402 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE • / / n / Fr- n 1 5o6S. Who attended on the Conservative side at the first registry ?— A Mr. • y' 1- Baker, who has been connected with the Election Committees of this House. 17 July 1838. 15069. He is a Parliamentary agent ?— Yes. 15070. A gentlemen well known?— Yes, it was supposed he attended on the part of Lord Tullamore now Lord Charleville, on that occasion. 15071. But, at all events, he attended to sustain the Conservative voters, and to oppose the Liberal interest ?— Yes, he signed the notices of the Conservative claimants ; they passed through his hands, and all claims were preferred by him to Mr. Cosgreave, the barrister. 15072. You are talking of the registration of 1832 ?— Yes, it commenced on the 3d of October 1832. 15073. Mr. Cosgreave was the registering barrister?— He was the registering barrister, appointed by the Government for that temporary purpose. 15074. Was Mr. Baker in the habit of cross- examining the claimants on the Liberal side ?— He was, and his cross- examination was of a very searching and a very close description; so much so, that during some days there were only two claimants admitted ; in fact two claimants only appeard, and perhaps were admitted, so prolix and so close were his cross- examinations. 15075. Were others in attendance to appear if the cases had been called on? — Yes, the court was very crowded with claimants. 15076. When you say only two appeared, you mean that only two cases were investigated ?— Yes, on some days. 15077. The time being consumed in the minute and close cross- exa- minations of Mr. Baker, and I suppose sometimes in the production of witnesses on his part ?— Yes. 15078. Was he in the habit of producing witnesses on his part when the case seemed to admit of it ?— I remember one witness in particular, a Mr. Egan, who appeared to be a travelling witness for Mr. Baker, for he attended him in the two towns in which the court of registration was held, viz. Philipstown and Birr, otherwise Parsonstown. 15079. What was Mr. Egan ?— At one period he was a postmaster, and he was dismissed from that office previously; I cannot say from what cause. 15080. Had he any other profession or occupation besides that of postmaster ? — Not that I know of. 15081. Did he produce other witnesses?— I believe he did produce other witnesses, but I am not positive on that head. 15082. Did he allow any claimants on the part of the Liberal interest to be registered without cross- examination ?— As far as my recollection extends, not one. 15083. The leaning of Mr. Cosgreave's mind, was it favourable to the extension or to the restriction of the franchiser— My side considered his principles were rather restrictive ; that they were too stringent; that he did not give that liberal construction to the Reform Act which we supposed the Legislature intended. 15084. Do you recollect the course and mode of registration ?— I do. 15085. Will you state it ?— First the claimant appeared, and upon his stating his name, was sworn. 15086. Sworn in every instance?— Yes; he then, through Mr. Costellon, who attended as agent on the same side with me, produced his title- deed or lease. 15087. That is, if he appeared 011 the Liberal interest?— Yes. 15088. And if he appeared upon the Conservative interest ?— Mr. Baker was the person who produced the title- deed ; the title was handed up to Mr. Cos- greave, and Mr. Cosgreave inspected the deed. He generally took a consi- derable time to peruse it, for he weighed it through, every part of it. 15089. He appeared to examine it minutely?— He did. ] 5090. Was he in the habit of handing over the lease to the opposing party? — He was not; but supposing a claimant on my side was under examination, Mr. Baker generally asked Mr. Cosgreave the date of the instrument, that was at once given to him, the parties to the instrument, the lessor and lessee, the quantity of land, the number of acres, the rent reserved ; and if there were any peculiar covenants in the lease, Mr. Cosgreave at once communicated the tenor and import of them, if required. 15091. You