I I' ON PETITIONS RELATING TO LIMERICK TAXATION. 41 What becomes of the money when it is levied ?— It passes through the hands of the secretary. In whose hands is it lodged then?— I rather think it is lodged in one of the banks, when any sum of consequence is in hand ; but this I believe seldom occurs. What security have the commissioners got from the secretary ?— I do not know that they have any security; in fact, I believe he has very seldom much in hand, that the expenditure keeps pace with the income. You are a member of the Chamber of Commerce ?— I am. You state that the tolls on potatoes and corn have been rented by the Chamber of Commerce from the corporation ?— Yes. That was in the year 1809?— I am not sure whether that was the first year, but it has been for several years. You stated that no toll had been taken since by the Chamber of Commerce upon potatoes ?— I think not; I cannot positively pledge myself whether it was the case from the commencement or not. Can you state at what rate the toll on corn was, when first you recollect the con- tract being taken ?— The rate the countrymen paid was 3 d. per barrel for wheat, and three halfpence on oats, and I think a penny threefarthings on barley ; but I should explain, that they did not lay that as a direct toll; it was taken as a commutation, or as a contribution, in lieu of toll; the countryman was willing to pay that sum, and be done with toll gatherers ; it was a voluntary thing. What do they now pay?— I believe the same; I know of no alteration. Since 1809, there has been no alteration in the toll on corn coming into the city of Limerick?— No alteration in the rate received from the countryman by the merchant. The price of corn has fallen considerably ?— Very considerably. And the toll remains the same ?— The toll remains, I believe, the same. Julius Ccesar Besnard, Esquire; Called in, and Examined. WHERE do you reside'— In the city of Cork. You have been long acquainted with she city of Cork ?— Yes, I have. Are you a freeman of the city of Cork ?— I am. The Committee wish to be informed in what manner persons entitled to their freedom in the city of Cork proceed in order to obtain their admission to the fran- chise ?— A person entitled to his freedom by birth or servitude presents a repre- sentation usually in the form, indeed I believe always in the form of a memorial to the common council of the city, representing the nature of his claim, and the com- mon council inquire into the fact, and ascertaining that he is the person whom he professes to be, or that he has served his time, they make an order that he shall be sworn. Generally speaking, can you inform the Committee what delay occurs between the petition and the admission ?— There is, generally speaking, no delay; the first meeting of the council is a meeting of course ; it is a matter of right, as it is con- ceived, if it be really a matter of doubt, if there be reason to doubt the thing being truly represented, that may occasion some delay; but whenever the matter is ascer- tained, it is quite a matter of course to be granted. In the city of Cork, those admissions as of right are carried on equally, either for individuals who are supposed friendly to the corporation, or individuals who are supposed to be adverse to it?— Decidedly. The Committee are to understand, that every man entitled to his freedom, obtains his freedom with the least possible delay in the city of Cork ?— I have no doubt he does. Are you acquainted with the grand juries of the city of Cork ?— I am. They are appointed by the sheriff ?— They are. Many members of the corporation are appointed to serve upon those grand juries?— I have never known a grand jury without some persons; in general the members of the corporation are of a respectable class, and of course there are some of those chosen on the grand jury. Many of the most respectable merchants in Cork, unconnected with the corpo- ration, are placed upon the grand juries?— Invariably; and many men opposed to them in a political point of view are always upon them. In general terms, the grand juries of Cork contain some representation of the various parties and various interests connected with the place ?— They do. 617. L Appendix ( A.) John Fisher, jitn. Esq. (• 20 June.) • J. C. Besnard, Esu.