Holness, William | Day 8

£3 from Mr Rea for his vote plus £5 from Mr GK Reynolds to vote for Sir Julian Goldsmid.

Witness Type: Both Sides, Bribee

Party: Liberal

Witness Testimony:

  • 8820.

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

  • 8821.

    Where of ? — 8, Market Street.

  • 8822.

    What did you receive ? — I received 3L.

  • 8823.

    From whom ? — Mr. Reynolds and Mr. Rea.

  • 8824.

    All in one sum ? — No.

  • 8825.

    Then in what sums ? — 3L. from Mr. Rea, and 5L. from Mr. Reynolds.

  • 8826.

    What was the 3L. from Mr. Rea for ? — Well, I suppose for electioneering business.

  • 8827.

    Was it for your vote ? — Well, I do not know about that. I did not promise anyone.

  • 8828.

    Do not trifle with us ? — No ; I did not promise anyone in particular.

  • 8829.

    Which way did you vote ? — I voted for Sir Julian.

  • 8830.

    Was the money from Mr. Rea for that ? — No.

  • 8831.

    Was the 5L. from Mr. Reynolds for that ? — I received a present from Mr. Reynolds after the election.

  • 8832.

    Which side is he ? — I think he is a Liberal — one of Sir Julian’s party.

  • 8833.

    You are both Sir Julian’s ? — I voted for Sir Julian.

  • 8834.

    What did you have the 5L. from Mr. Reynolds for ? — Well, I received it afterwards as a present because I suppose I voted.

  • 8835.

    Voted for Sir Julian ? — Yes.

  • 8836.

    Did Mr. Reynolds think you voted for Sir Julian ? — I did not receive the money till afterwards.

  • 8837.

    But what did you receive it for ? — I received it, I suppose, for voting.

  • 8838.

    For Sir Julian ? — Yes.

  • 8839.

    And the 3L also ? — Yes, 3L. I received.

  • 8840.

    For voting for Sir Julian Goldsmid ? — No, not for voting for Sir Julian as I know of. I could not vote only for one party.

  • 8841.

    Mr. Rea is a Conservative, is he not ? — I think he is.

  • 8842.

    Then he thought you would vote for the Conservative when he gave you the 3L. ? — I had not rightly made my mind up which way to vote.

  • 8843.

    Did you tell Mr. Rea you had not made your mind up ? — No.

  • 8844.

    When he gave you the 31. what did you say to him ? — I thanked him. I should like to have had a little more.

  • 8845.

    You knew he was a Conservative, and do not you know he supposed you would vote for the Conservative ? — He did not press me on anything.

  • 8846.

    (Mr. Holl.) If you do not tell the truth you will not have a certificate. Tell us the truth, and do not talk in that way ? — I do tell the truth. I received 3L. and 5L.

  • 8847.

    (Mr. Turner.) We know you received it, but we want to know what you got it for. You received 5L. to vote for Sir Julian, and 3L. you say you received because they expected you would vote for Mr. Crompton Roberts ; is not that it ? — I do not know, I am sure.

  • 8848.

    Do you think Mr. Rea gave you the 3L. to vote for Sir Julian Goldsmid ? — I think so.

  • 8849.

    I should have said the Conservative, Mr. Crompton Roberts ? — Yes, I expect so.