numerously signed memorials had been handed in to him against the Magistrates granting a license to either house.

Mr Cripps said it was proposed by his client to erect the house on the estate of the Conservative Land Society, on a plot of land which had been laid out especially for an hotel. That was 13 or 14 years ago. Since that time the population had greatly, increased, and a public-house was really wanted to supply the wants of the neighbourhood. He produced a memorial signed by the Rev. T. W. Weston, the Vicar of St. John's, Mr. Richardson, Mr. Dickinson and others in favour of a license being granted.

The Chairman:- How far is it from the nearest public-house?

Mr Cripps:- Over half-a-mile.

The services of notices was then proved, and Mr Cheale submitted that his client’s site would be by far the best; that he was ready to build a far superior house, and, to make it a kind of private hotel with no bar accommodation. It would also have the advantage of being near the Railway Station.

The Bench granted a license to Messrs. Kenward and Co., and Mr Cheale withdrew his application on behalf of Mr Wood.

Mr Warner applied for a full license to be granted to John Roberts, for a house in St. James’s-road.

Mr Cripps said he had been instructed to oppose, but his objection would be now withdrawn.

It was decided that the license of the "Devonshire Arms"” should be renewed, Mr Webber, the tenant, and Mr H. Pink, the owner, agreeing to cancel the license on condition of the full license now granted for the house in the St. James’s-road being confirmed by the Licensing Committee.

Mr Cripps, on behalf of Mr Wm. Meggy, applied for a license to sell spirits at the Skating Rink, but the Bench refused to grant him anything more than a certificate to sell wines and beer.

Out-door licenses to sell beer were granted to Geo. Divall, of the Granville-road; Mary Jane Sands (supported by Mr Cripps), Sylvan Cottage, Goods Station-road; Wm. Weatherley, No. 1, Vale View, Western-road; and Wm. Young, 1, Avon House, Avon-street.

The license of the "Star Inn," Windmill Fields, was temporarily transferred from Orlando Allen to Nepachar Fitch; and the out-door beer certificate of the "Toad Rock Cottage" was transferred from Mary Ann Barrett to George Mankellow. Temporary authority was also granted to Wm. Towner to sell beer at a house in Mercer-street, lately held by John Tester.

The adjourned licensing meeting was fixed for the 25th of September.