Testimonies

Cornwell, Edwin | Day 4

Witness Type: Other

Party: Liberal

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 11

Witness Testimony:

• 3966.

  Do you know how many there were of them ? — There were not many, there were something like three or four of them ; one or two came from Scotland I know. I can explain the whole of that 15L. not being expended. Mr. Hall has rendered an account of that in his regular account.

• 3967.

  He has not had it deducted from his fee ? — No.

• 3968.

  He has returned some of it I am told ? — He has not returned any of it, only in his account.

• 3969.

  Do you know how much he has expended of this 15L. ? — I think about 9L., but I am not quite certain.

• 3970.

  “Pilcher, Canterbury election agent, 15L.,” what is that ? — He is the son of Mr. Pilcher ; he came over here, and I was very glad to have him down to attend to the routine of the election, and I gave him 5L. ; there is his receipt for it.

• 3971.

  “Goymer, 12L.” ? — He was what you call the head clerk of the whole ; he was up day and night, he took the whole of that department upon him, and he was a personating agent as well.

• 3972.

  Where were his quarters ? — At the “Star and Garter,” the head committee room. There were two 25L. you have not mentioned in that account which should have really come into my account, and yet I don’t think they ought, but still they passed through my hands. There is 25L. to Warner, and 25L. to Watts of the ” Railway ” inn. They wanted money on account of the election. Warner’s arose in this way. Sir Julian came in after he had been round canvassing, and he found a party in very great distress. He said they were not voters, and would I send someone to relieve them. Warner happened to be in the room, and I said, ” Will you undertake that duty ? ” He said he would. Then he said, ” I have no money to go on with.” I mentioned it to Mr. Edwards, who said, ” You had better let him have 25L. on account of the election,” and he was to render an account, which he has not done yet.

• 3973.

  Then Watts, what is that ? — Watts of the Railway Inn. That was a district committee room. He applied for 25L. on account of the election. I applied to Mr. Edwards, and he had it. He handed it to me to hand it over to him, as he was not there.

• 3974.

  Are those all the moneys you have had to do with ? — The whole of them, nothing more. It will make 303L. 6s. 6d. I think. 295L. I have really had, and there were 2L. 2s. which Mr. Edwards put into my account, which makes it 297L.

• 3975.

  239L. 6s. 6d., and then there are two 25L., which makes 289L. 14s. ? — Then there is Lownds’ account, 14L.

• 3976.

  What is that ? — He was the principal man to attend to the board boys. Mr. Edwards told me to give him 14L., and I did so.

• 3977.

  He looked after the board boys during the election ? — Yes.

• 3978.

  What is he ? — He is a tailor by trade, but he is not able to work ; he had an accident.

• 3979.

  Is he a voter ? — Yes.

• 3980.

  That makes 303L. 6s. 6d. ? — Yes,

• 3981.

  (Mr. Holl) You have had 297L. ? — I have had 295L., but Mr. Edwards has charged two guineas in my account which he omitted.

• 3982.

  (Mr. Turner.) Have you received any other moneys in connection with the election ? — Not a penny.

• 3983.

  Have you paid any others ? — I have not paid any others, nor had any other demand.

• 3984.

  Have you made any other promises, or incurred any other liabilities ? — No, not anything.

• 3985.

  Who were you principally in communication with ? — Mr. Edwards. You may say I was his confidential clerk more than anything else.

• 3986.

  Did you hear anything about the money being brought down by Mr. Foord ? — No, the first I heard of it was in this Court. ‘ I was not aware of it.

• 3987.

  (Mr. Holl) You did not know any money had come down at all ? — No. Mr. Edwards never told me anything at all about it.

• 3988.

  You say you are Mr. Edwards’ confidential clerk ? — I said you might call me that ; I did not say I was.

• 3989.

  You were in his confidence — I only meant to follow your own idea — you were very much in his confidence ? — Yes.

• 3990.

  Do you say you never heard of this money coming down ? — No, I did not.

• 3991.

  Not until to-day ? — I cannot tell you. I do not suppose I saw Mr. Edwards all the election except the first day or two, but any transaction of that kind was done outside the committee room altogether. I knew nothing about it ; I do not suppose they would like me to know.

• 3992.

  (Mr. Turner.) As you were a confidant of Mr. Edwards we thought you might know ? — No, I do not.