Spears, William Frost | Day 5

Volunteer to Mr Hughes, erected poles. Received £250 for erecting and removing poles and three payments of £9 some of which was paid to James Axon.

Witness Type: Briber

Party: Conservative

Witness Testimony:

  • 4531.

    In whose name were the cheques drawn ? — I never looked at them. I took them to the bank, put them down, and they gave me the money,

  • 4532.

    You are pretty sure, are you, that each of the cheques was for 9L., and that there were three of them ? — I am almost sure about it, but I cannot be sure, because it is so long ago. I took the cheques into the bank, put them down, and Mr. Spain gave me the money, and I came out.

  • 4533.

    (Mr. Holl.) Are you sure this occurred three times ? — That what occurred ?

  • 4534.

    That you received a cheque for 9L, and gave it to Axon ? — Yes.

  • 4535.

    Are you sure that it occurred three times ? — I will not be sure whether it was two or three times.

  • 4536.

    Just try and think, because we want to know that ? — I will not be sure, but I know it was twice, and I think it was three times.

  • 4537.

    Do you mean really to tell us that twice you received a cheque from Mr. Hughes for 9L. to give to Axon, and that you gave it to Axon without anything between you, or anything being said about it ? — I do not know what they had been talking about, I am sure.

  • 4538.

    I am not asking you what Mr. Hughes had said to Axon, but I am asking you what is a very plain question, and you must understand it perfectly, viz., do you mean to tell us that twice you received a cheque from Mr. Hughes, with directions to take the proceeds of the cheques to Axon, and on both occasions you met him accidentally, and nothing took place between you. Did you meet him accidentally the second time ? — Not that I know of.

  • 4539.

    Did you meet him in the streets, or go to his house ? — He came down to Deal.

  • 4540.

    Where did you see him in Deal upon the second occasion ? — Just at the bottom of our street.

  • 4541.

    Did you meet him there accidentally, or did you send for him ? — I did not send for him.

  • 4542.

    Did you meet him casually ? — He is very often down at Deal.

  • 4543.

    Did you expect to see him ? — Yes, I did expect to see him, to give him the money.

  • 4544.

    Why did you expect to see him ? — Because the money was given to me to give to him.

  • 4545.

    (Mr. Turner.) How did he know that ? — I do not know.

  • 4546.

    (Mr. Holl.) How came you to meet him there ; was it a mere accident that you met him in the street, or had you sent for him ? — I do not know, but I did meet him and gave him the money ; he might have come down on purpose to see me.

  • 4547.

    Do you mean to tell us that upon the second occasion you did not say anything to him as to what was to be done with the money ? — I tell you I might, but I forget it, or he might have said something to me.

  • 4548.

    You have told us that over and over again ? — I cannot tell you anything else.

  • 4549.

    Do you tell us that you do not remember on either occasion whether you said anything to him about what was to be done with this money, or whether he said anything about it ? — I do not recollect it.

  • 4550.

    (Mr. Turner.) Wad it near the bank that you met him ? — No, I live in Wellington Road, towards the ” Victoria ” Hotel, some distance from the bank.

  • 4551.

    (Mr. Holl.) Did you receive any other money at all in connection with the election besides the sums you have mentioned, and these two or three sums which you had from Mr. Hughes to give to Mr. Axon ? — No.

  • 4552.

    Nothing at all ? — No.

  • 4553.

    That you are quite sure of ? — Yes, quite sure of.

  • 4554.

    Did you pay to anyone any moneys, excepting those you have told us of ? — No.

  • 4555.

    Not to anyone ? — No.

  • 4556.

    Directly or indirectly ? — No.