§ Sir John Newportpresented a Petition complaining of the parochial rates in St. George's parish, Dublin, exacted from the parishioners. In some cases, the arrears of rates had been demanded for twenty-two years, though the landlord had not occupied his house, and had not received any notice that these rates were due. In other cases, the parish authorities had actually pulled down a house, and sold the materials to pay the rates. The system pursued was monstrous, and the charges levied on those parishioners were of such a nature that he thought the petition had a right to the best attention of the House.
Mr. O'Connellsupported the prayer of the petition. He would submit that this case should be laid before the law officers of the Crown, in order that they should take it into their consideration, whether the trustees for the building of a church in St. George's ought not to be proceeded against.
§ Mr. Cramptonadmitted that he thought there had been a gross misapplication of money in that parish, and there should be an inquiry made into it immediately.
§ Petition to be printed.