Hooper, George | Day 9
Party: Conservative
Witness Testimony:
- 10179.
(Mr. Turner.) What are you ? — A corn and hay merchant at Sandwich.
- 10180.
What is your address ? — Moat Sole.
- 10181.
What money did you receive ? — 66L.
- 10182.
From whom ? — Mr. Hughes.
- 10183.
What for ? — To use amongst the voters, and here is the list of names that I distributed it amongst (handing a paper to the Commissioners).
- 10184.
That was to vote for Mr. Crompton Roberts ? —Yes.
- 10185.
Did you receive anything else ? — I received 61 else.
- 10186.
Was that for canvassing ? — Yes.
- 10187.
These men, a list of which you have handed in, took the money to vote for Mr. Crompton Roberts ? —Yes.
- 10188.
Had you anything besides the 6L and 66L. ? — Yes, I had a cheque for 12L. 12s. 8d., for which I have receipts here (handing a bundle of papers to the Commissioners).
- 10189.
How was it spent ? — In refreshments had at different houses.
- 10190.
I see, “Mr. Hooper to S. Oakley, election refreshments.” Who is Mr. Oakley ? — He keeps the “King’s Head.”
- 10191.
It is for refreshments to voters ? — Yes, for the voters; the men at the tan yard.
- 10192.
When did they have the refreshments ? — About the time of the election.
- 10193.
Before the polling, or afterwards ? — That I could not say.
- 10194.
Had you any orders to have these refreshments supplied ? — No, I had no orders.
- 10195.
Why did he come to youP — I handed the BILLS in to Mr. Hughes, and he wrote a cheque out.
- 10196.
Then Watts, 3L. 9s., what is that ? — That is for some gentlemen from Deal, and also Mr. Roberts’ brother had some champagne and cigars, and Mr. Hughes, the agent, was one.
- 10197.
Was there a room at this house ? — It was a wine and spirit store.
- 10198.
Do you know yourself anything about this bill ? — No, I was not present at the time.
- 10199.
Why was it sent in to you ? — Mr. Watts G. Hooper. asked me to get the amount.
- 10200.
And you took the bill to Mr. Hughes ? — Yes, and he gave me a cheque for 12L. 12s. 8d.
- 10201.
Then, with regard to the others, they brought the BILLS to you, and you took them to Mr. Hughes ? — Yes.
- 10202.
Are all these BILLS in regard to public-houses ? — No ; one is for a fly, 1L. 15s.
- 10203.
What is Mr. East ? — He is the gentleman who has just been called, and keeps the “Sandwich Arms”.
- 10204.
Do you know whether these refreshments were supplied to voters ? — I do not know myself, but I should say they were supplied to voters.
- 10205.
You paid away that cheque in that way ? — Yes.
- 10206.
Had you anything else besides ? — No, nothing else.
- 10207.
(Mr. Holl.) Did you order these refreshments to be supplied by either of these different houses ; did you give instructions to the landlords of either of these houses to supply refreshment to voters ? — I did to Mr. Yarrow, and partly to Mr. East.
- 10208.
You did tell him he might supply refreshments to voters to a reasonable amount ? — Yes.