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Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser. Wednesday 15 Feb 1911
Page 2 Column 5
TAUNTON BREWSTER SESSIONS.
WEDNESDAY. - Before the Mayor (Alderman H. J. SPILLER), the ex-Mayor (councillor W. H. WESTLAKE), Mr. W. POOLE, Mr. C. J. GOODLAND, Mr. H. J. BADCOCK, Mr. J. E. W. WAKEFIELD, and Mr. T. S. PENNY.
COMPENSATION APPLICATIONS.
Applications for a reduction of the compensation charges under the Licensing Act were received from the G.W.R. Co., Messrs. Maynard & Son, and Mr. T. do L_ney [sic] HATCH.
Mr. A. W. L_ILEY [sic] made the application on behalf of the Railway Company in respect of the refreshment-rooms, and asked that it be reduced from one half to one-third of the maximum charge.
Mr. C. P. CLARKE applied in respect to the Borough Restaurant[?], occupied by Messrs. W. Maynard & Son, and asked that it be reduced to one-third. The provision of the 1910 Act expressly enacted that refreshment-rooms should be subjected to the licensing charges, but the Justices had it in their power to reduce it to one-third. Assuming it was fair to reduce the charge in respect of the Railway Company, who had two refreshment-rooms open practically[?] night and day, at which large quantities of liquor were consumed, and the profits were larger, it was more essential that the reduction should be made in respect of Messrs. Maynard & Son. The Borough Restaurant was not a place in which facilities were given for drinking, and it was essentially a stronger case for exercising the discretion by allowing a reduction.
The Mayor: You have a spirit license?
Mr. CLARKE[?] said it was not a question as to whether they had a spirit license or not, but whether it was a bona-fide restaurant. They had to pay for the privilege of the license, and as a matter of fact they did not get any profit by taking out the license.
The Bench refused the applications, and said that the rate of charges would be as for the previous year.
SUPT. STOKER'S ANNUAL REPORT.
FIVE HOUSES REFERRED.
LICENSES AND GAMING MACHINES.
Supt. STOKER[?] presented his annual report, which stated that there were in existence in the borough 68 alehouse licenses, 22 “on” beerhouse licenses, 1 “off” beer license, and 9 shops license for the sale of beer, wines, and spirits for consumption off the premises. Since the last General Annual Licensing Meeting 59 persons had been proceeded against for drunkenness, 43 of whom were convicted, and 16 discharged; 17 of those persons were non-residents. This was a decrease of 30 person, 89 persons having been proceeded against in the previous year. One license holder had been proceeded against and discharged for selling drink to a drunken person. At the last general annual licensing Session two houses were referred for compensation. The Compensation Committee renewed one and refused the other, viz., Bell Inn, High-street, that house being closed on the 2nd February, 1911. The houses had been satisfactorily conducted.
Supt. STOKER said he should like to add a word of warning to certain licensees in the town, who had in their bars and smoking-rooms instruments of gaming. He dare say they would try to persuade him that they were their as ornaments, but if he found them being used he would have no alternative but to bring them before the Bench.
The Mayor observed that no doubt the licensees present would take notice of the Superintendent's remarks.
Mr. C. P. CLARKE, as solicitor to the Taunton and West Somerset Licensed Victuallers' Association, formally applied for the renewal of the whole of the licenses. - Mr. E. E. ORAM, secretary of the Association, was also present.
The Mayor announced that the Bench had decided to renew the whole of the licenses with the exception of the following:- The Old Inn, Tancred-street; the Oxford Inn and the Princess Royal Inn, Canon-street; the Bear Inn and the Somerset Inn, Upper High-street. Those houses were objected to on the ground of redundancy, and the renewal of the licenses would be considered at the adjourning Licensing Sessions on the 8th March.
TRANSFERS.
The license of the Oxford Inn, Canon-street, was transferred from the late[?] Robert ASHMAN to his widow, Alice Jane ASHMAN, and that of the Robin Hood Inn, Alfred-street, from Wm. REED to Francis PAVEY.[?]
EXTENSIONS.
Mr. E. H. CLARIDGE, of the London Hotel, was granted an extension of hours on the following dates[?], February 14th, 16th, 21st, and 27th.
Mr. H. CHAMPION, of the Market House, was granted an extension of his music and dancing license on the 19th inst.
CIMEMATOGRAPH LICENSES.
AN UNFOUNDED ACCUSATION.
Applications were made for the renewal of the licenses for the cinematograph[?] performances at the London Assembly-rooms, the Victoria-rooms, and the Corn Exchange. - The licenses were renewed on condition that a fireman was on duty in the building, and that the gangways were kept clear.
Supt. STOKER said that as Superintendent of Police he had power to visit the buildings, and he had gone in on several occasions to see if the gangways were obstructed. Those who said they were were not telling the truth.
Mr. C. P. CLARKE, who appeared on behalf of Mr. CLARIDGE, said the gangways were kept clear in accordance with the conditions of the license. If people would come into open court and make their accusations it would be much fairer to those against whom the were made.
The dancing and music licenses were also renewed, Mr. J. W. H. PARKER[?] being also granted a license in respect of a room in Station-road, subject to certain structural alterations.
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