Folkestone
Express 21-5-1910
Local News
The members of the Licensed Victuallers` Association
have decided to close their premises on the day of the late King`s funeral from
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The time of closing applies to the public houses in
Folkestone, Sandgate, Seabrook, Hythe, and Cheriton.
Folkestone
Daily News 10-4-1913
Local
News
On
Monday afternoon a meeting of the leading licence holders of the town
was held at the Guildhall Hotel. Mr. G. Kirby presided.
Mr.
Councillor Jones explained the extraordinary action taken by the
Assessment Committee and the unjust and irregular way in which their
proceedings were carried out. He said that as a ratepayer he objected
to be mulcted in expenses increasing the rates by the bungling of
certain individuals who were actuated by fads and bias more than by
common sense. It was a notorious fact that on every appeal that had
been made against the Elham Union Assessment Committee`s award, the
appellants had been successful, and the ratepayers had lost and been
mulcted in costs. If valuations were to be made and assessments
increased, they should be made by practical experts, and not by
amateurs or interested persons.
Several
members spoke and gave their experiences in connection with the
Assessment Committee`s vagaries.
It
was unanimously resolved to appeal against the assessments as shown
below, which were increased in this extraordinary manner.
The
following list was also produced showing the assessment of all
licensed premises in the borough.
Gross/Rateable
Agnes
Inn 40 32
Alexandra
Hotel 80 64
Alexandra
Tavern 19 15
Bathing
Establishment (all in) 170 100
Belle
Vue 30 24
Black
Bull 175 140
Bodega
(Queen`s Hotel, all in) 850 680
Bouverie
Arms 70 56
Bouverie
Hotel 125 100
Bradstone
Tavern 50 40
Brewery
Tap 100 80
British
Lion 40 32
Castle
Inn 70 56
Chequers
Inn 35 28
Clarence
Hotel 95 75-10
Clarendon
Hotel 150 120
Eagle
Tavern 65 52
Earl
Grey 45 36
East
Cliff Tavern 50 40
East
Kent Arms 100 80
Foresters
Arms 75 60
George 60 48
George
the Third 35 28
Globe 50 40
Granville
Inn 24 19
Guildhall
Vaults 170 136
Gun
Tavern 70 56
Harbour
Hotel 70 56
Harvey
Hotel 105 84
Honest
Lawyer 30 24
Imperial
Hotel 120 96
Isle
of Cyprus 36 28-10
Jubilee
Inn 45 36
Lifeboat
Inn 20 16
Lord
Nelson 30 24
London
and Paris Hotel 160 128
Martello
Hotel 55 44
Mechanics
Arms 35 28
Morehall
Hotel 65 52
Oddfellows
Arms 40 32
Oddfellows
Inn 30 24
Packet
Boat 38 30
Pavilion
Hotel Refreshment Room 76 60-10
Pavilion
Shades 60 48
Prince
of Wales 40 32
Prince
Albert Hotel 80 64
Princess
Royal 60 48
Raglan
Hotel 45 36
Railway
Tavern 50 40
Railway
Bell 115 92
Railway
Hotel, Coolinge Lane 75 60
Red
Cow 75 60
Richmond
Tavern 32 25-10
Rose
Hotel 145 116
Royal
Norfolk Hotel 180 144
Royal
Oak Inn 25 20
Royal
George 70 56
Royal
Standard 35 28
Shakespeare
Hotel 130 104
Ship
Inn 40 32
South
Foreland 90 72
Sportsman
Tavern 35 28
Star
and Garter 35 28
Swan
Hotel 75 69
True
Briton 75 69
Two
Bells 40 32
Victoria
Hotel 200 160
Wellington 36 29
West
Cliff Shades 150 120
Wheatsheaf 32-10 26
Wonder
Tavern 45 36
The
meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Chairman, who
congratulated those present on combining together to fight this
un-Englishlike attack upon their trade.
Folkestone
Daily News 1-1-1914
The Licensing Bench – A retrospect for 1913
There has been little to discuss on licensing matters.
No charge, worth speaking of, has been made against the whole trade, and the
Chief Constable has said in open Court, from time to time, that the houses are
well conducted, which statement, from our intimate knowledge, we endorse.
At the last licensing sessions seven houses were
notified on the plea of redundancy, not that there was any reason why they
should be deprived of their licences, except by the provisions of the present
idiotic Licensing Act a large amount of the compensation revenue had
accumulated, this being extorted from the struggling trade, and had to be
disposed of.
However, the local licensing justices, on hearing the
cases against these houses, recommended two for further consideration by the
County Bench. One case was heard at the preliminary meeting, and the licence
was not interfered with. The second case was heard at the East Kent Sessions,
and ordered to be closed. It appeared to those present that the justices were
more influenced by the sanitary defects of the building than the compensation
question.
In conclusion we reiterate our previous remarks that
the Folkestone justices, with all their shortcomings, are far ahead of any
court of summary jurisdiction in the county. They have not been pilloried for
many years, neither have their decisions been successfully appealed against, or
has it been necessary to petition the Home Secretary for remission of any sentence.
There is room for improvement, and we feel sure they will continue on that
course. We should like to congratulate the Town Council in a similar manner.
Folkestone
Daily News 10-7-1914
Comment
We have not been able to comment on the action of the
authorities on the licensing question for some time past, as the matter of the
Lord Nelson was sub judice, and during our many years` connection with the
press of Folkestone we have never descended to deal with matters sub judice, or
influencing one way or the other any judicial decision.
The matters are now settled, and hence we consider
ourselves free to criticise the action taken by the licensing authorities. In
1913, seven houses were scheduled on the score of redundancy. To our mind not a
tittle of evidence affecting the question was brought in support of those
houses, with the result that five out of the seven were disposed of by the
local justices, leaving two to be further considered at the Canterbury Quarter
Sessions. That body met before the Sessions and returned the Lord Nelson,
referring the Cyprus to the Quarter Sessions. They refused it more for sanitary
reasons than on the score of redundancy.
The case of the Lord Nelson did not differ in 1914 from
that of 1913, yet the county licensing authorities said on Wednesday exactly
the reverse to that which they stated a year ago. No explanation was given why
they altered their decision.
It is not our province to differ from the justices,
either county or town, but we are entitled to say that erratic decisions,
peculiar and inconsistent conduct, inflict a very great hardship on those who
are interested in the trade. If the local licensing justices say that seven
houses ought to be referred on the score of redundancy in 1913, and there is no
difference in 1914, and they are content to say that only one house is in
excess of those required, reasonable men, unbiased by any interests or
sentiment, cannot understand their action. Neither can they understand the
county licensing authorities altering their mind from one year to another
without giving any reason.
The licensing trade is a legitimate business, and
public houses should be properly and fairly dealt with by the State the same as
any other property. While the proprietors of licensed property and the tenants
of the same are harassed and kept on tenterhooks by such erratic conduct on the
part of those whom the Legislature has entrusted to carry out the provisions of
the Licensing Act, what chance is there for genuine improvement of either
property or tenants?
In the olden days a man invested his savings and took a
licensed house. He whole of his interests were bound up in the same, and as a
rule he had decided to end his days in his house. He took a pride in the same,
a pride in his customers, and the characteristics of his business. Our memory
takes us back to numbers in Folkestone and in other places who have been
honoured and respected citizens, intelligent far above the average,
broad-minded in the extreme, good husbands, sons and fathers, maintaining
self-respect themselves and commanding self-respect from others.
These men are being ruthlessly swept out of their
business by cranks, faddists and fanatics, who lack intelligence, foresight,
and statesmanship. The community is suffering from the loss of such men, who
were a national asset, not now to be replaced.
The whole country furnishes object lessons similar to
Folkestone. The professed intention of the Temperance faddist seems to be that
of increasing Temperance or reducing drunkenness. This was their pretence. Were
they ever sincere, or are they sincere now? The tendency of present legislation
is to penalise respectably conducted houses because they do not sell enough
drink, and a premium is given to those houses which sell a large quantity.
The Lord Nelson, from time immemorial, has been a
fisherman`s house, from the time Mr. William Harrison kept it up to now. It
never did a large trade. The proprietor and the various tenants never took
steps to make it do a large trade. They were content with a respectable, cosy
house to meet the requirements of a certain class, and did so.
The authorities closed two common lodging houses on
either side of the house. By doing so some of those who lived at common lodging
houses were driven to the Lord Nelson. The tenants, by their licence, were
bound to serve them, even though some of their more respectable customers went
elsewhere. The owners of the Lord Nelson spent enough money to re-build the
house in partitioning and making bars to suit the customers they would have
preferred not to supply, with the nett result that for doing what the law
compelled them to do their licence is taken away, the evidence relied upon
being that they did not sell sufficient drink, and served, as it was put, rag
and bone people.
As another object lesson of idiotic legislation
administered locally with a lack of intelligence we would call the attention of
our readers and old residents to a triangular block of buildings in Beach
Street. We remember four licensed houses adjoining each other in this block –
The Providence, Blue Anchor, Queen`s Head and Wonder Tavern.
The teetotal prating about this block was nauseous, and
cases of drunkenness on being heard by the justices were always attributed to
this block. They were four respectable houses, well conducted in every way, and
provided for various classes of fishermen, South Eastern employees, and workers
in the neighbourhood.
Three houses out of this block have been closed by the
authorities on the score of redundancy. The fourth one is always crowded and
sells more beer now than all the four put together, while it is secure from
interference. Why? Because the premium offered for increased trade is such that
the evidence of redundancy could not be produced, and the amount required for
compensation, were it closed, would be more than the commissioners would give.
We have no wish to close any well conducted house on
the score of redundancy. The more there are the less there is of drunkenness
and more easy the supervision, and also the greater comfort and convenience for
the public. The statistics of drunkenness, as at present given by convictions,
are utterly fallacious. The young, energetic policemen, wanting to earn
promotion, will often arrest people for drunkenness when older and more
common-sense men will send them home and prefer no charge. Thus the number of
public houses has nothing to do with it.
On Wednesday last twelve houses were referred to the
Canterbury Quarter Sessions, eight of which were undefended. Two were given
their licence, and two refused. This means that on the 1st of
January, 1915, there will be ten less beerhouses in Kent than there were in
1914. There will be just as much drink consumed, or even more, but the revenue
will not be so large. Kent will follow Northern towns, and the public will
insist on their liberty and choice of having moderate refreshments to suit
their tastes, and also accommodation which they require. This has been provided
in the North by clubs; it will be provided in the South.
Such clubs, on being conducted as respectably as the
houses which are being swept away on the excuse of redundancy, can defy the
police and Temperance faddists. They will be under no restriction as to opening
or closing to a minute, and furthermore will not have to contribute to the
revenue. When the Lord Nelson is closed, a Fishermen`s and Mariners` Club will
be formed to take its place. Such club will be allowed to supply its members if
they go to sea or land between the hours of 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. The proprietors
will not be compelled to serve rag and bone dealers, for serving which the
licence of the Lord Nelson has been taken away. And such club will also, as time
goes on, reduce the trade of licensed houses which are now doing well in such a
manner that they will be closed on the score of redundancy.
We shall have more to say as time goes on.
East Kent Licensing.
The Kent Licensing Committee held their annual sessions
at St. Augustine`s, Canterbury, on July 8th. Lord Harris presided up
to lunchtime, when Parliamentary duties called him to London, necessitating the
Vice Chairman, the Hon. Plumptre, taking his place.
There were twelve cases that had been remitted, eight
of which were uncontested, leaving the Coach and Horses at Deal (Flint and Co),
a house in Sandwich belonging to Mackeson and Co., the King`s Head in Herne
Bay, and the Lord Nelson in Folkestone belonging to Ash and Co. Learned counsel
were engaged on both sides. The evidence was of the similar stereotyped kind as
that usually given in these cases, which it seems are decided more by the fact
of the funds in the hands of the Commission Committee than anything else. No
doubt this is the reason why the other eight houses were not defended.
The following evidence was submitted:
Number of tenements in the area isolated by the railway
line:
1 The Stade 23 tenements
2 Radnor Street 52 “
3 East Street 32 “
4 Clout`s Alley 11 “
5 Dunn`s Alley 12 “
6 Bates` Alley 11 “
7 North Street 64 “
8 East Cliff
Gardens 19 “
9 East Cliff 56 “
10 Radnor Bridge Road 8
“
11 East Cliff Villas 4
“
12 Dudley Road 70 “
13 Seagrave Road 6
“
14 Stanley Road 39 “
15 Burrow Road 30 “
16 Penfold Road 73 “
17 Warren Road 63 “
18 Thanet Gardens 54 “
19 Wear Bay Crescent 67 “
20 Wear Bay Road 16 “
21 Radnor Bridge Cottages 8
“
In Institutions
22 St. Andrew`s Convalescent Home 200 persons
23 Wear Bay 100 “
24 Sanatorium 40
“
Public Works in the isolated area
Approximate estimate of number of men who need
refreshments
Flushing Service 200
South Eastern Good Service 300
Porters` Passenger Service 250
South Eastern Works Permanent Staff 40
Casually Employed 50
Customs Officials 100
Colliers and Traders 100
Ramsgate Smacks 70
Rye Steam Trawlers 60
Fishermen 300
Fish Packers, etc. 100
Fish Dealers 100
Marx, Builder 100
Dust Destructor and Engineering Works 50
Allotment Gardens 60
Plicher`s Market Gardens 50
Sundry Servants and Employees 100
Total 2040
Licensed Houses in the Isolated Area:
Fully Licensed
Lord Nelson, Jubilee, Ship, Oddfellows, Packet Boat,
Royal Oak, East Cliff Tavern (the Warren Inn, a fully licensed house at the
extreme end of the area, provided with pleasure gardens, was deprived of its
licence)
Beer Licence – The Lifeboat
During the season numbers are greatly augmented by
visitors, especially at boarding houses. Several houses have from 40 to 60
boarders between July and August.
The Lord Nelson is the largest house, and more
conveniently situated, especially for visitors. I has a frontage of 30 feet and
a depth of 26 feet, with a club room for visitors 16ft. 3in. by 12ft. 7in. It
is admirably situated for private parties, etc.
The Jubilee is a house with a smaller frontage, and has
been extended over that which was known as the Skittle Alley. The Oddfellows
and the Ship have also been extended over yards, the same as can be done by the
Lord Nelson.
The Royal Oak and the East Cliff Tavern are negligible
quantities as far as accommodation is concerned. They are simply cottages that
have been adapted for small public houses.
The want of accommodation is seriously felt by those
who have invested their money in property in this isolated district. Formerly
there were more houses to supply the refreshments. They have been closed by the
authorities. The North Foreland has been transformed into a Bethel or
Temperance tavern. The Radnor, Tramway, Star, and Marquis of Lorne have been
deprived of their licences and are now common lodging houses, accommodating 100
to 150 of the travelling class, who require refreshments, which the westernmost
bar of the Lord Nelson has been partitioned off to supply (shown on the plan
marked A). The centre bar (marked B) is used by the fishermen and others for
temporary refreshments during the daytime, and the club room (marked C) is used
during the evening by the better class of fishermen to discuss business
problems, and during the day for visitors to the Warren to obtain refreshments.
The annexed plan and rough model show how this eastern
district is cut off and isolated from the rest of the town.
The South Eastern Pier continues through the Harbour
Station and a few yards across the bridge, which divides the inner and outer
harbours, from whence it rises on a gradient to 20 feet, and continues about
halfway up the Tram Road to the level crossing at East Cliff, then follows on a
spur line which joins the main line beyond the Junction Station.
Thus the whole of the inhabitants and workmen mentioned
are prevented from getting into the town, except by the level crossing in
Warren Road, which is kept shut. A few yards lower down is a style, very
dangerous to children, and where many accidents have occurred. Further down is
the East Cliff crossing, and nothing between that and Radnor Street, where the
bridge is about 20ft. high.
There are three arches on the Stade for vehicular
traffic. These are very dangerous for foot passengers, and no pathway exists on
either side. Two fish carts passing each other under these arches make them
impassable and very dangerous for pedestrians, who have to divert when coming
from the Harbour round the Fish Market and through May`s Alley (marked on the
model), and round to the right, past the Nelson and through the Radnor Street
arch. The gates at the Harbour have to be often closed, necessitating the men
walking along the pathway on the easternmost side of the line, as shown on the
model.
The slipway or landing stage is used by the fishermen
and all those who enter the Harbour. The steps further along are used the same
for fish carrying, but not by the general public.
Take a similar area outside the isolated district west
of the Tram Road, including Beach Street, Seagate Street, Dover Road (from the
Raglan), London Street, Tram Road, Radnor Bridge Road, Martello Avenue, Folly
Road, Morrison Road, Swiss Terrace, Warwick Terrace, Grosvenor Terrace,
Saffron`s Place, Rossendale Road, and Dover Street (to the Raglan).
Fifteen streets with under 500 tenements are allowed
twelve licensed houses, including the Royal George, Alexandra, Wonder, South
Foreland, Chequers, Wellington, Oddfellows, Granville, Swan, Raglan, Martello,
and Raglan Tavern. This averages one house to 80 tenements, and the isolated
side means one house to 103 tenements. It is almost incredible to say, with all
the working population, that the Lord Nelson is unnecessary.
The house at Ashford had its licence renewed, also that
at Sandwich, but house at Herne Bay and the Lord Nelson were refused,
notwithstanding the very able defence set up by Mr. Herbert Morris, especially
in the case of the King`s Head at Herne Bay. It seems to us that the law must
sooner or later be altered to prevent difficulties that must arise if the
present state of things continues.
The justices adjourned for some time and considered the
matter, and on their return refused both licences.
As far as the Quarter Sessions is concerned, it
certainly presents a very excellent opportunity for a pleasant day`s outing for
chief constables, officials, policemen and others, and nice little easy jobs
for learned counsel. If the licensed victuallers were to devote their energies
in attempting to secure common-sense reforms rather than frittering them away
on congresses, delegates, etc., there might be hopes for better things. As it
is, the reforms must be brought about by healthy expression of public opinion,
independent of the interests of monopolies on one side and sentimental faddists
on the other.
Folkestone
Express 12-9-1914
Local News
On Tuesday a special sitting of the Magistrates was
held for thr purpose of deciding as to the early closing of public houses and
registered clubs. They first conferred in private, and among those who were on
the Bench when they came into Court were E.T. Ward, Alderman Jenner, Dr. Tyson,
Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Colonel Owen, and J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, G.I.
Swoffer, R.G. Wood, G. Boyd, W.J. Harrison, A. Stace, and C.E. Mumford Esqs.
The Chairman said the Magistrates had had an
application from the Chief constable as to putting into force the new Act with
regard to the earlier closing of public houses. It seemed to be, in their
opinion, a very right thing they should exercise the powers under the Act.
The Clerk said it would be necessary to pass a
resolution in the public court concerning the matter.
Lieut. Col. Fynmore then proposed the resolution, which
read as follows: That the Licensing Justices of the Borough of Folkestone, upon
the recommendation of the Chief Constable of the Borough that it is desirable
for the maintenance of order and the suppression of drunkenness within the
Borough, pursuant to, and in exercise of the powers vested in them by the
Intoxicating Liquor (Temporary Restriction) Act, 1914, by order that as from
this day the sale or consumption of intoxicating liquor in the Borough
aforesaid, and supply or consumption of intoxicating liquor on the premises of
any persons holding any retailer`s licence in the Borough aforesaid, and the
supply or consumption of intoxicating liquor in any registered club in the
Borough aforesaid, shall be suspended at and from the hour of 9 in the evening
of every day during the continuance of the present war and for a period of one
month after the close thereof unless this order be sooner revoked.
Mr. Linton seconded, and the resolution was unanimously
carried.
On the motion of Mr. Harrison, seconded by Mr. Stainer,
the Clerk was directed to give notice of the order.
The licensed houses were closed on Tuesday evening at 9
p.m. for the first time. The Act had been put into operation in Cheriton,
Sandgate and Hythe on the previous Saturday evening.
Folkestone
Herald 12-9-1914
Thursday, September 10th: Before Mr. J.
Stainer, Councillor C. Ed. Mumford, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Councillor
W.J. Harrison, and Mr. E.T. Morrison.
To a licensee who applied for an extension of time from
9 o`clock to midnight, the Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) said he did not think the
Bench could grant it. The normal law was suspended under the new Act, which
contained no provision for extension of hours.
Folkestone
Express 26-12-1914
Local News
On Monday evening shortly before six o`clock notice was
received in Folkestone that all public houses must be closed at eight o`clock
in the evening. The order came from the military authorities, but all licensed
premises could not be served with the notice before the stated hour, and some
remained open after the time.
The order was as follows:- OHMS, Headquarters,
Shorncliffe, 21st December, 1914. In order that the Borough of
Folkestone may be in conformity with the rest of the Training Area in this
Command, I hereby direct under authority of the Defence of the Realm Act
(Consolidated) Regulations, 1914, para. 10, that all licensed premises
whatsoever within the Borough of Folkestone shall be closed forthwith at 8
p.m., and until further orders; and I also hereby direct that the police acting
under the orders of the Chief Constable shall be the executive authority to
carry out this order.
James Spens, Major General,
Commanding 12th Division.
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