Crompton-Roberts, Charles Henry | Day 17
In 1880, he stood as the Conservative candidate in the by-election against the Liberal candidate, Sir Julian Goldsmid, and won the election by 1145 votes to 705.
He and his household stayed in Stanley House, Beach Street during the election. His horses were stabled at the Royal Hotel.
https://www.findmypast.co.uk/image-share/a7c7c33a-7d94-4103-98dc-b39d1b68c804
Witness Type: Candidate / MP
Party: Conservative
Other Days The Witness Was Called On: Day 16 | Day 20
Witness Testimony:
- 18659.
The result of giving the cheque to Mr Hoare was that it first of all appears in your pass book under the name of Hoare, and not under the name of Hughes ? — Yes, quite so; there is no account opened to Mr Hughes in this ledger.
- 18660.
A further result of giving the cheque in the name of Mr Hoare was that it appears in your ledger under the name of Hoare in the loan account, and not under the head of extra expenses, which includes expenses in connection with your election ? — Yes, quite so.
- 18661.
Did it suggest itself to your mind at the time that that would be the effect of giving a cheque in the name of Mr Hoare ? — I had no idea that my account would be posted up before I had had time to go into it.
- 18662.
I will put it in this form so that you may be able to answer straightforwardly: was it your intention when you gave the cheque in the name of Mr Hoare, or was it your object, that it should so appear in the pass book, and in your ledger ? — I have fully stated that the object I had was to protect the cheque going through the post. It was sent to Mr Hoare and crossed to his order.
- 18663.
Was it crossed to his order ? — The word “Bearer” would be sure to be struck out in sending it through the post.
- 18664.
If you had given the cheque to Mr Hughes, direct to his order, would not that have produced the same result ? — I did not know that Mr Hughes was coming down.
- 18665.
Upon the 5th May, no, but upon the 11th May, you did ? —Yes, but upon the 11th May it was simply made payable to Mr Hoare, that he might see that I had got sufficient balance in the bank, and that he might collect the money himself.
- 18666.
That cheque for £600 to Mr Hoare was given into the hands of Mr Hughes himself, was it not ? — Yes.
- 18667.
He was coming to London, and was going to get the money through Mr Hoare ? — Yes.
- 18668.
You say your only reason for drawing the cheque in the name of Mr Hoare was that Mr Hoare might assure himself that you had a balance at the bank exceeding £600 ? — Funds to meet it.
- 18669.
Do you know whether Mr Hoare ever had that cheque passed through his hands at all ? — I have not the slightest doubt he did, but I never asked him.
- 18670.
Do you know whether it was an order cheque, or cheque to bearer ? — I do not know, but I should certainly say it was to order.
- 18671.
Do you know whether, as a matter of fact, Mr Hoare ever went to that bank at all, and enquired whether there was balance enough ? — I have no doubt he did.
- 18672.
Do you know one way or the other ? — I have never asked him, but I have no doubt he did.
- 18673.
You say your only reason was that you were not sure whether there was a balance at the bank sufficient to meet the £600 ? — Yes, that is so.
- 18674.
I see upon the credit side of your pass book, upon May 7th, there appears to be this; “Cash from Deposit account, £2500,” leaving therefore at that moment a considerable balance in your favour. Did you direct £2500 to be placed to your credit from the deposit account upon May 7th ? — No.
- 18675.
How did it get there ? — I suppose my account was overdrawn.
- 18676.
I see you are right, the account was slightly overdrawn ? — If that were so, the bank would do it if there was anything on deposit.
- 18677.
It was as a matter of fact overdrawn to a very small amount; some £60. Do I understand it is your banker’s habit, if your account is overdrawn, to place to your credit what there is upon deposit account ? — Yes.
- 18678.
Did you know at that time what it was that you had standing to deposit account ? — No.
- 18679.
I see upon the 3rd May 1880, there being already £6500 at your deposit account, £4000 are added, making upon the whole ££10,500 at your deposit account. Did you know before May 7th that you had at your deposit account ££10,500 ? — No.
- 18680.
How came that £4000 to be added upon May 3rd to your deposit account ? — Most likely my accountant had removed it from my current account.
- 18681.
From your current account to your deposit account ? — Yes.
- 18682.
This pass book begins early on May 6th. Have you the pass book that comes before that ? — No.
- 18683.
This pass book begins upon the very day you go down to Sandwich ? — I can send you the other pass book.
- 18684.
It starts with a balance slightly against you, and I should like to see the other one. You had before May 3rd £6500 standing upon your deposit account, and upon that same day you added £4000, and I ask you, did you know before the 3rd May there was £6500 standing at your deposit account ? — No, I had not seen my banker’s book or ledger, I do not think, since Christmas.
- 18685.
Do you wish to say that you were ignorant on May 3rd that there was as much as £10,500 standing at your deposit account ? — I did not know there was anything. If you consider, I have a very large business to attend to, and I employ a gentleman to take care of these accounts for me, and in fact the whole of my accounts. He balances up the whole of my accounts every year, that is, strikes a balance for me.
- 18686.
George Farrier was also a sufferer from rheumatism ? — Yes, doubled up with it.
- 18686.
How is the amount taken from your drawing account to the deposit account ? — If it were the banker’s they would not move from the drawing account to the deposit account, but it would be the other way.
- 18687.
I ask you how it is the money got from the drawing account to the deposit account. Does it not get there by cheque ? — No.