From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 24 June, 1870. Price 1d.

INFRINGEMENT OF LICENSE

Henry Gurr, landlord of the "Wheelwrights' Arms," Bridge Street, Charlton, charged with having his house open on Sunday morning last, shortly after 12 o'clock, pleaded guilty, and was fined 10s. and the costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 8 July, 1870. Price 1d.

CAUTION TO SUNDAY MORNING TIPPLERS

Thomas Pain and Edward Hickson, were charged with being at the "Wheelwrights' Arms," public-house during prohibited hours on Sunday, the 19th June.

Corrie said he visited the "Wheelwrights' Arms," in Bridge Street, on Sunday, the 19th. He saw the defendants there, with other men, drinking. They had glasses before them on the bar.

The defendants admitted being at the public-house; but denied that they had anything to drink, except, in the case of one, a little ginger-beer.

Pain said he had been lodging in the house, and had gone there to get some clothes he had left behind him, but the Superintendent of Police said Pain had not occupied lodgings at the house for the past six months.

The defendants in this case were also fined 1s. and 9s. 6d. costs, or in default seven day's imprisonment.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 12 August, 1887. Price 1d.

WILFULLY BREAKING A WINDOW

John Phipps was charged with breaking a pane of glass at the “Wheelwright's Arms,” Bridge Street, value 7s. 6d.

Henry Gurr said: prisoner came to my house last night about nine. He remained some time and started using very bad language. I told him to leave, but he refused. I then put him out. About a minute afterwards he broke the window with his fist. I went out and told prisoner he would have to pay for it, or else I should have him locked up. The cost of the pane was 7s. 6d.

Police-constable George Bowles proved taking the prisoner into custody.

Prisoner was fines 2s. 6d., damages 7s. 6d., costs 7s., or in default seven days' hard labour.

He went to prison.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 15 March, 1901. Price 1d.

AN ARGUMENTATIVE CUSTOMER

James Lofts was charged with refusing to leave licensed premises, the “Wheelwright's Arms,” when requested to, and with breaking a window, the property of Edward Gurr.

Edward Gurr said that on the previous evening about six o'clock the defendant came in. He was served with a pint of beer, and was using language witness did not approve of to another man. Witness requested him to go out, but he said he would not. Witness could not find a Constable so he ejected prisoner with the help of his brother. He insisted on coming in again, and witness held the door, and the defendant put his arm through the window. A pane valued 5/- was broken. A Constable was sent for and the man given into custody.

David Phillips, 18, Colebran Street, said he was with the defebndant in the “Wheelwright's Arms,” and they had a few words. Mr. Gurr asked the defendant to go out. He was put out, and he broke the glass.

Police Constable Kingsmill said he took prisoner into custody.

Defendant was fined 10/- including costs, the prosecutor foregoing the costs.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 6 July, 1906. Price 1d.

A NEGLIGENT DRIVER

Frederick Oliver, carrier, was charged with allowing a cart to stand longer in the highway than was necessary for unloading.

Police Constable John W Smith said, On Wednesday, 9th June, I saw a cart standing opposite the “Wheelwright's Arms,” Bridge Street, at 10.30 a.m. At 11 o'clock I saw the same horse and cart in the middle of the road in Bridge Street. I drew it up on the side of the road and waited 15 minutes. The defendants then came out of the “Wheelwright's Arms” and claimed the horse and cart. The cart contained pig-wash. I cautioned him for leaving the horse and cart unattended, and five minutes after I saw the same horse and cart standing outside the “Rose and Crown” on the London Road. I waited 30 minutes, and then the defendant came out of the public house. He said he had been there ten minutes, but I told him he had been there half an hour.

The defendant, who said he had no intention of breaking the law, was fined 15s., including costs.

Dover Express, Friday 21 August 1908.

DEATH OF MR. H. S. GURR.

OLD DOVER PUBLICAN PASSES AWAY.

We regret to announce the death of Mr. Henry Sandford Gurr, on Wednesday, at 1, St. Andrew’s Terrace, Crabble. Mr. Gurr for over 30 years held the licence of the "Wheelwrights’ Arms," Bridge Street, the business having been transferred a few years ago to his son. Mr. Gurr was also for 54 years & member of the Cinque Ports Warden Lodge of Oddfellows, and was one of the most respected of the old inhabitants of Dover. Mr. Gurr passed away in his sleep, after a lingering illness of over three years, at the age of 77. The funeral takes place on Monday at Charlton Cemetery.

Dover Express 18th June 1909.

LOST HIS MEMORY.

George Hadley surrendered to his bail charged with being drunk and disorderly in Bridge Street.

PC Potts said that, at 9.50 on Wednesday morning, he was called to the "Wheelwrights’ Arms," Bridge Street. In the public house he saw the defendant with another man. Both were drunk. The defendant was arguing with the landlord, who stated that he had tried to get him to leave the house. He and the landlord asked the defendant to leave, but he refused and sat down on a seat. Witness put him out and he then became very disorderly. As he refused to go away and continued to be disorderly, witness and PC Richards took him into custody.

Edward Manser, the landlord, said the defendant and his friend called at his house at about 9.40 and called for two pints of beer. Both were drunk, so he refused to serve them and, as they commenced to quarrel, he sent for the police.

The Chairman observed that, as the men were not in a state to have walked very far and, if they did not get drunk at that house, they must have got it very close. The Bench would like to know where they obtained it. Could the police find out he asked?

The defendant said he lost his memory and did not know where he got the drink or his companion’s name.

The Chairman, in inflicting a fine of 10/-, including costs, said this was the defendant’s second appearance.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 13 February, 1914. Price 1d.

PUBLICAN FINED FOR SALE TO A CHILD

At the Dover Police Court on Friday morning, before Messrs. J. Scott (in the chair), H. Hobday, and W. J. Palmer.

Herbert Gurr, landlord of the “Wheelwright Arms,” Catherine Place, was summoned for on January 25th selling a pint of porter to a child under the age of 14, not in a corked and sealed vessel.

Mrs. Susan Steel was summoned for sending her child for the liquor.

Mr. Vosper (assistant solicitor to the Town Clerk), in opening the prosecution, said: Both summonses are issued under Section 68 of the Licensing Consolidation Act, 1910. The defendant Gurr is charged with selling to a child under fourteen years of age intoxicating liquor in contravention of this Section; and the parent of the child is also summoned for sending her for the liquor. This practice has become far too common of late, and as Mr. Knocker pointed out when prosecuting in a similar case last week, there seems to be rather a carelessness on the part of the licensees with disregard to the requirements of the licensing laws. I think that your Worships, when you have heard what the Constable says, and when you have seen the child, who obviously looks to be under fourteen years of age, will be satisfied that the defendant Gurr knew that the child was under fourteen years of age. Having regard to the circumstances of the case, and this slackness which seems to have appeared of late, I hope that you will deal with the case, and impose a fine such as will be a warning to would-be offenders, and also have the effect of raising the standard of compliance with the licensing laws.

The defendant said that his wife served the child.

The Magistrates' Clerk: But you are responsible.

Mr. Gurr said that he was therefore guilty.

Mrs. Steel also pleaded guilty.

P.C. Harvie said: I was on duty on Sunday 25th of January at 2.01. I was near the “Wheelwright's Arms,” and saw a child named Susan Steel come from the “Wheelwright's Arms” carrying the jug produced. It had no cover, and was just in the condition it is now. I stopped her, and asked her age, and she said 12 years. I asked her what she had in the jug, and she said, “A pint of porter.” I took the girl back to the “Wheelwright's Arms,” and called Mr. Gurr's attention to it, and told him the girl was only 12 years old. I told him the girl had been served, and he did not deny it. I asked him if he made any enquiries about the girl's age. He replied, “I did not think it was necessary, and if there is an act they should send round and tell us.” I told him I would report the matter, and he made no reply. I took the girl home to the parents, and I saw the mother at 4, Castle Cottages, Charlton Green. I told the mother what I had done, and she replied “I know I had done wrong, but I did not feel like going myself.” I told her I would report the matter and brought the girl to the Station. The child is in Court, and appears to be 12 years old. I visited the place under a general order to the force issued by the Chief Constable.

The Chairman said that they did not want the child to give evidence, butt hey asked to see the child, who was brought into Court.

The Chairman to the defendant Gurr: How long have you had the house?

13 months.

Where you in the trade before?

I was with my brother, and was born in the house I keep.

You have been in the trade all your life then?

Yes.

In reply to the Magistrates' Clerk, Mrs. Steel said that her husband was not in work. She had eight children.

The Chief Constable said that the Charity Committee were helping the parents.

The Chairman addressing Mr. Gurr, said that the Bench had considered the case. The Act under which the charge was brought was passed to prevent children from going to public houses, and defendant, who had been in the trade all his life must have known about the provisions of the Act. Defendant had, therefore, ignored the thing entirely. The child was obviously under the age of fourteen, and the Magistrates must fine him £1.

The Chairman, addressing Mrs. Steel, said that parents should prevent children going to public houses. The Magistrates had taken into consideration that she had a large family, and was not in very good circumstances, and therefore fined her half a crown.

Mr. Gurr paid both fines.

The Chairman also pointed out that the Section of the Act required that the liquor must be served in sealed bottles.

Mr. Gurr said that they were not in the habit of serving children at all.

The Chairman: You have done so in this case - a bad case.