Folkestone
Express 14-2-1925
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 11th: Before Alderman
Wood, Dr. Tyson, Messrs. G.I. Swoffer, G. Boyd, A. Stace and E.T. Morrison,
Col. Owen, Alderman Pepper, Miss Hunt, the Rev. Epworth Thompson, Mr. J.H.
Blamey, Mr. W. Hollands, Mr. W.R. Boughton and Col. Broome-Giles.
The Chief Constable (Mr. Beesley) read his annual
report as follows: I have the honour to submit my annual report relating to the
administration of the Licensing Laws within this Borough for the year 1924.
Licensed Premises: There are within the Borough 112
premises licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor, the number being made up
as follows; Full licences 69; Beer on 7; Beer off 6; Beer and Spirit Retainers
13; Grocers, etc. off 6; Confectioners Wine on 3; Chemists Wine off 6; Cider
and sweets off 1; a total of 112 (79 on and 33 off). This shows a reduction of
two full licences as compared with the number of full licences in 1923, the
reduction being brought about by the closing of the Belle Vue, St. John`s
Street, and the Oddfellows, Dover Street, by the Justices and Compensation
Authorities. In addition to the above, the Richmond Tavern, Richmond Street,
was considered by you and the licence renewed at the adjourned annual licensing
meeting.
Licences refused since 1905: Since the year 1905 the
renewal of 23 licences have been refused by the Compensation Authorities, 19
ale houses and 4 beer houses.
Ale House Licences: Of the ale house licences two are
six day licences.
Licences Transferred: Nine of the licences have been
transferred during the year.
Occasional Licence: One occasional licence was issued
to a licence holder to sell liquor at the Hospital Fete on the Plain.
Extension of Licensing Hours: 213 extensions have been
granted to licence holders when dinners, etc., were being held on their
premises. In no case has any abuse of the privileges been reported.
Conviction against Licensees, etc.: During the year
four licensees and one servant of a licensee were proceeded against for breaches
of the intoxicating liquor laws, viz.; (1) 15-2-24, John Charles Lee, Prince of
Wales P.H., for permitting intoxicating liquor to be consumed on his licensed
premises during non-permitted hours, fined £2. (2) 15-2-24, John Charles Lee,
Prince of Wales P.H., for selling intoxicating liquor on credit for consumption
on his licensed premises, dismissed. (3) 15-2-24, Max Rosenz, Esplanade Hotel, for
permitting intoxicating liquor to be consumed on his licensed premises during
non-permitted hours, fined £10. (4) 2-9-24, Hugh McKay, Jubilee P.H., for
supplying intoxicating liquor on his premises during non-permitted hours, fined
£7 10s. (5) 2-12-24, William Henry Collar, Red Cow P.H., for distributing
intoxicating liquor without recording particulars of the same in a day book,
discharged on payment of costs. (6) 2-12-24, Frederick Wickenden (servant of
Collar), for distributing intoxicating liquor without a delivery note,
discharged on payment of costs.
Five persons were convicted for consuming intoxicating
liquor on licensed premises during non-permitted hours. Two persons were
dismissed on payment of costs for a similar offence, and proceedings were
withdrawn against two persons for obtaining intoxicating liquor on licensed
premises during non-permitted hours.
Visits to Licensed Premises by Police: All licensed
premises have been periodically visited at intervals by my officers during the
year to see that the same were being conducted in a satisfactory manner, and I
am pleased to report that with few exceptions no adverse reports have been
submitted to me.
Drunkenness: During the year ended 31st
December, 1924, twenty three persons (twenty males and three females) were
proceeded against for drunkenness, of whom thirteen were convicted and ten
discharged after being cautioned by the Bench. Of those proceeded against,
eight were residents of the Borough, two soldiers, six of no abode, and seven
non-residents. This is a decrease of three as compared with the number
proceeded against in the previous year when twenty six persons (twenty one
males and five females) were proceeded against, of whom sixteen were convicted
and ten discharged.
Permitted Hours: The permitted hours as allowed by the
Licensing Act of 1921 have been fixed by the Licensing Justices for the Borough
as under; On weekdays from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.;
on Sundays 12 noon to 2 p.m. and 7 to 10 p.m.
Clubs: Eleven clubs where intoxicating liquor is
supplied are registered under the Act.
Hotels and Restaurants: Six hotels and one restaurant
have authority under section 3 of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply
intoxicating liquor with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, viz.,
Metrpole Hotel, Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Regina Hotel, Esplanade Hotel,
Royal Pavilion Hotel, Central Cafe.
Music and Dancing: Twenty eight licences for music and
dancing have been granted or renewed under the provisions of Part 4 of the
Public Health Act, Amendment Act, 1890.
Billiards: One public billiard hall has been licensed
for billiards.
Supervision of these places has been well maintained by
the police, and the premsise were reported as being well conducted.
In conclusion I should like to express my appreciation
for the courtesy and fairness extended to me by the Bench during the past year,
and for the able and ready assistance of your Clerk, Mr. John Andrew.
The Clerk said with regard to the convictions against
the licensees of the Prince of Wales and the Jubilee, new tenants had gone into
those houses. He understood there would be no question of holding back the
licences of those particular premises.
The Chairman, in announcing that all the licences would
be renewed, said the Magistrates considered the report was very satisfactory.
There had only been 13 convictions for drunkenness. Bearing in mind that
Folkestone was a pleasure resort, and they had a great increase in the
population during the four summer months, they all thought that the report was
of a satisfactory character, and also particularly when they saw that of the 13
cases only eight were residents. They thought that the trend of the times was
that more discretion was shown by those who took intoxicating drink, and that
it was more popular today to keep strictly sober than it used to be in years
gone by. None of the licences would be referred for extinction.
Mr. Rutley Mowll applied on behalf of nine licensed
houses for a music licence so that wireless concerts could be given on the
premises. He said he did not think the Justices would object to wireless being
installed on licensed premises, and he suggested the hours should be the
permitted hours of opening in the evening all the year round.
The Magistrates retired to consider their decision, and
the Chairman, on their return, said the Bench had decided to grant the
application for every evening including Sunday, Christmas Day and Good Friday,
from six to ten o`clock. The Bench were fully aware that that was to be an
attraction to the licensed houses, but they were going to to try the
experiment. The Bench would also welcome some alterations with regard to public
houses, which should be public houses not in name, but in fact. They looked
forward to the time when the public houses would be conducted in that country
on similar lines to the Continental cafe. They also thought the time had come
when money should be spent on those public houses in making them more
comfortable and supplying refreshments of all kinds and not places for
drinking. The public houses should be places where a man, and his wife, could
take the whole of their family. He did not know what Continental people thought
when they saw children having to stand outside public houses. The Magistrates
were, however, not prepared to give way so as to allow attractions merely to
get people to go to the public houses for what they got today. Certainly the
people should have more facilities in such houses today than they had.
Local News
On Wednesday considerable interest was taken in the
application before the Folkestone Licensing Justices of the Folkestone and District
Licensed Victuallers` Association for an extension of the hours of opening of
licensed premises from 10 to 10.30 p.m. during the months of June, July, August
and September. The police court was crowded, a number of clergy and ministers
being present.
The Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) said he had received an
application for a modification of the present Order fixing the closing hours.
The application was that the present hours should be extended from 8 hours to
8½ hours. He had had a petition lodged with him from the British Women`s
Temperance association against the application. It was signed by 3,715 women
and 316 men. The petition stated that the signatories were residents over 21
years of age, and they respectfully urged the Justices not to extend the hours,
as the home life of the children would be impaired; they knew of no
dissatisfaction with the present arrangements, and they were proud of
Folkestone and wished to remain so. There was another petition from the Radnor
Park Congregational Church, which submitted that the present hours were
entirely adequate to meet all reasonable needs. That was signed by 50 members
of the Church. The Rev. Canon Tindall also wrote stating that Folkestone`s
satisfactory record was sufficient proof that it was best to leave well alone.
A letter from the Rev. H.T. Cooper, on behalf of the Folkestone and District
Branch of the National Temperance Council, also objected to the application.
Dr. Carlile announced that he would speak on behalf of
the clergy and ministers of the town, Mrs. Russell said she wished to support
the petition of the British Women`s Temperance Association, and Mrs, Pollard
said she wished to speak for the Women Citizens` Association.
Mr. Rutley Mowll, who appeared for the Licensed
Victuallers` Association, said that application was not opposed by the police
authorities. It was only a matter of half an hour. He asked that the public
houses might be allowed to remain open until 10.30 for the purpose of selling
intoxicating liquors. It did not seem a very unreasonable application. The
varying habits of the people was recognised by the legislature as they would
see in the Licensing Act of 1921 there was a special arrangement made for the
Metropolis. Then again, they knew that townspeople and country people had
different habits. The legislature had prescribed that wherever there was a case
of special requirements in a district it was open for the Magistrates to extend
the hours by half an hour, for which he was asking. Folkestone was one of the
premier, if not the premier, south-east coast resorts, and he thought it was
not an unfair argument to put before them, without suggesting for one moment
that they were bound by the decisions of other Benches, to suggest to them
whether there was any reason why Folkestone should be denied a privilege which
already existed in such places as Margate, Westgate, Broadstairs, Birchington,
Deal, Dover and Hythe. In all those places the extension of half an hour had
been granted, some for the whole period of the year, and others for the four
seasonal months. It was the four seasonal months for which he was asking – the
time when Folkestone was extraordinarily busy with visitors, many of whom came
from London, where they were accustomed to later hours.
The Chairman asked if the places mentioned by Mr. Mowll
had the extension for the four seasonal months.
Mr. Mowll said he thought he was right in saying that
Deal and Hythe were the only two that had it for the four months, but the
others had it all the year round. At Hythe, when the application was originally
made, it was opposed by the police, but so happily had it worked in practice
that the privilege had been continued without any opposition by the police. He
thought it was fair to ask the Magistrates, after the excellent report given by
the Chief Constable, whether there was any reason to suppose that Folkestone
licensed victuallers, and Folkestone visitors and townspeople could not be
trusted as much as the people of the other places he had named. The application
was supported by all the leading hotels in the town. He ventured to submit to
them it was really the humbler section who were most affected, because a man
who had plenty of money could afford to have a bottle of whisky in his house
and so drink when he got home. The working class people did not have their
whisky in that way. That was not a question of right or wrong. With regard to
the opposition, he would say it was not all Christian workers who agreed with
them. He submitted that Folkestone might be fairly trusted to carry out that
concession properly, fairly and rightly, and if they found the concession was
being abused, the remedy was in their own hands by refusing it another year.
The Clerk said it was understood that the application
was for the seasonal months only.
The Rev. Dr. Carlile said he considered Mr. Mowll gave
the case away entirely when he asked that Folkestone ratepayers and residents
might be trusted. He ventured to submit that the Bench had heard nothing new in
the way of argument. He would venture to suggest that some of the hotels were
not included in that list to which Mr. Mowll had referred. He would like to
point out that it was not an application on behalf of Prohibitionists or total
abstainers to get rid of the drink. The petition presented to the Bench
contained the signatures mostly of the poorer people. The large majority of
them were not total abstainers. The Bench, he contended, would have appreciated
the application more if the contention had been that it was for the working
classes during the whole of the year, and for the people who lived there. The
working class people when they were asked made their reply in that petition.
The poorer people knew perfectly well the time of putting the children to bed
must be controlled by the time the public houses closed in the immediate
neighbourhood. They were not told that Eastbourne and Brighton, which
corresponded very much to Folkestone, had 10 o`clock closing. A large number of
other places had 10 o`clock closing. The Elham Bench decided on the same hour,
and if they gave the extra half hour in Folkestone they would have the
undesirables from the Elham Division there, and Folkestone would have a good
chance of losing that splendid record, which they so properly appreciated. They
had a record of sobriety which they, as residents, were anxious to maintain. He
submitted they were more likely to retain that record by keeping the hours as
they were at present. It was urged that the police did not oppose the
application. It was hardly to be expected that the police would oppose it
before it was made. He thought the Magistrates would generally agree that it
was very undesirable to bring the police as opposing or supporting any
application unless there was some exceptional ground for the police to take
action. The whole of the clergy of all denominations were opposed to that
extension.
In reply to the Chairman, Dr. Carlile said he thought
they would have had a much larger opposition if they had known that the
application was to be only for the four months instead of the whole of the
year.
Mrs. Pollard, on behalf of the Women Citizens`
Association, said they opposed the application on the ground that they
considered it was in the best interests of the whole of the community that the
public houses should close at 10 o`clock. The working men worked less hours,
and businesses were closed much earlier than they did before the war.
The Rev. H.T. Cooper and Mrs. Russell also spoke
briefly against the application.
The Magistrates retired, and on their return into Court
the Chairman said the application had been fully considered by the Bench, and
he had to inform Mr. Mowll that the application was not granted.
Folkestone Herald
14-2-1925
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 11th: Before Alderman R.G.
Wood, Dr. W.J. Tyson, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. E.T.
Morrison, Colonel G.P. Owen, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. W.R. Boughton, Mr. J.H.
Blamey, Mr. W. Hollands, the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson, Miss A.M. Hunt, and
Colonel P. Broome-Giles.
The report of the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) for the
year 1924 was read. (For details see Folkestone Express).
The Chairman said the Magistrates considered the Chief
Constable`s report for the past year to be of a very satisfactory nature,
considering that there were one hundred and twelve premises in the borough
licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor. There had only been a few cases
where the law had not been adhered to, and some of these were of a technical
character. The Bench thought it was very satisfactory, and they also thought it
very satisfactory that there had only been thirteen convictions for drunkenness
during the year, bearing in mind that Folkestone was a pleasure resort, and
that their population was greatly increased during the four summer months. Out
of the thirteen convicted for drunkenness only eight of the offenders were
residents. They thought that it showed that the trend of the times was that
more discretion was shown by those who took intoxicating liquor, and that it
was more popular to keep strictly sober than it used to be in years gone by. He
was instructed to say that the licensing Magistrates had considered the report
very fully, and they had decided that the whole of the licences should be
renewed. None of the licences would be referred for extinction. The whole of
the licences which were in existence that day would be renewed. It had been the
custom to put back licences where the house had been in trouble, but the two
houses concerned had changed hands and therefore the licences of those two
houses would be renewed with the others.
Plans for alterations at the Prince of Wales public house
were approved.
The Clerk said he had received notice from the Secretary of
the local Licensed Victuallers` Association that an application for a
modification of the present Order affecting the closing hours would be made.
The application shortly was that the present hours of sale might be extended
from eight to eight and a half hours in the following year, or in the
alternative for the four summer months of June, July, August and September. If
the application was granted it would mean that the houses would close at 10.30
p.m. instead of 10 p.m. He had had several petitions lodged with him. The
larger one was from the British Women`s Temperance Association. It was said to
be signed by 3,715 women and 316 men. He took it that that was the approximate
total. The petitioners stated that they, residents of Folkestone and over
twenty one years of age, urged the Justices not to extend the present closing
hour. They opposed the application on the grounds that (1), The home life of
the children would be impaired by longer hours. (2) They knew of no dissatisfaction
to the present hours remaining in force, and (3) They were proud of Folkestone
and wished to remain so.
A petition signed by about fifty members of the Radnor Park
Congregational Church, and submitted by the Rev. J.W. Inglis and Mr. F. Fletcher
was next read. The petitioners considered that the present hours of opening
were entirely adequate to meet all reasonable needs, and that it would be in
the best interests of the town that the application should be refused. The
town`s present record was an excellent one and they trusted that the town`s
good name would not be jeopardised by extending the closing hours.
A letter from the Vicar of Folkestone (Canon P.F. Tindall)
was also read. The Vicar stated that he understood application was to be made
for extension of hours from 10 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. He was of the opinion that
the 10 p.m. closing hour was the best for all concerned. The satisfactory
record for the past year was sufficient proof that it was best to leave well
alone.
The Clerk said he understood that there were some ladies and
gentlemen present who wished to address the Bench. Concluding, Mr. Andrew said
there was also a letter from the Folkestone and District Temperance Council,
signed by the Rev. H.T. Cooper protesting against the application. The Council
represented fourteen different denominations of the Christian Church, and the
writer said that the Council considered that the good law and order which had
prevailed in the town was largely due to the reasonable hours.
Mr. Mowll asked which of the ladies and gentlemen present
were going to oppose the application.
Dr. J.C. Carlile, the Pastor of the Folkestone Baptist
Church, said that he was representing the clergy and ministers, and a number of
the petitioners. It would be for everybody`s convenience of they did not have a
considerable number of speeches and therefore he was going to speak on behalf
of those he had mentioned.
Mrs. Russell, of the National Women`s Temperance
Association, and Mrs. Pollard, of the Women Citizens` Association, also
intimated that they would like to say a few words.
Mr. Rutley Mowll said he had one comment to make about the
opposition, which he was sure Dr. Carlile and those who followed him would
accept, and that was that the application was not opposed by the police
authorities. The persons who were responsible for the good conduct of the town
were not offering any opposition to this application. And what was this
application? After all said and done, it was a matter of half an hour, and the
half hour which he asked them to grant was so that the public houses might be
allowed to remain open until 10.30 p.m. instead of 10 p.m. for the sale of
intoxicating liquor. On the face of it, it did not seem a very unreasonable
request. The varied habits of the people were recognised by the legislature as
was seen by Section One of the Licensing Act of 1921. Special arrangement was
made for the Metropolis. Then again, they knew of their own knowledge that
townspeople and country people had different habits. Therefore the legislature
had provided for the hours being extended by half an hour where special
requirements justified an extension being granted. Folkestone was one of the
premier, if not the premier, seaside resorts on the south coast, and he thought
it was not an unfair argument to put before them, without suggesting for one
moment that they would be affected by the decisions of other Benches, that
there was no reason why Folkestone should be denied a privilege which had
already been granted in Margate, Westgate, Broadstairs, Birchington, Deal,
Dover and Hythe. In all cases the extension of half an hour had been granted,
in some cases for the whole year, and in others for the four summer months, and
if he might say so it was for the four seasonable months for which he was
asking – the time when Folkestone was extraordinarily busy with visitors, many
of whom came from London, where they were accustomed to later hours. From June
to September he was asking them to grant this privilege, and he might say, in
anticipation of what Dr. Carlile would put to them with that adroitness and
cleverness which they all admired, that at other places where the extension had
been granted no ill-effect had resulted.
The Chairman: At which towns has the extra half hour been
granted for the four months only?
Mr. Mowll said he thought he was right in saying at Deal and
Hythe. When the application was first made at Hythe the police opposed it, but
so happily had it worked out in practice that he understood the privilege was
now continued without any opposition from the police at all. No ill result had
occurred through granting this privilege elsewhere and he thought it was fair
to ask this question, especially having heard the good
report the Chief Constable had given of the licensed victuallers
in the town: Was there any reason to suppose that Folkestone`s licensed
victuallers, Folkestone`s visitors and Folkestone`s residents could not be
trusted as much as the people of the other towns he had mentioned? The
application was supported by all the leading hotels. He had not followed the
opposition in incurring expenditure on stationery, because one knew how very
easy it was to get people to sign petitions. Many of those who had signed the
petitions were persons who not only did not require intoxicating liquor after
10 o`clock, but they did not require it at all. The leading hotels cordially
supported the application. Although the extension had the support of the
leading hotels, he ventured to submit that it was the humbler classes who were
most affected. The man who had plenty of money could afford to have his bottle
of whisky in his house and so have a drink when he got home. One knew from
practice that the working class people did not have their whisky in that way.
They had a right to encourage people going to places of healthy recreation, and
to spend an evening that way was better than spending it in a public house,
but, Mr. Mowll pointed out, if there was not time for some refreshment at the
close of an entertainment people would spend their evening in a public house
instead of going to a place of recreation first. It was not a question of right
or wrong: prohibition on the one side and that which was different on the
other. The trend of thought represented by Dr. Carlile and those who supported
him was this – they as Christian workers, although not all Christian workers
agreed with them, considered drinking was a snare, and if it were put to them
to vote on the subject most of them would be in favour of sweeping drink out of
the country and putting it on American lines. That was not the point, however,
they had to consider. The point they had to consider was if thses extra
facilities for the consumption of intoxicating liquor were to be granted by
them as part of their jurisdiction. They were not to decide whether the public
should be teetotallers or not. Many of them might be strong teetotallers and
yet realise that there were other people just as good as they were, and yet not
teetotallers. The point was, having to administer the legislation for the
control of intoxicating liquor, was it right that they should give facilities
for persons to have their intoxicating liquor just half an hour later than they
got it today? Folkestone might be trusted to carry out this concession
properly, fairly and rightfully, and if they did find the concession was being
abused, the remedy was in their own hands – they could refuse the application
another year.
Dr. Carlile remarked that the Magistrates had heard a
similar application on two previous occasions. He ventured to submit to the
Bench that they had heard nothing new in the way of argument that day. They had
one additional fact – the licensed hotels were now petitioning for this
extension. Before they did not. The Bench would observe that it was the hotels
holding licences that were petitioning. The other hotels he did not think were
included in that list. Some of them were not he knew for a fact. He would like
the Bench to feel that their opposition was not presented on behalf of
Prohibitionists or total abstainers for the purpose of getting rid of the use
of intoxicating liquor in the town. The petitions presented to the Bench were
signed mainly by poor people in the town, and a large majority of them were not
total abstainers and did not sign the petition with any idea of becoming total
abstainers. He appreciated the point made by Mr. Mowll that the application was
made on behalf of the working classes. He would have appreciated it much more
if it had been urged that it was for the working classes for the whole of the
year and for the people who lived in Folkestone. The working class people when
asked for their opinion gave their reply, and he submitted that their reply was
in the petition presented to them. The poorer mothers knew quite well that the
time for putting their children to bed must be controlled by the time the
public houses in the immediate neighbourhood closed. The only new position
about the application was that there was a new advocate, and Mr. Mowll always
made the best of his points. With regard to the towns where this innocent
thirty minutes had been granted they were not told that at Eastbourne and
Brighton the houses closed at 10 p.m. and were quite satisfied. A large number
of other places had a ten o`clock closing hour. They were not told the Elham
Bench only a few days ago decided to keep to 10 p.m. instead of 10.30 p.m. If
they extended the hour to 10.30 in Folkestone they would have the undesirables
from Elham coming into the town, and Folkestone would stand a good chance of losing
its good record. He ventured to submit that they were more likely to retain
that record for sobriety by keeping the hours as at the present time. It had
been stated that the police did not oppose the application. He thought it was
very undesirable to bring the police in unless there was some very exceptional
ground for the police to take action. Half an hour did not seem very long, but
the same argument could be used if the closing time happened to be 11.30 p.m.,
and they asked for an extension to midnight. There was no finality to these
applications.
Mr. Mowll: Oh, yes, there is absolute finality. Half past
ten is the limit we can apply for.
Dr. Carlile: supposing the hours are now extended to 10.30
there is no reason why there should not be an application at a later stage for
11 o`clock.
Mr. Mowll: Yes there is. The law is against it.
Dr. Carlile said they desired to retain the social wellbeing
of their town. If 10 p.m. was good enough for Brighton and Eastbourne and a
large number of other places exactly the same as Folkestone – health resorts –
then ten o`clock was good enough for Folkestone.
The Chairman asked the opposition if their attitude would
have been the same if they knew the application was for only four months
instead of the whole year.
Dr. Carlile said it would have been greater because it was
not in the interests of Folkestone to attract people who were extremely anxious
for late drinking. Visitors did not come to Folkestone because of its public
house facilities.
Mrs. Pollard, of the Women Citizen`s Association, said they
thought it was in the best interests of all that the public houses should be
closed at 10 p.m. Now that their menfolk worked less hours it seemed ridiculous
to extend the hours.
The Rev. Cooper said if the Folkestone and District
Temperance Council had known that the application was for only four months they
would have fought the issue even more strenuously and vigorously. If Folkestone
made a bid for the class of visitor who wanted longer drinking facilities the town
would jeopardise its good name.
Mrs. Russell, of the British Women`s Temperance Association,
said in obtaining signatures to their petition they were very careful to obtain
the signatures of only those over twenty one years of age. Many of those who
had signed the petition were not total abstainers.
The Justices then retired. Upon their return the Chairman
said the application which had been made had been fully considered by the
Bench, and he was to inform them that the application was not granted. (Subdued
applause)
Application was next made by Mr. Mowll on behalf of nine
licensees for music and singing licences so that wireless concerts could be
given to customers in the houses.
The Magistrates again retired and upon their return the
Chairman said the Bench would grant Mr. Mowll`s request on condition that the
concerts were given from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. They made no restrictions with
regard to Sundays, Christmas Day and good Friday. The Bench were fully aware
that these concerts were to be an attraction to the public houses, but at the
same time they were going to grant the request for a year. The Bench thought
that the public houses should be public houses not only in name, but in fact,
and they looked forward to the time when the public houses would be conducted
on lines similar to those on the Continent. The Continental cafe appealed to
everybody and catered for everyone. They thought the time had come when more
money should be spent on making these public houses more comfortable places for
refreshments and rest.
Folkestone Herald
6-2-1926
Felix
When my eyes lighted on a report in Saturday`s Daily
Telegraph on broadcasting, having for one of its headlines “10.30 p.m. An
Ungodly Hour”, my attention was, perhaps not unnaturally, attracted, for the
simple reason that just now this particular time of day is very much in the Folkestone
air. To revert to the article, it was an account of a meeting held under the
auspices of the Broadcasting Committee in the House of Lords. Mrs. Nugent
Harris, one of the principal speakers, referred to wireless as promoting a
greater means of sociability in the rural districts. This lady, in the course
of further illuminating remarks, said it was a matter of complaint that some of
the news did not come through until “10.30 p.m. – an ungodly hour to sit up
to”. This, the lady added, was the opinion of a Worcestershire farmer. We live
and learn. In my dense ignorance I have lived all these years and was not aware
that 10.30 was to be classed with ungodliness. I was under the impression that
each hour was godly if put to a good and wise purpose.
There have been shoals of ladies spending their valuable
time in obtaining signatures to petitions, and all on account of this “ungodly
hour”, which in the summer will mean 9.30 Greenwich Time. One lady (a
stranger), suddenly taking an interest in my welfare, called at my cottage.
Would I sign, she enquired, against licensed houses, etc., being opened until
10.30 p.m.? She kindly explained the prayer of the petition to the local
Justices against their granting this concession of thirty minutes. However, so
far as I was concerned, there was, to use a popular phrase, “Nothing doing”.
No, I require no prompting. I may be right or wrong, but, exercising my right
as a Britisher, I take another point of view. It does not always do to follow
the crowd. Now in regard to granting this “ungodly” hour or half hour (9.30
Greenwich Time) I look on the other side of the picture. Imagine a combination
on the other side petitioning against societies, the members of which might
partake of raspberryade, lemonade, other “ades”, malted milk, cocoa, elderberry
wine, etc., after 10 p.m. (9 p.m. Greenwich Time). I would not sign any such
petition. I should regard the proposed restriction as something in the nature
of tyranny – an attempt to interfere with the liberty of the subject. If a
combination of people meet and enjoy a glass of parsnip or rhubarb wine, why
should I petition against them consuming it after 9.30 (Greenwich Time)? I
repeat. No, I will not. On the other hand, in the case of any of my fellow
citizens or citizenesses, especially those coming hundreds of miles for a
holiday to our town, why should I urge that they were not to enjoy, say, a
glass of wine, or a draught of beverage brewed from a Kentish plant? Well, the
whole matter, from a level-headed point of view, appears to be too absurd for
words. I wonder what our forefathers, who built up this mighty empire, would
think about all this petty interference? They would probably call it something
in the nature of mollycoddling. We have brotherhoods and sisterhoods galore. Will
this funny kind of interference promote the good feeling they are aiming at?
The fact is we want uniformity in this matter of hours. Hythe has had the extra
half hour in the summer and not one case of insobriety has resulted. The
“ungodly hour” has not resulted in anything ungodly. Of course, these humble
remarks express my own views, but they are shared by very many who may well be
described as good sound Britishers and worth citizens in every respect.
One of the most striking parts of Mr. Roy Smiles`s speech at
the Licensed Victuallers` dinner held at the Royal Pavilion Hotel last week was
that referring to the intimation made recently at the Elham Petty Sessions that
no extension for dinners, etc., would be granted after 10.30 p.m. Mr. Smiles
was alluding to his application for one hour`s extension on the occasion of the
Cheriton Gardeners` Society annual dinner, which is usually attended by the
Chairman and members of the Cheriton Urban District Council, clergymen of the
district, magistrates, and other prominent local men. In making applications
for an hour`s extension those applying are generally asking on behalf of others
for their rights under an Act of Parliament. These rights are afterwards
granted at the discretion of the Justices. Are we living in the twentieth
century? There was a time when Britishers would assert their rights. But we
“take things lying down” nowadays, it seems.
Folkestone
Express 13-2-1926
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 9th: Before Alderman
R.J. Wood, Messrs. A.E. Pepper, Swoffer, E.T. Morrison, A. Stace, Owen, J.H.
Blamey, W.R. Boughton, W. Hollands, W. Griffin, P. Broome-Giles, Miss A.M.
Hunt, and Dr. W.J. Tyson.
The Chief Constable (Mr. A. S. Beesley) presented
his annual report as follows: I have the honour to present my third Annual report relating to the
administration of the Licensing Laws within this borough for the year 1925.
Licensed Premises.—There are in the borough 112 premises licensed for the
sale of intoxicating liquor, the
number being made up as follows:—Full
licenses 69; beer on 7; beer off
6; beer and spirit dealers 18; grocers, etc., off 6; confectioners’ wine on 3; chemists wine off 7; cider
and sweets off 1; 79 off, 33 on. No licensed houses were referred back on the grounds of redundancy by the last Annual Licensing Committee.
Alehouse Licences: Of the
alehouse licences, two are 6 day licences.
Licences Transferred: Six of
the licences have been transferred during the year, viz., Jubilee Public House,
from Hugh Mackay to William George Tingey on
the 7th January, 1925; Pleasure Gardens Theatre, from Frederick
Ralph to Ewart Cobden Potter on the 11th February, 1925; Black Bull Hotel, from
William George Wilson to William John Bennett on 11th March, 1925; 134,
Sandgate Road, from Charles William Turner to Cecil Henry Martin
Brooke on 11th March, 1925; Bathing Establishment, from Edwin Willis to Ernest
Alfred Baker on 8th April, 1925; and the Globe Hotel, from Henry
John Butler to George Chambers on 20th May, 1925.
Occasional Licences: Eleven
occasional licences were issued to licence holders to sell intoxicating liquor
other than on their licensed premises.
Extension of Licensing Hours: 281 extensions have been granted to licence holders when dinners, etc.,
were being held on their licensed premises.
In no case has any abuse of the privilege
been officially noted, though certain complaints
have been received.
Convictions Against
Licensees, etc.: During the year three
licensees were proceeded against for
breaches of the Intoxicating Liquor Laws, viz.:—(1) On the 10th February, 1925, Charles Frederick Hutson, of 45 and 47, Bournemouth Road, for failing to exhibit his
name end nature of licence on his
licensed premises; case dismissed. (2) On the 5th July, 1925, Hugh Lawrence Forsyth, of the Victoria Pier, for supplying intoxicating
liquor during non-permitted hours; case withdrawn. (3) On the same date the same licensee was proceeded
against for selling beer on a Sunday, he being the holder of a six day
licence only; case dismissed. (4) On the same date the same licensee was proceeded
against for permitting gaming on his licensed promises (cards), and j be was fined £10. (5) On the 19th October, 1925,
Annie Arthur, of the Star and Garter public-house, for supplying intoxicating
liquor, during non-permitted hours; case dismissed with a caution.
Five persons were proceeded against for consuming
intoxicating liquor on licensed premises during non-permitted hours.
Visits to Licensed Premises by Police:
All licensed premises have been periodically
visited at
irregular intervals by my officers during the year, to see that the same were being conducted in a satisfactory manner, and I am pleased
to say that with few exceptions, no adverse reports have been submitted to me.
The number of visits made was 1,036.
Drunkenness: During the year ended 31st
December, 1925, 22 persons (15 males and 7 females) were proceeded against for
drunkenness, of whom 13 were convicted and 9 discharged after being cautioned
by the Bench. Of those proceeded against 10 were residents of the Borough, 7
soldiers, 2 of no fixed abode and 3 non-residents. This is a decrease of one as
compared with the number proceeded against in the previous year, of whom 13
were convicted and 10 discharged.
Comparative Return of Drunkenness: The
following table shows a comparative return of drunkenness with Boroughs
similarly situated to Folkestone:- Chester, population in 1921, 40,802, number
proceeded against per 1,000 of population 1.37; Scarborough, 46,179, and 1.01;
Gravesend, 31,171, and 3.17; Bedford, 40,242, and 1.09; Oxford, 57,036, and
.94; Ramsgate, 36,571, and .567; Margate, 46,480 , and .56; Folkestone, 37,535,
and .58.
Permitted Hours: The permitted hours as
allowed by the Licensing Act of 1921 have been fixed by
the Licensing Justices for the Borough of Folkestone as under: Weekdays from
10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays from 12 noon to 2
p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Clubs: Twelve clubs where intoxicating liquor is supplied are registered under the Act.This is an increase of
one as compared with the previous year, namely, the
United Services Club, 84, Dover Road,
which was opened on the 14th November, 1925.
Conviction Against Club Official: On the 10th July, 1925,
John Charles Neale, the steward
of the Druids’ Club, Dover Street, was summoned for supplying
intoxicating liquor during non-permitted hours, and
he was fined £5. 'The Secretary of this club, John Standing, was summoned to
show cause why the club should not be struck off the Register on the grounds of
misconduct, but after strictly cautioning him, the Bench dismissed the case.
Two persons were convicted for consuming intoxicating liquor on this club’s
premises during non-permitted hours, and the proceedings for a similar offence
against six other persons were
dismissed. One person was convicted for obstructing the police in the execution
of their duty on the above-mentioned premises.
Hotels and Restaurants: Six hotels and one
restaurant have authority under Section 3 of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply
intoxicating liquor with meals, for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays,
namely: Metropole Hotel, Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Regina Hotel,
Esplanade Hotel, Royal Pavilion Hotel, and Central Cafe.
Music and Dancing: Twenty eight licences or music and dancing have been
granted or renewed under the provisions of Part IV of the Public Health Act,
Amendment Act, 1890. One licence for music only was granted during the year, to
the Regent Cafe, Dover Road.
In conclusion, I should like to express my
appreciation for the ever-ready courtesy and fairness extended to me by the
Bench during the past year, and for the valuable assistance and advice of your
Clerk, Mr John Andrew, which is always unreservedly placed at my service.
The Chairman asked if the Magistrates would like to
retire to consider the report.
Mr. Hollands said he thought they were perfectly
satisfied with it.
The Chairman said the Magistrates considered the report as being of a very satisfactory nature, and they noted they
compared very favourably with other towns
of a similar size, and they hoped it would continue. They noticed
with satisfaction that police
officers had been about doing their duty, and over one thousand visits had been
paid, and if the law had not been kept
it would have been brought to the notice of the Chief Constable, and proper steps would have been taken. It was very gratifying that they had only had
to take proceedings against ten
residents for drunkenness, and that in
a town the size of Folkestone
was very creditable. It showed
that open, blatant drunkenness had come
to an end in a town of that size. There
had been a conviction against a
club official, and that was a serious matter, and the only serious matter
brought forward during the year.
With regard to the
extensions to licensed holders, complaints had reached the ears of the
licensing Magistrates as well, and comments had been made from the Bench. He
was requested to say that the Magistrates
repeated the comments made upon it, and
they thought it was a proper thing to have done, and they emphasised that where
the Magistrates granted extensions to licensed holders for a certain function,
it was only those taking part in the function who might be supplied, and it did
not apply to outsiders going in, and those applying for extensions must know that the outside public were not to
be admitted during the extended hours to get any benefit. They were very
pleased with the satisfactory nature of the Chief Constable`s annual report.
The Chief Constable said that
with regard to the last point, he took immediate steps to bring the comments to
the notice of the people who were affected. He was satisfied the magistrates
would have no cause for complaint again.
The Chairman said the
whole of the licences, with one exception, that of the Victoria Pier, would be
granted, and the licence of the Victoria Pier would be referred to the
adjourned meeting.
The licence of the
Railway Tavern was transferred to Mr. H. G. Reed, and that of the Globe Hotel, The Bayle, to
Mrs. Elizabeth Chambers.
The Clerk said he had
received notice from Mr. Rutley Mowll, on behalf of the licensed victuallers to
apply for an extension of hours from 10 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. during June, July,
August and September.
Mr. Rutley Mowll said if
there was any opposition he would like them to open because he would have an
opportunity of answering them. Last year, Dr. J.C. Carlile was there, and he
saw him there again, and he was against him that day, and he had no opportunity
of answering him because each side was only allowed to speak once. He asked
whether there was anyone there to oppose, or whether they were leaving theur
arguments in the hands of Dr. Carlile.
The
Clerk said he had petitions which were stated to be signed by 4,379 persons,
resident presumably in the town, and of the number 3,732 were women. In the
petition they stated they respectfully asked the magistrates not to make any
alterations in the present hours of licensing. They did not make it as total abstainers,
some of them were not, but they agreed that the present hours were satisfactory
in the general interests of the town, and they knew of no dissatisfaction with
the the Magistrates’ decision, which they thought had been successful in the
last three years. He had also received a letter from the Rev. F.W. Moyle, from
a joint conference of clergy and ministers, stating they knew of no new reasons
for any alteration, and he hoped the Magistrates would agree to their previous
decision. He had also received a letter from Mr. Fletcher, the Secretary of the
Radnor Park Congregational Church, respectfully submitting their conviction
that the present hours of opening were entirely adequate to meet all reasonable
need. They believed it was in the best
interests of the borough that the application for the extension of hours
should be refused. Increased drinking facilities, especially at night, were
not desirable from any point of view. The record of the borough was an
excellent one, and they hoped its good name would not be jeopardised by
lengthening the hours.
Mr.
Mowll asked if there was anybody else against him, besides his friend and very
adroit advocate.
Dr.
Carlile said he understood it would meet with the Magistrates’ approval if he
spoke on behalf of all parties.
The
Chairman: Yes.
Mr.
Mowll: Couldn’t have a better, sir.
Mr.
Mowll said it was his pleasing duty to represent to them on behalf of the
licensed victuallers, whose knowledge of the needs of the district must be
considerably greater than that of those who never entered a public house,
that they had the opportunity to remove what was an existing anomaly in connection
with Folkestone, and that was that although under summer-time ten o’clock by
the clock was really nine o’clock Greenwich mean time, and although they had an
exceptional influx of population at Folkestone during the summer season, yet
at the present time the public-houses in Folkestone were closed at ten o’clock
by summer time, it was really nine o’clock Greenwich mean time, and without dispute the fact many visitors to Folkestone were accustomed to
much longer hours. It was an anomaly for Folkestone to be in that position as a
seaside resort, because they knew quite well what had been done at Margate,
Deal and the neighbouring borough of Hythe. The point of the application was
that they had in a place like Folkestone special needs, and it was meet those
special needs that the application was made. There was a much larger population to handle, and to be catered for, and these people were entitled to expect
reasonable facilities, not for drunkenness, but for obtaining refreshments in a respectable way. That was all they asked. The granting of the extra
half-hour had been in force some little time at Hythe, and only last week the
Superintendent of Police at Hythe told the magistrates that he had not had a single
case of where the privilege had been abused. Was there any reason why Folkestone should not be equally trusted as Hythe? They
had had the extension at Hythe, and it had been an absolute success, and it
'had never been abused. The opposition, frankly, was a religious one. It
proceeded from those who were devoted to, the cause of religion, only a
section, but still an mportant section, and one
for whom they all entertained the greatest respect. However much his friend Dr.
Carlile might represent his case he charged him, and those who were associated with him, with
having invented a new sin, and that was the sin of taking moderate alcoholic refreshment. If Folkestone could behave so
well up to ten o'clock, was there any reason to suppose that her inhabitants
would disgrace themselves in this extra half-hour? Needs differed. Take his
friend Dr. Carlile. He had no doubt he was an enthusiastic devotee to that
excellent drink known as ginger beer. He found it highly exhilarating, and he could revel in it, s not if he wanted to, all
night. A man, with a sufficiently large pocket to be able to buy a total bottle
of whiskey could get his bottle of they whiskey, and help himself all night
long if he liked, provided he was not on licensed premises. If he had not got
the good fortune to possess money to buy a bottle of t had whiskey at a time,
as soon as the sun struck nine o’clock he had to go without. That was
class legislation. He was making application for June, July, August and
September, when they had so
many people in the town, and naturally the work of the licence holders must be very much increased. People went
to a place of entertainment, and had to leave early if they wanted to get a
little intoxicating refreshment before they went home. That was his
application, just for half an hour for the four seasonal months, and if they
found it was not successful it would bo open for the Magistrates to vary that
order on a future occasion.
Dr.
Carlile said he wanted to say at once that ho did not represent the total
abstainers’ associations of the town, except by the courtesy of Mr. Weaver and
others, who thought it better for the convenience of the Magistrates that there
should be one speaker instead of several. He represented mainly those who did
not indulge in ginger beer. They had nearly four thousand women, nearly the
whole of them working women, and the great majority of them living on the spot
where licensed premises were. They were not people in the West End wishing to
object to people in the East End having a drink. A
large majority of them were not abstainers, but many of them who had a long
acquaintance with the effects of half-an-'hour late at night upon women and
children. This was the fourth application they had had before the Magistrates,
and he submitted that with the exception of the pleasantries they had had
precisely the same arguments they had had year by year. The first argument was
for the convenience of the visitor. Seeing that the majority of residents in
this country were under the ten o’clock rule, and not under the 10-30, they were not imposing any restriction upon them when they came
to Folkestone. Then they had the question of the working man, particularly, he
understood, the fisherman. The working man did not go home from his work at ten
o’clock at night. Most of them had very ample time, and he was delighted that
they had, to get all the drink they wanted before ten o’clock. It did not
follow at all that because a man was a
minister he was a total abstainer. He was claiming now to represent some
thousands of persons who were not total abstainers. Nothing had been said about
the working hours of the persons engaged on licensed premises. He was there in
the interests of the well-being of the community of the whole town, and he
wanted to put in a plea for the girls who cleaned out the premises after the houses were closed, and the men who had to stay to do all sorts of
odd jobs half-an-hour and one hour after time. For the sake also of the
children he urged that the Magistrates should not alter its previous decision.
After
an absence of twenty minutes, the Chairman said Mr. Mowll had made a double-
barrelled application in the first instance.
Mr.
Mowll: And only fired off one barrel.
Alderman
Wood said the application in the first instance was for half-an-hour all the
year round, and the alternative half-an-hour for the summer months. He dropped
the first and went for the second one. If
he had gone for the first, the Magistrates would not
havel entertained it in any shape or form, because they were against extending
the licences for the whole of the year. Having regard to the fact that Folkestone largely increased its
population during the summer months, and some of these people came from places where
the hour was 10-30, and also having regard to the licensees, who, they believed, were trying to do their
best, and the Magistrates
knew they had great difficulty in dosing at ten o`clock, the application would be granted for an
extension during the four summer months.
Folkestone Herald
13-2-1926
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 10th: Before Alderman R.G.
Wood, Dr. W.J. Tyson, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Mr. G. Boyd, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Col.
G.P. Owen, Mr. A. Stace, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Mr. W. Griffin,
Mr. W.R. Boughton, Col. P. Broome-Giles, and Miss A.M. Hunt.
There was a large attendance of the general public.
The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) presented his report
(for details see Folkestone Express).
The Chairman: Would the Bench like to retire to consider the
report?
Mr. Hollands: I think we are perfectly satisfied with the
report.
The Chairman said on behalf of the Bench he would like to
say the Magistrates considered the report to be very satisfactory. They noted
that the convictions for drunkenness compared very favourably with towns of a
similar size, and he hoped that would continue. They noticed with satisfaction
that the officers had been about doing their duty, so had the law not been kept
they felt sure the matter would have been brought to the notice of the Chief
Constable and proper steps taken. The Magistrates were gratified to know that
proceedings had only been taken against ten residents of the borough, and that
in a town the size of Folkestone was very creditable. It showed that open,
blatant drunkenness had come to an end in a town of that size. There had been a
conviction against a club official, and that was a serious matter, the only
really serious one of the year. There was one point he was asked to mention,
and that was in reference to extensions of licences. Certain complaints had
been received, and comments were made by the Bench. He wished to say that that
Bench supported those comments. When the Bench granted extensions of licences
for certain functions, the extension was only for those taking part in the
function, and was not for outsiders coming in. The public were not allowed
after permitted hours. The Magistrates were very pleased to see the
satisfactory nature of the report.
The Chief Constable said with regard to the matter of the
extension of licences mentioned by the Bench he would like to say that he took
immediate steps to bring the remarks of the Justices to the notice of the
persons concerned, and he was satisfied that the Bench would not again have
cause for complaint.
The Chairman announced that the whole of the licences would
be renewed for the ensuing year.
Mr. G.W. Haines, on behalf of the administrators of the late
Mr. Thomas Southall, applied for the transfer of the Railway Tavern to Mr. H.
Reed.
The Magistrates sanctioned the transfer.
Mrs. E. Chambers applied for a temporary authority to carry
on the Globe Hotel, The Bayle, her husband, who was the licensee, having died.
The authority was granted.
The Magistrates` Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) said he had received
a notice from Messrs. Mowll and Mowll, of Dover, stating that they intended
applying on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers` Association for an extension of
hours until 10.30 p.m. during the whole of the year. Since then, however, Mr.
Mowll had informed him that he only intended applying for an extension until
10.30 for the summer months of June, July, August and September.
Mr. Rutley Mowll said he would very much like, if there was
any opposition, that they should open, for then he would have an opportunity of
answering them. Last year his friend, Dr. Carlile, was against him, and on that
occasion he had no opportunity of answering him, for each side was allowed only
one speech. The fact that Dr. Carlile was again present that morning suggested
that he was going to oppose him. Was there anyone else?
The Chairman said as Mr. Mowll was making the application he
had better open.
The Magistrates` Clerk said he had received petitions which,
it was stated, had been signed by 4,379 persons who were residents of the town.
There was a petition from women residents over eighteen years of age asking the
Magistrates not to make any alteration, and stating that they considered the
present hours were satisfactory, and in the general interests of the town. They
had heard of no dissatisfaction at the decision of the Magistrates on this matter,
which had been repeated for three years. Continuing, Mr. Andrew said he had
received a communication from the Rev. F.W. Moyle, stating that at a joint
conference of clergy and ministers he was asked to call attention to the fact
that such application for extension of hours had been made three years in
succession, and they hoped the Magistrates would adhere to their previous
decision. The communication was signed by Canon Tindall, Dr. Carlile, and the
Rev. F.W. Moyle. He had received a petition from Mr. Fletcher, Honorary
Secretary of the Radnor Park Congregational Church, stating that the members of
the Church felt that the present hours of opening were entirely adequate, and
he believed that the best interests of the borough would be served by the application
being refused.
Mr. Mowll: Is there anyone else against me besides Dr.
Carlile?
Dr. Carlile said it was thought it would meet the
convenience of the Bench if he represented the whole of the opposition.
Mr. Mowll: They could not have done better. Continuing, Mr.
Mowll said it was his pleasant duty to represent to them on behalf of the
licensed victuallers, whose knowledge of the needs of the district must be
considerably greater than that of someone who had never entered a public house,
that they had that day an opportunity of removing an existing anomaly. That was
that although in summer time 10 o`clock by the clock was really 9 o`clock, and
though they had an exceptional influx of people during the summer season, yet
at the present time the public houses in Folkestone were closed at 10 o`clock
in summer time, which was really 9 o`clock by the sun. That was despite the
fact that visitors to Folkestone were accustomed to longer hours. It was an
anomaly for Folkestone to be in that
position, for the extension had been granted at Margate, Deal, and even their
close neighbour, Hythe. The point of the application was that in a place like
this there were special needs, and it was to meet those special needs that the
application was being made. During the summer months there was a much larger
population to handle and to be catered for, and those people wanted reasonable
facilities for obtaining refreshment. The extra half hour had been in force
some little time at Hythe, and only last week the Superintendent of the Police
of that district told the Bench that they had not had a single case where the
privilege had been abused. Was there any reason why Folkestone should not be
trusted equally with Hythe? He extension at Hythe had been an absolute success.
He asked them to do the same for Folkestone. No-one could doubt the wonderful
record they had got in Folkestone for the excellent conduct of their public
houses. The Chief Constable`s report spoke volumes. It had been stated that
there had been 1,036 police visits, and with but few exceptions there had been
no adverse reports. Frankly, he considered that the opposition was a religious
one, proceeding from a section devoted to the cause of religion, a section for
whom they all entertained the greatest respect. However much Dr. Carlile might
represent his case, he charged him with having invented a new sin, that was the
sin of taking moderate alcoholic refreshment. Many people held strong views on
the subject. One believed in their sincerity, but they were not the best judges
on a matter of this kind, as to whether the facilities for taking of alcoholic
refreshment should be extended. Needs were different. Dr. Carlile was a great
devotee of ginger beer, and he could revel in it all night if he wanted to.
Another, however, might think beer was more digestive, but that man would have
to leave off when it was 9 o`clock by the sun. Again, a man with a sufficiently
large pocket to be able to buy a large bottle of whisky could get it and drink
it all night as long as he was not on licensed premises. But the man who was
not so lucky with money must stop when the clock struck nine. That, he
submitted, was class legislation, one law for the rich and one for the poor.
Dr. Carlile asked last time, if the half hour was granted, where the thing was
going to stop; next, he said, it would be 11 o`clock. Dr. Carlile could rest
assured that such an application would not be possible, for the law said that
intoxicating liquor must not be sold after the hour of 10.30. That could be granted
for all the year round, but he did not ask for that, only for those months when
the visitors were here. People went to a place of entertainment in the evening,
and they must leave early if they wanted a little alcoholic refreshment. They
had petitions before them with 4,300 odd signatures on them. It was quite
possible to get equal if not larger numbers for exactly the opposite thing.
Petitions did not count for much, and he was sure the Magistrates would
exercise their judgement to see that each side got fair play. If the
Magistrates found that the half hour`s extension was not a success, then they
could vary the order on a future occasion.
Dr. Carlile said he had one advantage in speaking after Mr.
Mowll, which he quite appreciated. It was not his fault that he followed Mr.
Mowll; it was his good fortune. He wanted to say at once that he did not
represent the Temperance organisations of the town, except by the courtesy of
Mr. Weaver and others, who thought it better for the convenience of the Magistrates
that there should be one speaker instead of several. He represented mainly
those who did not indulge in ginger beer. He never drank it. He did want to
strongly assert and emphasise for the attention of the Bench that there were
nearly 4,000 women, nearly the whole of them working women, many living direct
on the spot where the licensed premises were, who had signed those petitions.
They were not people from the West End, they were working people, and the large
majority were non-abstainers, who appreciated what the effects might be of even
a half hour longer at night. This was the fourth application before the Bench
for the extra half hour, and, but for some pleasantries, precisely the same
arguments were put forward year by year. The first argument was about the
convenience of the visitors. Seeing that the majority of the residents in this
country were under the 10 o`clock rule, they were not imposing any restriction
on them when they came to Folkestone. He wished to refer to a statement made
last year at the mayoral banquet. Mr. Cox represented the Southern Railway, and
very ably too, and stated that during July and August 250,000 people were
conveyed by the Southern Railway to Folkestone, which was an increase of 35,000
on the previous year. That did not bear out any suggestion that the absence of
that half hour made any difference to visitors to Folkestone. He was sure that
it was not seriously contended that people, before they came to Folkestone,
looked up the licensing arrangements to see if the public houses were closed at
10 o`clock or 10.30. Then there was put forward the question of the working
man, and particularly the fisherman. The working man did not go ome from work
at 10 o`clock at night. It was but a very small part of the population of working
men that went home at that time of night. The average man had ample time to get
all the drink he wanted before 10 o`clock. Mr. Mowll had mentioned Margate,
Deal, and Hythe, but he noticed he had said nothing about Dover this time. He
would say nothing further about that.....
Mr. Mowll: I must say.....
Mr. Boyd: I do not think Dr. Carlile should be interrupted.
The Chairman remarked that Dr. Carlile had said he would say
nothing further about it.
Mr. Mowll: Yes, but Dover has been mentioned. There was a
cloud, but he might tell them that cloud was likely to disperse very soon.
Continuing, Dr. Carlile said mention had been made of the
special needs of the town, and they had heard pleasantries about the new sin.
He left it at that. It did not follow that because a man was a minister he was
a total abstainer, or because he was a member of the Church he was the same. He
claimed that he now represented some thousands of people who were not total
abstainers. They had been told that the applicants could get up a petition of
equal numbers to that which they had put before the Bench. If this was so, why
did they not do it? That was the answer to that. It had been tried, though they
knew it had not been tried this year, and there was a very obvious reason why it
had not been tried. There were one or two things to which he would like to draw
the attention of the Magistrates. Nothing had been said about the working hours
of the person engaged at licensed premises. He wanted to say that he had a
great regard for the men and women who conducted public houses, particularly
small ones. He was nit there as an enemy of the trade; he was there in the
interests of the whole town. He wanted to put in a plea for the girls who
cleaned out the premises after the houses had closed; he wanted to say
something for the men who had to stay and do odd jobs sometimes for half an
hour, sometimes more. Nothing had been said about the working woman waiting at
home for her husband. Whatever as the conduct of the licensee on his own premises,
he could not be responsible for the foolish women who left their children on
the doorstep. They had had a fine report from the Chief Constable, and he would
like to add a word of congratulation to him and his officers. But why make a
change at all? Where did the argument come from? They knew of the outside
influences that had been used, and the communications that had been sent, but
he felt sure that they would carry no weight with the Bench, and they would
consider the interests of the town and the interests of the working women who
took the trouble without any sort of payment to collect those names. He might
tell Mr. Mowll that the majority of the women who canvassed for those names
were working women, and not ladies from the West End. Many were in no way
connected with Temperance organisations. For those reasons he hoped the
Magistrates would come to the same conclusions as they had previously done for
three years in succession. He was surprised at the courage of Mr. Mowll in
coming over and making the fourth application. A large number of people were
looking to the Bench and their decision that morning. It was not a question of
religion, but a question of the needs of the people. He hoped the Bench would
come to the conclusion which they had arrived at three years in succession.
The Magistrates retired for twenty five minutes, and on
their return the Chairman said MR. Mowll had made a double-barrelled
application in the first instance.
Mr. Mowll: Yes, but I only fired one barrel.
Continuing, Alderman Wood said that was the case. First of
all, Mr. Mowll had applied for an extra half hour for the whole of the year,
but since then he had altered it to a half hour`s extension for the four summer
months. He took that opportunity of saying with regard to the first application
the Bench would not have entertained it in any shape or form, for they were
against it for the whole of the year. The Magistrates thought the decrease in
convictions for drunkenness was due to some extent through education, and also
through the shorter hours. With regard to the application for the half hour`s
extension during the four summer months, the Magistrates had regard to the fact
that during those months there was a big increase in the population of
Folkestone, and people came from places where the hour was 10.30, and the
Magistrates thought the licensees were doing their best. The Bench knew that
during the four summer months the licensees had difficulty in closing at 10
o`clock. The Bench had decided to grant the application for the extra half hour
during the summer months.
Mr. Mowll: On behalf of those whom I represent I thank you.
Folkestone
Express 12-2-1927
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 9th: Before Alderman
R.G. Wood, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Mr. W.
Griffin, Col. P. Broome-Giles, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Mr. J.H. Blamey.
The Clerk said the Chief Constable had been called away
from the town on a matter of great importance to himself, and he understood the
Chief Constable had informed the Mayor of the necessity of his non-attendance at the Licensing Sessions.
He bad received a letter asking the Magistrates to excuse him The matter which took the
Chief Constable away was beyond his own ken.
Inspector Pittock presented the report of the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley), which stated that there were 113 promises
licensed for the sale of intoxicating drink in the borough. No convictions wore recorded against licensees during the
year. Thirty-one persons (28 males and 8 females) were proceeded against for
drunkenness, of whom 18 were
convicted and 13 discharged after being cautioned. Ten were residents, six
soldiers, nine of no fixed abode, and six non-residents. That was an
increase of nine as compared with last year. Extended hours had been granted during June. July, August and September, and no ill effect from them had been observed. Fourteen clubs where
intoxicating liquor was supplied were registered under the Act.
The Mayor said the report was very satisfactory. With regard to the
half-hour’s extension it had been asked for by the trade on several occasions,
and it had not been granted, but last year it was granted, and it was very
gratifying to those on the licensing Magistrates that the Chief Constable had
been able to say that no ill effects had been observed from that application.
With reference to the renewal of
licences, the Magistrates had decided not to refer anything back to the
adjourned Sessions, and with reference to the opening hours no request had been made for any
alterations, and therefore they would remain in the new year and the same as
they were during last year, and the whole of the licences for the borough would
be renewed that morning.
Folkestone Herald
12-2-1927
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 9th: Before The Mayor, Mr.
G.I. Swoffer, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. E.T. Morrison, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Alderman A.E.
Pepper, Mr. W. Griffin, Miss A.M. Hunt, and Colonel P. Broome-Giles.
The Magistrates Clerk (Mr. J. Andrew) said as they were
probably aware the Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) had been called away from
the town on a matter of grave importance to himself. He had received a letter
from him (the Chief Constable) begging the Chairman and his colleagues to
excuse his absence. He said he believed that the Magistrates were aware that
the matter which had taken him away that day was beyond his own ken. Inspector
Pittock was present to represent the Chief Constable.
The Chief Constable`s Annual Report was as follows:
Licensed Premises: There are in the borough 113 premises
licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor. The number is made up as follows:
Full licences, 69; beer on, 7; beer off, 6; beer and spirit dealers, 13;
grocers, etc., off, 6; confectioners wine on, 3; chemists wine off, 8; cider
and sweets off, 1; making a total of 113 (79 on and 34 off).
No licensed houses were referred back on the ground of
redundancy by the last annual Licensing Committee.
According to the Census for 1921, the population of the
borough is 37,531, and that gives one licence to every 332 persons.
Ale House Licences: Of the ale house licences, two are six
day licences.
Licences transferred: The following licences were
transferred during the year: Globe Hotel, from George Chambers to Elizabeth
Chambers; Railway Tavern, from Thomas Southall to Harry Reed; Clarendon Hotel,
from Percy Venner to Wm. R. Oberman; Bradstone Tavern, from Henry Jones to
Harry Older; True Briton, from William H. Purbrick to G.D. Martin; Mechanics
Arms, from George G. Drysdale to Walter Grant; Sportsman Tavern, from Jesse
Wood to John T. Smith.
Occasional Licences: Ten occasional licences were issued to
licence holders when dinners, etc., were being held on their licensed premises.
In no case has any abuse of the privilege been recorded. No convictions were
recorded against licensees during the year.
Visits to Licensed Premises by Police: All licensed premises
have been periodically visited at irregular intervals by my officers during the
year to see that they were being conducted in a satisfactory manner, and with
few exceptions no adverse reports have been submitted to me. The number of
visits was 1,029.
Drunkenness: During the year ended 31st December,
1926, 31 persons (23 males and 8 females) were proceeded against for
drunkenness, of whom 18 were convicted and 13 discharged after being cautioned
by the Bench. Of those proceeded against, 10 were residents of the borough, 6
soldiers, 9 of no fixed abode, and 6 non residents. This is an increase of 9 as
compared with the number proceeded against in the preceding year, of whom 13
were convicted and 9 discharged.
Comparative Return of Drunkenness: The following table shows
a comparative return of drunkenness with Boroughs similarly situated to
Folkestone: Chester: Population, 40,802; Number proceeded against: 34 males, 10
females; Convicted: 23 males, 5 females; Dismissed: 11 males, 5 females; Number
proceeded against per 1,000 of population: 1.07. Scarborough: 46.179; 48 and 5;
42 and 3; 6 and 2; 1.15. Gravesend: 31,171; 79 and 8; -: -; 2.7. Bedford:
40,242; 37 and 6; 35 and 5; 2 and 1; 1.06. Oxford: 57,036; 40 and 3; 31 and 3;
9 and 0; .75. Margate: 46,480; 26 and 2; 20 and 2; 6 and 0; .602. Ramsgate:
36,561; 20 and 1; 15 and 1; 5 and 0; 0.57. Folkestone: 37,535; 23 and 8; 14 and
4; 9 and 4; .82.
Permitted Hours: The hours allowed as per the Licensing Act
of 1921 have been fixed by the Licensing Justices for the Borough of Folkestone
as follows: Weekdays – From 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Sundays – From 12 noon to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. During the months of
June, July, August and September, 1926, the Licensing Justices granted an
extension of half an hour, from 10 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. on weekdays, and no
ill-effects have been observed from this concession.
Clubs: Fourteen clubs where intoxicating liquor is supplied
are registered under the Act. This is an increase of two as compared with the
preceding year. The new clubs are as follows: Folkestone Working Men`s Club and
Institute Ltd., 49b, Tontine Street, opened on 31st August, 1926,
and the Folkestone Conservative Club Ltd., 45, Guildhall Street, opened on 25th
October, 1926.
Hotels and Restaurants: Six hotels and one restaurant have
authority under Section 3 of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply intoxicating
liquor with meals for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, namely: Metropole
Hotel, Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Regina Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Royal
Pavilion Hotel, and Central Cafe.
Music and Dancing: 32 licences for music and dancing have
been granted or renewed under the provisions of Part IV of the Public Health
Act, Amendment Act, 1890, an increase of three as compared with the previous
year.
Billiards Licence: One public billiards hall, The Queen`s
Hall, Tontine Street, has been licensed for billiards. This licence was
transferred from Henry Hutchings (deceased) to William Bennett on the 17th
November, 1926. Supervision of these premises has been kept, and no adverse
reports have been received.
In conclusion, I would like to express my appreciation for
the ever-ready courtesy and fairness extended to me by the Bench during the
past year, and for the valuable assistance and advice of your Clerk, Mr. John
Andrew, which is always unreservedly placed at my service.
The Mayor said the Magistrates understood that the Chief
Constable`s absence was in consequence of something over which he had no
control. The Magistrates wished Inspector Pittock to inform Mr. Beesley that
the Licensing Magistrates regarded his report as a very satisfactory one for
the year 1926. They noted that there had been no convictions recorded against
the licensees. That certainly reflected much credit on those engaged in the
trade, because it showed that they had been able to manage their businesses,
which was not an easy one, in a most satisfactory manner. With regard to
drunkenness, proceedings had been taken against 31 persons – 18 of whom were
convicted. Of the eighteen convicted he did not know how many were local
residents, but out of the total proceeded against only ten were local
residents. The Magistrates regarded that as very satisfactory. Last year they
granted an extension of hours during the summer months. The application in
previous years had been refused. They were gratified to know that the Chief
Constable was able to say that in allowing the extension no ill-effects had
resulted. The comparative figures also given showed that Folkestone came next
to the lowest for the number for the number of convictions for drunkenness.
With reference to the renewal of the licences, the Magistrates had decided not
to refer any of the licences back to the Adjourned Sessions. With reference to
the opening hours, no request had been made for any alteration, and therefore
the hours would remain the same this year as last, and the whole of the
licences for the Borough would be renewed that morning.
Folkestone
Express 11-2-1928
Annual Licensing Sessions
Tuesday, February 7th: Before The Mayor,
Alderman A.E. Pepper, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Col. Owen, Mr. A. Stace, Col.
Broome-Giles, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Miss Hunt, and Mr. W. Griffin.
The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) presented the
following report:- I have the honour to present my fifth annual report relating
to the administration of the licensing laws within this Borough for the year
ending 31st December, 1927.
Licensed
Premises: There are in the Borough 113 premises licensed for the sale of
intoxicating liquor, the number being made up as follows: Full licences, 69; beer on, 7; beer off, 6; beer and spirit dealers, 13; grocers, etc., off, 6; confectioners wine, on, 3; chemists wine, off, 8; cider and sweets, off, 1; total 113 (79 on and 34
off).
No
licensed premises were referred back on the grounds of redundancy by the annual
Licensing Committee.
Alehouse
Licences: Of the alehouse licences, two are 6-day licences.
Licences
Transferred: The following licences were transferred during the year: Rose
Hotel, Alfred J. Cope to James H. Kent; East Cliff Tavern, Martin G. Price to
John W. Twigg; Packet Boat, John W. Twigg to Ernest W. Ellen; Prince of Wales,
Frank Lupton to Edith A. Lupton; George Inn, Frederick Taylor to Harry Thompson
; Royal Norfolk, George P. Keeler to Frances Keeler ; Leas Cliff Hall, James
H. Kent to John L. Daniell; 17, Dover Road (grocers), Chas. H. Aylett to R. H.
Adams; Harbour Hotel, E. Mainwood to George B. Offen; Prince Albert, Samson E. Roberts to Christopher
Andrews; Granville Inn, Arthur Perrin to Harry Kennard; Jubilee Inn, William
Tingey to George Taylor; Foord Tavern, Victor Sprules to A.W. King.
Note: Date for Granville is at variance with More Bastions.
Alterations
to Licensed Premises: Structural alterations have been sanctioned by the Bench
during the year, viz., Black Bull Hotel and Brewery Tap.
Removal
of Licence: On the 9th March, 1927, the removal of licence from the Rose Hotel,
Rendezvous Street, to the Leas Cliff Hall was granted by the Magistrates.
Occasional
Licences: Twenty-three occasional licences were granted to licence holders to
sell intoxicating liquor other than on their licensed premises.
Extension of Licensing Hours—Three hundred and forty-three extensions
have been granted to licence holders when dinners, etc., were being held on
their licensed premises, and in no case has any abuse of the privilege been
recorded.
Proceedings against Licence Holders: No convictions were recorded
against any licensee during the year, but two licensees were summoned for
aiding and abetting one other person, in each case, to consume intoxicating
liquor on their licensed premises during non-permitted hours. After severely
cautioning the respective licensees, the Bench dismissed the summonses.
Visits
by Police to Licensed Premises: All licensed premises have been periodically
visited at irregular intervals by my officers during the year, to see that they
are being conducted in a satisfactory manner, and no adverse reports have been
submitted to me. The number of
visits was 1,003.
Drunkenness:
During the year ending 31st December, 1927, 38 persons (32 males and 6 females)
wore proceeded against for drunkenness, of whom 22 were convicted and 16
discharged after being cautioned by the Bench. Of those proceeded against 14
were residents of the Borough, 5 soldiers, 10 of no fixed abode, and 9
non-residents. This is an increase
of 7 as compared with the preceding year, when 18 were convicted and 13
discharged.
Comparative Return of Drunkenness: The following table shows a
comparative return of drunkenness with Boroughs similarly situated to
Folkestone: Cambridge; Population in 1921, 59,264; Number proceeded against per
1,000 of population, .305: Canterbury, 23,737; .71: Oxford, 57,036; .79:
Chester, 40,802; 1.27: Scarborough, 47,179; 1.32: Hove, 46,505; .53: Hastings, 66,611; .91:
Margate, 46,480; .6: Gravesend, 31,171; 2.6.
Permitted
Hours: The permitted hours as allowed by the Licensing Act, 1921, have been fixed
by the Licensing Justices for this Borough as under: Weekdays, from 10-30 a.m. to
2-30 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Sundays, from 12 noon to 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. During the months of June,
July, August and September, 1927, the extension of half-an-hour on weekdays
from 10 p.m. to 10-30 p.m. was again allowed by the Bench, and no ill-effects
have been observed.
Clubs: Sixteen clubs where intoxicating liquor is
supplied are registered under the Act. This is an
increase of two as
compared with the preceding year. The new clubs are as follows: Folkestone Park Bowls Club,
registered 13th May, 1927, and Marine Club, registered 23rd November, 1927.
Hotels and Restaurants: Six hotels and one restaurant have authority
under Section III of the Licensing Act, 1921, to supply intoxicating liquor
with meals, for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, namely:—Metropole Hotel,
Grand Hotel, Majestic Hotel, Regina Hotel, Royal Pavilion Hotel, Central Cafe.
Music and Dancing: Thirty three licences for music and dancing have been
granted or renewed under the provisions of Part IV of the Public Health
(Amendment) Act, 1890.
Billiards Licence: One public billiards hall, The Queen`s Hall, Tontine
Street, has been licensed for billiards. Supervision of these premises has been
kept, and no adverse reports have been received.
Conclusion: I should like to express my appreciation for the uniform
kindness and fairness extended to me by the Bench during the past year, and
for the valuable assistance and advice of your Clerk, Mr. John Andrew, which is
always unreservedly placed at my service.
The Mayor said the Licensing Justices had heard the Chief Constable’s
report with considerable satisfaction, and they were glad he was in a position
to place such a good report before them for their consideration that morning.
It meant that several, perhaps, had worked to get this result - the police, the
licensees, the residents of the Borough, and the visitors who came to
Folkestone in the summer ail shared in the making of the report of such a
satisfactory nature. The police had paid 1,003 visits, and that showed the
information was obtained direct from the officers, and it was very gratifying
to the Licensing Justices that no licensee who held a licence under
their authority had been convicted for breaking the licensing laws during the
year. He also thought it would be gratifying to the town to know that only 38
persons had been proceeded against during the year. He must admit it was seven
more than last year, but the number of 38 was only about one per thousand of
the normal population. It was very gratifying to know there were only fourteen
residents of the Borough, and that brought it instead of being one percent to
three in one thousand of the population. He thought he might say a word about
the visitors who come to Folkestone in their thousands in the season, and in
whose interests they allowed the extra half-hour. It was very gratifying to
know that proceedings were only taken against two persons in the month of
August, which was a very heavy month. The Bench also noted with satisfaction
that although they had been generous in the applications made, they were glad
to know that the privilege had not been abused. The whole of the licences
which had been in existence would be renewed for the year ensuing, and there
would be no alteration in the licensing hours, and the order they made a year
ago would stand again for another year.
Folkestone
Herald 11-2-1928
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 8th: Before The Mayor,
Ald. A.E. Pepper, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Colonel G.P. Owen, Mr. A. Stace, Mr. W.
Griffin, Mr. J.H. Blamey, Colonel P. Broome-Giles, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, and Miss
A.M. Hunt.
The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) presented his
annual report (for details see Folkestone Express).
The Mayor said the licensing justices heard the report
with considerable satisfaction. They were glad that the Chief Constable was in
a position to bring such a good report before them for their consideration that
morning. In saying that, it meant that several parties had worked together to
get this result. The police, the licensees, and the inhabitants of the Borough,
and the visitors who came to town in the summer all shared in the gratification
that the report was of such a satisfactory nature. They were informed that the
police had made 1,003 visits to licensed premises during the year, so that went
to show that the Chief Constable`s information was obtained direct from his
officers who had had the premises under inspection during the whole of the 12
months. It was also gratifying to the licensing justices that no licensee under
their authority had been convicted for any irregularity or breaking of the
licensing laws during the year. He also thought it was gratifying and would be
gratifying to the inhabitants to know that only 38 people were proceeded
against for drunkenness during the year. They must admit that it was more than
last year, but the number of 38 was only about one per thousand of the normal
population. It was also gratifying to know that out of that 38 only 14 were
residents of the Borough, and therefore instead of one per thousand, that
brought it to one in 3,000 of the normal population. He thought he might say a
word in respect of the visitors who came in their thousands in the summer and
in whose interests they allowed an extension of half an hour. It was gratifying
to know that only two persons were proceeded against during August, which was a
very heavy month. The Bench also noted with satisfaction that notwithstanding
that they had been very generous in granting applications for extensions –
everybody must admit that they had been very generous in this respect – they
heard from the Chief Constable that that privilege had not been abused. The whole
of the licences in existence would be renewed for the year ensuing, there would
be no alteration in the licensed hours, and the order which the Magistrates
made two years ago would stand again for another year.
Folkestone
Express 9-2-1929
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 6th: Before Alderman G. Wood, Col. G.P. Owen, Mr. W.
Griffin, Dr. W.W. Nuttall, Mr.J. H. Blamey and Mr. F. Seager.
The Chief Constable presented his report, which contained the following: I have the honour to present my (sixth) annual report relating to the
administration of the licensing laws within the Borough for the year ending 31
December, 1928.
Licensed Premises.—There are in the Borough 114 premises licensed for
the sale of intoxicating liquor, the number being made up as follows:
Full licences 69, beer “on” 7, beer “off ” 7, beer and spirits dealers 13,
grocers etc., “off” 6, confectioners wine “on” 3, cider and sweets “off ” 2, chemists wine
“off” 8, total 114, 79 “on” and 35 “off." No licensed premises were
referred back on the grounds of redundancy by the annual Licensing Committee.
Alehouse Licences: Of the alehouse licences, one is a six
day licence.
Alterations to Licensed Premises: Structural
alterations have been sanctioned by the Bench during the year in connection
with the Prince Albert public house.
Occasional Licences: Fifty eight occasional
licences were granted to licence holders to sell intoxicating liquor other than
on their licensed premises.
Extension of Licensing Hours: Three hundred
and thirty four extensions have been granted to licence holders when dinners
etc., were being held on their licensed premises, and in no case has any abuse
of the privilege been recorded.
Proceedings against Licence Holders: On the
7th August last, a licence holder was proceeded against in the Borough Police
Court for permitting drunkenness upon his licensed premises and also for being drunk himself at the same time and place. He was fined £2 by the Magistrates for the first mentioned offence,
and the second was dismissed. On the 20th March,
a licensee was summoned for supplying intoxicating liquor during non-permitted
hours. The case against him was proved, and he was dismissed under the First
Offenders Act.
Visits by Police to Licensed Premises: All
licensed premises have been periodically visited at irregular intervals by my
Officers during the year, to see that they are being conducted in a satisfactory
manner, and with the above exceptions, no adverse reports have been submitted
to me. The number of visits was 1,126.
Drunkenness: During the year ending 31st
December, 1928, 34 persons (23 males and 11 females) were proceeded against for
drunkenness, of whom 23 were convicted and 11 discharged after being
cautioned by the Bench. Of those proceeded against 12 were residents of the
Borough, 6 soldiers, 9 of no fixed abode and 7 non-residents. This is a
decrease of 4 compared with the preceding year, 22 were convicted and 16 discharged.
Comparative Return of Drunkenness: The
following table shows a comparative return of drunkenness with Boroughs
similarly situated to Folkestone: Folkestone, 37,535 population, No. proceeded
against pee 1,000 population, .905; Scarborough, 46,179 and .82; Chester 40,802
and 1.59; Canterbury 23,737 and .46; Cambridge, 59,264 and .254; Oxford 57,036
and .92; Hove 47,415 and .337; Margate 46,480 and .47; Gravesend 31,171 and 2.6; Hastings 88,611 and 1.06;
Ramsgate 36,561 and .46.
Permitted Hours: The permitted hours as
allowed by the Licensing Act of 1921, have been fixed by the Licensing Justices
for this Borough as under: Weekdays, from 10.30 a.m. to 2.30 p.m., and 6 p.m.
to 10 p.m.; Sundays, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. During the months of June, July, August
and September, 1928, the extension of half an hour on weekdays from 10 p.m to
10.30 p.m was again allowed by the Bench, in and I am happy to say no ill
effects have been observed.
Clubs: Seventeen Clubs where intoxicating liquor
is supplied are registered under the Act. This is an increase of two as compared with the preceding year. The new Clubs are as follows: Folkestone
Cricket Club, Sports Pavilion, Cheriton Road, registered 20th July,
1928; The Crescent Club, 9. Trinity Crescent, registered 30th November,
1928. The Folkestone Club was entered and inspected by Police on the 24th
November last, resulting in five members
appearing to summons at the Police Court for consuming intoxicating liquor
during non-permitted hours. Two were fined £1 each by the Justices and three
dismissed. The Club Steward was also summoned for supplying the drink and was fined £5.
Hotels and Restaurants: Six hotels and one restaurant have authority
under Section 3 of the Licensing Act, 1921to supply intoxicating liquor with
meals, for one hour after 10 p.m. on weekdays, namely: Metropole Hotel, Grand Hotel,
Majestic Hotel, Regina Hotel, Esplanade Hotel, Royal Pavilion Hotel, and
Central Cafe.
Music and Dancing: Thirty-four licences for music and dancing have been granted or renewed under the provisions of Part IV of the Public Health (Amendment) Act, 1890.
Billiards Licences: At the general annual licensing meeting on the 8th
February, 1928, a billiards licence was granted in respect of the new premises
above Messrs. Burton’s shop 24, Rendezvous Street. The Queen’s Hall, Tontine
Street, also holds a licence for billiards. Supervision of these premises has
been kept and no adverse reports have been received.
Conclusion: I should like to express my appreciation for the uniform
kindness and fairness extended to me by the Bench during the year, and for the
valuable assistance and advice of your Clerk, Mr. John Andrew, which is always
unreservedly placed at my service.
The Chairman said on behalf of
the licensing justices he would like to congratulate the licensed victuallers
on its favourable nature. They viewed with satisfaction the vigilance of the police
in the number of visits they had paid. Last year he was able to say that there
was not a conviction against a licence holder.
During the past year there had been one conviction, but on the whole
they were of the opinion that the licensed houses had been very well conducted.
They thought also there was some credit to the public and visitors who came there,
and it was gratifying to know that the number of cases of drunkenness were
rather less than they were last year. According to the comparative statement
given there were other towns in a more favourable position in that respect, but
there were other towns which were worse. The Bench had been very liberal with
regard to the extensions granted but they were glad to know that the privilege
had not been abused. That, the Bench considered, was a credit to them. The Magistrates
noticed that the number of visits paid
by the Police exceeded by 123 the number in the previous year, and that showed that the officers had been
carrying on their duties in a satisfactory way. They also noticed with considerable
satisfaction the Chief Constable was able to say with reference to the summer
time extension that no ill effects had been observed and the public had appreciated
it. The disquieting feature of the report was with reference to the police visit
to the Folkestone Club. The magistrates thought the Police were quite justified
in their action. From what the officers discovered at twenty minutes to twelve
on a Saturday night they were under the impression that what occurred on that
occasion was not quite anything of a new feature. The Magistrates knew the
difficulties the Police had in dealing with the Clubs, which were on the
increase in that town as in other places, and they knew that they had not the
same facilities as they had in licensed houses. The Magistrates relied upon the
Chief Constable under the powers he had to do the best he could to see that the
Clubs conformed to the laws and licensing regulations, so far as the hours were
concerned, the same as licensed victuallers had. On the whole he, as Chairman,
congratulated the Chief Constable on the satisfactory report.
The Chief Constable said he thanked the Chairman for what he had said. With reference to the question of the
magistrates granting extensions, that matter was discussed at the Police
Conference a short time ago. It was brought forward to see if some endeavour
could not be made to obtain uniformity. He then maintained that it was a matter
for the Magistrates themselves. He
argued where they could trust the licensees that they should not be too strict.
They had done so in that borough and he suggested that it might go on. He could
pay a tribute to the licence holders who had given them very little trouble -in
fact it was negligible, and they were conducting their houses in the right
way.
The Chairman said the licensing magistrates had gone into the matter and
they had decided not to refer any of the existing licences on the ground of
redundancy. Therefore all the existing licences would be again renewed that
morning. The same hours as operated
during last year will apply to the present year, the extra half hour in the
four season months not being opposed.
Folkestone
Herald 9-2-1929
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 6th: Before Alderman
R.G. Wood and other Magistrates.
All licences were renewed by the Licensing Justices at
the general annual licensing sessions for the Borough at the Town Hall on
Wednesday.
The Chief Constable (Mr. A.S. Beesley) presented his
annual report (for details see Folkestone Express).
The Chairman said that on behalf of the Licensing
Justices he would like to express their congratulations at the very favourable
nature of the report and their entire approval of the vigilance of the police.
Last year he was able to congratulate the licensees that there had not been one
conviction. This year there had been one conviction, but on the whole their
opinion was that the licensed houses had been well conducted and he thought
some credit was due to the public and the visitors who came to the town that
the cases of drunkenness were less than they were last year by two cases.
According to the table which the Chief Constable had read they had nothing in
particular to congratulate themselves on. Some towns were in a more favourable
position and other towns were worse off, but on the whole they thought it was a
favourable report. The Bench had been somewhat liberal in granting extensions
of the licensed hours for dinners and different functions and they were glad to
know there had been no abuse of the privilege which the Bench had accorded.
They noticed that the visits to licensed houses exceeded last year`s by 133, so
that the Chief Constable`s officers had been doing their duty in a very
satisfactory way. They also noticed with considerable satisfaction that the
Chief Constable was able to say with reference to the summertime extensions
that no ill effects had been observed, and they hoped they would be able to
continue to enjoy that extension without any trouble.
“A disquieting feature of the report” Alderman Wood
continued “is with reference to the visit to the Folkestone Club. We think you
were quite right in the action you took, but on behalf of the Licensing
Magistrates, from what your officers discovered going on in the Club at 20
minutes to 12 on a Saturday night – which I am not going into in detail – I may
say we are under the impression that what existed on that occasion was not
quite anything of a new feature. We know the difficulties you have in dealing
with clubs, which are on the increase in this town as in other places – that
you have not the same facilities of supervision that you have with the licensed
houses – but we still rely on you under the powers you have to do the best you
can to see that the clubs conform to the law and to the licensing hours which
the licensed victuallers have to conform to. On the whole I congratulate you on
behalf of the Magistrates on the satisfactory report which you are able to
place before them”.
The Chief Constable thanked Alderman Wood for his words
and said that with reference to extensions, at a conference of Chief Constables
about a fortnight ago this matter was brought up and some endeavour was made to
obtain uniformity in the different boroughs. He maintained that it was a matter
entirely for the Magistrates and no borough need interfere in any way whatever
where they found they could trust the licensees on special occasions as they
had done in this borough without any bad effects whatever.
“I think” Mr. Beesley added, “that I ought to pay a
tribute to our licensees inasmuch as they give us very little trouble. It is
negligible. They are conducting their houses in the right spirit and give no
trouble”.
The Chairman announced that they had decided not to
refer any of the existing licences to the Quarter Sessions on the ground of
redundancy, but that all existing licences would be again renewed.
No comments:
Post a Comment