Denne, George Henry | Day 7
Disbursed £72 to Thomas Bales, his clerk to distribute between 24 men. He paid a further 4 men himself with the remainder.
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Party: Conservative
Witness Testimony:
- 7800.
(Mr. Holl.) Are you a builder ? — Yes.
- 7801.
You live where ? — In Queen Street.
- 7802.
What money did you receive in connexion with the election ? — I received 84L.
- 7803.
From whom ? — From Mr. Olds.
- 7804.
Was that for the purpose of paying the different parties to vote for Mr. Roberts ? — Yes.
- 7805.
You gave that money I think to Mr. Bales ? — I gave that money to my clerk, Mr. Bales, to pay the men with.
- 7806.
Is is correct as he has told us, that you disbursed 72L. of it to 24 different persons ? — Yes, quite right.
- 7807.
Did you disburse the other 12L. to four others ? — To four others myself.
- 7808.
Have you got a list ? — Yes (handing same). I put polled at each district, the different names, and the numbers on the register.
- 7809.
(Mr. Turner.) Did you give a list of the names to Mr. Bales to whom 74L. was given ? — Mr. Bales had that list, and I was not aware of the names, but they were handed in and Mr. Bales paid them.
- 7810.
(Mr. Holl.) This contains names besides, does it not ? — Those are the names of everyone.
- 7811.
Does it contain any other names ? — None whatever.
- 7812.
Only those that you paid ? — Only those that I paid. 84L: was received and 84L. was paid to a farthing.
- 7813.
You have given us the names, addresses, and the numbers on the register ? — Everything, so that you should have no further trouble.
- 7814.
(Mr. Turner.) You had no other money besides this 84L. ? — Not a farthing. I had 6L for canvassing and for being agent for that, but then, of course, I spent a great deal more than that out of my own pocket. I did not have a single farthing for anything, nor would I have it.
- 7815.
(Mr. Holl.) You have not paid anything to anyone except the persons whose names you have handed in ? — That is all, except out of my own pocket, but that has nothing to do with it.
- 7816.
(Mr. Turner.) They are all voters ? — Every one,
- 7817.
(Mr. Holl.) Did you pay any money to anybody out of your own pocket to vote ? — No, none whatever, there is the account and you will find each name.
- 7818.
Did you treat anybody ? — I might have done, and should a great many more again if I had the opportunity, I daresay ; I spent pounds in treating people, in going round about, and going to Sandwich, you cannot go away without expense, and that expense I have borne out of my own pocket. I give you a strict account there of what has been paid.
- 7819.
You say you have given drinks or something to people ? — Out of my own pocket I paid for that ; for instance, I have gone to Sandwich and I have treated a man to a glass or two of grog or anything of that sort, I do not take any notice, but not with any special purpose.
- 7820.
You did not make any stipulation about their votes when you treated them ? — Not with any view.
- 7821.
Your object was to put them in a good humour, and to put them on your side if you could ? — It was our duty to do it; we had a first class man on our side, and we meant to get him in.
- 7822.
(Mr. Jeune.) You say you will do it again. It is altogether illegal, and if ever there is another election you ought not to do it ? — I have had to spend whatever I have spent out of my own pocket This is the true account which I have given to you.
(Mr. Holl. ) It is just as bad for the purposes of the election whether you pay it out of your own pocket or not ; you lose the seat for your candidate whether you pay it out of your own pocket, or with his money. If there is an election here again you had better be careful, or there will be another petition, and your candidate will lose the seat.
(The Witness.) I do not think we shall have the trouble of that.
(Mr. Jeune.) That may be ; that is not unlikely.