Witness was succeeded by young Mr. Garry, of Steynton Hall, Rugby, who swore that a foreigner, a Prince, had met him at the Savoy last June, and had given him several articles of foreign manufacture—a cane, a match-box, a dachshund, a wrist-watch, and a dozen of hock. In return he had given nothing. He had lent the Prince sums of money on various occasions, but it had all remained in the country.
The next witness was Lord Rustington. His lordship was visibly affected by illness, and his face, framed by great whiskers, bore an anxious and even irritable expression. He hobbled on a stick and said “thank you” to an assistant who offered him a chair. He had received the summons. He was willing to give evidence on dumping. It was a growing evil. At first (in his case) tin cans, packing boxes, and paper were the only things to complain of. Last year boots were found.
Mr. Gerald Balfour (puzzled): How “found”?
Witness (testily): Please let me finish what I was going to say!... Were found, I say, and occasionally empty bottles as well⸺
Mr. Chamberlain: But, surely⸺
Witness (angrily): Will you let me finish a sentence? Empty bottles, certainly, empty bottles. And this year it was awful. Old rakes, broken wheels, heaps of filthy hats, baskets, and—it might seem incredible—an old mowing-machine.
Cross-examined on the place of origin of these imports, witness said: It was the gipsies. They always camped near that corner of the home farm on the Pulboro’-road. They threw all sorts of things over the hedge⸺
Mr. Balfour (firmly): There is some error. This can have nothing to do with our inquiry. My dear Lord Rustentown⸺
Witness: Rustington!