From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 4 December, 1868. Price 1d.

DRUNKENNESS

Mary Anne Barton, married and unfortunate, was charged with obstructing the thoroughfare in Snargate Street, on the previous night, in a state of drunkenness.

Police-constable Bath said he saw the prisoner in front of the "Grand Shaft Inn," about twenty minutes past eleven on the previous night. She was very much the worse for liquor, and was making use of the most abusive terms towards the landlady of the "Grand Shaft Inn." Her language and demeanour occasioned a mob of people to assemble, and as she refused to go away or to desist, he was obliged to take her into custody.

Mrs. Elizabeth Bailey, wife of Thomas Bailey, landlord of the "Grand Shaft Inn," appeared to complain against the prisoner. Since she came out of the "United Stores," another public house adjoining the one witness kept, and on seeing her at her bar, called her a filthy name. Her conduct caused a mob to assemble, and she would not go away till the policeman interfered.

By prisoner: I did not call you a married ______, or say you aught to be ashamed of yourself to draw your husband's half-pay while living a life of a prostitute.

The prisoner said she was sorry for having caused a disturbance; but that no disturbance would have been caused but for the conduct of the woman Bailey, who, she sarcastically remarked, remained perfectly unconscious of her (prisoner's) improprieties as a married woman all the while they were carried on in her house and she derived some benefit therefrom.

The Magistrates fined her 5s. and 7s, costs, which she paid.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 29 January, 1869.

Charles Bayley, landlord of the "Grand Shaft Inn" was summoned  for an assault on Mrs. Evans, landlady of the "United Stores," and was fined 10s., and costs, which he paid.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 15 September, 1871. Price 1d.

A TROUBLESOME FATHER-IN-LAW

Henry Cox, an aged man, was charged with being drunk and obstructing his son-in-law in his business, at the “Grand Shaft Inn,” Snargate Street.

The Magistrates enquired whether, before proceeding with the evidence, the complainant wished to press the charge.

The complainant said he did not wish to do so. His only object was to put a stop to defendant’s coming to his house (the “Grand Shaft Inn”). On these occasions the defendant was frequently the worse for liquor, and by his abuse of witness and his wife, he obstructed them in their business. The defendant continually came, and on each occasion did more or less damage to their property.

The Magistrates told the defendant that such conduct as this towards his son-in-law could not be tolerated, and enquired whether he would make a promise to abstain from doing so in future.

The defendant: I have not annoyed the complainant; but, on the contrary, it was the complainant who annoyed me.

The Magistrate: If you persist on saying so, we must go into the case.

The defendant, after some little hesitation, promised not to go to the complainant’s house any more, and the Magistrates, upon this understanding, dismissed him.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 3 December, 1875. Price 1d.

BYE-LAW PROSECUTION

John Pucknell, a labourer, was summoned for leaving his horse and cart with no one in charge.

Mr. Wollaston Knocker, the Town Clerk, prosecuted.

Police-constable Walker deposed: Last Wednesday evening I was on duty at the Commercial Quay. I found a horse and cart standing in the middle of the road, so as to stop any carriage traffic. I took it to the side of the road and watched for ten minutes, when defendant came out from the backdoor of the “Shaft Inn.” I remonstrated with him for leaving his horse, and told him it was not my duty to mind it. He said, “It is a ______ lie. It has not been here any time.” I said it had been there ten minutes, and he made the same reply, and added, “You can do what you like.” I then took his name and address.

The Bench discharged the prisoner after cautioning him severely.

From the Dover Express and East Kent Intelligencer, 8 September, 1882. Price 1d.

SUSPENSION FOR CONSIDERATION

The landlord of the “Grand Shaft Inn” was called up and told that there had been a conviction a few days ago with respect to this house, and there was a question as to the way the house was conducted; therefore the question of renewing this licence would stand over to the adjourned meeting at Broadstairs.

The landlord wished to address the Bench.

The Chairman said the report on the case was not yet before them, therefore he would not go into it until the adjourned meeting.
Mr. Worsfold Mowll said he was instructed to appear on behalf of the landlord, but if the Bench were decided not to go into the matter he would say no more.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 3 September, 1886. 1d.

DOVER LICENSING SESSIONS

In the case of the “Shaft” the tenant had left and given up possession to the Dover Brewery Company. The case being out of order was ordered to stand over. Ultimately the license was granted to the tenant.