\ 14 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE T Courtenay, Esq. who appeared himself to have but a leasehold interest. Those were the only three classes out of all that we handed in that were entertained, and that is the 23 March 1838. reason I specify them particularly. _ 6523. Those classes were gone into by an examination of witnesses before the Committee ?— They were. 6524. The first class you mentioned was entirely struck oft the poll?— 1 hey were struck off the poll and the register. 6525. How many of the remaining classes, namely, the want of value and want of title, were taken off the poll ?— There were 14 taken off for want of title. 6526. How many for want of value?— Thirty- one, which gave the then peti- tioners a majority. Mr. White and Mr. Roarke declined the contest further, and Lord Forbes and Mr. Lefroy were seated. 6.527. Did you exhaust the list of objections for want of value ?— No. 6528. How many remained into which you did not inquire before that Com- mittee ?— I conceive that I had upon the list from 80 to 90 as bad votes as those disposed of before that Committee upon the point of undervalue. 6529. There were examined before that Committee public officers, persons who had been employed in a public capacity to value land under the Tithe Composition Act?— Yes." 6530. And they produced their books before that Committee ?— There were three persons examined who had put a value under the Tithe Composition Act, and they produced their books. 6531. And those valuations were made antecedent to and quite irrespective of the election or registry ?— Without reference to any election or registry. 6532. Mr. O'Conne//.] Who was the conducting agent for the Messrs. White at the last election?— Mr. Christopher Reynolds; there were a good many pro- fessional men there, but I think he seemed to take the lead* 6533. He is well acquainted with the county ?— I consider that he is. 6534. He is a gentleman that lias been sub- sheriff"?— He has been sub- sheriff", but not latterly. I believe he was returning officer for the county last year. He is in Dublin at present. 6535. Who principally attended the registry for the Liberal interest?— Mr. Rey- nolds, in 1832, stood on the same side with me. Lord Forbes and he, I believe, had some difference subsequently, and he did not continue him in his employment, and Mr. Reynolds since that has acted with the other side ; but at the registry of 1S32 Mr. Roarke's brother, who is a solicitor, I think, seemed to take the lead as agent. 6536. Who has been the principal conducting agent since 1832, upon the Liberal interest?— They have had a good many employed, but I think Mr. Rev- nolds. 6537- Can you name any other agent?— I cannot name any man that I know to be a professional man. G538. Is there not a Mr. Nicolas?— He has been out of Longford a long time ; he only goes to speak at the elections, and to vote ; he did take a very active part before he left Longford ; but he has been out, I think, shortly after 1832 ; he now lives in Dublin. 6539- Cannot you specify any other solicitor or attorney who took an active part at the registry ?— Not solicitor or attorney ; there were many persons not pro- fessional who took an active part. Mr. Roarke is a solicitor, and he attended the reform registry all through. 6540. Do you mean the gentleman who has been returned?— No, his. brother. 6541. Mr. Lefroy.] You were understood to say that a considerable number of votes objected to were not inquired into before the Committee, not bein" neces- sary for the purpose of seating the Members ?— Many remained uninquired° into. 6542. Do those votes still remain on the registry that were so objected to, but not examined into ?— They do. 6543. And to those you considered that you had objections as valid as against those who were allowed to vote and struck oft"?— I do. 6544.^ With respect to those votes that were examined into and decided against they taken oft' the register ?- by the Committee, were register in the same year. 6545- % what process ?— By a warrant of the then Speaker They were taken oft' the 6546. Mi