Hookham, Walter Thomas | Day 12

Received £3 from the Conservative party for a letting room he suggested be used as a committee room. Long testimony discussing the rate charged in normal circumstances for a room and how he initially offered the room to the Liberals.

Witness Type: Bribee

Witness Testimony:

  • 14831.

    Yes ? — I cannot say for two days— we never let the rooms under a week. I should not let any room under a week. 

  • 14832.

    Did you ever let that room for 3L. a week ? — Yes, and more too. 

  • 14833.

    When ? — At different times of the year. 

  • 14834.

    When did you last do that ? — I cannot say. 

  • 14835.

    Try and recollect ? —I cannot try. 

  • 14836.

    Yes, you can ?  — Do not you believe me ? 

  • 14837.

    I do not say that— we will see when we have heard your examination ? — It would be in August. 

  • 14838.

    This last August ? — Yes. 

  • 14839.

    To whom ? — I think that is like the voting, that is a secret. 

  • 14840.

    I should like to know, unless you would rather not tell me, and then I can draw my own conclusions ? — If I were to tell you the parties name you would not know them. 

  • 14841.

    I shall want the name and address ? — I would rather not tell you. 

  • 14842.

    But I shall want the name and address ? — That I do not know  — if I give you the name I cannot give you the address. 

  • 14843.

    I shall want the name and full description of the person to be communicated with ? — Miss Saunders. 

  • 14844.

    When was that ? — That was in August. 

  • 14845.

    This last August ? — Yes. 

  • 14846.

    What week in August was it ? — I cannot say— I think it was two weeks in August the latter part of August. 

  • 14847.

    Did Miss Saunders come and stay at your house ? — Yes. 

  • 14848.

    What rooms did she take ? — She took the same rooms. 

  • 14849.

    Any more rooms than one ? — Two bedrooms with it — that is the suite. 

  • 14850.

    You see that was not letting one room for 3L ? — We do not let one ; we do not let without we let the whole suite. 

  • 14851.

    What did she pay ? — She paid three guineas. 

  • 14852.

    A week ? — Yes. 

  • 14853.

    For that room and two bedrooms ? — Yes, that is it. 

  • 14854.

    Where does Miss Saunders live ? — I cannot tell you ; we never ask where parties live. 

  • 14855.

    Did she come alone ? — No, she brought a young gentleman with here, about 10 years of age. 

  • 14856.

    Did she ever stay at your house before ? — No, never. 

  • 14857.

    Or since ? — No, never since. 

  • 14858.

    You do not know where she came from, and you do not know where she went to ? — No, I do not know where she came from and I do not know where she went to. 

  • 14859.

    Where did she go when she went away ? — She went away by the train, but I do not know  where she went. 

  • 14860.

    Is that the only time you ever let the room for more than 3L. ? — No.