Sevenoaks Chronicle and Kentish Advertiser, Friday 20 February 1948.

NO DRUNKS IN 1947.

With no proceedings for drunkenness during 1947, Sevenoaks, with a population approaching 29,000, maintained the sober record established in the previous year.

In his report to the Brewster Sessions on Friday, Supt. G. Bealec added that all the licensed houses had been well conducted and that during the year no licensee had been proceeded against.

There were 58 fully licensed houses and 34 beer-houses in the Division. Ten beer-houses also had "off" licenses and there were two "off" wine licenses. The average number of persons per licensed house was 247 and for each "on" license there were 310 persons.

There were also 20 Registered Clubs in the Division.

The Chairman (Col. C. A. Johnstone Smith) remarked that it was a very satisfactory report. All licenses would be renewed with the exception, for the moment, of the "Rock and Fountain," which would be adjourned until March, in order that the necessary plans could be prepared.

He added:- "The Magistrates have been very concerned about the lavatory accommodation in some of the houses, which is definitely very, very bad. The Magistrates do look at the licensees and the brewers to put their houses in order in every sense of the word during the next 12 months."

"If we get the same report in 12 months' time," he warned., "we shall have to consider whether we shall renew the licenses for these premises.

LICENSES EXTENDED.

Applications by four licenses for extended facilities were all granted, but a request by Bligh Stuare Mason, on behalf of James Brown (Oxford) Ltd., for a beer, wine and spirits off license for their premises at 73a, High Street, Sevenoaks, was unsuccessful.

There was no opposition to the application for a full "on" license for the "Holmesdale Tavern," Sevenoaks, in place of the existing beer-house license.

Mr. B. H. Waddy told the Magistrates that an average of 400 main meals were served on the premises each week. Monopoly value had been agreed at £8,400, less the value of the license to be surrounded, £7,000, which meant that £1,400 would be paid to the State for the facility.

Harry Kenneth Fenn, of the "King's Arms," Westerham, in applying for a supper hour extension, said he served some 400 main meals each month, and there had been a substantial demand for suppers.

The application was granted.

A wine license was granted to the "Bricklayer's Arms," Chipstead, and a spirit license to the "Star," Brasted Chart.

To support the latter application a petition, signed by 154 people, was submitted. Opposition came from the licensee of the "Fox and Hounds," Toys Hill.

ONE FAILS.

The only unsuccessful applicant, Bligh Stuart Mason, said his firm held a lease on the premises at 73a, High Street, Sevenoaks, and had an Excise license under which they were entitled to sell not less than 4 1/4 gallons of beer, a bottle of spirits or bottle of wine at a time. If the Magistrates granted the license the firm would be able to sell beer in smaller amounts, and half bottles of wine or spirits.

Opposition came from the "Chequers," Messrs. Uridges, Messrs. F. Page and the "White Hart," Riverhead.