! d) f SELECT COMMITTEE ON FICTITIOUS VOTES, IRELAND. , , 7 ' ~* which I Mr. john young. Curry-~\ Upon what grounds did you satisfy the grand jurv that they « « February i 838 ought to be exempted ?- The local Act says, that no house lit outlo poor fami- lies in separate apartments shall be subject to taxation. 2679. Chairman.-] How did you become acquainted with those houses of yours remaining upon the valuation ?— The valuation always stands, and if at any time those houses should be occupied by a single tenant able to pay, then thev are immediately returned as « rateable," and if they are aaain occupied by poor people, the local Act excuses them. 1 2680. How came you to be aware that the constables had returned other houses as " poor," omitting to return yours as inhabited by poor persons?— The treasurer lodges a copy of the " poor and waste" with the churchwardens, and, prior to his striking the applotment, any citizen that thinks fit may refer to the book; and if he thinks a house is returned " rateable" when it ought not to be so, he can appeal to the grand jury. 2681. Do you mean to state that that is the habit generally of citizens who possess houses, to look at those matters ?— Such houses as they think ought to be excused by the local Act. 2682. You mean to say, that it is the general habit of the citizens of Cork to make themselves acquainted with the way in which the duty of the constables is performed ?— Such people as have houses of this kind. 2683. Those that have an interest in preventing themselves being rated beyond what their neighbours are, do inspect those documents?— They do. 2684. Sir Robert Ferguson.] Does any person ever inspect those documents, or take any proceedings for making other houses liable, except the constables ?— No, I never heard of any. 2685. Mr. Beamish^] Were you a valuator in 1828?— I was not. 2686. You were one of the valuators in 1833?— I was. 2687. Chairman.] From what you have stated, it appears that the grand jury, in allowing your appeal with reference to those houses which were let out in lodg- ings to poor persons, did consider the value of the house, and not the actual occupation of it by one particular class of individuals ?— They had no reference to the value of the house. 2688. Why did they refuse to let off the house of 201, value, if it was let out in the same manner as the houses of 15 value, and let the one of 15 /. off?— I do not think they ought to have kept on that house, for that house is let out in sepa- rate apartments to whole families. There was not any one occupying two apart- ments in it; but I had one shop let to a man who had a public- house: the house is a very decent- looking house, and, seeing a public- house in it, they refused the appeal. 2689. What did vou get for the shop?—£. 10, a year; though I say 10/. a year, that is not the exact rent; I had it let at 16 8 d. a month, which amounts to 10 /. a year. T , ,. 2690. Sir Robert Ferguson.] How long has the man occupied itr— 1 believe he is in the second year. 2601. Mr. Beamish.] Though he pays you by the month, he is to all intents and purposes a weekly tenant ?— He does not pay me by the month ; he owes me 7 ^ 2692/ sir Robert Ferguson.] Does he pay you half- yearly or quarterly?— He pays me verv irreeularly. , ,, , ,, 2693. Mr. Serjeant' Jackson.] Was the agreement, that he should pay by the month?— It was. 2C04. You consider him a monthly tenant r— 1 do. . . c£> nnrp 2695. Mr. Beamish.] Was that house let by the month, with a view to secure your rent, or to avoid being brought in for taxation, or for the double object r- There was no object whatever. f 2696. Mr. Serjeant Jackson.] Did this man, who occupiedheshop^ m you, agree as to what description of tenant he was to be?- From month to month. 2607. He only took for a month r—\ es. „ 7 r umv 2698. Sir Robert Ferguson.] What time did he take his licence foi ?- I know nothing about his licence. aware that 2699. Mr. Beamish.] When he took that house from you, « ere you aware he meant to carry on business there ?— Yes. Are 0.46. Q 3