84" MrNUTES OF EVIDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE Appendix own expense, which was the only way of turning the road, ( for which they had ( A.) granted a large sum,) to useful and general purposes ; before that it was only a road ^ to a gentleman's estate, but that made it a public road. ; Mr. That was refused you by the grand jury ?— They refused to give me sixpence, M. Harrington, though I showed them that it was the only way of making that road, for which they ( 2 July.) granted, I am sure, 1,500/. or 1,600 /. useful to the public. Was that all you applied for?— I believe I applied for the value; but I told several of the grand jury that that was all I wanted. Was there any part of this road lying in the county ?— No part of it whatever. Was there a road leading to the bridge on the other side?— Yes, there was. Did you not apply to the county for that ?— Yes, I did. And they refused it ?— Yes, they did ; but that road in the county was a very long road. Both the county and the city refused you their presentments?— The county re- fused granting, because they said they would not make any roads of that description. That was one of the reasons why the city grand jury would not grant the road, was not it ?— No ; the only reason I can conceive is, that 1 was not one of their own party. You are sure that was not the reason why the county would not grant it ?— No, 1 do not believe it was. The county would not grant it, because there was a toll upon the bridge ?— Yes ; and that I would not let the bridge go toll free. Do not you consider that the Old Town being unable to bear its proper burthen of the taxation, it must fall heavier upon the liberties in consequence?— I cannot say that without knowing how the taxation is applied ; for latterly the taxation has not been so heavy 011 the liberties as it was a few years back, because they are more careful now in presenting than they were before. Does it not stand to reason, that if any one part of the whole is incapable of bearing its just proportion, that the remainder must have it in a heavier proportion than they ought ?— Most certainly, and I believe it has its effect. Do you state that there was a general impression in Limerick that this Committee was sitting for the purpose of examining into the abuses of the corporation ?— Yes. From what did that impression spring?— I can only say that whenever any Com- mittee of the House is appointed relating to Limerick, they consider it to be of that nature ; the election committee was of that description. They looked upon this as another election committee ?— No; because the last Committee decided finally upon the right of election, and therefore this could not be an election committee. They thought, however, it was to proceed in the same way to examine into the abuses of the corporation, and investigate every thing belonging to them ?— Yes; to have the abuses regulated. Was it from its being called a Committee on the Local Taxation of the city of Limerick that such an idea got abroad?— I believe it got abroad from the different petitions presented to the House when the Committee was appointed; and it sur- prized me that it w as called a Committee on the Local Taxation. Did you not know that there were petitions from the Old Town, praying against the exemption of the parish of St. Michael?— Never; I never knew of a petition from the Old Town; there possibly may be, but I never heard of it. Did you read in the paper that there were five petitions presented from the parishes of the Old Town?— No; I did not, certainly. You never heard of it ?— No ; nor do I think it likely that any petition would come from the Old Town upon the subject; I do not think it is possible that any petition could come from the Old Town, without my knowing it; if I saw the peti tion, and knew the names, I could explain who they are. Are there many gentlemen residing in the Old Town ?— Scarcely one, I believe. Are the inhabitants of it generally poor people ?— Very poor; I believe the lowest description. Were you apprized of any proceedings that were taken by Mr. Tuthill calling upon the corporation to account for their revenues ?— Yes ; he filed a criminal information in the name of the attorney- general, against the late Lord Gort, to which Lord Gort de- murred, disputing the jurisdiction of the court; that demur was argued for several days in the Rolls court, and decided against Lord Gort ; he then appealed to the court of Chancery, and from thence to the House of Lords, and the decision was confirmed. ; . , What