ON PETITIONS RELATING TO LIMERICK TAXATION. 73 / Are you a member of the common council?— I am. Can you tell the Committee whether you were resident in the city of Limerick when you were made free?— I was going about with my regiment when I was made a freeman. Have you, in your capacity as burgess, attended many of the meetings of common council?— I suppose a dozen is the very utmost; I will not take upon myself to say I have even attended so many; I think it was in 1818 or 1819, that I was created a burgess; I think a dozen is the utmost I ever attended; if I am not mistaken, [ was admitted a burgess in January 1819. Were you a member of the common council when a vote was made for paying the expenses of the petition to Parliament; were you present at that vote ?— I believe it was the day I was admitted; I was admitted and sworn in, and I believe after- wards I signed the proceedings of the day, though I was not present when the vote took place; but after I had been admitted and sworn in, I took my place at the council, and I think I signed the proceedings. You signed the proceedings in which the vote was ?— Yes, I was told what it was; but I was not present when it was discussed. Were you present at a subsequent meeting, when the order was given for the payment of that money 800/. ?— It is possible I might, but I do not recollect. If you were, your name must appear in the book ?— Yes, I think it will; but I do not recollect whether I was present or not. Were you present at the time the resolution was entered into, to let certain lands to the present Lord Gort?— I recollect valuators being appointed to value the grounds; I believe I was present that day; I recollect Mr. Crips and others being appointed ; I think that was sometime in 1819, if I do not mistake. Were you lately a candidate for any situation as connected with the city of Limerick gaol ?— I was told, by a gentleman, that the inspectorship would be vacant; as such, I became a candidate, and canvassed several of the grand jurors for it. Have you been present when any of the corporate officers have been appointed in council ?— I have. Have you been present when any freemen have been made at the council ?— I have. Have you been present at any time when a burgess has been added to the coun- cil; a new member?— I must recollect; yes, there was, I think, when Lord Gort's son- in- law, Mr. White, and Captain Hamilton; I think I was present that day. Who proposed those individuals ?— Upon my word and credit, I cannot exactly say, but I think it was Lord Gort, but I will not positively say. If you were a candidate for any city appointment in Limerick, to whom would you apply for the purpose of obtaining it ?— Before I can answer that question, I must know v\ hat is meant by a city appointment. A corporate appointment ?— Not one of them is in my way. But if it were, to whom would you apply ?— I would ask my friends in the coun- cil ; I would ask Lord Gort and Mr. Vereker, and my friends. Have you ever known any appointment to take place in the council, except on the recommendation of Lord Gort?— Why really, during the time I have been a mem- ber of the council, the officers have been elected annually, as matter of course; the town clerk and recorder, and so on. The mayors and sheriffs do not fall under that description ?— No, they are new- appointments. At whose recommendation or suggestion do you think the appointment of those officers take place?— In general Lord Gort's; he proposes them. Have you ever known any proposition made by Lord Gort negatived by the council ?— No, I have not, as far as I recollect. Have you ever known the suggestion of any member of the common council, opposed by Lord Gort, carried?—! never saw an instance of it till lately, and that was the last council day; there was very great opposition to Lord Gort's friends about freemen; his lordship was not present. At what time was that council held ?— Last Monday week, I think. Will you have the kindness to state to the Committee what that opposition was ?— Lord Gort's friends were anxious that freemen, who had proved their rights to the satisfaction of the committee of investigation, should be admitted; several members qf the council were against it. 617. Ee Were