Defendant was fined £5, the Chairman remarking that the
Bench had very grave doubts whether defendant was a proper man to hold a
licence.
Folkestone
Express 3-3-1917
Local News
The licensees of Folkestone find themselves face to
face with an exceedingly difficult problem.
Under the Defence of the Realm Regulations, an Order
made by the Competent Military Authority absolutely forbids the serving of
intoxicating drink to “Overseas” troops. While the licensees are keenly anxious
to carry out the law and to assist the Military in every possible way, it would
appear that infractions of the Order occur without the knowledge, and certainly
without the consent, of those engaged in the trade, through, it is feared, the
duplicity of the soldiers themselves. To any such breach of the Regulation
there seems to be no defence. It is no answer to say that inquiries were made
of the men. Total prohibition so far as “Overseas” troops are concerned,
reigns. Hence the difficulty.
Cases arising out of this matter engaged the attention
of the Folkestone Justices on Friday. Mr. G.I. Swoffer presided, the other
Magistrates present being Councillors Boyd, Stace and Harrison, and the Rev.
Epworth Thompson.
John Salmon, of the Wellington, Beach Street, was
summoned for selling intoxicating drink to an “Overseas” soldier. Mr. H.J.
Myers defended.
Lieut. Holmes said on the evening of February 18th,
about 7.45, he went into the beerhouse and there saw a soldier being handed a
glass of beer across the bar. On being questioned, the soldier said he was an
“Overseas” man. Asked if he had been questioned on this point in the house, he
replied “No”. Later, witness saw the defendant, and said it would probably mean
prosecution and the house being placed “out of bounds”. He said he had asked
some troops if they were “Overseas”, and further remarked that he could not
help it if they said they were not; he could not tell them.
By Mr. Myers: It was not possible for the picket to
prevent “Overseas” men going into the premises. He contended that it was easy
for the licensees to tell the “Overseas” men by reason of them wearing a
different shade of khaki, the double collar, and the badge. The lights in the
bar were not particularly shaded, and the place was not crowded, there being
eight or nine there.
Serrgt. Frank Muir, of the Military Police, who entered
the Wellington with Lieut. Holmes, corroborated. He mentioned that the soldier
said he had been served twice – once by the barmaid and once by the “publican”,
and that he had not been asked whether he was “Overseas”.
Lieut. Crowther gave evidence showing that the soldier
was an “Overseas” man.
Defendant, in the witness box, declared that they
always asked soldiers if they were for “Overseas” because, if so, they could
not be served. From behind the bar, witness was not able to distinguish the
uniforms of the various men because it was too dark. He noticed no soldier
wearing shoulder straps as described by the previous witnesses.
Mr. Myers: Now, if you had known this man was for
“Overseas”, would you have served him with intoxicating drink or allow him to
be served?
Defendant: No.
The Chief Constable: You don`t deny this man was
served?
Defendant: I don`t deny it.
Mrs. Salmon, wife of the licensee, said she remarked to
the soldiers “If any of you boys are for “Overseas” I cannot serve you.
Mr. Myers: Have you ever been told by a soldier that he
was for “Overseas”?
Witness: They don`t tell us that if they want a drink.
(Laughter)
Did you refuse any “Overseas” men that night? – Ever so
many went away. As soon as they saw the military police they were off.
She heard the soldier say to Lieut. Holmes “I was asked
if I was for “Overseas” and I said “No””.
The Clerk: You ask them the question and take their
word.
Witness: An Englishman`s word is his bond.
By the Chief Constable: She knew the soldier was not a
Canadian, and that was why she particularly asked if he was “Overseas”.
James Small, a cutler, declared that the landlord and
his wife asked the men as they came in if they were “Overseas” troops.
George Seymour, marine store dealer, of Radnor Street,
was another witness for the defence.
The Bench thought it was a bad case, and imposed a fine
of £5.
Folkestone
Express 9-2-1918
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, February 6th: Before Mr. E.T.
Ward, Lieut. Col. Fynmore, Messrs. G.I. Swoffer, G. Boyd, A. Stace and H.
Kirke, Colonel Owen and the Rev. Epworth Thompson.
Mr. H. Reeve, the Chief Constable, read his annual
report, as follows: I have the honour to report that there are within your
jurisdiction 113 places licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquor by retail,
viz.: Full licences 70, beer on 7, beer off 6, beer and spirit dealers 15,
grocers, etc. off 6, confectioners wine on 3, chemists wine off 6, a total of
113. This gives an average according to the Census of 1911 of one licence to
every 296 persons, or one on licence to every 435 persons. As compared with
last year this is a reduction of two licences, one full licence and one
grocer`s off licence, the former being the Clarence Inn, Dover Road, which was
closed after the payment of compensation on 29th September last, and
the other the grocer`s wine and spirit off licence to the premises of Messrs.
Lipton Ltd., which was not renewed at the last annual meeting. During the year
12 of the licences have been transferred. For the year ended 31st
December last, 30 persons (19 males and 11 females) were proceeded against for
drunkenness, of whom 20 were convicted and 10 dismissed. Of those proceeded
against, 13 were residents of the borough, 9 residents of other districts, 5
members of the Naval or Military forces, and 3 persons of no fixed abode. In
the preceding year 55 persons (28 males and 27 females) were proceeded against,
of whom 32 were convicted and 23 discharged. Nine summonses have been taken out
against licence holders or their servants for offences on licensed premises.
Six were convicted and three dismissed. Five of the convictions were for
supplying intoxicating liquor to overseas members of His Majesty`s Forces,
contrary to Article 40 of the Defence of the Realm Regulations. The other
conviction was for a breach of the No Treating Order made by the Liquor Control
Board. Nine clubs where intoxicating liquor is supplied are registered under
the Act. There are 16 places licensed for music and dancing, 4 for music only,
and 1 for public billiard playing. The Order of the Liquor Control Board
restricting the hours for sale and supply of intoxicating liquors to 4½ hours
each weekday and 4 hours on Sundays is still in force. I offer no objection to
the renewal of any of the present licences on the ground of misconduct, the
houses generally being conducted in a satisfactory manner.
The Chairman said the number of cases of drunkenness,
30, was a very small number.
The Chief Constable: It is the smallest on record.
Councillor Stace said it was probably owing to the
restricted hours.
The Chief Constable: Probably so.
The Chairman said that report was very satisfactory.
With regard to the convictions of licensed houses, he noticed that five
convictions were in respect of supplying overseas soldiers. There was no doubt
the licence holders had a great difficulty in regard to that matter, but those
regulations had to be carried out, and the Magistrates hoped they would be
strictly adhered to. All the licences would be renewed, with the exception of
the Queen`s Hotel and the Wellington, which would be adjourned until the
adjourned sessions.
The adjourned sessions were fixed for Wednesday, March
6th.
Folkestone
Herald 9-2-1918
Annual Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, March 6th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward,
Lieut. Col. R.J. Fynmore, Mr. G.I. Swoffer, Councillor G. Boyd, Colonel G.P.
Owen, Councillor E. Stace, Mr. H. Kirke, and the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson.
The Chief Constable presented his annual report (for
details see Folkestone Express).
The Chairman observed that the number of cases of
drunkenness was few compared with any previous year, a matter upon which all
were to be congratulated. There were some offences against licence holders for
supplying overseas soldiers, but there was no doubt whatever licensees had very
great difficulty in the matter. Mr. Ward added that the whole of the licences
would be renewed, with the exception of those of the Queen`s Hotel and the
Wellington, which would be considered at the adjourned sessions.
The adjourned licensing meeting was fixed for 6th
March.
Folkestone
Express 9-3-1918
Adjourned Licensing Sessions
Wednesday, March 6th: Before Mr. E.T. Ward,
Lieut. Colonel Fynmore, Messrs. G.I. Swoffer, G. Boyd, A. Stace and H. Kirke,
Colonel Owen and the Rev. H. Epworth Thompson.
The Clerk (Mr. Andrew) said there were several licences
to come before the Magistrates for really automatic renewal. The Queen`s Hotel
and the Wellington beerhouse were referred from the annual sessions, since when
the following licences had been transferred; The Price Albert, the Shakespeare,
the True Briton, and the Harbour Inn. The licences were granted.
