True Briton (1) 1900s

Folkestone Chronicle 1-12-1900

Saturday, November 24^th: Before Messrs. Wightwick, Banks, Pledge, Salter, and Swoffer, and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.

Mary Pearson, of the True Briton, was summoned for selling beer contrary to the Act – to wit, more than half a pint in an unstamped measure. Mr. Kidson, the Town Clerk, appeared to prosecute, and the defendant was represented by Mr. G. Haines, who informed the Bench that his client was not present, as she was suffering from an attack of blood poisoning.

Mr. Kidson, in opening, said the summons was issued under a recent Act of Parliament, which provided that every person supplying a larger quantity that half a pint of beer should supply the same in a marked measure according to imperial standard. On the 15^th of November Mr. Gosling visited the True Briton. A man came in and asked for a pint of ale. Mr. Gosling saw the ale drawn and handed to the customer in the glass produced.

W. Gosling said he saw the barmaid fill the glass from the beer engine. The beer was delivered to the customer, who tendered a silver coin and received change. The glass had no stamp upon it whatever. He tested the contents of the glass with a half pint and a gill measure which he had in his pocket; it did not quite fill these. The half pint and gill measure would be three quarters of a pint. He then saw Mrs. Pearson, and called her attention to the warning he had already given her about serving more than half a pint in unstamped glasses.

By Mr. Haines: I report these cases; the local authorities take action. The stamped glass produced did not come from Mrs. Pearson`s; it came from the Prince Albert.

John Delo, plasterer, Saffrons Place, said he remembered on the night of the 15^th of November being in the True Briton. He asked and paid for a pint of ale.

Mr. Kidson: Are you satisfied with the glass (produced) for a pint?

Witness: Yes, it`s the rule of the room.

By Mr. Haines: I expected the glass that was served to me. It is a regular smoking room party which frequents this room. I was not disappointed in the measure.

Mr. Haines said he would only address a few observations to the Bench on behalf of the defendant – as he was afraid that under the Act they must convict – in mitigation of the penalty. Miss Pearson had acted in ignorance. A certain number of regular customers used the smoking room of the house, and they agreed, for this privilege, and to keep the party select, to pay threepence for the quantity of beer in the measure produced. Legally the defendant was wrong, but she thought that she was entitled to use such a measure as the customers agreed upon.

The Bench considered the case proved, and fined the defendant 10s. and 16s. costs, the Chairman remarking to Mr. Haines that he hoped it would be a warning in future to his client.

Folkestone Express 1-12-1900

Saturday, November 24^th: Before Aldermen J. Banks, W. Salter, and J. Pledge, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, and G.I. Swoffer Esq.

Mary Pearson, the proprietress of the True Briton, was summoned for using a measure not stamped. The Town Clerk prosectuted, and the defendant was represented by Mr. G.W. Haines.

The Town Clerk said before he made his observations he wished to amend the information. He understood that the defendant served the liquor herself, but had since ascertained it was served by an assistant.

Mr. Haines said at first a fresh summons ought to be issued, but on the Bench deciding to proceed with the case he made no objection.

Mr. W.T. Gosling, Inspector of Weights and Measures, said on Thursday, the 15^th November, he visited the True Briton public house in Harbour Street, about 9.30 o`clock in the evening. He was standing in the bar when a customer went in and called for a pint of ale. The barmaid took a glass unstamped, and filling it, took it into a smoking room, where the customer was sitting. He tendered hr a silver coin, and she returned the change. He did not see what it was. As witness had a half pint measure and a gill measure in his pocket, he poured the contents into a standard measure, and it did not fill the two measured, which denoted the amount of liquor which was asked for. There was not three parts of a pint. Witness saw Miss Pearson and told her he had cautioned her before when he was instructed to visit every public house in the town as to deficient measure.

Questioned by Mr. Haines, he said the ale was ordered in the passage, and the customer was the only man sitting in the parlour.

John Delo, a plasterer, residing in Saffrons Place, said he was the customer referred to, and he ordered a pint of ale, for which he paid the usual price, 3d. It was served in a glass similar to that produced, which was not stamped. He saw the Inspector measure the contents, and take possession of the glass.

In reply to Mr. Haines, he said he had been a customer for some years, and he did not expect to have the full measure.

Mr. Haines, on behalf of the defendant, said there was no doubt it was a technical offence, which had been committed inadvertently in the absence of the defendant, who was ill, from the bar. She would take care in future that the Act was complied with.

The Bench fined her 10s. and 16s. costs.

Folkestone Herald 1-12-1900

Saturday, November 24^th: Before Mr. Wightwick, Alderman Pledge, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, and Messrs. Swoffer and Salter.

Mary Pearson, landlady of the True Briton Inn, Harbour Street, was charged with having sold beer in an unstamped measure. Mr. A.F. Kidson (the Town Clerk) prosecuted, and Mr. Haines defended.

Mr. Kidson asked the Bench to allow the information to be amended. He understood that the information was laid that the defendant herself served the beer, but that was wrong, as an assistant served it. The Act of Parliament provided that every person selling intoxicating liquor by retail should not sell more than half a pint in a measure which was not marked according to the Imperial Stamp, and the maximum penalty was £10. The facts were that on a certain date, the 15^th November, Mr. Gosling was in the True Briton Inn, when a man came in and asked for a pint of ale. Gosling saw the ale served in the glass produced, and handed to the customer. He would prove that the glass only held something like three parts of a pint. The man who purchased the ale paid the usual price for a pint. There was no mark whatever on the glass.

W. Gosling, Inspector of Weights and Measures, said that at 5.30 in the evening of the 15^th November he visited the True Briton Hotel. He was standing in the bar when a customer entered and asked for a pint of ale. He saw the barmaid fill the glass produced from the beer engine. She took it into the room and stood it on the table, and the man tendered a silver coin in payment. The glass had no stamp nor denominator. He followed the barmaid into the room, and tested the contents of the glass with a half pint and a gill measure, which he had in his pockets. Afterwards he put the glass in his pocket, telling her that he had spoken to her some time previously about selling more than half a pint in an unstamped measure.

By Mr. Haines: The man drunk the beer out of the two measures he had poured it into. There were several stamped measures.

John Delo, plasterer, of Saffron`s Place, said that on the night in question he went into the True Briton and asked for a pint of ale. He paid 3d. for it. He saw the last witness measure the contents, and then take the glass away.

Mr. Haines said there was noting for the Magistrates to do but convict. Where the beer was served was a bar parlour, and if they had charged the same prices as in the ordinary bar, they would have everybody in there. It was arranged between a number of the customers and Miss Pearson that instead of being charged at a higher price they should have a smaller glass. She acted in ignorance.

The Chairman said that that being the first offence it would be a warning to Miss Pearson and others that they must not sell beer in unstamped measures. A fine of 10s. and 16s. costs would be imposed.

Folkestone Chronicle 26-1-1901

Saturday, January 19^th: Before Messrs. Fitness, Wightwick, and Herbert, and Lieut. Col. Hamilton.

Mary Pearson, landlady of the True Briton, was summoned for selling beer to an intoxicated person on her premises on the 12^th January.

The intoxicated gentleman was “Seaweed”, the individual with the East end record for the most accommodating swallowing capacity.

Mr. Haines, who appeared for the defendant, pleaded Not Guilty. He mentioned that he had a doctor`s certificate giving the cause of defendant`s non-appearance that morning, she being under the doctor`s treatment at Tunbridge Wells.

P.C. Johnstone said at 7.30 p.m. on Saturday, the 12^th, in company with P.C. Watson, he entered the bar of defendant`s house, and saw William Spearpoint, of 20, Fenchurch Street, very drunk, with a pint glass of beer three parts full beside him. He drank the beer whilst witness was in the bar. Mrs. E.J. Pearson was behind the bar, and witness said to her “Did you serve this man?” She replied “Yes”. He said “Do you see the drunken condition he is in?” She replied that she did not notice him when he came in, or she would not have served him, adding “They are such funny people. You can`t say when they are drunk”. She then said to Spearpoint “You had better go outside”. Spearpoint refused, and witness ejected him. When outside he became very disorderly. Afterwards witness went back to the house, and, seeing Mrs. E.J. Pearson, told he he should report the landlady. She replied “Well, I do not really understand much about the business. The landlady is away”. Witness added that earlier in the evening he saw Spearpoint ejected from the Queen`s Head and later from the Princess Royal. He was very drunk.

P.C. Watson corroborated the last witness, and Sergt. Osborne, who entered the charge against Spearpoint, upheld the opinion as to his condition.

George Betts said that Spearpoint lodged at his house. Three times on Saturday, the 12^th, he was drunk, and at 7 o`clock witness turned him out. The man was a fair nuisance.

The Chief Constable: So he has been to the police.

Mr. Haines, in defence, said that at the time of the alleged offence the landlady was away, and her sister-in-law Mrs. E.J. Pearson was in charge of the house. She had received particular instructions not to serve drunken persons, which instructions she had endeavoured to carry out. He should call evidence to prove that when Spearpoint was served there was no indication of his condition. Of course it was useless to contend that he was not drunk in the face of the police evidence, but he did contend that the police knew the man and the landlady did not, nor had she the opportunity of observing his condition. Mr. Haines quoted cases in favour of his argument that he was entitled to an acquittal on the ground that Mrs. Pearson did not knowingly serve a drunken man.

Mrs. E.J. Pearson was then examined, and said that when Spearpoint entered the bar she had no reason to believe he had been drinking more than he ought. He drank part of his beer, sat down, and lit his pipe. She believed the constable, when he entered, said to Spearpoint “Oh, so you are here, are you?” She had no reason to ask the constable to remove the man, and did not ask him to.

By the Chief Constable: To me the man seemed perfectly sober. I may have said to the constable “Take him out”, but I do not remember doing so,.

William Henry Dunn, an elderly man, who for many years was coal checker at the Harbour, said he saw Spearpoint come in on the 12^th to the True Briton, and in his opinion the man seemed sober at the time.

A. Wooderson, a hobbler, living at 39, Mill Bay, gave evidence to the same effect.

The Bench, however, considered the case proved, and imposed the mitigated fine of £1 and 19s. costs. The licence was not endorsed.

Folkestone Express 26-1-1901

By The Way

It seems to be essential that public house attendants should qualify themselves to diagnose the condition of their customers with regard to their sobriety. So far as I can gather, the state of the law in this respect is most unsatisfactory. A man may be drunk and not have any outward sign to enable another person to recognise his condition, and if he is served in a public house with liquor the proprietor is liable to penalties. It is not a condition precedent to the offence that he shall know the man is drunk. The ability to light his pipe properly seems to be one test.

Of course I am referring to the charge against Miss Pearson of the True Briton Inn. I am sure everyone will sympathise with the lady, whose health is such that she is obliged to go away for rest and change of air. Her good nature, her generosity, and her charity are known to most people. To all appeals for help for the deserving people in distress she turns a ready ear. She has conducted her hotel in the most exemplary manner, but in her absence an offence has been quit unintentionally committed, and notwithstanding the eloquence with which extenuating circumstances were urged by her solicitor, a small fine was imposed. In assuring her of the sympathy of the townspeople I may express a hope that her health will be speedily restored.

Saturday, January 19^th: before J. Fitness, W.G. Herbert, and W. Wightwick Esqs., and Lieut. Colonel Hamilton.

Mary Pearson, of the True Briton Inn, was summoned for supplying drink to a man when drunk. Mr. Haines said the defendant was ill at Tunbridge Wells and could not appear.

P.C. Johnson said at 7.30 p.m. on the 12^th inst. he entered the public bar of the True Briton, kept by Mrs. Pearson. He saw Wm. Spearpoint, a fisherman, there very drunk. He had a pint glass three parts full of beer on the counter beside him. Spearpoint was sitting down and drank nearly all the beer while witness was in the bar. Mrs. E.J. Pearson was behind the bar. He asked her if she served the man, and she said “Yes”. He said “Do you see the drunken condition he is in?” He said “I didn`t notice him when he first came in, or I should not have served him. They are really such funny people you can`t say when they are drunk – in fact I thought he was a foreigner”. She said to Spearpoint “You had better go outside”. He refused to go, and witness said “If you don`t go you are liable for refusing to quit licensed premises”. Miss Pearson said “Would you mind seeing him out for me”. He removed Spearpoint from the premises, and when outside he became very drunk and disorderly, and was charged for that offence. Afterwards he saw Mrs. Pearson and told her he should report Miss Pearson. She replied “Really I don`t know much about the business, and Miss Pearson is away ill”. He had previously seen Spearpoint ejected from the Queen`s Head by the landlord, and the Princess Royal. He was very drunk on both occasions.

Cross-examined by Mr. Haines: Spearpoint was rolling about, and after he saw him leave the Queen`s Head he followed him to the Princess Royal. The barmaid said she did not serve him. He advised Spearpoint to go home. He was very quiet. He could not find him in any of the other public houses, and so looked in the True Briton. Spearpoint was sitting down and smoking. P.C. Watson was with me all the time, and we were watching Spearpoint. Spearpoint said “It strikes me you blokes are following me about”. He was very quiet in the house. There was only one other man in the bar. Mrs. Pearson said she had strict instructions not to serve any drunken people. I knew Spearpoint had been drunk off and on for a month.

By Supt. Reeve: My instructions are, if I see a drunken man go into a public house, to go in and caution the licence holder not to serve him.

P.C. Watson gave corroborative evidence. He said he heard Mrs. Pearson request Spearpoint to go out, and he refused, and she asked him and Johnson to eject him, which they did. Previous to that, Pearson was ejected from the Providence, Beach Street, by the landlord. He was then too drunk to stand, and fell over, and was picked up by a friend and went as far as the Wonder, in Beach Street, and was ejected by the landlord almost immediately. An hour after, he entered the Queen`s Head, and was ejected by the landlord. Afterwards he went to the Princess Royal, and was ejected. He was not disorderly in any of the houses. At 7.30 they found him in the True Briton.

Cross-examined by Mr. Haines: Spearpoint was too drunk to stand. When a man is like that we generally caution him or get a friend to take him home. It did not strike us to go round all the houses and warn them that there was a drunken man about. I knew Spearpoint was a notorious character.

Sergt. Osborne was called to prove that Spearpoint was very drunk.

George Betts, living in Fenchurch Street, said Spearpoint was three times drunk that day. He hadn`t been sober for about a fortnight. There were no convictions against him during that time.

Mr. Haines said that the actual licensee was away, and her sister had charge of the house. Spearpoint was a stranger to her, and in her opinion he was sober. He was quiet and sat there smoking. She did not ask the constables to eject him, but they said “Oh, you`re here – come on”. Miss Pearson had conducted the house for 20 years, and no such offence had been preferred against he before. He did not pretend to say the man was not drunk, but he did not appear to be drunk to Mrs. Pearson, and he contended that the police should have warned the publicans, because a man might pull himself together and appear sober. He cited several cases in support of arguments he advanced, and urged that there was no knowledge on the part of the defendant that any offence was proved, and if “knowledge” were unnecessary no publican would be safe. At Bow Street, on January 17^th, he said there was an exactly similar offence, before Mr. Marsham, who said there was no evidence that the barman knew the man was drunk and dismissed the case.

Elizabeth Jane Pearson, sister-in-law of the licensee, said Miss Pearson was away, and she was taking charge. Before she left, Miss Pearson gave her very strict injunctions not to serve a drunken man. The customers were strangers to her, and she had never seen Spearpoint before, and there was nothing to lead her to suppose the man was not perfectly sober. She thought he was sober, or would not have served him. He had been in the house five minutes when the police went in. They said “Oh, you are here, are you?”, and a constable took him out. She did not ask the police to see him out. She had no reason to ask them to do so. The man was perfectly still.

By Supt. Reeve: The man was perfectly sober as far as I could see. I thought he was a foreigner. If the constable had not put him out, I should have allowed him to remain.

William Henry Dunn said he was in the True Briton when Spearpoint went in. He did not know who he was. He asked for a pint of beer, and was served. He said nothing, but sat down and smoked his pipe.

Mr. Wightwick: Did you see him light his pipe? – Yes, sir.

Did he light it all right – at the proper end? – Yes.

Mr. Haines: Did you take particular notice of the man as he was lighting his pipe? – Yes, and he lit it all right.

Supt. Reeve: He didn`t go to the pump to light his pipe, did he? (Laughter)

Witness: I thought he was a stranger belonging to one of the ships in the harbour. He didn`t stumble or roll about.

Albert Wooderson, a hoveller, said he was in the house when Spearpoint entered. He knew him as an old school fellow, but he was not a friend of his. He said “Hello, Bill”, and he replied “Hello, Albert”. There was nothing in his walk or speech or manner to lead him to suppose he was not sober.

Mr. Wightwick: Did you see him light his pipe? – Yes.

How did he light it? – Just the same as we should (laughter) – got up and took a piece of paper from the box, and lit his pipe from the gas.

The Magistrates retired, and on their return the Chairman said they had given the matter their best consideration, and they thought the case was proved. The penalty would therefore be 20s. (mitigated from £20) and the costs 19s.

Mr. Haines: I take it there will be no record of conviction on the licence?

The Chairman: We said nothing about that. The licence will not be endorsed.

The Magistrates` Clerk: The Magistrates gave the fullest consideration to your eloquent address, Mr. Haines.

Folkestone Herald 26-1-1901

Saturday, January 19^th: Before Messrs. Fitness, Wightwick and Herbert, and Lieut. Colonel Hamilton.

Mary Pearson, landlady of the True Briton public house, was charged with having permitted drunkenness.

Mr. Haines, who represented defendant, said they admitted the service. The landlady was away at the time under the hands of a doctor, and she was still in Tunbridge Wells.

P.C. G.W. Johnson said at 7.30 p.m. on the 12^th inst., in company with P.C. Watson, he entered the public bar of the True Briton public house, Harbour Street, where he saw William Spearpoint, fisherman. He was very drunk, and had a pint glass three parts full of beer on the counter beside him. He drank nearly all the beer during the time witness was in the bar. Mrs. E.J. Pearson was behind the bar, and she said, in reply to a question, that she had served the man, but did not notice his drunken condition when he first went in, or she would not have served him. She said “They`re really such funny people; you can`t say when they are drunk. I thought he was a foreigner”. He refused to go outside, and Mrs. Pearson asked witness to see him out. Witness ejected him, and afterwards had to take him to the police station. When he went back and told Mrs. E.J. Pearson that the landlady would be reported, she said she did not understand much about the business, and Miss Pearson was away. Witness had seen Spearpoint earlier in the evening – just after 7 – ejected from the Queen`s Head and Princess Royal Hotels. He was very drunk then.

By Mr. Haines: It was true that Mrs. Pearson asked him to eject Spearpoint. When Mrs. Pearson asked him to go out he said “Strikes me you blokes are following me about tonight”. He was very quiet in the house. There was only one man in the bar at the time. Mrs. Pearson did say she had had strict instructions from Miss Pearson not to serve drunken people.

By Chief Constable Reeve: His instructions were that if he saw a drunken man enter a public house to go in and warn the licensee. That was what he was doing in this case.

P.C. Watson corroborated, and added that he had seen Spearpoint ejected from the Providence, Beach Street. He was too drunk to stand when outside, and fell over. A friend picked him up, and Spearpoint went into the Wonder, where he was again ejected. After that he was sent home.

Sergt. Osborne stated that when prisoner was brought into the police station at 7.50 on Saturday, the 12^th, he was very drunk.

Mr. Haines, in defence, said he was going to call evidence to prove that to all appearances the man was sober, and quoted several judgements where the licensee was not responsible, although it was admitted that the man served was drunk.

Mrs. Pearson said during the absence of her sister she had taken charge of the True Briton. Previous to leaving, Miss Pearson had given her strict instructions not to serve drunken men. When Spearpoint came in he appeared to be perfectly sober, and if she had not thought so she would not have served him. He had been in the house about five minutes when the constable came in. She never asked the policeman to eject the man. One of the constables said “Oh, you are here, are you?” She told the constables that she would never have served him if she had thought he was drunk. They then took him out.

By Superintendent Reeve: She preferred not to answer a question as to whether, from what she had heard that morning, she thought now he was perfectly sober.

Wm. Hy. Dunn, High Street, said he had been a coal checker on the Harbour for many years and was in the house when Spearpoint was served with a pint of beer. He thought Spearpoint was all right.

A man named Albert Wooderson, of 39, Mill Bay, bore out the statement of the last witness.

The Magistrates considered the case proved, and imposed a fine of 20s. and 19s. costs. The licence would not be endorsed.

 

Folkestone Express 4-5-1901

Saturday, April 27^th: Before J. Pledge, T.J. Vaughan, and J. Stainer Esqs., and Lieut. Col. Westropp.

Geo. M. Carter was granted a transfer of the licence of the True Briton, for many years held by Mary Pearson.

Folkestone Herald 4-5-1901

Saturday, April 27^th: Before Alderman J. Pledge, Messrs. Vaughan and Fitness, and Lieut. Col. Westropp.

The licence of the True Briton Inn was transferred until the next licensing day from Mary Pearson to George M. Carter.

Folkestone Herald 8-6-1901

Felix

It has generally been admitted that if there has been one licensed house well conducted in Folkestone these many years, it has been the True Briton in Harbour Street. The lady who has presided over its destinies – Miss Pearson – has always made it a great point that the old hostelry should be worthy of the admiration of every “true Briton” that entered its portals. That Miss Pearson has been successful in this endeavour is generally admitted. Let it be the collier-worker, mariner, or the more polished gentleman, all alike have a good word for this estimable lady. The sick, deserving poor, as I have pointed out in these columns, have always found a friend in Miss Pearson. Her acts prove this. For years she has made the largest individual collection for the Hospital Saturday funds, and has often put to shame similar and larger establishments of the twon. Never taking “No” for an answer, this lady`s hospital subscription lists are standing records of what can be done if one puts their whole heart into any particular form of work. Miss Pearson has now laid aside the cares of business, and is living in retirement. Thither she is followed by the good wishes of us all, and I may here express a hope, on behalf of many Folkestone and other friends, that she may long be possessed of the priceless pearl of good health in which to enjoy that peace and rest she well deserves. Mr. Carter, who has taken over the reins of the True Briton, is a gentleman of the “Queen`s steel” order. He was for several years in charge of Messrs. W.H. Smith and Sons` bookstall at the Harbour Station, and served for a long period in a similar position at Canterbury, where he is well known and respected. If those qualities which go towards the making of a real sort of man mean anything, then Mr. Carter is bound to succeed. He is, in fact “The True Briton” personified.

    

Folkestone Chronicle 15-6-1901

Wednesday, June 12^th: Before Messrs. Hoad, Pursey, Wightwick, and Pledge, and Lieut. Col. Westropp.

The following licensing transfer was granted: Mr. Carter takes over the Blue Anchor (sic) (actually True Briton) from Miss Pearson.

 

Folkestone Express 15-6-1901

Wednesday, June 12^th: Before J. Hoad, J. Pledge, C.J. Pursey, and W. Wightwick Esqs., and Lieut. Col. W.K. Westropp.

Mr. Carter was granted a transfer of the licence of the True Briton. 

Folkestone Daily News 14-10-1905

Saturday, October 14^th: Before Messrs. W.G. Herbert, W. Salter, and J. Stainer.

Mr. Carter, of the True Briton Hotel, applied for an occasional for a Masonic dinner to be held on Wednesday next at Flessati`s Restaurant. Granted.

 

Folkestone Herald 21-10-1905

Saturday, October 14^th: Before Alderman W.G. Herbert, Alderman W. Salter, and Mr. J. Stainer.

Mr. G.M. Carter, the licensee of the True Briton Hotel, applied for an occasional licence to sell refreshments at Flessati`s Restaurant on Wednesday evening on the occasion of a dinner. The dinner was to commence at eight o`clock, and he applied for an extension until 12 o`clock. Permission was granted.

Folkestone Daily News 7-2-1907

Thursday, February 7^th: Before Messrs. Herbert, Pursey, Leggett, Stainer, Swoffer, and Hawksley.

John Maney and John McInery were charged with stealing an automatic box and contents from the True Briton, Harbour Street.

George Carter said he was the landlord of the True Briton, and recognised the prisoners. They came into the bar about five minutes to six yesterday. He went and served them with drinks, and then returned to the smoke room. A few minutes afterwards he returned to the bar, but the prisoners had left. He had an automatic machine in the bar, which was fixed to the counter, when the prisoners came in. He afterwards found it had been wrenched off and taken away. He valued the machine at £2, and there was probably about 10s. to 15s. cash inside.

Charles Webster, 49, Greenfield Road, said he was in the bar of the True Briton with the two prisoners last evening, and the landlord served them with drink. They were the only ones in the bar, and McInery said “We`d better have this down”, meaning the automatic machine, and immediately took hold of the machine and wrenched it down. Witness said to him “Don`t be a fool, Jack, you`re doing something that will get you six months if you do”. Prisoner then put his coat over it, and asked witness to open the door, which he refused to do. The other prisoner then opened the door and let McInery out. Witness then told the landlord what he had seen, and went with him to the ship Doric in the harbour, where he saw the prisoner McInery coming out of the cabin. In the cabin he saw a lot of coppers in piles as if they had been counted out in shillings. He asked McInery where the box was, and he said he knew nothing about it and told witness to shut up. He advised him to take it back to the landlord.

McInery said witness broke his knife in trying to get the box off the counter, but this was denied by Webster.

Witness (continuing) said before the landlord left the bar the prisoner McInery asked for a screwdriver in order to take the box down for him, but the landlord said he could do it himself.

P.S. Osborne deposed at 6.15 last evening he went with the last witness to the ship Doric. On going into the cabin he found some pieces of wood burning, which appeared to belong to the box. At the back of the stove he found the top of the box, and two penny pieces were lying on the table. The prisoner Maney came into the cabin, and witness told him he should take him into custody for stealing an automatic machine. Prisoner said he knew nothing about it. Witness took him into custody, and afterwards returned to the ship Doric, where he found a basin, containing coppers, under a bunk. He afterwards apprehended McInery at the Brewery Tap, and in answer to the charge he said “I was just going to finish my beer and was then coming to the police station to give myself up”. Witness formally charged both the prisoners together with the theft.

Webster (re-called) said the bunk under which the sergeant found the money belonged to Maney.

Mr. Carter (re-called) said the prisoner McInery did ask him for a screwdriver, but he told him he could take the machine down by himself.

Prisoners had no questions to ask. Maney pleaded Not Guilty, and McInery Guilty, the latter stating that he was in drink at the time.

The Bench held a consultation for some time before they could come to a decision, and then the Chairman sentenced McInery to 21 days` hard labour, and fined Maney 20s. or 14 days`.

Folkestone Express 9-2-1907

Thursday, February 7^th: Before W.G. Herbert Esq., Major Leggett, and J. Stainer, C.J. Pursey, G.I. Swoffer, and G. Hawkesley Esqs.

John McInery and John Money were charged with stealing an automatic ticket machine, value 40s., and 10s. in money, the property of Mr. George M. Carter.

The men went into the True Briton Inn, and in the presence of George Webster forced the machine from its position in the bar, saying those machines were condemned. They took it on board the ship Doric.

McInery was sentenced to 21 days` hard labour, and Money was fined 20s. or 14 days`.

Folkestone Herald 9-2-1907

Thursday, February 7^th: Before Alderman W.G. Herbert, Major Leggett, Messrs. J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, C.J. Pursey, and G. Hawkesley.

John Maney and John McInery were charged with stealing an automatic box and its contents from the True Briton Hotel.

Mr. George Carter, landlord of the True Briton, Harbour Street, said the prisoners entered the bar the previous afternoon about six o`clock. He served them with drinks, and having done so he returned to the smoke room. A few moments later he returned to the bar. The prisoners had then left. A portion of an automatic machine was part of one which was intact when the prisoners entered, but afterwards he saw that it had been wrenched off, and the whole machine taken away. He estimated that the machine would cost £2 10s., and there would probably be about 10s. or 15s. inside. It belonged to a London firm, and he (witness) was the bailee of it.

Charles Webster, of 49, Greenfield Road, a labourer, deposed that McInery said “We have got to have this (the automatic machine) down; they were condemned today”. (Laughter) He then got hold of the top of it and pulled it down. Witness said “Don`t be a fool, Jack. You are doing enough to get yourself six months. Leave it alone”. McInery then put his coat over the machine and said “Open the door”. Witness refused. Maney then opened the door, and followed the other prisoner out, saying that he was coming back. Witness called the landlord and told him about the affair. Together they went to a collier called the Doric in the harbour. They looked into the cabin, and saw a lot of coppers counted out on the table. Only McInery could be seen, and witness asked him where the machine was. He replied “I don`t know nothing about it. Shut up”. Maney did not assist in taking the machine down, but when McInery was moving it, Maney said “I`ll take the responsibility”. Before the landlord left the bar, McInery asked the landlord for a screwdriver to take the machine down for him, but the landlord answered “Never mind, I can do that for myself, as I have plenty of time”. McInery said “We want to earn a drink”.

P.S. Osborne deposed to visiting the barque Doric. In the cabin there was a fire burning, and on it were some pieces of wood that compared with the wood on the remainder of the machine. At the back of the stove he found the top of the machine. Two pennies were lying on the table. The prisoner Maney then entered the cabin, and witness took him into custody. He replied to the charge that he knew nothing about it. Returning to the Doric, in a basin, under a bunk, he found seven and tenpence in pennies. About half past eight witness arrested McInery at the Brewery Tap. He replied “I am just going to finish my beer, and then I was coming to the police station to give myself up”. In Maney`s possession over fifteen shillings in silver was found, and on McInery there were eleven penny pieces and a sixpence. As he put the money on the counter, prisoner pointed out to the coppers, saying “That didn`t come out of that”, meaning the machine.

The witness Webster, re-called, said that he was present when Sergt. Osborne found the money in the basin. He knew that Maney alone occupied that cabin.

The landlord, re-called, said Mcinery asked him for a screwdriver to take down the machine, as those machines were condemned, witness understanding that he referred to the action of the Licensing Justices that day. Witness replied that he was about to take them down himself. McInery then said that they thought they might earn a drink, and witness told him they could have a drink.

Maney pleaded Not Guilty, but McInery pleaded Guilty, saying that he was willing to repay Mr. Carter.

The Bench sentenced McInery to 21 days` imprisonment, and fined Maney 20s. or 14 days`.

Folkestone Daily News 29-5-1907

Wednesday, May 29^th: Before Messrs. Herbert, Pursey, Ames, Leggett, Fynmore, Linton, and Boyd.

Mr. G.W. Haines applied on behalf of the owners of the True Briton Hotel (Messrs. Ash and Co.) to be allowed to make certain alterations in accordance with plans produced. Mr. Bromley explained the plans, and the application was granted.

Folkestone Express 1-6-1907

Wednesday, May 29^th: Before W.G. Herbert Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Major Leggatt, C.J. Pursey, T. Ames, G. Boyd, and R.J. Linton Esqs.

Mr. G.W. Haines made an application with regard to some alterations at the True Briton Hotel, Harbour Street. The alterations were extensive, involving an outlay of £200 or £300.

The Magistrates, having inspected the plans, approved them.

Folkestone Herald 1-6-1907

Wednesday, May 29^th: Before Mr. W.G. Herbert, Major Leggett, Messrs. C.J. Pursey, T. Ames, R.J. Fynmore, R.J. Linton, and Councillor G. Boyd.

Mr. G.W. Haines applied for the approval of certain alterations to the True Briton, Harbour Street. They would, he said, cost between £200 and £300. Mr. A. Bromley, the architect, produced the plans, and the application was granted.

Folkestone Express 11-9-1909

Saturday, September 4^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Alderman Vaughan, and Lieut. Colonel Fynmore.

George Bumstead, a fisherman, was charged with being drunk and incapable. He pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Styles said at about 9.40 the previous evening he was on duty in Harbour Street, when he saw the prisoner stagger out of the door of the True Briton Hotel. He fell in the passage way, and witness assisted him to his feet. He staggered off towards the Harbour wall, where he fell again. Witness then took him into custody, and with assistance brought him to the police station.

The Chairman enquired whether the prisoner had been served with drink at the True Briton.

Styles replied that the landlord had refused him.

Fined 2s. 6d. and 4s. 6d. costs, or seven days`.