From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 25 February, 1871. 1d.

SELLING WITHIN THE PROHIBITED HOURS

Henry Wood, landlord of the "Rising Sun," public-house, Walmer Road, was summoned for having his house open after 12 o'clock on the night of Saturday the 21st, viz. at a quarter to one o'clock, for the sale of refreshment, the same not being for lodgers or travellers.

P.C. Goldsack deposed: On the morning of Sunday the 22nd of February, I visited the "Rising Sun" at a quarter to one o'clock. I found the door open and walked in. I saw four Marines - one corporal and three privates - standing at the bar, Mrs. Wood, the landlady, being inside the bar serving. I asked her where Mr. Wood was and she said he was in bed, I then asked her what she meant by keeping her house open, as I had previously cautioned her only the Saturday night before. She said she had been trying to get the men out, but they would not go. There were three pint glasses and one half-pint standing on the counter, nearly full, and when I called her attention to the fact she said she had not drawn any beer since 12 o'clock. She afterwards said she did not know what time it was as they had no clock in the house. I showed her the time by my watch, and told her I should make out a report to the Superintendent with the view of summoning her for keeping her house open during prohibited hours. I knew it was a quarter to one by my watch, and also by hearing the Marine clock chime. The Marines wanted to get out of the house as soon as they saw me, but I would not allow them to leave till I had taken their names.

The defendant said he was ill in bed at the time, but he believed it was quite true that the house was open although he knew nothing of it himself. It was true that they had no clock in the house, as they had only been in it a fortnight, and had not had time to get straight. He had been four years in the other house, and had never had a complaint laid against him, and he was quite sure the present offence was unintentional.

At the request of the Magistrates, Mrs. Wood was called forward, and stated that she could not get the men out. She drew them no beer after 12 o'clock, however, and the reason the glasses were nearly full when the constable entered the house was because they had wanted brandy-and-lemonade, which she had refused to supply them with. She told them they were liable to be fined as well as the landlord.

The Magistrates, after consulting together, said that in inflicting a fine they were guided by the previous good character of the defendant. The maximum fine fixed by the Act of Parliament was very heavy - £5 - but as this was the defendant's first appearance they would not punish him very heavily, but it  must be shown to people in the same business that the law must not be broken, and he would have to pay 13s. 6d., including fine and costs.

The money was paid at once.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 18 September, 1874. 1d.

EXTENSION

The landlord of the "Rising Sun", Lower Walmer, has obtained magistrates authority to keep his house open till twelve o'clock, on the occasion of performances at the Barracks Theatre.