Wellington 1910 - 1914

Folkestone Daily News 9-2-1910

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 9^th: Before The Mayor, Messrs. Ward, Fynmore, Linton, Hamilton, Stainer, and Leggett.

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

All the licences were renewed, except the Wellington, Chequers, and Rose Hotel. These were adjourned till the adjourned licensing sessions.

Folkestone Express 12-2-1910

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 9^th: Before The Mayor, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Major Leggett, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Messrs. E.T. Ward, J. Stainer, and R.J. Linton.

The Chief Constable (Mr. H. Reeve) submitted his annual report as follows:- Gentlemen, I have the honour to report that there are at present within your jurisdiction 125 premises for the sale by retail of intoxicating liquors, viz: Full licences, 76; beer “on”, 7; beer “off”, 6; beer and spirit dealers, 15; grocers, etc., 11; chemists, 7; confectioners, 3; total, 125.

This gives an average, according to the Census of 1901, of one licence to every 245 persons, or one “on” licence to every 369 persons.

There are two other houses licensed by the Inland Revenue for the sale of beer, wine and spirits off the premises, under the provisions of the Excise Acts, for which no Magistrates` certificate is required.

Since the last annual licensing meeting ten of the licences have been transferred.

Five occasional licences have been granted for the sale of drink on premises not ordinarily licensed for such sale, and 45 extensions of the usual time of closing have been granted to licence holders when balls, dinners, etc., were being held on their premises.

During the year ended 31^st December last 93 persons (73 males and 20 females) were proceeded against for drunkenness. Ninety were convicted and three discharged.

This, I am pleased to report, is a decrease of 14 persons proceeded against as compared with the preceding year, and a decrease of 32 persons proceeded against when compared with 1907.

Of those proceeded against 38 were residents of the borough, 10 residents of other districts, 36 of no fixed abode, and 9 soldiers.

Since the last annual meeting two licence holders have been convicted, namely: One permitting gambling – fined £5 and costs; one permitting drunkenness – fined 40/- and costs. In the latter case notice of appeal against the conviction has been given, and will be dealt with by the Recorder at the next Quarter Sessions.

Fourteen clubs where intoxicating liquor is sold are registered in accordance with the Act of 1902. These clubs have a total membership of 3,063, an increase of three clubs and an increase of 1,261 members, as compared with 1903, the year in which clubs were first registered.

There are 17 places licensed for music and dancing, and three for public billiard playing.

I am pleased to report that with very few exceptions the licensed houses during the past year have been conducted in a satisfactory manner.

I have received notice of two applications to be made at these sessions to sell beer off the premises.

I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant.

The licences were then renewed, with the exception of the Chequers Inn, Seagate Street (Walter Howlett), Rose Hotel, Rendezvous Street (Percy William John Hunt), and the Wellington (Charles William Copping Skinner), which were deferred to the adjourned licensing sessions on March 7^th.

Folkestone Herald 12-2-1910

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 9^th: Before The Mayor, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Major Leggett, Messrs. R.J. Linton, E.T. Ward, and J. Stainer.

The Chief Constable (Mr. Harry Reeve) presented his report. (For details see Folkestone Express)

The licences were then renewed, with the following exceptions, the consideration of which was referred to the Adjourned Licensing Sessions on March 7^th next; The Chequers Inn, 3, Seagate Street; full licence; licensee Mr. Howlett; opposed by the Chief Constable on the ground of redundancy. The Wellington Tavern, 1, Beach Street; beer licence; licensee Mr. Skinner; opposed by the Chief Constable on the ground of redundancy.

Folkestone Daily News 7-3-1910

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Monday, March 7^th: Before The Mayor, Messrs. Ward, Hamilton, Linton, Herbert, Stainer, Leggett, and Boyd.

The Wellington

This licence was objected to on the grounds of redundancy. The same figures were proved as in the previous case. There was no complaint against the house.

Mr. Warner, of Tonbridge, supported the renewal of the licence, first on the grounds that the licence was granted before 1869, secondly that it was only a beerhouse, and thirdly because it was the only house the owner had in the town. Competition was good and necessary.

Mr. Blemmer (sic), the licensee, said he took his house in 1906, and paid £130 to go in. He had been a licensed victualler before. There was a Cork Club of 65 members held at his house, and he had ten bedrooms, which were always let in the summer time. He had no record of his trade, only the brewers` books. He got a fair living, and had no desire to leave the house. He had two children, and the customers were the labouring class and tradesmen in the neighbourhood. Messrs. Bushell`s was the best beer in Folkestone. His was the only house in the town that supplied it.

Cross-examined by the Chief Constable: There were off licensed houses that supplied Bushell`s beer, so if the house was closed they could get Bushell`s beer. If the whole 65 members of the Cork Club attended at one time, he would not have room to put them.

Arthur Newton, secretary to Bushell and Co., proved the trade as follows: 1903, 122 barrels; 1904,108; 1905, 100; 1906, 126; 1907, 189; 1908, 176; 1909, 222. The average for the last three years was four barrels per week. The house was in a good position, and the firm had only two off licensed houses in Folkestone. Ten years since £300 had been spent on the property, and they were anxious to retain the house. The compensation would not pay them. It was good sound beer they supplied, and much liked in Folkestone.

The licence was refused.

 

Folkestone Express 12-3-1910

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Monday, March 7^th: Before The Mayor, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Major Leggett, Messrs. E.T. Ward, W.G. Herbert, and R.J. Linton.

Three licences had been referred to the justices for consideration – the Rose Hotel, the Wellington public house, and the Chequers.

The Wellington

The Wellington beerhouse was the last case for consideration. Mr. Warner (Tonbridge) represented the owners, Messrs. Bushell, Watkin and Smith, and the tenant, Mr. C.C. Skinner.

Det. Sergt. Burniston gave evidence of serving notice of opposition to the licence on the ground that it was unnecessary for the needs of the neighbourhood.

Chief Constable Reeve said the Wellington Inn was situate in Beach Street. It was an ante 1869 beerhouse. He then put in the figures relative to the congested area. The present licensee was Charles Copping Skinner, who obtained the transfer of the licence on December 5^th, 1906. The owners were Messrs. Bushell, Watkin and Smith, Westerham, and the rateable value of the house was £32. There were two doors at the front of the house, one opening into the bar and the other to a small bottle and jug department, which also led into a tap room at the side. That was the only accommodation for the public. There was a side door which opened in Dover Street, and the licensee informed him it was only used by his family and people staying in the house. The Clarendon Hotel was 32 yards away in the other direction. The rateable value of the Clarendon Hotel was £120. In Beach Street there were 34 houses – four of them were “on” licensed houses – two full, and two beer. Within a radius of 100 yards there were 12 other “on” licensed houses, and within a radius of 150 yards there were 17, and within 200 yards 25. The trade of the house was rather low class – hawkers and so on, and soldiers in the evening. He had no complaint to make about the manner in which the house was conducted by Mr. Skinner.

Cross-examined, Mr. Reeve said the Clarendon Hotel was a free house, and it belonged to Mr. Venner. The South Foreland was privately owned. He did not know who supplied them. In the congested area Messrs. Leney and Co. owned six, and probably they supplied others. He knew the Wellington let lodgings and he believed they had ten bedrooms to let. He thought both the Chequers and the Wellington could be spared. He had not served a notice on the South Foreland because he had had no instructions to do so. The licensing justices had inspected the congested area themselves.

Mr. Warner said the house, he believed, was granted a licence in the 17^th century. He considered that the ante 1869 houses should have greater consideration than the houses granted licences after that date. He held that it should be granted a licence because of its utility for a certain class of customers. He also appealed for it to be continued because it was the only house belonging to Messrs. Bushell, Watkin and Smith, and he contended that healthy competition amongst brewers was necessary.

Mr. Skinner said he had been in the house since December, 1906. He had been in the trade previously. He paid a good valuation to go in - £120. There was a cork club in connection with the house, with a membership of 65. They had ten letting bedrooms in the house, and he found plenty of people to take them, especially in the summer. He had not kept a record of what his trade was. He did a fair living trade there. He had no desire to leave the house. The working class, the men from the Harbour and the Fish Market and the tradespeople visited the house.

Cross-examined by the Chief Constable, Mr. Skinner said all the members of the cork club did not attend at the same time. If they did have them all at once it would be a difficult thing to get them in the rooms. There were two “off” licensed houses selling Messrs. Bushell`s beer.

Herbert Armstrong, of 33, Garden Road, said he was a postman. He frequently went to the house in the evening. The house was well attended. He signed the document (produced), which Mr. Warner said was a memorial asking the Bench to renew the licence. The witness, continuing, said he thought the house was required. It was in a prominent position, and it was a place where middle class visitors could go.

Mr. Frank Newton, the manager for the brewers, said he had control of the books, and the figures he would give were taken from the books. In 1903 they did 125 barrels and 40 dozen bottles; 1904, 108 barrels; 1905, 100 barrels; 1906, 120 barrels and 21 doz.; 1907, 189 barrels and 189 doz.; 1908, 176 and 237 doz.; 1909, 222 barrels and 217 doz., and 158 crates. The total barrelage for last year was 235. The average trade for the last three years was 205½, or practically four barrels a week. The house was in a prominent position, and he should say it was a convenient house. They had no other “on” licence in Folkestone, but they had two “off” licences, one in Bridge Street and one in Bradstone Road. Ten years ago they spent £350 in making alterations to the premises. If compensation were paid to them it would not compensate for the loss.

The Bench decided to refer the licence to the Compensation Authority.

Folkestone Herald 12-3-1910

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Monday, March 7^th: Before The Mayor, Lieut. Col. C.J. Hamilton, Major Leggett, Messrs. J. Stainer, W.G. Herbert, T. Ames, R.J. Linton, and G. Boyd.

The Wellington

The renewal of the licence of the Wellington beerhouse, 1, Beach Street, had also been referred to these sessions. Mr. Warner appeared for the landlords, Messrs. Bushell, Watkins and Smith, of Westerham, and the licensee, Mr. Charles Copping Skinner.

The Chief Constable said that the Wellington Inn was situated in Beach Street, and was an ante 1869 beerhouse. In giving the reasons for the opposition, the Chief Constable put in a scale map, showing what he described as the congested area. This was defined by a blue line commencing at the Harbour, proceeding up the Bayle Steps, along the Bayle Parade, the top of High Street, then to Dover Road to the Raglan Hotel corner, down Dover Street, and along Radnor Bridge Roat to the sea. He said that within that area there were 893 houses, with a population approximately of 4,465 persons. Within that area there were 31 on licensed houses; 27 full licences, and four for beer. There were seven other licences, making a total of 38 premises licensed for the sale of drink in the area. That gave a proportion of one licence to every 23 houses, or every 117 persons, or one on licence to every 28 houses, or every 144 persons. In the borough at large there were 83 on licences, and 40 other licences, a total of 123 premises licensed for the sale of liquor by retail, giving a proportion of one licence to every 249 persons, or one on licence to every 369 persons. That was according to the Census of 1901, when the population of the borough was given as 30,650. Within the congested area there were two registered clubs, with a total membership of 1,252. During the past year, 1909, he found that out of 93 charges of drunkenness preferred before the borough justices, 37 arose within the small congested area This house was situated in the congested area. The present tenant was Charles Copping Skinner, who obtained a transfer of the licence on December 5^th, 1906. The registered owners were Messrs. Bushell, Watkins and Smith, of Westerham. The rateable value of the house was £32. There were two doors at the front of the house, one leading to the bar, and the other to a small bottle and jug department, which also opened into a small tap room at the side. That was the only accommodation. There was a side door to the house, which opened to Dover Street, and which the licensee had assured him was only used by his family and persons staying at the house. The house was situated at the corner of Beach Street, South Street, and Harbour Street. The Clarendon Inn and the South Foreland were each only 32 yards away. The South Foreland was rated at £72, and the Clarendon  at £120. The Chequers, just at the back was rated at £28. In Beach Street there were only 34 houses, of which four were on licensed houses, two full licences and two beer licences. Within a radius of 100 yards there were twelve other on licensed houses; within a radius of 150 yards 17 others, and within a radius of 200 yards, 25 others. The trade of the house was rather a low class – chiefly hawkers and so on, and soldiers in the evening. He had no complaint to make, and no fault to find with the way in which the house was conducted by the present licensee.

In answer to Mr. Warner, the Chief Constable said that the Clarendon was a fully licensed house, and was a large place, belonging to Mr. Venner. The South Foreland was also a fully licensed house, and was also privately owned. He did not know who supplied the South Foreland, but very likely it was Messrs. Leney. In the congested area Messrs. Leney had six licensed houses, and they supplied others. He knew that there were rooms to let at the Wellington, and there might possibly be ten. The landlord had let lodgings there, and the rooms supplied a want so far as lodgings were concerned. He thought that both the Chequers and the Wellington could be spared from this district.

This concluded the case for the refusal of the licence, and in giving his reasons why it should be renewed, Mr. Warner said that the house was of value because it was situated at the corner of the street. It was a very old-established house, as the licence was originally granted in the seventeenth century. For some reason it was considered that a poor man should go to a beerhouse, and the better class man to a fully licensed house, so for that reason a beerhouse was necessary. He also thought that the licence should not be extinguished on the ground that it was the only on licence owned by Messrs. Bushell in Folkestone, and he considered that competition was good for trade.

Mr. Charles Copping Skinner said that he had been lessee of this house since December, 1906. He had been in the trade before, and paid a valuation of some £120 to go into these premises. There was a cork club, with 65 members, held on the premises. There were ten bedrooms in the house that could be let, and he found plenty of people to take them, especially in the summer time. There was a fair trade at the house, and he had no desire to leave it. They were working people who frequented the house, men from the Harbour and Fish Market, and the tradesmen around.

In answer to the Chief Constable, this witness said that the whole of the 65 members of the cork club did not go to the house at once, or there would be considerable difficulty in accommodating them. There were two off licences belonging to Messrs. Bushell in the town.

Mr. Herbert Armstrong said that he lived at 33, Garden Road, and was a postman. He frequently went to the Wellington Inn of an evening, and found that it was well attended. He identified his signature on a memorial signed by a number of people to the effect that the licence was required. (This document was put in) He considered that this house was required.

Mr. Warner was about to call other evidence from among the signatories to the petition to the effect that the house was necessary, but the Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. Bradley) intimated that the Bench did not want to hear other witnesses on that point.

Mr. Frank Newton said he was the Secretary and Manager of Messrs. Bushell`s brewery, and he gave figures from the books of the company of the trade of the house. This showed the trade in 1904 to have been 108 barrels; 1905, 100 barrels; 1906, 120 barrels and 21 dozen; 1907, 189barrels and 189 dozen; 1908, 176 barrels and 236 dozen; 1909, 222 barrels, 217 dozen, and 158 crates. That worked out at 235 barrels last year. 4½ barrels a week were sold in 1909. His firm had no other on licences at Folkestone; there was one off licence at Bridge Street, and another in the Bradstone Road. In 1889 his firm spent £295 in improving these premises. His firm were most anxious to obtain the licence.

At the conclusion of the evidence the Bench decided, without retiring, that they would refer the house to the East Kent Compensation Committee.

Folkestone Daily News 19-7-1910

Local News.

The Canterbury Justices at the Quarter Sessions today refused to accept the recommendation of the Folkestone Bench to deprive the Wellington Tavern of its licence. Thus the house will not be interfered with.

Considering the number of times that the County Bench has refused to close houses in Folkestone, it is high time that licensed victuallers should be left in peace to carry on their business without being harassed in the way they have been for some years past.

Folkestone Express 23-7-1910

East Kent Licensing Committee

On Monday, at a meeting of the East Kent Licensing Committee, the application for the renewal of the Wellington public house, at the bottom of Dover Street, Folkestone, was heard. It had been referred to the Committee by the Folkestone Licensing Justices.

Mr. Matthew appeared for the Justices, and Mr. Travers Humphreys for the owners, Messrs. Bushell, Watkin, and Smith, of Westerham, and the tenant, Mr. C.C. Skinner.

Evidence was given by Mr. Reeve, the Chief Constable, as to the congested area in which the house was situated, and other evidence was given by Det. Sergt. Burniston.

For the appellants the amount of the trade was stated, and witnesses were called to say that the house was required for the needs of the neighbourhood.

The Committee, which was presided over by Lord Harris, decided to renew the licence.

Folkestone Herald 23-7-1910

East Kent Licensing

The principal meeting of the East Kent Licensing Committee was held at Canterbury on Monday; Lord Harris presided.

Only one house in Folkestone was down for consideration, viz., the Wellington, Beach Street, an ante 1869 beerhouse, of which Mr. Charles Copping Skinner is the tenant, and Messrs. Bushell, Watkins and Smith Ltd., Westerham, are the registered owners. Mr. Matthew appeared for the Licensing Justices, and Mr. Travers Humphrey for the owners.

Mr. Matthew said this house was situated in an area which, although there had been a large number of reductions made there, was still largely over-supplied with houses. There were 31 on licensed houses, of which 27 were filly licensed and 4 on-beer, and 3 off, making in all 38 (sic) licensed houses in the vicinity. These figures gave one licence to every 117 persons, or one on licence to every 144. In comparing this congested area with other parts, they had one in 117 as compared with one at 249 in other parts, or one on licence to every 144 as compared with one on licence to every 369 elsewhere. The accommodation of the Wellington was poor, and the class of trade done was also poor. Those who patronised the house were mainly hawkers and soldiers. Persons living in the locality did not seem to care for it, and there was ample other accommodation in Beach Street. Beach Street was a street of 24 houses, and of these four were licensed houses, including the Wellington. The other three were considerably larger than the Wellington. There were also three licensed houses in the adjoining street, all of considerably higher rateable value. Within 100 yards of the Wellington there were twelve licensed houses, within 150 yards, 17, and within 200 yards, 25. Therefore there could be no inconvenience to the public at large, or to the immediate neighbourhood, if this licence was taken away. Although he had said the trade was poor, it had no doubt of late years been increasing, and this was the result of closing a number of licensed houses in the district. In late years twelve licences altogether had been taken away. The figures of the trade which were placed before the justices were:-  in 1903, 125 barrels; in 1904, 108; in 1905, 120; in 1906, 189; in 1907, 176; and last year 221 barrels. But if the matter was to rest entirely upon whether the trade was increasing or not in the congested area, then there could be no more taking away of licences. If they took away one house in the congested area, it would only have the effect of increasing the trade at the other houses. Therefore he asked the Committee not to rely on those figures, but to have regard to the ample accommodation there was without this licence.

Mr. H. Reeve, the Chief Constable of Folkestone, in the course of his evidence, said the congested area also had two registered clubs in it. The charges of drunkenness for the year ending the 30^th of December were 93 for the whole borough, and 37 of these came from the congested area. The rateable value of the Wellington was £32, and directly behind it was the Chequers, a fully licensed house, while the Clarendon was only 32 yards away, and the South Foreland also 32 yards in the other direction. The rateable value of the South Foreland was £72, and of the Clarendon £120. There were three other licensed houses in Beach Street besides the Wellington; the Royal George (rateable value £56), the Alexandra (£76), and the Wonder Tavern (£36). In the adjoining street, Harbour Street, there were three licensed houses; the Harbour (rateable value £56), the True Briton (£60), and the London and Paris (£60). All these houses were within 60 or 80 yards of the Wellington, with the exception of the London and Paris.

In reply to Mr. Humphreys, Mr. Reeve said although the Chequers was a fully licensed house, it was rated lower than the Wellington, which was in a very good position. There were no complaints against the tenant`s character, or the way the place was conducted.

Mr. Humphreys: Is it your experience that since so many houses have been closed – no fewer than nine within a distance of 100 yards – that the trade has generally gone up at the others? – I should say that would be so, sir.

That would seem to be the result of the working of the Act? – In a small area like this, yes.

You know, of course, who are the brewers who supply most of the remaining houses? – Yes. Sir.

And I believe this is the only house which is supplied by Messrs. Bushell, Watkins and Smith? – It is the only on licence.

And they supply two other places in Folkestone? – Yes, but not in this neighbourhood.

And of the remaining houses in this neighbourhood, five are supplied by one firm of brewers? – I would not go so far as to say that, sir. There are several brewers in this neighbourhood.

There are a number of bedrooms at the Wellington? – Nine or ten.

And they let well in the summer? – I think he does do well with his letting.

Therefore, so far as the bedrooms are concerned, they rather supply a need in the neighbourhood? – I don`t say they are necessary to a licensed house.

But some people prefer to have their bedrooms at a public house? – Yes, there are some. (Laughter)

The Chief Constable further stated that the Chequers had a better class customer than the Wellington, and was used by the people employed in the Harbour, and who were always in regular employment.

Detective Sergt. Burniston gave corroborative evidence.

Lord Harris: Where are the hawkers going if this licence is taken away? – There are other houses, my Lord.

Are there other houses which would like the hawkers to come to them? – Yes, sir.

And you think that the incursion of the hawkers into those other houses would not frighten other customers away? – No, sir.

If the hawkers invade the Chequers, for instance, will the harbour hands still go there? – I think so, sir.

Has that been your experience – that where a house has been closed the customers of that house have distributed themselves among the other houses? – Yes, sir.

Without inconvenience to the regular customers of those other houses? – Yes, sir.

Mr. Humphreys, in support of the application for the renewal, said it was very desirable that there should be different classes of house – a house that catered for the tradesmen, and one for such a class as hawkers. These people would not go without their beer, and no-one would contend that they should. They might go somewhere where their presence would not be welcome, and he submitted that so long as the house they patronised was well conducted, there was the strongest possible argument for the retention of the licence. Another reason was that this was the only house where the special kind of beer sold there could be obtained in that part of town, and to close this house would therefore be hard upon those wishing to procure Messrs. Bushell`s beer, and would also be a little hard upon the owners as well. Then again, the Committe might consider that sufficient houses had already been taken away from this particular neighbourhood. The result of closing some of the houses had been to increase the trade done by the other houses. Therefore it had not met the purposes for which the Act was passed, namely, to diminish drinking. The trade done at the Wellington was unquestionably a large one, and had gone up and up as there had been fewer and fewer competitors. Last year it had gone up to 235 barrels, including the bottle and crate trade, whereas it was only 100 to 120 in the year that the Act to diminish drinking was passed. It was still increasing, moreover, and this year would undoubtedly be larger than ever.

Mr. Skinner, the tenant, stated that he had been at the house since December, 1906. He paid £20 a year rent, and was assessed at £32. He had a benefit club at the house, with a membership of 65. He also had ten bedrooms, which let well in the season. He never at any time had any difficulty in controlling the hawkers, his usual class of customer. He was doing a good trade there, and it was increasing. There were also two or three restaurants in the vicinity, and they had the refreshments required by their customers from his house.

In reply to Mr. Matthew, witness said his usual charge for a bed was 1s. 6d., although he sometimes let beds for sixpence in the winter time.

Mr. Frank Baker Newton, secretary and manager to Messrs. Bushell, Watkins and Smith, stated that the Wellington was a very old-established house, and was said to date back to 1700. In 1889 his firm spent £300 on it, and it was the only on licence the firm had in Folkestone. They served two off licensed houses as well, but they were some distance away from the Wellington. Their barrelage for this year, if the increase went on in proportion, would be 282 barrels. This would mean an average of 5½ barrels a week, which was a very good trade indeed. Three barrels a week for a public house was always regarded as a good trade.

Mr. Ernest Marwood, of 5, Harbour Street, stated that he lived close to the Wellington, and kept a restaurant. He had no licence for intoxicating liquors, and got his customers` requirements from the Wellington. But for the Wellington he would have to go up the Foord Road for this firm`s beer, when asked for it, as he often was.

The Committee decided to renew the licence.

Southeastern Gazette 26-7-1910

East Kent Licensing

The principal meeting of the East Kent Licensing Committee was held at the Sessions House, Canterbury, on Monday. Lord Harris presided.

Application for the renewal, of the license of the Wellington, Beach Street, Folkestone, was made by Mr. Travers Humphrey, barrister. Mr. Mathew, barrister,opposed on behalf of the local Licensing Justices.  Evidence was given to show that the house, which, was supplied by Messrs. Bushell, Watkins and Co., of Westerham, was doing an increasing trade, and the Committee decided to renew the license.

Folkestone Daily News 13-2-1913

Annual Licensing Sessions

The Licensing Bench on Wednesday, February 12^th, was constituted as follows: Messrs. Ward, Boyd, Leggett, Swoffer, Stainer, Herbert, Fynmore, Hamilton, and Linton.

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

The Chairman said the report of the Chief Constable was very satisfactory, but the Bench were still of opinion that there were too many licensed houses in a certain portion of the town. Therefore a number would have their licences withheld until the adjourned sessions on the ground of redundancy. Formal opposition to the renewals would be served so that full enquiries could be made into the trade of these houses, with a view of referring some of them to the Compensation Authority.

The following were the licences which were held over: The Raglan, Dover Street; Oddfellows, Dover Street; Royal Oak, North Street; Isle of Cyprus, Bayle; Lord Nelson, Radnor Street; Lifeboat, North Street; Wellington, Beach Street.

Folkestone Express 15-2-1913

Annual Licensing Sessions

The Brewster Sessions were held on Wednesday morning. The Justices present were E.T. Ward Esq., Major Leggett, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, G. Boyd, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, and J. Stainer Esqs. Mr. Boyd and Mr. Stainer did not take part in the licensing business, not being on the committee.

The Chief Constable read his report as follows: Gentlemen, I have the honour to report that there are at present within your jurisdiction 119 places licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor by retail, viz., Full Licences 73, Beer On 7, Beer Off 6, Beer and Spirit Dealers Off 15, Grocers, etc. Off 9, Confectioners` Wine On 3, Chemists Wine Off 5. This gives an average, according to the Census of 1911, of one licence to every 281 persons, or one on licence to every 418 persons. As compared with the return submitted last year this is a decrease of two licences. At the general annual licensing meeting last year a new licence was granted for the sale of beer off the premises at Morehall, and two other off licences were discontinued.

At the last adjourned general annual licensing meeting the renewal of the licence of the Rendezvous Hotel was referred to the Compensation Committee on the ground of redundancy, and at the meeting of that Committee on the 7^th August, 1912, the licence was refused, and after payment of compensation the house was closed for the sale of drink on the 28^th December last.

During the past year fifteen of the licences have been transferred; one licence was transferred twice.

Six occasional licences have been granted for the sale of drink on premises not ordinarily licensed for such sale, and 34 extensions of the usual time of closing have been granted to licence holders on special occasions.

During the year ended 31^st December last 85 persons (62 males and 23 females) were proceeded against for drunkenness; 64 were convicted and 21 discharged.

In the preceding year 54 males and 31 females were proceeded against, of whom 66 were convicted and 19 discharged.

The number convicted of drunkenness last year, viz., 46 males and 18 females, is, I find, the smallest number convicted in any year since 1896.

Of those proceeded against, 31 were residents of the Borough, 34 were persons of no fixed abode, 13 residents of other districts and seven were soldiers.

No conviction has been recorded against any licence holder during the past year. Proceedings were taken against the holder of an off licence for a breach of the closing regulations, but the case was dismissed.

Eleven clubs where intoxicating liquor is sold are registered in accordance with the Act of 1902.

There are 17 places licensed for music and dancing, eight for music only, and two for public billiard playing.

I have no complaint to make as to the conduct of any of the licensed houses, and offer no opposition to the renewal of any of the present licences on the ground of misconduct.

The Chairman said it was a very satisfactory report indeed, but they felt that there were still too many licensed houses, particularly in certain portions of the Borough, and the Justices would direct that a certain number of the applications for renewal should be deferred till the Adjourned Sessions, so that they might have evidence as to the trade those houses were doing, and decide whether any of them ought to be referred to the Compensation Authority.

The houses to be dealt with were seven in number, namely; the Raglan Tavern, the Oddfellows, the Royal Oak, the Isle of Cyprus, the Lord Nelson, the Lifeboat, and the Wellington.

With those exceptions the existing licences were granted.

Folkestone Herald 15-2-1913

Annual Licensing Sessions

Wednesday, February 12th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Major Leggett, Mr. W.G. Herbert, Mr. J. Stainer, and Mr. G. Boyd.
The Chief Constable presented his annual report (for which see Folkestone Express).

The Chairman remarked that the report was a very satisfactory one, but, in the opinion of the Bench, there were still too many public houses in certain portions of the town, and they would defer the renewal of certain of the licences to the adjourned sessions, so that they might have evidence as to what trade they were doing, and see if any of them were to be referred to the compensation authority.

The licensees of the Raglan Tavern, the Oddfellows, Dover Street, the Royal Oak, North Street, the Isle of Cyprus, the Lord Nelson, the Lifeboat, and the Wellington were called forward.

The Chairman said the renewal of the licences of those public houses would be deferred until the adjourned licensing sessions, and notice of opposition would be served in the meantime on the ground of redundancy. The Chief Constable would be directed to serve the notices.

The licences of all the other houses were then renewed.

Folkestone Daily News 10-3-1913

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

Monday, March 10^th: Before Messrs. Ward, Hamilton, Stainer, Herbert, Harrison, Morrison, Linton, Boyd, Stace, Jenner, and Giles.

There was again a large crowd in Court on Monday morning, when the fate of 7 licensed houses (referred for redundancy) hung in the balance.

At the commencement of the proceedings the Chief Constable said the Bench had to consider the seven licences adjourned from the annual sessions on the ground of redundancy. He invited the Bench to hear the evidence in regard to such houses separately and give a decision after hearing all the evidence.

The Wellington

An ante-1869 beerhouse, formerly known as the British Colours. Licensee, C.C. Skinner. Brewers, Bushell, Watin & Co. Rateable value £29.

Similar objections were urged, with the addition of a small lavatory.

Mr. Skinner, the licensee, said he had held the licence since December, 1906. He paid £112 14s. valuation and the stock. The rent was £20, and the assessment £29. He had ten letting bedrooms in the house, letting from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. per night. The trade was a good middle class one, and he had all the trade of the surrounding restaurant keepers. He had a petition signed by 240 people in favour of the renewal of the licence. His takings averaged £2 10s. per day.

Mr. Newton (from the brewery) said the average beer sold for the last three years was 238½ barrels per year, showing an increase on the previous 3 years. This was the brewers` only on licence in Folkestone.

Mr. Warner, solicitor, of Tonbridge, appeared to support the renewal of the licence.

The Bench retired at 4 p.m., and returned at 4.10, the Chairman announcing that the Lord Nelson and the Isle of Cyprus would be referred to Canterbury and the other five licences would be renewed.

Folkestone Express 15-3-1913

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

At the annual licensing sessions seven licences were deferred to the adjourned sessions, which were held at the Town Hall on Monday. The Magistrates on the Bench were E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Hamilton, Alderman Jenner, and W.G. Herbert, J. Stainer, R.J. Linton, G. Boyd, W.J. Harrison, J.J. Giles, E.T. Morrison and A. Stace Esqs.

The Wellington

The Wellington, Beach Street, was the next house to be considered. Mr. Warner (Tonbridge) appeared for the owner and the tenant.

The Chief Constable said that was an ante-1869 house, and was formerly known as the British Colours. It was situate in Beach Street, at the corner of Dover Street. The licensee was Mr. Charles Copping Skinner, who obtained the transfer on December 5^th, 1906. The registered owners were Messrs. Bushell, Watkin and Smith, of Westerham. The rateable value was £25. There were two doors from Beach Street, one opening into the front bar, and the other into a small bottle and jug department, which also led to a taproom on the right hand side. There was a side door, which opened into Dover Street. The licensee told him it was only used by himself, his family, and persons staying in the house. The urinal provided for the customers was in a very small back yard, and it was only approached from the kitchen of the licensee. The yard was so small that they could scarcely swing a cat round in it. The Chequers Inn, in Seagate Street had an entrance to the yard of that house directly by the side of the Wellington. The Clarendon Hotel, with a rateable value of £120, was only thirty two yards away. There were altogether twenty three houses in Beach Street, four of them on-licensed houses, two full licences and two beer licences. In the adjoining street, Harbour Street, there was the True Briton, the Harbour and the London and Paris Hotels. Then there were the Royal George and the Alexandra Hotels in Beach Street. All those houses would be ample to accommodate the customers using the Wellington. That house was really situate in the centre of the congested area. Witnin a radius of 100 yards there were twelve other on-licensed premises, within 150 yards seventeen, and within 200 yards twenty five licensed houses. He had no complaint to make as to the conduct of the house, but he certainly felt it was a house which could be spared.

Cross-examined, Mr. Reeve said the house was referred three years ago, but the Quarter Sessions renewed the licence. The Chequers, the South Foreland, the Wonder and the Wellington were all in a row. The reason he differentiated between the Wellington and the others was that he considered that the Wellington should go first, because it was the least suitable. One of his objections would be done away with if the urinal accommodation was altered. That was the only house owned by Messrs. Bushell, Watkin and Smith, and on the other occasion it was before the Justices he believed it was treated as a ewe lamb.

The Chairman: Supposing this house was closed, would there be a similar house for the customers to go to?

Mr. Reeve: Yes, in Beach Street.

Mr. C.C. Skinner said he had held the house since December, 1906. He paid £112 14s. for valuation, and had the stock to pay for in addition. The rent was £20 and the assessment was £30 and £29. He had ten letting bedrooms with which he did a fair trade in the summer. He charged from 1s. 6d. to 2s. 6d. for a room for a night. His trade was middle class, the South Eastern men using his house. The restaurant keepers did business with him. Opposite there was a place being altered for the use of Territorials. He had a petition signed by 247 people, customers and others, asking that the licence should be retained. He took about £2 10s. a day. In 1912, he paid over £24 for minerals. He sold three dozen meat pies a day. He took about £106 a year for meat pies, sandwiches and biscuits. His trade was increasing, and had increased since they were last there.

Cross-examined, witness said there was nothing to prevent him letting the bedrooms even if the licence was taken away.

Mr. F. Newton said the average for the last three years was 238½ barrels a year. The last time they were there it was 205 barrels. The house dated back to 1700. They spent £300 on the house a few years back. He was satisfied with the trade of the house. The trade was more than double what it was from 1903 to 1906.

Mr. Warner said on a previous occasion that house was referred, but it was renewed by the Quarter Sessions. It faced five streets. They admitted the urinal was not such as it might be, but the Justices were not there to consider structural alterations. If it was their wish that there should be structural alterations, the owners` manager was prepared to take it into consideration. That house was the only one belonging to Messrs. Bushell and Watkins, and if that was done away with it would be doing them an injury. Competition was a very good thing among brewers, and if the licence was taken away, the other houses would have an increased trade. It would not reduce drunkenness in any way. He could not see any reason put forward by the Chief Constable why the licence should be referred to the Quarter Sessions. He handed in a petition signed by 243 persons.

The Magistrates retired, and on their return the Chairman announced that the licence would be renewed, but they thought that the owners of the Wellington and the Raglan should consider the question of the urinals.

Folkestone Herald 15-3-1913

Adjourned Licensing Sessions

The adjourned Annual Folkestone Licensing Sessions were held at the Police Court on Monday, when the licences of the seven houses deferred at the Annual General Sessions came up for hearing. Mr. E.T. Ward was in the chair, and he was supported by Mr. W.G. Herbert, Lieut. Colonel C.J. Hamilton, Mr. J. Stainer, Mr. R.J. Linton, Mr. G. Boyd, Alderman C. Jenner, Captain Chamier, Mr. J.J. Giles, Councillor W.J. Harrison, Mr. E.T. Morrison and Councillor A. Stace.

The Wellington

The licence of the Wellington was next considered. Mr. Warner, of Tonbridge, appeared for the owners.

The Chief Constable said that this was an ante-1869 beerhouse, formerly known as the British Colours, and situated in Beach Street, at the corner of Dover Street. The licensee was Charles Skinner, who had held the licence since December of 1906. The owners were Messrs. Bushell, Watkin and Smith, of Westerham, and the rateable value was £29. Here were two front doors leading into the house from Beach Street, one opening into the front bar, and the other into a small bottle and jug department, which also led to a tap room on the right hand side. There was a side door which opened into Dover Street, but which the licensee had told him was only used by himself and his family and persons who might be staying in the house. The urinal provided was in a very small back yard, and was approached only through the kitchen of the licensee. The Chequers, in Seagate Street, had an entrance to the yard directly by the side of the Wellington. The Clarendon Hotel, with a rateable value of £120, was only thirty two yards away in Tontine Street. There were altogether twenty three houses in Beach Street. Four of them were on licensed houses, two full licensed, and two had beer licences. In the adjoining street there were the Harbour Inn, the True Briton, and the London and Paris Hotel. All these had large public bars, and ample accommodation for the customers using the Wellington. This house was really situated about the centre of the congested area, and within a radius of one hundred yards there were twelve other on-licensed premises. Within 150 yards there were 17 houses, and within 200 yards there were 25 houses. He had no complaint to make as to the conduct of the Wellington, but he certainly felt that it was one of the houses that could be spared, and the customers who used it could find ample accommodation elsewhere.

Cross-examined by Mr. Warner: The Clarendon was in some measure a house which would serve different people to the Wellington. The same applied to the South Foreland. The Chequers was next to the South Foreland on one side, and the Wonder was on the other. He considered these three houses in a row to be congestion. He thought that the Wellington should go first because it was the least suitable in his opinion, as the urinal accommodation was very bad, the public having to go through the licensee`s kitchen. That, he admitted, was a question of structure, and had nothing to do with the question of redundancy. There was a congestion of public houses there, and he held that the Wellington was the least suitable for the purposes of licensed premises. He considered that it was inferior to the surrounding houses. In the case of the Chequers, they had a large open yard, but in that of the Wellington they had nothing of that sort behind. If the owners altered the urinal one of his objections would be done away with. He remembered something about plans being put in to alter this urinal. He knew that this was the only house which Messrs. Bushell had in Folkestone. It was treated as their ewe lamb. (Laughter) If it was taken away the customers would not be able to enjoy Bushell`s beer. (Laughter) The house was well situated for police supervision.

The Chairman asked whether, supposing this house was closed, there would be a similar house for people to go to.

The Chief Constable: Yes. All the others in Dover Street.

Mr. Chas. Skinner, the licensee, said he paid as valuation when he went into the house the sum of £112 14s., and there was the stock in addition. The rent was £20, and the assessment £29. He had ten letting bedrooms, and had a good class letting trade. The trade of the house was middle class in character. Amongst their customers they had the restaurants in Beach Street. Directly opposite to this house there were premises being offered for the use of Territorials, and he hoped for custom from them. He had a petition signed by 247 people, some of whom were customers. His takings averaged £2 10s. a day. In 1912 he paid over £24 for minerals. He sold about three dozen meat pies a day. The takings for lunch biscuits, sandwiches and pies were about £2 a week - £106 a year. He was doing a good business, which had increased since the date of the previous hearing, and was still increasing.

Cross-examined by the Chief Constable: If the licence was taken away, there was nothing to prevent him still letting the bedrooms.

Mr. F. Newton said the average for the last three years was 238½ barrels a year, whereas for the previous three years it was only 205 barrels. This was the only on-licensed house that Messrs. Bushell had in the town. They had spent £300 on the house a few years back. He was satisfied with the trade of this house. The trade was more than double than when Mr. Marsh had the house. He left in 1906. His average for 1903 to 1906 was 108 barrels a year.

Mr. Warner said that the house had been previously referred to the Quarter Sessions by the Bench, and the licence had been renewed at the Quarter Sessions. He admitted that the urinal accommodation was not as satisfactory as it might be, but when the Chief Constable made a point of that it became a matter of structural alteration, whereas the question before them was one of redundancy. They had had plans drawn up regarding this urinal, but they were unfortunately mislaid some time past in the Magistrates` Clerk`s Office. This was his clients` only house in Folkestone, and if they were going to disallow the licence they would be doing his clients a serious injury. If they took a licence away the trade of other houses would increase. He did not suppose that any member of the Bench would think that by taking away this licence they would be doing anything to reduce drunkenness. If people could not go to this house, they would certainly go somewhere else. He could see no reason why this house should be chosen to be referred to Quarter Sessions. He produced a petition signed by 243 people.

The Magistrates retired for a period to consider their decisions. On their return the Chairman said that the licence of the Wellington would be renewed, but they thought it was as well that the question of the urinals should be considered, and the Bench suggested that plans in that connection should be submitted.