Thompson, William | Day 15

Received £3 from Mr Grigg for his vote, £5 from Mr Olds for a committee room, 30s from Mr Frost to pay five men for putting up poles and £2 5s for refreshments to customers.


Witness Type: Publican, Beerhouse Keeper, Treater

Party: Conservative


Witness Testimony:

  • 17781.

    (Mr. Turner.) What are you ?— A licensed victualler. 

  • 17782.

    What is your house ?— The “Prince of Wales”, Middle Street. 

  • 17783.

    Did you receive 3L. for your vote from Mr. Grigg ? — Yes. 

  • 17784.

    Anything else ? — 5L. from Mr. Olds for a committee room. 

  • 17785.

    Was that room used ? — Yes, it was used— it was kept as such. 

  • 17786.

    How was it used ? — In the morning. I had to take them down to another room because it was not large enough — there were so many came. 

  • 17787.

    How often was that ? — That was the morning of the election. 

  • 17788.

    On any other day was it used ? — No, they did not use it any other day but that morning. 

  • 17789.

    It was only used once upon the day of the election ? — Yes. 

  • 17790.

    What is your rent ? — It is a nominal rent— only 10L.

  • 17791.

    Did you receive anything else ? — Yes. 

  • 17792.

    What ? — 2L. for my COMMITTEE ROOM that morning. I sent in a bill for 4L. 6s., but I have only received 2L. 5s.

  • 17793.

    You have received 3L. 5L., and 2L. 5s. ? — Yes. 

  • 17794.

    What was the 2L 5s. for ? — For refreshments that morning for the voters, and likewise the committee men. 

  • 17795.

    What voters ? — There were a great many. 

  • 17796.

    On the Conservative side ? — Yes all Conservatives. 

  • 17797.

    Who ordered those refreshments ? — Mr. Evans ordered me to serve them with biscuits and cheese, and anything like that, but not to go too far. 

  • 17798.

    Was there anything else ? — There was 30s. from Mr. Spears for the flag pole, and five men had the money — I forgot to mention that.