The Good Intent (1911)

Post date: Mar 29, 2013 6:1:13 PM

Extract from South Eastern Gazette , March 18, 1911

THE GOOD INTENT, WATERINGBURY.

Mr. Warner also applied on behalf of Messrs. Leney and Co. for the renewal of the license in this case.

P.C. Masters, who. was formerly stationed at Wateringbury, said the house was an old one, with a thatched roof, and there was only one room for the use of the public. The Good Intent was situated 100 yards from the Wheatsheaf beerhouse and 425 yards from the Duke's

Head. There were eight licensed houses in Wateringbury parish for a population, of 1,284, or one licensed house for every 160¹. In witness's opinion the Good Intent was not required for the needs of the public. Sergt. Cutting, stationed at Yalding, agreed.

Mr. Warner called Charles Wolfe, the tenant, who said he had been in the house about nine years. A Slate Club, having a membership of 20, met at the house. He worked for Lord Falmouth, but had no desire to give up the license. His trade was a barrel and a half per week, besides three dozen bottles per month.

The Court decided to refer² the license.

Notes:

1. In 1901 (Paul Jennings The Local p. 167) the national average was 1 for every 316 people, 'down' from 1 for every 192 people in 1869. Many argued that it was not up to the magistrates to assess "need" but this should be left to the market and magistrates should only assess fitness of licensee and premises.

2. Referral was to a further bench of magistrates and, under the Licensing Act of 1904, was mandatory in the case of all refusals to renew a license on grounds that it was not required by public. The bench, if it determined that the decision should stand was to determine how much compensation should be paid. The compensation came out of a fund financed by the trade through a levy on licensed premises. ((Paul Jennings The Local p. 173).