From the Bromley Record, October, 1861.

PETTY SESSIONS. Bromley, 2nd September, 1861.

Innkeepers Licenses.

Present, J. Chapman, Esq. Chairman, Colonel Cator, R. Boyd, Coles Child, R. Berens, J. Fortesque, W. Warwick, and C. L. Wilson, Esqrs.

This being the day appointed for the purpose, the licenses to the respective houses in the division, were renewed without complaint, with a few exceptions. Superintendent Column, of the Sevenoaks division, reported the house kept by Mr. Booker, Chelsfield, there being, as he stated, frequent disturbances there, and the renewal was adjourned for a fortnight.

Mr. Gibson, on behalf of Mr George Budding, applied for a license for "Anglesea Arms," New Bromley, which was inhabited by Mr. Budding. This was the third application, Last year the bench were not unanimous in their decision to refuse the application, but it was intimated by the Chairman, that until more houses were built the matter had better stand over. He then stated that some were in the course of erection and would be finished in two or three months. During the last two years, 53 had been built within 200 yards of this house, and 29 of these had been put up during the last year. He thought this shewed there was a public necessity for granting this license. New Bromley had sprung up within this last six years, and was now far from being an inconsiderable place. At the last census there were 168 inhabited houses and other buildings, and the population was 820. There was only one licensed house in the neighbourhood, and that license was granted in 1859. The magistrates would hardly think one house was enough when this place was compared with others. The population in Farwig was much smaller, and yet there were three public houses in that place. The applicant was in the service of Col. Long seven years and that gentleman gave him a high character. He had kept a beer house since that time, and there had been no complaints about it. He then concluded his remarks by pointing out that there were great advantages in converting a beer house into a public house.

Application refused.

Mr. Newell applied for a license for the "Laurel," at Bromley hill.

Application again refused.

Mr. Crawrford, barrister, instructed by Mr. Bristow, Greenwich, supported the application of John Job James for a license to a house now in the course of erection close to the railway station, Bromley. Mr. Gibson, who opposed, took a preliminary objection, from the words used by Mr. Crawford, who said that it was a "house then building." The Act expressly stated that the license should be for a "house," but this application was made when there was scarcely the carcase of one, the door having been merely put up for the purpose of posting the notice. The bench held this objection to be fatal.

An application was made by Mr. Thomas Staple for a license for a house at Hayes. Mr. Gibson appeared for the applicant, and stated that he was between 50 and 60 years of age, and had lived all his life in the village. He was well known as being of a good and upright character, and he owned a great deal of property in the place. There was not any memorial, for there were very few persons in the parish whose signatures would be of any service. He was on perfectly good terms with all the inhabitants, the clergyman and churchwardens knew of the application, and no objection was offered by the only innkeeper in the village. No new license had been granted in this place for 40 years. Fifty years since there were three licensed houses but two of them were shut up, not on account of want of business, but because they had been turned into private residences. There had been a great increase of traffic of late years, owing to Hayes Common having become a great source of attraction to excursion parties from London, and additional accommodation was required. This house was 380 yards from the other inn, and round it were clustered the houses forming the village. The premises had been occupied for many years as a brewery. The bench declined to grant the license.

The next application was preferred by Mr. Wilson, and was for a license for a house called the "Coach and Horses," at Beckenham.

Mr. Gibson appeared for the applicant, and was opposed by Mr. Child, of the Licensed Victuallers' Protection Society.

Mr. Child pointed out that there was not in the notices, as required by the statute, a statement as to who was the owner of the house.

Mr. Gibson said this was no doubt a fatal objection, and withdrew the application.

Mr. A. Russell, Dartford, again appeared for Mrs. Ann Markall, of the "King's Arms," Bexley Heath, no opposition being offered, the license was granted.

The licensing business having been disposed of, the Publicans then adjourned, by invitation, to partake of the hospitality of Mr. F. J. Smith, Wine Merchant, who continues the good old custom of giving a feast to his friends annually, established by his much respected predecessor, Mr. Acton.

From the Bromley Record, October, 1861.

BROMLEY PETTY SESSIONS. 1st September, 1862.

Present:— Viscount Sydney, Coles Child, Esq , C. L. Wilson, Esq., R. Boyd, Esq.

This being the General Annual Licensing Meeting, the whole of the Inn Keepers of the several parishes in the division were licensed accordingly, except in the case of the "Railway Tavern," Beckenham, and the "King's Head," Bexley Heath, which were adjourned to the next meeting, on the 15th inst.

Three applications for new Licenses in Bromley were also made: one by Mr. Budding, of the "Anglesea Arms," New Bromley; one by Mr. Newell, of the "Laurell" in the London Road, and one by Mr. Copelin, who has lately erected a new house near the Shortland Railway Station. In the case of Mr. Budding, the license was granted; Mr. Newell's refused; and in the case of Mr. Copelin, the application was adjourned.

BROMLEY PETTY SESSIONS. Farnborough, 15th September.

Present:— G. W. Norman. Esq., W. Waring, Esq., Jas. Chapman, Esq., R. B. Berens Esq.

At the adjourned Special Sessions for Licensing, Mr. Baxter, of Greenwich, was licensed to the "King's Head," Bexley, in the room of Mr. Thomas, and Mr. Bird to the "Railway Tavern," Beckenham, in the room of Mr. Taplin.