The Express & Star of 13 September 1916 contains a cautionary tale for publicans and landlords. The Central Liquor Control Board, appointed by an Act of Parliament, had recently imposed restrictions on the sale of beer between specified hours.
George Hadley, licensee of the Crown Hotel in Bilston Street, was summoned before the Stipendiary for selling beer to two men during the prohibited hours. His wife, Agnes Hadley, was summoned for aiding and abetting, and the two men concerned, Frederick Lawrence and Joseph Bailey, both from Wednesbury, were summoned for consuming the beer on the premises during the prohibited hours.
On 30 August 1916, which was a market day, Mr Hadley had held a commercial dinner at the Crown Hotel. Lawrence and Bailey had paid within the prescribed hours 1s. 8d. each, to include a glass of beer. After the meal the men went into the market and returned at 3.30pm for the beer, which Mrs Hadley gave them. According to the article, “she acted quite innocently, and those proceedings would act as a warning to her.” As a result, Mr and Mrs Hadley were fined £6 10s. in all, and Lawrence and Bailey 6s. and 6d. each.