The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-01 00:00:00

X 19,002,00.5

pairs of boots on hand which they did not want,
he agreed to take them off their hands. On exa-
mining them he found two pairs which were not
of his making, and on them he found the Weedon
mark, from which he inferred that they had been
issued to the regiment from Weedon. He himself
had not supplied any boots direct to the Dumfries
Militia.

Mr. Randall and Mr. Wetherell were recalled,
to say if they agreed with Mr. Nicholls as to the
relative v2hin of the boots, and they both quite
concurred in his opinion.
In reply to Mr. Turner,
Mr. Dowie stated that he got the first pattern
pair of boots sealed by Sir Thomas Troubridge.
Mr. J. L. Folkard said he was one of the inspec-
tors of boots ; he had been examined before the
committee on contracts, and adhered to all the
evidence he gave before that committee. He re-
membered making a representation, in conjunction
with Mr. Watson, as to the state of the boots sent
from the Tower to Weedon ; there were 170,000
pairs of boots packed in casks sent from the Tower
to Weedon ; there were in all about 1,200 casks ;
he only opened and examined four of the casks.
In consequence of the representation made by wit-
ness and Mr. Watson, a committee was appointed,
of which Mr. Ramsay and Mr. C. S. Elliott were
members, and witness was also a member. Evi-
dence was taken before that committee, and wit-
ness himself gave evidence on that occasion. The
boots were re-inspected ; there were none of them
thoroughly condemned ; but 20,000 pair of them
4.. 41,, ...1- 1,7- direction
of the Secretary for War. Mr. Watson selected
those 20,000 pairs ; witness had nothing to do with
it. Those 20,000 were taken indiscriminately from
the good and bad lots into which the boots were
divided.

The Chairman remarked that this mode of pro-
ceeding passed his understanding.
Witness was directed by the chairman to look at
the five pairs of boots on the table as already stated.
He said, with regard to one pattern, they were such
as he should not have passed.
Chairman—We have had four practical boot-
makers here to-day, who concurred in the opinion
that patterns Nos. 1 and 2 are better than 3 and 4.
Do you agree in that ?
Witness—l do.

In answer to further questions, witness said that
he and Mr. Watson would be responsible if these
boots were rejected and sent ,off to the Tower.
By Mr. Turner—The 20,000 pairs of inferior
boots sent to the Tower were made up from the
whole of the boots.

The Chairman told the witness that he was not
giving his evidence in a proper manner. He should
remember that, although he was not upon his oath,
he should give his evidence with the same solem-
nity as if he was.
The witness went on to say--4 cask was filled
with all doubtful boots, and marked with 1) out-
side ; there were 10,000 of those doubtful boots sent
in casks to the Tower ; and 10,000 more were also
sent to the same place, which he believed had not
been examined at all. He explained that the issue
of stores formed no part of his duty—that being
entirely the duty of Mr. Watson, which would ac-
count for his not being able to give the commis-
sioners more satisfactory information.
Mr. Noah Watson was the next witness. He
stated that he was inspector of boots and shoes at
Weedon. He had given evidence before the commit-
tee on contracts, and he adhered to that evidence
now. Mr. Ramsay and Mr. Elliott came down to
Weedon in consequence of a report sent in by witness
and Mr. Folkard as to the bad quality of boots sent
from the Tower ; there was a re-inspection of all
these boots. Nearly every barrel of the boots was
opened, and the boots were taken out and examined.
There were 20,000 pairs of boots sent off, which
were worse than the 150,000 which were retained.
The re-inspection of the boots began on 18th
August, 1856, and continued till 27th September
or 3d October. Witness took part in the re-inspec-
tion with six permanent viewers and eight super-
numerary viewers. He found, on referring to his
books, that the whole of the boots were not re-in-
spected, but nearly all were. There were three
classes of boots, doubtful, good, and condemned, at
the re-inspection. The re-inspection was ordered
on the representation of Mr. Folkard and witness.
His impression was that the whole of the Tower
boots were to be sold, and he was sure that in that
matter he was as careful in the re-inspection as if
the goods were to be issued to the service. lie
should not condemn the boots (No. 1) now upon the
table. There were on the whole 170,000 pairs of
boots came from the Tower to Weedon. No. 3 and
4 were better than No. 2. Mr. Folkard was wrong
in 213-int; that the last 10,000 boots sent for sale at
the Tower were taken indiscriminately from the
170,000 re-inspected. He never saw any of
Wright's patent boots at Weedon. He presumed
there were other boots sold at the Tower besides
these 20,000 pairs. Witness was under suspension
at present owing to a dispute about Isaacs and
Campbell's contract, but the discrepancy had just
been rectified, which, he hoped, would lead to his
restoration. He and Mr. Folkard were on perfect
equality, and were on good terms with each other.
They had a joint responsibility, and were respon-
sible for all undue rejections if there were any.
Whenever contractors wished t 6 be informel of the
reasons which led to the rejection of their goods,
he had no objection to point out to the contractors
the fault in the goods. The inspection now was as
rigid as it ever was. The rejections were not now
so numerous, which he attributed to a better de-
scription of goods being sent in. Witness had no
reason to suppose that corruption existed at Wee-
don. He remembered Groves being suspended
for not being sufficiently strict in passing goods,
which he attributed to his eyesight failing him.
He had read Witham's evidence, and that was
the first he ever heard of Groves being bribed. He
had no reason whatever to doubt the honesty of any
of the viewers employed at Weedon. His salary
now was £llO a year. He was a married man and
had three children. He had no private means be-
yond what he got from his parents. He was, during
Mr. Elliott's time, receiver, inspector, storekeeper,
and issuer. He was Chief in three departments,
and had no one to cheek him. He did not think
that was a good system.
Wm. Hall, a labourer, was then examined as to
the casks of boots that were sent to the Tower—He
saw the inspection going on. The boots were