From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 23 November, 1872. 1d.

PUBLIC HOUSE CASE

Daniel Kircaldie, landlord of the "Roxburgh Castle," public-house, Broad Street, was summonsed for having his house open, for the sale of intoxicating liquor during prohibited hours on Sunday last, viz., between eight and nine o'clock in the morning; and George Belsey Epsley, and Thomas Newing, were summoned for being in the above house at the time named.

Mr. Kircaldie said the house was open at the time, but it was opened by one of his little children. Mr. Epsley was in the habit of coming to his house to fetch his milk, and he (Mr. Kircaldie) came downstairs just as he put his foot in the door. The boy said neither of the men asked for any beer, but he thought they wanted some and began to draw it. Neither of the men, however, had any, and as soon as he saw the boy was going to draw it he stopped him.

Both other defendants pleaded "Not Guilty."

P.C. Carvey deposed: Last Sunday morning I was on duty in Broad Street a little past eight o'clock. I saw the defendant Epsley and Newing come from Middle Street, cross Broad Street, and go into the "Roxburgh Castle" public-house. I followed them in, the door being partly open, and on getting inside I saw Epsley and Newing standing in the middle of the living room. The landlord, who was only partly dressed, was also there and standing in the front of the fire-place. A boy of about nine or ten years of age was in the act of drawing some beer out of a barrel. I said to the landlord "This is pretty fine going's on." and Newing immediately made off. The landlord said "I can't help it, as I have only just come downstairs." Epsley said he had come for his milk. I did not see any milk there. I asked the landlord if he had any more persons in his house, and he said, "No." I asked the boy, "You were drawing that beer for these men," to which he made no reply. I told the landlord I should report the house and I have since done so.

Epsley: We did not come out of Middle Street at all. We came out of the passage by Mrs. Baker's house and crossed over the road.

Carvey: They might have come from the alley near Mr's Baker's, and not from Middle Street, but I will swear I saw them opposite Mr. Cairn's door. They might have walked up Broad Street before I saw them, and then crossed over. I will swear Kircaldie was in the room with his back to the fire-place when I went in.

Epsley: Then you will swear anything. I never heard a man tell such falsehoods in my life.

Daniel Kircaldie was next sworn. He said: I am landlord of the "Roxburgh Castle," public-house. On Sunday morning when I came downstairs about five minutes past eight, I saw Newing standing in the passage and Epsley just inside the door side of the cask - just inside the room where the cask of beer is. I walked round the back of Newing and closed the front door and made one step from the mat into the room where Epsley was, and I told the boy to leave off drawing beer - he was stooping down to draw some, and by the time the policeman was close by me. Epsley or one of his family comes down every morning for his milk which is left for him at my house by the Mongeham dairyman. Newing went away, but Epsley stood fast. Newing, I believe, came into my house with Epsley out of the rain.

In defence Epsley said he merely went into the house as usual, to get his milk, but it had been fetched away by one of his children. The door was locked, and he had to knock to gain admittance.

Newing and Epsley asked him to go up in the field with him to look after some sheep, but before they went Epsley went into the house to get his milk, and he went in too, as it was raining fast.

The Magistrates considered to dismiss the case upon Kircaldie paying 5s., and the other two defendants 2s. 6d. each.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 4 January, 1873. 1d.

PUBLICANS' APPLICATION

Mr. Kirkaldie, landlord of the "Roxborough Castle," beer-house, Broad Street, applied for permission to keep open beyond the usual hour on the 8th inst., on which evening the annual meeting of the Deal boatmen's club is to be held at this house.

Mr. Mercer, the Magistrates' Clerk, said it was a question whether the Bench had power to grant an extension of time to beer-shop keepers, and requested that the matter might stand over.

From the Deal, Walmer, and Sandwich Mercury, 15 September, 1900. 1d.

ENDORSEMENTS

On the application of Messrs. West, Usher & Co., as agents for the Official Receiver, the license of the "Roxburgh Castle," Broad Street, was temporarily transferred from Thos. A. Owen to James Elson.