Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, Saturday 10 November 1860.

Malling.

The following is a list of the prizes given at the annual ploughing match of the Town Malling Agricultural Association, which took place on Wednesday last, in a field in the occupation of Mr. T. Spencer, Nepicar, Wrotham.

A dinner was provided by Mr. Chapman, of the "George Inn," at the Assembly Room, West Malling.

We regret to state that the attendance was not quite so numerous as usual. R. Barnett, Esq., presided, and after the removal of the cloth, a very pleasant evening was spent by those present.

(Full list of competitors not printed here.)

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 8 June 1861.

M. G. Chapman, landlord of the "George Inn," Malling, pleaded guilty to having his house open for the sale of beer on a night of Good Friday last, after 11 o'clock.

Mr. Chapman said he had recently taken the house of his father-in-law, and having made enquiries as to the hours he might keep his house open, he was led to suppose he can keep open till 12 o'clock as on other night, excepting Sunday. He also stated that when the superintendent came to the house it was cleared immediately. It was then half past 11 o'clock, and on looking at his licence he saw he had made a mistake, and at once said it should not occur again as he had no desire to infringe and law.

The magistrates, believing that the defendant had made a mistake, fined him 1s. and costs, which were immediately paid.

From the Maidstone Telegraph, Rochester and Chatham Gazette, 26 October 1861.

William Acckleton, of Cobham, near Gravesend, was indicted for having stolen a clarinet case, the property of John Bishop at West Malling, on the 3rd June last. Mr. Smith and Mr. White were for the prosecution.

The prosecutor is a member of the Birling brass band and on the day in question went to West Malling to play at a meeting of the rifle corps there, and during the day left his clarinet case at the "George Inn." On going for it in the evening it was found to be missing, and enquiries being made prisoner, who had been at the house, was found to have sold the case to Thomas Cuckney, tailor, at Cobham, near Gravesend.

When charged with the offence, he said he had found it outside the "George Inn." He subsequently said that he found it under a wagon belonging to the bands; and then that he had picked it up under a railway arch near the Strood Station. Mr. Cuckney gave the prisoner a good character, stating that they were apprentice together, and that prisoner had since been in his employ, during which time his character had been unimpeachable. Prosecute also recommended prisoner to the mercy of the court.

Six weeks hard labour.

Why were two counsel employed on the part of the prosecution in this case?

This is clearly an abuse of the county rate and ought not to be omitted. Who was the prosecutor solicitor?