• ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN, 319 which appears chargeable upon the watch establishment; does that comprehend the expenses of stationery for both branches of establishment, both police and watch ?— I apprehend not. Looking at the return, can you show the Committee any charge for stationery included in the whole branch of the expense, which is exactly covered in the parliamentary grant?— It there appears that there is an item of 519/. 4s. charged for stationery and books of the police establishment, under the head public offices, and which is defrayed out of the parliamentary grant, the 1,634/. chargeable on the watch establishment is exclusive of this; the amount of the charge being so much larger in the watch proceeds from the very detailed nature of the account; the various and minute sources from which the funds of that department are derived, ( such as licences, house, carriage, and other taxes, requiring a great deal of machinery, and a multiplicity of documents applicable to very small sums;) I believe, also, that charge of 1,634/. includes the publication of the Hue and Cry. What was the expense of the publication of the Hue and Cry ; how much has it been reduced, and by what means r.— It averaged for each quarter, I think, about 166/. making 665/. a year. What does it amount to now ?— 500/. What is the object of that publication ?— The object of that publication is the detection of offenders and the recovery of stolen property, by rewards offered in that paper. It is putin general circulation throughout Ireland?— Yes; to the magistracy of the different counties and cities. Do you not conceive that charge to fall more properly within the scope of the parliamentary grant for police purposes, than the local charge for watch establish- ment ?— It is matter of opinion, and I think a great deal depends upon the fact ( which I am not apprised of) as to what was the case before the present police establishment was formed, if the Hue and Cry was then so charged, I think it would naturally continue under the same head. To whom is the check and audit of the accounts of the watch establishment chiefly committed ?— To the alderman magistrate, the chief magistrate of police, Alderman Darley. Do all the accounts pass through the head police office ?— Yes. Who are the magistrates of that office, besides youself ?— Alderman Darley and Major Charles Henry Sirr. Does the constitution of the police office require that there should be two gentlemen belonging to the corporation of the city of Dublin, and one a barrister? — Yes, that is the constitution ; there is a difference as to the mode of appointment of those that belong to the city, but they must all belong to the corporation, either as aldermen or sheriff's peers, or common councilmen. By whom is the selection of the sheriff's peers and common councilmen, as police magistrates, made?— Three of the aldermen and three of the sheriff's peers are directly nominated by the crown; and the remaining six, three of each description are elected by the city. How many police magistrates are there?— Eighteen. There are six police offices, with three magistrates in each office. How are the watch appointed in the city of Dublin ?— By the magistrates of the head office of police. There is no control exercised over their appointment by the vestries of the several parishes ?— None ; there is no interference that I know of, with respect to the watch, except as to the churchwardens being directed to suggest to the magistrates of police proper stations. Do you not conceive it essential to the due administration of the police in the city of Dublin, that the watchmen should be appointed under the control, and at the responsibility of the magistrates?— I do consider it essential ; I am convinced, the . strict superintendence and summary power of the police magistrates, acting upon complaint, and investigating into matters of this kind, are essential to the good con- duct of the watch. What are the class of men they generally select for watchmen ?— I do not ap- prehend there is any exclusive class of men ; there was at first rather a partiality for pensioners, and in practice it turned out that there were objections to them; they were for the most part apt to prove worn out, and to come as a charge 011 the esta- blishment, through their not being able to bear the night duty, sooner than other « uo. men,