Hoile, William - Griffin | Day 7

Given money by his father Stephen Hoile. Testified he was often given money and claimed not to know it was for voting for Sir Julian. Also received money from Edward Grigg to vote for Mr Crompton Roberts. Voted Conservative in the end because he didn’t think Sir Julian would win the seat and he liked to be on the winning side.

Witness Type: Both Sides, Bribee

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 7241.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — A channel pilot. 

  • 7242.

    Where do you live ? — 3, Griffin Street. 

  • 7243.

    Now what money had you ? — I received 3L off my father about three days after the election. 

  • 7244.

    Are you a voter ?  — Yes. 

  • 7245.

    Did you vote ? — Yes. 

  • 7246.

    Why did you receive the 3L. ? — I received it three days after the election off my father. 

  • 7247.

    But why did he give you 3L. ? — I was going to sea, and he came down and gave me 3L., and I took it and put it in my pocket. 

  • 7248.

    Did not you know it was for your vote ? — I did not know it was for my vote. 

  • 7249.

    (Mr. Jeune.) What did you think about it ? — Well, I put it in my pocket. 

  • 7250.

    That is what you did, but that is not thinking ; what did you think about it ? — I knew he was paying me some money or other. I did not suppose I was going to vote for nothing. 

  • 7251.

    You expected to have something for your vote ? —Yes. 

  • 7252.

    (Mr. Turner. ) You were not surprised then, to receive the something from your father ? — No. 

  • 7253.

    You did not think it was something from your father himself ?  — He gives me money sometimes. 

  • 7254.

    But not often ? — Oh yes, sometimes. 

  • 7255.

    I do not mean to say for a moment that he is not a kind father. You knew it was not his 3L., did not you ? — I did not know it was or not. I supposed it was for my vote. 

  • 7256.

    (Mr. Holl.) Come now, you knew perfectly well it was given for your vote, did you not ? — I did not know ; I supposed it was for my vote. 

  • 7257.

    (Mr. Turner.) Had anybody told you they would give you anything for your vote ? — Yes, I was promised, before that, 3L. 

  • 7258.

    Who was that promised by ? — Mr. Griggs. 

  • 7259.

    Mr. Griggs had told you he would give you 3L. to vote for him ? — For Sir Julian Goldsmid. 

  • 7260.

    And after you voted you had this 3L. ? — Yes, at least from Mr. Roberts, the 3L. was not Sir Julian’s. 

  • 7261.

    To vote for Mr. Crompton Roberts ? — Yes. 

  • 7262.

    And did you vote for him ? — Yes. 

  • 7263.

    You had a promise from Griggs, you say ?  — Yes, I had a promise from Griggs when I came home from sea, and he gave me 3L. on the day of the election. 

  • 7264.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Your promise to Griggs was to vote for Sir Julian Goldsmid ?  — Yes, when he asked me. 

  • 7265.

    And he gave you 3L. on the day of the election ? — Yes. 

  • 7266.

    And you had another 3L of your father ? — Yes, three or four days after the election. 

  • 7267.

    So that you had 6L. altogether for your vote ? — Yes. 

  • 7268.

    (Mr. Turner.) Did your father know you had the 3L. from Griggs ? — No, none whatever. 

  • 7269.

    You did not tell him that ? — No. 

  • 7270.

    (Mr. Jeune.) You were paid by both sides ? — Yes, I was paid by both sides by the look of it. If I had had any more handed to me I should have taken it.