Flower, Henry Joseph | Day 8

Said in testimony that he earned 30s but not as much as £2 per week. On Trial Days he is listed as Henry Thomas Flower.


Witness Type: Bribee

Party: Liberal


Witness Testimony:

  • 8081.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — A bootmaker.

  • 8082.

    Where do you live ? — Upper Walmer, Drum Hill.

  • 8083.

    Did you receive any money at this election ? Yes.

  • 8084.

    What for ? — For canvassing; working for Mr. Minter.

  • 8085.

    How much did you receive ? — 4L., and not 5L. as has been put in the papers.

  • 8086.

    What did you do for the 4L. ? — I would go about talking to the men, and persuading them to vote for the Liberals.

  • 8087.

    When did Mr. Minter engage you ? — The next day after Sir Julian Goldsmid came here.

  • 8088.

    Had you a canvass book ? — No.

  • 8089.

    Did you make any notes of the people you canvassed ? — No, I did not make any notes.

  • 8090.

    How much of your time do you think was occupied in canvassing ? — The whole time of the election. I am an excitable sort of a character, and I could not work during the election.

  • 8091.

    Did you agree for 4L. before you began canvassing ? — No ; I should be rewarded for what I did.

  • 8092.

    That is what Mr. Minter told you ? — Yes.

  • 8093.

    Was it understood that you should vote for the Liberals ? — Yes.

  • 8094.

    If you were employed as a canvasser you would vote for the Liberals ? — I did not promise Mr. Minter that I would vote for the Liberals, because he was certain that I should do so.

  • 8095.

    If you had been a Conservative he would not have employed you as a canvasser ? — No.

  • 8096.

    (Mr. Holll.) It was understood that you should vote for them ? — I do not know whether William Minter understood I should vote for the Liberals or not, but I suppose he thought so ; he asked me whether I would do all I could for the cause, and I said I would.

  • 8097.

    (Mr. Turner) That included voting, I suppose ? — Yes, I should think so.

  • 8098.

    (Mr. Holl.) You knew you were employed partly with a view to secure your vote for that side ? — Yes.

  • 8099.

    (Mr. Jeune.) What are you ? — A bootmaker.

  • 8100.

    On your own account ? — Yes. I have two shops, a workshop and a sale shop.

  • 8101.

    You work for yourself ? — Yes.

  • 8102.

    Have you got any men under you ? — No.

  • 8103.

    Who keeps the other shop ? — My wife.

  • 8104.

    She sells the shoes that you manufacture, ready made ? — Yes.

  • 8105.

    About what do you make a week ? — In the way of earnings do you mean ? — Yes.

  • 8106.

    Yes ; I do not want it very accurately ? — I cannot tell you what I earn.

  • 8107.

    Do you make 1L. a week ? — Yes.

  • 8108.

    30s. ? — Yes.

  • 8109.

    2L. ? — No.