12th
November 1970
Book Told Licensee What He Could and Could Not Do
Licensees
of the 1930s could buy ‘The Licence Holder’s Handy Guide in the
Everyday Conduct of his Business’ for one shilling from his local
book stall or send for it post free, for one shilling and two pence.
For
the rights-conscious licensee it could have been the perfect gift,
writes Allan Tunningley. The book published by St. Stephen's Bristol
Press in 1934, written by A.J. Harris and revised by Fred Little, states
clearly that it is merely a guide and not a legal reference book for
likely court actions. However, if a landlord wanted to know the penalty
for ‘grogging the cask’, harbouring a policeman on duty, or serving
black-listed customers, it was an invaluable possession.
The
book says it is illegal to absorb any spirit in the wood of a cask.
Whether this is for the sake of an alcoholic woodworm or the customer is
not stated.
Part
of the book must have put many landlords minds at rest for it states
that a landlord need not receive a body as this was the duty of the
local sanitary authority. Unless a police constable has entered the
licensed premises for the purpose of restoring order, the landlord need
not ‘suffer him’ and must not knowingly harbour him when on duty.
Licence
holders are warned that they should not serve intoxicating liquor to
habitual drunkards. The book also states that an innkeeper is legally
bound at any hour to give reasonable lodgings and refreshment to a
lawful traveller.
Probably
the most fascinating ‘handy hint’ is the one which states that if an
inn is being used to billet H.M. Forces and officers horses in its
stables, the manure from the said horses remains the property of the War
Department. The book was lent to the ‘Express’ by Mr. Wagstaff,
licensee of the Elephant Hotel
Mr.
Wagstaff also provided two other interesting documents. One is a card
presented by salesmen on behalf of Mitchell Brothers brewery company,
Mere Brewery, Castleford, which has long since been closed. On the
reverse side of the card is a list of prices. It’s a pity that such
price lists aren’t issued today, although when these were for isn’t
known. One could get a gallon of East India pale ale for 1s 6d. and a
gallon of mild bitter for one shilling.
[
1970 Index ]
