From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 19 August, 1904. Price 1d.

TROUBLE IN ADRIAN STREET

George Moor was charged with being drunk and disorderly in Adrian Street.

Police Constable Hughes said that on the previous night he was on duty in Bench Street. He was informed that there was a row in Adrian Street near the “Nottingham Castle” public house. He went there in company with Police Constable Greenland, and found a number of people, including the prisoner, who was drunk. He went to witness and made some rambling statement. Witness advised him to go away. He refused to do so as he said he lived in the neighbourhood. He then got the other people dispersed. The prisoner insisted on staying as long as he liked. His father came out and suggested him to go indoors. He still refused to go and defied witness to shift him. The witness gathered from the other people that the prisoner was the cause of the trouble. He was then taken into custody and brought to the Police-station.

The magistrates’ Clerk: How was he disorderly?

Witness: He insisted on being noisy, causing a crowd to assemble, and followed me about.

The prisoner denied being drunk and following the Police Constable about.

The Magistrates’ Clerk: this is the fourth time this year; you will be put on the Black List soon.

The Chairman: We are inclined to give you one more opportunity of seeing whether you will turn over a new leaf. But we cannot let the thing go; you will be fined 10s. You understand you have been up here four times this year. If you come here again, in all probability you will be put on the Black List.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 9 March, 1906. Price 1d.

ALTERATIONS TO PUBLIC HOUSES

At the Police Court this morning, Mr. A. K. Mowll asked permission of the Bench to make alterations to the structure of several public houses.

At the "Nottingham Castle" it was proposed to make an alteration so that the premises might be easier for Police supervision. The entrance at the side of the premises would be closed., and a small alteration be made to the counter.

The Magistrates approved of the various plans showing the alterations.

From the Dover Express and East Kent News, Friday, 16 February, 1906. Price 1d.

OBJECTION TO THE NOTTINGHAM CASTLE

The last objection was to the “Nottingham Castle” at the top of Adrian Street, the landlord of which was Mr. A Garson. The objections were that the license was not required and that was so situated as to make proper and efficient Police supervision very difficult.

Inspector Fox said that the licence was transferred to the present tenant on October 7th 1904. It was held from 1878 to 1903 by John Bailey, and there had since then been one other tenant besides the present one. The nearest licensed premises was the “Liberty Inn” 122 yards distant, and there were four other licenses in the vicinity. The house was so arranged as to be difficult for Police supervision, as the Police could be seen a long distance away.

Cross-examined by Mr. Mowll : One could walk round two sides of the house. He believed that three houses had been closed on the opposite side of the road.

Mr. Mowll said that on an old Ordnance plan dated 1861, which eh had there were three licensed houses shown which did not exist now.

Witness admitted that since Albony Place and other houses had been built and there were now three more houses in the locality and less licensed houses.

Mr. Mowll, addressing the Bench in regard to the houses in respect to which had appeared said that he thought the Bench would appreciate that to take away a license, even with compensation, was not conferring a benefit on the persons concerns. In regard to the “Three Compasses” the house the Inspector would like approached by balloon (Laughter) that was the only freehold property of Mr. Gardiner, who owned a small brewery at Herne Bay and he would ask the Bench to allow him to retain his one we land. (Laughter.) The “Devonshire Arms” stood out as an isolated case. Only two years ago they had gone into the question of the “Devonshire Arms” very fully, and found no ground to refuse the licence. The “Nottingham Castle” also stood on rather peculiar ground from the fact that there had only been three changes in 28 years, it was shown that the tenant had been able to make a good living, and he would have no difficulty in proving that the business was doing a very considerable trade. He could not follow the suggestion that the house was difficult for Police supervision. The house was situated in a locality from which licenses had been taken away, and where the number of houses had considerably increased. He therefore, asked the Magistrates to allow his clients to supply the reasonable nourishments of the neighbourhood.

The Chairman said that before they retired to consider their decisions, he should like on behalf of the Magistrates to express their regret at the absence of the Chief Constable Knott, and of his illness, and the hope that he will soon be better and shortly, able to resume his duty. (Applause.)

Inspector Fox thanked the Bench, and said he would see Chief Constable Knott after Court and deliver the kind message to him.

THE MAGISTRATES DECISION

After a short consultation in private, the Magistrates turned to the Bench. The Chairman said “The following houses will be referred to the Kent Compensation Committee of the Quarter Sessions in due form: The “William and Albert,” The “Three Compasses,” the “Wellesley Inn,” the “Old Commercial Quay,” the “Duke of York,” and the “Half Moon.” The licenses for these houses will run until the time when the compensation is paid, and then the licences will cease. With respect to the “Devonshire Arms” and the “Lord Roberts,” and the “Nottingham Castle,” they will be withdrawn from the list.- These licences will be renewed in the ordinary way.