Brown, John Marsh | Day 9

Invoiced £4 for preparing canvass books etc. A letter shown to the court showed that the bill was subsequently changed by Mr Edwards to £14 on account of the amount of work involved in preparing the books. His son, Walter Penfield Brown who prepared the invoice was called to testify as to the amount on the bill.

Witness Type: Other

Party: Liberal

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 6 | Day 10

Witness Testimony:

  • 9908.

    Witness recalled and further examined. (Mr. Holl.) I understand that you have some further explanation that you wish to make with regard to this item of 14L. which was alleged to have been charged by you for making out the canvass books ? — Yes, after I left the Court on the former occasion I carried out my instructions to the letter, and wrote a letter to my son ; but in consequence of postal arrangements I have not had an opportunity of getting a reply, but I expect to have it mid-day to-day. I also called on Mr. Edwards, and he stated that that bill for 14.L. included office charges ; that four or five clerks had been employed before I took the books in hand — in fact, that it was an amalgamated account.

  • 9909.

    I think you had a letter from Mr. Edwards upon the subject ? — Yes, confirming that statement.

  • 9910.

    Is that the letter (handing same) ? — Yes, this is the letter.

  • 9911.

    It is dated, Deal, 12th October, 1880.— “Dear sir, — I am sorry to hear there is such a muddle about the canvass books and strike sheets ; for the strike sheets 10L. was the amount always paid. The bill of your son’s was only 4L. for all the books, including books of voters to mark promises, and to strike off voters on the day of election ; when I had the charge of 4L. I said it was most ridiculous, and considering that I had five clerks employed in the matter, some of whom were up the whole night, or nearly so, dissecting, arranging, and placing names in lists for the books, and knowing that your son had been the writer, and you his helper for information, and as there was great expedition required to get out the canvass books, I increased the charge to 14L. You are certainly not the person to be charged therewith, and I expect, if the truth be told, if only the 4L. had been paid, you would not have received to yourself one farthing, but your son. I know at election times you often render valuable service without compensation ” ? — My son would have had the money if I had received it, but it was not paid at all. He said before he left home, “Father, there will be 4L. to come for me when you get it.” I may say that Mr. Cottew gave me the order to make the books, and I at first objected on the ground of my time being taken up, but I said my son would do it.