Appendix 5 fA.)__ John Wallace, Esq. ( 10 July.) 84" MrNUTES OF EVIDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE You do not mean to say that there are not two acres?— I could not scramble over so much ground as to imagine that there are two acres there. Did you not report that it contained two acres?— Not that I know of. To the best of your belief, it does not contain two acres of land ?— I cannot think any such thing. How do you know it to be the same plot of land as described in the original deed? •— Inasmuch as the boundary is mentioned. Are the boundaries of this plot of land distinctly set out in the original deed ?— So far as the Old Town wall is mentioned ; but it is difficult to find it out, in consequence of the encroachments which have been made, but the thing is of no value. . We have in the Report, that this was the same plot of ground as that described in the original deed ?— There was a deed describing the Old Town wall on one side, and the Old Town wall was on one side of this plot of ground. Was that the only boundary you could find ?— There was St. Michael's church- yard, which was another boundary. What was the nature of that original deed ?— It was a parchment lease, I believe ; i did not examine it closely; I conceived it to be a contract for a lease made by the corporation, and that the deed would, show that this plot of ground had fallen in. Can you make any estimate how much there was of this land; how much do you suppose there vvas ?— I cannot say how much. Have you been much used to measuring land ?— Not at all. What did you conceive your duty to be in making this valuation?— In forming an estimate for myself, in judging what the thing might be worth, and seeing what it was. What was it ?— Actually a heap of ruins, the remains of old cabins and other old buildings that were once erected, but all down now. How can you form an estimate of any plot of ground, without first knowing the size of that plot of ground ?— The truth is, that if it was to be done to- morrow, if the ground was my own, from my knowledge of it, if an estimate was taken of it for ten guineas a year, I should think the people who made that estimate were very good friends of mine, because I would not take it at that sum, and that has been my opinion since I first saw what it was. Is the wall of St. Michael's church- yard parallel with the Old Town wall ?— It is; but it is only of trifling extent in comparison. How did you know the plot of land ?— I was taken to it by a person belonging to the corporation who had the lease; the vice- chamberlain, as I hear. Who was vice- chamberlain ?— Mr. Morris. Did you compare that plot of ground with the description in the original deed ?— Not critically. Then you only put the description of the vice- chamberlain ?— Yes. Do you think there is as much as an acre of it ?— I think it is as much as that; I do not know exactly how it could be defined ; I believe it would be almost impossible to point out the exact boundaries of it. Do you think there was as much as an acre of that ground to which you allude?—- I think about an acre. Might there not be an acre and a half?— I cannot say; there might be, but I do not think so ; but the name of two acres at all astonished me much ; and I do think, that if Captain Vincent was with me for half an hour on the place, that he would be decidedly of my opinion as to the value; I verily believe it is unproductive. Have you any reason to know what rent is made out of that land at present?— I believe nothing I am not aware of any thing. Do you live in the New Town ?— Yes. How long have you resided there?— I have been quartered in Limerick as one of the staff officers of the militia since 1816, being occasionally away. Do you know the manner in which the parish of St. Michael is taxed ?— I declare I do not know how to answer that, I am not aware of the thing; the fact is, I do not make myself acquainted with all those kind of things; I am in another line, but I hear and believe it is taxed by an Act of Parliament made for that part. Do nptall the wealthiest inhabitants of the city reside in that parish?— Decidedly, nearly all, I believe. Do you consider that the mode of exempting that parish from paying its equal pro- portion of taxes a beneficial one to the remainder of the town?— I really cannot say- Do you know how much a year the parish of St. Michael contributes to the general expenses of the city ?— I cannot say precisely that; but if I mistake not, having been upon