Outwin, John Thomas | Day 3
In his testimony he admitted that apart from hiring committee rooms in numerous public houses he also hired rooms in one or two private houses. George Hayward the hairdresser at 123 (now 81) Beach Street was one such although he wasn’t called as a witness.
Party: Liberal
Witness Testimony:
- 2631.
Now, what sums of money have you received ? — Between 1,100L and 1,200L. I think the real amount is 1,126L.
- 2632.
When did you receive it ? — I received 50L. some time during the week prior to the election ; 50L. and 25L. That is all I had during the week ; the remainder I had on the Monday prior to the election.
- 2633.
From whom did you receive that 50L. and 25L. ? — From Mr. Edwards.
- 2634.
By cheque ? — No, in gold ; that was intended for the PUBLIC-HOUSES ; they would have payment beforehand, many of them.
- 2635.
You got 50 sovereigns and 25 sovereigns ? — Yes.
- 2636.
What did you do with that money ? —I spent it on the PUBLIC-HOUSES.
- 2637.
What PUBLIC-HOUSES did you pay ? —I can mention the names if I had the list.
- 2638.
The “Jolly Gardeners ” ? —Yes, that was 5L.
- 2639.
The “Norfolk Arms ? —Yes, 5L.
- 2640.
The “Maxton Arms ” ? —Yes, 5L,
- 2641.
Here is a bill for 54L. ; did you pay that ? — Yes.
- 2642.
And you paid that with the 50 sovereigns, as far as it went ? — Yes. It was all paid at the same time ; they were paid during the course of the election.
- 2643.
Now, what did you do with the other 25L. ? — That comes in the general account ; I left that over ; the 25L. went in with the larger amount.
- 2644.
On Monday, you say, you got 1,100L. ? — 1,050L., I think it was.
- 2645.
I thought it was 1,100L. ? — That is including the first 50L.
- 2646.
How was that given to you ? — In gold,
- 2647.
By Mr. Edwards ? — No. Mr. Edwards did not give it me. I sent to town for it, and of course it came up as I wanted it.
- 2648.
You sent to town and the money came to you ? — It came by a messenger.
- 2649.
You sent a messenger to the town for it ? — Yes.
- 2650.
You had arranged with Mr. Edwards before that you were to get it ? — Yes. It was only decided about the Saturday to fight it out.
- 2651.
Edwards told you on Saturday that you might send up for 1,100L., did he ? — I think it was Saturday, but I will not be positive. It might be Monday. We never paid any till Monday.
- 2652.
You had some conversation with Mr. Edwards, and he told you you might send for that amount ? — He did not tell me that amount.
- 2653.
Well, send for a sum ? —Yes. I found out afterwards what the amount was accidentally.
- 2654.
But you knew it was going to be a large sum ? — Oh yes.
- 2655.
Did Mr. Edwards tell you where the money was coming from ? — No.
- 2656.
How did it come about; did he say to you, “If you send up in the afternoon, you will get some money ” ? — I could not remember what he told me. I know he told me I was to get it on the Monday,
- 2657.
How long had you known that money was coming ? —I did not know until a day or two before. I do not think it was decided in fact until a day or two before whether we should fight it on the purity system or by bribery.
- 2658.
I will not use the obnoxious word, but you decided it was not to be on the purity system ? — Yes that was the only thing.
- 2659.
Having decided that, did you not expect that the means would come to enable you to conduct the contest ? — Yes.
- 2660.
And you sent someone round to Mr. Edwards, and he brought you back this money in sovereigns ? — Yes.