Testimonies

Denne, Charles | Day 6

Witness Type: Publican, Beerhouse Keeper, Treater

Party: Liberal

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 5

Witness Testimony:

• 5382.

  I see that the bill is 164L. altogether, of which 84L. is for rooms ; so that 80L. is left for refreshments, which is as nearly as possible 10L. a day on the average for refreshments. How many people do you think you refreshed a day ? — It would be quite impossible to count them at the time of an election.

• 5383.

  They were so numerous ? — Yes.

• 5384.

  There were a great many of them ? — Yes.

• 5385.

  Scores may I say ? — Hundreds.

• 5386.

  You refreshed hundreds during those days, I should think it is very likely. Let me ask you about the day of the election, the 18th. ”Luncheons and sandwiches, 8L.” There was something else besides sandwiches, I suppose, at luncheon ? — I should think there was, most likely.

• 5387.

  I see that there is an &c , and the &c., I suppose, comprised a good deal else ? — It would apply to anything — poultry or joints, or what not.

• 5388.

  It is 8L. Who consumed luncheons and sandwiches, &c., to the tune of 8L. upon that day ? — I could not say.

• 5389.

  Hundreds of people ? — That I do not know.

• 5390.

  There were a good many of them, were there not ? — Yes, there were a great many.

• 5391.

  Then, coachmen and others, 11L. ; what is that for ? — The committee had their coaches from Dover, and I inquired what I was to do with them because I knew they would want refreshment, and they had breakfast and dinner, and some had tea.

• 5392.

  The coachmen had refreshments and there were others ; who are the others ? — Those were the CARRIAGES to convey voters to the poll.

• 5393.

  “Coachmen and others, 11L.” How much did the coachmen have ? — I reckon it, as near as possible, 3s. or 3s. 6d. a day.

• 5394.

  So somebody else had 10L. 16s. 6d. of refreshments ; the division was not very equal ? — There were 20 coachmen or more ; there were 20 CARRIAGES.

• 5395.

  Twenty calculated at 3s. 6d. a piece ? — Yes, and then there were others.

• 5396.

  The rest was consumed by the people they drove, or by whom ? — That I cannot say.

• 5397.

  Again, I may take it, I suppose, that a great many people had a share in that ? — That is so.

• 5398.

  Now, ” Cash paid to servants, 6L.” What does that item mean ? — It is for the extra servants I had during the election, I suppose — an extra waiter, I suppose, and porter.

• 5399.

  Do you mean your own servants? — Yes, and others too. I was obliged to have extra help.

• 5400.

  You would not put down payments to your own servants in a bill. *’ Cash paid to servants, 6L.” ; what does that mean, because I do not understand it ? — I cannot answer that question.

• 5401.

  Were those sums paid to your own servants at the hotel ? — Some of it.

• 5402.

  What servants of yours received part of that 6L. ? — There would be three or four of them.

• 5403.

  Never mind the women — what men servants of yours received any part of that 6L. ? — There were two.

• 5404.

  What are their names ? — Langhorn and Norris.

• 5405.

  Are they voters ? — Langhorn is.

• 5406.

  How much did he get ? — I cannot say.

• 5407.

  Did he get 3L. ? — I do not know that he is a voter. I do not think he has been housekeeper long enough.

• 5408.

  Are you sure that neither of them are voters ? — I know Norris is not, he is in lodgings.

• 5409.

  Why did you give them this 6L. ? — For extra work.

• 5410.

  Did you arrange with anybody that you were to pay them this 6L. ? — I think I arranged with the men, but I am not quite certain.

• 5411.

  Did you arrange with these men that they were to have a sum of money each ? — So much a day.