The Express.
London, England, 1866-09-04 00:00:00

TOTNES.

The inquiry into the bribery ansl corruption
practised at parliamentary elections in the borough of
Totnes was resumed yesterday ; Mr. Bere in the chair.
Mr. Robert Harris, whose evidence was taken last week,
informed the commissioners that after being examined
before them he had thought it right on his return to
Cambridge to relinquish his appointment there, rather than
allow the conservative party there to be damaged by his
statements in Totnes.
Henry Turnay Cole sworn—l am manager of the Devon
and Cornwall Bank at Cullompton. I was cashierof that bank
is Totnes in 1865. I telegraphed to the manager of the bank
in Plymouth to sendl,ooo/. in gold and 7501. in bank paper.
I went to Plymouth, and was told they had sent a mei-
emger. I found the messengers took the money, and came
back to Totnes. We thought we might want money that
day for other customers. Mr. Pender bad a small account
with us. We bad paid out 800!. in the morning to dif-
ferent customers who came with cheques and notes. We
did not use the 1,7501. We had no cheques of Mr. Pender's
then. I have been to Plymouth for money before for the
purposes of the bank. I cannot remember the occasions.
There might have been 2001. in gold in the bank when I
went to Plymouth. As a rule we take more gold in Totnes
than we send sway.
The Chief Commissioner—Now. upon your oath, Mr. Cole,
did you not go to Plymouth to fetch that money because
you thought it would be required for the purposes of the
election went to get the money thinking it might be
required for the purposes of the bank.
A pressure being put on the bank in consequence of the
election t—Well, it is just as likely that it might be
required on a great market day. I have known as much as
1,7001. paid out on a market day.
Mr. Coleridge—Have you any doubt in your own mind
that the money was sent for because it was likely to be
required for the election I—l have no doubt of it in my
own mind. Mr. Pender had not been in the bank that
morning to my knowledge, nor had his son, nor Mr.
Neale. Mr. Pearce is the manager of the Totnes Bank. I
remember once going for 3,000/. to Plymouth for a special
customer. That money had been left to some charities, and was
wanted for distribution. 6001. or 7001. had been asked
for in gold on the morning I went to Plymouth. I believe
11 there was a cheque of Mr. Kellockfor 1,000/. cashed the
day before. I believe it was cashed by the manager. I
do not think it was cashed during bank hours. I believe
700/. was paid in gold. Ido not know whether the cheque
was cashed late at night or early in the morning. I do
not think I cashed any cheque for Mr. Heath on the
election morning. A London cheque for 5001. was paid in
by Mr. Heath. I can tell from my books. At the time I
left the hank I do not think there was more than 200!.
left in gold, and about 5001. in notes. (Witness was sent
for the hank books.)
John Heath was further examined—He said the reason
I am not perfectly acquainted with the hotel business is
that I am also 1111 auctioneer, and have work out of the
betel that occupies me about five days in the week. If I
stated on Saturday anything that milled for the censure of
the court it was unintentional. I had no desire to with.
hod any evidence which I could give. Since then I have
refreshed my memory by reference to my books and
memoranda, and am now prepared to give a full ex-
planation of what has occurred within my knowledge.
With regard to the cheque I gave to Mr. Matcham, I
gave that on the security of • quantity of cider, and
the collateral security of his son's signature.
01.1 Mr. 51ateham said he could not come
here and face his creditors unless he could
get the money, and I agreed to let him have it. Of course
lie was to vote as he was desired. But when I mentioned
the matter to Mr. Kellock he advised me to cancel the
cheque, as it might otherwise vitiate the election. I did
cancel it. To my knowledge no one came here with Colonel
Dawkins except Captain Fox and the valets. Mr. Smith,
Colonel Dawkins' solicitor, was there. He either came
with or before Colonel Dawkins, and he was there all the
time. He used to dine with Colonel Dawkins and Captain
Fo :. I do not know what Mr. Smith brought down with
him. I bad conversation with Mr. Edmonds as to what
would be required for bribery. I said if the
others spent :),000/. we could win with 4,000!.
When Mr. Mum came Colonel Dawkins and Mr. Smith
were in the house. I told Mr. Edmonds of Mum's arrival.
I did not tell Mr. Smith. I told Mr. Smith before the
election that we could win. Mr. Smith did not tell me
any one would come down from London, but Mr. Edmonds
did. He said. "If we fight the election, there must be
somebody to do the dirty work." Mr. Mum came on the
7th July. He was the man who said he came from the
club, and when he said so I supposed at once who he was.
I first gave Mr. Mum a bag on the Bth July. The bog
was given me by Mr. Edmonds. Ido not know whether
Mr. Smith brought the bag from London. I did not give
Mr. Mum a list of names—be had a list. Mr.
Smith frequently consulted me as to what was
the amount that would be required to fight the
election. I said 4.0001., and he told me that Colonel
Dawkins would not mind giving to the extent of 5,0001.
When " Mum" had spent all his money, if I was at home
he would sends note to me. The 1,5001. that was given
to " Mum" on the Bth July was all gone on the Saturday
night. He then sent me down a note asking for money. I
communicated with Mr. Edmonds, and on the following
Monday I took " Mum" another parcel of money from Mr.
Edmonds, who told me it contained 1,0001. He said,
" This is for " He gave it to me in • little room
adjoiniug the bar. I never saw Mr. Kellock there when
there was any transfer of cash. I was not told on
the night or morning " Mum" came that he was coming.
I presumed he was the etranger who was expected.
" Mum" asked if the candidates had arrived. I do not
know that he saw either Mr. Smith or Colonel Dawkins
before he went to bed. No doubt somebody went to him.
One of thous two gentlemen would have the means of iden-
tifying " Mum." I don't remember whether " Mum"
gave a receipt for the 1,500/. first banded to him. He sent
a note to me mentioning that sum, and I gave it to Mr.
Edmonds. That was • memorandum of acceptance. It
was, in fact, a receipt. A similar receipt was given for
the 1,0001. parcel. I have seen Mr. Smith and Mr. Kellock
in No. 8 with Mr. Edmonds. I have seen Screech, George
Evans, and Harris there with Mr. Edmonds. I can't say
whether I have seen those persons with Mr. Kellock in that
room. On the Tuesday morning after the 1,009/. had been
given to " Mum " ha told me that the money was running
short. I told Mr. Edwards of that. " Mum," seeing some
voters standing about, said, "1,000/. is very soon gone."
That was on the Monday evening. A man named Alley;
came to me and told me he was to have 401. "Mum
paid hint ; I think be handed him a little bag in the open
entry. John Chappel was also paid. Thomas Gillham
mane on the Saturday and asked for money, and I took
him to " Mum," who gave him • beg. John Godfrey was
employed as • runner, and he had a bag. These men had
their prima chalked out beforehand, and the money was
ready in bags, which were hauled to them. I did not