From the Rochester and Chatham Journal and Mid-Kent Advertiser, Saturday, September 2, 1876.

The "Dove."

Mr. Hayward applied for a spirit licence for the "Dove," situated in Best Town, Chatham. In previous years the magistrates had been repeatedly on the point of granting a licence for this locality, but then there had been also an application from an adjacent house, the "Prince of Wales," and he believed there worships could not decide which house to give it to. This year that difficult was removed, because there was no application from the "Prince of Wales." The "Dove" was built 24 years ago for a licensed house, and there were about 1,200 people in its neighbourhood. The "White Swan" (for which Mr. Prall opposed) was in the High Street of Chatham, and quite out the neighbourhood. His client (Mr. Wilkins) was both owner and occupier of the house; he has been a licensed victuallers 25 years without ever being complained of, and he kept the "White Swan" alone for 21 years, so that the bench had a very good guarantee as to the character of the person they were asked to give the licence to. Having spoken on on the necessity for a licence in the neighbourhood, Mr. Hayward remarked that the application was only opposed by the "White Swan," and he might almost say of that opposition that it was "void for its remoteness."

Mr. Boer (of the "Little Crown," High Street):- There's two oppose.

Mr. Hayward:-. Oh, Mr. Boar; but that's further away.

Mr. Boar:- No, it isn't sir.

Mr. Hayward: Well it's on the opposite side of the road, and there's a danger of crossing the High Street of Chatham (laughter). Mr. Hayward presented a memorial in favour of his application, and in which the inconveniences, especially in the winter time, of having to go down Cage Lane for spirits, was dwelt upon.

Mr. Prall spoke in opposition to the application, and said he had a note which he took in 1867, that the magistrates said it was useless for the "Prince of Wales" or the "Dove" to apply again.

Mr. Hayward:- And the "Dove?"

Mr. Prall:- Or the "Dove," on my notes. Mr. Prall argued that the "Dove" was not sufficiently commodious for a license, that there were several licensed houses near it, and that the neighbourhood was not increasing.

The application was refused.