24 ( Ireland.) REPORT FROM COMMITTEE ON PETITIONS Resolved, 9. That it appears to this Committee, That the office of town- clerk in the said City, is an annual office in the election of the council, and annually to be approved of by the lord lieutenant or chief governors and council of this kingdom ; and that the said Arthur Roche sold the said office for 4001, or 500 /. though it appears the said office is not worth more than the annual sum of 100/. Resolved, 10. That it appears to this Committee, That the office of pilot of the river Shannon, is an office requiring skill and attendance to conduct ships in the said river; that the said Arthur Roche when he was mayor procured the said office to be granted to his own son, who was then a boy of about nine years old ; that he permitted the said office, during the time his son held the same, to be executed by • unskilful persons, and that he afterwards sold the said office for 80/. and procured the council to make a new grant of the same to the purchaser for life. Resolved, 11. That it appears to this Committee, That the mayor and council of the said City have taken upon them to make a lease for ever, at a trifling rent, to the said Arthur Roche, of the greatest part of the hospital lands, which were before constantly enjoyed by the corporation for the use of the poor. Resolved, 12. That it appears to this Committee, That the said Arthur Roche never paid any rent whatsoever to the said corporation. Resolved, 13. That it appears to this Committee, That there has been great partiality in the payment of corporation orders. Resolved, 14. That it appears to this Committee, That the tenants to the said corporation are for the most part members of the common council, and that they have been permitted to run greatly in arrears, particularly since the year one thousand seven hundred and forty nine since which time it does not appear that they have paid any rent whatsoever. Resolved, 15. That it appears to this Committee, That the tholsel and market- house of the said city are in a ruinous condition, that the court- house is pulled down, and the gaol not fit for the reception of prisoners. Resolved, 16. That it appears to this Committee, That the several corporation charities have been permitted to go to decay. Resolved, 17. That it appears to this Committee, That great abuses have been for several years past committed in the shambles and markets of the said City, and that the magistrates have neglected to correct, if not connived at the same. Resolved, 18. That it appears to this Committee, That the mayors for several years past have neglected to strike the assize of bread regularly. Resolved, , •• . • • " • t 19. That it appears to this Committee, That the streets and lanes of the said City have for several years past . been kept in a most filthy condition, though two members of the common council have as scavengers been allowed annual salaries of 142 /. for keeping the same clean. Resolved, 20. That it appears to this Committee, That there has been great partiality and oppression for several years past in quartering of soldiers and officers upon the inhabitants of the said City. ' : L "•"'••'• ' < • • Resolved »