From the Whitstable Times, 5 February, 1944.

Faversham County Licensing Sessions

ONLY ONE CASE OF DRUNKENNESS IN TEN YEARS.

These Sessions were held at the Guildhall yesterday (Thursday) before Mr. W. U. Wilson (in the chair), Mr. J. P. D. Barnes. Mrs. M. Beacon. Mrs. H S. Neame and Mrs. J. H. Johnson.

SUPERINTENDENTS REPORT.

Superintendent Cash, in his annual report, stated that the number of licensed houses in the Division was ale houses 32, on beer houses 6, and there was one registered club. He was pleased to report that the licensed houses had been generally well conducted and no proceedings had been instituted against any licensee, and no person had been proceeded against for drunkenness during this period. The licences of five ale houses had been transferred during the year. He congratulated the licensees on the way they had discharged their duties and thanked them for their co-operation and the assistance they had rendered to the police.

The Chairman said it was a very satisfactory report and he congratulated both the licensees and the police. He could testify that the houses in his own village of Boughton were well conducted and he had only seen one case of drunkenness at Christmas time. The licensees had a difficult job in these days and it was pleasing that they carried out their duties in such a satisfactory manner. He thought it was remarkably good that there had, only been one case of drunkenness in ten years and he did not know any other district that could show such a record. He only hoped that during the coming year the wicked would cease from troubling them and that Hitler would be at rest and that they would be under more normal conditions. All the licences would be renewed.

From the Whitstable Times, 12 February, 1944.

Angel Publicans.

LICENSEES PRAISED.

Superintendent H. G. Wheatley's report presented at the annual licensing meeting of the Wingham Division on Thursday stated that there were 64 fully licensed houses, 26 beer-on, five beer-off. The population gave an average of 273 to each house. Eight full licences and the licences of three beer-on houses were transferred during the year. Permits to close were issued to three fully licensed houses, one beer-on and one beer-off. One licence was proceeded against and was convicted for supplying intoxicating liquor in prohibited hours and permitting people to remain on the premises contrary to the direction of the Regional Commissioner. Four non-residents were proceeded against and convicted for consuming liquor after hours and being on licensed premises contrary to the direction of the Regional Commissioner.

With those exceptions, all houses had been well conducted. There were six registered clubs and proceedings had been taken against one for allowing people to remain on the premises within the curfew hours. A resident was also convicted under those regulations. The last case of drunkenness was in 1938.

Superintendent G. T. Halls report covering the Canterbury portion of the Division announced that there were 16 ale-houses and five beer-on and two beer-off licences, giving an average of 205.69 persons per house. There had been no transfers during the year and no person had been proceeded against for drunkenness; this fine record had been held for five consecutive years.

The Chairman commented favourably on both reports. He said he thought that the majority of the publicans in the area must have been nearly angels to have avoided offending under the regulations. The public, also, had behaved very well.

All licences were renewed.

From the Whitstable Times, 12 February, 1944.

Licensed Houses in St. Augustine’s Division.

THE LICENSEES CONGRATULATED AT ANNUAL LICENSING SESSIONS.

Supt. G. T. Hall's report presented to the justices at the annual licensing sessions of the St. Augustine's Division, at Canterbury, on Wednesday, stated that there were 101 ale houses, 24 beer-on, eight beer-off and 14 beer, wine and spirits off in the area. The population gave a ratio of 275.9 persons per house. Eight licences had been transferred during the year. During 1943 no person had been proceeded against for drunkenness. All houses had been well conducted. The figures for drunkenness during the past five years were 1939 (3): 1940 (1); 1941 (0); 1942 (1); and 1943 (0).

The Chairman (Mr. W. Colthup) congratulated all the licensees. All licences were renewed with the exception of the "Red Lion," Sturry (demolished by enemy action) and the "Sportsman," Seasalter.

From the Whitstable Times, 19 February, 1944.

Extra Half-Hour Refused.

JUSTICES REPEAT DECISION.

On behalf of the Canterbury and District Licensed Victuallers Association at the Canterbury Brewster Sessions held on Thursday at the Canterbury Guildhall. Mr C. A. Gardner asked the Bench to consider, and, if they thought it advisable, advertise that they would hear an application for half-an-hour's extension of opening hours during Double Summer Time.

It was emphasised by Mr. Gardner that gardeners needed all the daylight possible to get on with food production. He suggested that, as an alternative, the opening time should be put back to 6.30 p.m. and the half-hour added later.

The Chairman of the Canterbury Licensed Victuallers' Association, Mr. F. G. Belsey, licensee of the "Flying Horse," Canterbury, stated that there was a definite public demand for such a concession—in fact the demand came from the public rather than from the licensees. He also thought it would be a good idea to alter the hours so that they could open and close half-an-hour later.

After retiring, the Chairman (Mr. Wright Hunt) announced that the justices had come to the conclusion that there was not sufficient ground on which to advertise the application to the general public and it would therefore be refused.

From the Whitstable Times, 11 March, 1944.

St. Augustine’s To Be Dry After 10 p.m.

LICENSING APPLICATION FAILS.

The Bench refused an application made by Mr. C. A. Gardner for the licensees in the district, at the adjourned Licensing meeting of the St. Augustine's Division at Canterbury on Wednesday for later closing hours of public houses during double summer time.

Mr. Gardner said that in some parts of the country the extension had been deemed a necessity. He stressed that Double Summer Time was introduced so that people could work up to the last possible moment.

Mr. Albert Robertson, Secretary of the Chislet Branch of the Kent Mine Workers’ Association, said that there were many miners in the St. Augustine's Division and that their afternoon shift did not end until 10.15 p.m. They could thus get no refreshment. He thought it would be beneficial to all.

The Rev. Arthur D. Venn. Vicar of Chislet, said that the extension if granted would be a boon and a blessing as the men—miners, agricultural workers, Home Guards and allotment holders—could go back to work the following day refreshed.

Reginald Partridge, licensee of the "Cafe Tudor," Herne Bay, and President of the local Licensed Victuallers Association, said that they were trying to pass on the demands of the public and the extension was for their convenience.

There was no police objection.

After a retirement the Chairman of the Bench (Mr. W. Colthup) said that there would be no modification of hours during Double Summer Time.

From the Whitstable Times, 11 March, 1944.

No Drinks After 10 p.m.

LICENSING APPLICATION REFUSED.

Commenting that there were more cons than pros, the Chairman of the Bench at the Wingham Petty Sessions held on Thursday at Canterbury, announced the failure of an application for an extension of half an hour in the opening time of public houses during double summer time made by Mr. C. A. Gardner on behalf of the licensees in the district.

The evidence called in support of the application urged that overtime work. Home Guard training and gardening in the light evenings made the extension desirable. A licence said that there was a public demand for the extra half-hour. Mr. Gardner also stated that although supplies of bottled beer were short owing to labour difficulties there would be no shortage in draught beer.

From the Whitstable Times, 2 September, 1944.

Rector To Resume "Pubbing."

GOT HIS FIRST BEARINGS ON CHATHAM IN BARS.

The Rector of Chatham (the Rev. Joseph McCulloch) is to resume his Sunday evening visits to Chatham public houses, which he had to give up some time ago. Still dressed in his cassock and straight from the evening service, he will call into various houses, instead of—as before—having one fixed "pitch."

Asked why he is starting this work again, the Rector said he had just published a special issue of "St Mary’s Chronicle," called "New Bearings by the Medway," which he believed to be of real value as a piece of church work.

"It was in the pub in Chatham that I first got my bearings on my job here." he said, "and now I want to follow those bearings up, and I know of no place where I shall receive clearer indications of the right direction in which to do my job than in the pub, the place where people have natural conversation in freedom and ease. There I can meet people on equal terms with none of the artificial barriers which generally separate parson and people.

I believe the most honest way to do this is to drop in as an ordinary citizen would and have my glass of beer and make my contribution to the conversation in the bar parlour. People generally talk shop in pubs, and it is fairly likely that they will be ready to talk my shop as well as their own —if they are I shall be only too glad to do so.

"I am not visiting the pubs with any ulterior motive," he concluded, "but with the genuine one of getting to know my neighbours in Chatham whom I am unlikely to meet in any other place."