• ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN, 319 markets in other parts of the city of Dublin there are not individuals that would exercise that right if they could ?— Certainly Then in point of fact there are no other markets but those appointed by the Lord Mayor and Corporation ?— There are markets held in the city of Dublin which the Lord Mayor and the Corporation have no influence over. Which are they?— The Corn Market and Kevens- street. Do you mean to say that the Lord Mayor and the Corporation have no authority over the Corn Market?— Not inside the Corn Exchange. The Corn Market, as it was held in Thomas- street?— While the Corn Market was held in Thomas- street the Lord Mayor had the authority over it; but since it has been removed to the Corn Exchange the Lord Mayor has no authority as to the opening, the closing, and the managing of the Corn Exchange. Has he any authority over the weighing of the corn sold at the Corn Exchange? — None, that I know of. If corn be sold by false weight in the Corn Exchange, has the Lord Mayor and Corporation no power or control over that false weight ?— Any magistrate in the city has the power over that; it is punishable by a particular Act of Parliament. Who are the magistrates of the city of Dublin ?— The police magistrates in the city of Dublin. Any police magistrate has power over frauds practised in the sale of corn; and two county magistrates are capable of making a decision; but one city magistrate can determine upon a case of fraud in sale of corn. Are you aware, that by any patent the Guild of Merchants have a right to appoint corn- meters as well as coal- meters, if they thought proper to exercise it?— I am not aware of that. The non- interference of the Corporation of Dublin in the Corn Exchange is in consequence of a particular Act of Parliament?— It is. But when not controlled by a particular Act of Parliament, under their patent, they have a general superintendence over all markets within the jurisdiction of the Lord Mayor ?— I do not believe that in the Act of Parliament under which the Corn Exchange was erected, any notice was taken of the weighing and measuring of corn. I have been in the corn- trade upwards of twenty years, and I never knew the Guild of Merchants, or any branch of the Corporation, exercising any authority, in either weighing or measuring corn, except occasionally at the old market- house, where farmers, who had brought in sacks of corn that were not made up in even barrels, and there were scales wherein they might weigh if they thought proper. How are the weights and measures of Dublin regulated ?— The weights of Dublin are stamped by the clerks of the market. Of what materials are the weights generally composed ?— Of cast- metal. Are they cast to the exact weight, or is it necessary afterwards to regulate them by any other means?— Yes; they are sometimes cast to the exact weight, and occa- sionally they are not to the exact weight. Those that make new weights for sale generally make them correct themselves before they send them to be stamped by the clerks of the market, because they charge different prices for stamping weights that are correct, than upon those that are not correct; that is, if they have either to add to or take from. I will read to the Committee the rates of charge made by the clerks of the market for stamping; it is, 4d. for every 56 lbs. or 281bs. weight; 3d. for every 14 lbs., and id. each for all smaller weights ; and if adjusted with cutting off or adding to, the charge is is. 3d. for every 56lbs., 10d. for every 281bs., 8d. for every 14 lbs., and 6d. for every 7 lbs., and 4d. for all smaller weights. I will also beg leave to read the charge in London for the same duty. The cost of stamping a 56lbs. weight in London is id. What is the cost of adjusting it?— I have stated the comparative charge, sup- posing it correct; and on all downward to 1/., 6d. per dozen, and under 11., 3 d. per dozen. I have not got any statement of charge in the event of a weight being to be adjusted in London. If the metal weight be above statute weight is it not a very laborious process filing it down?— It is not a very laborious process cutting off the lead ; and I am rather inclined to think they do not adjust metal weights that are over the weight, and requiring part of the metal to be filed off. If it is to be done it is a laborious process ?— Yes. And entitled at least to some additional reward ?— Certainly. If it is under weight is not the difference filled up by lead ?— Certainly. If it is to be increased, it is increased by pouring in lead?— Certainly. Mr. Isaac Stewurt. ( 30 May.)