kio' ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUELIN. 73 parties to such arrangement: also, that all criminals found guilty of transportable offences, should be transferred upon conviction, from the city prison to the peniten- tiary, and be there supported at the expense of government. That the expensive v establishments at Newgate and the Richmond bridewell, should be consolidated at the latter prison, where there is ample room for classification; and that all fees for officers in courts of justice, should be abolished ; and that the clerks of the crown and the peace, and other persons who have heretofore received fees on conviction or acquittal of prisoners, should be compensated by salaries. Does any complaint arise in Dublin, at the present moment, out of the present mode of valuation of ministers money?— I have not heard any complaints. Are you aware of any inequality of taxation arising in consequence of the old assessment of the ministers money, which is made the basis of the local taxation ?— There may be many instances cited, of suffering from the ancient mode of levying, but I rather think, not to the extent that many imagine. Having read the report of the evidence before this honourable Committee, last session, I made inquiry upon the subject, particularly with respect to the house formerly occupied by Lord Tyrawley; it was stated in evidence that the sum rated upon that house was BJ. and I find it is 60 s. the highest rate payable in Dublin. Who is the present occupier ?— A gentleman of the name of Hart. Are you aware how the taxes which are regulated by the ministers money, operate upon houses in High- street, and upon houses in Fitzwilliam- square ?— The inhabitants of Werburg's, Michael's, Michan's, and other parishes, certainly pay a disproportionate rate of taxation for ministers money. The applotment being made upon the insolvent, as well as the solvent houses of each parish, the solvent inhabitants of the poorer parishes, pay excessive rates to make up the sums ap- plotted thereon; whereas, in the wealthy parishes the amount of insolvencies being trifling, the rate payable by the solvent inhabitants, is considerably less in the wealthy, than in the poor parishes. You said, that there were frauds committed by a collector of the grand jury cesses; have you known, or do you believe, that there are many frauds committed by those collectors?— From my own knowledge I cannot speak to more than one, but I believe that a great number of frauds have been committed by collectors. Have you heard of any insolvencies of those collectors ?— I have. Have you heard of many insolvencies of those collectors ?— I only know of one, a Mr. O'Shaughnessy. To what amount is that insolvency?— It is not ascertained, in consequence of his having given in incorrect returns. Do you believe there have been any others, for the last ten years ?— I have heard of another, named Ellis, who was a defaulter to a considerable amount. Do you know how they are appointed; do they give security on their appoint- ment?— They are appointed by the grand jury, and give security, I understand. Have you heard that any suit has been instituted against that Mr. O'Shaugh- nessy, or against his security, for that insolvency ?— I have not. Did you hear of any prosecution against hirn for the false returns ?— I rather think he has absconded. Do you know who his security was ?— I have been told, Alderman Exshaw is his security, and that on the day of his appointment he received a sum of money as a counter security. What is the poundage given in this case, upon the collection?— Five per cent, I think; I cannot speak positively, for the inhabitants have no access to the accounts. What do you believe to be the poundage ?— Five per cent. Having stated that the inhabitants have no access to the accounts; have you ever applied yourself for an examination of those accounts, or known any other inhabi- tants apply, and what has been the result of that application ?— I applied myself, in company with others, at the house of the city treasurer ; others have been there several times, and have never been able to get access to the accounts; I was told that they were at the head office of police, and subsequently, I was told that they were at Mr. Bourne's office, at the court of King's Bench. To whom did you apply ?— To a clerk in the house of the treasurer of the grandjury. Did you apply more than once ?— I do not recollect that I did; but other persons did, and they stated that they could not obtain the requisite information. Did you ever apply at Mr. Bourne's office, or any other place ?— I appled at the police office, and at an office at the courts which was stated to be Mr. Bourne's ; Mr. Bourne was in the country on circuit, I understood, at the time. 549. C Did Mr. Richard Purdy. - n/— ( 28 April.)