Gibbons, William. Steward to Sir Spencer Maryon Wilson for past 21 1/2 years, previous to which he lived in Kent. During the whole 21 1/2 years has taken from the Forest gravel and stone which right he used for buildings, for the repair of the roads and once or twice for foundations of buildings [and] also sand for repairs on Sir Spencer's estate. Has never asked anyone's leave and has never made any payment or given any acknowledgement for same and none has objected to his taking the same.

The stone in respect of which Lord De La Warr claims was taken for building Searles. In 1870 Sir S. M. Wilson commenced building Searles House and in that year took about 574 waggon loads of stone from the Forest and in 1871 36 loads, and in 1872 120 loads and about 4 or 5 since.

Took holly off the Forest at the time complained of, but more before, and what he then took was small hollies of 2 or 3 feet high to fill up gaps in hedges and for making a short length of new fence by the lodge gate, all on Searles.

Took turf at the time complained of, partly for laying down a lawn at Searles.

During the whole of his stewardship the labourers living on the Estate have been allowed to cut turf on the Forest for fuel to be consumed in their cottages on the Estate, the Estate carrying it home for them. No payment or acknowledgement has ever been made to Lord De La Warr in respect of this.

Mr. William Cooper, now of Eastbourne was Steward of this Estate for about 13 years till 1848. He was succeeded by one Bonny and afterwards by one Thirwell, both of whom are dead, as Witness believed.