A Pint of History Please

Exploring the History of Ceredigion's Pubs

Detailed objections to Golden Lion licence transfer to Miss Richards 1909

Source: Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser 4/2/1909       Date: 1909
Copyright:       Type: Newspaper
Description: "The Chief Constable, giving evidence, said his first objection was that a girl of this physique and age was not a suitable person to conduct a public house, and secondly that her conduct in the house during the time she assisted her mother was most objectionable"

Transcript:
Mr. T. J. Kendal, solicitor, applied for the transfer of the license of the Golden Lion to Miss E. Richards daughter of the former tenant, who is her mother. The Chief Constable submitted that Miss Richards was not properly, qualified. The only two persons to whom a license could be granted was the licensee or the person in occupation, and Miss Richards was neither.Miss Richards, in reply to Mr Kendal, said she had made an agreement with her mother, whereby she was to remain in the house. Chief Constable Have you entered into any agreement with Mr. Evans, the owner, by which you are to become a tenant ?-Applicant: No, but added that she had paid the rent. Chief Constable Williams said he had lodged an objection on the ground that the house was not required to meet the wants of the neighbourhood. Sergt. Davies, in his evidence, said he had been stationed at Cardigan for three years. The house was situated in Chancery lane, being the only dwelling-house in the lane. It had three rooms on the ground floor and three bedrooms, but no yard or stable. Its rateable value was £8 5s., and a fairly good trade was carried on there. There were two other licensed-houses within 60 yards, with their backs opening into this lane, viz., the Black Lion and the Saddlers, the rateable value of which were £800, and £11 15s. respectively. There were 28 licensed-houses in the Borough (excluding the Drawbridge), and the population was 3,505. Chief Constable interposing, remarked that they had already closed 15 houses. Sergeant Davies. continuing, stated that in his opinion the Golden Lion was not required at all. Cross-examined by Mr. Kendall, witness stated that he had received complaints about the house, but not during the time the daughter had been charge. The Chief Constable reminded the Bench that this license was referred to the Quarter Sessions last year, but it was renewed. the Chairman remarking that it was renewed not because they disagreed with the justices, but because they had not sufficient money to grant compensation. The Chief Constable, giving evidence, said his first objection was that a girl of this physique and age was not a suitable person to conduct a public house, and secondly that her conduct in the house during the time she assisted her mother was most objectionable. During May of last year, he visited the house in company with the valuer, and when they got there they found the present applicant in charge of the house. The valuer (Mr. Evans) explained to her his business and told her that he had been sent to examine the house. He (Mr. Evans) asked to see her mother, and she said that her mother had gone to the market. She answered most insultingly. They enquired if the mother had been seen outside or in the market that morning, and found that no one had seen her. After speaking for some time to the applicant, the applicant went upstairs and spoke to a certain person, the voice of which was like that of a female. She then came down, and was asked by the valuer to show/ the receipts and invoices. Instead of doing so, she shouted and raged at him, and told him she would show him nothing, and that she would not care a "rap" for the magistrates of the Borough o Cardigan or the Quarter Sessions. Her whole conduct during that time was most objectionable, and her conduct was like that of a lunatic than of a sane person. She absolutely refused to show the valuer any receipts or invoices.Applicant called by Mr. Kendal, stated that during the last five months she had been managing the business. She did a very good trade. At present her mother was in the Asylum. She had expected the valuer and the Chief Constable on a Friday, and when they called on a Saturday she was busy being market day.Cross-examined by Chief Constable, witness admitted that she did not show the valuer the receipts, because "she was not going to." The Chairman thought her conduct was most improper. Replying to Mr. Mathias, witness said she had been advised by a Cardiff solicitor not to show the receipts.The justices, after deliberating in private, granted Miss Richards a temporary transfer, and referred the license to Quarter Sessions for compensation.
Notes:
Linked to
Golden Lion , Chancery Lane, Cardigan