2jf> MINUTES QV EVTDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE Afi- i Then what is the expense, according to the increased charge, of weighing a car of Isaac Stewart, thirteen hundred weight?— The increase is 3i</. The whole expense under the present mode is 6ffi?. P— That is the whole expense. < 30 May.) You have stated the saving upon the carriage alone to be 7s. to 8s. upon thirteen hundred weight of hay, according to the newly adopted method?— Yes. Then if the increase of expense has been only 6% d. and the saving has been 7 s « how do you support the position, that the change in the mode of selling has in creased the price upon the consumer?— The change of system from bringing four hundred and a quarter weight to bringing thirteen hundred weight, is a saving in the manner of delivering, unquestionably; but in the manner of ascertaining the quantity, that is quite another consideration. This saving arose from the invention of a better description of cart, which rendered the change in system necessary ; but had the change been to trusses of 56lbs. for hay, and 36 for straw, as in London, it would have had the best effect, and be of infinite benefit to both farmer and con- sumer, because the farmers could make up the trusses at their own houses, at their own expense, and not be obliged to pay any money out of their pockets. I admit that the carrying large quantities in the cart has been a great saving to the farmer; but I consider the frauds now practised upon the consumer by this method of ascer- taining the quantity are very considerable; and whether those frauds practised by the present measures would amount to the difference, I am not precisely prepared to say; but I dare say it would make up a good deal of the difference. You have already stated, that from the increased charges upon the farmer he is forced to ask an increased price for the hay ?— Yes ; that is, I mean the increase of expense from the difference between a farthing and a halfpenny. Do those weigh- masters pay any sum annually to the Lord Mayor?— I am not prepared to answer whether the officers in Smithfield pay any sum for leave to exercise the right of being clerks of the market; but I am aware that the clerks of other markets pay money to the Lord Mayor for leave to exercise that right. 1 You never made any inquiries?— I did not, respecting those at the Hay- market. Do you conceive that any advantage would arise to the public, if farmers were to bring their hay and straw in trusses, as is done in London?— Yes, I think there would be great advantage; and I am prepared to say, that in the Hay- market of London there is only 4d. charged for a cart; generally bringing in twenty hundred xveight: that sum is for liberty to stand in the market, and receive a ticket; in Dublin it would be 10 d. for the same load. In point of fact, is there any charge made in Dublin for the standing of cars in Smithfield?— No, I believe not. You mean, that if there was any charge in Dublin it would of course be tenpence instead of fourpence ?— Yes. r Why are you of that opinion?— In London the farmers bring it in ready weighed; of course the charge is not for the weighing, but for the stallage. There is no charge for stallage in Dublin, but the charge is for the weighing; I mean that the hay- farmer in London has to pay fourpence upon twenty hundred weight; in Dublin the farmer has to pay tenpence for the same quantity. Are you aware of the authority under which the different markets in Dublin are held ?— I am not aware of the authority. Are you aware that the corporation of Dublin claim the exclusive right, within the city of Dublin, of regulating and appointing the markets, and of preventing any person holding a market without their consent?— I understand they have exercised that power. Are you aware under what authority they exercise that power?— I am not. You have taken a good deal of pains to investigate every thing relating to the markets of Dublin ?— I have. Have you ever heard of certain patents under which those markets are held ?— I have not. Have you heard, and do you believe, that the right to hold those markets is vested in the Corporation of Dublin by various charters, particularly by the charter of Charles the 2d ?— I have not seen the charter of Charles the 2d ; I have read that part of the charters that are in Lucas's Book, and those were all I had access to, and I do not find any authority given in those charters to hinder any individual' from opening a market. Do you triink that if there was a power given to other individuals to appoint markets