ALE-CONNER, an officer in London, who inspects the measures used in public-houses. There are four ale-conners, who are all chosen by the common council of the city.
ALE-HOUSES must be licensed by justices of the peace, who take recognizances of the persons licensed, and of their sureties, viz. 10 l. each, that they will not suffer unlawful gaming, nor other disorderly practices in their houses. Every person, excepting those who sell ale in fairs, neglecting to procure a licence, is liable to a penalty of 40 s. for the first offence, 4 l. for the second, and 6 l. for the third, with all costs. The licence is granted on the first of September, or within twenty days after, at a general meeting of the justices for the division to which he belongs, upon his producing a certificate to his character, unless, by living in a city or town-corporate, this last circumstance is dispensed with, and continues in force for one year only. Ale-house keepers, selling ale in short measure, are liable to a penalty not exceeding 40s. and not less than 10s. and likewise to a fine of 10s. for permitting tipping, &c.
By 29th Geo. II. c. 12. persons keeping ale-houses in Scotland shall be licensed as in England, and the justices there shall meet annually to license ale-houses; on each of which licences a fee of 1s. is payable to the clerk of the peace. Magistrates of royal boroughs shall meet yearly for the like purpose; but where there shall not be a sufficient number of magistrates to act in any royal borough, justices may grant licences, to be in force for one year only. Ibid.
Persons in Scotland convicted of keeping unlicensed ale-houses shall forfeit for the first offence 5s. for the second 10s. for the third 20s. and to be disqualified; and for every subsequent offence 40s. to be levied by distress and sale, one moiety to the informer, the other to the poor of the parish. Conviction to be intimated to the offender, and certified to the clerk of the peace, and recorded: but persons aggrieved may appeal to the quarter sessions. Ibid.
Licenses for houses on the military roads in Scotland shall be issued on payment of 1 s. only to the clerk of the peace: making out licenses before the same be stamped, is a penalty of 10 l. and making them contrary to the intention of this act, 5 l. and the same shall be vacated, unless the duty and fine be paid, and the receipt produced, and license stamped. Ibid.