Wilmshurst, Thomas | Day 7

Gave money to his son, Frederick Francis Wilmshurst amongst others.

Witness Type: Briber

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 7496.

    (Mr. Holl.) What are you ? — A coachsmith. 

  • 7497.

    Where do you live ? — 2, Portland Terrace. 

  • 7498.

    What money did you receive ? — On my own account, 3L. 

  • 7499.

    That was for your vote ? —No, I never received a farthing for a vote in my life. 

  • 7500.

    What did you receive it for ? — For the hire of a room. 

  • 7501.

    Did they have a room in your house ? — Well, I don’t think they did, not to my knowledge. That was the object. We all know the object of such things. That was the word’s name. 

  • 7502.

    The word’s name was that you were to have 3L. for the hire of your room ?  — I was asked if I had a room to let, and I said. Yes. 

  • 7503.

    Who asked you ?  — The man I received the money from. 

  • 7504.

    Who was that ? — Mr. Ramell. 

  • 7505.

    He asked you if you would take 3L. for the hire of your room ? — Yes. 

  • 7506.

    They did not have the room ?  — No, I do not think they did ; not while I was about at any rate. 

  • 7507.

    You had 3L. ? — Yes. 

  • 7508.

    You knew it was given to you for your vote, did you not ? — I suppose it was ; it was intended for that most likely. 

  • 7509.

    You knew that at the time ; of course you did. What else did you have ? — Well, on the morning of election I met him, and he said, “Here is two or three pounds, will you take this to Mose ? ” 

  • 7510.

    How much was that ? — 3L. 

  • 7511.

    “Mose, junior and Frederick Wilmshurst ?”  — I said Yes, and I took it and delivered it to them. 

  • 7512.

    That was to vote ? — I do not know what it was for any more than you do. It was put into my hands, and I was asked if I would do the favour of taking it to them. I had no communication with them whatever on any subject. 

  • 7513.

    You knew that this 3L came from Mr. Ramell ?  — Yes, he gave it to me. 

  • 7514.

    You knew he was an active party on the Liberal side ? — Yes. 

  • 7515.

    You knew perfectly well that this money was given to them for their votes ? — I suppose it was, I could not tell ; most likely it was, but I could not tell ; I had no communication with them ; I never asked them the question. 

  • 7516.

    What is the use of telling us such a story as that. You knew perfectly well it was for their votes, and you took the money to them ? — I took the money to them. 

  • 7517.

    And gave it to them ? — Yes. 

  • 7518.

    You gave 6L. to the father, Mose senior, and 3L to Frederick Wilmshurst, and they took it ? — Yes. 

  • 7519.

    Did you tell them what it was for ? — No. 

  • 7520.

    What did you say to them ? — I told them Mr. Ramell had sent this ; that is all I said to them, and they to me. 

  • 7521.

    They have told us what it was for, and they took it ? — They knew what it was for.