From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 22 January, 1932. Price 1½d.

LICENSING

An extension was granted to Betteshanger Colliery Social Club on January 23rd, for a farewell dinner to Mr. Nasmyth.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 29 January, 1932. Price 1½d.

THE LICENSING ACTS 1910 & 1921

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that at the general Annual Licensing meeting to be held at the Sessions House, Dover on Monday the 8th day of February, 1932 at twelve o'clock at noon a proposal will be considered in accordance with paragraph (b) of sub-section 1 of Section one of the Licensing Act 1921 with reference to the hours applicable to licensed premises and Clubs in the above Licensing District and for fixing within the prescribed limits in accordance with sub-section (2) of Section one and sub-section (2) of Section two of the said Act and the permitted hours for Licensed premises in the above Licensing District.

The Licensing Justices will at the above Meeting allow any persons to address them who appears to them to be qualified to give expression of opinion for the purpose of ascertaining local opinions as to the above.

Travers A. Harby.

Clerk to the Licensing Justices.

Justices' Clerk's Office, Dover,

25th January, 1932.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 5 February, 1932. Price 1½d.

WINGHAM COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS

The Wingham County Petty Sessions were held at Wingham on Thursday, before Lord Fitzwalter, Lord Northbourne, Messrs A. J. Matthews, H. J. May and W. Fagg.

Annual Licensing Meeting

Reports on the licensed houses were presented to the various Superintendents.

The Chairman said they were very satisfactory, and all the licenses would be renewed.

Transfers

The Bench granted the transfer of "Padbrook," Preston, from the late Emily Gibbs to Arthur Kingston.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 12 February, 1932. Price 1½d.

THE ANNUAL LICENSING MEETING

The general annual licensing meeting for the borough and Liberties of Dover was held at the Town Hall, Dover, on Monday at noon. The Magistrates were the Mayor (Councillor F. R. Powell), Messrs. W. J. Barnes, J. W. Bussey, W. Bradley, T. Francis, H. J. Burton, W. H. Brett, S. J. Livings, W. S. Lee, W. J. Law, G. W. Chitty, W. J. Palmer, S. Lewis and Dr. Wood.

the report of the Chief Constable was read by the Magistrates' Clerk as follows:-

"I am pleased to inform you that the house have been well conducted and that there have been no prosecutions. 248 visits have been made by the Police to licensed premises during the year; 389 special orders of exemption under Section 57 of the Licensing Act, 1910, were granted to Licensed premises (including 30 Clubs) and 42 occasional licenses were granted by the Justices; previous year 541 and 39 respectively. The licenses of 24 fully licensed houses, one beer, wine and spirit "off" licence and two shops have been transferred during the year, previous year 16 fully licensed houses, 1 beer "off" license and one beer, wine and spirit "off" licence. There are now in the Borough:- Fully licensed houses, 130; "on and off" beer houses, 5; "off" beer houses, 9; shops, 1; confectioners, 3; a total of 158. The figures for drunkenness were; 1929, males 44, females 3, total 47; 1930, males 51, females 3, total 54; 1931, males 19, females 3, total 22. Of the total number of persons proceeded against for drunkenness, 14 were residents, 5 non residents, two soldiers and one sailor. Population Census 193, 41,095; population to each licensed house, 260; drunkenness per 1,000 population, 0.53.

The mayor said that was a very fine report and he took that opportunity of congratulating the licensed victuallers on the way the houses had been conducted during the year.

Certificates fixing the rate of compensation to be paid at one third in respect of  the Marine Station, "Lord Warden Hotel," "King's head Hotel," Admiralty and Prince of Wales' Pier and the Priory Station refreshment rooms were renewed on the application of Mr. R. Mowll. The remaining such certificates were also renewed, that for the "Granville Restaurant" and the "Shakespeare Buffet" being at half rate.

Mr. R. Mowll also applied for a renewal of the half hour extensions for restaurants, etc., during which intoxicants could be served. These were in respect of the Marine Station, "Lord Warden Hotel," the "King's Head Hotel," Messrs Igglesden and Graves, and the Admiralty and Prince of Wales' Piers, and were all renewed.

Mr. Henry of the "Royal Mail," Strond Street applied for a similar certificate on the ground that it was a bona fide restaurant, but the Magistrates refused the application.

Mr. R. Mowll addressed the Magistrates of the question of "permitted hours," on behalf of the licensed victuallers, who asked that instead of the existing arrangement, whereby there was an extra half hour granted until 10.30 in summer, they should be allowed to open at 6.30 instead of 6 and remain open to 10.30 all the year round. That would mean a reduced number of opening hours, but the trade anticipated it would suit their customers better. The existing hours had worked very well, and there had born a marked diminution of drunkenness, but the licensed victuallers who were all acquainted with the needs of their customers, considered the new arrangement would suit the public even better. In conclusion, he said that was the last occasion that his friend, the Rev. W. Holyoak would be there addressing them, and although they had been opposed on these matters, he would like to express the great regret he felt that he was leaving Dover and the high respect with which they all held him.

The Rev. W. Holyoak thanked Mr. Mowll for his remarks. he represented the Dover Free Church Council, and his instructions were not to oppose a continuance of the present arrangements, but he submitted that such an endeavour was being made and it would be detrimental to the public interest. It was made for their own benefit and because of that would probably lead to an increased consumption of liquor. The hours fixed 12 months ago had tended to a reduction i drunkenness, and any alteration should be regarded as a serious menace to the public welfare. If there was to be any call for it  it should be on the lines of the Government  Commission on licensing, which suggested that the latest hour should be 10 p.m. throughout the country.

The Mayor said that the Magistrates refused the application, but agreed to the same condition as last year, with an extra half hour during summer time.

The whole of the licenses in the Borough were renewed with the exception of the "Railway Inn," Hawesbury Street, and the "Globe Inn, " Peter Street.

In regard to the "Railway Inn," Mr. Mowll appeared for the lessee and Mr. Loxton for the ground landlords in the own of Dover - but neither raised objections not addressed the Magistrates.

Inspector Fox gave evidence as to visits paid to the "Railway Inn." The customers were Saturday, January 23rd, 8.50 p.m. seven; Monday, January 25th, 11.20 a.m. nil; Wednesday, January 27th, 7.40 p.m. nil; Friday 29th, 7.20 p.m. nil; Saturday 30th, 9.30 p.m. nil; Sunday 31st, 7.50 p.m. nil; Tuesday, February 2nd, 9.15 p.m. nil; Wednesday 3rd, 2.p.m. two; Friday 5th, mid-day, nil. Nine visits and nine customers. the nearest licensed house was 45 yards away and the nearest owned by these brewers (Messrs. Jude Hanbury and Mackeson) 400 and 500 yards. Within a radius of 185 yards, however, there were 11 other licensed houses. Mr. Pyttit had been the licensee since 1929 and there had been three changes since 1924.

In regard to the "Globe Inn," Peter Street, Mr. Mowll for the brewers, Messrs. George Beer and Rigden, asked for the renewal of the licence.

Inspector Fox gave evidence as to visits paid as follows: Saturday, January 23rd, 8.30 p.m. 27; Monday, 25th, 11 a.m. 1; Wednesday 27th, 7.20 p.m. 5; Friday 29th, 7 p.m. 1; Saturday 30th, 12.15 p.m. 3; Sunday 31st, 7.20 p.m. 1; Tuesday, February 2nd, 9.20 p.m. 4; Wednesday 3rd 1.45 p.m. 2; Friday 5th, 11.50 a.m. 5. A total of nine visits and 49 customers. The licensee was Mr. P. H. Jordan who had been there since August 1931. Since 1925 the house had changed hands six times. The "Friend in need" was 36 yards away and there was an "off" licence in the same street belonging to the same brewers. With in a radius of 300 yards there were ten other licensed houses, three owned by these brewers in this case.

In reply to Mr. Mowll, Inspector Fox said that he made no visits elsewhere in the street. he agreed that there had been only six changes since 1913, the tenant then being in until 1925.

Mr. Mowll said that there had been no discrimination at all by the observation of adjoining premises. There was a living trade at the house, and it would not be right to refer it. Dover had had a very large slice of the East Kent Compensation Fund, and the prospect of getting this house with a biggish trade through was not very cosy. The tenant had depended on the house for his livelihood.

Mr. W. J. Jennings, Chairman of Messrs. george Beer and Rigden Ltd., gave the trade of the house as follows:- 1925, 159 barrels; 1926, 247 barrels; 1927, 230; 1928, 181; 1939, 135; 1930, 144; 1931, 201. Since the present tenant had been there he had done 77 barrels, which considering the new duty which had effected the trade seriously - was good. He considered the tenant could make a good living out of it, and they had the slightest difficulty in regard to payment. there was never any difficulty in letting it. It was practically re-built within the last 25 years, and had nice accommodation comparable with any in the immediate neighbourhood.

The Mayor said that the Magistrates had decided to refer the "Railway Inn," but the licence of the "Globe Inn" would be renewed.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 15 April, 1932. Price 1½d.

LICENSING TRANSFER SESSIONS

Mr. R. Mowll applied for the final confirmation for the licence for the Dover Priory Station refreshment rooms, now completed, and this was granted.

The billiards licence of the Naval Rest and Sailors' Bethel, Northampton Street, was transferred from William Whyte to William Law Law, Secretary Dover branch British Sailors' Society.

The Kent Flying Club at Bekesbourne Aerodrome was granted an extension on the occasion of a flying display by Sir Alan Cobham.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 11 March, 1932. Price 1½d.

WHAT DOVER MIGHT HAVE BEEN

A visitor, walking up Queen Street, one of the less frequented thoroughfares of Dover, which climbs steeply towards the green slopes of the Western Heights, may see an old inn with the curious name, “The Cause is Altered,” a name which has been handed down from the time when Castle and Town were sometimes in the hands of the Royalists and sometimes in the hands of Parliamentarians, during the Civil Wars. Inset in its massive walls is a stone stating that “Here stood Cow Gate, pulled down by order of the Corporation, 1776.” Cow Gate was one of the twelve gates in the Town Wall which once guarded Dover, the Key of England, from the sudden attack of enemies. The next gate southward, near the cliff's edge, was Hadrian's Gate, and no trace if it remains except the name of the street now called Adrian Street, which led it to it. Somewhere hereabouts must have stood the little bow-windowed house mentioned in “David Copperfield,” in front of which Miss Betsy Trotwood fought the battles of the green with the trespassing donkey boys. Nowadays, cottages and allotment gardens have overspread this district, and the donkeys which figure so largely in the local prints of the middle of last century, no longer carry visitors up the grassy cliffs. The next gate was called “Snar Gate,” standing at the foot of the hill in Snargate Street, where a notice states that it was pulled down in 1683. Further on still was “Butchery Gate,” under which the River Dour flowed out to the sea, and nearby was a tower called Standfast Tower. Altogether, in the Fourteenth Century Dover had twelve gates, and of them, and the walls which connected them, it may be said, “Not one stone is left upon another.” When we think of what Dover must have looked like in Mediaeval times, with its seven churches, five of which had spires, twelve gates, three towers, and its Guildhall standing on pillars in the Market Place, all looked down upon by the Castle on the hill, we must regret the lack of vision which permitted the ruthless destruction, or perhaps it would be more truthful to say, the careless indifference, which allowed these monuments of ancient days to fall into decay, and gradually to be demolished, as useless obstructions. Of all these buildings within the walls only two churches were spared. Outside the walls there still stands the Maison Dieu, now part of the Town Hall, a noble stone building even now, but only a fraction of its former self. It was built in the 13th Century, and gave shelter to the crowds of pilgrims coming from the Continent to visit St. Thomas's Tomb in Canterbury. When the pilgrimages ceased it fell into decay, and was used in the early part of last century as a store house for the Navy. The portion still standing was rescued and restored by the Corporation, and is now one of the most valued treasures of the town. Not far away, also outside the walls, once stood the magnificent Priory Church of St. Martin, which we are told was very much like Romsey Abbey, but slightly larger. At the time of the Suppression of the Monastries, King Henry VIII, offered it to the townspeople of Dover, who refused the gift, and that splendid building was razed to the ground. We can imagine the Mayor and burgeons of the day discussing the offer at a Common Hall, and the arguments used on that occasion. “It's all very well to offer us a great barn of a place like that, but what good is it to us? We already have plenty of churches, and cannot afford to keep up more. Besides, we have lost our cross Channel traffic, now that the King has stripped the Shrine of St. Thomas bare, and no pilgrims are coming over. The land is being everywhere laid down to grass because wool pays better than wheat, and the ploughman and other labourers unemployed are crowding into the town. Trade is bad, and there is no money about!” and so on. Rather than blame them, perhaps we ought to have a fellow feeling with them at the present time when economy is the cry of the day. At any rate, before we condemn them too harshly, let us ourselves look round and see if we are safeguarding the treasures that have been handed down to us. It is possible that we, too, like them, do not see the value of our possessions, and are letting them slip from our grasp without realising the loss! It is only in quite recent times that we have learnt to value our old churches and monuments, but are we yet awake to the beauty of our landscapes, woods and commons, and ready to protect and ancient bridle ways and footpaths which are being threatened in many places, by encroachment and obstructions, remembering that our byeways will become more and more precious as our highways become more crowded with rushing traffic. Let us open our eyes and do all is in our power to safeguard the treasures of rural England, and the means of access to them, before it is too late, lest a future gentleman may say of us. “They could have kept all these things for us, but lost them through indifference, and lack of vision.”

Edwin Bradley.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 18 March, 1932. Price 1½d.

WHAT DOVER MIGHT HAVE BEEN

(To the Editor of the Dover Express)

Sir, - As a native of Dover, I was very much interested in “What Dover might have been,” by Mr. Edwin Bradley. With regard to his reference in bridle ways and footpaths, it is to be hoped that the interest lately around in the footpaths around Dover will not be allowed to lapse. I recently inspected a map of the parish of Whitfield, dated 1843, and several of the footpaths marked thereon have now disappeared.

A. J. Chapman.

“Merrington,” Whitfield.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 26 August, 1932. Price 1½d.

EAST KENT HOPS

At a meeting of the Canterbury Farmers' Club and East Kent Chamber of Agriculture on Saturday, Mr. D. Brice in the chair, Mr. A. D. Collard, speaking on the prospects in the Peltham Valley district, said the hops would be one of the finest growths they had ever had. They were free from any mark of disease and they looked like growing a fair average crop. It was not quite fair that, when Kent had reduced its hop area by two or three thousand acres, Hereford and Worcseter should actually have increased theirs.

Mr. A. Amos also referred to the unfairness of this increase and said he thought it was due to rather insidious propaganda. It was up to East Kent to form some sort of organisation which would adjust the balance.

Mr. W. Lillywhite said there was every likelihood of a vintage crop being realised in the Thanington area.

Mr. Dudley Le May, hop factor, said he believed they had really good prospects of picking a vintage crop. There was a feeling last year that the hops were not of sufficient quality to “keep” the beer in barrel. This year the hops would be of vintage quality and would be of ample strength to keep the mild ales that brewers were turning out. He was anticipating a crop equal to last year in size or perhaps a little bit more, in spite of the restricted acreage. That was due to the weight of the hop.

Last year there was a tendency to pick the hops green, but this year he hoped the growers would be able to resist picking their hops till they were fully matured.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 9 September, 1932. Price 1½d.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS VISIT TO TILMANSTONE COLLIERY

On Thursday, some 40 or 50 members of the Ashford and District Licensed Victuallers' Association, visited Tilmanstone Colliery. They were met at Dover, and under guidance of Mr. H. A. Burton, first of all visited the Eastern Arm and saw the Ropeway Bunker. They then went on to the Colliery and were shown round by Mr. Burton. The Coaloid making plant greatly impressed the visitors. On Thursday next, a larger party, about 150 in all, representing Licensed Victusllers from Canterbury, Dover, Deal, Folkestone, Rochester and Chatham, and other parts of Kent, will visit the Colliery.

Dover Express, Friday, 9 December 1932.

Christmas extensions.

At a sitting of the Licensing sessions held at the Dover Police Court on Friday, before the Mayor (Councillor F. H. Moorcroft) and Messrs. W. J. Barnes, J. W. Bussey, S. J. Livings, T. Francis, W. Brett, W. S. Lee, F. R. Powell, C. W. Chitty and Dr. C. Wood.

Mr. R. Mowll, on behalf of Mr. G. A. Ralph, Secretary of the Dover Licensed Victuallers' Association, applied for an extension until 11 o'clock on Christmas Eve, December 24th, Boxing Day, December 26th, and New Year's Eve, December 31st, in respect of 66 public houses. Those extensions, with the exception of New Year's Eve, which was not asked for last year, had been granted before, had been a great convenience and had not been abused.

The extensions were granted.