Wonder Tavern 1905 - 1909

Folkestone Daily News 25-1-1905

Wednesday, January 25^th:

An application for the transfer of the licence of the Wonder Tavern was made, and granted.

Folkestone Express 28-1-1905

Wednesday, January 25^th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, C.J. Pursey, W.C. Carpenter, and W.G. Herbert Esqs.

The following licence was transferred: The Wonder Tavern, from John Matthew to Frederick Stickell.

Folkestone Herald 28-1-1905

Wednesday, January 25^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Alderman W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, Councillor R.J. Fynmore, Mr. W.C. Carpenter and Mr. C.J. Pursey.

The licence of the Wonder Tavern was transferred to Mr. F. Stickells from Mr. Jas. Matthews.

Folkestone Express 28-7-1906

Wednesday, July 25^th: Before W.G. Herbert, R.J. Linton, and G.I. Swoffer Esqs.

The licence of the Wonder Tavern, Beach Street, was temporarily transferred to Mrs. Pinchers.

Note: No record of this in More Bastions.

 

Folkestone Express 29-9-1906

Wednesday, September 26^th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Alderman Spurgen and Vaughan, and W.C. Carpenter Esq.

The licence of the Wonder Tavern was temporarily transferred from Frederick Stickall to Thomas Cowan (sic).

Folkestone Herald 29-9-1906

Wednesday, September 26^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Aldermen G. Spurgen and T.J. Vaughan, and Councillor W.C. Carpenter.

The licence of the Wonder Tavern was temporarily transferred from Mr. Thomas Stickells to Mr. W.C. Cohen.

Folkestone Express 13-10-1906

Wednesday, October 10^th: Before Alderman Banks, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Major Leggett, E.T. Ward, C.J. Pursey, J. Stainer, W.G. Herbert, G.I. Swoffer and R.J. Linton Esqs.

The licence of the Wonder Tavern was transferred from Frederick Stickell to Samuel Thomas Cowan.

Folkestone Daily News 1-6-1907

Saturday, June 1^st: Before The Mayor, Messrs. Stainer, Herbert, Swoffer, Boyd, Leggett, and Ames.

Henry Ratcliffe was charged with being drunk and disorderly yesterday.

P.C. Nash said he saw the prisoner being thrown out of the Wonder public house. Witness advised him to go home, but he became so violent he had to get assistance to get him to the police station.

Prisoner made a long, rambling statement about his wife and little children.

He was sentenced to one month`s hard labour.

Folkestone Express 8-6-1907

Saturday, June 1^st: Before The Mayor, Major Leggatt, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, G.I. Swoffer, W.G. Herbert, and G.I. Boyd Esqs.

Harry Ratcliffe was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Beach Street. He pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Nash said the previous evening, about seven o`clock, he was at the bottom of Seagate Street, where he saw prisoner thrown out of the Wonder public house. He was drunk, and witness advised him to go home. Prisoner went along to the Fish Market, and wanted to fight everyone and used bad language. He went into a public house, and when witness brought him out he became very violent. With the assistance of P.C. Eldridge and Sharp and a fisherman, witness took him to the police station.

The Chief Constable said prisoner had been there seven times before, and on April 2^nd he was sent to prison without the option of a fine.

Prisoner was sentenced to one month`s imprisonment with hard labour.

Folkestone Herald 8-6-1907

Saturday, June 1^st: Before The Mayor, Councillor G. Boyd, Major Leggett, Messrs. W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, and T. Ames.

Henry Ratcliffe was charged with being drunk and disorderly. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Nash deposed that the previous evening he was in Beach Street, where he saw the prisoner thrown out of the Wonder public house. Witness advised him to go home. He went down the Fish Market and offered to fight anyone. Witness then brought him to the police station.  He had to be carried, as he became so violent.

The Chief Constable stated that accused had been there before.

The Bench sentenced prisoner to one month`s hard labour.

Folkestone Daily News 28-3-1908

Saturday, March 28^th: Before The Mayor, Messrs. Banks, Stainer, Swoffer, Linton, and Boyd.

William Tombs was charged with being drunk and disorderly.

Detective Burniston said he saw the defendant in the Marquis of Lorne and afterwards in the street. He also saw him in the Wonder Tavern. On entering with P.C. Prebble he saw him seated with four other persons, and there were five glasses on the counter containing liquor. Witness told the landlord, who was attending to his customers, and then brought the accused to the police station and charged him.

A fine of 7s., or 7 days` was imposed.

Folkestone Express 4-4-1908

Saturday, March 28^th: Before The Mayor, Alderman Banks, J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd Esq.

William Toms, who has a wooden leg, was charged with being drunk on licensed premises the previous night. He pleaded Guilty.

Detective Sergeant Burniston said the previous night, just after ten, he saw the prisoner in the kitchen of the Marquis of Lorne lodging house, very drunk. A few minutes after he saw him outside the house, supporting himself by the wall. He missed the defendant shortly after, and, after going round to several licensed houses he looked through the glass door of the Wonder Tavern, where he saw the prisoner standing in the public bar with a glass of liquor in his hand. He therefore called P.C. Prebble, and they both went into the bar, and the landlord was at the time serving customers. He asked Toms to stand up, and on his doing so witness told him he was drunk. He also called the landlord`s attention to him. He took the prisoner into custody, and Prebble and himself had great difficulty in getting him to the police station owing to him being so intoxicated. Toms had to be held up while being searched. In his condition it was impossible for the prisoner to stand alone.

Prisoner had nothing to say, and he was fined 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days` hard labour in default, the Mayor commenting on the fact that only about ten days ago Toms had taken the pledge.

 

Folkestone Herald 4-4-1908

Saturday, March 28^th: Before The Mayor, Alderman J. Banks, Councillor G. Boyd, Messrs. G.I. Swoffer, J. Stainer, and R.J. Linton.

William Toms, a one legged man, was charged with being drunk and incapable on licensed premises. Prisoner pleaded Guilty.

Detective Sergeant Burniston said that at a quarter past ten on the previous night he saw the prisoner in the kitchen of the Radnor Park (sic) lodging house in Radnor Street. He was very drunk. Witness saw him later in Radnor Street. He was supporting himself against the wall of the premises. He walked through Radnor Street and through Beach Street, and shortly after missed the defendant. He looked rouns several of the licensed houses, and at 10.40 he looked through the glass panel of the Wonder beerhouse, where he saw the prisoner leaning on the counter with a glass of beer in his hand and drinking from it. The landlord`s name was Samuel Born (sic). Witness called P.C. Prebble, who was standing a few yards away, and went into the public bar. Prisoner was then sitting. There were four other persons in the bar, and on the counter there were five glasses, each containing liquor. The landlord was behind the bar attending to his customers. Witness told defendant to stand up, which he did; he found he was drunk and not capable of taking care of himself. With the assistance of P.C. Prebble witness took him to the police station. Prisoner was so intoxicated that P.C. Prebble and he had much trouble in taking him to the police station, and while being searched he had to be held up. Witness also saw him at midday the previous day in Radnor Street, when he was drunk, but not incapable.

The Mayor: The prisoner said something when he came in about being a cripple.

Witness: Yes, he has only one leg, he walks with a stick, but it was impossible for him to stand last night.

A fine of 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs, or 7 days`, was imposed.

Folkestone Daily News 8-4-1908

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

Samuel Thomas Coen, landlord of the Wonder Tavern, was summoned for selling beer to an intoxicated person. Mr. Mercer appeared for defendant, and pleaded Not Guilty.

Detective Burniston deposed: The defendant is the landlord of the Wonder Tavern. On the 27^th of March, I visited the Marquis of Lorne, a lodging house in Radnor Street. Standing in the doorway of the passage, I met a man named Toms, who was very drunk and supporting himself by the doorway. I left the lodging house and went to the Radnor opposite, and returned later, when I again saw the man Toms. I then went into Beach Street, and from there to Dover Street, and returned ten minutes later, when I found that Toms had moved. At 10.40 I looked through the public bar window of the Wonder beerhouse and saw Toms, who had a wooden leg, facing the door, supporting himself by the counter. He was drinking from a half pint glass. I called P.C. Prebble, who accompanied me into the public bar, and found Toms seated. Four others were also present. The defendant was behind the bar. On the counter stood five glasses containing liquor. I said to defendant “You have served this man with half a pint of beer. He is drunk”. I told Toms to stand up, which he did, after some difficulty. I then said to defendant “You see this man`s condition? I shall arrest him for being drunk on you licensed premises, and report you for serving him with liquor while being drunk”. He replied “I did serve him, and no doubt he is drunk”.

Mr. Mercer: Was the house quiet? – Yes, very quiet.

Why didn`t you arrest him in the first instance? – Because he was not in a public place.

I contend that he was in a public place if the public use the passage in which he was standing. – The passage is private.

You knew he was drunk? – Yes.

How far is the Wonder from the passage? – About 100 yards away.

The Chief Constable: Where does Toms live? – At the Marquis of Lorne lodging house.

P.C. Prebble deposed: On the 27^th March I was called by the previous witness to accompany him to the Wonder, where I saw the man Toms seated in the bar. On the counter stood five glasses containing liquor. Burniston told Toms to stand up, which he did, and I then saw that he was drunk and incapable. Burniston said to defendant “You see the condition of this man? I shall arrest him for being drunk on your premises, and report you for serving him with beer while drunk”. Defendant said he had not noticed it before.

The defendant then went into the witness box, and, in reply to Mr. Mercer, said: I have held the licence since 1906, and have never had a complaint against me. On the 27^th March the man Toms came in. I had never seen him before. He came into the bar, and was as steady as a man would be with a wooden leg. He seemed perfectly sober, and leaned against the bar. The persons in the bar talked together. About five minutes later one of the persons called for five half pints of beer, but Toms did not touch his. Just then the constables came in, and Burniston told me I had served Toms with half a pint of beer. I admitted it. He then said the man was drunk, and I said he did not appear to be drunk to me. Toms then went to the door to go out, and Burniston drew him in again and told him not to go away as he was going to arrest him for being drunk. Toms said “Let me go home; I`m not drunk”. A constable then took Toms into custody. I was at the court the following morning, but was not called to give evidence.

The Chief Constable: Do I understand that you still think the man Toms was sober? – Yes, certainly.

And you didn`t admit to Burniston that Toms was drunk? – No, certainly not.

Mr. Mercer said the conduct of the police on this occasion was extremely questionable. He dealt with the facts in detail, and said although he was legally liable, he was morally innocent, because it was a very difficult thing to tell whether some people were drunk or not. The evidence of Burniston and Prebble did not coincide, and the position of the defendant was placed in danger by the action of the police. He asked the Bench to consider all those facts, and inflict as small a penalty as possible; in fact, they had the power to impose costs only, which he hoped they would do.

The Bench retired, and on their return the Chairman said they were satisfied defendant did not know Toms was drunk, and therefore he would be fined £1 and 11s. costs only.

Folkestone Express 11-4-1908

Wednesday, April 8^th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, R.J. Linton and R.G. Wood Esqs.

Samuel Thomas Coen, the landlord of the Wonder Tavern, was summoned for selling beer to a drunken person. Mr. R.M. Mercer, of Canterbury, appeared for defendant, who pleaded Not Guilty.

Detective Sergeant Burniston said at a quarter past ten p.m. on March 27^th he visited the Marquis of Lorne lodging house. In the kitchen of the lodging house he saw a man named William Toms, who was very drunk, supporting himself against the door. Toms had a wooden leg. Witness left the lodging house and went to the Radnor lodging house. About five minutes later he saw Toms in a passage in Radnor Street, leaning against the wall. He went into Beach Street, and then into Dover Street. He returned ten minutes later, and noticed Toms had moved. He looked round several of the licensed houses, and at 10.40 he looked through the public bar window of the Wonder beerhouse, where he saw the man Toms standing with his face to the door, supporting himself by the counter. He was drinking from a half pint glass, which contained liquor. He called to P.C. Prebble, who was standing some fifteen yards away, and they entered the bar. Toms was then seated. The defendant was behind the bar. On the bar counter there were five glasses containing liquor, and he said to Coen “You have served this man (Toms) with half a pint of beer. He is drunk”. He told Toms to stand up, which he did. He then drew the defendant`s attention to the man`s condition, and told him that he was going to arrest Toms for being drunk on licensed premises, and report him (the landlord) for supplying him while drunk. He replied “I did serve him, and no doubt he is drunk”.

Cross-examined, witness said the house was a quiet one. The house had been well conducted since Coen had been the landlord. The reason he did not arrest Toms before he went into the public house was because he did not see him in a public place.

In reply to the Chief Constable, Burniston said Toms lived at the Marquis of Lorne lodging house.

P.C. Prebble corroborated Detective Sergeant Burniston with regard to the visit they paid to the public bar of the Wonder.

Defendant went into the box and gave evidence. He said he had held the licence since September, 1906. He had had no sort of complaint against him before. On Friday, March 27^th, a man with a wooden leg came into the bar, and he came across the bar in a steady manner. Witness served him with half a pint of beer and porter, and the man asked for it in a perfectly rational manner. The man did not lean against the bar until after he had had the glass of beer, which cost a penny. Toms entered into conversation with four other customers, and continued to do so for five minutes. One of the customers asked for five half pints and he served them, and Toms was to have had one. As soon as witness had finished drawing the beer, Burniston came in and said “You have served this man with half a pint of beer and he is drunk”. Witness told Burniston that he had served the man, but he did not notice he was drunk. When Burniston asked the man to get up, he got up as a man with a wooden leg would do. When he was on his legs witness told the police officer that he did not appear to him (the landlord) to be drunk. The man walked to the door, and Burniston called out to him “Don`t go away yet; I will charge you with being drunk”. Burniston handed the man back again, and then called another police officer and told him to lock him up. The man went out of the house by himself. He attended the Court next morning, when the man was brought up before the Magistrates and fined. He was not called by the police to give evidence on that occasion. He did not know Toms at the time and had not seen him before. He had not seen the man since, or he would have brought him to give evidence that morning.

Cross-examined by the Chief Constable, witness said his opinion still was that the man was sober, although he heard the man`s admission that he was drunk when brought up at the police court.

Mr. Mercer, in addressing the Magistrates, said the conduct of the police officer in that case was questionable. When seen by Burniston in a passage close to the lodging house, the man was drunk and was allowed to go away and be a danger to the publican. He contended that the passage was a public place, and the man should have been locked up. He complained with bitterness, on behalf of his client, that he should have been placed in that dangerous position by the action of the police officer in allowing the man to go about.

The Magistrates retired, and on their return into Court, the Chairman said they had been considering the question simply as to the penalty they should inflict. They were unanimously of the opinion that defendant did not know when the man went in that he was drunk. He would, however, be fined £1 and 11s. costs.

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.

Samuel Thomas Loen (sic) was summoned for selling beer to a drunken person. Mr. R.M. Mercer appeared for the defendant, who pleaded Not Guilty.

D.S. Burniston deposed to having under observation, on March 27^th, a man named Wm. Toms, who was very drunk and supporting himself against a door. Toms had only one leg. Witness subsequently noticed that Toms had moved from where he had seen him. He went round to several of the licensed houses, and at 10.40 p.m. he looked through the public bar window of the Wonder Tavern beerhouse, where he saw the man Toms standing with his face to the door, supporting himself against the counter. He was drinking from a half pint glass containing liquor. Witness called to P.C. Prebble, who was standing near the house, and they entered the public bar, where they saw that Toms was seated. There were two men and two women in the bar, all seated. Defendant was behind the bar attending to his customers. On the bar counter were five glasses, each containing liquor, four beer and one porter. Witness said to the defendant “You have served this man with half a pint of beer. He is drunk”. Witness told Toms to stand up, which he did after some difficulty. Witness said to the defendant “You see this man`s condition? I shall arrest him for being drunk and incapable of taking care of himself on your licensed premises, and report you for supplying him with liquor while drunk”. He replied “I did serve him, and no doubt he is drunk”.

Cross-examined by Mr. Mercer, witness said he did not arrest Toms when he saw him drunk at the Marquis of Lorne lodging house previously. He did not arrest him because it was not a public place.

Re-examined by the Chief Constable, witness said Toms lived at the lodging house.

P.C. Prebble corroborated.

Defendant, being sworn, stated that he had held the licence since September, 1905. He had had no sort of complaint before. On Friday, March 27^th, he was in the bar when Toms came in. Witness had never seen him before. He came across the floor as steadily as a man could with one leg. He asked witness for half a pint of beer and porter in a very plain manner. Witness was very careful about seeing that his customers were sober. He leaned against the bar after he had his glass, and witness joined in conversation with him. That conversation did not last more than five minutes. Toms did not appear to be drunk, and there was no sign of quarrelling. After that one of the customers called for five half pints, but Toms did not drink any of it. Whilst witness was drawing the half pints the talk was going on just the same. The police officer came in and said that witness had served Toms with beer, and he said that he had. Witness told him that he was not drunk. Burniston told Toms to stand up, and he got up in the same manner as a man with a wooden leg would. Burniston said “You see him now”, and witness said “He does not appear drunk to me”. The man with the wooden leg went to the door and opened it, and went just outside. Burniston said “Don`t you go away yet; I will charge you with being drunk”. He then brought the man in, went to the door, called a policeman, and said “Lock this man up”. The man with the wooden leg said “Let me go home. I can walk; I am not drunk”. The man went out by himself, and witness did not see the constable handle him. Witness was in Court when Toms was tried, and was ready to give evidence, but he was not called upon. Toms was in his house for about ten or fifteen minutes. He did not know Toms.

Cross-examined by the Chief Constable, witness said he was still of opinion that the man was sober.

Mr. Mercer, addressing the Bench, ventured to say that the evidence of the police was very questionable. It was always admitted by the Bench that it was very hard for a publican to tell when one of his customers was drunk. He considered it was a great hardship on the publicans, for if they prosecuted, the man whom they prosecuted was only fined a few shillings; on the other hand, if the police prosecuted, the publican was fined a large amount.

The Bench decided to fine defendant £1 and 11s. costs.

 

Folkestone Express 6-6-1908

Wednesday, June 3^rd: Before Alderman Vaughan, Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Major Leggett, and G. Boyd Esq.

John Collins was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Beach Street the previous evening. He admitted the offence.

P.C. H. Johnson said at 10.20 the previous evening he was called to the Wonder public house, where he saw the prisoner, who was drunk, in the public bar. He was holding an altercation with another man. He left at witness`s request. When outside he commenced to use filthy language and laid down on the pavement. He, therefore, took him into custody. The prisoner had not been served in the public house.

Collins said he could assure them he did not use bad language.

The Chief Constable said the prisoner was there five years ago on a similar charge.

Fined 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs, but in default of payment he went down for seven days` hard labour.

Folkestone Express 6-2-1909

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 3^rd: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Major Leggett, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Messrs. J. Stainer, W.C. Carpenter, W.G. Herbert, C. Jenner, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd.

The granting of the licences to the Wonder Tavern and the Eagle Inn were referred to the adjourned licensing sessions to be held on March 3^rd.

Folkestone Herald 6-2-1909

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 3^rd: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Colonel Hamilton, Major Leggett, Councillor C. Jenner, Messrs. J. Stainer, W.C. Carpenter, W.G. Herbert, G. Boyd, R.J. Linton, and R.J. Fynmore. Messrs. Boyd, Stainer and Jenner did not adjudicate.

The Chief Constable read his report (see Folkestone Express for details).

The applicants for the renewal of old licences then came forward, and received their certificates. All were granted with the exception of the Wonder Tavern, Beach Street, held by Mr. Coln (sic), and the Eagle Inn, High Street, held by Mr. W.H. White. Both there were referred to the Adjourned Licensing Sessions, which will take place on Wednesday, March 3^rd. In the case of the Eagle Inn the licence was refused last year by the Committee, and the presentation in referring to the adjourned sessions is simply to enable the amount of compensation to be fixed.

Folkestone Express 13-2-1909

Wednesday, February 10^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

William Spearpoint was summoned for a breach of the bye-laws by throwing and breaking a glass bottle in the street. Defendant did not appear until after the case had been dealt with.

P.S. Smith said that at about 11.45 on Saturday night he was in Beach Street, when he saw the defendant leaning against the Wonder Tavern with an empty lemonade bottle in his hand. Believing that he was about to smash it in the road, witness told him that it was an offence to do so. Defendant said it had got to go somewhere, and then threw the bottle into the middle of the road.

Fined 5s. and 10s. costs, or seven days`.

Folkestone Express 6-3-1909

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, March 3^rd: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, and Messrs. J. Stainer, W.G. Herbert, and R.J. Linton.

With regard to the renewal of the licence of the Wonder Tavern (Mr. Cohen, holder), the Chief Constable said the application was adjourned from the annual licensing sessions in consequence of the licence holder having been convicted during the past year for an offence under the Licensing Act. He had no other fault to find with the way in which the house had been conducted, and he offered no objection to its renewal. There had been no complaint since.

The Chairman, in granting the licence, said he hoped Mr. Cohen would take warning, and that the house would be properly conducted in future.

Folkestone Herald 6-3-1909

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, March 3^rd: Before Messrs. E.T. Ward, W.G. Herbert, R.J. Linton, and J. Stainer.

The Wonder Tavern

The Chief Constable stated that the landlord of the Wonder Tavern had been convicted of an offence under the Licensing Act. He (the Chief Constable) hoped that the Magistrates would deal kindly with him. He saw no objection to the renewal.

The Chairman: Has the house been properly conducted since?

The Chief Constable: I have had no complaint at all since.

The Chairman, in granting the renewal of the licence, remarked that as Mr. Coln (sic) had been convicted, he hoped it would be a warning to him, and that his house would be properly conducted in the future.

Folkestone Express 18-9-1909

Local News

At the police court on Wednesday, the licence of the Wonder Tavern was temporarily transferred to Robert Fitall.

Folkestone Daily News 6-10-1909

Wednesday, October 6^th: Before Messrs. Herbert, Stainer, and Linton.

The licence of the Wonder public house was transferred.

 

Folkestone Express 9-10-1909

Wednesday, October 6^th: Before Mr. W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, and Messrs. J. Stainer and R.J. Linton.

The following licence was transferred: Wonder Tavern, from Samuel Cohen (sic) to Robert Pithall (sic)

Folkestone Herald 9-10-1909

Wednesday, October 6^th: Before Mr. W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Messrs. R.J. Linton and J. Stainer.

An application was made for the transfer of the licence of the Wonder Tavern from Mr. Samuel Cohen to Mr. Robert Whitall, this being granted.

Folkestone Daily News 14-10-1909

Thursday, October 14^th: Before Alderman Herbert and Mr. Stainer.

Frances Collins, a lady attired in a motor hat and fashionable costume, with a countenance on which determination was strongly marked, was charged with being drunk and disorderly on Wednesday evening.

She pleaded Not Guilty to the charge, and then P.C. Craddock was called upon to give the facts.

P.C. Craddock is a new hand, and this was his first prosecution. It was somewhat piteous to see his state of nervousness and trepidation. His manly face was diffused with blushes as he displayed a pair of white gloves, no doubt emblematical of his maiden charge. The Bench looked stern, and Inspector Swift, in tones worthy of the most military martinet, exclaimed “Take your gloves off, sir!” Craddock, in his nervousness, took his left-hand glove off, and took the Testament in the left hand. Inspector Swift betrayed signs of apoplexy. Only fancy, dear reader, the dignity of the Court being impaired by a new constable taking the Book in his left hand! “Take the Book in the right hand!” sternly ejaculated Inspector Swift, which Craddock, after recovering from his nervousness, did. He then bowled forth in a loud voice that he was called to the Wonder Tavern, where Frances Collins was drunk and using bad language. He ejected her, and then, as she would not go away, he, with the assistance of another constable, brought her to the police station and charged her.

Craddock had recovered from his nervousness, and the blushes on his countenance were transformed into a proud bearing. He looked at the reporters, at the stern Inspector, and at the Justice with pride, as much as to say “This is my first case, your wurshops, but it will not be my last”.

Frances, having pleaded Guilty, was asked if she had anything to say why sentence should not be passed upon her. She cordially agreed with everything that Craddock had said, with the exception of using bad language, which she assured their Worships she was not in the habit of doing. It was not her custom.

Alderman Herbert, in hurried tones, told Frances she would have to contribute to the revenue the sum of 5s. for being drunk and disorderly, and 9s. 6d. costs, or go to Canterbury gaol for 14 days.

Lord Chancellor Andrew, who seems to be chief of the costs department at the Hall of Justice, threw a significant glance at Alderman Herbert, and that gentleman, in an apologetic tone, told Frances that the costs would be 4s. 6d., and not 9s. 6d.

It did not seem to be of great importance to Frances, as she pointed out that she had no money, and hence Craddock will have to escort her to H.M. Royal Hotel at Canterbury, where she will enjoy H.M.`s hospitality at the public expense for 14 days.

Only think, dear ratepayers, what a serious calamity it would have been if Craddock had not been on the alert, and that Frances, having indulged in her little conviviality at the Wonder, had been permitted to retire to her hotel, and sleep off the effects of the same, leaving the town without us poor ratepayers having to contribute towards a fortnight`s maintenance. Alderman Herbert might have gone out riding this morning; Mr. Justice Stainer might have attended to his duties; Mr. Bradley could have sat in his office in Sandgate Road and studied his clients` interests; Lord Chancellor John Andrew might have sat behind his little trap door, comparing the number of births, deaths, headstones, and burials during the last session; Inspector Swift might have adorned the thoroughfares with that dignity so deterrent to evil-doers that it has been known to make the inebriate walk steady; and Craddock and Johnson might have spent an hour in the police billiard room, and no-one would have been any the worse; in fact, the ratepayers would have been better off.