The Sun.
London, England, 1857-10-22 00:00:00

SURREY QUARTER SESSIONS. '

KINGSTON, OCT. 31.
(Before Mr. E. Penhryn, Chairman, and a Bench

of Magistrates.)
The court was occupied to-day in hearing applica-
tions for the renewal of music and dancing licenses.
Upon the application of Mr. Knapp a license for
music and dancing was granted to the Royal Gar-
dens, Vauxhall, but with the restrictions that there
should be no baloons and that the gardens should
be closed at 12 o'clock.

A similar license was granted to the Royal Surrey
Gardens, the same conditions being annexed to it%
Mr. napp then applied for a renewal of the
license for music for the Flora Gardens, Wyndham-
road, Camberwell.
Mr. Lund, the Superintendent of the P Division
of Police, informed the court that although a license
had only been granted for music for these gardens,
dancing was constantly carried on there, and a regu-
lar dancing platform was erected.
Mr. Knapp said that the present proprietor of
the gardens, Mr. Hallwell, only came into posses-
sion of the premises in April, and Irz was not aware
that he was doing wrong, and, under these circum-
stances, he trusted the court would renew the
license, upon the understand,ng that there should
be no dancing in future.
_ _

Mr. Halleiell said that under the former proprie-
tors there had always been dancing, and he conse-
quently thought that he was justified in having the
same sort of amusement, particularly as no com-
plaint or caution had been made by the police.
The Chairman, after consulting with his col-
leagues, said that the license would be renewed on
the present occasion ; but it would only be on the
understanding that no dancing should be permitted
in future.

Mr. Knapp then applied for a renewal of the
license for music for the Surrey Canal Tavern, Old
Kent road.

Superintendent Lund informed the court that in
this case also dancing had been constantly going on
in the house, al, hough Mr. Gilliam, the propriet
was perfectly aware that he had only a license for
music. Hs had kept the house for a great many
years, and must have be-n perfectly well aware
that he was infrint;ing the law.
The Chairman said the court considered that in
this case there had been a wilful infringement of
the license, and they would therefore not grant a
renewal.
License refused.

Mr. Knapp then applied for a renewal of the
license for music and dancing for the Manor House
Tavern, adjoining the Royal Surrey Gardens,
Walworth.

Mr. Lund also opposed the granting of this li-
cense, upon the ground that the place was resorted
to by prostitutes and other disorderly persons ;
that it was kept open to unreasonable honr,, there-
by annoying the inhabitants of the neighbourhood ;
also that the groundshad been used fur the purpose
of holding an illeal fair, and that the proprietor,
Mr. Wale, had been fined for assaulting and ob-
structing the police.
Mr. Knapp, in addressing the court in support of
the application, said he was instructed that there
really were no grounds for the opposition to it
made by the police, and that the real object of the
course that had been taken was to benefit the
Surrey Gardens, which were close adjacent to the
premises of Mr. Wale, and give them a monopoly.
With regard to the complaint respecting the fair,
all that was done was to have what was called a
fancy fair—a proceeding which took place every
day, and which was patronised by some of the
highest and most respectable portions of the com-
munity; and, although Mr. Wale was summonel
before a magistrate by the police f having this fair
upon h's premises upon the supposition that it was
illegal, the magistrate at once dismissed the com-
plaint. With reference to the assault and obstruction
of the police in the execution of their duty, he was
instructed that all that was done was that Mr.
Wale refused to allow the inspector to go out of a
private door, and detained them for two or three
minutes ; and although, of course, he would not at-
tempt to dispute that the magistrate was justified in
deciding that this amounted to an obstruction of
the police in the execution of their duty, still he
submitted that it really was a very trifling matter,
and that there were no grounds for refusing a re-
newal of the license.

Mr. Lund, the Superintendent of the P Division,
and an inspector named Worels, and a sergeant
named Coppen, were then summoned by the court'
and they stated that the gardens of the Manor-
house Tavern were constantly resort:d to by pros-
titutes, and that they left at ono or two o'clock in
the morning, and that they were frequently very
noisy, and that the inhabitants had made repeated
complaints to the police upon the subject.
In answer to questions put by Mr. Knapp, the
officers admitted that amuserneirs of a similar na-
ture had been carried on at the Surrey Gardens,
but they said that the audience attending those
gardens always left at a much earlier hour.
Mr. Wale, the proprietor of the tavern, was then
sworn, and he stated that he had always endeavoured
to conduct the establishment in a re pectable man-
ner, as he had laid out several thousand pounds upon
the premises, and it was his interest to do so. He
had been offered money by the proprietors of the
Surrey Gardens for his premises, and because he
refused the offer they were endeavouring to destroy
the property, and lie asserted that they were the
real parties who were opposing him on the present
occasion.
The Chairman, after consulting his colleagues,
said that the Court were of opinion that the police
were only doing their duty in giving information to
the magistrates in reference to these matters, and they
were of opinion that Mr. Wale had not quite con-
ducted his establishment in the manner he ought to
have done. They would not,
however, go to the
Extent of depriving him of his license altogether,
but would restrict him to having music only.
A license for music only was accordingly granted.