• ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN, 319 materially interfere with the internal discipline of the prison ?— Very much so; if I could find stronger language to express the mischief that arises from it, I would do so, but provision has been made under the late Act for their removal immedi- ately after each assizes, and a hulk is preparing at the Cove of Cork for the pur- pose of receiving those convicts, preparatory to " their embarking for Botany Bay. How soon is that system likely to be acted upon ?— I think immediately, with the exception of Dublin. Does the system to which you have alluded, apply to the city of Dublin ?— It does. Do you not consider that by this Act, the regulations, with regard to prisons, apply to Newgate?'— I do. Will you have the goodness to look at the Act, ( handing it to the witness), are not all the acts which are authorized to be done by grand juries at assizes, in the counties of Ireland, authorized and empowered to be done by the city of Dublin grand juries at presenting term ?— It would appear to me to be so from this, but I know it is doubt- ed by the grand juries of the city of Dublin; they consulted a lawyer upon the sub- ject who decided against their having a power to appoint a committee, and they are excepted as to that in a former clause. Will you have the goodness to read the section of the Act?—" Provided always, and be it further enacted, that all the acts and duties to be performed by the se- veral grand juries at the assizes under this Act, may in the county of Dublin, and in the county of the city of Dublin, be performed by the grand juries at the pre- senting terms, duly met and impanelled." The subsequent exemption of the city of Dublin, from the operation of this Act only applies to certain prisons, to what prisons does it apply ?— To the four court marshalsea and the city marshalsea. Have you any doubt that the provisions of that Act do apply to the prisons of Dublin, save and except the four court marshalsea and the city marshalsea ?— None whatever, except as to the committee. Do you happen to know the circumstances under which Mr. Morrissy was appointed chaplain of Newgate ?— I do not, it was before my time, and I never inquired ; I have heard constantly that he was there in opposition to the wish of the archbishop. You have heard he was suspended by his bishop ?— I did. Did you hear that the cause of that suspension was his obstinately continuing to do the duties of that prison, contrary to the archbishop's wish or directions ?—• I think I heard that as one of the causes. Did you hear any other cause?— I think I heard also that the archbishop dis- approved of his liberality, in allowing the Bible to be read there by Roman catholics. Those are the two causes you have heard assigned as the causes of his suspen- sion ?— I may have heard others, but I am not aware. From whom did you hear them ?— I think I have heard Mr. Morrissy say so himself. You have stated, that you think the contracts of the Dublin grand jury would be more beneficially carried on, if contracts were to be accepted at the head police office?— I meant to say in conjunction with the committee, which I recommended the last day. Are you aware that the contracts are all handed in to the secretary of the grand jury, on or before the first day of term ?— I have heard so. Are you aware that no contracts can be received after the grand jury meet ?— I should think not consistently with the advertisement. Are you aware that all the contracts that are received by the secretary, are upon oath, laid before the court ?— I understand they are. If any contract of any human being was suppressed by any person whatever, would not he have an opportunity by attending in court, of discovering that sup pression ?— I think so ; nor can I imagine that there is such a thing as a suppression. Then what advantage do you conceive would arise from having the intervention of the head police, or any other public office, to receive those proposals ?— I think it probable that the public would come forward; more contracts would be offered; but I speak merely from opinion. In point of fact, do the police office contract upon better terms themselves, for the things provided for the police establishment, than the grand jury do ?— I do not know.. 549- 3 K Then Major James Palmer. ( 29 May.) t- J II I I A I I 1 HI I 1