Magistrates’ Clerk. The applicants opposed each other as usual, but the most telling opposition they had to meet was the following memorial signed by nearly 300 inhabitants of St. Leonards:-
- “To the Worshipful the Mayor and the Magistrates of the Borough of Hastings, the Memorial of the undersigned inhabitants of the Town of St. Leonards respectfully sheweth
- “That there are at present in the said town of St. Leonards no less than sixteen public-houses licensed by your honourable Bench and fourteen houses licensed by the Board of Inland Revenue for the sale of beer, making a total of thirty houses licensed for the sale of intoxicating liquors – a number altogether out of proportion to the places for the sale of good and unintoxicating beverages.
- “Your memorialists respectfully submit that it has been abundantly proved before Parliamentary Committees and in other ways that the degrading vice of drunkenness may be measured in extent to the number of places existing for the sale of strong drink, and in the opinion of your memorialists to increase the number of such places would be to injure the morals and means of the humbler classes, to increase the work of the police and the relieving officer, and to augment the public burdens in the form of rates and taxes.
- “Your memorialists further submit that there is a universal dissatisfaction existing as to the present condition of the licensing system, and the probability of a comprehensive change during the next session of Parliament; and your memorialists pray you will consider whether it would be wise to increase the present number of licensed houses before it is seen what steps will be taken by Parliament in the matter.
- “Your memorialists also submit that by granting spirit licenses to beershop keepers, a kind of premium for opening such houses is held out, beer licenses being often obtained in the hope that spirit licenses can afterwards be easily procured.
- “In conclusion, your memorialists earnestly, but respectfully implore your Worships to refuse all applications for new licenses this year.
- “And your memorialists will ever pray, &c.”
Mr. Langham, on behalf of the applicants for new licenses, objected to the memorial being entertained, as it emanated from a society that had no local standing. To such objection it was urged that the memorial expressed the opinion and wishes of 296 inhabitants and ratepayers, and not exclusively the Temperance Society. The magistrates retired to consider the matter, and on their return it was announced that the licenses of the Queen’s hotel and the Railway inn only would be granted – the landlord of the latter receiving an intimation that he must be careful, or the license would not be renewed next year. Thus, the memorialists had cause to believe that their efforts and representations had been very effective.
