Princess Royal 1870s/1880s

Folkestone Express 24-12-1870

Wednesday, December 21^st: Before W. Bateman and J. Tolputt Esqs.

The Princess Royal Inn

Mr. Raynor Holmes applied for a temporary authority to sell excisable liquors at this house, which he had taken of Mrs. MacDonald. The application was granted.

Folkestone Chronicle 4-2-1871

Tuesday, January 31^st: Before The Mayor, R.W. Boarer, J. Kelcey, J. Clarke and J. Gambrill Esqs.

George Walford, a well-clad youth, was brought up in custody charged with feloniously breaking and entering a dwelling house, No. 7, Longford Terrace, and stealing therefrom three £5 notes.

Mrs. Sarah Ann Castle, lodging house keeper, living at No. 7, Longford Terrace, said: A gentleman named Colvin is lodging at my house, and has been there since the 12^th of October. The prisoner has been in the house as footman to Mr. Colvin. He left on the 10^th of January. Since he left I have lost £15 from my cash box. I missed it about ten o`clock on Tuesday night. The money was in a cash box, which was kept in a cabinet in the housekeeper`s room. I was going to take it upstairs, when the lid came up and I found the lock had been forced, and the tray removed from the way in which I had left it. Three £5 notes were gone. One was a Bank Of England note, and another on a Manchester bank; the other I do not know. The numbers of two of the notes were 34,117 and 01,026. I put the notes in the cash box myself. When I missed them I gave information to the police.

Mr. Binney James Colvin said that since the 12^th of October last he had been in the house of Mrs. Castle. The prisoner entered his service as footman on the 7^th of October, and he discharged him on the morning of the 26^th of January. On Wednesday last Mrs. Castle received from him, with other money, a bank note, number 41,648. The money was not passed direct to Mrs. Castle, but he gave it to Mrs. Colvin to settle with Mrs. Castle.

Louisa Bennett said: I am a housemaid at Mrs. Castle`s, No. 7, Longford Terrace. On Saturday last I locked up the house about ten minutes past ten. The catch in the middle of the dining room window was broken. The next morning, about half past seven, I examined the house. The breakfast and dining room door was open. I left it shut the night before. The dining room window was open, the bottom sash having been pushed up, and the curtain removed.

Rayner Francis Holmes said: I am a licensed victualler, living at the Princess Royal, Harbour Street. The prisoner came to my house on Saturday night between eleven and twelve o`clock. He stayed about twenty minutes. About half past one on Sunday morning he returned, and after he had been ringing about twenty minutes I let him in. He said he was locked out and asked if I would let him have a bed. I told him I could, and we went upstairs together. He asked me, as we were going upstairs, if I could cash a £5 note for him. I said “Not now. We will talk about that in the morning”. On Sunday morning, about eleven, he ordered some hot water, and shortly after he came and had breakfast. I spoke to him about being so late overnight, and he said he had a situation to go to on Wednesday, and had come down for his character. He afterwards had his dinner and tea, and he then gave me a five pound note which he said he wanted cashed. I looked at the back to see if it had any name. There was the name “Minikin” on it, as far as I could make out. Mrs. Holmes took the note to Madame Pay`s. The note had been cut and joined. Mrs. Holmes returned about nine o`clock and handed me five sovereigns. She gave the gold to me, and I gave it to the prisoner, who had his supper and went to bed, and said he wanted to be called to go with the excursion train in the morning. The policeman called on Monday morning.

Elizabeth Ann Pay, of Pier House, Harbour Street, said Mrs. Holmes came to her house about half past six on the evening of Sunday. She asked her to change a note – a bank note, No. 34,117. It was dated January 15^th, 1869. She afterwards handed it to P.S. Reynolds.

P.S. Reynolds said he went to the Princess Royal public house on Sunday morning, shortly before eight o`clock. He apprehended the prisoner in his bedroom, and charged him with breaking into and entering the house, No. 7, Longford Terrace, and stealing therefrom £15. The prisoner made no reply. On searching him, witness found two £5 notes and five sovereigns in his possession. The notes were in a cigar case in the right hand pocket of his trousers. Both notes were on the Bank Of England, Nos. 01,026 and 41,648. The money was in the other part of the trousers. Prisoner said nothing, and he (witness) took him to the station.

This was the whole of the evidence, and the usual caution having been administered to the prisoner, he preserved silence. The Bench then committed him to take his trial at the approaching Maidstone Assizes, Mrs. Castle being bound over to prosecute, and the witnesses to appear and give evidence.

Note: Holmes appears as Francis Rayner Holmes in More Bastions

Folkestone Express 4-2-1871

Tuesday, January 31^st: Before The Mayor, R.W. Boarer, J. Kelcey, J. Clarke and J. Gambrill Esqs.

George Walword, a respectably dressed young man, was charged with feloniously and burglariously entering No. 7, Longford Terrace on the 27^th ult. The prisoner gave his address as No. 2, Smith`s Court, Great Windmill Street, Haymarket, London.

Mrs. S.A. Castle, lodging house keeper, living at 7, Longford Terrace, said: Mr. Colvin is lodging at my house. He has been there since the 12^th of October. The prisoner lived as footman to Mr. Colvin. He left last Friday week (the 20^th ult.). I have lost £15 since he left from my cash box. I missed it on Sunday night about ten o`clock; both were locked. I took the cash box out to take it upstairs, when I found that the back of the box was broken, and a tray removed from the position I had placed it in. I missed three five pound notes. I know the numbers on one of Bank of England and one of the Manchester Bank. I do not know the other. The numbers of the two notes are 35117 and 01026. Mr. Colvin knows the number of the other one. I received one of the notes from Mrs. Colvin last Wednesday and two from the bank here.

Mr. Binny James Colvin, the gentleman referred to by the prosecutrix, said: The prisoner was in my service as footman. He entered service on the 7^th October; he left me on the morning of the 20^th January. Last Wednesday Mrs. Castle received from me, with other money, a Bank of England note for £5, numbered 41648.

Miss Louisa Barnett, housemaid to Mrs. Castle, said: On Saturday night I fastened all the doors at 10-10 p.m. All the windows were fastened, except the middle dining room window, that was not fastened in consequence of the catch being broken. I examined the house at half past seven o`clock the next morning. The breakfast room and dining room door was open. The dining room window was open and the table removed and the curtains disturbed. The dining room is in the front of the house. The prisoner broke off the catch while cleaning the window over a week before.

Mrs. Colvin said: I paid Mrs. Castle money last Wednesday, and amongst that money was a Bank of England note for £5. The number of that note was 41648.

Mr. R.A. Holmes, a licensed victualler at the Princess Royal, South Street, said: I know the prisoner. Last Saturday night between eleven and twelve he came to my house and had six pennyworth of brandy and water. He went away again and wished me goodnight. He returned about half past one; he rang about twenty minutes, then I got up and let the prisoner in. I asked him how it was he came so late; he said he had got locked out. He did not lodge at my house. He asked me whether he could have a bed. I told him “Yes” and we both went upstairs and I showed him the bedroom. He asked me whether I could cash him a £5 note. I said “Not now. We will see about that tomorrow morning”. On Sunday about eleven o`clock he asked for hot water, and ordered breakfast. He said he had a situation to go to on Wednesday and he came down here for his character. He said he should not go up to the house on Sunday morning. He had his dinner and tea. After tea he gave me a £5 note he wanted cashed. I told him I had not got it in the house, and that Mrs. Holmes was going to see a friend of hers, and most likely she would cash it for me. He gave me the note – can`t say if it was a Bank of England or not – but I looked at the back and saw the name of Minikin on it, as near as I could make out. Mrs. Holmes took the note to Madam Pay`s and she brought me back the change. The note was in two halves; it had been cut and joined together. It was about nine o`clock when she returned. She gave the gold to me, and I gave it to the prisoner. He went to bed and he said he wanted to be called to go to London by the excursion train. A policeman came and apprehended him about a quarter to eight o`clock.

Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Pay said: I live at Pier House in Harbour Street. Mrs. Holmes came to me on Sunday evening and asked me to change a Bank of England note 35117. I gave the note to the policeman on Monday morning.

P.S. Reynolds said: I went to the Princess Royal public house shortly after 8 o`clock. I apprehended him in the bedroom. I charged him with breaking into 7, Longford Terrace and searched him. I found on him two five pound notes and four sovereigns. I cautioned him; he did not make any reply to the charge. The two notes are both of the Bank of England and are numbered 01026 and 41648. I then brought him to the station.

Mrs. L. Holmes, the wife of Mr. Holmes deposed to getting the note changed by Mrs. Pay.

After reading the depositions, the prisoner was formally charged. He made no reply.

He was then committed to take his trial at the next Maidstone Assizes, the witnesses being bound over to prosecute.

Southeastern Gazette 4-2-1871

Local News

A young man named George Walford was charged before the magistrates on Monday with entering No. 7, Longford Terrace, and stealing therefrom three £5 Bank of England notes, the property of Mrs. Castle. It appeared that the prisoner had been in the service of Mr. Binny Colvin, a gentleman lodging at the house, as footman. He was discharged about a fortnight since, and left Folkestone for London. He returned on Saturday and managed to effect an entrance through the parlour window, breaking open a cash box and stealing the three notes therefrom. The whole proceeding showed that the robbery must have been committed by someone well acquainted with the premises, and suspicion at once fell on the prisoner, who was apprehended at the Princess Royal Inn on Monday morning. Two £5 notes were found in his pocket, with five sovereigns. The numbers of the notes were known, and consequently no doubt existed. He was committed for trial to the assizes.  

Folkestone Chronicle 18-3-1871

Kent Spring Assize

The commission of Assize for this County was opened on Monday afternoon by Mr. Justice Hannen, who is associated on the Home Circuit with the Lord Chief Justice.

George Walford, 17, footman, for burglary, and stealing three £5 notes, the property of Mrs. Castle, lodging house keeper, Folkestone, on January 28^th, was sentenced to 12 months` hard labour.

Southeastern Gazette 18-3-1871

Kent Assizes: Thursday

George Walford, 17, footman, to burglary and stealing three five pound Bank of England notes, the property of Sarah Hannah Castle, at Folkestone, on the 28th January last.—One year’s hard labour.

Folkestone Express 19-9-1874

Wednesday, September 16^th: Before The Mayor, J. Tolputt and J. Clark Esqs.

The following received temporary authority to sell intoxicating liquors at the houses named until the transfer day:

Mr. Baker, Princess Royal 

Folkestone Express 19-9-1874

Wednesday, September 16^th: Before The Mayor, J. Tolputt and J. Clark Esqs.

The following received temporary authority to sell intoxicating liquors at the houses named until the transfer day:

Mr. Baker, Princess Royal

Folkestone Express 19-5-1877

County Court

Saturday, May 12^th: Before G. Russell Esq.

George Bartholomew Baker v Rayner Francis Holmes: This was an action brought to recover the sum of £1 0s. 9d. for goods supplied and money lent. Mr. Minter defended.

The plaintiff, a licensed victualler, stated that the claim was made up of 10s. money lent to the defendant, and refreshments, including soda water, whisky, bottled ale and tea, 10s. 9d. The money was lent in May, 1876, and the refreshments were had when the defendant visited the town.

His Honour: Was the refreshment supplied on the premises? – Yes.

His Honour said that doubtless the plaintiff, being a licensed victualler, knew as well as he did that the law would not permit him to recover.

The plaintiff said that the defendant stopped at his house, and he further pointed out that the items of the bill included tea.

In answer to Mr. Minter the plaintiff said that he took the house of which he was the landlord from the defendant, and was at the present time in his debt.

Mr. Minter informed His Honour that the defendant pleaded a set-off. His client was quite willing to pay the plaintiff`s claim, and did not wish to take advantage of the Statute.

His Honour entered judgement for the plaintiff, but suspended execution of order for one month.

Southeastern Gazette 7-10-1878

Local News

Richard Bingham was charged with stealing a sovereign, the property of James Berry, a licensed hawker.

The prosecutor said he was in the Princess Royal public-house on Friday afternoon, and in the course of conversation prisoner offered to bet him that his (prisoner’s) donkey would trot his pony. Witness accepted the bet and put a sovereign on to the counter. Prisoner immediately “whipped” it up and, putting down a halfpenny in its place, said that was all he had produced. As prisoner refused to give the sovereign up witness sent for a policeman and gave him into custody.

The prisoner pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two months’ hard labour.

Southeastern Gazette 7-10-1878

Local News

Richard Bingham was charged with stealing a sovereign, the property of James Berry, a licensed hawker.

The prosecutor said he was in the Princess Royal public-house on Friday afternoon, and in the course of conversation prisoner offered to bet him that his (prisoner’s) donkey would trot his pony. Witness accepted the bet and put a sovereign on to the counter. Prisoner immediately “whipped” it up and, putting down a halfpenny in its place, said that was all he had produced. As prisoner refused to give the sovereign up witness sent for a policeman and gave him into custody.

The prisoner pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two months’ hard labour. 

Folkestone Chronicle 12-10-1878

Saturday, October 5^th: Before The Mayor and J. Clark Esqs.

Richard Bingham was charged with stealing a sovereign, the property of James Berry.

James Berry said he was a licensed hawker, and about three o`clock yesterday afternoon he was in the Princess Royal public house. Prisoner was also there, and he offered to back his donkey against witness`s pony for a sovereign. He pulled out the money, when the prisoner whipped it up and put down a halfpenny, and immediately put his hand behind him. He said “You`ve got my sovereign”, and having sent for a policeman, gave him into custody.

David Hearne said he was in the Princess Royal on the previous afternoon, and saw the prosecutor and the prisoner there. Prisoner said he would back his donkey against the pony for a sovereign. Prosecutor pulled out the money and placed it on the counter. Prisoner took it up immediately and put down a halfpenny instead. Berry asked for the sovereign, and prisoner replied that he did not lay one down, and he didn`t think prosecutor had one.

John Sullivan said when the prisoner took up the money he was about to hand it to one of his companions, but Berry said “No. Give it to me” Prisoner said “Here you are. Here`s your sovereign”. Berry took it and put it on the counter and said “This is not my sovereign. It`s only a halfpenny”.

Walter Polhill gave corroborative evidence.

John Watts said he was barman at the Princess Royal, and saw the prosecutor pull out a sovereign. He told him to put it into his pocket. Prosecutor, however, pulled it out a second time and put it on the counter. Witness then left the bar, and on returning heard prosecutor say that the prisoner had stolen a sovereign from him. The prisoner put a halfpenny on to the counter, and heard him say “That`s what you put down”.

The prisoner pleaded Guilty, and was sentenced to two months` hard labour.

Folkestone Express 12-10-1878

Saturday, October 5^th: Before Colonel De Crespigny, Captain Carter, Alderman Caister and W.J.Jeffreason Esq.

Richard Bingham, an itinerant photographer, was charged with stealing a sovereign on the previous afternoon, the money of James Berry, a hawker.

Prosecutor said about three o`clock on Friday afternoon he was standing in front of the bar of the Princess Royal public house. Prisoner was also there with two companions. He (prosecutor) was talking to a waterman about a very nice pony he was the owner of, when the prisoner joined in the conversation, and said he could produce a donkey which he would back for a sovereign to trot against the pony. Prosecutor immediately took a sovereign from his trousers pocket and placed it upon the counter. Prisoner snatched it up and put it behind him. Prosecutor asked him to put the sovereign back, and he then offered him a halfpenny, saying that was the coin he had laid down. As he refused to give up the sovereign, prosecutor sent for a policeman, and prisoner was given into custody.

In reply to prisoner, prosecutor denied putting the sovereign back into his pocket.

David Hearne, a mariner, living in Mill Bay, said he was in the company of the prosecutor at the Princess Royal and saw the sovereign put down on the counter, and also saw the prisoner take it up and substitute a halfpenny.

In reply to the prisoner he said he was sitting about two yards from the counter and he could see the coins as they laid upon it.

John Sullivan and Walter Polhill gave similar evidence, and John Watts, barman at the Princess Royal, said when Berry produced the sovereign, he told him to put it in his pocket. He did so, and afterwards produced it again. He saw the prisoner put down a halfpenny, and he said “That`s what he put down”.

P.C. Old, who took the prisoner into custody, said he had no money upon him when searched.

Prisoner, after the usual caution, hesitated for a moment, and then said “I think I had better plead Guilty”, and he was sentenced to two months` hard labour.

Folkestone Express 25-6-1881

Friday, June 17^th: Before The Mayor, Captain Crowe, Captain Fletcher, Alderman Hoad. M.J. Bell and F. Boykett Esqs.

Ellen Guthrie was charged with stealing a sovereign, the property of Emily Pryke, from a bedroom at the Princess Royal Hotel.

Prosecutor said she was living at the Princess Royal Hotel. On the 26^th May she left a sovereign in a bag in her bedroom. She missed it on the morning of Thursday the 16^th, and told her sister, Mrs. Arthur, the wife of the landlord. Prisoner was called upstairs and asked if she had taken it, and she denied having been to the bag or having seen the sovereign.

Sarah Arthur, wife of the proprietor of the Princess Royal, said on Thursday morning, having been informed by the prosecutrix, her sister, of the loss of the sovereign, she questioned the prisoner, who denied having seen it. In the evening she again asked prisoner about it, and she the confessed that she had taken it. Prisoner was then given into custody. She had been in witness`s service nine weeks.

Superintendent Rutter said he was taken to the prisoner`s bedroom about ten o`clock on Thursday evening. In reply to his questions, prisoner said she had bought a dress, and given 10s 6d. for it. In her box he found 5s. in silver.

Prisoner pleaded Guilty and was sentenced to one month`s imprisonment.

Folkestone Chronicle 13-12-1884

Sad Accident

An inquiry was held at the Town Hall on Wednesday, concerning the death of Mr. Arthur of the Princess Royal, and from the facts elicited it appears that the health of the deceased had given way of late, and a short while ago he went away for a change. He returned home much benefitted, and on Tuesday last he was going down to his cellar, when by some means or other he fell downstairs, receiving some hurt, losing a quantity of blood, and it was found he was seriously injured, and, eyrsipalis setting in, the deceased gradually sank, and died on Tuesday next.

Dr. Eastes having given evidence, the jury immediately returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Folkestone News 13-12-1884

Inquest

An inquest was held at the Town Hall, Folkestone, on Wednesday afternoon, touching the death of William Arthur, aged 43, late landlord of the Princess Royal. William Henry Charles Arthur, son of the deceased, said that on December 1^st he was in the kitchen of the Princess Royal about four o`clock in the afternoon and saw his father come down to the cellar, which was on a level with the kitchen. After a short time he went up the stairs, and when near the bend half way up he lost his balance. He tried to catch hold of the shutters on the stairs, but failed to do so, and falling backwards his head struck a box at the foot of the stairs. Witness helped him up, and he did not complain of anything, but went upstairs again. Witness noted that his head was bleeding. About a quarter of an hour afterwards witness went up, and his mother asked him to go for Mr. Lee, the chemist. Mr. Lee came in about an hour and strapped the deceased`s head up with plaster. Deceased kept upstairs after that, but on Saturday was apparently quite well. On Sunday morning he seemed rather giddy, and Dr. Eastes was fetched about five in the afternoon.

Dr. Eastes said that on Sunday afternoon he saw the deceased at the Princess Royal in the Coffee Room. He was dressed and walking about. Witness found him suffering from erysipelas of the head and left arm, and was seriously ill. There was a scalp wound at the back of the head, and the left arm was very much swollen and inflamed. He was partly delirious at the time. Witness ordered him to be put to bed, and gave him proper treatment, but he became rapidly worse, and died about five o`clock on Tuesday morning from erysipelas. Witness saw him twice on Monday and gave him every attention.

The jury returned a verdict of Accidental Death.

Southeastern Gazette 13-12-1884

Inquest

An inquest was held on Thursday on the body of Mr. Arthur, the proprietor of the Princess Royal Hotel, who met with his death under painful circumstances. It appears that in going down to the cellar the deceased by some means fell and sustained serious injury, through which he lost a quantity of blood. The deceased gradually sank, and died on Tuesday.

Verdict “Accidental death.”

 

Folkestone Chronicle 31-1-1885

Wednesday, January 28^th

Licence Transfer

At the Police Court on Wednesday morning the following transfer of licence was effected:

The Princess Royal; from the late Mr. Arthur to Mrs. Arthur.

Folkestone Express 31-1-1885

Wednesday, January 28^th: Before The Mayor, Aldermen Caister and Hoad, W. Bateman and F. Boykett Esqs.

The Licence of the Princess Royal was transferred to Mrs. Arthur, administratrix of her late husband.

Folkestone News 31-1-1885

Wednesday, January 28^th: Before The Mayor, Aldermen Caister and Hoad, Mr. Bateman and Mr. Boykett.

Mrs. Arthur applied for a transfer of the licence of the Princess Royal. The applicant, a widow, had obtained temporary authority to sell, and the application was granted.

Folkestone Express 13-6-1885

County Court

Tuesday, June 9^th: Before W.L. Selfe Esq.

Sarah Arthur v H. Thomas: Plaintiff, the landlady of the Princess Royal Hotel, sued the defendant for £8 for money lent. Defendant admitted the debt, and an order for payment by instalments was made.

Folkestone Chronicle 17-3-1888

Saturday, March 10^th: Before J. Hoad Esq., Alderman Sherwood, Major Penfold, J. Ward, J. Fitness and J. Holden Esqs.

Sarah Arthur, a widow, and proprietress of the Princess Royal Inn, was summoned for permitting gambling to take place on her premises by 13 men on the 29^th February. Mr. Minter defended.

Sergeant Harman stated that on Wednesday the 29^th of February he was on duty in South Street at 10.30, in company with Constable Swift. They were eight or ten yards from the house when they heard a noise of money rattling and voices in the Princess Royal. Witness listened at the window and heard a noise of cards being thrown on the table, and heard someone say “I will go another halfpenny” and “I`ll go another” and so on until that game was finished. Then one said “I have not got enough by a halfpenny”, “I put in a penny and took out a halfpenny”, “Put in your halfpenny”, and so the conversation went on. Witness and Swift then entered the house and opened the door of the right hand smoking room. Upon going inside they found the room full of young men – about 13 in number. There was a sudden scramble, and in the attempt to hide the cards two or three glasses were knocked under the table. The cards and money were thrown about the room. Witness succeeded in getting 19 of the cards out of the pack with which they were playing – three being on the table and the rest underneath. Saw five or six men with cards in their hands, which they concealed away. Mrs. Arthur then came in. She said “What is the matter?” and witness replied that he had found the men gambling for money. She said “Oh, dear, were they playing for anything?” Asked for their names and addresses, which they gave him. They were all over the age of 18, whilst some were from 20 to 25 years. Witness spoke to them about wasting their time and money in such a manner. (Laughter)

Mr. Minter: Was Mrs. Arthur present at that time?

Witness: No, sir.

Mr. Minter: Then we don`t want to hear your sermon. (Laughter)

Sergeant Harman, continuing, said as he went out he told Mrs. Arthur that he should report her. She said “How do you suppose I can pay my rates and taxes unless I allow these men to do so?”

Mr. Minter: That conversation between you and Mrs. Arthur was most unfair, because you did not caution her.

Mr. Bradley (clerk): How long did you watch the house?

Sergeant Harman: About ten minutes, sir, and during that time I heard someone in the front bar.

By Mr. Minter: There is a passage between this room and the bar. It was an adjoining room and we could hear people go to and fro. There was a door from the bar into the passage, and then a door from the passage into the room, but it was a public place.

Mr. Minter: No-one says it is not.

Witness, continuing: After we got into the room and the scuffle took place, Mrs. Arthur came in and asked what was the matter. She did not say that she was not aware of it, or anything to that effect. Found four pence in coppers on the table and about the room, and Swift found sixpence in coppers.

P.C. Swift gave corroborative evidence, with the addition that he found a pack of cards and a cribbage board on the mantle piece.

This closed the case for the prosecution.

Mr. Minter, in defence, said it was a pity that the police had not got anything else to do but to watch a poor widow`s house. The charge was that she permitted gambling on her premises, but he would show that she did not permit it, because she did not know anything about it. The police always thought if they brought a charge they must get a conviction, and were not very particular in their evidence, but, he would say that Sergeant Harman had given his evidence in a very fair manner. Although there were thirteen men alleged to have been gambling, yet none of them were interfered with, but this poor widow, who knew nothing whatever about it, was brought up on such a charge. They were playing an innocent game of cards – pink dominoes they called it – for beer, but not for money.

Mr. Bradley (interrupting): It answers to the same thing whether it was for money or money`s worth.

Mrs. Arthur knew nothing of the affair. She had not been in the smoking room all the evening, for whenever they wanted any beer one of the men fetched it. The practice of the men was no more than was carried on all over the country. He knew of a principal hotel in a city of this country where the same game was played every night, and by gentlemen such as sat upon that Bench.

Sarah Arthur, the defendant, was then called as a witness, and said her husband kept the house for five years and she had kept it three years since his death. There had never been any complaint whatever against the house. On the night in question she was standing in the bar, which was divided from the smoking room by a passage. Had not the slightest idea that they were playing cards, as she had not been in the room the whole evening. The beer required for the room was fetched by one of the young men. Did not hear the police come in, as they entered by the front door. The first she heard was a scuffle, but did not take any notice of it as she thought it was someone in the room playing about. As the noise continued she went to see what it was and found Sergeant Harman and a constable. Witness saw that they had taken possession of the cards and the money and had knocked all the beer off the table. She said “What`s the matter?” Harman said “The men are gambling”> Witness said “They are not playing for anything, surely?” Harman then began to talk to the men about wasting their money and time in playing cards. Witness then said “How do you expect I can pay my rates and rent unless I have someone in the house?”

John Kitwood, of 7, Queen Street, who was in the house at the time, said he took the cards to the house. They were merely playing a game of pink dominoes. The cards produced were part of the pack with which they were playing. They were playing for beer. There were only six of them playing cards – the others were looking on. The landlady did not come into the room the whole evening, and all the beer which they had was fetched by a fellow named Elliott.

John Rolfe, of 1, Marine Terrace, who was also present, deposed that he was playing in the game. The landlady did not go into the room all the evening. They had just finished on game and the money was lying on the table ready for someone to fetch some beer, as the police rushed in. They grabbed at the cards and sent everything flying down to the floor.

Mr. Hoad said the Magistrates had some doubt as to whether defendant did know what was going on, but, as there was a doubt in the case it would be dismissed.

Folkestone Express 17-3-1888

Saturday, March 10^th: Before Alderman Sherwood, J. Hoad, J. Holden, S. Penfold, J. Fitness, and E.T. Wards Esqs.

Sarah Arthur was charged with allowing card playing on her premises on the 29^th February.

Sergt. Harman said on the 29^th February he was on duty at half past ten o`clock at night with Constable Smith. He heard a noise in Mrs. Arthur`s house, the Princess Royal. He heard money rattling, and voices, and cards thrown on the table. He heard someone say “I`ll go another halfpenny”, “I`ll have another”, and so on, until the game was finished. After listening for some time he and Swift went into the house. The right hand room was full of young men. There were 13. There was a general scramble, two or three glasses of beer were knocked off the table, cards thrown about the room, and money as well. He succeeded in getting 19 cards out of the pack they were playing with. Five or six men had cards in their hands, which they concealed. He found 4d. in coppers, and Swift found 6d. Mrs. Arthur came in and asked what was the matter. He told her he found the men gambling for money. She said “Oh, dear, was they playing for anything?” He asked the men for their names and addresses and they gave them. He spoke to them about the folly of wasting their money and time in that manner.

Mr. Minter: Was Mrs. Arthur there then? – No.

Sergeant Harman: I spoke to the young men about the folly of wasting their time and their money in that way.

Mr. Minter: We don`t want to hear your sermons. (Laughter)

Witness continued: He told Mrs. Arthur he should report her. She said “How do you think I can pay my rent and taxes unless I let these men do something?”

By the Magistrates: I was waiting outside some minutes, and heard the door open to the bar several times.

By Mr. Minter: There is a passage between the room and the bar. Mrs. Arthur`s son was present when she said “How can I get a living unless I let these men do something?” Mrs. Arthur did not say she was not aware of what they were doing.

P.C. Swift corroborated Sergt. Harman`s evidence. He added that he saw two packs of cards and a cribbage board on the mantelpiece.

Mr. Minter, for the defence, said one could not but regret that the police had nothing better to do than to go round and interfere with people playing an innocent game of cards. He supposed that strictly legally, according to the endorsement on the licence, a landlord or landlady was bound not to allow his or her customers to play at cards, dice, or any other unlawful games in their house. Everyone was perfectly aware that was the law.

Mr. Bradley: Games themselves are perfectly lawful. It is playing for money.

Mr. Minter said very good. The real question was whether the defendant had knowingly permitted gaming to take place. Generally speaking, Sergeant Harman gave his evidence very surely, but unfortunately he was like all policemen, when they went for a prosecution they thought it was their duty to get a conviction, and did not always confine themselves to speaking the truth, but allowed their imagination to run away with them. Sergt. Harman felt because he had a weak case against the widow he must make it blacker by suggesting that the room where the men were playing opened to the bar where Mrs. Arthur was sitting, but they found there was a passage between the two. Then, as to his statement that Mrs. Arthur said to him “How can I live unless I let these men do something?”, she would deny ever having said it. There was such a thing as straining the law, and the police would, he thought, be much better engaged in looking after thieves and vagabonds than in straining the law against persons like the defendant. He should call before them witnesses who would tell them they took the cards to the house, and that they were not playing cards in the ordinary sense, but a game called Pink Dominoes – that, as he was informed, was a game played by laying the cards on the backs the same as they did dominoes.

Alderman Sherwood remarked that he had heard of a play called Pink Dominoes.

Mr. Minter said at all events it was a very innocent game. Further, he said that he knew of hotels in a city of this country where, for fifty years, night after night, cards were played for shilling or half crown points – aye, and by Magistrates sitting on the Bench, too – without the police ever dreaming of interfering. He would not say it was done in Folkestone, but it was quite probable. (Laughter) He urged that if it was not a matter which the Bench ought to take cognisance of because, although technically the men might have been breaking the law, Mrs. Arthur knew nothing of it.

Mr. Minter then called the defendant as witness. She said she had kept the house three years since her husband`s death and there had been no complaints about it. On that particular evening she had not been in the room at all and did not know what was going on. The customers were very quiet. The first she heard was a scuffle. She did not hear the police enter. She said “They are not playing for money, are they?”, and asked the sergeant how he thought she could live unless she had people in her house.

In reply to the Magistrates` Clerk, defendant said they did play cards in her house, but not for money.

John Ketward, a fitter, said he took the cards produced to the Princess Royal about eight o`clock. They played Pink Dominoes for a drop of beer. He thought six were playing. The others were looking on. The money on the table was to pay for beer.

John Rolfe, a mariner, said Mrs. Arthur did not enter the room while he was there. Sergt. Harman jumped over him and he “thought the ceiling was coming in”. The police would have had a drop of beer if they had waited a little longer. (Hear)

The case was dismissed, but the Bench said there were grave doubts in their minds.

An individual in court cried “Hear, Hear”, and the Superintendent was asked who it was. This individual, however, like Sam Weller`s “Guvnor”, under similar circumstances, did not come to the front.

Folkestone Express 18-8-1888

Saturday, August 11^th: Before The Mayor, H.W. Poole and W. Wightwick Esqs.

Frederick Smith was charged with creating a disturbance on the 6^th August.

P.C. Keeler said at eleven o`clock on Monday evening he saw the defendant and others leave the Princess Royal, in South Street. They made a disturbance, and he told them to go away. They went into Harbour Street, and he again cautioned them, and a third time in Tontine Street. He then asked defendant his name, which he refused to give, and was taken to the station.

Defendant was bound over to keep the peace in 1866. He was again bound over in the sum of £10 for three months, and ordered to pay 8s. 6d. costs.