Testimonies

Mercer, George | Day 1

Witness Type: Other

Witness Testimony:

• 240.

  (Mr. Turner.) You are the town clerk of Deal ? – Yes, and also clerk to the magistrates.

• 241.

  You heard Mr. Surrage’s evidence as to the constituency of Deal and Sandwich and Walmer. Do you agree to that ? – Yes, I believe it to be correct.

• 242.

  Now tell us something about the population of Deal, and the trade of it ? – The population of Deal at the last census was a little over 8,000, and I apprehend it will be found to be increased at the next census. The trade of Deal is not very extensive. We are engaged in boat building, in supplying ships with supplies and in case of loss, and the sale of vegetables and fish. I am not aware that there is any other trade. We do a little brick making.

• 243.

  Are there many engaged in boat building ? – I think there are about four boat builder’s establishments.

• 244.

  Do they build ships here ? – No.

• 245.

  Of late years, in your opinion, has the trade decreased or increased ? – I should fancy it is very much the same. I do not think it has fluctuated much either one way or the other. Boat building I do not think is quite so good as it was. That is the only trade reduced.

• 246.

  Is the population chiefly composed of the lower class, if I may so call them ; the labouring classes ? – The population of our town is composed in great measure of watermen, men engaged at sea, a large number of Trinity pilots, the labouring class, and tradesmen, and the usual population of a country town.

• 247.

  Are there any resident gentry ? – Yes, a fair share of resident gentry.

• 248.

  You have heard Mr. Surrage’s account of the number of freemen ? – Yes, they have fallen off very much indeed.

• 249.

  With reference to your municipal elections here, are they all political ? – Not in the least. I do not think politics have ever been brought into the matter whatever.

• 250.

  How is your town council composed ? – The mayor, 6 aldermen, and 18 councillors.

• 251.

  How many go out every year ? – One-third every year, and the aldermen every three years.

• 252.

  Have you an annual election of councillors ? – Yes. I do not remember since I have been town clerk that we have ever had an election without a contest – local matters and that sort of thing – drainage or not drainage.

• 253.

  But the election depends entirely on local matters ? – Entirely.

• 254.

  And no political feeling ? – I do not think I can remember any political feeling ever being introduced.

• 255.

  Do you know at the present moment the opinions of the town council ? – I could tell you if I have the names. I almost think they are evenly balanced, but I can tell you exactly, I think. I have not the list before me now, but I will take care you shall know, as far as I can say, what their political opinions are.

• 256.

  Who are the principal Conservatives in Deal ? Can you tell us ? – I myself take no part in elections in any way, and therefore I know but very little about it.

• 257.

  I daresay you have an opinion ? – I think the Conservative leaders are Dr. Hulk(e), who is the chairman ; and Mr, Nether(s)ole takes an active part.

• 258.

  That is on the Conservative side ? – Yes.

• 259.

  Surely there are more than that ? – Oh yes, there are more than that ; but as I say, I take but very little part in it, and I really do not know who was engaged very much in it Mr, Matthews is a large brewer. I dare say he takes an interest in it. I shall call to mind other names perhaps.

• 260.

  On the other side who are the principal leaders ? – In the same way, I know but very little about it ; but there is a local committee here. Mr. Brown, I think, is one of the committee, and Mr. Cottem.

• 261.

  What is Mr. Brown ? – He is a retired gentleman.

• 262.

  Do you know whether he took a part in the last election ? – I think he was election agent.

• 263.

  Is there a Conservative committee or institution of any kind ? – I think there is. I think the names of all the committee are published in the local paper.

• 264.

  In any local paper ? – I think so; any local paper.

• 265.

  Can you tell me how many PUBLIC-HOUSES there are in Deal ? – Yes, I have the register of them here. You mean for the election year 1879-80 ?

• 266.

  Yes ? – There are 74 fully licensed houses, and 30 partly beer-houses and partly grocers and wine merchants.

• 267.

  Strictly speaking, there are 74 PUBLIC-HOUSES ? – Yes, fully licensed.

• 268.

  And then there are beer-houses ? – Yes, 14 beer-houses in addition.

• 269.

  That is in Deal alone ? – Yes.