The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

The Queen's Hotel Licence, Old Colwyn. Extraordinary Proceedings. New Licensee Objected to by the Police Letters of Recommendation Withdrawn. Extraordinary Denouement. THE proceedings at the Colwyn Bay Police Court on Saturday in connection with the tem- porary transfer of the licence of the Queen's Hotel, Old Colwyn, were quite sensational, to use a mild expression. Mr Amphlett applied for a full transfer of the licence from Miss Stretch to Mr Thomas. He made a similar application before the late Rev. Venables Williams at the last court, but in con- sequence of some misunderstanding on the part of Superintendent Jones, who did not send the testimonials to the Bench, it was adjourned, in spite of the fact that the superintendent said the applicant was a fit and proper person to hold a licence, he having known him for many years. After Mr Amphlett made the application, the Bench consulted, and The Chairman then remarked that they would hear it after the other business had been dis- posed of. About a quarter past four in the afternoon, Mr Amphlett formally repeated his application, remarking that the justices had had the oppor- tunity of seeing the testimonials. The Chairman We should like to have some- thing more about the character of the applicant than these testimonials. You have already told us that these documents have been in the hands of some of us, but perhaps you may not be aware, as I am, that some of these letters of recommendation have been withdrawn since they were handed in. (Sensation.) That, of course, puts a very different aspect upon the case. Mr Amphlett (who looked astonished) Cer- tainly, sir, I was not aware of anything of the kind. Mr James Wood: And the testimonials which are withdrawn are from those people we know the most about. Mr Amphlett: It put me in a very awkward position, sir. For gentlemen to put in testi- monials and then withdraw them is extraordin- ary but if that is so, you will have to eliminate those testimonials and consider the others. I can bring forward several witnesses to prove applicant's good character, if necessary. Mr A. H. Marriott, commercial traveller, Woodland-road, Colwyn Bay, said he had known Mr Thomas for 18 months, and believed him to be a fit and proper person to hold a licence. Inspector Roberts On behalf of the superin- tendent, whom I am sorry to say is not here, I wish to state that I am instructed to object to the licence of the Queen's Hotel being granted to Mr Thomas on the ground that he is not a fit and proper person to hold a licence. (Sensa- tion.) Mr Marriott said as far as he knew, Mr Thomas was a steady man. The hotel, to all appearances, had been conducted in a proper manner when he was there. He had often met the defendant on the road and at home, and he had always acted as a gentleman in every sense of the word. He had never heard any com- plaints against the conduct of the house. Mr Hulse, architect, Colwyn Bay, said he had known the applicant for about 18 months, and believed him to be a steady man. He had taken a deal of interest in the municipal life of Old Colwyn, which witness knew for a fact be- cause he had worked with him. It naturally made a man a few enemies. He knew nothing against defendant's character, which would pre- vent him from becoming licensee. The hotel was as respectable as any other hotel. Inspector Roberts Do you know that Thomas has been in the habit of getting the worse for drink? Witness: I have never seen him in that con- dition, and I have been constantly there on business, and seen nothing to arouse my suspi- cions. Do Mr and Mrs Thomas live at the Queen's Hotel? I couldn't say. I suppose they do. I know that they are, if you will excuse me saying so, the most lovable couple I have seen. (Laugh- ter.) Do you know there is a report against the conduct of the house in the hands of the super- intendent? I should say it was an absurd report. Are you aware that on a certain day last week a man named Frank Hughes was served with beer at the bar when he was drunk? Mr Amphlett: Is there a summons against the man? Inspector Roberts There is one out, only it is not served. Is there a case against the house as well? There will be shortly. Mr Amphlett said this sort of thing was not honest or fair to the publicans, who deserved fair play, however bad they might be. All the summonses should be heard the same day. The Chairman I think we are in sympathy with you on that point. At the same time there may be circumstances in some cases which pre- vent it. Still, as a general principle, it is un- doubtedly desirable. Mr Amphlett: I am much obliged to you, sir, for that expression of opinion. Inspector Roberts That is our usual course, sir, but it happens sometimes that we are of opinion that the case is rather weak, and Ave want to feel our way first. Mr Amphlett: Which is just what we want to evade, because it is really not fair. Mr Hulse resuming, said he simply spoke of the house as he found it. He had personally never seen anything wrong taking place, and he had been there at all hours of the day, morning, afternoon, and night. Miss Madge Glover, Olinda, Old Colwyn, said she was a friend of Mr and Mrs Thomas. She had never seen Mr Thomas the worse for drink in her life, and was quite at a loss to know what the insinuations were about. Whenever she was at the hotel it was always conducted properly. P.S. Tippett said he visited the Queen's Hotel in company with P.C. Worthington in conse- quence of certain information which reached him. There was a smoking concert on when they arrived there. He asked Thomas if he had a licence for doing this, and the latter replied that he didn't need one. At the bar there was a man under the influence of drink. Mr Amplett: Why did you not summon him? ,Witness Because I was not satisfied that he was drunk enough. Mr Amphlett: And yet you say he was under the influence of drink? Witness: Yes. Mr Amphlett: You have no objection to cheering and singing in a public-house have you? Suppose you heard that going on in my house, what would you do? Witness did not answer. Mr Amphlett: You are taking upon yourself a knowledge of law which is entirely wrong. Suppose I had a party on at my house would you come in and ask me if I had a licence? Witness: That is a ridiculous question to ask. Mr Amphlett: Then let the ridiculousness be mine and not yours. Would you, if I had a party at my house, and you heard singing and dancing, ask me if I had a licence? Witness It's all nonsense. Mr Amphlett: I will put another question. Would you ask them if they had a dramatic licence ? Witness It depends upon the circumstances. Mr Amphlett: That's an evasive answer. Witness I cannot answer you about a thing which does not exist. The Chairman: That is a pure hypothesis, and the officer says he would be guided by cir- cumstances in a hypothetical case. I only want to protect the officer when he gives you a reasonable answer. Mr Amphlett: Do you think you would have a right to ask them if they had such a licence? Witness I don't think, I am sure. Mr Amphlett: Then I tell you you are entire- ly wrong. Witness Then show it to me. Mr Amphlett then quoted to the effect that a dramatic licence was not necessary for a singing performance on licensed premises unless there were theatricals. He would stake his reputation that the officer's contention was per- fectly ridiculous. The Clerk said the question was whether it was a musical performance under the Act. The mere occasional use of a room on licensed premjises would not come within the clause affecting it, but it would be a great injustice to innkeepers if they were led to suppose they could hold such performances regularly with- out a licence. 0 Mr Amphlett said he would call evidence to show that the concert was an occasional affair. Mrs Thomas, wife of the applicant, said in- vitations were sent out to all those who were present at the concert. No one paid for ad- mittance. She was on perfectly friendly terms with her husband. He had never been drunk to her knowledge. Inspector Roberts said the police simply ob- jected to the licensee as not being a fit and proper person. They had nothing more to do with it. Mr Amphlett: Quite arbitrary powers. The justices don't seem to have anvth ng to do with it. ° P.C. Worthington said he had seen the appli- cant the worse for liquor on several occasions. On the 17th instant he visited the hotel and found a drunken man at the bar with a glass of beer in his hand. Cross-examined: He had never seen Mrs Thomas on the premises. He had never asked to see her. Mr Amphlett: Did you hear the Superinten- dent of Police say he had no objection to Mr Thomas? Witness: No, I did not. The Chairman said that really did not affect the question very much. Mr Amphlett said every kind of insinuation had been thrown out against the house, and in spite of no tangible evidence the police stood coolly by and declared that Mr Thomas was not a fit and proper person to hold a licence. At the last court the police said they had no objec- tion, and, therefore, he did not think the bench would be justified in taking notice of a formal objection such as they made now. If they thought there was justice in the opposition, grounded on fact, then by all means let them keep the applicant out, but if they had any doubt then let them continue the temporary transfer for a short time to see how he got on. After a short consultation the chairman said the bench were quite unanimous in declining to allow the transfer. The court then broke up at five o'clock, after one of the longest sittings on record.

Extraordinary Inland Revenue Case at Colwyn Bay. A Night Watchman and his "Armorial Bearings." Strange Disclosures. c Disappearance of the Accused. ON Saturday, at the Colwyn Bay Police Court, a remarkable case of using "armorial bearings" without a licence was investigated, and from the side-lights occasionally cast upon it it is probable that even more sensational develop- ments will transpire at the next court. The defendant was Mr Thomas Molesworth Harper, described on the summons as a night watchman, of Severn House, Sea View-terrace, Colwyn Bay, and was charged by the Inland Revenue authorities with using" armorial bearings" without a licence, the date of the alleged offence being the 25th August. Mr J. R. S. McLeod (Supervisor of Inland Revenue) Rhyl, prosecuted, and Mr Amphlett defended. The name of the defendant was called out three times but there was no answer. A con- stable was then sent to defendant's house, but he was not in. It was then decided to hear the case. Mr McLeod said he pr ecuted on behalf of the Inland Revenue Commissioners. The bench were no doubt aware that "armorial bearings and crests" were for the most part used by people of position and standing, and an excise licence had to be taken out before they could be used. In his report upon the case to the Com- missioners, he pointed out that the use of the crest by the defendant was so widely known by many gentlemen, some of whom held armorial bearings themselves, that several good firms had trusted him, knowing that it necessitated a special licence, and was a guarantee of honourable position. Ihe law was very clear subject, and he would prove that there haa been systematic fraud on the part of the de- fendant, who had been able to get a lot of credit. Mr Amphlett said he objected to. anything like that being gone into, because there was another case pending. His friend must con- fine himself to the 25th of August. Mr McLeod: Very good, sir; I can rely on that date to prove my case. P.S. Tippett deposed to serving the defendant with a summons on the 9th of November. Wit- nes said nothing, but defendant said "Mr Bliss Hill is doing all this." The Chairman Do I understand that the de- fendant has used armorial bearings without a licence? Mr McLeod: Yes, sir. The Chairman But you do not suggest that he has used it for fraudulent purposes? Mr Amphlett: Nothing may be given in evidence which does not bear "directly on the case. It is necessary to prove guilty know- ledge on the part of the defendant, and that he was not acting under a mistake. Mr McLeod said he did not wish to enter into personal maters, but he should like to point out that in writing to the office of Inland Revenue in respect to a beer dealer's licence, the defen- dant used plain paper, but when writing on other matters to other people he used crested paper from a different address, and printed in different colours. The defendant until recent- ly was only a night watchman on the pier, and therefore it was only right to the general public that such cases as these should be dealt hardly with. Armorial bearings were a luxury, and for the privilege of using them a tax should be paid. Mr Amphlett did not dispute that for a mo- ment. Mr McLeod said it was very difficult to detect such cases because crests were often used on articles of personal wear or on silver. Conse- quently, when a person brought a clear case into court, and a case in which a licence was actually taken out four days after the complaint was lodged, it was one that demanded a heavy penalty, which he hoped the Bench would in- flict. Mr Herbert Ferguson, officer of Inland Revenue at Llandudno, said he received two letters from the defendant, one signed "T. M. Harper," and dated the 6th of July, 1900, which had no crest, and the other dated 25th of Au- gust, also without a crest, and signed "T. Molesworth Harper." The first was from Glyn- dwr House, Colwyn Bay, and the second one from Severn House. The letters referred to his intention to acquire a beer licence, and asking for particulars. Another letter sent by the de- fendant, also dated 25th of August, had a crest, and was signed "T. Molesworth Harper." Mr Amphlett said the handwriting would have to be proved. Mr McLeod said it was not necessary to prove the handwriting, and quoted the statute. Mr George said it would have to be legally proved to become evidence. Miss Elizabeth Taylor, Sea View-terrace, Col- wyn Bay, restaurant keeper, said Harper on the 25th of August owed her a considerable amount of money for refreshments, which she applied for. In reply, she received a letter from the de- fendant bearing a crest. Cross-examined Defendant had paid her 12S and £ 1. There was £4 2s owing. She did not know defendant was a night-watchman when she gave him credit. She had seen him in uni- form at the pier. Witness had also received his card, and had seen him write his own letters at her restaurant. Witness went to Mr Bliss Hill for his advice. Witness once had a con- versation with the defendant, in which he ex- plained the meaning of his crest. An eagle was holding a worm in its mouth, and he said it meant, "An eagle catches no worm," or "no eagle stoops to petty things." (Laughter.) Mr Amphlett was proceeding to investigate other letters written by the defendant, when Mr McLeod objected to Mr Amphlett going into further letters, as he had only put one in, to which he must confine himself. Mr Amphlett said his friend had other letters which he was purposely suppressing. Mr McLeod said he was not in a position to prove the receipt of the letter, because the gen- tleman was at Chester; but if they liked, he would put it in. Mr Herbert Ferguson said he called on the defendant for an explanation on the 15th of October. He found him in one of the rooms of the pavilion. He denied that he used a crest this year. He admitted ordering a stock of notepaper from Messrs Phillipson and Golder's at Chester with a crest, which was a half-eagle with a snake in its mouth. He said it was his own crest. Despite his denial that he had used the crest, defendant took a licence for armorial bearings four days afterwards. Cross-examined Witness had not the letter with him which defendant refuted as his. Mr McLeod had it in his possession. Mr Amphlett demanded that the letter should be produced. Mr McLeod said he could produce it if the Bench liked, but the man to whom it was ad- dressed was not there. The Chairman said they did not want to go into any question regarding the use of the crest with intent to defraud. Mr McLeod then handed the letter to the Bench. Mr Bliss Hill, a solicitor practising at Wol- verhampton, but residing at Colwyn Bay, said he knew the signature of Thomas Molesworth Harper, the defendant. Unfortunately, he knew the writer too well. His father did not use armorial bearings. Cross-examined: He never saw the armorial bearings in question before he saw the defend- ant. He reported the case to the Inland Revenue, and he would report anything further that he found out against such a scoundrel as the defendant. The Chairman said they hoped witness would give his evidence without any comments of that kind. Mr Amphlett said he had to do his duty to his client. He was not there in a personal capa- city, but had been instructed to do his best. He had no desire to be harsh with anybody. He was not going to deny that a technical breach of the law had been committed. As to Mr McLeod's contention that only people of good breeding used crests, it was ridiculous. He had not yet seen the law which prevented anybody using a crest, so long as they liked to pay for it. Mr McLeod: I said people of honourable position, and not good breeding. Mr Amphlett said there was a time, perhaps, when such an asertion was true, but it was not so nowadays. According to his instructions the defendant had recently been married at St. Asaph to Mr Bliss Hill's sister. The crest was on note-paper used at the house of Mr Bliss Hill's father, where defendant's wife lived, Bodenryn, Colwyn Bay. It was done openly, and therefore the remark about deceiving the public was all nonsense. Was it not possible that he had done it because he had been recently married? Four days after the officer called they took out the necessary licence, so where was the serious offence for which they were to be mulcted in heavy damages? He understood there was a big family complication, as the case was reported to the Revenue authorities by the lady's brother himself.. The Chairman: We have nothing to do with the question of who gave information. We are simply receiving information from the Inland Revenue of this charge, which seems to have been proved. After a consultation, the chairman said de- fendant would be fined 30s, including costs. Sensational Developments. ALLEGED FRAUDULENT USE OF I "ARMORIAL BEARINGS." THE defendant, Harper, was also summoned under two other informations for having ob- tained food and credit under false pretences from Elizabeth Taylor, restaurant keeper, Col- wyn Bay. Mr E. IL Thorne, solicitor, Wolverhampton, prosecuted, and Mr Amphlett defended. Mr Thorne said inasmuch as the information about defendant's absence was given on oath, it was not necessary to go into the case that day. He therefore preferred to say nothing, but when the defendant was apprehended, he would on a future occasion have something very serious to say. One of the offences was most serious, and would probably go to the assizes. A warrant was then issued for the apprehen- sion of Harper.

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