Wonder Tavern 1910 - 1914

Folkestone Daily News 14-2-1910

Monday, February 14^th

Emily Small pleaded Guilty to being drunk and incapable in South Street.

P.C. Prebble deposed to her being ejected from the Wonder Tavern on Saturday.

She had previously been convicted, but it was six years ago.

She was now fined 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs, and allowed a week to pay it in.

The Chairman hoped she would not come before them for another six years.

Folkestone Express 19-2-1910

Monday, February 14^th: Before Mt. E.T. Ward and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

Emily Small, a flower seller, was charged with being drunk and disorderly on Saturday night. She pleaded Guilty.

P.C. W. Prebble said on Saturday night at 10.15 he was near the Wonder public house, when he saw the prisoner, who was drunk, being ejected by the landlord. When outside she made use of bad and obscene language. He asked her to go home, but she refused and continued to use bad language, so he took her into custody.

Prisoner had nothing to say, except that she was sorry.

The Chief Constable said it was something like six years since the prisoner was there.

The Chairman, in telling her that she would have to pay a fine of 5s. and 4s. 6d. costs, expressed the hope that it would be another six years again before she had to come before the Bench.

Folkestone Daily News 2-8-1910

Tuesday, August 2^nd: Before Messrs. Penfold, Spurgen, Vaughan, and Fynmore.

Frederick Frost was charged, on remand, with stealing a cap.

The case had been remanded from Monday in order that prisoner might produce witnesses to prove that he did not steal the cap.

No witnesses, however, appeared when the case came on this morning.

Prisoner now said he was in the Wonder public house when a man came in and said he had come from a distance, and he (prisoner) took him to an eating house and treated him to some coffee. They then returned to the Wonder.

At this point in the case prisoner`s father-in-law appeared and said he could prove prisoner`s innocence, but as he was the worse for drink he was ordered to leave the court.

Continuing, prisoner said the man, noticing that he (prisoner) was wearing a very old cap, said he would go and get him a better one, and went out and brought in a new one, which he gave to prisoner. On being asked where he got it from, the man replied that he gave 6½d. for it.

The Chairman said there was a doubt about the case and prisoner would be discharged.

 

Folkestone Express 6-8-1910

Tuesday, August 2^nd: Before Aldermen Penfold, Spurgen, and Vaughan, and Lieut. Col. Fynmore.

Frederick Frost, who was remanded from the previous day, was again charged with stealing a cap, value 1s., from Mr. Godden, clothier.

The Chief Constable explained that the prisoner was remanded in order that he could call some witnesses.

No witnesses turned up, and the prisoner pleaded Not Guilty. He further stated that the landlord of the Wonder public house knew all about it. He went into the public house, and his father-in-law told him he had a bad cap. He pulled it off his (prisoner`s) head and put his fingers through it. Another young fellow who was there said he would get him a better cap. He went outside and returned with the cap (the stolen one). The man took off his (prisoner`s) old cap and put on the new one. He did not mind going to prison for anything he did, but he did not like going when he was innocent.

A man then came forward and said that Frost`s statement was true. He offered to give evidence, but he was not in a sober condition, and the Clerk ordered him to be removed from the Court.

The Chairman told the prisoner that the Magistrates had decided to give him the benefit of the doubt, and he could go.

Folkestone Express 26-7-1913

Tuesday, July 22^nd: Before E.T. Ward Esq., Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Aldermen Spurgen and Vaughan, Col. Owen and J.J. Giles Esq.

Thomas Graham was summoned for stealing a bicycle. Mr. A.K. Mowll, of Canterbury, defended.

George James Wells, a private in the 3^rd Buffs, stationed at St. Martin`s Plain, said on July 4^th a bicycle was lent to him by a friend named Alfred Pankhurst. He went into a fish shop in Harbour Street at about a quarter to eleven, and then saw defendant, with whom he got into conversation. They left the shop together, and went to the Wonder Tavern. He left the bicycle leaning against the window outside. They had two half pints of beer together about four minutes to eleven. Defendant was an entire stranger to him. Defendant drank his glass of beer, and he (witness) then lost sight of him, his attention having been taken from him by a conversation he was having with the landlord. He went out of the house, and immediately missed his bicycle. He shortly afterwards informed the police of his loss, and on the following Sunday evening he again saw it at the police station. He valued the cycle at 30s.

Cross-examined, witness said the bicycle was the one that was lent to him. He had not been drinking all the evening. He had only had four or five half pints.

P.C. Butcher said he received information on the loss of a bicycle on the 4^th by the last witness, and on the 6^th he saw the defendant in the Walton Allotments. He told him he was making inquiries about a bicycle that was stolen from outside the Wonder public house on the 4^th, and that he believed he (the defendant) was in the soldier`s company when the bicycle was lost. He asked him if he could give any information about it. Defendant replied “Well, I bought one in Tontine Street just after eleven o`clock on Friday night for 15s. I do not know who the man was”. He, however, gave a detailed description of the man, who told him he came from Deal and was looking for work, and wanted to get back to Deal that night. He gave a description of the man`s clothing. He then went to No. 6, Darlington Street, where the defendant resided, and was shown the bicycle (produced) by the defendant. Later the bicycle was identified by Pankhurst, the owner. He saw the defendant again on the Monday, when he told him the bicycle had been identified. He replied he hoped he would not lose his 15s. On the 6^th, after he obtained the bicycle from the defendant, he took down a statement made by the defendant, who signed it.

The Clerk read the statement, which was to the effect that he went into Marwood`s fish shop for a fish supper, and got into a conversation with a soldier of the Buffs, who asked him if he would have a drink. He replied “Yes”, and they went into the Wonder Tavern, in Beach Street. The soldier left the bicycle against the wall before he went into the house. They had two half pints of beer, and the soldier then asked for a match. As the landlord would not give him one, the soldier became cross. He (defendant) thought there was going to be trouble, so he went out, and the bicycle was then against the wall. He went up Tontine Street, and into the Brewery Tap, where he had a pint of beer. At closing time he went towards his home, and when near the Congregational Church a man, a stranger to him, beckoned from the other side of the street. The man asked him if he wanted to buy a cheap bicycle which he had in his possession. He asked him how much he wanted for it, and he replied 15s. The man said he had come from Deal to look for work. He gave him 10s. in gold and 5s. in silver for the cycle. He did not ask the man his name. Defendant also described how the man was dressed, and said he had a respectable appearance.

P.C. Butcher, continuing, said he served the summons on the defendant on the 15^th, and read it over to him. He said “I quite understand it. Is it any use me seeing the soldier?”

Cross-examined, witness said the defendant handed over the bicycle to him at once. The Wonder Tavern was near the common lodging houses. He thought the defendant had been in the employ of the Corporation for nine or ten years. He was now a fireman. As far as he knew, the defendant during that time had been of exemplary character. He knew that on the following day the defendant rode the machine about the town.

Defendant elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded Not Guilty. He said he was a present a fireman in the employ of the Corporation, in whose employment he had been for ten years. On Friday, July 4^th, he was paid £2 4s. 9d. He met the soldier about half past ten. He had some fish and potatoes in the fish shop, and at the soldier`s suggestion they went to the Wonder Tavern. When in the public house the soldier asked for a match, and as he did not receive one quickly he became very cross. He (defendant) picked up his beer, which he drank, and left the house. He went into Tontine Street, and went into the Brewery Tap, where he had a pint of beer. There was no-one in there whom he knew. On leaving the house he went towards his home. When near the Congregational Church he saw a man with a bicycle. He beckoned to him and asked if he wanted to buy a cheap bicycle. He eventually paid him 15s. for the bicycle and went home. On the following day he rode over to the Morehall Fire Station on the machine, and returned home upon it.

In reply to the Clerk, defendant said he told his landlady on the following day that he had bought the bicycle. When he came outside the Wonder Tavern there was a bicycle outside. In the Brewery Tap he was served with a pint of beer by a man. He did not know the landlord of the Brewery Tap.

Mr. H.O. Jones, the Chief Officer of the Fire Brigade, said the defendant had borne an exemplary character during the whole of the time he had been in the employ of the Corporation. He remembered seeing Graham on the Saturday twice on the bicycle. He could not identify the bicycle produced as the bicycle the defendant was riding.

In reply to the Chairman, he said he had not seen the man riding the bicycle before.

Lewis Brooks, of 57, St. John`s Street, said he was foreman of the Cleansing Department of the Corporation, and since the early part of 1904 the defendant had been under his eye. He gave him an exemplary character. Here had not been a single complaint made against him during that time. He had never seen the defendant the worse for drink.

Mr. Mowll addressed the Magistrates on behalf of the defendant, who, he said, had acted openly and straightforwardly throughout, and had not attempted in the slightest to alter the appearance of the machine.

The Bench retired, and on their return the Chairman said the Magistrates could only come to one conclusion. There was no question that the bicycle was stolen, and within a quarter of an hour the defendant was in possession of it. The law stated that a person in such circumstances had to satisfy the Magistrates how he came by it, and that he came by it in a proper legal manner. They could not accept the defendant`s statement, but they were going to deal very leniently with him. He would be bound over to be of good behaviour for twelve months, and to come up for judgement if called upon.

Folkestone Herald 26-7-1913

Tuesday, July 22nd: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Alderman G. Spurgen, Alderman T.J. Vaughan, and Lieut. Colonel R.J. Fynmore.

Thomas Graham, a corporation employee, was charged with stealing a bicycle, the property of Pte. Alfred Pankhurst, of the 3rd Buffs. Mr. A.K. Mowll, of Canterbury, defended.

George James Wells, a private in the 3rd Buffs, stated that on the evening of Friday, 4th inst., he was riding the bicycle produced, which had been lent to him by Pte. Pankhurst. He went into a shop in Harbour Street at about 10.45, and saw defendant there. Witness got into conversation with him, and they left the shop together, going to the Wonder Tavern on witness`s invitation. They entered the Tavern together, and witness left the bicycle outside on the pavement, leaning against the window sill. Inside the defendant and he had two half pints of beer. It was about four minutes to eleven. Up till then Graham was an entire stranger to witness. He saw him drink some of the beer, and then lost sight of him, his attention being taken from him by the landlord. Turning from the landlord, witness found the defendant was gone.

The Chairman: Who paid for the beer?

Witness: I did. Proceeding, he said he left the house, and found the bicycle had been removed. Shortly afterwards he informed the police. Witness saw the bicycle on the following Sunday evening at the police station, and there identified it. The value was 30s.

Cross-examined, witness said he was certain the machine produced was that lent to him. He was often lent bicycles, and sometimes left them outside places. He had not been drinking all the evening. He had only had four or five half pints.

P.C. Butcher stated that he received information from the last witness respecting the loss of the bicycle, and on the following Sunday saw the defendant on the Walton allotments. Witness told him he was making enquiries respecting a bicycle stolen from outside the Wonder Tavern on the 4th inst., and that he believed he (defendant) was in the company of the soldier who lost the bicycle. He asked whether defendant knew anything about it. Graham said “Well, I bought one in Tontine Street just after eleven on Friday night for 15s.”, adding that he did not know the man he bought it from. He gave witness a detailed description of the man, and said he came from Deal and was looking for work, but wanted to get back to Deal that night. Accused gave a description of the clothing which he said the man was wearing. Witness went to defendant`s residence in Darlington Street, where he was shown the bicycle now produced. It was later identified by the owner. Witness saw the defendant again on the Monday, and told him the bicycle had been identified. Accused said he hoped he would not lose his 15s. On the previous day, at the time the bicycle was handed to witness, he took the defendant`s statement down in writing, and Graham then signed it. It was made voluntarily. The statement was to the effect that after he left the Wonder Tavern, he went along Tontine Street to the Brewery Tap. There he had something to drink, and at closing time went home. He got as far as the Tontine Congregational Church, when a man whom he did not know beckoned him across the road, and asked him whether he wanted to buy a bicycle. Defendant asked him how much he wanted for it, and the man replied “15s.”. He eventually bought the bicycle from him, and went home on it. The description of the man was that he was about 30 years of age, of middle height, broad shoulders, full face, fresh complexion, and clean shaven: dressed in blue or black jacket, cycling knickers, black leggings and boots; he had on a collar and tie, and looked very respectable. Witness served a summons concerning the charge on defendant on the 17th. He asked whether it was any use his seeing the soldier.

Cross-examined, witness said that defendant was perfectly open about the affair. The Wonder Tavern was in the fishermen`s quarter. There were many people about, especially about the time of the public houses closing. Defendant had been in the employ of the Corporation for about ten years, and was at present a fireman. As far as witness knew, during that time he had borne an exemplary character. He had been riding about with the cycle since it had been in his possession.

Accused elected to be dealt with summarily, and pleaded Not Guilty.

Giving evidence on oath, defendant said that he lived at 6, Darlington Street, and was at present a fireman in the employ of the Corporation. He had been in the employ of the Corporation for about ten years. Friday was pay night, and on the night in question he had £2 4s. 9d. It was about 10.30 when he met the soldier. They went to the Wonder for a drink. The soldier asked for a match, and as he did not get it he became very cross. The landlord said “You are getting very cantankerous”. Defendant thought there was going to be a row, and, saying “Goodnight”, he left the house. He then went to the Brewery Tap, where he stayed until closing time. He then went towards home. He saw a man with a bicycle near the Congregational Church. He beckoned to defendant, and asked whether he wanted to buy a cheap bicycle. Defendant considered what he should do. The man was a perfect stranger. The description he had given of the man was a true one. The next day he rode the bicycle to work at the Morehall fire station. It could be seen. He then went home to breakfast on it, and left it outside the house, and after breakfast rode it back again.

Questioned by the Magistrates` Clerk, defendant said he told his landlady he had bought the machine. A bicycle was standing outside the Wonder Tavern when he left. Witness did not know the landlord of the Brewery Tap, nor the man who served him. He did not know anyone in the bar.

Mr. Harry Oscar Jones, Chief Officer of the Folkestone Fire Brigade stated that defendant had been in the Corporation employ for some years, and during that time had borne an exemplary character. Defendant was appointed a probationary fireman when witness became Chief Officer. Witness saw the defendant on a bicycle at about 8.30 a.m. on Saturday going in the direction of his work. At about 1 o`clock on the same day he again saw defendant on a bicycle. Witness could not identify that produced as the one in question.

Questioned by the Bench, witness stated that he had never seen defendant on a bicycle before.

In answer to the Magistrates` Clerk, Mr. Jones said that during the time defendant had been a dustman he had ample opportunity of entering houses of all kinds. There had been no complaints.

Mr. Lewis Brooks, of 5, St. John`s Street, foreman of the cleansing department of the Corporation, said defendant had been under his eye since the early part of 1904. For 8½ years he had been refuse collector, and during that time he had borne an exemplary character. He had never seen him the worse for drink. During the whole of that time there had been no complaints.

The Bench retired for a few minutes to consider the case, and on their return the Chairman said the Bench had come to the only possible conclusion. There was no doubt that the bicycle was stolen, and within a quarter of an hour afterwards the accused had it in his possession. They could not accept his statement, but they would deal with him leniently. He would be bound over for twelve months.

The Magistrates` Clerk: In the meantime this will not rank as a conviction.

Folkestone Herald 29-11-1913

Wednesday, November 26th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Mr. W.G. Herbert, Alderman T.J. Vaughan, Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. R.J. Linton, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. J.J. Giles, and Mr. E.T. Morrison.

Permission was given for some alterations in connection with the entrance to the Wonder Inn to be carried out.

Folkestone Express 6-6-1914

Tuesday, June 2^nd: Before Alderman Spurgen, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Alderman Jenner, and J.J. Giles Esq.

John Prendergast was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Beach Street the previous night. He pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Cradduck said at 9.45 the previous night he saw the prisoner being ejected from the Wonder Tavern. He immediately began to shout and use obscene language, and then came across to him (witness) and put himself in a fighting attitude. He requested him to desist and told him to go home He refused to do so, and said no ---- policeman would take him. He (witness) eventually took prisoner into custody. Prendergast came up to him, started quarrelling with him, and wanted to fight.

The Chief Constable said the man was on a ship in the harbour.

Prisoner said he was very sorry. He had only come into harbour the previous day.

Fined 2/6 and 4/6 costs.

Folkestone Herald 19-12-1914

Friday, December 18^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Alderman C. Jenner, and Col. G.P. Owen.

An application was made for the temporary transfer of the licence of the Wonder Tavern, Beach Street, to Mr. Charles Henry Fiske.

The Chief Constable (Mr. H. Reeve) said there was no objection, but he hoped the applicant would be able to keep the house in order; he was rather young.

The Magistrates granted the application.

Note: Date is at variance with More Bastions.