ON THE LOCAL TAXATION OF THE CITY OF DUBLIN. 21 for the iron work, and a member of the corporation, frequently upon grand juries ?— I have heard it alleged, and I thought it came from good authority. You said that Mr. Mallett was only a plumber?— I have understood so. Have you ever been at his manufactory ?— I have been some time ago, but not lately. In point of fact, you do not know that he is an iron- founder to a considerable extent?— I do not. Are you aware that any person on the grand jury, who has any connection, directly or indirectly, with a contractor, is liable to a penalty of five hundred pounds ?— I have heard so. You stated that a traverse had been directed by the parish of St. Mary with respect to some of those presentments r— I did. Do you remember what were the presentments they were directed to traverse?— It was the late term grand jury presentments. Was there a traverse for each presentment, or a sweeping traverse for the whole?— It was a sweeping traverse for the whole, on account of an improper applotment, in consequence of the treasurer of the grand jury having demanded from St Mary's parish a larger sum of arrears than they conceived was due; an accountant had been employed to investigate the account, and on the foot of those accounts a diffe- rence arose between the mode in which this accountant stated them, and the manner in which the treasurer of the grand jury stated them : the total amount of arrears claimed by the treasurer from St. Mary's, was 1,200/. In consequence, there was a sweeping traverse for the whole?— I have so understood. Do you mean it was a sweeping traverse of all the presentments made by that grand jury, or a particular traverse to each presentment?— I cannot state the particulars; there is an affidavit of the agent who was employed on that occasion, and it will be presented to the Committee. In point of fact, was not it only a traverse to the re- applotment for insolvencies ?— I really cannot say ; I know that that was a material part of the dispute; I have already stated that an account was stated by the accountant who differed with the treasurer of the grand jury on the subject. You have heard of persons not putting in a proposal to the grand jury from an idea of favouritism in the grand jury, are you aware of the mode adopted by the grand jury in signing the contracts ?— I am not. There are officers called inspectors- general ?— There are. Have you ever made complaints to them?— No; my object was not to make complaints against any individual; our object was to obtain redress by a change of system, not by complaints against individuals ; and it is with very great reluctance that I have referred to those cases, to which I have felt it my duty to allude, in my answers to questions put to me. Are you aware whether any, and if any, what means are adopted by the grand jury to secure, as well as they are able, that the materials contracted for shall be of as good description as the pattern, in the supply of blankets, clothes, and sheets? — I have understood the inspector was intended for that purpose. Do you know of any other ?— The general inspector appointed by government. Do you know the means taken by the grand jury themselves to ascertain that the oontracts are really bond Jide fulfilled ?— I am not aware of the custom of the grand juries. You have stated, that you heard there was a partnership between an alderman of the corporation and Dalton, in the contract for blankets?— I heard that a balance due to Alderman Nugent arose out of the contract with Dalton, or of the supply of necessaries for the prisons. Dalton was the contractor for blankets?— He was the contractor for clothing, blankets, ticks, and sheets. Was that in 1822?— In Michaelmas 1821, and Easter 1822. Do you believe there was any connection between the alderman to whom you have alluded and Mr. O'Brien, in the contracts ?— It is the general opinion, and I am rather inclined to think that there must have been a connexion. You have stated, that you found the Richmond bridewell in good order; is there any superintending committee over that prison, except the grand juries?— I am not aware of any, except that the police magistrates have a control over it. The governor is Mr. Purdon?— He is. A gentleman who has been regularly graduated in college?— Yes. 549- G Y ou Mr. Richard Purdy. ( 30 April.)