ON PETITIONS RELATING TO LIMERICK TAXATION. 57 The present recorder is sworn ?— I believe he has been sworn regularly. Therefore, although the chamberlain's oath is affixed to the book just produced, you have not, in point of fact, ever known that oath taken by the chamberlain ?— No, I do not recollect being present when it was taken by the chamberlain. Is the charter justices oath regularly taken?— Yes, certainly. Is the alderman's oath regularly taken?— Indeed I believe it is; there might have been instances where an alderman has been appointed and not sworn; I can- not recollect exactly whether there might have been an instance of that, but the charter justices are regularly sworn. Are the burgesses regularly sworn on entering into their office ?— That does not follow; they may or may not; Captain O'Grady is a burgess, and he has not been sworn; they may have been elected for several years, and not sworn. How are they elected into office ?— A man may have been an honorary member, and not sworn. If an honorary burgess, so admitted, were to attend, and discharge his duties, would he not be first sworn ?— Certainly. All the freemen are sworn before they exercise their franchise ?— Yes, that is the usage. Are the attornies sworn?— Yes. Is the Serjeant at mace sworn ?— I do not think, in my time, there ever was one appointed ; but I believe they are all of them sworn. When they exercise the functions of their office, they are always sworn ?— Yes. Can you show the Committee any one of those oaths, of an annual officer, which has not been taken in the course of the last year, except the oath of the chamberlain ? — The burgesses oath may not have been taken. That is not an annual office?— No ; I cannot mention any other. There is a committee of accounts appointed ; for the purpose of inspecting the accounts of the corporation?— Yes. Are you a member of that committee?— No. Will you produce the book of that committee of accounts? [ The witness produced a book.] What names are those subjoined to this book ?— Those are the names of the committee of account. Some of these names are cancelled ?— Yes. The name of Mr. Philip Russell is cancelled ?— Yes. On what account ?— On account of his death. The name of Mr. John Gabbit is cancelled ?— Yes, for the like cause. The name of the Right honourable Lord Viscount Gort is cancelled ?— Yes; I do not know on what ground now, but by searching the books there may be some entry; I do not recollect why he was struck off. The persons living, whose names are here, are the following: Mr. Henry D'Esterre; who is he?— An alderman of the corporation. Is that the late recorder?— Yes. Who was examined before the House of Commons ?—' Yes. Mr. Ralph Westropp is another name ?— Yes. Is that gentleman a connection of the chamberlain's ?— Yes. What ?— His brother- in- law. Mr. John Vereker's name is upon this ?— Yes. What connection is he ?— He is brother to the chamberlain. Mr. John Wallace's name is upon the committee of account; what situation does he hold?— He is a burgess of the corporation. What other situation does he hold ?— He is paymaster of the city militia. Who is the colonel of that militia?— Lord Gort. Mr. Edmond Morony is a member of this committee; was he lately the treasurer ? — Yes. Is he still in office ?— No. Mr. Fitzgerald Mahony and Mr. Alderman Gabbit, are also members?— Yes, they are; I should observe, it is not my province to be present when the committee are sitting; I cannot speak, except from my belief. Can you show the Committee any entry of the amount of the receipts of the corporation in that book ?— No. That only contains then the account of the disbursements of the corporation ?— Only that. 617. P Have v Appendix ( A.) Mr. Edward Parker. ( 27 June.)