\ . ,46 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE re- reristered that have not lost their vote?— I have myself registered in three R. Gould. different ways, in three capacities I did not register either time with a view of swelling the number, but to make sure of my vote. a March 1838. 44,0 Mr. Serjeant Jackson.] Are you registered in each of those instances as a householder first registered as a leaseholder, then as a householder, and then as a freeholder; and a great many others the same way. 4_ m Is that lest you should have a blot in one, that you might foil back upon tlie other1— Yes; I may for instance part with my leasehold, or I may take a partner into my business, and thereby lose my household qualification, because partners are not allowed to vote, and then I would have my freehold. 44, o IS that a common thing?— Those that can do so ; my advice to them always is, to register in as many capacities as they can, not with a view of swell- ing the number, but with a view to ensure a vote. 4433. From what you have stated, it would appear that it must be rather inconvenient to have a greater number upon the register than are really entitled to vote ?— It gives us a great deal of trouble. 4434. It must perplex you, and increase the expense ?— Certainly. 4435. Mr. Lefroy.] Can you form any idea as to the number of duplicate registries ?— I cannot; there must be a great number. 4436. Mr. Beamish.] Do you think there are as many as 1,000 re- registries ? I Jo not think there are; when the whole number that have no right to vote is 1,842, there cannot be 1,000 of them re- registries. 4437. Mr. M. J. O'ConnelL Are there many other cases of persons who like yourself have registered twice or three times in different capacities ?— Yes, a great number. 4438. Chairman.] Are there 100?— Perhaps; but I will not say; perhaps that would be exceeding the number. 4439. Mr. Serjeant Jackson.] Would you be surprised to hear that the whole number of re- registries is over 60 ?— I would not be surprised; I think 100 is above the number. 4440. Mr. Beamish.] Can you state the number of those that have registered in various capacities ?— I should say if there are 50, there are not more. 4441. Mr. O'ConnelL Would not 20 persons registered like you in three different capacities be equivalent to 40 re- registries upon the list of votes ?— They would; I do not think there are more than 50. My brother has registered twice or three times, because he registered as a partner first, that was by subsequent decision declared illegal, and he registered in two other capacities. I have in my hand the number of different classes that voted at the last election. 4442. Mr. Serjeant Jackson.] You have already stated, that having this great number of persons appearing upon the register who are not substantial voters, and swelling the register in that way, is an inconvenience, and tends to perplex and embarrass those concerned in the registry?— It does, and it puts the election of candidates in great jeopardy, without saying which. 4443. Dow do you think it puts the election of the candidates in jeopardy? — From personation. 4444- It gives facilities to personation ?— It does, and those facilities are used. 444.5- It increases the difficulty of checking and identifying the party ?— It is very hard to check personation at an election. 444* 3. This circumstance tends of course to increase the difficulty of checking personation, and also of identifying a particular voter ?— It is very hard to do so; I may see a man voting there in the name of another, and it is out of my power to prevent his doing it if he swears, and that is a great hardship. 4447- Chairman.] There is no remedy for that hardship, except through the medium of a Committee of the House of Commons ?— I believe not at present. 444b. Would not you think it very desirable to have the register set right once every year; that is to say, the names of all those who are ascertained to be dead struck out?— K that could be done without producing trouble or expense upon one party above another, I think it would be a great improve- ment ; but I fear it would be attended with vast trouble to one party, and not s. o much to another. 1 J - np^ it9;) WiU y° U eXp! ain ?' hat }" ou mean — We find that in registering our perpl6Xed'and their Patience ^ so worn out by the delay in registering, that they get tired out, and it is difficult to bring them. As to the ordea*-