Order of Session to prevent defective Returns.

Collect. Pub. Ord.
pag. 17.

GREAT Defects having of late appeared in the Returns of Persons qualified to serve on Juries; some
Returns not containing the Christian Names, many having the Surnames so ill spelt as to require a
quite different Sound in Reading; others without the Places of Abode ; many summoned, not having the
Qualification requisite; and great Numbers duly qualified omitted ; and, in general, so ill wrote as to be
scarcely legible ; to the great Hindrance of the several Courts in the Administration of Justice, and Detriment
of the Publick, as well as particular Burthen of many Persons residing where such imperfect Lists are made,
It is therefore Ordered, That it be, and it is hereby recommended to his Majesty's Justices of the Peace ,
especially those residing in distant Parts of the County, to whom any Petty Constable or Headborough shall
apply, to attest their Lists, to inspect and examine the same, touching the above Particulars, and to observe
that the true and proper Names of the Parishes, Wards, and Districts, appear in such Lists : And if the
same shall not be sairly written, as the Act requires, to cause it to be so done; or if it shall appear defective,
so as not proper to be sworn to, then to refer such Constable, or Headborough, to the Session, and direct
the High Constable to inform the Court thereof, that such Defaulter may be noticed, and proceeded against
as the Law directs. And furthermore, that the High Constables do give particular Caution to their Petty
Constables and Headboroughs for preventing any of the Defects aforesaid, and do not receive from them
any Lists without inspecting the same, to see that they are fairly and correctly written. And if any
manifest Error shall appear therein, then that he refer such Constable to the Session, giving Notice as
above. And if any High Constable shall be remiss in the Premises, it will be deemed' a Neglect of
his Office.