Testimonies

Gunner, William | Day 21

Witness Type: Both Sides, Bribee

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 8 | Day 12

Witness Testimony:

• 20540.

  Recalled for a third time and further examined.

  (Mr. Holl.) You live at 123, High Street ? — Yes.

• 20541.

  Who did you get your money from ? — Mr. Ralph.

• 20542.

  £3 ? — Yes.

• 20543.

  Anything more ? — £3 more.

• 20544.

  Who from ? — Mr. Ralph.

• 20545.

  Are they both the same man ? — No, they are two different Ralphs. One is a blacksmith and the other keeps a public-house.

• 20546.

  One to vote for the Conservatives, and the other to vote for the Liberals ? — Yes.

• 20547.

  Did you tell us when you were here before that you had received those two sums ? — Yes.

• 20548.

  Are you sure ? — Yes. I came twice.

• 20549.

  The first time you came you said nothing, but only having received from one side ? — You did not ask me.

• 20550.

  (Mr. Jeune.) “Is that all you received” is what you were asked, and you said, “Yes, that is all.” — You never asked me.

• 20551.

  However, you received from both sides ? — Yes.

• 20552.

  (Mr. Holl.) We find that you were examined twice, and on both occasions you swore that you only received one £3. I will read what you said. You were examined the first time, and asked where you lived, and what you got for your vote, and you said that you got £3 from Mr. Ralph. Who did you get the other money from ? — Mr. Ralph.

• 20554.

  You were asked, “What did you get at the last election,” and you said “£3.” Then you are asked, “From whom,” and you say, “Mr. Ralph.” Then you are asked again, “Was that for your vote,” and you say, “Yes.” And then you are asked, “Is that all you received,” and you say, “Yes, that is all ” ? — No, you did not ask me that.

• 20555.

  I am reading from the shorthand writer’s notes. That is what you said upon the first occasion. Then, upon the second occasion, your evidence is this: (Q) You got money from more than one person, did you not? (A) I do not know. (Q) The last time you were here I think you told us so. (A) Told you what? (Q) That you got money from more than one person. (A) Yes. (Q) How many? (A) Two, I think. (Q) Who did you get it from? (A) I do not know. (Q) You must know. Who did you get the money from? (A) I do not know I tell you. You have asked me twice. I tell you I do not know. (Q) We shall be obliged to get you to come here again if you cannot tell us. Then your answer is not a very polite one, “Then you can make me come here again if you like.” Then you are told to answer the question, and you are asked, “Did you get any money from J. J. Ralph,” and you say, “It may be, but I do not know.” Then you are asked again, “How is it you do not know?” (A) Because I did not see the man that put it there. (Q) Where was it put? (A) On the table. (Q) In your house? (A) No, not in my house. (Q) Where was it put? (A) On the table. (Q) Where? (A) In West Street. (Q) But what house? (A) I think it is the Locomotive Inn. (Q) And you took it? (A) Certainly I did. You told us that you did not know who you got the second £3 from, and now you say today it came from the other Ralph. Then you are asked again, “Do you mean to say you do not know who left it there?” (A) I do not. (Q) Do you think it was left by J. J. Ralph? (A) Very likely, I cannot say. Who gave you the first £3? — Mr. Ralph, in Beach Street.

• 20556.

  What is his Christian name ? — George.

• 20557.

  Is he a blacksmith ? — No, a publican. The other is the blacksmith.

• 20558.

  Besides that, £3 more was left at your house ? — Yes.

• 20559.

  And that was left by J. J. Ralph ? — Yes.

• 20560.

  Besides those two sums, did you get anything else ? — No.

• 20561.

  Are you quite sure ? — Yes.

• 20563.

  Two different Ralphs ? — Yes.