Roche, James (Junior) | Day 21

Testified on behalf of his 81 year old father and brother who was paid expenses of £2 to come back and vote by Mr Rose.

Witness Type: Other

Witness Testimony:

  • 20758.

    (Mr. Turner) Have you been examined before ? — I am the son of James Roche who has been summoned, and I have to ask you to be kind enough to excuse my father; he is very infirm and 81 years of age.

  • 20759.

    We have had witnesses as old as he is here; but is he unable to come ? — Yes.

  • 20760.

    Has your father told you whether he received any money ? — He never did.

  • 20761.

    He has never told you ? — I am sure he did not.

  • 20762.

    Did your father authorise you to say that ? — Yes, I was with him the whole of the time.

  • 20763.

    Do you live with him ? — Yes.

  • 20764.

    Your father might have received money while you were away ? — Yes, for rents, but he had not been out for the last seven months.

  • 20765.

    Has your father authorised you to say that he received no money ? — Yes, and I am sure of it.

  • 20766.

    You cannot be sure ? — He told me so, because I asked him the question.

  • 20767.

    You are not a voter ? — No.

  • 20768.

    Do you know anything about your brother ? — Yes.

  • 20769.

    Where was he at the time of the election ? — Staying at our house.

  • 20770.

    Did he vote ? — Yes.

  • 20771.

    Do you know whether he received any money ? — Yes, he received a sum of money, for which this is the receipt (handing a paper).

  • 20772.

    I see it runs thus: “Received of the Liberal Committee the sum of two pounds for expenses from London to Deal to vote. With thanks, James Roche, Clarence Villas, Lower Walmer.” ? — Yes.

  • 20773.

    Did he live there ? — His house is No. 1 Clarence Villas, which he lets as a lodging-house, and he stayed with my father the short time that he was allowed to come down.

  • 20774.

    He received that money for his vote ? — Yes.

  • 20775.

    (Mr. Holl.) Do you know whether he received anything more ? — I put it to him, and he assured me upon his word of honour, that he had not received a fraction beyond the £2.

  • 20776.

    (Mr. Jeune.) Is this receipt in your brother’s handwriting ? — Yes.

  • 20777.

    Where did you get the paper from ? — Mr. Rose of the Strand.

  • 20778.

    You say that your brother has told you he received nothing besides ? — Yes, he was only down the night before the election, and he went back the day after the election.