Testimonies

Spofforth, Samuel | Day 2

Witness Type: Other

Party: Conservative

Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 1

Witness Testimony:

• 944.

  It is a considerable sum, 514L. in a week ? — Well, I daresay it would be that.

• 945.

  It is 514L, in these particular items. The whole paper goes to a considerably larger sum even than that ? — Will you allow me to see the other items ?

• 946.

  Certainly. — (After looking at the paper.) I have no doubt it is Mrs. Steadman’s account.

• 947.

  180L. of it is money that seems to have been paid in cash to Mr. Crompton Roberts himself ? — Probably, That is the only explanation I can give of it.

• 948.

  There are a certain number of payments too of this nature, ‘”Gave money to poor man,” 5s., 2s. 6d., and so on. Do you know whether Mrs. Steadman had authority to give money down here to poor men ? — I do not like of course to bind Mrs. Steadman. Of course I cannot give evidence for her ; but I know this, that Mrs. Steadman is in such a position in my client’s household that anything he did would be authorised by him.

• 949.

  There is another handwriting here. Can you tell me whose handwriting that is ; “Cash 300L., fetched by Mr. Simmonds” ? — That is Mr. Crompton Robert’s handwriting.

• 950.

  Then there is 150L here, (pointing in the account.) Is that Mr. Crompton Robert’s handwriting ? — No, that is not Mr. Crompton Robert’s handwriting.

• 951.

  The pencil is not ? — No. I think the pencil is the same as the other ; indeed, I have no doubt it is. That is Mr. Crompton Robert’s handwriting, and so is that (pointing).

• 952.

  Then there is a little later, “C. R. paid ‘Black Horse Hotel,’” four or five times, and “Cheque given by Mr. C. R.” Do you know in whose handwriting that is ? — I do not know ; I should think the same as that.

• 953.

  Do you know whether Mr. Crompton Roberts had any drawing account down here. I have looked at his pass-book in order to see whether these were cheques given by Mr. Crompton Roberts, and to see whether any cheque in his pass-book corresponded to these, and I cannot find any for these specific sums ? — Yesterday, when I was asked whether Mr. Crompton Roberts had an account here, I misunderstood the question. I said I had no knowledge that he had, except what I heard in evidence on the trial of the petition. I made a mistake between Mr. Crompton Roberts and Mr. Hughes. I remember Mr. Hughes had an account at the bank here, but not Mr. Crompton Roberts. You understand the distinction I draw ?

• 954.

  Perfectly. Would Mr. Crompton Robert’s cheques be honoured on that account — do you know as a fact whether that was so ? — I should think not.

• 955.

  If cheques were given by Mr. Crompton Roberts, those cheques ought, somewhere or other, to be found in the pass-book. For instance, I see there is one to Simmonds, your clerk, 72L. 3s. 6d. ? — A cheque from Mr. Crompton Roberts ?

• 956.

  Yes ? — I know Simmons came up to receive 300L, for, as I told you yesterday, I gave Mr. Crompton Roberts my clerk’s services as a sort of secretary here, and he acted quite irrespective of me. I explained that yesterday.

• 957.

  Yes, quite so ? — I know he did come up to get a cheque cashed for Mr. Crompton Roberts, and that no doubt was the 300L. he refers to there as having been fetched by Simmonds. Mr. Crompton Roberts’ writing appears in that, saying it was fetched by Simmonds.

• 958.

  Where did Simmons fetch it from ? — From London. I suppose the London Joint Stock Bank. He banks at the London Joint Stock Bank, and has no other bankers. I know that.

• 959.

  There is a cheque for 300L. on May 10th, possibly that is the 300L ? — No doubt he wanted money for current expenses, and he sent up and got the cheque cashed.

• 960.

  There is no other Mr. Simmons except your Mr. Simmons connected with the election ? — I think not, but I do not know. There is a Mr. Simmons mentioned in the particulars.