From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 8 June 1867. Price 1d.

The Magistrates granted an authority to William Lester to sell spirituous liquors in the “Duke of Cumberland,” Whitstable.

From the Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald. 31 August 1867. Price 1d.

FALL FROM A LADDER

A boy about 10 years of age, named Charles Dide, met with a shocking accident here on Wednesday last by falling from a ladder. He was at work for his uncle, Mr. Bennett, at the "Duke of Cumberland," Whitstable, as plasterer's boy, and unknown to the workmen carried a pail of water up a ladder, the water being intended for use at the top of the house. He had ascended between 20 and 30 feet, when from some cause his foot slipped, and he fell to the ground, sustaining very severe injury to the shoulder joint. Mr. Williams and Mr. Mann attended him, and he was afterwards removed to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital.

From the Whitstable Times, 15 February, 1902.

WHITSTABLE—FINED FOR DRUNKENNESS.

Henry George, was summoned for being drunk at Whitstable on February 5th, and also with being of disorderly behaviour at the same time and place.

The defendant was represented by Mr. R. M. Mercer and pleaded not guilty.

Sergt Joy of Whitstable stated that at 10.45 on the night of February 5th, he was at the "Cross" at Whitstable with P.C. Brookes, when the police constable called his attention to defendant who was trying to turn the handle of the door of the “Duke of Cumberland.” Witness saw that defendant was very drunk. He came towards witness and then commenced to pitch first on his toes and then on his heels. He said in a very thick voice “Sir, can I get a rest.” Witness told him to go to his lodgings, defendant then said “I shall when I ------- well like.” Some gentleman who was passing said to defendant “Go home Harry there's a good fellow.” Defendant repeated his bad language. Defendant then went to “Bear and Key Hotel.” Two minutes later witness saw defendant staggering about in High Street. He went up Bonner's Passage which led to the “Tradesman’s Club.” He staggered from one side of the road to the other. When he was in Bonner's Passage defendant behaved disorderly. Witness subsequently arrested him and took him to the police station. Defendant raved for the best part of the night and was delirious. Witness bailed him out in the morning.

In reply to Mr. Mercer, witness stated that defendant asked for a medical man. Witness did not know defendant was a man of property. He did not let him have a medical man because he had only four-pence in his pockets. Defendant asked that his wife might he acquainted with the fact that he was locked up. Witness thought if defendant had a few hours from drink it would do him good. (Laughter.) Witness took defendants boots off, but he had his socks left on in the stone cell. That was the usual practice. It was the usual practice of intoxicated people to ask for their friends. Witness had read what the Recorder of London had said about examining people for scars and measuring them if only charged with drunkenness. Defendant did ask if he was in on a murder charge. Witness said he had received no order that he was to discontinue measuring and examining defendants.

P. C. Brooks corroborated the evidence of Sergt. Joy.

Corporal Lambkin also gave evidence.

Mr. Mercer said he wished to ventilate the fact of men who were only charged with drunkenness being subject to measurement and examination. Sergt. Joy had acted under directions which were very wrong. He contended that when the defendant asked to see a medical man he should have been allowed to see one and that his client had been subjected to improper treatment. The police ought not to have examined defendant for scars as they did.

The defendant gave evidence on oath. He stated that he lived at Essex Street, Whitstable. He stated that he lived at Essex Street, Whitstable. He went to a Druids lodge on the evening in question and only had two pints of beer. He assisted in closing the lodge. He went across to the “Bear and Key” and had a pint of beer. He then went up the street and soon after he was arrested. He was put into a cold cell and in the morning he was given a slate on which was put down his height, 5 feet 8 1/2 inches.

George Kirkby, schoolmaster of Whitstable Board School, stated that he was at the “Bear and Key” on the evening when the defendant came in and had a glass of ale. He walked away from the bar and when he went he said “Good Night gentlemen.” He seemed all right then. Witness was astounded to hear a minute or two later the defendant had been arrested.

Percy Rigden, Inspector at the Railway station and who was secretary of the Druids Lodge, at which defendant attended, stated that he saw the defendant leave between 10.30 and 10.45, and he was then sober. He was surprised when he heard of defendant’s arrest.

Albert King, landlord of the “Duke of Cumberland,” at which house the Druids meeting was held, also stated that defendant walked out of his house all right.

Richard Gurr, a butcher, living at Canterbury Road, Whitstable, stated that he was presiding officer and he noticed nothing wrong with defendant at the Druids meeting.

The Magistrates considered the case proved and fined defendant 5s. and 15s. 4d costs.

From the Whitstable Times, 19 July, 1902.

ST. AUGUSTINE’S PETTY SESSIONS.

Saturday, July 12th.—Before Lieutenant Colonel Dickenson (in the chair). Captain T. Lambert, Mr. W. A. Lochee, Mr. J. Bowes, Mr. Marshall, Mr. French, C.B., and Colonel Lourie, C.B.

WHITSTABLE TRANSFER OF LICENSES.

An application was made for a temporary transfer of the licence of the “Duke of Cumberland,” Whitstable, from Sarah Anne King to Charles Greensted of Canterbury.

The application was granted.

From the Whitstable Times, 6 December, 1902.

INQUEST ON A CHILD. THE GUARDIANS CENSURED.

On Wednesday afternoon the East Kent Coroner Mr. R. M. Mercer held an inquest at the “Duke of Cumberland Hotel,” on the body of Reginald Taylor, aged 4 years.

Mr. Manooch acted as foreman of the jury.

Laura Huttin, a single woman, aged 28, of 2, Red Lion Square, Whitstable, gave evidence that the child had been given into her custody by a woman named Taylor. She fetched it from Wandsworth and received £6 with it. Witness obtained a living by cleaning doorsteps, and occasionally went to Herne Bay to perform work. She had lived with a man, but he had now left her. Her room cost her 1s. 6d. per week. The person from whom she received the child was, about 35 years of age. She had applied to Mr. Dilnot for relief, but he told her to see the Guardians of Blean Union. This she did and was told she must enter the House. She refused to do this. The child’s age she believed was about 4. Death took place at about a quarter to nine on Monday evening. She had not resided with the man previously referred to for the last five months. Witness had another adopted child and also one of her own. When the child was taken ill she saw Mr. Dilnot and Dr. Hayward came and attended the child and ordered it to be given milk.

Dr. Hayward then gave evidence as to being called in to see the child. It was in a very bad state. The child was suffering from severe chill and slight congestion of the lungs. He gave an order for milk to be given to it and also sent some samples of farinaceous foods from his surgery. He found that the woman had used a good part of it. The child was not able to take much, but it had taken as much as it could. The child was in a very emaciated condition, and the actual cause of death was tuberculosis of the glands of the abdomen brought on by the congestion of the lungs and other causes. He did not know whether or not the child had been registered under the Infants’ Lives Protection Act.

Lillie Woolmer, of 2, Red Lion Square, was then called. The woman Huttin lodged with her. She stated that the woman lived very poorly and that she (witness) had helped her as well as she could. Her husband was in the hospital. She had applied to the Guardians for temporary relief, and they had offered to lend her 5s.

The Coroner remarked that he had never heard of a similar case.

Florence Moor, of 2, Lower Island, stated that three months ago she lodged with the last witness and knew the woman Huttin, who was also staying in the house at the time.

Asked by the Coroner if she had ever noticed the deceased child treated differently to the others, she, after some hesitation, stated that she had. The other two children were given jam and bread and this one had been given bread and butter.

Laura Huttin was re-called and adhered to all her former statements. In explanation of the above difference of treatment she said that when she received the child she was told not to give it fruit or anything of that nature as its bowels were weak.

On being questioned Dr. Hayward said this was no doubt true.

Mr. Dilnot, the relieving officer, spoke of the case as it came under his notice. The Guardians did not give the woman out-door relief because she was receiving 7s. per week.

On being questioned by the Coroner as to the conduct of the Board in reference to the case, he said they were simply following out the rules under which they worked. At the time of application he gave the woman a trifle out of his own pocket. Relief, in the shape of 3s. worth of groceries, 1 gallon bread, and 1 cwt. coals was sent on Monday last at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

The Coroner remarked that this was too late as the child died five hours later.

In summing up he said he considered that the way in which the Board had treated the case was perfectly monstrous. In saying that he was not imputing any blame to Mr. Dilnot.

The jury, after a consultation, returned a verdict of Death from Natural Causes, and added as a rider that the Guardians were to blame in all cases of this description in not giving out-door relief. They also expressed an opinion that there should be a resident relieving officer at Whitstable.

From Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 10 September 1910.

LICENSING BUSINESS AT ST. AUGUSTINE'S PETTY SESSIONS.

TRANSFERS AND AN EXTENSION.

The magistrates granted an hour's extension for Thursday, September 8th, on the occasion of a banquet to Mrs. Weston of the "Duke of Cumberland," Whitstable.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald, Saturday 7 December 1935.

Changing Hotels.

The Magistrates at St Augustine's Petty sessions, Canterbury, on Wednesday morning, granted the temporary transfer of the licence of the "Duke of Cumberland Hotel," Whitstable, from Mr. Frank James Millea to Mr. Leslie Kempsell Smith. Mr. Millea is taking over the "Royal Hotel," Herne Bay.

Faversham Times and Mercury and North-East Kent Journal, Saturday 8 April 1939.

WHITSTABLE LICENSEE. THE AFFAIRS OF MR. L. K. SMITH.

Formerly licensee of the "Duke of Cumberland Hotel," Whitstable, Leslie Kempsell Smith, now residing at Stradella Road, Herne Hill, S.E.24, appeared at Canterbury Bankruptcy Court last week for his public examinations.

His statement of affairs disclosed liabilities of £801 1s. 4d. and assets of £15, leaving a deficiency of £786 1s. 4d.

Debtor told the Official Receiver (Mr. F. C. Wells) that practically all his liabilities were in respect of a bank guarantee given by a certain person.

Some years ago he worked in a clerical capacity, and for three years was a hotel manager at Herne Bay. In December, 1935, he took the "Duke of Cumberland Hotel," his own capital being about £10.

The ingoing was £1,400, of which £800 was found by means of a bank overdraft guarantee by a friend, who was now the petitioning creditor. The remaining £600 was by way of loan by the landlords.

Debtor said he did not add substantially to or detract from the furniture and effects while at the hotel, but in the deficiency account depreciation in value of furniture, fitting, and fixtures as on "the change," was given as £230.

At first the trade of the hotel was fair, and he was satisfied for the first year. Then trade fell off. The first year he drew £210 and the next year his drawings were £257.

The Official Receiver asked if debtor considered it wise to increase his drawings if trade was not continuing fairly evenly.

Debtor said he supposed not.

Last autumn, said debtor, the bank advised him that they were going to claim the money from his guarantor, and then bankruptcy followed. Early in December a "change over" was arranged and the brewers found a new tenant. The amount received as ingoing was about £900.

The Official Receiver: So you paid £1,400 to go in and received £900 to come out?

Debtor: Yes.

Does not that look to be one of the chief items of your failure?

It is one of the items.

To other questions, debtor said that when he went into the hotel he borrowed £200 as working capital. His failure was really due to his precarious financial position at the start.

The Official Receiver: You were entirely at the will of the guarantor?

Debtor: Yes.

As soon as that guarantee was withdrawn the whole thing collapsed?

Yes.

Debtor agreed that the balance sheet showed an insolvency at the end of the first year's trading. He was now living with his mother in London and was in employment at £3 a week.

In reply to Mr. Shortland Jones (instructed by Messrs Wild and Son), who appeared for petitioning creditor, debtor said that his bank made repeated demands on him to reduce his account, but he did not know why the guarantee was being withdrawn. He did not know at the time that the bank issued a writ on November 18th against the guarantor claiming £785 13s. 4d. When the money was guaranteed for him to be able to go into the hotel and spent money on interior and house furniture.

Mr. Shortland Jones: Can you explain why you have stated that the furniture was the property of the brewers?

Debtor: As soon as the brewers heard about the proceedings they told me to give my notice. They took over the house on December 19th from me and left me in there to manage it.

To other questions, debtor said that the new tenant would become the owner of the furniture.

Mr. Reginald Frank M. Furley: As soon as he paid for it?

Debtor: Yes.

Until he paid for it, it was yours?

Partly the brewers because they advanced me £600.

Answering Mr. Shortland Jones, debtor said that his guarantor advanced money for the furniture just as much as the brewers. After the guarantor had received the writ he pressed him (debtor) to pay and he offered to pay by instalments of £52 a year. The following day he gave his notice to the brewers, but did not let his guarantor know what he was doing. He supposed it would have been better and he done so. He had not taken any steps to sell before the brewers came along.

The public examination was adjourned.