\ 10 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE TAKEN BEFORE THE T. Courtenay, Esq, 23 March 1838. 6425. Both the Mr. Lefroys have estates in the county of Longford ?—' They have. 6426. They have voters upon their estates ?— They have. 6427. You went to the registry of those voters ?— I chd. 6428. Was it in the countv of Longford that there were appeals to Judge Torrens at the late assizes?— It was at the last assizes, in the month of February last, in the present year, upon the present circuit; I entered the appeal myself. 6429. Were they appeals from Lady Ross's estate ?— They were appeals from tenants of Lady Ross. 6430. How many?— Five or six. 6431. Were there any other appeals on behalf of the Conservative interest at the last assizes?— No; I only entered appeals for those, conceiving that_ Mr. Ti^ he, the present chairman of the county of Longford, took, as far as my judg- ment went, a wrong view of the law. It was a good deal of presumption 011 my part; but I conceived that I was right, and Judge Torrens agreed with my view. 6432. Mr. Lefroy.] Besides the opportunities of being acquainted with the constituency of the county of Longford, you have already mentioned, have you not, also attending as agent at the several elections that have taken place there since the year 1830?— Since the year 1830 I have attended the elections as conducting agent, save Mr. Fox's election in December 1836; that I did not attend. " 6433. When did the first or general registry under the Reform Act commence? — The 10th of October 1832. 6434. How long did that continue ?— Till the 22d of November in the same year. 6435. What was the amount of the constituency of Longford in numbers pre- vious to the Reform Act?— Six hundred. 6436. What is it now?— Between 1,800 and 1,900; nearer 1,900; that is, the numbers appearing upon the register. 6437. Do you conceive that that increase has arisen from the additional new rights given by the Reform Act; the right given to leaseholders?— I do not con- ceive that it has. 6438. Do you conceive that it has arisen from persons being registered under the old rights who would not antecedently have been admitted upon the register ? — In a great measure, I do. 6439. you conceive also that the number appearing upon the registry arises from many names being on it of persons who have lost their qualification since they registered?— No doubt many persons appear on the register who have lost their qualification since; but since the passing ot the Reform Bill and the registry held thereunder, there was the number that I state appearing, close upon 1,900. 6440. Mr. O'Connell.] Have you any idea how many electors there were in Longford before the Emancipation Bill?— I cannot state from more than hearsay; but I have understood there were beyond 4,000 under the old 40 s. system ; and I have reason to think it was about that. C441. Mr. Lefroy.'] Have you any reason for supposing that any considerable number of the constituency now appearing upon the registry are fictitious votes, such as are not bondjide entitled pursuant to the qualifications of the Reform Act? — I have no doubt that there are many bad votes upon the register of the county of Longford at present; and there are many who have lost their qualification since their registration. 6442. Were many notices served for the first registry, for what is called the Reform registry ?— Upwards of 4,000. 6443. There is 110 public officer whose duty it is to make a list of names to be put upon the registry ?— No. 6444. Every person may serve his name that thinks fit, or serve the name of any other r— Every person may serve his own name, or may serve the name of another, or any political party may serve the name of any individual that thev think they can brmsj forward. " 6445. Have you reason to know that the names of many persons were served upon that occasion, for registration who did not themselves wish to come forward > — Yes. 6446. Mr C/ Cornell.] Do you speak of the individuals' own wishes?- 1 speak from actual knowledge; for, upon some occasions, seeing the names of tenants with whom L was acquainted upon the list, I asked them how it came that they were there, and said, at the same time, « You could not think of registering a freehold; what business had you to put your name forward?" and the answe? was,