Licensing Court.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 4045, 15 December 1881, Page 2

Licensing Court.

The quarterly meeting of the Licensing Court for the district of Thames took place this morning before Harry Kenrick, Esq., 8.M., Chairman, and L, J. Bagnall and W. Wilkinson, Esqs., J.P.'s. APPIICATIOSf OF TbaNSKBB. S. Ensor applied for a transfer of license from the Post Office Hotel to new premises. Mr Brassey appeared for the applicant and Mr Cuff for Mr Ehrenfried. The R.M. said the reason that he had not dealt with this case was because it had not been proved that the applicant did not still reside in the Post Office Hotel. There was a lengthy petition which he would require to be read. Mr Burgess then read a petition from a large number of residents in Bupport of the application. {

The Charman said that until the new Act came into force the Bench would not give a decided answer. It tuo applicant could prove some of the allegations set out on the petition, the Bench would then give a decision. Samuel Ensor, being sworn, said he purchased the license, together with the goodwill of the Post Office Hotel from Mr T. W. Edwards. He had been a tenant of Mr Ehreufried for eight years. He had paid rent to Mr Ehreufried since 1874, He had taken wines, spitits, and beer from Ehrenfried. Ho did not take it from him from choice. Mr Khrenfried told him that if he did not take his goods from him he would hare to leare. Mr Ehrenfried said that he would not allow him to take wives and spirits from anyone but himself. He purchased some spirits from Mr Osborne because he got them cheaper. He told Mr Ehrenfried that if he supplied the goods at the same price and of the same quality as Osborne he would take them from him. He considered himself bound down to take the stuff sold by Ehrenfried. Within the present month he had to show Ehrenfried that he had not bought spirits from anyone else. ■ . . To Mr Cuff—He bought the good-will of the business from Mr Edwards. Mr Ehrenfried threatened to put him out of the house if he did not take the spirits and beer from him. Last Christmas he went to Mr Ehrenfried and asked him to do something to his house, but Mr Ehrenfried said that he would not lay a penny out on it, and that if he didn't like it he could leave it. Be examined—He made no agreement with Ehrenfried, but it was understood that if he did not buy from E oxen fried he would be ejected. He had reason to complain both as to the quality and price. Louis Ehrenfried said he first leased the house and then bought the freehold. The furniture belonged to Mr Ensor. The Hcense of the house was given to him by. Mr Edwards for effecting the sale between Mr Edwards and Mr Adams. Mr Ensor was not compelled to buy wine and spirits from him. At the present time he was supplying Ensor with beer at 5s less per hogshead than any other hotel keeper. He had had a plan prepared to improve the house, but Ensor bad refused to admit the workmen. To Mr Brassey—Jinsor took goods from Osborne for six years. The freehold of the JPost Office Hotel was owned by him (Mr Ehrenfried) and had been his property for 7 years. He did not think Ensor paid Edwards any money for the license. John Osborne said he had sold Mr Ensor wines and spirits. At the time he sold Ensor spirits, Mr Ehrenfried was a wine and spirit merchant. On one occasion Mr Ensor came to him and told him that Ehrenfred has sent him to him (Osborne) and told him to find a house lor him. Mr Ensor considered himself bound to Mr Ehrenfried. S. Ensor re-examined, said that Mr Ehrenfried had refused to do any repairs, end had ouly paid two year's rates. The rent he was paying was 30s a week. The Chairman said before they retired he would state he had received a petition from a number of people praying that no additional license should be granted in this locality. The Chairman said it was the duty of the Commission to carry out the spirit of the new Act, although not yet in force. Thjey^ were not of opinion that compulsion liad been proved, and "-should refuse the application. Mr Ensor, however, would not be debared the privilege of bringing his case up before the next sitting of the Commission.

. Extension of Time. Thomas Lawless, of the Empire Hotel, applied to have his license extended from 10 to 12, o'clock. The Bench had no power to grant the application. ' Court adjourned.