From the Whitstable Times, 1 February, 1902.

CANTERBURY POLICE COURT. FRIDAY.

Before Mr. W. W. Mason (in the chair), Mr. J. Hunt, and Mr. H. G. Sadler.

CASE DISMISSED.

Emily Neame, of Stour Street, was summoned for being drunk on licensed premises, the “Gun Inn,” Westgate, on the 18th instant.

Mr. Walter Hill, Margate, appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty.

Sergeant Swain stated that on Saturday at about 10.15 p.m., he went to the “Gun Inn,” and saw defendant in the bar, drinking whiskey. He told her he wanted to speak to her. She fell against him, and he supported her out of the house. She was drunk.

Cross-examined:- Witness went to the “Gun” in consequence of information given at the police station. Defendant spoke incoherently, and staggered along the street. She went straight home. He advised her to do so.

By Superintendent Farmery:- He was sure defendant was drunk.

P.C. Locke, P.C. Holman, and P.C. Smith supported the case for the prosecution. Smith said that defendant rolled against the shutters of Mr. Wells' shop.

Witness:- I followed her, and her husband came and said to him:- “that's my wife. I’ve just done 14 days through her.” He left her in charge of her husband.

By Mr. Hills:- He did not report the case, as defendant had not committed any offence. In farther cross-examination he admitted that drunkenness was an offence.

Mr. Hills, for the defence, said the last answer threw considerable light on the case. If the witness had considered defendant drunk he would have reported her. He (Mr. Bills) claimed that there was not the slightest foundation for the statement that defendant was drunk, and he did not hesitate to say that the police evidence was untrue.

Mr. Hills called Miss Elizabeth Tucker, the landlord's daughter, who stated that she was in charge of the bar on Saturday evening. Defendant came and asked witness if her mother would want her to wash on Monday. Witness went to ask her mother, and before she went defendant asked her for two pennyworth of whiskey, saying she had nothing to eat all day, and was very tired. Witness gave her the whiskey and the 2d. back. Defendant had nothing else to drink in the house, and was perfectly sober. Defendant’s husband came and asked her to go home with him, but she declined, saying he was always abusing her, and had only given her a paltry 2s for food.

Edmund Tucker corroborated his daughter’s evidence, and defendant corroborated his daughter’s evidence, and defendant also denied that she was intoxicated.

The magistrates considered the case, and the Chairman said that as there was an element of doubt they would give defendant the benefit of it, and dismissed the case.

From the Whitstable Times, 1 February, 1902.

A SUMMONS WITHDRAWN.

There was a summons against Mr. Tucker, landlord of the “Gun” for supplying intoxicating liquors to an alleged drunken person, the defendant in the previous case.

Mr. Hills again appeared for the defence, but the summons was withdrawn.

From the Whitstable Times, 8 November, 1902.

CANTERBURY POLICE COURT. FRIDAY.

Before Mr. D. Amos (in the chair), Mr. G. J. Drury, Mr. W. H. Netherclift, and Captain Stead.

THE MAGISTRATES DISAGREE.

Edmund Tucker, landlord of the “Gun Tavern,” St. Dunstan’s, was summoned for selling intoxicating liquor to Jane Hawkins, a person who was then drunk.

Mr. Rutley Mowll appeared for the defendant, who pleaded not guilty.

Jane Hawkins, a girl of 15 years, living at Littlebourne, stated that on the 8th October she came to Canterbury about 12.45, and met a man named Todd in High Street. About 1.30 she went to Lilly’s, in North Lane, and Todd waited at the top of the lane till she came back, about quarter to two. She went into the “Gun Tavern” with Todd. She only saw Mr. Tucker and Miss Tucker there. Todd asked her what she would have to drink, and she said a glass of beer. He called for that, and also two-pennyworth of brandy. He drank the beer and gave witness the brandy, and she drank it with some water. Miss Tucker served them. Todd asked her if she would have some more, and she said “No,” but he called for another two-pennyworth of brandy, and she drank that. Miss Tucker served the brandy. Mr. Tucker was there, behind the bar. He was serving other men. Todd asked her to have some more, and the refused, but he pressed her, and she said she would have some gin. Miss Tucker served that also. Todd had two glasses of beer. They were sitting down, and there was no one else there, but while witness was having the gin Todd’s brother came in, and asked her to have some more gin, and she did so. Mrs. Tucker, the old lady, served that; she had not been in the bar all the time. Todd wanted her to have some more, and she said she would have some soda. Miss Tucker took a black bottle off a shelf, and said that would do witness more good then soda, and she poured three or four drops into a glass containing soda water. After witness had this, she came out with the two Todds. Jade Todd said he was going to see her home, and they went towards Whitehall. She saw a policeman there, and he stopped them, and took witness to the police-station.

In reply to Superintendent Farmery, witness said she did not remember what happened at the police-station, but she knew she was sick there. She had not had anything to drink before she went into the “Gun.”

Cross-examined by Mr. Mowll, witness said she walked from Wingham, about six miles. She met Todd by accident. She did not tell Miss Tucker that she was not feeling well, but she said so to Todd, and Miss Tucker might have heard her. That was after she had had the brandy and the first lot of gin. It was not when she first went into the house. She had not had brandy or gin previously except when she was ill and the doctor ordered her to have brandy. She had breakfast at 8, and nothing else until she got to the Gin. She had a biscuit and cheese with the brandy.

Mr. Z. Prentice, police surgeon, stated he was called to the police station in the afternoon, and found Hawkins lying on a stretcher. She could not stand, and had every appearance of suffering from drunkenness. He saw her again at Seven o’clock, and she was better. She was more sensible, and could stand with assistance.

In reply to Mr. Mowll, as to whether, if Hawkins had taken the spirits mentioned, they would have the effect described, witness said he could not say without knowing the quantity, and a discussion took place as to the quantity of brandy and gin given for 2d. Tucker said it depended on the person. (Laughter.)

Henry Thomas Todd, a labourer, living at the “Weaver's Arms,” Broad Street, stated that he was called "Jack" Todd. On the 8th October he met Hawkins in the street between half-past twelve and one. He walked with her to the top of North Lane, and waited there while she went to a house. When she came back he asked her to have a drink. She said she didn’t mind. They went to the “Gun,” and she said she would have “two of brandy,” and witness had a glass of beer. When they had that he asked her if she would have more, and she said she would have more brandy. Miss Tucker served them both. Then his brother came in and offered to stand drinks, and Hawkins had another two pennyworth of brandy. No gin was served in his presence. After that Hawkins said she would have a “small lemon.” He saw her with a glass, but did not know what it contained.

In reply to Superintendent Farmery, witness said he left the house with Hawkins. He could not say whether she was worse for liquor; he did not notice. He did not support her, but she was leaning on him. (Laughter.)

Walter Todd, living at 8, Northgate, stated that on 8th October, he met his brother in the road between two and three, and went with him into the “Gun;” the girl was sitting there. He offered to treat them, and witness called for a glass of beer for his brother, ginger beer for himself, and twopenny worth of brandy for the young lady. She said that was her drink. After that witness offered to treat them again, the girl said she did not feel very well, and would like a glass of lemonade. Mrs. Tucker had served the brandy, and Miss Tucker served the last drink. He did not know if it was lemonade. He saw Miss Tucker put some drops into it.

In reply to Mr. Mowll, witness said he saw his brother and the girl go out of the “Gun.” She looked as if she was drunk, but she was not walking alone; she caught hold of his brother.

P.C. Ives deposed that on the 8th inst. he was in Water Lane, and saw Jack Todd and the girl coming down from St. Dunstan’s. Todd was supporting her. Witness asked where they were going, and Todd said “down there.” Witness took the girl away from Todd, and she would have fallen if witness had not supported her. He was sure she was drunk. He took her to the police station. It was about three o’clock.

Inspector Dunk deposed that at five o’clock on 8th October he went to the “Gun,” and took two statements which the Todds had made. Defendant's wife said she served a girl with two-pennyworth of brandy. Miss Tucker said that shortly after the girl had the brandy she said the was not well, and she gave her some lemonade and Angostura bitters. Witness asked defendant to come to the station and see the state the girl was in, but he refused, and said he had not seen her, and it was nothing to do with him.

Defendant, examined by Mr. Mowll, said he had been a licensed victualler in Canterbury for 17 years and had never been convicted. He remembered 8th October. He did not see the girl come in, but saw her sitting on the seat. She was quite sober. Jack Todd was there with bar. They were laughing and talking. Witness did not supply them with any drink.

In reply to Superintendent Farmery, witness said that when Inspector Dunk brought the statements and read them, witness did not take any notice of them. He read them so fast. Witness refused to go to the police station.

The Magistrates said it seemed very strange that defendant did not take any trouble to understand the statements or to go to the police station when he was told by the police that the girl was 15.

Miss Elizabeth Tucker, defendant’s daughter, stated she remembered the girl Hawkins coming to the “Gun” on 8th October with Todd. She said she had walked from Wingham and did not feel well. She had two-pennyworth of brandy, and afterwards she asked witness for some gin, but witness told her she had better have brandy. She also had a biscuit and cheese. She afterwards asked for ginger wine but witness suggested lemonade and Angostura bitters. The bitters were only to give a flavour. The girl was not in the Slightest the worse for drink while she was in the “Gun.” Witness was certain of that.

After further evidence the magistrates retired. On their return to Court it was announced that they could not agree as to the case, and consequently there would he no conviction.

Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald 14 February 1903.

CANTERBURY BREWSTER SESSIONS.

CHIEF CONSTABLE’S REPORT.

I have given notice of objection to the following houses:-

"Gun Inn," Westgate:— That the house has been conducted in an unsatisfactory manner; that the occupier is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence; and that the licence is not required to meet the necessities of the neighbourhood.

THE GUN INN, WESTGATE

Superintendent Farmery mentioned that the brewery had found a new tenant, and, under the circumstance, he was quite willing to withdraw his opposition. He expressed a hope, however, that the house would be conducted better in the future than in the past.

The Chairman said the Bench sanctioned the transfer, but wished to call attention to the fact that the house had been conducted very badly. They warned the new tenant to be very careful.

THE DECISIONS. SIX RENEWALS REFUSED

The Magistrates retired for the purpose of considering the cases. On their return into Court the Chairman said the Magistrates had given a great deal of consideration to the cases having regard to the consequences of their decisions.

The license of the "Gun" had been transferred.

The Sessions were then adjourned until February 25th.