Mr. J. C. Barnard. 13 March 1838. j!| l • 5 m are of very 286 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE 6260. It appears that the houses throughout this rural district a inferior value ?— A very large number of them are. 6261 That would appear to render it unfit that the qualification of the inha- bitants of the district should be that of householders ?— It appeared to me to be a bad reason for adding the householders of the liberties, that there had pre- viously been a large number of rural voters. I think that was rather against it than in favour of it. I do not think that, because there had been a large number of rural voters before as freeholders, they should therefore add such an immense number more as householders ; particularly as a householder, being but a labourer, may live in a cabin of the most insignificant value, and yet have as much ground as would amount in value to 10?., or that he would represent to be so. 6262. Has this subject been under the consideration of the rate- payers of the county of the city of Cork ?— The propriety of separating the city from the liber- ties has been often suggested, and has recently come under the consideration of a committee of rate- payers, with other matters of domestic concern. Under the late Grand Jury Act several legal questions have been raised, and difficulties have occurred with respect to the relative circumstances under it in which the city and liberties would be placed, and they are at this moment canvassing one question, amongst others, whether it would not be judicious to transfer the liber- ties to the county. I will not say that that is the general opinion, but there are many of the people belonging to the liberties who are very anxious for it, and many of the city persons are anxious also. It is under consideration at present. 6263. Are they anxious that there should be some legislative arrangement upon the subject ?— They certainly are quite anxious for that. 6264. Do you think the inhabitants of the city and liberties of Cork would be disposed to aid the Government in any measure of that kind r— I am sure they would; they seem to me to be acting in a most satisfactory manner. The persons appointed were nominated without any regard whatever, beyond the mere local interests of their respective places of the city and the liberties. 6265. Will you mention the next point in which you think it would be de- sirable that the Irish Reform Act should be amended ?— The next point would decidedly be a revision of the registration; in that all people concur. 6266. With regard to the tribunal for registering, do you consider that it would be of advantage to have that duty severed from the functions of an assist- ant barrister ?— I think it would. 6267. Do you think it exposes the judicial office to any degree of suspicion by any portion of the community, that political functions have devolved upon it ?— I think it inevitably does. 6268. Do you think it would be an improvement to have the registering or revising barrister appointed by the judges of the land, rather than by a political officer, such as the Lord Lieutenant necessarily is ?— I think so; I do not see why the English law should be departed from in that respect. 6269. You think assimilation in that respect to the English law would be of advantage to Ireland, and would produce a body of revising barristers less sub- ject to political bias ?— Yes ; and more generally satisfactory. 6270. Would not the judges, from their knowledge of the men in the profes- sion, be able to make a better selection with regard to capability, and know- ledge, and station, and character ?— I take for granted that they would. (> 271. Do you think that the circumstance of Committees of the House of Commons in many cases not thinking it right to open the register, as it is called, to subject the qualifications to any examination before the Committee, renders it more necessary to have a power of appeal and an annual revision r— 1 have no doubt of it. With respect to the city of Cork, the effect of the deci- sions which have taken place under the present system would be to make the persons who, m the confusion of the first registration, got their names placed upon the register without right, voters for life, and in this way: By the Reform Act the voters for the city of Cork are at liberty to register either in the city of Cork or at any of the towns of Mallow, Fermoy, Middleton, or Kanturk. by the 2, th section it is provided, " That a certificate of a former registry under this Act shall be deemed and taken to be primd facie evidence of the nght ot voting; and that any person having given notice of his intention to register anew under this Act, shall, upon producing or causing to be produced such former certificate at the sessions for that purpose to be held, be entitled and