12 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE R Have you, as inspector, known a very heavy pressure of business in the medical P R. Gamble, department?— I have, very heavy. _ „ —' State the circumstances ?-— I think at one time fever was very prevalent, and ( 9 May.) j have known Dr. Harty to be obliged to be accompanied with other medical gentlemen of his own procuring; I have seen a very bad fever in the gaol, and I have known other cases in which Dr. Harty has brought in other physicians. Can you state whether any abuses exist with respect to insolvents under the grand jury cess, and if so, what returns are made by the grand jury?— With respect to insolvencies, I have heard of abuses; but the returns that are made ought to be a sufficient check on the abuses ; the check on the abuses of the insolvencies lies with the parishioners of each parish, besides the grand juries, because the returns go directly to tlie vestries. Have you ever known any instance of misconduct on the part of the collectors, in appropriating the amount levied to their own purposes, and returning the houses as insolvent?— No; I have known a collector to be dismissed, but I have not known the reason of his dismissal. Is the applotment according to the rate of ministers money made triennially ac- cording to law?— I believe it is. Has any information been required of you respecting the prisons of Dublin, by the parish committee?— Yes; they did write to me on the subject, and I sent them an answer the next day. Did you hesitate to give them every information possible respecting the manage- ment of the prisons, under your inspection ?— Never; I gave them every informa- tion they required. Who is the gaoler of Newgate?— Frederick George Bourne. What salary does he receive ?— 400/. a year. Has he any other allowance?— He has fees on prisoners acquitted or convicted, ( by Act of Parliament,) the amount of which is about 250/. Has his allowance lately been altered in any way, either increased or diminished? — It has been much diminished. When was his salary of 4001, a year appointed ?— About twelve years ago, before his appointment. How does the appoinment of the gaoler take place, and by whom is he ap- pointed ?— By the corporation of the city of Dublin. Under whose control is he ?—- Under the court of King's Bench, and the grand jury, and the inspectors' general; he is not removeable by the court of King's Bench for misconduct, like the other officers. Do you know what situation Mr. Bourne was formerly in ?— He was an officer in the army. Do you know whether he is any and what relation of Alderman Archer's ?— I have heard, that he is related by marriage distantly, that his wife is some relation of Alderman Archer's first wife. Is he brother- in- law to Alderman Archer?— No, he is not; I think, I have heard, but I do not know precisely the connection. You know he is not brother- in- law ?— I should think decidedly not, I should know if he was ; I shall ascertain his connection as accurately as I can by to- morrow. What security does the gaoler give ?— I think the gaoler gives 5,000 /. security ; but I cannot say exactly. Is there any law to enable the grand jury or any other body, to superannuate their officers?— No, there is not; and in consequence, our salaries are much reduced by being obliged to insure our lives; the gaoler pays 160/. per year in- surance. Who is the deputy gaoler?— Robert Gilbert. How is he appointed?— The appointment by law, belongs to the gaoler ; but he has always waived it. Who makes the appointment?— He makes the appointment literally, but he writes to the magistrates to recommend a deputy gaoler to him, and then he is always appointed on their recommendation. What is his duty ?— His duty is to attend the gaol of Newgate whenever the gaoler is absent, and to have the custody of all the prisoners, equally as respon- sible to the public as the gaoler is. What salary has he ?— He has 2001, a year. Had he always that ?— No; his salary was raised last year from 150/. to 200/. v in