kio' ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUELIN. 73 a single exception, always got the contract?— I am by no means satisfied of that, Mr. but I know of no instance to the contrary. Richard Purdy. Have vou heard of any instance to the contrary?— Only the facts stated to me " J by Mr. Saul. < 29 April.) Did he say that he bid a lower sum than the person who got it ?— He did not say that. Have you any reason to believe that a contract is ever given to the higher bidder, to the prejudice of the lower bidder ?— I have not known any instance of it. On what do you ground your doubts, if you are not satisfied ?— The circumstances I have stated with respect to Mr. Saul's proposal. You stated that it was not at a less sum than the person who got it?— I did not. In point of fact, did he state, or do you believe, that in any contract for which he ever proposed to the grand jury, that he lost that contract by its being given to a person who bid higher than he?— I cannot say that he did. Have you any reason to doubt the fact, that the contract is always given to the lowest builder ?— Nothing further than I have already stated, whether that may be a reason, or not, it is the only one I can offer. You have made extensive inquiries on the subject?— I have endeavoured to state to the Committee the result of those inquiries. Did you ever make the inquiries with the object of ascertaining whether such practice did prevail, or not, as giving the contracts to higher bidders, to the preju- dice of those who offered on lower terms?— It is very generally asserted that prefe- rences have been given. Have you yourself made inquiries to ascertain the existence or non- existence of that?— I am not acquainted with many persons who are in the habit of making contracts for the prisons; the only person I know is Mr. Saul of High- street, and I did not know, nor have I ever met him, to my knowledge, before or since the day upon which he accompanied me to the bridewell. Did you inquire of Mr. Saul, whether he bid lower than the person who got the contract?— I did. What answer did he give you ?— He stated he could not tell as to bidding higher or lower, but that the persons who usually contracted, delivered an article much inferior to the pattern sent in with the proposal. Then, as far as the contract went, it was given to the lowest bidder?— Such would be the conclusion upon the case mentioned. Are you aware that the grand jury have nothing to say to the quality of the supply; that it falls to another tribunal to investigate that ?— I was not aware of it. You have heard that the potatoes delivered were bad, and not according to the proposal ?— I saw that they were so. Are you apprized, that in consequence of that bad supply, the further supply by that person was stopped by the inspector?— I was not apprized of it. You were apprized that the potatoes were actually provided in the market at that lower price?— To accommodate matters in the prison. Are you aware that that could not have been by the deputy governor, but that it must have been by the inspector?— I am not. Are you aware that the inspector advanced the money for that ?— I am not. Are you aware that it vt- as by the direction of the inspector that those potatoes were provided?— I am not. Are you aware that the contract that was made with this contractor, required him to deliver such potatoes as should be approved of by the inspector?— Yes. Are you aware that the inspector refused to certify to the supply or quality?— I am not Are you aware that without that certificate the man could not be paid for what he furnished, or the difference between what he furnished and the full contract ?— I am not Are you aware that at this moment the contractor has never received one farthing on account of that contract ?— I am not, but I should not be surprised at it; the matter was made known as soon as we possibly could, there was no secret made of it. Are you aware that the inspector interfered to remedy the bad quality of the pro- visions, before it was known to St. Mary's parish, or any other human being but himself ?— I am not. Are you aware that to th' 13 hour the public have not paid one single farthing on account of that contract? — I am not, 549. E Do