Harper, Thomas | Day 20
Coachman to Mr Crompton Roberts.
Witness Type: Other
Party: Conservative
Witness Testimony:
- 20191.
(Mr. Jeune.) You are coachman to Mr. Crompton Roberts ? — Yes.
- 20192.
You were with him at Deal ? — Yes.
- 20193.
You took down his horses and carriages, and brought them away ? — Yes.
- 20194.
I see that you had for going to Deal the sum of £10 ? — Yes.
- 20195.
Who gave you that, Mrs. Stedman ? — Yes, Mrs. Stedman.
- 20196.
And leaving Deal you had the sum of £15 ? — Yes.
- 20197.
Then there was your book which came to £5 1s. 6d : what would be in your book ? — All the items I expended with the stables.
- 20198.
Would you put down everything you spent in connexion with the stables in that book ? — Yes, everything I spent in connexion with the stables.
- 20199.
I see besides those items I have given you you had upon the 6th May a sum of £15 given to you ? — Yes.
- 20200.
Who gave you that ? — That would be all in my expenses.
- 20201.
Who gave you that ? — Mrs. Stedman.
- 20202.
What was that £15 for ? — It was all for my expenses and wages, and stabling expenses.
- 20203.
What wages did you pay to anybody else ? — I had three or four men down there besides.
- 20204.
How many men had you ? — Three men.
- 20205.
What were their wages a week ? — About 30s. a week.
- 20206.
Apiece? — Yes.
- 20207.
Were they grooms and helpers of your own ? — Yes, of my own; and another was engaged at Deal.
- 20208.
You say you had three down there ? — Yes, three at 24s. or 25s. a week. I cannot say exactly the sum.
- 20209.
You paid those men ? — Yes.
- 20210.
How long were you there; a fortnight ? — Yes, or it might have been more. I cannot say exactly to the day, unless I had my book.
- 20211.
Supposing they had 90s a week, you would pay £9 to those people for wages during that time. Besides the £16 which you had upon the 6th May, you had £15 upon the 16th May ? — Yes.
- 20212.
That makes £80 altogether that you had from Mrs. Stedman, besides the other items that I have given you ? — Yes.
- 20213.
What did you do with that 30s. ? — It was all spent in my expenses, wages and so on, and board and lodging, and different things that I had to pay for.
- 20214.
Did you keep any record of those ? — Yes.
- 20215.
You told me you put down everything in your book ? — Yes, everything; every shilling is accounted for.
- 20216.
We have got your book, and that comes to £6 1s 6d. Where did the other £30 go ? — There would be the railway expenses up and down.
- 20217.
We have got those besides; because you had £10 going to Deal, and £15 leaving Deal, and over and above this, you had £30. Do you say everything is in your book ? — Yes.
(Mr. Crompton Roberts.) I think that the Commissioners are only wasting time; I think a great deal of time will be saved if you will allow this witness to drive home and get the books.
(Mr. Jeune.) I think that will be a convenient course.
- 20218.
(To the witness.) You will go and get the book that you had at Deal ? — Yes.
- 20314.
Recalled and further examined.
(Mr. Jeune.) Have you got your book ? — Yes (producing it). You will see the whole of my expenses are included.