From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday 4 September, 1885. Price 1d.

THE NORTHUMBERLAND ARMS LICENSE OPPOSED BY THE POLICE

The Superintendent of the Police objected to the renewal of the license for the “Northumberland Arms,” Adrian Street, owing to the disturbances that have taken place there.

Mr. Worsfold Mowll said he attended to watch the case on behalf of the landlord, Mr. Allen; the tenant was in possession, so it would be as well that he could be to the front. As soon as notice was served on the house by the police Mr. Allen refused to supply any more liquor to the house. What he had to ask was that, supposing the tenant went out, the Bench would consider an application from a proper tenant.

Mr. Stilwell said that the Bench could not consider the matter while the present tenant was in.

Mr. Mowll said that his application would be that the case should be adjourned till the Broadstairs meeting.

Mr. Stilwell said that the objection raised by the police was against the present occupier Staples. At the proper time they would be pleased to hear Mr. Allen, but for the present he was out of Court.

Sergeant Stevens said: On the 15th of July at 9.05 p.m. I visited the applicant's house. I saw 40 or 50 soldiers in the house, some the worse for drink, and they were very noisy. As I left the house I saw a prostitute on the steps, just inside the door acting as a waitress, with a jug of malt liquor in her hand. Some of the soldiers had a jug of malt liquor in their hands. As we stepped off the steps into the street, I and a constable got swamped with the liquor. I returned to the house, saw the landlord, and complained to him. I told him what was done. He said he could not help it. He said some of you know who has done it. I told the landlord that he was responsible for the conduct of the house, and that I did not consider that proper treatment when we came in, in the exercise of our duty; and I said I should report it.

The following questions were put by Mr. Stilwell:-

Have there been any other occasions on which there has been riotous conduct at this house? – Yes.

What is the general conduct of this house? – Disorderly.

Do you think that the landlord has proper control over it? – No.

There have been riots owing to the management of this house? – Yes.

In face the house is not properly conducted, and the landlord has no control over it? – No.

Mr. Staples (the landlord): I have always tried to keep that house quiet and respectable, but it is a very difficult house to manage. The disturbance on the night in question was not in the house, but in the street.

The Superintendent of Police: I have had frequent complaints from the neighbours of this town.

Mr. Stilwell: call the neighbours.

Mr. T. Green, cutler, Adrian Street, said: I reside three doors lower down the street than this house on the opposite side. The conduct of this house has been very disorderly for a long time; very noisy indeed. I think the landlord has no control over his customers. The house is a great annoyance to the neighbourhood, and is doing a great deal of harm to our business. There is a house adjoining where women and men go to and fro from that house to the public house all the evening.

Mr. Ambrose Harvey, a fruiterer, in Adrian Street, said: I live very close to the house in question. There are almost always rows there, and soldiers come outside and fight. I should say the house is not conducted properly. This has continued for twelve months; ever since this man has had it. I think it was closed some time before. There are nothing but soldiers and girls going to and fro every day.

Mr. Mowll: If the Bench consider that the present tenant is not a proper person to have charge of the house, if the Bench adjourn the case to Broadstairs they will get a fresh tenant.

Mr. Stilwell: The Magistrates will postpone their decision in this case, until they have heard the other application.

Mr. Green stepping forward again, said: I should like to say to the Bench that this house is not wanted at all. They have no out-door business and their only customers seem to be the soldiers, who go there and get drunk and sing, knock the tables, and make a terrible row until ten or eleven o'clock at night. I assure you that the house is not wanted at all; there is not an honest living to be got there; and the only way that they can do any trade is to encourage bad characters. Two or three strangers who have had the house have lost their money and been obliged to leave. The house is not wanted at all.

Mr. Stilwell said the Mayor wished to know if the house was closed prior to the present tenant taking it.

Superintendent of Police: It was closed for a while.

Mr. Worsfold Mowll said it was closed for a few weeks while they were looking for a respectable tenant, as they were rather particular. (Laughter.) They were not the first person who had made a mistake.

At a later period of the day the Mayor said that the Magistrates had decided not to renew the license to Mr. Staples. As to the brewers' application made by Mr. Mowll, they would consider any applications that might be made to them at Broadstair's.

Mr. Staples: If the license is not granted to me I shall object to its being granted to any other person.