Royal George 1900s

Folkestone Express 21-7-1900

Robert Duncan was charged on Thursday with stealing an Arabian cover, valued at 1s. 6d.

P.C. Thomas W. Allen deposed that about 10.20 p.m. on Wednesday he was standing near the Wonder Tavern in company with Sergt. Lawrence, when the prosecutor went up to him an said “I have had a cover stolen in the Royal George”. He pointed out to witness prisoner, who was leaving the Royal George, and when prisoner saw the constable he ran away, but witness followed, and near Beach Street he threw something away. He was caught and taken back, and witness saw the cushion cover produced. On the way to the police station prisoner told witness that “he only did it for a joke”. He was sober.

When prosecutor was asked if he wanted to press the charge, he answered “If you wish to give him a chance you can do as you like”.

The accused was discharged, and undertook to recompense the prosecutor.

Folkestone Express 4-5-1901

Wednesday, May 1^st: Before J. Fitness, W.G. Herbert, W. Wightwick, C.J. Pursey, and G.I. Swoffer Esqs.

Mr. George Kirby, of the Royal George Hotel, was granted an extension of time on the occasion of the annual club dinner on Thursday evening.

Folkestone Express 31-1-1903

Saturday, January 24^th: Before Aldermen Penfold and Vaughan, Lieut. Colonel Westropp, G. Peden and W.C. Carpenter Esqs.

Frederick Thomas Clark and John Keeling, aged 9 and 10 years respectively, were charged with stealing a contribution box from the Royal George Hotel.

George Kirby, proprietor of the Royal George Hotel, said he had a contribution box for the Waifs and Strays Fund standing on his saloon bar counter. The previous afternoon a boy named Mott gave him certain information, in consequence of which he looked for the box and found it was missing, and therefore accompanied him to 7, Norris Place, where he saw the boy Clark. When questioned by witness, Clark admitted stealing the box the previous evening and dividing the contents amongst several boys, and afterwards throwing the box among the shrubs at the Pavilion. He particularly named a boy Keeling as one of his accomplices.

Arthur George Mott, aged 11 years, said on Thursday afternoon he saw some boys near the Royal George. Clark said he was going to get some money. He then went in the bar while Keeling stood at the door, witness waiting outside. The boys then hid the box on a collier. On Friday afternoon he saw Keeling at the Dover Road Board School, and he then informed witness the box contained 3s. 9d.

Charles George Sheppard, steward at the Masonic Hall, said on Friday the 22^nd inst. he missed a box containing chessmen from the club smoking room. In the evening he was shown some chessmen by Detective Burniston, which he identified as the missing set. They were valued at about 15s.

Detective Burniston said the previous evening, from information received, he went to the Pavilion Hotel, and among some bushes in the garden found the broken box produced. Witness then proceeded to Norris Place, where he saw the prisoner Clark and told him he would be charged with being concerned in stealing a contribution box. He said “I took the box and Keeling and Mott waited outside”. He then went to 52, The Bayle, and saw Keeling. He said Clark took the box and they broke it open and shared the money. When charged at the police station both boys said the box contained 3s. Clark then made a voluntary statement in the presence of Keeling to the following effect:- I and Keeling went into a house opposite the Wesleyan Chapel and took a box filled with chess. Clark said they were in his bedroom, where they were subsequently found. They were then identified by the witness Sheppard. When searched, Clark was found to have a pocket knife in his possession.

Clark`s father stated that the boy went to school when he took him. He had continually to hunt the streets for him, and he had slept out three times since Christmas.

Keeling`s father said only the previous Monday he had sent the lad to school, but saw nothing of him until a policeman brought him home at four o`clock on Wednesday morning. He was before the Bench two weeks previously for stealing a sledge.

The Superintendent said the knife found in Clark`s possession had been identified that morning as stolen property.

The Bench sentenced Clark to 12 strokes of the birch (six for each offence), and Keeling to eight strokes.

Folkestone Herald 31-1-1903

Saturday, January 24^th: Before Alderman Penfold, Alderman Spurgen, Councillor Peden, Lieut. Colonel Westropp, and Mr. Carpenter.

Frederick Thomas Clark, aged 9 years, and John Keeling, aged ten years, were summoned for stealing a contribution box from the Royal George Hotel, and also a box of chessmen from the Masonic Club.

George King (sic), landlord of the George Hotel, identified the contribution box produced as one which he missed from his counter. In consequence of a communication from a boy named Mott, witness saw Clark, who said that the box was broken open and the money shared between several boys, and the box thrown away among the flowers at the Pavilion Hotel. Witness estimated that there was between 5s. and 6s. in the box.

Arthur George Mott said that Clark went into the George Hotel on Thursday evening, while Keeling stood at the door and witness stood outside. Clark and Keeling went off with the box, and hid it on a collier at the harbour, but later in the evening witness saw defendants near the Pavilion Hotel. At Dover Road Board School, Keeling told him the box contained 3s. 9d.

Charles George Sheffer, Steward of the Masonic Club, identified the chessmen as the property o the Club. He last saw them in the Smoking Room of the Club about a fortnight ago.

P.C. Burniston deposed that he found the box in the grounds at the Pavilion Hotel. When he charged Clark, he said “I took the box while Keeling and Mott waited outside. We went to the Pavilion Hotel and broke open the box and shared the money”. Witness charged Keeling, who made a similar statement. Later on both said the box contained 3s. When at the police station Clark said that he hid the chessmen in his bedroom. Witness went to his house, and Clark`s father handed him over the chessmen.

Both defendants pleaded Guilty to the first offence, and Clark also to the second. The fathers said the boys had been a great trouble to them.

The Bench sentenced Clark to receive twelve strokes of the birch rod, and Keeling to receive eight strokes.

Folkestone Express 27-2-1904

Monday, February 22^nd: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut Col. Westropp, and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

Arthur Thomas Priest, a private of the York and Lancashire Regiment, was charged with being drunk and disorderly outside the Royal George Hotel on Saturday evening. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Wood proved the case.

An officer of the regiment said the prisoner bore a very good character.

The Bench imposed a fine of 2s. 6d. with 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days` hard labour.

The money was paid.

Folkestone Express 31-3-1906

Wednesday, March 28^th: Before The Mayor, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, and R.J. Linton Esqs.

Victor Whitworth Uniacke was charged with being drunk and incapable the previous night.

P.C. Ashby said at 6.45 the previous evening he was on duty in Beach Street, when he saw the prisoner, very drunk, reel from Harbour Street into Beach Street. He went into the Royal George Hotel, and witness followed him, afterwards taking him into custody.

Prisoner said he was very sorry. He was certainly the worse for liquor, but had been in bad health of late, and very little liquor affected him.

Fined 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs, or in default seven days` hard labour.

Folkestone Express 24-11-1906

Wednesday, November 21^st: Before W.G. Herbert Esq., Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, and T. Ames Esq.

Thomas E. Powell, landlord of the Black Bull Hotel, was summoned for a breach of the Licensing Act. Mr. De Wet, instructed by the Licensed Victuallers` Association, appeared on behalf of the defendant, and pleaded Not Guilty.

George Kirby, landlord of the Royal George, was also summoned for being found on licensed premises – the Black Bull Hotel – during prohibited hours.

The Chief Constable said he was willing to take both cases together, but he understood Mr. De Wet objected.

Mr. De Wet objected to the summons, but the Magistrates overruled the objection.

Inspector Swift said about a quarter past eleven on the night of the 12^th inst., accompanied by P.C. Cox, he was in Canterbury Road, opposite the Black Bull Hotel. He saw outside the public house a fly, in charge of Mr. Challis. Challis looked towards them, and then went into the porch which leads into the bar. He returned immediately with a man named George Brien, a butcher, of Black Bull Road. A few minutes later, Mr. Kirby, of the Royal George, followed. They stood talking some few seconds. Then Mr. Kirby came to where witness was standing. He reeled round and made some remark about the weather. Witness saw he was drunk. He returned to the house and went in. Witness, accompanied by Cox, went to the house. As they were going Challis entered the porch. He came out immediately. On witness arriving at the door he saw a man named Richard Hart, of Black Bull Road, in the porch. Witness went into the bar, and there saw Mr. Kirby with the barman, who was under the influence of drink. Mr. Kirby was leaning on the counter, drinking from a glass containing ale. Witness said to the barman, William Anderson, “What`s the meaning of this?” He replied “I have just come up from the music hall with a friend. You haven`t seen any money passed, have you?” On witness turning to the clock in the bar, which was pointing to twenty minutes past eleven, Mr. Kirby said “It is now twenty past eleven”. Anderson said “Yes, twenty past”. Witness asked for the landlord, and Anderson said he was in bed, and witness could not see him that night. Witness said he should make a report against him in respect to that matter, and also against Mr, Kirby. Mr. Kirby said he was a licensed victualler, and knew as much of the law as witness. Witness asked the barman for his name and he said “William Sandy”. Witness had since found it to be Anderson. Witness then left the bar, and Anderson and Kirby followed him out. Kirby said he hoped he was satisfied with his explanation and there would be no report, and pressed him to go and look at the Blue Book. Witness said he should report them. Kirby became abusive and requested witness to take all their names. Kirby subsequently drove away.

Examined by the Chief Constable, witness said he was quite sure about the time. It was between half past eleven and five and twenty minutes to twelve when Kirby drove away.

Cross-examined: He did not see the fly drive up. It was 11.15 approximately. Mr. Kirby did not say he was a guest of the landlord. He did not know “Sandy” was the nickname of Anderson.

P.C. Cox said on the night in question he met Inspector Swift at the bottom of Marshall Street. It was exactly a quarter past eleven. It was about one hundred yards from the Black Bull. The remainedr of the constable`s evidence was corroborative of Inspector Swift`s evidence.

This concluded the case for the prosecution.

Thomas Edward Powell said he was the licence holder of the Black Bull Hotel. Sometimes he slept at the hotel and sometimes in London. Anderson was witness`s son-in-law and manager of the hotel. He knew Mr. Kirby; he was a friend of his.

George Kirby said he was the licence holder of the Royal George. On the 12^th November, about eleven o`clock, he was at the Royal George with Mr. Anderson. Anderson asked him to come to the Black Bull to have supper. They called a cab, and were driven up there by Mr. Challis. When they got there the door was shut. They saw Mrs. Anderson, who opened the door, and a barman. Mrs. Anderson asked him to stay to supper. Witness went out to the cabman to tell him to stay a few minutes. He then went over to the policemen to show them who was there. When he went back he did not have any drink. When the Inspector came in he asked the meaning of it and said he should have to report it. He asked witness what he was doing there, and he (witness) said he was the guest of the landlord. Witness went out and asked for the constable`s number. The Inspector subsequently gave it to witness. The police then went away. Witness was a friend of Mr. Powell.

Cross-examined: He was perfectly sober. He agreed with the evidence of the police as to going in, and coming out of the house for the constable`s number. He did not have a glass of anything while the constables were there. He had a drink when the police were gone. There were some glasses on the counter.

Mark Challis, a fly proprietor, said he drove Mr. Kirby and Mr. Anderson on the 12^th November from the Royal George to the Black Bull Hotel. Mr. Kirby was in there about twenty minutes. Witness did not go inside the Black Bull.

Mr. Anderson said he was son-in-law of the Black Bull Hotel and manager of the house. On the night in question, at a few minutes before eleven, he was in the Royal George. He invited Kirby to supper. When they arrived at the Black Bull the door was closed, and they rang the bell. Mrs. Anderson opened the door. When they got inside there was no-one in there except Mrs. Anderson and the barman. He did not see any drink served. He did not see Kirby drink any beer that had been left by anyone else. There was no drink consumed or sold on the premises after eleven o`clock.

Cross-examined: He and Mr. Kirby had been to a licensed victuallers` meeting at Hythe. They drove from Hythe to the Royal George.

Mr. De Wet then addressed the Bench. He said, to convict, the Magistrates must be satisfied that the premises were kept open so that people could get inside for the purpose of obtaining intoxicating liquors.

The Chairman, after a consultation with the other Magistrates, said they fully believed the evidence of the police, but at the same time they were of opinion there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. Therefore they were bound to give defendant the benefit of the doubt.

The Chief Constable thereupon withdrew the summons against Mr. Kirby.

Mr. De Wet asked that the summons should be dismissed.

The Magistrates said the summons was withdrawn.

Folkestone Herald 24-11-1906

Wednesday, November 21^st: Before Alderman W.G. Herbert, Mr. T. Ames, and Councillor R.J. Fynmore.

Thomas E. Powell, landlord of the Black Bull Hotel, was summoned for keeping his house open during prohibited hours. Mr. De Wet, at the instance of the Licensed Victuallers` Association, represented defendant, and pleaded Not Guilty.

Inspector Swift said that at 11.15 on the 12^th inst., accompanied by P.C. Cox, he was in Canterbury Road, opposite the Black Bull. Outside the public house he saw a horse and fly, in the charge of Mr. Challis. Challis looked towards them, and then went into the porch which led into the bar, returning immediately with a man named George Bryan, a butcher, of Black Bull Road. In four or five seconds Mr. Kirby (of the Royal George, Beach Street) came out. The three stood talking together for some seconds, when Kirby came over to where he (witness) was standing, reeled round, and made some remark about the weather. He saw that Kirby was drunk. Kirby returned to the house and re-entered. He accompanied P.C. Cox to the house, and on going towards it Challis entered the porch again and came out immediately. On arriving at the door he (witness) saw a man named Hart step into the porch from the public house door. He (witness) went into the bar, and there saw Mr. Kirby with the barman, who was drunk. Kirby was leaning on the counter drinking from a glass containing ale. He (witness) said to the barman (Mr. Anderson) “What is the meaning of this?” He replied “I have just come up from the Music Hall with a friend. You have not seen any money pass, have you?” On pointing to the clock in the bar, Kirby said “It is now twenty minutes past eleven”. Anderson said “Yes, twenty past”. He (witness) said “Where is the landlord?” Anderson said “He is in bed. You cannot see him tonight”. He (witness) said “I shall lay a report against him in respect to this matter, and also against you, Mr. Kirby”. Kirby said “I am a licensed victualler, and I know as much of the law as you do”. He asked the barman for his correct name, and he said “William Sandy”. He had since ascertained that the name given was a false one, and that the barman`s name was Anderson. He (witness) left the bar, and Anderson and Kirby followed him out. Anderson said “I hope you are satisfied with my explanation, and there will be no report”, and pressed him to do back indoors and look at the blue book. He said he should report things as he had found them. Kirby then became abusive, and catching hold of his arm, said “I demand you to come back and take all”. On witness threatening to lock him up, Kirby desisted.

Examined by the Chief Constable, Inspector Swift said it was in the public bar that he saw Kirby. Kirby went away in the fly between half past eleven and twenty five minutes to twelve.

Mr. De Wet: Was it not the private bar where Mr. Kirby was? – No, the public bar. There are no private bars in public houses.

Mr. De Wet: Don`t quibble with words, Inspector. Are there not public house doors marked “Private” and “Bottle and Jug Department”? – Yes, that is a notion of the trade.

Mr. De Wet: Was this bar marked “Private”? – No, I think it was marked “Saloon Bar”.

Further cross-examined: Kirby asked the constable for his number. He did not know that Anderson`s nickname was Sandy.

P.C. Cox gave corroborative evidence.

Defendant deposed that he was landlord of the Black Bull Hotel. Anderson, his son-in-law, was manager of the hotel, and was in complete control.

Mr. Kirby stated that at 11 o`clock on the night of the 12^th November, he drove from the Royal George, Beach street, to the Black Bull, with Mr. Anderson, who had invited him home to supper. They arrived at the Black Bull about 11.10, and Anderson rang the bell. The door was opened by Mrs. Anderson, and inside the hotel he also saw the barman. He went out to tell the cabman to wait a minute, and seeing the policemen on the other side of the road, he went across and made a remark about the weather, thinking they would then see who it was in the hotel. He went inside again, and soon Inspector Swift entered, and said he should report the matter. He had no drink in the house while the Inspector was there.

Cross-examined by the Chief Constable, witness said he was perfectly sober. He had some drink after the Inspector left the premises. He would solemnly swear that when the Inspector went in he had not a glass of drink in his hand at all.

Mr. Challis deposed to driving Kirby and Anderson to the Black Bull.

Mr. Anderson also gave evidence, repeating the statement as to Kirby having no drink while the Inspector was there.

The Chief Constable: Do you think Inspector Swift and P.C. Cox have gone into the box and sworn what they know to be flase? – Yes.

That is your candid opinion? – Yes.

Mr. De Wet contended that no offence had been committed, Mr. Kirby being in the house as the guest of the manager.

The Bench having deliberated for a minute or two, Alderman Herbert said they fully believed the evidence of the police, but they felt that there was not sufficient evidence to secure a conviction. Therefore they would give defendant the benefit of the doubt, and dismiss the case.

A summons had been issued against George Kirby for being found on licensed premises during prohibited hours, but this the Chief Inspector wished to withdraw.

Mr. De Wet asked that the latter summons should also be dismissed, but the Bench refused his application, and allowed the Chief Inspector to withdraw it.

Folkestone Daily News 8-4-1908

Wednesday, April 8^th: Before Messrs. Ward, Fynmore, Wood, and Leggett.

George Robert Clark was summoned for being drunk on licensed premises. He pleaded Not Guilty.

P.C. Sales said he saw the defendant in Beach Street, very drunk. He went into the Wellington, and also into the Royal George. Witness followed him, and told him he should report him for being drunk on licensed premises.

P.C. Styles corroborated.

Defendant said he never went into the Wellington, nor into the Princess Royal, and when he went into the Royal George they served him.

He was fined 5s. and 10s. costs, or seven days`.

Folkestone Herald 11-4-1908

Wednesday, May 8^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Councillor R.G. Wood, and Mr. R.J. Linton.

George Robert Clark was summoned for being drunk on licensed premises. He pleaded Not Guilty.

P.C. Sales deposed that shortly after 10 o`clock on the night of the 26^th March he saw defendant drunk in Beach Street. He saw him go into the Wellington beerhouse, but immediately afterwards he came out without being served. Witness cautioned him about being drunk on licensed premises. At 10.20 he saw him go into the Royal George public house, and witness, in company with P.C. Prebble, went into the house and told the barmaid not to serve him, and she did not. Witness asked him to leave the premises. At first he refused to go, but afterwards he left.

P.C. Styles stated that at 8 p.m. on the 26^th March he saw defendant, with another man, go into the Princess Royal. Clark was drunk. Witness went in and told the barmaid not to serve him. He came out, and went towards the harbour.

A fine of 5s. and 10s. costs was imposed, or 7 days` hard labour.