Tuesday, June 14, 1831.

To amend the Representation of the People in England and Wales.

(As ordered to be printed 25 June, 1831.)

[Note.— The Words printed in Italics are proposed to be inserted in the Committee.]

Preamble.] — WHEREAS it is expedient to take effectual measures for correcting divers abuses that have long prevailed in the choice of Members to serve in the Commons House of Parliament, to deprive many inconsiderable Places of the right of returning Members, to grant. such privilege to large, populous and wealthy Towns, to increase the number of Knights of the Shire, to extend the Elective Franchise to many of His Majesty's Subjects who have not heretofore enjoyed the same, and to diminish the expense of Elections; Be it therefore enacted, by The KING's most Excellent MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the Authority of the same.

1 — Certain Boroughs to cease to send Members to Parliament.] That each of the Boroughs enumerated in Schedule (A.) to this Act annexed, shall cease, after the end of this present Parliament, to return any Member or Members to serve in Parliament.

2. — Certain Boroughs to return one Member only.] And be it Enacted, That each of the Boroughs enumerated in Schedule (B.) to this Act annexed, shall, after the end of this present Parliament, return One Member and no more to serve in Parliament.

3. — New Boroughs hereafter to return Two Members and One Member respectively.] And be it Enacted, That each of the principal places named in the first column of the Schedule (C.) to this Act annexed shall for the purposes of this Act be a Borough, and shall as such Borough include the several parishes, townships and places mentioned in conjunction therewith and named in the second column of the said Schedule (C.), and that each of the said Boroughs shall after the end of this present Parliament return Two Members to serve in Parliament; and that each of the principal places named in the first column of Schedule (D.) to this Act annexed shall for the purposes of this Act be a Borough, and shall as such Borough include the several parishes, townships and places mentioned in conjunction therewith and named in the second column of the said Schedule (D.), and that each of the said last-mentioned Boroughs shall after the end of this present Parliament return One Member to serve in Parliament.

4. — Weymouth and Melcombe Regis to return Two Members jointly.] And be it Enacted, That the Towns of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis shall for the purposes of this Act be taken as One Borough, and that such Borough shall after the end of this present Parliament return Two Members, and no more, to serve in Parliament.

5. — Certain existing Boroughs to return Two Members jointly with other places.'] And be it Enacted. That every City and Borough named in the first column of 'the Schedule (E.) to this Act annexed shall for the purposes of this Act include the several places mentioned in conjunction therewith respectively and named in the second column of the said Schedule (E.) and shall jointly with such places, after the end of this present Parliament, return Two Members to serve in Parliament.

6. — Places in Wales to have a share in Elections for the Shire-Towns.'] And be it Enacted, That after the end of this present Parliament, each of the Places named in the first column of the Schedule (F) to this Act annexed shall have a share in the election of a Member to serve in Parliament for the Shire-Town or Borough mentioned in conjunction therewith and named in the second column of the said Schedule (F.)

7.— Swansea, Lougher, Neath, Aberaven, and Kenfig to form henceforward one. Borough, and none of the Electors therein to vole for Members for Cardiff.] And be it Enacted, That the Towns of Swansea, Lougher, Neath, Aberaven, and Kenfig, shall for the purposes of this Act be taken as one Borough, and that such Borough shall, after the end of this present Parliament, return One Member to serve in Parliament; and that the Portreeve of Swansea shall be the Returning Officer for the said Borough; and no person by reason of any right accruing in any of the said Five Towns shall have any vote in the Election of a Member for the Borough of Cardiff.

8. — Description of the Reiurning Officers for the new Boroughs.] And be it Enacted, That the persons respectively described in the third column of the said Schedules (C.) and (D.) shall after the end of this present Parliament be the Returning Officers at all Elections of a Member or Members to serve in Parliament for the Boroughs in conjunction with which such persons are respectively mentioned in the said Schedules (C.) and (1).); and that for those Boroughs for which no persons are mentioned in such column as Returning Officers, the Sheriff For the

time being of the County in which such Boroughs are respectively situate shall, within Two Months after the passing of this Act, and in every succeeding respective year in the First week in March, by writing under his hand, nominate and appoint for each of such Boroughs a fit person to be the Returning Officer for each of such Boroughs respectively, until the nomination to be made in the succeeding March; and in the event of the death of any such person, the Sheriff for the time being shall forthwith nominate and appoint a successor to be the Returning Officer for the remainder of the then current year: Provided always, That no Churchwarden or Overseer of the Poor shall be nominated or appointed as such Returning Officer, and that no person so nominated and appointed as Returning Officer shall be appointed a Churchwarden or Overseer of the Poor during the year for which he shall be such Returning Officer, or shall be eligible to serve in Parliament for One year from the expiration of his office as such Returning Officer for the Borough for which he shall have been so appointed Returning Officer.

9. — Six Knights of the Shire for Yorkshire, Two for each Riding.] And be it Enacted, That in all future Parliaments there shall be Six Knights of the Shire, instead of Four, to serve for the County of York, that is to say, Two Knights for each of the Throe Ridings of the said County, to be elected in the same manner, and by the same classes and descriptions of Voters, and in respect of the same several rights of voting, as if each of the Three Ridings were a separate County.

10. — Four Knights of the Shire for Lincolnshire, Two for the parts of Lindsey, Two for Kesteven and Holland.'] And be it Enacted, That in all future Parliaments there shall be Four Knights of the Shire, instead of Two, to serve for the County of Lincoln, that is to say, Two for the parts of Lindsey in the said County, and Two for the parts of Kesteven and Holland in the same County; and that such Four Knights shall be chosen in the same manner, and by the same classes and descriptions of Voters, and in respect of the same several rights of voting, as if the said parts of Lindsey were a separate County, and the said parts of Kesteven and Holland together were also a separate County.

11. — Certain Counties to be divided, and to return Four Knights of the Shire each.] And be it Enacted, That each of the Counties enumerated in Schedule (G.) to this Act annexed shall be divided into Two Divisions in manner hereinafter directed, and that in all future Parliaments there shall be Four Knights of the Shire, instead of Two, to serve for each of the said Counties, that is to say, Two Knights for each Division of the said Counties; and that such Knights shall be chosen in the same manner and by the same classes and descriptions of Voters, and in respect of the same several rights of voting, as if each of the said Divisions were a separate County.

12. — Freeholders, &c. in such Counties to vole in the separate Divisions as if they were Counties.] And be it Enacted, That any person claiming and having the right to vote, after the end of this present Parliament, for a Knight or Knights of the Shire to serve in Parliament, for the County of York, or for the County of Lincoln, or for any one of the Counties so to be divided as aforesaid, shall vote only for a Knight or Knights for that Riding of the County of York, those parts of the County of Lincoln, or that Division of the County so to be divided, in which the property in respect of which he claims to vote shall be situate.

13. — Three Knights of the Shire for Berks, Bucks, Cambridge, Dorset, Hereford, Hertford, and Oxford: Two for Glamorgan.] And be it Enacted, That in all future Parliaments there shall be Three Knights of the Shire, instead of Two, to serve for each of the following Counties, that is to say, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Dorsetshire, Herefordshire) Hertfordshire and Ox-

fordshire; and Two Knights of the Shire, instead of One, to serve for the County of Glamorgan.

14. — Isle of Wight severed from Hampshire, to return a Member.] And be it Enacted, That from and after the end of this present Parliament, the Isle of Wight in the County of Southampton shall for the purposes of this Act be a County of itself, separate and apart from the County of Southampton, and shall return One Knight to serve in Parliament; and that such Knight shall be chosen by the same classes and descriptions of Voters, and in respect of the same several rights of voting, as any Knight of the Shire may then be chosen in any County in England; and that all Elections for the said County of the Isle of Wight shall be holden at the Town of Newport in the Isle of Wight, and the Sheriff' of the Isle of Wight, or his Deputy, shall be the Returning Officer at such Elections: Provided always, That from and after the End of this present Parliament, no person shall vote in any Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire for the County of Southampton, in respect of any lands or tenements within the Isle of Wight; and that no person shall be entitled to vote in the Election of a Knight to serve for the Isle of Wight, in respect of any house, warehouse or counting-house, or of any land occupied together with a house, warehouse or counting-house, by reason of the occupation of which respectively he or any other person shall be entitled to vote in the Election of a Member for the said Town of Newport.

15. — Towns which are Counties of themselves to be included in adjoining Counties for County Elections.'] And be it Enacted, That for the purpose of electing a Knight or Knights of the Shire to serve in any future Parliament, the East Riding of the County of York, the North Riding of the County of York, and the several Counties enumerated in the second column of the Schedule (H.) to this Act annexed, shall respectively include the several Cities and Towns, being Counties of themselves, mentioned in conjunction therewith, and named in the first column of the said Schedule (H.); and that for the like purpose the County of Gloucester shall include that part of Bristol which is situate on. the Gloucestershire side of the River Avon, and the County of Somerset shall include that part of Bristol which is situate on the Somersetshire side of the said River Avon.

16. — Right of voting in Counties extended to Copyholders and Leaseholders … Freehold Right not affected by this Act.] And be it Enacted, That from and after the end of this present Parliament, every male person of full age, and not subject to any legal incapacity, who shall beseised of and in any lands or tenements for an estate for life, or for, any larger estate of at least the yearly value of, Ten Pounds above reprizes, holden by copy of court roll of the lord or lady of any manor or by any customary tenure, or who shall hold any lands or tenements by any lease, assignment or other instrument, for any term not less than Sixty Years (whether determinable on a life or lives or not), of the yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds above reprizes, or by any lease, assignment or other instrument, for any term not less than Seven Years, (whether determinable on a life or lives or not.) whereon a yearly rent of not less than Fifty Pounds shall be reserved, or for which a fine or premium of not less than Pounds shall have been paid, shall have a right to vote in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire to serve in any future Parliament for the County, or for the Part, Riding or Division of the County, as hereinbefore mentioned, in which such lands or tenements shall be respectively situate: Provided always, That such person so seised or holding shall be in the actual possession of such lands or tenements, or in the receipt, for his own use, of the rents and profits thereof from the person actually occupying the same: Provided also, That nothing herein contained shall take away or in any manner affect the right of voting in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire at present enjoyed by any person, or which may hereafter accrue to any person accord-

ing to the laws now in force in respect of freehold property, rent-charges, annuities, or any other right of voting now by law enjoyed in relation to the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire.

17. — Provision as to Trustees and Mortgagees.] And be it Enacted, That no person shall be allowed to have any vote in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire for or by reason of any trust estate or mortgage, unless such trustee or mortgagee be in actual possession or receipt of the rents and profits of the same estate, but that the mortgagor or cestuique trust in possession shall and may vote for the same estate notwithstanding such mortgage or trust.

18. — No person to vole in a County Election for a House, &c. conferring a vole in a Borough.] And be it Enacted, That notwithstanding any thing hereinbefore contained, no person shall be entitled to vote in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire to serve in any future Parliament, in respect of any house, warehouse or counting-house, or of any land occupied together with a house, warehouse or counting-house, by reason of the occupation of which respectively he or any other person shall be entitled to vote in the Election of a Member or Members to serve in Parliament for any City or Town, being a County of itself, or for any other City or Borough.

19. — Freeholds need not be assessed to the Land Tax, to give a right of voting.] And be it Enacted, That in order to entitle any person to vote in any Election of a Knight of the Shire or other Member to serve in any future Parliament in respect of any messuages, lands or tenements, whether freehold or otherwise, it shall not be necessary that the same shall be assessed to the Land Tax; any statute to the contrary notwithstanding.

20.— No person to vole for County Members unless he shall have been in possessio7i for a certain time, and registered, with exception in case of Property coming by Descent, &c] And be it Enacted, That notwithstanding any thing hereinbefore contained no person shall vote in any Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire to serve in any future Parliament, in respect of any freehold, copyhold or customary lands or tenements, unless he shall have been seised thereof, for Six calendar Months at least next previous to the day of in the present year, or next previous to the last day of August in any succeeding year, and shall have been duly registered in manner hereinafter directed, which said period of Six calendar Months shall be sufficient, any statute to the contrary notwithstanding; and that no person shall vote in any such Election in respect of any leasehold lands or tenements held by any such lease, assignment or instrument as aforesaid, unless he shall have held the same there under for Twelve calendar Months next previous to the day of in the present year, or next previous to the last day of August in any succeeding year, and shall have been duly registered in manner hereinafter directed: Provided always, That where any lands or tenements which would otherwise entitle the owner or holder thereof to vote in any such Election shall come to any person at any time within such respective periods of Six or Twelve calendar Months by, descent, marriage, marriage settlement, devise or promotion to any benefice in a church, or by promotion to any office, such person shall be entitled in respect thereof to have his name inserted as a voter in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire in the Lists then next to be made by virtue of this Act as hereinafter mentioned.

21. — Right of voting in Boroughs to be enjoyed by Occupiers of Houses, &c. assessed to House Duty or Poor's Rale, at 10/. or rented at 101. or of the annual value of 10l] And be it Enacted, That in every Election of a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament for any City or Borough, every male person, of full age, and not subject to any legal incapacity, who shall have occupied within

any such City or Borough, or within any of the places named in the first column of the Schedule (F.) to this Act annexed, as owner or tenant, for Six calendar Months, next previous to the day of in the present year, or next previous to the last day of August in any succeeding year, any house assessed to the duty on inhabited houses upon a yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds, or any house, warehouse or counting-house being either separately or jointly with any land owned and occupied therewith, or occupied therewith under the same landlord, of the clear yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds, or rated to the relief of the poor upon a yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds, or any house, warehouse or counting-house, for which, whether separately or jointly with any land occupied therewith, under the same landlord, he shall be bona fide liable to a yearly rent of not less than Ten Pounds, and in respect of which house, warehouse, counting-house or land so respectively assessed or rated as aforesaid, or of the yearly value or rent as aforesaid, all the rents, rates and taxes then due shall have been paid, shall, if duly registered according to the provisions hereinafter contained, have a right to vote in the Election of a Member or Members to serve in Parliament for such City or Borough; and that no persons other than such occupiers as aforesaid, shall have a right to vote in any such Election: Provided always, That no tenant so occupying such premises as aforesaid at a yearly rent of not less than Ten Pounds, shall by reason thereof acquire a vote in the Election for any City or Borough, if such rent shall be payable more frequently than Once in every half-year, or if by any agreement or contrivance, or by virtue of any local Act of Parliament, or otherwise, the landlord shall be liable to the payment of the rates for the relief of the poor in respect of such premises: Provided nevertheless, That where by virtue of any local Act of Parliament the landlord shall be liable to the payment of such rates, it shall be lawful for any such tenant to claim to pay such rates, and upon his actually paying the same to acquire the same right of voting as if his landlord had not been so liable for such rates.

22.— Reservation of the present Rights of Freemen during the lives of the parties; but Residence required …. Reservation of other rights of voting in Boroughs during the lives of the Parties.], Provided also, and be it Enacted, That notwithstanding any thing hereinbefore contained, every person now having a right to vote in any Election for any City or Borough in virtue of any corporate right, or to take up his freedom in virtue of any corporate right, and every child of a freeman, such child being born previously to the passing of this Act and every apprentice bound to any freeman previously to the passing of this Act, which child or apprentice would have been entitled to vote in such Election if this Act had not been passed, shall respectively retain, acquire, and enjoy such right of voting during their respective lives, and shall be entitled to vote, if duly registered, according to the provisions hereinafter contained; but that no person now having or hereafter acquiring his freedom as aforesaid shall be registered in the present or in any succeeding year unless he shall have resided for Six calendar Months next previous to the day of in the present year, or next previous to the last day of August in any such respective succeeding year, within such City or Borough, or within Seven statute miles of the place at which the Election for such City or Borough has been usually holden, or in the case of the places named in the first column of the Schedule (F.) to this Act annexed, within Seven statute miles of any of the said places respectively: Provided also, That every person now having a right to vote in any Election for any City or Borough, by reason of owning or occupying any freehold or other tenement, or by reason of inhabitancy, shall retain such right so long as he shall own or occupy the same, or any other freehold or tenement in the same City or Borough, or shall inhabit the same City or Borough, if by reason of such ownership, occupation, or inhabitancy he would have had a right of voting for such City or Borough by the laws or customs now in force, and

such persons shall be allowed to vote, if duly registered according to the provisions hereinafter contained; but no such person shall be registered unless he shall have owned, occupied or inhabited, in such City or Borough as aforesaid, for Six calendar Months, to be computed as aforesaid.

23. — Commissioners to divide certain Counties, and fix places of Election, &c. And be it Enacted, That shall be and they arc hereby appointed Commissioners for the purposes hereinafter mentioned, with regard to Elections for Counties; and that the said Commissioners, or the major part of them, shall within Three Months after the passing of' tin's Act inquire and determine in what manner each of the Counties enumerated in Schedule (Or.) to this Act annexed shall thereafter be divided into Two Divisions, in order that each Division may return Two Knights of the Shire to serve for the same in all future Parliaments, as hereinbefore mentioned; and the said Commissioners, or the major part of them, shall divide each of the said Counties accordingly, and shall also determine at what principal place of Election the Court for the Election of Knights of the Shire for each Division of the said Counties shall be holden, and at what principal place of Election the Court for the Election of Knights of the Shire for each of the Three Hidings of Yorkshire, and for the Parts of Lindsey, and for the Parts of Kesteven and Holland in the County of Lincoln, shall be holden; and the said Commissioners, or the major part of them, shall have power to unite and incorporate (for the purposes of Election only) with any County, or with any Division of a County to be by them made, any outlying portions of any other County which may be locally situate within the former, and shall deliver a Report of such their determination to One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, who shall forthwith lay the same before His Majesty in Council; and it shall be lawful for His Majesty to issue His Royal Proclamation making known the determination and Report of the said Commissioners, from the date of which Proclamation every County enumerated in the said Schedule (G.) shall for the purposes of this Act be and remain so divided into Two Divisions, and each Division shall return Two Knights of the Shire to serve for the same in all future Parliaments; and every County or Division of a County shall for the purposes of this Act include any portions of any other County that may have been so united and incorporated therewith as aforesaid; and a copy of such Report of the said Commissioners shall forthwith be laid before both Houses of Parliament, if then sitting, or if not sitting, then within Ten Days after their sitting.

24. — Other Commissioners to declare Boundaries of Cities and Boroughs, and to have the power of incorporating adjacent Townships, &c.] And be it Enacted, That shall be and they are hereby appointed Commissioners for the purposes hereinafter mentioned, with regard to Elections for Cities and Boroughs; and the said last-mentioned Commissioners, or the major part of them, shall inquire into and determine, for the purposes of this Act, the limits and boundaries of all the Cities and Boroughs in England and Wales which after the passing of this Act shall have or shall retain, or shall acquire by virtue of this Act, the right of sending a Member or Members to Parliament; and the said last-mentioned Commissioners, or the major part of them, shall have power to incorporate (if they shall think fit) with any such City or Borough, for the purposes of this Act, any one or more parishes or townships, the whole or any part of which may be situate within or adjoining to such city or borough, and shall have power to determine (if they shall think fit) what place within the limits of any Borough acquiring by virtue of this Act the right of sending a Member or Members to Parliament, shall be the principal place for holding the Election for such Borough, and in case they shall not determine such principal place, then the same shall be determined by the Returning Officer for such Borough; and the said

last-mentioned Commissioners, or the major part of them, shall, on or before the next after the passing of this Act, deliver a Report of their determination on the matters aforesaid to One of His Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, who shall forthwith lay the same before His Majesty in Council; and it shall be lawful for His Majesty to issue His Royal Proclamation- making known the said determination and report of the said last-mentioned Commissioners, from the date of which proclamation every such City and Borough shall (until Parliament shall otherwise decide) be and remain bounded and limited, for the purposes of this Act, according to such determination, and shall, jointly with such incorporated parish or township, parishes or townships, be a City or Borough for the purpose of electing a Member or Members to serve in all future Parliaments; and a copy of the said Report shall forthwith be laid before both Houses of Parliament, if then sitting, or if not sitting, then within Ten Days after their sitting.

25. — Commissioners shall annex adjoining Townships, &c. to Cities or Boroughs containing fewer than Three hundred houses, &c. rated at 101. &c.] And be it Enacted, That so far as relates to any City or Borough (except those enumerated in the said Schedule (A.)) which now has the privilege of sending a Member or Members to Parliament, but does not contain of houses, warehouses and counting-houses more than Three hundred in the whole, such houses being assessed to the duty on inhabited houses upon a yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds, or such houses, warehouses or counting-houses, whether separately, or jointly with any land occupied therewith, being of the clear yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds, or being bona fide let for a yearly rent of not less than Ten Pounds, or being rated to the relief of the poor upon a yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds, the said last-mentioned Commissioners, or the major part of them, shall within months after the passing of this Act proceed to incorporate with any such City or Borough, for the purposes of this Act, any one or more parishes or townships, the whole or any part of which may be situate within or adjoining to such City or Borough; and the said last-mentioned Commissioners, or the major part of them, shall deliver a Report of their determination touching the said incorporations to One of his Majesty's Principal Secretaries of State, who shall forthwith lay the same before His Majesty in Council; and it shall be lawful for His Majesty to issue His Royal Proclamation making known the said determination and report of the said last-mentioned Commissioners, from the date of which proclamation every such City or Borough shall, jointly with such incorporated parish or township, parishes or townships, be a City or Borough for the purpose of electing a Member or Members to serve in all future Parliaments; and a copy of the said last-mentioned Report shall forthwith be laid before both Houses of Parliament if then sitting, or if not sitting, then within days after their sitting.

26.— The Commissioners to have the power of summoning Witnesses, calling for Papers, &c] And be it Enacted, That the said first-mentioned Commissioners, and also the said last-mentioned Commissioners, or the major part of them respectively, are hereby authorised to issue precepts under their hands, requiring any persons to attend before them for the purpose of giving evidence, and to bring any books, papers or other documents whatsoever of a public nature, in the custody or under the control of such persons, which the said first-mentioned or the said last-mentioned Commissioners, or the major part of them respectively, may judge to be necessary for the purpose of prosecuting the inquiries by this Act directed; and the said first-mentioned and also the said last-mentioned Commissioners, or the major part of them respectively, are hereby authorized to administer an oath (or in the case of a Quaker or Moravian an affirmation) to all persons attending as witnesses before them, and to examine such persons touching all matters necessary for the execution of the powers vested in them by this Act.

27.— Right of voting for Shorcham, Cricklade, Aylesbury, and East Retford to be in persons having Qualifications in the adjacent Districts as well as in those several Boroughs."] And with regard to the Right of voting in the Election of Members to serve in all future Parliaments for the several Boroughs of New Shoreham, Cricklade, Aylesbury and East Retford, Be it Enacted, That every male person of full age, who shall have occupied as owner or tenant, for Six calendar Months next previous to the day of in the present year, or next previous to the last day of August in any succeeding year, within the Borough of New Shoreham, or within the Rape of Bramber in the county of Sussex, any house assessed to the duty on inhabited houses upon a yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds, or any house, warehouse or counting-house, being either separately or jointly with any land owned and occupied therewith, or occupied therewith under the same landlord, of the clear yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds,or rated to the relief of the poor upon a yearly value of not less than Ten Pounds, or any house, warehouse or counting-house, for which, whether separately or jointly with any land occupied therewith under the same landlord, he shall be bona fide liable to a yearly rent of not less than Ten Pounds, and in respect of which house, warehouse, counting-house or land so respectively assessed or rated as aforesaid, or of the yearly value or rent as aforesaid, all the rents, rates and taxes then due shall have been paid, shall, if duly registered as hereinafter directed, have a right to vote in the Election of a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament for the Borough of New Shoreham; and that every male person of full age, who shall have occupied, as owner or tenant for Six calendar Months, to be computed as aforesaid, within the Borough of Cricklade, or within any of the Hundreds or Divisions of Highworth, Cricklade, Staple, Kings-bridge or Malmsbury, in the County of Wilts, any house, warehouse or counting-house, being, either separately or jointly with any land occupied therewith as aforesaid, so assessed or rated as aforesaid, or of the yearly value or rent as aforesaid, and in respect of which all the rents, rates and taxes then due shall have been paid, shall, if duly registered as hereinafter directed, have a Right to vote in the Election of a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament for the Borough of Cricklade; and that every male person of full age, who shall have occupied, as owner or tenant, for Six calendar Months, to be computed as aforesaid, within the Borough of Aylesbury or within any of the Three Hundreds of Aylesbury in the County of Buckingham, any house, warehouse or counting-house, being, either separately, or jointly with any land occupied therewith as aforesaid, so assessed or rated as aforesaid, or of the yearly value or rent as aforesaid, and in respect of which all the rents, rates, and taxes then due shall have been paid, shall, if duly registered as hereinafter directed, have a Right to vote in the Election of a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament for the Borough of Aylesbury; and that every male person of full age, who shall have occupied, as owner or tenant, for Six calendar Months, to be computed as aforesaid, within the Borough of East Retford, or within the Hundred of Bassetlaw in the County of Nottingham, or in any place locally situate within the outside boundary, or limit of the Hundred of Bassetlaw, or surrounded by such boundary, and any part of the County of York or County of Lincoln, any house, warehouse or counting-house, being, cither separately, or jointly with any land occupied therewith as aforesaid, so assessed or rated as aforesaid, or of the yearly value or rent as aforesaid, and in respect of which all the rents, rates and taxes then due shall have been paid, shall, if duly registered as hereinafter directed, have a Right to vote in the Election of a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament for the Borough of East Retford: Provided always, That no tenant so occupying such premises as aforesaid at a yearly rent of not less than Ten Pounds, within any of the several Boroughs of New Shoreham, Cricklade, Aylesbury, or East Retford, or within the Rape of Bramber, or any of the Hundreds, Divisions, or places hereinbefore

respectively mentioned, shall by reason thereof acquire a vote in the Election for any of the said several Boroughs, if such rent shall be payable more frequently than once in every half-year, or if by any agreement or contrivance, or by virtue of any local Act of Parliament, or otherwise, the landlord shall be liable to the payment of the rates for the relief of the poor in respect of such premises: Provided nevertheless, That where by virtue of any local Act of Parliament the landlord shall be liable to the payment of such rates, it shall be lawful for any such tenant to claim to pay such rates, and upon his actually paying the same, to acquire the same Right of voting as if his landlord had not been so liable for such rates.

28. — Reservation of the present Rights of voting for Shoreham, Cricklade, Aylesbury, and East Retford, during the lives of the Parties.'] Provided also, and be it Enacted, That every person now having a Right to vote in Elections for any of the several boroughs of New Shoreham, Cricklade, Aylesbury or East Retford, in virtue of any Corporate Right, or to take up his Freedom in virtue of any Corporate Right, and every child of a Freeman, such child being born previously to the passing of this Act, and every apprentice bound to any Freeman previously to the passing of this Act, which child or apprentice would have been entitled to vote in such Election if this Act had not been passed, shall respectively retain, acquire and enjoy such right of voting during their respective lives, and shall be entitled to vote, if duly registered according to the provisions hereinafter contained; but no such person shall be registered in the present or in any succeeding year, unless he shall have resided for Six calendar Months next previous to the day of in the present year, or next previous to the last day of August in any such respective succeeding year, within such Borough, or within statute miles of the place at which the Election for such Borough has been usually holden: Provided also, That every person now having a Right to vote in Elections for any of the several Boroughs of New Shoreham, Cricklade, Aylesbury or East Retford, by reason of owning or occupying any Freehold or other tenement, or by reason of inhabitancy, shall retain such Right so long as he shall own or occupy the same, or any other Freehold or tenement in the same place, or shall inhabit: the same place, if by reason of such ownership, occupation or inhabitancy he would have had a right of voting for any of the said Boroughs by any statutes laws or customs now in force, and such person shall be allowed to vote, if duly registered according to the provisions hereinafter contained; but no such person shall be registered unless he shall have owned, occupied or inhabited, in such place as aforesaid, for Six calendar Months to be computed as aforesaid.

29. — Overseers to prepare Lists of' Voters for Counties, and to publish them on Two Sundays To keep Copies for inspection Lists to be forwarded to the Clerk of the Peace.] And be it Enacted, That the Overseers of the poor of every parish and township shall, at the expense of such parish or township, on or before the day of in the present year, and on or before the last.day of August in each succeeding year, make out or cause to be made out, according to the Form in the Schedule (I.) to this Act annexed, an Alphabetical List of all persons entitled, in respect of any freehold, leasehold or copyhold, or customary lands or tenements situate within such parish or township, to be registered as Voters in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire to serve for the County, or for the Part, Riding or Division of the County wherein such parish or township lies; and in such List the Christian name and surname of every person shall be written at full length, together with the name of the street, lane or other description of the place where such lands or tenements may be situate; and the said Overseers shall sign such List, and shall cause a sufficient number of copies of such List to be printed at the expense of their parish or township, and shall cause such copies to be fixed on or near the doors of all the churches and chapels within

such parish or township, or if there be no such church or chapel, then to be fixed up in some public and conspicuous situation within the same respectively, on the Two Sundays next after such List shall have been made respectively in this and in every subsequent year; and shall likewise keep a true copy of such List, to be perused by any person, without payment of any fee, at all reasonable hours during the Two first weeks after such List shall have been made; and the said Overseers shall, on or before the day of in the present year, and on or before the Twenty-fifth day of September in each succeeding year, deliver such List to the High Constable or High Constables of the Hundred or other like District wherein such parish or township lies, who shall forthwith deliver the same to the Clerk of the Peace of the County.

30. — Persons omitted in the County Lists to give Police of their Claim to the …Overseers Lists of Claimants to be kept for inspection.…Notice of Objection to Persons not entitled to be in the Lists. ] And be it Enacted, That every person whose name shall have been omitted in any such List, and who shall claim to have the same inserted therein, shall, on or before the day of in the present year, and on or before the last day of Septemberin every succeeding year, give or cause to be given a Notice in writing according to the Form numbered 1. in the said Schedule (I.), or to the like effect, to the Overseers of the parish or township wherein the property may be situate in respect of which he claims to have his name inserted in such List; and the Overseers shall include the names of all persons so claiming as aforesaid, in a Notice according to the Form numbered 2. in the said Schedule (I.), and shall cause such last-mentioned Notice to be fixed on or near the doors of all the churches and chapels within their parish or township, on the Sunday next preceding the day of in the present year, and on the Sunday next preceding the Tenth day of October in every succeeding year; and they shall likewise keep a copy of the names of all the persons so claiming as aforesaid, to be perused by any person, without payment of any fee, at all reasonable hours during the Seven Days next preceding the said day of in the present year, and the said Tenth day of October, in every succeeding year; and every person who shall object to any other person as not being entitled to have his name retained on any such List shall, on or before the day of in the present year, and on or before the last day of September in every succeeding year, give to such other person, or leave at his usual place of abode, a notice in writing according to the Form numbered 3. in the said Schedule (I.), or to the like effect.

31. — Judges of Assizes to name Barristers, who shall revise the Lists of Comity Voters. ] And be it Enacted, That the Chief Justice of the Court of King's Bench, immediately after the passing of this Act, and in each succeeding year in the months of July or August, shall nominate and appoint for Middlesex, and the Judges named in the last commission of assize for every other County, immediately after the passing of this Act, and in each succeeding year the Judges of Assize for such other County when travelling the summer circuit, shall nominate and appoint for every such County, and in the case of Yorkshire for each Riding, (subject nevertheless to the approbation of the Lord High Chancellor, Lord Keeper or Lords Commissioners of the Great Seal for the time being.) a Barrister or Barristers to revise the Lists of Voters in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire; and such Barrister or Barristers so appointed as aforesaid shall give public notice by advertisement in some of the Newspapers circulating within the County or Riding that he or they will make a circuit of the County or Riding for which he or they shall be so appointed, and of the several times and places at which he or they will hold courts for that purpose, such times being between the day of and the day of in the present year, and between the Tenth day of October and the Twenty-fifth day of November in

each subsequent year, and he or they shall hold open courts for that purpose at the times and places so to be announced; and where Two or more Barristers shall be appointed for the same County or Riding, they shall attend at the same places together, but shall sit apart from each other, and hold separate courts at the same time for the dispatch of business; and every such Barrister shall be paid out of the at the rate of not more than nor less than for every day that he shall be so employed; Provided always, That no Barrister so appointed as aforesaid shall be eligible to serve in Parliament for Eighteen Month from the time of such his appointment for the County, or any Part, Riding or Division of the County for which he shall be so appointed.

32.— Clerk of the Peace and Overseers to attend before the Barristers, who shall, on due proof, insert and expunge Names from the County Lists, and rectify mistakes therein.] And be it Enacted, That the Clerk of the Peace shall at the opening of the first court to be held by every such Barrister produce or cause to be produced before him the several Lists of Voters in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire for the County, or for any Part, Riding or Division of the County which shall have been delivered to such Clerk of the Peace by the High Constables as aforesaid; and the Overseers of every parish and township shall attend the court to be held by every such Barrister at the place appointed, for revising the Lists relating to such parish or township respectively, and shall answer upon oath all such questions as such Barrister may put to them or any of them touching the said Lists or any matter necessary for the revising thereof; and every such Barrister shall inquire into and determine all such objections as may be made to the insertion or omission of names in the said Lists, and shall retain on the said Lists all names to which no valid objection shall be established, and shall insert in such Lists the name of every person who shall be proved to be entitled to vote in the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire for the County, or for any Part, Riding or Division of the County, and shall expunge from the said Lists the name of every person who shall be proved not to be entitled to vote in such Election, or to be incapacitated by any law or statute from voting in the Election of Members to serve in Parliament, and shall correct any mistake which shall be proved to him to have been committed in any of the said Lists in respect of the name of any person inserted therein, or of the local description of the property of any person named therein: Provided always, That no person's name shall be expunged from any such List unless such notice as is hereinbefore required shall have been given to such person or left at his usual place of abode, and no persons name shall be inserted in any such List unless he shall have given to the Overseers such notice as is here in before required to be given.

33.— Overseers to prepare Lists of Persons entitled to vole in Boroughs, and to publish them on Two Sundays…. Copies of Lists to be kept for inspection.] And be it Enacted, That the Overseers of the poor of every parish and township in part or in whole situate within, or by virtue of this Act to be incorporated with, any City or Borough, or to share in the Election for any City or Borough, which shall return a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament, shall, at the expense of such parish or township, on or before the day of in the present year, and on or before the last day of August in each succeeding year, make out or cause to be made out, according to the Form in Schedule (K.) to this Act annexed, an Alphabetical List of all persons entitled to be registered as Voters in the Election of a Member or Members to serve in Parliament for such City or Borough, by virtue of any right acquired under this Act in respect of any property occupied by such persons within such parish or township, and another such List of all persons entitled to be registered as Voters in such Election by virtue of any corporate or other right hereby saved and reserved to such last-mentioned persons; and in each of the said Lists the christian name and surname of

every person shall be written at full length; and where any person shall be entitled to vote in respect of any property, then the name of the street, lane, or other description of the place where such property may be situate shall be specified in the List; and where any person shall be entitled to vote otherwise than in respect of any property, then the name of the street, lane, or other description of the place of such person's abode shall be specified in the List; and the Overseers shall sign each of such Lists, and shall cause a sufficient number of copies of such Lists to be printed at the expense of their respective parishes and townships, and shall fix such copies on or near the doors of all the churches and chapels in their several parishes and townships on the Two Sundays next after such Lists shall have been made respectively in this and in every subsequent year; and shall likewise keep true copies of such Lists, to be perused by any person, without payment of any fee, at all reasonable hours during the two first weeks after such Lists shall have been made.

34.— Town Clerks to furnish the Overseers with Lists of the Freemen.] And be it Enacted, That for assisting the Overseers in making out their Lists in pursuance of this Act, the Town Clerk or other like officer of every City or Borough shall (upon request made to him at any reasonable time during the month of in the present year, or during the month of August in any succeeding Year, by any of the Overseers of any parish or township in part or in whole situate within, or by virtue of this Act to be incorporated with such City or Borough, or to share in the Election for the same), deliver to such Overseer an Alphabetical List of all the Freemen entitled to vote for such City or Borough by virtue of any corporate right hereby saved to them, together with the respective places of their abode.

35.— Provision for Extra-parochial places, &c.] And be it Enacted, That every precinct and place, whether extra-parochial or otherwise, which shall have no Overseers of the poor, shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to be within the parish or township adjoining thereto; and if such precinct or place shall adjoin two or more parishes or townships, it shall be deemed to be within the smallest of such parishes or townships; and the Overseers of every such parish or township shall insert in the Lists to be made under this Act the names of all persons who may be entitled to vote in the Election of a Member or Members to serve in Parliament for any County, Part, Riding or Division of a County, City or Borough in respect of any property situate within such precinct or place as aforesaid.

36.— Persons omitted in the Borough Lists to give notice of their claims to Overseers.…. Lists of Claimants to be kept for inspection.…. Notice of Objection to persons not entitled to be in the Lists.] aAnd be it Enacted, That every person whose name shall have been omitted in any such List for any City or Borough, and who shall claim to have his name inserted therein, shall, on or before the day of in the present year, and on or before the last day of September in every succeeding year, give or cause to be given a notice in writing, according to the Form numbered 1. in the said Schedule (K.), or to the like effect, to the Overseers of that parish or township in the Lists whereof he shall claim to have his name inserted; and the Overseers shall include the names of all persons so claiming as aforesaid in a notice according to the Form numbered 2. in the said Schedule (K.), and shall cause such last-mentioned notice to be fixed on or near the doors of all the churches and chapels within their parish or township on the Sunday next preceding the day of in the present year, and on the Sunday next preceding the Tenth day of October in each succeeding year; and they shall likewise keep a copy of the names of all the persons so claiming as aforesaid, to be perused by any person, without payment of any fee, at all reasonable hours, during the Seven days next preceding the said

day of in the present year, and the said Tenth day of October in each succeeding year; and every person who shall object to any other person as not being entitled to have his name retained on any such List for any City or Borough, shall, on or before the day of in the present year, and on or before the last day of September in every succeeding year, give to such other person, or leave at his usual place of abode, a notice in writing according to the Form numbered 3. in the said Schedule (K.), or to the like effect.

37.— Returning Officer to revise Lists of Borough Voters, and, upon due proof, to insert and expunge names and rectify mistakes.] And be it Enacted, That on the clay of in the present year, and on the Tenth day of October in each succeeding year, unless such Tenth day shall be Sunday, and then on the Monday following, the Returning Officer of every City or Borough shall sit in some convenient public hall or place, (having first given Three clear days' notice of his sitting, to be affixed on the doors of all the said churches and chapels,) for inquiring into and determining all such objections as may be made to the insertion or omission of names in either of the said Lists; and the Overseers of the several parishes and townships as aforesaid, shall, at the opening of the sitting to be held by such Returning Officer, produce their said several Lists before him, and shall answer upon oath such questions as he may put to them touching the said Lists, or any matter necessary for the revising thereof; and such Returning Officer shall retain on the said Lists all names to which no valid objection shall be established, and shall insert in such Lists the name of every person who shall be proved to be entitled to vote in the Election of a Member or Members of Parliament to serve for such City or Borough, and shall expunge from the said Lists the name of every person who shall be proved not to be entitled to vote for such City or Borough, or to be incapacitated by any law or statute from voting in the Election of Members to serve in Parliament, and shall correct any mistake which shall be proved to him to have been committed in any of the said Lists in respect of the name or place of abode or local description of the property of any person inserted therein: Provided always, That no person's name shall be expunged from any such List unless such notice as is hereinbefore required in that behalf shall have been given to such person, or left at his usual place of abode; and no person's name shall be inserted in any such List, unless he shall have given to the Overseers such notice as is hereinbefore required to be given in that behalf.

38.— Power of inspecting Tax Assessments and Rate Books.] And be it Enacted, That the Overseers of every parish or township shall, for their assistance in making out the Lists in pursuance of this Act, (upon request made by them, or any of them, at any reasonable time between the day of and the day of in the present year, and between the First day of July and the last day of August in any succeeding year, to any assessor or collector of taxes, or to any other officer having the custody of any duplicate or Tax Assessment for such parish or township), have free liberty to inspect any such duplicate or Tax Assessment, and to extract from thence such names as may appear to such Overseer or Overseers to be necessary; and every Barrister and every Returning Officer so holding their respective courts under this Act shall have power to require any assessor, collector of taxes or other officer having the custody of any duplicate or Tax Assessment, or any Overseer or Overseers having the custody of any poor rate, to produce the same respectively before him, for the purpose of assisting him in revising the Lists to be by him revised in pursuance of this Act.

39.— Returning Officer and Barrister, in revising the Lists, to have power of administering Oaths, of adjourning, &c.; and shaft settle and sign the Lists in open Court.] a And be it Enacted, That every Barrister and every Returning Officer

holding their respective courts under this Act as aforesaid shall have power to adjourn the same from time to time, and from any one place to any other place or places within the same County or Riding, or within the same City or Borough, or within any district, town or place sharing in the Election for such City or Borough, hut so as that no such adjourned court shall be held after the day of in the present year, or after the day of November in any succeeding year; and every such Barrister and Returning Officer shall have power to administer an oath, (or in the case of a Quaker or Moravian an affirmation,) to all persons making objection to the insertion or omission of any name in such Lists as aforesaid, and to all persons objected against, or claiming to be inserted in such Lists, or claiming to have any mistake in such Lists corrected, and to all witnesses who may be tendered on either side; and that if any person taking any oath or making any affirmation under this Act shall wilfully swear or affirm falsely, such person shall he deemed guilty of perjury, and shall be punished accordingly; and that at the holding of such respective courts the parties shall not be attended by Counsel; and that every such Barrister and returning officer shall, upon the hearing in open court, finally determine upon the validity of such claims and objections, and shall in open court write his initials against the names respectively struck out or inserted, and against any part of the said Lists in which any mistakes shall have been corrected, and shall sign his name to every page of the several Lists so settled.

40.— County Lists to be transmitted to Cleric of Peace: Borough Lists to be kept by Returning Officer and handed to his Successor, …. Lists to be copied into Books, with the Names numbered …. Such Books to be the Register of Voters from which Elections shall be made.] And be it Enacted, That the Lists so signed by such Barrister shall be forthwith transmitted by him to the Clerk of the Peace of the County or Riding for which he shall have been appointed, and the Clerk of the Peace shall keep the said Lists among the records of the sessions, arranged with every hundred in alphabetical order, and with every parish and township within such hundred likewise in alphabetical order, and shall forthwith cause the said Lists to be fairly and truly copied in the same order in a book to be by him provided for that purpose at the expense of the County or Riding, and shall prefix to every name so copied out its proper number, beginning the numbers from the first name and continuing them in a regular series down to the last name, and shall deliver the said book to the Sheriff of the County, or his Undersheriff, on or before the day of in the present year, and on or before the last day of November in each succeeding year; and the Lists so signed by the Returning Officer for each City or Borough shall be kept by him, and he shall forthwith cause the said Lists to be fairly and truly copied in a book to be by him provided for that purpose at the expense of the County, with every name therein numbered according to the directions aforesaid, and shall deliver over the said book, together with the Lists, at the expiration of his office, to the person succeeding him in the same; and the Clerk of the Peace and the Returning Officer shall cause copies of such respective books to be printed at the expense of the County (which shall be delivered to all persons applying, on payment of a reasonable price for each copy); and such respective books shall be deemed the Register of Electors to vote, after the end of this present Parliament, in the choice of Knights, Citizens and Burgesses for the several Counties, Parts, Ridings, and Divisions of Counties, Cities and Boroughs to which such Registers respectively relate, at any Election which may take place after the day of in the present year and before the First day of December in the next year; and the Registers to be made in each succeeding year shall be the Registers of the Electors to vote at any Election which shall take place between the First day of December inclusive, in the year wherein such Register shall have been made, and the First day of December in the following year.

41.— No Inquiry at the lime of Election, but as to the Identity of the Voter, the continuance of his Qualification, and whether he has voted before at same Election… Voter may be sworn as to these points…. Form of Oath.] And be it Enacted, That in all Elections whatever of Members to serve in any future Parliament, no inquiry shall be permitted at the time of polling, except only whether the person claiming to vote be the same whose name appears in such Register, and whether such person's qualification for voting still continues, and whether such person shall have previously voted at the same Election, all which inquiries the Returning Officer or his deputy shall, if required on behalf of any Candidate, make from each Voter at the time of his tendering his vote, and not after, by administering an oath, or in case of a Quaker or Moravian, an affirmation, to such Voter, in the following form: (that is to say)

"YOU A. B. do swear, [or, being a Quaker or Moravian, do affirm,] That you are the same A. B. whose name appears on the Register of Voters for the County of [or the Part, Riding or Division of the County of or the City or Borough of as the case may be,] aand that your qualification as such registered Voter still continues, and that you have not before voted either here or elsewhere at the present Election for the said County, [or for the said Part, Riding or Division of the said County, or for the said City or Borough, as the case may be.] So help you GOD."

And no Elector shall hereafter, at any Election, be required to take any oath or affirmation, except as aforesaid, in proof of his freehold, residence, age, or other his qualification or right to vote, any law or statute, local or general, to the contrary notwithstanding; and no Elector shall be excluded from voting at any such Election, except by reason of his refusing to take the said oath or make the said affirmation, or to take any other oath or make any other affirmation required by any other Act, and not hereby dispensed with; and no Scrutiny shall hereafter be allowed by or before any Returning Officer with regard to any votes given or tendered at any Election of a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament; any law, statute or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

42.— Accuracy of Register to be questionable before Committee of House of Commons, who may award Costs against the Barrister and Returning Officer for partiality, &c. in settling the Register.] Provided nevertheless, and be it Enacted, That by petition to the House of Commons, complaining of an undue Election or Return of any Knight, Citizen or Burgess, any petitioner shall be at liberty to question the correctness of the Register which shall have been settled by such Barrister or Returning Officer, and to prove that names were improperly retained, inserted, expunged or omitted by him in the revision of the lists from which the register in force at the time of such Election shall have been constituted; and the Committee before whom the merits of any such Petition shall be tried may inquire into the same, and alter the poll taken at such Election according to the truth of the case, and direct the Return to be amended accordingly, or declare the Election void, as the case may be, and in case of corruption, partiality, or wilful misconduct on the part of such Barrister or Returning Officer, may order such costs to be paid by him to the Petitioner as such Committee shall think reasonable.

43.— Sheriff's of the divided Counties to preside at Elections by themselves or Deputies, and fix the time.] And be it Enacted, That the Sheriffs of the Counties directed hereby to be divided, shall duly cause proclamation to be made of the several days fixed for the Election of a Knight or Knights of the Shire for the several Parts, Ridings and Divisions of their said respective Counties, and shall preside at the same by themselves or their lawful Deputies.

44.— Commencement and continuance of Polls at County Elections.] And be it Enacted, That if on the day fixed for the Election of a Knight or Knights to serve in any future Parliament for any County, or for any Part, Riding or Division of a County, more Candidates shall be proposed for the choice of the Electors than the number of vacancies to be filled up, and a Poll shall be demanded, the polling shall commence at o'clock in the forenoon of the next day but one after the day fixed for the Election, at the principal place of Election, and also at the several places to be appointed as hereinafter directed for taking Polls; and such polling shall continue for Two Days only; (that is to say), for Seven Hours on the said first day of polling, and for Eight Hours on the second day of polling; and no Poll shall be kept open later than o'clock in the afternoon of the second day, any statute to the contrary notwithstanding: Provided always, That nothing in this Act contained shall prevent any Sheriff or other Returning Officer, or their lawful Deputies, from closing the Poll previous to the expiration of the time fixed by this Act, in any case where the same might have been lawfully closed before the passing of this Act.

45.— Counties to be divided into Districts for polling by Justices in Sessions. Justices to have power to alter the Polling Districts at the end of Two Years,] And be it Enacted, That after such Royal Proclamation as hereinbefore mentioned shall have been issued, making known the Divisions of the Counties for which, after the passing of this Act, Knights of the Shire shall be elected to serve in all future Parliaments, the Justices of the Peace for every County in England and Wales, assembled at the quarter sessions to be holden next after the issuing of such Proclamation, or at some special sessions to be appointed by them so assembled as aforesaid, (and of which there shall be given at least Days public notice,) shall divide their respective Counties, and Parts, Ridings and Divisions of Counties, into convenient Districts for polling, and shall appoint in each District a convenient place for taking the Poll at all future Elections of a Knight or Knights of the Shire to serve in Parliament, in such manner that no person shall have to travel more than miles from the property in respect of which he claims to vote; provided that no County, or Part, Riding or Division of a County, now entitled, or by this Act empowered to send a Knight or Knights of the Shire to serve in Parliament, shall have more than Fifteen Districts and respective places appointed for taking the poll for such County, Part, Riding or Division; and that the Justices of the Peace for every County in England and Wales, at the quarter sessions assembled, shall (if they shall so think fit) have power to appoint other and different Districts and Places for polling at the end of every Two Years from the respective preceding appointment to be made for that purpose; and that a List of the Districts and "Places for polling, named in the first and in each succeeding appointment under this Act, shall be lodged with the Clerk of the Peace of each County, who shall forthwith cause copies of such List to be printed, at the expense of the County, and to be fixed on or near the doors of the churches and chapels within each County, or Part, Riding or Division of a County, according to the last appointment; and the polling at Elections shall take place according to the List last lodged, in conformity to this Enactment, with the Clerk of the Peace.

46.— As to Booths at the Polling Places No Voter to poll out of the District where his Property lies.] And be it Enacted, That at every contested Election for any County, or Part, Riding or Division of a County, the Sheriff", Under-sheriff, or Sheriff's Deputy shall, if required thereto by or on behalf of any Candidate on the day of nomination, and if not so required, may, if it shall appear to him expedient, cause to be erected a reasonable number of Booths for taking the Poll at each of the polling places so to be appointed as aforesaid, and shall cause to be affixed on the most conspicuous part of each of the said Booths the Names of the several Parishes, Townships, and Places for which such Booth is respectively

allotted; and no person shall be admitted to vote at any such Election in respect of any property situate in any parish, township or place for which any Booth is allotted, except at the Booth so allotted; but in case any parish, township or place, shall happen not to be included in any of the Districts to be appointed by the Justices of the Peace as aforesaid, the Votes in respect of property situate in any parish, township, or place so omitted, shall be taken at the principal place of Election for the County or Part, Riding or Division of the County, as the case may be.

47.— Provision as to Sheriff's Deputies, the custody of Poll-Books, and final Declaration of the Poll.] And be it Enacted, That the Sheriff shall have power to appoint Deputies to preside at the several places appointed for taking the Poll for any County or Part, Riding or Division of a County, and that the Poll Clerks employed at those several places shall, at the close of each day's poll, enclose and seal their several books, and shall publicly deliver them, so enclosed and sealed, to the Sheriff, Undersheriff or Sheriff's Deputy, presiding at such Poll, who shall give a receipt for the same, and shall, on the commencement of the Poll on the second day, deliver them back, so enclosed and sealed, to the persons from whom he shall have received them; and on the final close of the Poll, every such Deputy, who shall have received any such Poll Books, shall forthwith deliver or transmit the same, so enclosed and sealed, to the Sheriff or his Undersheriff, who shall receive and keep all the Poll-Books unopened until the re-assembling of the court on the day next but one after the close of the Poll, when he shall openly break the seals thereon, and cast up the number of Votes as they appear on the said several Books, and shall openly declare the state of the Poll, and shall make proclamation of the Member or Members chosen not later than Two o'clock in the afternoon of the said day.

48.— Commencement and continuance of Polls at Borough Elections.] And be it Enacted, That at every contested Election of a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament for any City or Borough, the Poll shall commence on the day of nomination, or on the day next following, or at the latest on the third day; and such polling shall continue for Two Days only, that is to say, for Seven Hours on the said First day of polling, and for Eight Hours on the Second day of polling; and that the Poll shall on no account be kept open later than o'clock in the afternoon of such Second day; any statute to the contrary notwithstanding.

49.— Polling for Boroughs in England to be at several Booths, not more than 600 voting at One Compartment in a Booth If the Booths are in different places, a Deputy to preside at each place.] And be it Enacted, That at every contested Election of a Member or Members to serve in any future Parliament for any City or Borough in England, there shall be appointed for taking the Poll at such Election different Booths for different Parishes, Districts or Parts of such City or Borough, which Booths may be situated either in one place or in several places, and shall be so divided and allotted into Compartments as to the Returning Officer or Officers shall seem most convenient, so that no greater number than Six hundred shall be required to poll at any one compartment; and notice in writing of the situation, division and allotment of the different Booths shall be given on the day before the commencement of the Poll, by the Returning Officer, to each of the Candidates or his agent; and in case the Booths shall be situated in different places, the Returning Officer may appoint a Deputy to preside at each place; and at every such Election the Poll Clerks at the close of each day's Poll shall enclose, seal and deliver the several Poll Books to the Returning Officer or his Deputy, and every Deputy so receiving the same, on the final close of the Poll, shall forthwith deliver or transmit the same, so enclosed and sealed, to the Returning Officer, who shall receive and keep all the Poll Books unopened until the following day, when he shall openly break the seals thereon, and cast up the number of Votes as they

appear on the said several Books, and shall openly declare the state of the Poll, and make proclamation of the Member or Members chosen not later than o'clock in the afternoon of the said day.

50.— Candidates, or persons proposing Candidate without his consent, to be at the expense of Booths and Poll Clerks.] And be it Enacted, That after the end of this present Parliament, all Booths to be built for the convenience of taking Polls, shall be erected at the joint and equal expense of the several Candidates, and the same shall be erected by contract with the Candidates, if they shall think fit to make such contract, or if they shall not make such contract, then the same shall be erected by the Sheriff or other Returning Officer or Officers, at the expense of the several Candidates as aforesaid; and that the clerks employed in taking the Poll shall be paid One Guinea by the day, at the expense of the Candidates at such Election: Provided always, That if any person shall be proposed without his consent, then the person so proposing him shall be liable to defray his share of the said expenses in like manner as if he had been a Candidate.

51.— Certified Copies of the Register of Voters for each Booth.] And be it Enacted, That the Sheriff or other Returning Officer shall, before the day fixed for the Election, cause to be made for the use of each Booth at such Election, a true Copy of the Register of Voters, and shall under his hand certify every such copy to be true.

52.— Powers of Deputies of Returning Officers.] And be it Enacted, That every Deputy of a Sheriff or other Returning Officer shall have the same power of administering the oaths and affirmations required by law, and of appointing Commissioners for administering such oaths and affirmations as may by law be administered by Commissioners, as the Sheriff or other Returning Officer has by virtue of this or any other Act, and subject to the same regulations and provisions in every respect as such Sheriff or other Returning Officer.

53.— Polling for the contributory Boroughs in Wales, &c] And be it Enacted, That every person now having or acquiring by virtue of this Act a Vote in the election of a Member for any Shire, Town or Borough, in respect of any of the places named in the first column of Schedule (F.) to this Act annexed, shall and may give his vote at any of the said places before the Mayor or other Municipal Officer of such place; and every person acquiring a Vote in the Election of a Member for the Borough composed of the towns of Swansea, Loughor, Neath, Aberavon and Ken-fig, shall and may give his vote at any of the said towns; (that is to say), at Swansea before the Portreeve of Swansea, and at each of the other towns before the Mayor or other Municipal Officer of such other town; and the Returning Officer of every Shire-Town or Borough named in the second column of the said Schedule (F.) shall give notice of the day of Election to the Mayor or other Municipal Officer of each of the places sharing in the Election for such Shire-Town or Borough, and shall before the day fixed for the Election cause to be made, and to be transmitted to every such Mayor or other Municipal Officer, a true Copy of the Register of Voters for such Shire-Town or Borough, and shall under his hand certify every such copy to be true; and the Portreeve of the town of Swansea shall give notice of the day of Election to the Mayor or other Municipal Officer of the towns of Loughor, Neath, Aberavon and Ken-fig, and shall in like manner cause to be made, and to be transmitted to every such Mayor or other Municipal Officer, a true and certified Copy of the Register of Voters for the Borough composed of the said Five Towns; and the Mayors or other Municipal Officers, as well of the respective places named in the first column of the said Schedule (F.) as of the towns of Loughor, Neath, Aberavon and Ken-fig, shall respectively take, manage and deliver or transmit the Polls in the same manner as the deputies of the Returning Officers of the Cities and Boroughs in England

are hereinbefore directed to do, and shall have the same powers, and perform the same duties in every respect, as are respectively conferred and imposed on the said Deputies by this Act.

54.— All Election Laws to remain in force, except where superseded by this Act.] And be it Enacted, That all Laws, Statutes and Usages now in force respecting the Election of Members to serve in Parliament for that part of the United Kingdom called England and Wales, shall be and remain, and are hereby declared to be and remain in full force, and shall apply to the Election of Members to serve in Parliament for all the places hereby empowered to return Members, as fully and effectually as if those places had heretofore returned Members, except so far as any of the said laws, statutes or usages are repealed or altered by this Act, or are inconsistent with the provisions thereof.

55.— Penalties on Officers for breach of duty.] And be it Enacted, That if any Sheriff, Returning Officer, Barrister, or any person whatsoever shall wilfully contravene or disobey the provisions of this Act or any of them, with respect to any matter or thing which such Sheriff, Returning Officer, Barrister or other person is hereby required to do, he shall for such his offence be liable to be sued in an action of debt in any of His Majesty's courts of record at "Westminster for the penal sum of and the Jury before whom such action shall be tried may find their verdict for the full sum of or for any less sum not less than which the said Jury shall think it just that he should pay for such his offence; and the defendant in such action being convicted, shall pay such penal sum so awarded, with full costs of suit, to any party who may sue for the same; without prejudice however to the right of any party grieved by the same misconduct of such Sheriff, Returning Officer, Barrister or other person, to recover such damages in an action on the case, for a false Return or any other grievance, as he may be entitled to at common law or by virtue of any statute now in force.

56.— Persons disqualified voting, to be subject to all Penalties now existing, and liable to Costs on Petition to House of Commons.] And be it Enacted, That if any person named in any Register required to be made under this Act, but who at the time of any Election shall be in the enjoyment of any office now by law disqualifying him from giving his vote in the Election of Members to serve in Parliament, shall presume to vote in such Election, he shall be liable to all penalties and forfeitures to which he would have been subject for the said offence by any law in force at the time of the passing of this Act; any thing herein contained notwithstanding; and in case of a Petition to The House of Commons for altering the Return or setting aside the Election in which such person shall have voted, his Vote shall be struck off by the Committee, with such costs to be by him paid to any Petitioner as to such Committee shall seem just.

57.— Penalty for personating an Elector, and for voting twice at the same Election.] And be it Enacted, That if any person shall falsely and deceitfully assume the name or character of any other person whose name shall be inserted in any Register required to be made under this Act, and shall thereby vote or attempt to vote as and for such other person in the Election of any Member to serve in Parliament; or if any Person after having voted at any Election shall again vote or attempt again to vote at the same Election, every person so offending shall be guilty of a Misdemeanor, and being convicted thereof, shall be for ever afterwards disqualified from voting in any Election whatever of any Member to serve in Parliament, and shall be liable to such fine, not exceeding or to such imprisonment, not exceeding as the Court before whom he shall be convicted shall think fit; and in case of a Petition to The House of Commons for altering the Return or setting aside the Election in which such

person shall have voted, his vote shall be struck off by the Committee, with such costs to be by him paid to any Petitioner as to such Committee shall seem just.

58.— Writs, &c. to be made conformable to this Act.] And be it Enacted, That all Writs to be issued for the Election of Members to serve in all future Parliaments, and all mandates, precepts and notices consequent upon such Writs, shall be and the same are hereby authorized to be framed and expressed in such manner and form as may be necessary for the carrying the provisions of this Act into effect; any law, statute or usage to the contrary notwithstanding.

59.— Act not to extend to Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.] Provided always, and be it Enacted, That nothing in this Act contained shall extend to or in anywise affect the election of Members to serve in Parliament for the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge, or shall entitle any person to vote in the Election of Members to serve in Parliament for the City of Oxford or Town of Cambridge, in respect of the occupation of any Chambers or premises in any of the Colleges or Halls of the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge.

60.— Of the sense in which Words in this Act are to be understood.] And be it Enacted, That throughout this Act, wherever the words "City or Borough," "Cities or Boroughs," may occur, those words shall include all Towns Corporate, Cinque Ports, Districts, or Places within England and Wales which shall be entitled after this Act shall have passed to return a Member or Members to serve in Parliament, other than Counties at large, and Parts, Ridings and Divisions of Counties at large, and shall also include the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed; and the words "Returning Officer" shall apply to every person or persons to whom, by virtue of his or their office, either under the present Act, or under any former law, custom or statute, the execution of any Writ or Precept doth or shall belong for the Election of a Member or Members to serve in Parliament, by whatever name or title such person or persons may be called; and the words "Parish or Township" shall extend to every Parish, Township, Vill, Hamlet, District or Place maintaining its own poor; and the words "Overseers of the Poor" shall extend to all persons who by virtue of any office or appointment shall execute the duties of Overseers of the Poor, by whatever name or title such persons may be called, and in whatsoever manner they may be appointed; and that all provisions in this Act relative to any matters to be done by or with regard to Justices of the Peace for Counties, or Sessions of the Peace for Counties, or Clerks of the Peace for Counties, shall extend to the Justices, Sessions and Clerks of the Peace of the several Ridings of Yorkshire, and of the several Divisions of Lincolnshire; and that all the said respective Justices, Sessions and Clerks of the Peace shall have power to do the several matters required by this Act, as well within places of exclusive jurisdiction as without; and that no Misnomer or inaccurate description of any person or place named or described in any Schedule to this Act annexed, or that may be named or described in any Report or Proclamation to be made by virtue of this Act, shall in anywise prevent or abridge the operation of this Act with respect to such person or place, provided that such person or place shall be so designated in such Schedule, Report or Proclamation as to be commonly understood.

SCHEDULE (I.)

FORMS of LISTS and NOTICES applicable to COUNTIES, and to the Parts, Ridings and Divisions of Counties, returning Members to Parliament.

County of to wit, [or Riding, division, &c. of the County of as the case may be.]

THE LIST of PERSONS entitled to vote in the Election of a Knight [or Knights] of the Shire for the County of [or, for the Riding, Division, &c. of the County of as the case may be], in respect of Property situate within the Parish of [or Township, as the case may be.]

No. 1.—NOTICE of CLAIM to be given to the OVERSEERS.

To the Overseers of the Parish of [or Township, as the case may be.]

I hereby give you Notice, That I claim to have my Name inserted in the List made by you of Persons entitled to vote in the Election of a Knight [or, Knights] of the Shire for the County of [or, for the Riding, Division, &c. of the County of.] Dated this day of One thousand eight hundred and thirty

(Signed) A. B. of [Place of Abode.]

No. 2.—NOTICE of CLAIM to be published by the OVERSEERS.

The following Persons claim to have their Names inserted in the List of Persons entitled to vote in the Election of a Knight [or Knights] of the Shire for the County of [or, for the Riding, Division, &c. of the County of.]

No. 3.—NOTICE of OBJECTION to PARTIES inserted in the LIST.

To Mr. John Barker.

I hereby give you Notice, That I object to your Name being retained in the List of Persons entitled to vote in the Election of a Knight [or Knights] of the Shire for the County of [or, for the Riding, Division, &c. of the County of,] and that I shall bring forward such objection at the time of the revising of the said List. Dated the day of One thousand, eight hundred and thirty (Signed) A. B. of [Place of Abode.]

SCHEDULE (K.)

FORMS of LISTS and NOTICES applicable to CITIES and BOROUGHS.

The LIST of PERSONS entitled to vote in the Election of a Member [or Members] for the City [or Borough] of in respect of Property occupied within the Parish [or Township] of by virtue of the Act passed in the First and Second years of the reign of King WILLIAM the Fourth, intituled, "An Act to amend the Representation of the People in England and Wales."

The LIST of PERSONS entitled to vote in the Election of a Member [or Members] for the City [or Borough] of in respect of Rights reserved to them by the Act passed in the First and Second years of the reign of King WILLIAM the Fourth, intituled, "An Act to amend the Representation of the People in England and Wales."

No. 1.—NOTICE of CLAIM to be given to the OVERSEERS.

To the Overseers of the Parish [or Township] of

I hereby give you Notice, That I claim to have my Name inserted in the List made by you of Persons entitled to vote in the Election of a Member [or Members] for the City [or Borough] of Dated the day of 1830 (Signed) A. B. of [Place of Abode.]

No. 2.—NOTICE of CLAIM to be published by the OVERSEERS.

THE following Persons claim to have their Names inserted in the List of Persons entitled to vote in the Election of a Member [or Members] for the City [or Borough] of

No. 3.—NOTICE of OBJECTION to PARTIES inserted in the LIST. To Mr. William Baker,

I hereby give you Notice, That I object to your Name being retained in the List of Persons entitled to vote in the Election of a Member [or Members] for the City [or Borough] of and that I shall bring forward such objection at the time of the revising of the said List. Dated the day of One thousand eight hundred and thirty

(Signed) A. B. of [Place of Abode.]

BEING THE FIRST SESSION OF THE TENTH PARLIAMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND,

APPOINTED TO MEET AT WESTMINSTER, 14TH JUNE, 1831, IN THE SECOND YEAR OF

WILLIAM THE FOURTH.

( Corrected to the First Day of Meeting.)