Testimonies

Testimonies

• 255.

  Do you know at the present moment the opinions of the town council ? – I could tell you if I have the names. I almost think they are evenly balanced, but I can tell you exactly, I think. I have not the list before me now, but I will take care you shall know, as far as I can say, what their political opinions are.

• 256.

  Who are the principal Conservatives in Deal ? Can you tell us ? – I myself take no part in elections in any way, and therefore I know but very little about it.

• 257.

  I daresay you have an opinion ? – I think the Conservative leaders are Dr. Hulk(e), who is the chairman ; and Mr, Nether(s)ole takes an active part.

• 258.

  That is on the Conservative side ? – Yes.

• 259.

  Surely there are more than that ? – Oh yes, there are more than that ; but as I say, I take but very little part in it, and I really do not know who was engaged very much in it Mr, Matthews is a large brewer. I dare say he takes an interest in it. I shall call to mind other names perhaps.

• 260.

  On the other side who are the principal leaders ? – In the same way, I know but very little about it ; but there is a local committee here. Mr. Brown, I think, is one of the committee, and Mr. Cottem.

• 261.

  What is Mr. Brown ? – He is a retired gentleman.

• 262.

  Do you know whether he took a part in the last election ? – I think he was election agent.

• 263.

  Is there a Conservative committee or institution of any kind ? – I think there is. I think the names of all the committee are published in the local paper.

• 264.

  In any local paper ? – I think so; any local paper.

• 265.

  Can you tell me how many PUBLIC-HOUSES there are in Deal ? – Yes, I have the register of them here. You mean for the election year 1879-80 ?

• 266.

  Yes ? – There are 74 fully licensed houses, and 30 partly beer-houses and partly grocers and wine merchants.

• 267.

  Strictly speaking, there are 74 PUBLIC-HOUSES ? – Yes, fully licensed.

• 268.

  And then there are beer-houses ? – Yes, 14 beer-houses in addition.

• 269.

  That is in Deal alone ? – Yes.

• 270.

  You cannot speak to Sandwich perhaps ? – No, I cannot.

• 271.

  Or Walmer ? – No.

• 272.

  Of these 74 fully licensed houses, can you tell me what they are rated at ? – I can tell you their annual value. If it is any assistance to the Commissioners, I will have a list made of each house, and the value.

• 273.

  That will be the best way ? – I will take care you shall have it.

• 274.

  You mentioned 30 besides the 74. Did that include the 14 ? – Yes.

• 276.

  14 beer-houses and 16 licensed shops ? – Yes.

• 276.

  (Mr. Holl.) Perhaps you would let us have a list containing the names and addresses, and whether licensed fully, or not, and the rateable value ? – Yes.

• 277.

  (Mr. Turner.) You were here last election, I suppose ? – Yes.

• 278.

  And you saw what was going on ? – Yes.

• 279.

  You saw the number of FLAGS, and so on, that were being used ? – Yes.

• 280.

  Did it strike you as being unusual ? – It was unusual ; but I should mention Deal and Walmer are somewhat peculiarly situated, as you will see when you have become a little more familiar with us. There are flag staffs the whole length of the place, and boats on the beach. We are always in the habit of having FLAGS. FLAGS here are not in the same category as in an inland place.

• 281.

  But at this particular election there was a fever of FLAGS ? – Certainly.

• 282.

  And ROSETTES ? – I did not notice ROSETTES as being much more numerous than usual, but FLAGS certainly were.

• 283.

  Were there a great many boys going about with boards ? –

• 284.

  Of course you were here at the election of 1868 ? – Yes.