Licensee
Samuel Fields 1848 1850
Maidstone Gazette
2-4-1850
The
Apollonian Hall Assembly Rooms: At the above rooms, which have been fitted up
with much taste by Mr. Fields, the last ball of the series, under the auspices
of the “Amateur Quadrille Assembly”, was given on Tuesday week, and was
attended by a large party, principally the sons and daughters of the tradesmen
of the town. The musical arrangements, which were excellent, were under the
direction of Mr. Leaver. The staircase and rooms were profusely decorated with
evergreens, plants, &c. Dancing was kept up with much spirit. Fifty persons
afterwards sat down to an excellent breakfast, and shortly afterwards the party
broke up, evidently pleased with all the arrangements made for their enjoyment.
Kentish Gazette
30-7-1850
South Eastern Building Society
On
Tuesday week upon the occasion of the near completion of the sixteen
houses built by Mr. W. Field, for the above society, be gave his men, numbering
sixty, a substantial and excellent
dinner at the Apollonian Hall. The completion of these houses and the opening
of the thoroughfare will be of much benefit to the town; the traffic to and
from Dover to the harbour or bottom part of the town is confined to the narrow
and steep Dover-street. The South-Eastern Railway Company until recently
allowed the use of their road to the public, but that is now withheld. A
portion of it, however, will be used as soon as the new London Street is
opened, which is shortly expected.
Maidstone Gazette
24-12-1850
The
Council met on Friday last. A report was read, recommending the purchase of the
Apollonian Hall for a police station. Mr. Porter produced a plan of a Town Hall
and police station, with a drawing of the elevation, which he stated could be
had at a cost of £4,000, of if the town was not in a position to purchase or
build, it could be got at a rental of £100 per annum for seven years.
Mr.
Alderman Flint thought the Corporation could not do better than purchase the
Apollonian Hall of Mr. Fields for the purpose of a police station, and that if
they were compelled to leave the present hall the rooms there would answer for
a temporary purpose. Mr. Fields would sell the premises for £650, which he
thought a very reasonable sum; he did not see how they could do better.
The
Mayor said that they were compelled by Act of Parliament o provide a station
house; he did not see where else they could get one so convenient. They could
transact all their business there, if required. He produced a rough sketch of
the building, at the same time stating its capabilities. The Mayor further
remarked that people gave him more credit in his transactions with Mr. Fields
than he deserved; he had no interest in this matter, and certainly should not
vote either way, whether the proposition was carried or not. (It may be
necessary here to state that it has been repeatedly and openly stated that the
hall is the property of Mr. Hart and not Mr. Fields.)
Mr.
Jinkings asked the probable expense of altering the premises, and the parties
to do them; he thought Mr. Fiels might be asked what he would do for it.
Mr.
Rose thought that it would be better to defer purchasing the Apollonian Hall
until they had seen Mr. Bayley, Lord Radnor`s agent.
Mr
Caister wished to know where the money was to come from; they were running the
town to a great expense and were already in debt, and he was sure it was
putting burdens on them that tradesmen could not bear. Why not have a police
station attached to their present hall? He would certainly vote against such an
outlay of money.
The
Mayor explained that the rent of the new station would not exceed £35 per annum,
if they left the present mortgage of £400 upon it, and supposing Lord Radnor
gave them ground for a station, the outlay of building would cost something
like £200 or £300.
A
long conversation ensued whether Mr. Fields would wait a short time, &c.
This being answered in the negative, the chairman put the question to the vote.
The report was then adopted, Mr. Rose and Mr. Caister voting against it; 9 for
and 2 against.
Canterbury Journal
28-12-1850
At
the Town Council meeting yesterday se`ennight a report was read recommending
the purchase of the Apollonian Hall for a police station, which was adopted,
after some discussion, by nine to two.
Folkestone Chronicle
4-4-1863
Town Council Meeting extract
The usual special and monthly meeting of the Council and
Corporation took place on Wednesday evening last at the Council Chamber.
The Mayor said in opening the proceedings, the first
business was to receive tenders for hiring the upper part of the Sessions Hall.
There was but one, which he would read. It was an offer from Mr. George
Brickman.
Mr. Wightwick said he should move that the offer be
accepted, subject to the approval of the Mayor and Town Clerk as to the details
which were not named in the offer.
The Mayor suggested that it would be better to leave it to
the General Purposes Committee.
Mr. James Banks observed the matter had been fully discussed
before the General Purposes Committee, and he thought no restrictions should be
put upon the tenant, except the usual ones of wear and tear, and notice to
quit, &c.
Mr. Doridant thought as the High Street was already crowded
with public houses, it would be unwise to allow the tenant the privilege of
opening those premises as a beerhouse or public house of any kind, and he had
heard it mentioned that it was intended to open it as a Roman Catholic Chapel.
He was himself a Protestant, but he would prefer to let it to be used for that
purpose for £10 less than to receive £10 more per year for the purposes of a
public house.
Mr. Fitness thought sufficient notice – merely a board on
the building – had not been given to let it. He was of opinion it should have
been advertised to let, or better still, to be kept in hand for the purposes of
a museum.
Mr. James Banks thought it would be extremely unfair to the
gentleman who had tendered to do anything of the kind. He should move that Mr.
Brickman`s offer be accepted, and that the Town Clerk prepare the agreement,
subject to a proviso that it was not to be used as a public house or licensed
dancing room.
Mr. Doridant seconded the motion.
Mr. Hoad wished to know what would be the cost of the
proposed agreement, and queried whether it would be a quarter`s rent.
Mr. Harrison said he really could not tell. It would be the
fair charge for such an agreement as was necessary.
Mr. Boorn thought that as a Corporation they ought not to
let it as a Catholic Chapel.
Mr. Gambrill agreed with Mr. Boorn.
Mr. Wightwick considered that sufficient time had not been
given to advertise it, and he rather fell in with the idea of Mr. Fitness,
about retaining it in hand; he should move, as an amendment, that it be
advertised to be let in the local paper.
Mr. Harrison suggested that if this course was carried out,
the Town Clerk should be furnished with the heads of the agreement, to be
entered into by the party tendering to be a tenant.
Mr. Gambrill asked if Mr. James Banks would allow a clause
to be added to his motion, respecting it not being dedicated to the purpose of
a Roman Catholic Chapel.
Mr. Doridant, again reiterating that he was a Protestant,
was surprised to hear such a proposal in this room; at Rome, and in Spain, and
other countries where Catholics were dominant, they refused Protestants to have
places of worship in the cities, but drove them, as it were, into the suburbs,
or holes and corners, to worship, and now they were about to do the same thing
to Roman Catholics in this free country. If this was carried out, they would be
acting precisely with the same bigotry that actuated the Roman Catholic. He
hoped they would do nothing of such a bigoted character. If it was for a Jewish
Synagogue, or any other place of worship, he should support it. (Applause)
Mr. Hills hoped the prohibition as to music licences would
not prevent Mr. Brickman, if the tenant, from having a concert there.
Mr. James Banks said certainly not.
Mr. James Banks said he had been appealed to by Mr.
Gambrill, to add to his resolution, that it should not be used as a Roman
Catholic Chapel; he perfectly agreed with the remarks of Mr. Doridant, and was
surprised that the Council had gone out of their way to bring this matter
before them. If the Protestant Church could not stand on its own merits, all
the Corporation might do to support it would have no effect. He could not
consent to such a proposal.
After some further irrelevant discussion upon this matter,
it was moved by Mr. Gambrill, as an amendment, seconded by Mr. Fitness, that
the Council proceed to discuss the next business.
Upon a division, 6 voted for and 6 against the amendment,
and the Mayor gave the casting vote in favour of the amendment.
During the discussion on this matter, which became very
animated, an offensive remark was made by one member of the Council to another,
which it is not worthwhile further to allude to, except to remark that the good
sense of both parties will see the necessity of offering and receiving a
retraction of what was said.
