From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 3 December, 1864.

John Thomas Drake, landlord of the "Pavilion" public-house, was summoned on the information of Police-sergeant Barton for serving during the prohibited hours on Sunday, but the case was dismissed it appearing that the defendant had only served half-a-pint of beer to a sea-faring man who had just come on shore.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 11 September, 1868.

INQUEST BY THE BOROUGH CORONER.

W. H. Payn, Esq., the Borough Coroner, held an inquest, the second of the day, at the "Pavilion Inn," Custon House Quay, on Monday evening, on the body of Henry Crippen, aged 21 years, an apprentice to John Thomas Drake, ship-owner.

It appeared from the statement of Mr. Drake, that on Saturday night, between ten and eleven o'clock, the deceased went to his house and asked for a bottle of ginger beer, with which he was served. He heard a crash shortly afterwards, as if the glass had been broken, but did not take any notice of it until he heard someone cry "A man overboard!" Two Belgians who were in his house at the time then ran out, and the body of the deceased was brought to his house half an hour subsequently. The deceased was a very bad tempered fellow, and was much addicted to drink.

A girl named Ellen Harrison, to whom Crippen was paying his addresses, deposed that she was with him when he brought the ginger beer, which she and a female companion drunk, the deceased afterwards throwing the glass away. Thinking Mr. Drake was coming, they ran away, leaving Crippen standing on the quay, and when they got near him again saw him jump into the water. They were so frightened that neither of them could shout out for several minutes, and at last alarm was raised, and several persons tried to save the deceased, but could not. The witness did not believe Crippen jumped in on purpose, as he was drunk, and did not know what he was about. He had not threatened at any time to make away with himself.

The porter at the "Gun Hotel," Frederick Whetingstall, deposed that he went into a boat with the two Belgians on hearing that there was a man in the water. They could not, however, save him, and his body was afterwards recovered with the aid of the grapnels. Life seemed then to be extinct, although the eyes moved slightly when the body was brought to the surface.

Mr. T. W. Colbeck, surgeon, deposed that he examined the body of the deceased, and found that he had been dead some four or five minutes.

The Jury returned a verdict that the deceased drowned himself while in a state of temporary insanity, caused by drink.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 6 May, 1870.

A REFRACTORY APPRENTICE.

Henry Hadley, a lad 16 years of age, was charged with stealing 9½d. in coppers, the property of his master, Mr. Drake, of the "Pavilion Inn."

John Thomas Drake, a smack owner in Dover, and also landlord of the "Pavilion": The prisoner is my apprentice in the sea service. Yesterday morning, about half-past nine, I gave him 9½d., to fetch me some butter, and he went away and never came returned. I sent my son to look for him between 11 and 12 o'clock. He found him near the Castle with a lot of boys, who threw stones at my son, and he had to come back without him. Between four and five o'clock I again sent for my son in company with another apprentice after him, and they brought him back. I asked him what he had done with the money, and he said he had spent it along with the other boys. This is the third time he has kept money with which I have entrusted to him to buy articles for me, and this is the fifteenth time he has run away from the smack.

Police-constable Baker: A apprehended the prisoner about half-past four yesterday afternoon. I told him he was charged with stealing 9½d. the property of his master. He said he had spent it all, and on searching him nothing was found.

In answer to the Bench, Mr. Drake said the boy was continually delaying the smack from going to sea; but he did not with the Bench to cancel his indentures.

The Magistrates determined to make an example of the boy, and sent him to gaol for one month with hard labour.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 28 August, 1891. Price 1d.

DOVER LICENSING SESSIONS

No application was made for the renewal of the license of the “Pavilion Tavern,” but it being known to the Magistrates that the owner, Mr. J. T. Drake, had recently died, the case was adjourned to Broadstairs to establish the widow to take such steps as she might be advised in the matter.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 1 June, 1900.

TO BE MORE CAREFUL IN FUTURE

Louigio Ambrogio Minoletti was summoned for keeping his licensed premises, the “Pavilion Hotel,” Strond Street, open after hours on the 11th inst., for the sale of liquor to persons not being lodgers nor bona-fide travellers.

The Town Clerk appeared to prosecute.

Mr. R. Mowll represented the defendant, and put in a plea of Not Guilty.

Police Constable Richard John Prescott stated that about 12.20 a.m. on the morning of Friday, the 11th inst., he was on duty in Strond Street. Having met two men in Hawksbury Street, he went, in company with P.C. Groombridge, as far as the “Pavilion Hotel.” They noticed a light in the window of the room in the passage, and while waiting outside a few minutes, heard some people talking and laughing in the house. Then the door of the room was opened, and a man named Nenti came out leaving the door slightly open. Police Constable Groombridge stopped him, and they took him back. They pushed the door open and found Carlo Offredi, a local pastry-cook, holding the handle. Entering the room, they also found three men named Pietro Furioni, Walter Peck, and Carlo Bonacini seated, besides Victor Offredi (junr.), and a man named Tarchetti, who asserted that he was the landlord. The latter two were standing.

It was explained by Mr. Mowll that Tarchetti was a partner of defendant, though the license was taken out by Minoletti.

Continuing, the constable said he called attention to the time, and Tarchetti, who said his name was Minoletti, stated that the gentlemen sitting down were lodgers. Young Offredi maintained that he had come to the premises to fetch his father. The latter said he himself had only had two glasses of ale. There were several ale and spirit glasses on the table, some of these containing drops of liquor, and another three parts full of stout or porter. An empty quart pot was also standing on the table.

By Mr. Mowll: When they entered the premises it would appear as if the Offredis were ready to depart.

Police Constable Groombridge gave corroborative evidence.

For the defence it was contended that the man Bonacina was a traveller in pastry-cooks' wares, and on the night in question came down to see Mr. Carl Offredi at his Woolcomber Street shop. About half-past ten the traveller thought of obtaining lodgings for the night, and accompanied by his fellow countryman Offredi, went down to the “Pavilion Hotel.” Being also a friend of Minoleti, they exchanged cordial greetings, and having engaged a room Offredi was about to leave. The landlord, however, invited him to partake of supper with his family and lodgers, and afterwards they discussed events in Italy, from whence they al hailed. Young Offredi, finding that his father did not come home, went with his assistant Nenti, to fetch him. It was while they were about to return with him that the Police arrived. Neither Victor Offredi not nenti had any refreshment whatever in the house, and no money was passed. The man Furioni was a waiter, and lodged in the house, while Peck was a military tailor, and was staying for the night.

These statements were confirmed by Minoletti, the Offredis, and Furioni.

The Bench advised Minoletti to be careful how he entertained friends in future, and dismissed the case.

The Town Clerk then decided to withdrawer summonses which had been issued against the Offredis and Nenti for being found on the premises during prohibited hours.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 8 January, 1904. Price 1d.

FINISHING THE OLD YEAR

William Shiltez, a German sailor, was charged with breaking a pane of glass at the “Pavilion Hotel,” on Thursday night.

Police Constable Detective Southey said that he was on Custom House Quay on the previous evening, and saw the prisoner on the pavement strike the window deliberately with his fist and break the glass. The man had previously been refused drink in the house. His hand was badly cut by the breaking of glass, and when he was taken to the Police Station his wound was attended to by Dr. Ormsby, who stitched it up.

Mr. Minoletti, the landlord of the “Pavilion Hotel,” said that he saw the prisoner in the bar, and as he appeared to be drunk he would not serve him. The prisoner, who is a German, was turned out.

The Bench ordered prisoner to pay the costs and damage, 23/6.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 September, 1910.

DOVER LICENSED VICTUALLERS FAILURE

DECEIVED BY ATLANTIC FLEET HOPES

The statement of affairs under the failure of Thomas Martin, of the "Pavillion Hotel," Custom House Quay, Dover, licensed victualler, shows liabilities of £324 15s., and not assets £211 7s. 8d. The cause of failure, as stated by the debtor are: "Insufficient trade to meet expenses. Ill-health." The Official Receiver's observations are as follows: The receiving order was made on the petition of the debtor, and he was adjudged bankrupt the same day on his own application. The debtor (aged 36 years) commenced business on his own account in September, 1905, when he became the licensee of the "Old Barn Hotel," High Street, Chatham, the ingoing valuation amounting to about £600. Of this sum he states he paid £300, which represented his savings whilst serving in the Navy, the balance being met by loans from relatives. The debtor states that this business was successful, and that he paid off the loans from his relatives. On his giving up the latter business, the debtor, in June of last year, in the belief tat the Atlantic Fleet would be stationed at Dover, took over the "Pavilion Hotel," Dover, and paid the ingoing valuation of £250 out of a sum of £470, the amount he received in respect of the "Old Barn Hotel," Chatham. He states that after discharging the whole of the liabilities he had contracted at Chatham, and paying the valuation of the "Pavilion Hotel," he had a balance in hand of about £27. The debtor alleges that this latter house has not been a success, owing, so he states, to the expenses being considerably in excess of the receipts. The debtor has kept a cash takings book only, and admits that he discovered his insolvency in March of the present year, but he has continued to trade in the hopes of retrieving his position. Included in the statement of affairs are two loans amounting to £72, but none of this amount was borrowed of professional money lenders. The remaining amounts appear to be for trade purposes in respect of debts contracted in respect of the "Pavilion Hotel," Dover.

Taken from Dover Express 1950

MORE DOCK AREA DEMOLITIONS

Two HOTELS COMING DOWN

More demolition work in the harbour district has been in progress this week.

Work started on Saturday on demolishing the Pavilion Hotel on Custom House Quay. "The men worked through Sunday and their task is now practically complete. It is understood that the firm engaged, the North London Demolition and Excavation Co. - who demolished the Burlington Hotel - have also been engaged to pull down the Esplanade Hotel.

The latter building, unoccupied for several years and damaged during the war, is the only remaining structure on the Sea Front west of the meteorological station. Its demolition is part of the Harbour Board's plans for improvements in the area, which include a new railway connection between the Sea Front and Wellington Bridge, enabling trains to run direct, without shunting on to the Prince of Wales' pier.

From the Dover Express, 17 August 1951.

The Bench approved the transfer of the licence of the "Pavilion Tavern," Custom House Quay, another license in suspense, from Mr. Arthur Edward Fullager to Mr. H. S. King, multiple licence holder and Secretary to Messrs. Watney, Coombe, Reid and Co. Ltd.