Bouverie Arms 1915 - 1919

Folkestone Express 18-9-1915

Tuesday, September 14^th: Before Alderman Spurgen, Col. Fynmore, Col. Owen, Aldermen Jenner and Pepper, and J.J. Giles Esq.

Albert James Hart, the landlord of the Bouverie Arms, Cheriton Road, was summoned for an offence under the lighting regulations on September 7^th at 7.55 p.m. He pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Thorne said the electric lights shone through the open doors and windows of the house, throwing a ray of light across the road.

Mr. Hart said he would like to point out some of the difficulties the licensed victuallers had to contend with in connection with the lighting regulations. They were responsible for the sobriety of their customers, and that necessitated a good light inside their premises in order that those serving behind the bar might see the condition in which they were. That was a difficult matter in those times, because there were so many customers coming into their premises, not by ones and twos, but by tens and twenties. It was practically an impossibility to prevent the light shining outside through the doors, which were being continually opened and shut by a crowd of people. That state of things was made worse through the operation of the Children`s Act, as if a man and his wife were out with their children, the man came into the house and took out a drink to his wife, who remained outside, thus causing the door to be opened when it might not be. They must have the windows open, as the heat and smoke inside would make the atmosphere unbearable. He asked the Bench to take those matters into consideration. Licensed victuallers did not wish to go against the order, for they were some of the most loyal people in carrying out the regulations. No sooner did the constable draw his attention to the lights than he immediately put them down. The lighting-up time on that particular night was 7.35. He believed the constable was brought to see the light by a Rev. gentleman. The street lamp, which had now been lighted opposite his premises, shed as much light on the road as his light did on that particular night.

Fined 10/-.

Folkestone Herald 18-9-1915

Tuesday, September 14^th: Before Alderman G. Spurgen and other Magistrates.

Albert James Hart, the licensee of the Bouverie Arms, Cheriton Road, was summoned for allowing a bright light to be shed outside his premises on September 7^th. He pleaded Guilty.

P.C. Thorn deposed that the rays from an electric light inside the bars were shining across the road from the upper part of the windows and occasionally through the door. When he drew defendant`s attention to it, he said “I am sorry; it shall be attended to at once”, and it was.

Mr. Hart said he wanted to point out to the Bench the difficulties that licensed victuallers had to contend with – they were different from those of other businessmen – in regard to the lighting order. They were responsible for the sobriety of all their customers inside their houses, which necessitated a good light to see the condition of the customers, especially at this time, when there were so many soldiers coming into their premises, net by ones and twos, but in tens and twenties. The constable had spoken about the light being shed through the doorway, but it was practically impossible for licensed victuallers to pre­vent a light shining through the doorway, simply because the door was continually being opened and shut by such crowds of people as they had at times. Also, there was the effect of the Children's Act; a man took drink outside a public-house to his wife, who had a child with her, and as he passed in and out of the door a light was continually being shed outside. They must have the window of the bars open, owing, to the atmosphere inside, otherwise the heat and smoke were practically unbearable. He asked the Bench to take those points into consideration. The licensed victuallers did not wish to go against the order: they were some of the most loyal people in carrying out the order. They were doing everything they possibly could, and in his own case, as the constable had said, no sooner had his attention been drawn to the matter than he at once put the lights down. The lighting-up time on the evening in question was 7.35, and the time when the constable called was only a quarter of an hour afterwards. He believed the policeman's attention was a called to the matter by a reverend gentleman, and he was brought from point duty some distance away to see his (defendant's) light. No sooner had he lowered his light than the Corporation immediately lit the street lamp outside his front door, which shed as much light there as he had had before.

The Magistrates imposed a fine of 10s.

 

Folkestone Express 30-10-1915

Tuesday, October 26^th: Before J. Stainer, G.I. Swoffer, R.J. Linton, E.T. Morrison, and C.E. Mumford Esqs.

The licence of the Bouverie Arms was temporarily transferred from Mrs. A.J. Hart to Mr. F.E. Hedges (sic).

Folkestone Herald 30-10-1915

Tuesday, October 26^th: Before Mr. H. Stainer, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. R.J. Linton, Mr. E.T. Morrison, and Councillor C. Ed. Mumford.

A protection order was granted to Mr. F.E. Hedges on taking over the Bouverie Arms from Mr. A.J. Hart.

Folkestone Express 27-11-1915

Local News

At a sitting of the Folkestone Bench on Wednesday, before E.T. Ward Esq., and other Magistrates, the licence of the Bouverie Arms was transferred from Mr. A. Hart to Mr. F.E. Hedges.

Folkestone Herald 27-11-1915

Wednesday, November 24^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward, Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. R.J. Linton, Councillor G. Boyd, Councillor W.J. Harrison, Mr. E.T. Morrison, and Col. G.P. Owen.

The Magistrates sanctioned the transfer of the Bouverie Arms, Cheriton Road, from Mr. A. Hart to Mr. F.E. Hedges 

Folkestone Express 24-6-1916

Monday, June 19^th: Before E.T. Ward Esq., and other Magistrates.

Walter Evans, described as a night porter at an hotel, was charged with giving three bottles of beer to a soldier.

Sergt. Major May, Military Foot Police, attached to the Town Commandant`s staff, said about 2.35 the previous afternoon he was on duty in Bouverie Road West when he saw the prisoner, who was carrying a crate containing four bottles of beer, come from the Bouverie Arms. He proceeded up the road, so witness followed him. When near Castle Hill Avenue he stopped, placed the crate on the ground, took the bottles out, and threw the crate over the hoarding near Messrs. Muddle. He placed two bottles in his coat pockets, and picked the other two bottles up and carried them in his hands. He then proceeded in the direction of Trinity Gardens, and there turned into an opening. Witness passed him, but kept observation on him. Shortly after two soldiers came across, and the prisoner beckoned to one of them, who went over to him. He saw the soldier receive one of the four bottles from the prisoner and place it in his greatcoat pocket. Witness stopped the soldier and took possession of the greatcoat, and in it he found three bottles of beer in the pockets. Prisoner was eight to ten yards away, and he proceeded to walk off in another direction. He called to him, and prisoner stopped. He obtained his name and address and handed him over to a Corporal, who brought him to the police station. Prisoner at that time had only one of the four bottles in his possession.

In reply to the prisoner: He asked the soldier if he had paid anything to the prisoner for the bottles of beer, and he said that the man asked him 3s. or 4s. for them, but eventually said “Never mind, Scottie. I will treat you to them”.

Corporal J. Fairman, Military Foot Police, gave evidence of bringing the prisoner to the police station, and also as to Evans taking a bottle of beer from his pocket and throwing it into a garden in Bouverie Road West.

P.C. Pittock said the prisoner was brought to the police station, and in consequence of what the other witnesses said he charged him with the offence, and he replied “That`s quite right”.

Prisoner said the soldier had been on leave for four days, and he was practically a free man. He understood from him that he had got his discharge, and he had no money in his pocket. He took compassion on him, and he was going to drink with him at the bottom of the allotment in Bouverie Road West. He (Evans) had been drinking.

Private Andrew Durwood, caretaker at the building occupied by the D. of R. and O., said he told the prisoner that he had no money. He had previously seen Evans at half past twelve in the Bouverie Arms. He did not make any arrangement to meet the prisoner. When he saw Evans with the crate of beer on his shoulder he made for him, as the man had promised him a drink about a week or two before.

Prisoner said he was a night porter, and he bought the drink so that he could have it at night when on duty.

The Chief Constable said the man had been in Folkestone for some months, and had been employed at an hotel.

Sir H.H. Raphael, Provost Marshal, said the military authorities that was a case in which there should be exemplary punishment. There was a great deal of that sort of thing going on, and they had great difficulty in maintaining order and discipline in consequence. Unless there was severe punishment there would be a recrudescence of it.

The Chairman, after the Magistrates had conferred together in private, said there was apparently too much of that sort of thing going on. He thought that the prisoner was being let off lightly in being sentenced to one month`s imprisonment with hard labour.

Folkestone Herald 24-6-1916

Monday, June 19^th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward and other Magistrates.

Walter Evans was charged with handing a bottle of beer to a soldier.

Evidence having been given, Sir Herbert Raphael, A.P.M., said he thought it was a case for exemplary punishment. There was far too much of this sort of thing, and the military authorities were having a great deal of trouble.

The Chairman said there was great difficulty in dealing with these cases. There was too much of this kind of thing going on. They were dealing very leniently with the accused in sentencing him to a month`s imprisonment with hard labour.

Folkestone Express 23-11-1918

Thursday, November 21^st: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer and other Magistrates.

Vincent Michael Griffin and Jules La Brosse, two soldier patients at Etchinghill Hospital, were charged with burglariously entering the Bouverie Arms on Tuesday evening.

Mr. F.E. Hdges, the landlord of the Bouverie Arms, Cheriton Road, said on Tuesday evening he closed the house at eight o`clock, and went to bed at 10.05 after securing the doors and windows, with the exception of a small cant, 18 inches wide. At 12.25 he was called up by P.C. Fox and came downstairs. He missed three bottles of whisky and a bottle of Kummel, valued at 43/-, from the bar. Later he was shown the practically full bottle of Kummel and an empty Black and White bottle.

Sergt. F.W. Budd, of the Military Police, stationed at Etchinghill Hospital, said about 2.50 on Wednesday morning, from information received, he searched the wards. In E Ward he found the two bottles produced under the bed of Pte. La Brosse, who was in bed. He placed the prisoner under arrest. Later he made a search of the ward. Griffin was standing at his bedside with an unopened bottle of whisky in his possession. He placed him under arrest, and asked him why he was in possession of the bottle, and he replied he had bought it. The men had been drinking.

P.S. Prebble said from information received at one a.m. on the 20^th inst., he proceeded in company with P.C. Fox to the Military Hospital, Etchinghill, where he made inquiries. Later the two bottles produced were handed to him by Sergt. Budd. That morning he saw the two prisoners detained at the Guard Room, Etchinghill, and told them he was making inquiries as to the Bouverie Arms Hotel having been broken into. He cautioned them, and charged them with being concerned together in breaking and entering the Bouverie Arms and stealing the whisky and Kummel. Griffin said “We don`t know anything about it”. La Brosse said nothing. At the Folkestone police station, when formally charged, they made no reply.

Sergt. Budd, re-called, said he could not say whether the men were absent the previous night or not.

The Chief Constable (Mr. Reeve) said the men had only been arrested that morning, and the police had not been able to complete all their inquiries.

The men were remanded until today (Friday).

Folkestone Herald 23-11-1918

Thursday, November 21^st: Before Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Councillor W.J. Harrison, Councillor A. Stace, Councillor C. Ed. Mumford, and Mr. W.R. Boughton.

Private Vincent Michael Griffin, C.E.F., and Private Jules La Brosse, C.E.F., were charged with breaking into the Bouverie Arms and stealing three bottles of whisky and one of Kummel.

Mr. F.E. Hedges, landlord of the Bouverie Arms, said he retired to rest on Tuesday evening at 10.05 p.m. The premises were secured with the exception of a small cant window, which would not close. Witness was called up about 2.30 a.m. by P.C. Fox, and on entering the bar found that three bottles of Black and White and one of Kummel had disappeared. Witness could not identify the bottles produced as his property by any distinguishing marks, but there was one bottle with a stopper bearing the name of a wine merchant in the town. That was similar to the stopper he used. He valued the liquor at 43s. He did not know the prisoners.

Sergt. F.W. Burt said he was a provost sergeant at Etchinghill Hospital. On instruction he proceeded to “E” Ward about 2.50 a.m. on Wednesday and found under La Brosse`s bed two bottles of whisky and one of Kummel. Witness then proceeded to “L” Ward, where he found Griffin standing by his bed. He had in his possession a bottle of whisky unopened. Both prisoners had been drinking.

Peter Shrubsole, in the employ of Mr. Smith, Cheriton Road garage, said two soldiers came to the garage on Tuesday night to hire a car. He was short-sighted and could not identify the prisoners.

Sergt. Prebble gave evidence of arrest at Etchinghill Hospital. Griffin replied, when charged, “We know nothing about it”.

Accused were remanded until yesterday.

Local News

With reference to the charge of burglary reported on page 6, the accused were brought up on remand yesterday. Both denied that they were in Folkestone on Tuesday night. The Justices bound them over to be of good behaviour for 12 months.