From the Kent and Sussex Courier. 5 September 1873. Price 1d.

Sevenoaks Petty Sessions. Friday, August 29th. Before Earl Amherst (in the chair), Sir D. Phillips, Col. Northey, Major Luard Selby, Captain Board, M. Lambarde, C. R. C. Petley, C. A. W. Rycroft, W. Spottiswoode, and G. Leveson-Gower, Esqrs.

BREWSTER SESSIONS.

This being the annual licensing day, the publicans, beer-house keepers, and grocers who hold licenses to sell wines, of this district, appeared personally or were represented, and the whole of the licenses were renewed without comment, except the following:—

THE AMHERST ARMS, RIVER HEAD.

Mr. Richard Newing, the "Amherst Arms Inn," Riverhead. In this case the applicant had received the seven days' notice that a complaint would be preferred against him at the licensing meeting. Mr. Dennis appeared to support the renewal. Supt. Okill said that the case had been reported to the chief constable, and he was directed to lay it before the Bench, with the chief constable's remarks thereon. Mr. Dennis objected to any statement being made except on oath, because that would evade any cross-examination or the result which might arise from perjury.

The Bench having declined to receive the written statement,—P. C. Relf 245 K. C. C., stated that about one o'clock on the morning of the 21st August, as he was passing the "Amherst Arms" public-house, he saw lights and heard talking inside. He went inside, and saw a number of coachmen there, and there was ale on the table. He went to the bar and saw a female sitting sleeping, whom he woke up. In a very excited manner she asked him what he wanted there, and she called him a silly fool, and told him to get out of the house, and she then went into the tap-room and told the men that she would serve them with anything they wanted, and she would serve them until morning. She again told him to get out of the house or she would put him out. He asked her if he could see Mr. Newing, and she went into a room where he was sleeping and woke him up. He came out in a very excited manner, and having asked him what he wanted, he went to the front door and threw it open and ordered him to go out of the house or he would throw him out, and he caught hold of his sleeve and led him out, slamming the door after him. He afterwards followed witness into the street, where he used abusive language to him, and said that if it were not for his clothes he would smash him to a ‘pummy. 'In reply to Mr. Dennis, the witness said that he afterwards found out that there had been a ball at Lord Amherst's that night, and all the men in the house were stranger's to him. They offered him some ale and he refused to take it. He did not summons the men because he did not take their names and addresses, and if he had they might have sworn against him that which was not in his favour as they all appeared against him. Mr. Dennis having made some remarks, called the applicant, who stated that he had held his present licence fourteen years and had never had a complaint against him. When the constable was in the house there were only five servants in the house, and they were waiting for their masters, the horses being in the stables, who were present at Earl Amherst's ball. All the doors in the house were locked except the back door. He had never laid a hand on the constable, and the language between them was short but forcible. The Bench retired, and after a lengthened consultation, Mr. Petley, who had taken the chair on the retirement of Earl Amherst the owner of the house, said that Mr. Newing had a perfect right, if he choose to do so, to get permission to keep his house open beyond the usual hours, and that he was neglectful of what he should have done. They therefore were of opinion that there had been that misconduct that night, which entitled him to a severe reprimand, but not sufficient to withdraw the licence. They also considered that the constable had fairly and properly performed his duty.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 1 May 1874.

Sevenoaks Public House Cases.

Richard Newing was charged with having his house open during prohibited hours on the 4th ult.

Sergeant Watson said that on the 4th ult., about 20 minutes to 12 o'clock at night, he visited the defendant house and found six persons in the bar parlour. As soon as he got in two of them took up glasses and drank from them. One of them, name Jessie, drank from a spirit glass. Another, named Martin, said, "Who sent for you?" He asked the landlord to look at the time, and told him it was a quarter to twelve; and he answered that it wanted twenty-five minutes. Witness told him that the closing time was 11 o'clock, and that he should report him, when defendant said, "What do you come here for? Why don't you go and look after other houses? Go and look after the house over the way." He also said that he had traps out, and he should keep open as long as he liked.

In answer to the Chairman, witness said that the defendant has not been convicted before, but his licence was opposed on last licensing day on the account of his behaviour to the police.

In defence, Mr. Newing said that they were talking about the West of England, and had stopped over the time, but there was no beer drawn after 11.

The Bench find the defendant £5 and 9s costs; the licence to be endorsed.

William Martin, James Jabez Presnail, and Frank Jessie, were charged with being on the premises, and were each fined 5s. and 9s. costs.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 5 June 1874.

Sevenoaks Petty Sessions. Public House Cases.

Frank Jessie was fined 1s. and 26s. costs, for being in the "Amherst Arms," during prohibited hours, on the 4th of April.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 4 September, 1874.

Sevenoaks Petty Sessions. Licensing.

This was the annual licensing day for the district, and there was a very large attendance of publicans, &c.

The whole of the old licences were renewed with only two exceptions, those of Mr. R. Newing, "Amhurst Arms," Riverhead, which was adjourned for a month, and Mr. T. B. Muggleton, "White Hart," Brasted, which was opposed by Mr. Anderson, supervisor of Inland Revenue, on the grounds that there was no one responsible for the revenue. The husband had left the neighbourhood for some time past, and the person to whom the licence was granted should be a resident. It was adjourned for a month, and the supervisor was directed to serve a notice upon a stating that the licence will be opposed.

From the Kent and Sussex Courier, 16 October, 1874.

Sevenoaks Petty Sessions. Licensing.

Mr. Dennis, who appeared for Mr. Newing, said that Captain Bartram, Brewer, of Tonbridge, the lessee of the "Amherst Arms," Riverhead, had provided another tenants Mr. Waller, of Southborough, and the only thing would be for the bench to grant him a licence. This was done, the licence to remain in the clerk's office for 14 days, until the new tenants was actually in possession.

Kent & Sussex Courier 04 November 1904.

SEVEN OAKS PETTY SESSIONS. FRIDAY. LICENSING.

Mr Waller, of the "Amherst Arms," Riverhead, was granted extensions of two hours for dances on November 2nd, 16th, and 30th. and one hour for a social gathering on the 22nd.

Kent & Sussex Courier 18 February 1916.

SEVENOAKS BREWSTER SESSIONS.

The Bench passed plans for the re-building of the "Amhurst Arms" Riverhead.

Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 6 April 1917.

Riverhead. Amhurst Arms Hotel.

A change of tenancy is taking place at this well-known hotel, Mr. William Firman being succeeded by Mr. Alfred S. Clarke, of Deptford. The transfer of the licence was granted by the magistrates at Sevenoaks on Friday.