Observations on the Intended Amendment of the Irish Grand Jury Laws, etc

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OBSEKVATIONS ON THE INTENDED AMENDMENT or THE IRISH CEAND JUEY'LAWS, i Æ Now under the consideration of THE HONOURABLE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS : i y To which is added, \\A I>LAN FOR THE GENERAL SURVEY AND VALUATION OV \ IRELAND, AND FOR THE COMMUTATION OF tithes; \ With several important hints relative to k|THE INTERNAL ECONOMY OF IRELAND, \ AND THE DISTRESSED STATE OF THE POOR. *' Events lead us to experience, experience to improvement, there remain then for inquiry the present evil— the future remedy."— " Past and Pruelit Slati of Inland.* BY WILLIAM PARKER, ESQ. cork : PRINTED BY EDWARDS AND SAVAGE, CASTLE-STREET. 1816" TO THE Honourable the House of Commons. ..EVTLEWEV, The period approaching of your reconsidering the important subject of amending the Grand Jury Laws of Ireland, and preparing a Bill rendering more effective, not only the functions of Grand Jurors, but all the duties of the numerous Officers connected with the Counties in the administration of Justice and the perfor mance of the public service, induces the writer of the following observations, most humbly to solicit your minute attention, to these objects of the first necessity.

By the evidence before your Honourable House, it seems generally admitted, that there is no existing remedy under the present Laws, to relieve the Landholders from unequal and oppressive Assessments: under these circumstances, the writer respectfully submits to your wisdom, a simple plan for General Surveys, and Valuations, which plan might, with proper precautions and vigour, be rendered of practical utility through out Ireland, in the space of twelve or fifteen months. The difficulty of accurately surveying and valuing near twenty millions of English acres of land, may appear, at first view, so great, as to deter you from admitting its practicability ; but as its necessity is obvious, the simplicity of its execution is equally so ; the present surveys and valuations for the City and Liberties of the City of Cork, forming an instance of its immediate prac ticability.

The inhabitants of Cork feeling the great ine quality of the previously existing valuations, applied for the Act of the 53d of George III. But since the passing thereof, through sufficient information not being at that period obtained, and the subject not having received that minute consideration, which its great and acknowledged importance required, it became necessary to apply for a new act, which was granted last Session. This has, in a great measure, rectified the errors V complained of; and, with few exceptions, is founded on impartial justice. These exceptions consist in gentlemen's de mesnes, in the outlets of the City, not being estimated according to their real value; so that in its wealthy suburbs, a poor man has to pay as much rate by the acre, for his' potato-garden, as the opulent citizen for a demesne, containing his mansion, green-houses, and hot-houses, which tends to render the industry, and it may be added— the miseries of the poor, subservient to the com forts of the rich.

Section I

I>age; Report of the Committee of the House of Commons. ... 1 High Sheriffs, 3 Sub-Sheriffs, 4 Grand Jurors, • . . - • 4 Selection of Grand Jurors, 6 Inequality of Grand Jurors for Baronies . . i 10

Conclusion — containing hints respecting the poor, 130

Appendix

. No. 1 — Roads.fromView of Ireland byThos. NewenhamEsq. 143 2 — Observations on repairing roads, by Charles Wilks, Esq. 158 3 — Extracts from a Treatise on roads and wheel carriages,") ._. by Richard Lovel Edgeworth, Esq J 4 — Table of counties, baronies, and parishes in Ireland . . . 167 5 — On an inquiry into the effects of the Irish Grand Jury") . ,,,, laws, by Thomas Rice, Esq J NOTES. I — On frauds committed in the County of Cork 175 2 — On Sub Sheriffs apprizing creditors of writs and executions 178 3 — On Mr Peel's speech in the House of Commons, 27thFeb. 178 4 — On ratages of tithes, for 1815 181 5 — On serious frauds, committed constirr.ly in Ireland, 7 i on agaainst the excise revenue • • J Observations, Sse, 8$c. r I I I ■ .ii

Section I

Parliament having, through a select Committee of the House of Commons, declared the necessity of amending the Irish Grand Jury Laws, the management of the Assizes business, and the proceedings relative to Presentments; " and the Committee being aware, there were many points relating to the subject of their inquiry, (besides those they have ventured to submit,) which require the interposition of the Legislature, to ameliorate the system of the Grand Jury Laws, a few only of which they think it necessary to notice in their Report." .. " And the Committee being of opinion, that the final control of the presenting, and accounting for public money, should remain with Grand Juries; but that the Laws, upon the subject of Grand Jury Presentments, require revision and? amendment ;" and it being also impossible, that the?

Legislature can be too well informed, on subjects of internal economy, as that distinguished body is= frequently called' upon', tolegislate on subjects of this nature,- where minute and useful facts, necessary to inform and guide the mind, are not easily attainable :• under thisimpression, an individual, whoj from' local circumstances, and opportunities that have offered,, of making numerous inquiries on the subject,, and of viewing the manifold defects,, under the present system^ which the Committee so well, and so pointedly commented on, is induced to make a few remarks on the intended amelio ration thereof,- so highly important to the public, and so materially interesting, to the future pros perity of the country^ '* The Committee having thought it expedient to examine evidence, touching the constitution of Grand Juries, at Assizes ; and also as to their practice, with respect to the business which comes? before them ;. and more particularly, upon appli cations made to them for presentments for money for public purposes, which they are empowered to present, under sundry Acts of Parliament ;" that subject is also embraced by the writer, who deem ing any further introduction unnecessary, wilt enter upon it by the following remarks ; IllGH-SIIERIFFS.

As Grand Juries are, on the existing mode, invariably nominated by the High-Sheriffs, it will be necessary to commence these observations by stating, that in many counties, this important office is often filled by the sons of gentlemen of property, and parliamentary influence, on their attaining the age of twenty-one years, without that experience, and knowledge of the world, so essential to the faithful discharge of the duties of the situation. It is therefore to be hoped, that the Legislature may in its wisdom enact, that no gentleman shall be ap pointed by the Lord-Lieutenant, High-Sheriff of any county in Ireland, who shall not be of'competent ability, and respectable character ; and moreoverf that he shall be always selected from the resident Freeholders, and have served on three Grand Juries.

The office of this person, though of high cha racter and authority in a county, is not of the consequence it might appear to have; as the only duties of the office of the High-Sheriff, now exer cised by that person, are, the nomination of Grand Jurors, and of a Sub-Sheriff. The gentlemen appointed High and Sub-Sheriffs, are obliged, at present, to go from the remotest parts of Ireland, to be sworn into office in Dublin. And on the expiration of the year they serve, they are again obliged to appear before the Court of Exchequer. Might not this unnecessarily expensive journey be avoided, through the consideration of the Legis lature, as is done in cities ? S UB-SHERIFFS. It may not be unnecessary, when Parliament shall be engaged on the subject of the Assizes business, to institute a few inquiries into the mode of nominating the Under-Sheriff, who generally discharges the material and ostensible duties of the office, and perhaps prevent the sale of the emoluments thereof, by the High-Sheriff, or some of his friends, which, notwithstanding positive Acts of Parliament prohibiting the same, is a practice generally supposed to exist in some counties in Ireland, and must materially affect the public, as it supplies a key to rapacity and plunder.

Probably some modification may take place, as to fees paid to the Sub-Sheriff, particularly on the sale of goods or chattels taken in execution, and from which the principal income of the Sub- Sheriff arises, so that it proves always an additional burden on misfortune. This is a subject fit for the humane consideration of the high Law7 Officers*. GRAND JURORS. It is generally admitted, that Grand Juries are too partially selected, according to the acquaint ance of the High-Sheriff, and sometimes of the Sub-Sheriff, from amongst their friends, without regard to the local interests of each barony, or the borough towns, all of which contributing to the public levy, should be adequately represented at each Assizes. This plan would extend the number of the Grand Jury, for the County of Cork, to twenty one for the Baronies, and sour for the Borough towns.

And, as the High-Sheriff should always have the nomination of the Foreman, who, it is almost essentially necessary, should be one of the members of Parliament for the county, it would cause the even number of twenty-six Grand Jurors, for Cork; and, if the Foreman be allowed two votes, there can be no difficulty as to the number exceeding twenty-three. But, if this increase of members be considered exceptionable, the smaller baronies may be united by Parliament, or the Grand Jury, so as lo return one member between two of them. From the vast number of proprietors of land, not resident on their estates, it is apprehended, that each barony in Ireland has not a sufficiency of gentlemen, competentto sit as Grand Jurors, and that some baronies have scarcely a man of education living in them, except clergymen.

This unfortunately may be too true. But the representatives in Parliament, of each county in Ireland, couldleasily ascertain what baronies in their respective counties, were equal to furnish a Grand Juror. A table could then be formed for each county, uniting the smallerbaronies that were most contiguous, in several of the counties, the division of baronies is very unequal. Tyrone has only fourbaromes; when Westmeath, not much more, than half its size, has thirteen. The larger baronies should be sub-divided, and be allowed to have Grand Jurors chosen from their respec tive sub-divisions, according to their extent. SELECTION OF GRAND JURORS. The first difficulty is, how are the representatives of each barony and borough town to be selected ? The writer humbly suggests sour simple ways of effecting this ; any of which may be suitable to the circumstances of Ireland. 1st. ..As it may not be the wish of Parliament to curtail the influence of the High-Sheriff, who is always supposed to accept the office, from the consequence and respect attached to it, and not from any pecuniary consideration, perhaps it may be still proper to leave him, to select a resident gentleman from each barony or borough town, as a Grand Juror, but he should take special care that the member he selects shall be of the age of twenty-five years at least, possessed of a reputed property of four hundred pounds a year, or in a situation of life of adequate respectability, of approved knowledge, and unblemished character.

This is the first, and probably the most unexceptionable manner of forming a Grand Jury. 2nd...The second plan is to choose the Grand Jurors by lot, drawn in the presence of the Magistrates of the Barony, or any three of them, and of the High-Constable, from amongst all the. gentlemen in the Barony, qualified to sit, under the first plan, (which qualification should be left to the opinion of the Magistrates.) The first person drawn should be declared the Grand Juror for the Barony or Borough town, and in case of his not being able to attend, the second, third or fourth name next drawn should be substituted. It might be attended with public benefit, if three, at leasts of the antecedent Grand Jury should be impartially drawn by the High-Sheriff, before their dismissal, and nominated as Grand Jurors for the next Assizes, for they then have the power of 6tating to their fellow Jurors, the objections to granting presentments that may be applied for a second time, and which may be jobs; and other necessary information respecting the transactions of the an tecedent Grand Jury, No Grand Jurors, in any instance, except the Foreman, and the three antecedent Grand Jurors, should be allowed to sit on the three following Assizes.

This would effectually tend to rectify the abuse alluded to, by Sir John Newport, page 5S, Report. It is to be lamented that hitherto the selection of Grand Jurors has been too generally limited to a class certainly of highly respectable individuals, with whom in many instances, " pro perty has been too often the standard of opinion ±" but, as the Committee of the House appear to be fully informed on the subject, it is unnecessary to make any further comment thereon. 3cL..The third mode is, by the votes of Free holders who can read and write, possessing twenty pounds a year in each barony or borough town ; the election to be held in the presence of three Magistrates, and the High-Constable, and to be completed in one day, between the hours of ten and four o'clock. At this meeting all the baronial business may be discussed, and due notice by public advertisement should be given thereof, to enable the Surveyor or Inspector-General of the public works, (an officer whose appointment will be hereafter noticed) to attend.

The High-Sheriff should arrange these days of election with the Magistrates through the High- Constable, so as to have them proceed on separate days through the county, to prevent unnecessary trouble to the public officers ; but these returns of the Jurors, so appointed or elected, should be notified by the High-Sheriff, in one of the public papers, fifteen clear days before the commission day of the Assizes. A mode which should be followed in any plan that may be adopted. 4th. ..Probably the simplest, most creditable, and best manner of^sorming a Grand Jury, is for each member of the Grand Jury that last sat, to name a competent gentleman from his barony, or borough town, as his' successor ; which Grand Juror, so appointed, should not be qualified to sit for the three next following Assizes, with the exception of the three antecedent Grand Jurors, drawn by the Sheriff, (as recommended before,) giving a fair opportunity to all the respectable and competent gentlemen of the barony, to act as Grand Jurors.

And as the High-Sheriff is only an annual officer, the Clerk of the Peace, or the Inspector-General, would be more fit persons to guard against deviation, from whatever system may be decided on by the Legislature. Of these four modes it is difficult probably to make a choice : open election may cause at times a little public contention : at the same time it would be attended with a proportion of zeal and emulation, apparently much wanting, amongst th« landed interest in Ireland. It would also perhaps be popular amongst those that would have to pay the county rates, it being of importance in legislating upon any measure in a free country to consult the feelings of the public as much as possible. Any of these four plans legally enforced, and con scientiously acted on, by the. High-Sheriffs, and all others concerned, would insure an equal representation of each barony, and borough town, and we should no longer see the hard earnings of farmers, spent by Grand Juries, in the improvement of remote roads, when the roads from the Assizes town to the next town pf greatest extent and conse quence, have been often shamefully neglected through the defect of the High-Sheriffs, in not having all the baronies represented.

Mail-coach roads have been lately commenced, and in many cases carried on with spirit; but; they have already been the just subject of judicial inquiry, and it is apprehended that these roads have been unnecessarily extended, not always perhaps so much for the purpose of public good, as to pro mote the objects, and benefit the property of private individuals. Whether these evils be supposed to have origi nated with the Grand Juries, who, perhaps, in too many instances, have yielded their own opinions to oblige men of fortune and rank, or not, they ought certainly have the full power of checking them ; which if admitted, fully evinces the imme «liate necessity of parliamentary interference. INEQUALITY OF GRAND JURORS FOR BARONIES, The High-Sheriffs are often placed in a very delicate situation, with respect to the selection of Grand Jurors, as many of their intimate friends expect that honour, and feel jealous if they are omitted.

And, as it is impossible, with any degree of propriety, that gentlemen holding that office, can gratify their own inclinations, by obliging all their friends, it may be one motive for allowing Grand Jurors to be elected by the Freeholders of each Barony, which would in many cases relieve the HighrSheriff from the discharge of an invi dious duty. To elucidate this, the writer cannot} refer to a more recent, or authentic document,' than the list of Grand Jurors attached to the sche dule of presentments, issued from the Secretary's office, County of Cork, Summer Assizes, 1815. But it will first also be proper, to give a list of the Baronies in this County : — i Represented Mo: by Memben- 1 Beer,..,.,.........,..., 1 2 Bantry,.. 0 3 Barretts, 2 4 Barrymore, , -» 5 East Carbery, East Division, 0 6 East Carbery, West Division, 0 7 West Carbery, East Division, 1 8 West Carbery, West Division, 0 - 9 Condons and Clongibbons, 1 10 Courceys, 0 11 Duhallow, 2 12 Fermoy, 4 13 Ibane and Barryroe, O 14 Imokilly, 3 15 Kerricurrihy, 0 16 Kinalea, 1 17 Kinnalmeaky 0 18 Kinnataloon, 0 19 East Muskerry, I 20 West Muskerry 1 21 Orrery and Kilmore, 1 Total By the foregoing list, there are twenty-one Baronies, or divisions of large Baronies, in this County, twelve only of which were represented at the. last Assizes, and nine totally omitted, as wiU more fully appear by the following extract :-rjj0# - Residence. l...Hon. Richard Hare, (Foreman)...

Fermoy. 2.. .Hon. Hayes St. Leger Ditto. 3.. .Sir Augustus Warren, Bart.. . . Muskerry. 4...John Hyde, Esq Condons. 5...Richd. Boyle Townsend, Esq... West Carbery. 6...Robert Hedges Eyre, Esq Muskerry, 7.. John Anderson, Esq , Condons. 8. ..Nicholas G. Evans, Esq Fermoy. 9...Robt. Rogers Aldworth, Esq.... Cork. 10...Robt. U. Fitz-Gerald, Esq Imokilly. 11. ..Thomas George French, Esq.... Barry more. 12...Jemmet Browne, Esq Ditto. 13.. .Joseph Deane Freeman, Esq.... Barretts. 14.. .Wm. Henry Herrick, Esq Kinalea. 15.. .Michael Goold Adams, Esq.... Imokilly. l6...Adam Newman, Esq Ditto, 17—Edward Lombard, Esq Duhallow. 18...William Coppinger, Esq....... Barrymore. 19— Usher P. Williamson, Esq Barretts. 20.. .Brooke Brazier, Esq..... .. Barrymore. 21...Justin M'Carty, Esq Ditto. 22...Wills G. Crofts, Esq Orrery. 23...Morty O'Sullivan, Esq.- Beer.

By evidence before the House of Commons, it has appeared.., that in some cases, unless when * gentleman of the barony answered for the necessity of the presentment applied for, by his local know ledge of the place, the presentment was generally rejected ; and there is little doubt, but this maxim operates in every county in Ireland. Against the very respectable High -Sheriff of this extensive County, and the equally respectable Grand Jury, no possible insinuation can be made. But it must be presumed, that in consequence of the baronies not being represented, and of the gentlemen composing the Grand Jury, not being acquainted with the exact situation of the places, requiring grants of the public money, they must have had a feeling towards those places they were best acquainted with, the necessity of the repairs of which, had been previously im pressed on their minds by personal inspection.

The Committee of the House of Commons, in their Report, admit that the Grand Juries seldom have time, particularly in large counties, for the examination of evidence : that all their functions are so blended, and at times so confused, that the public business cannot receive that attention which it requires. In many instances, they literally " do those things they ought not to do, and leave undone those things they ought to have done." The Judges are always supposed to have ample time for the discharge of their judicial office, but they have met unnecessary delay, by the inability of the Grand Jury, in getting through their presentments, a remarkable instance of which occurred in the County of Kerry, Summer Assizes, 1S14. This defect is easily remedied, by Parliament enacting, that the High-Sheriff should impannel the Grand Jury in all the large counties, three clear days before the Judges open their commissions.

And, as the duties of the Grand Jury, prior to the Judge's arrival, should be limited to the public works, finances, and presentments, duties which the Judges never take (except on particular occasions,) any active part in, there is no necessity for their being sworn, until the Judge's arrival ; but it should be well understood, that no act of any Grand Jury should have legal validity, unless sanc tioned by the Bench. Perhaps it might be necessary to introduce a clause in the Grand Juror's oath, that they have acted in all their duties, prior to the Judge's arrival, as if they were previously sworn. The first day of the meeting of the Grand Jury, before the Assizes, they should devote to the inspection of gaols, hospitals, and other public institutionsconnected with the county, to a strict inquiry into their accounts, and to the report, and personal examination of the Surveyor, or Inspec tor-General of public works.

The second day, they should devote to the examination of the accounting affidavits for pre sentments that have been executed, beg-innins at the county at large, and then going into each barony; the Overseers, Contractors, and Inspector- General, being ready to attend the Grand Jury, when called for. And in case the Inspector-General saw an actual necessity for preventing the payment of the accounting affidavits, to any Overseer or Contractor, the Grand Jury should nominate three gentlemen in the neighbourhood of the work, to inspect and value the same. — Should they find the work incomplete, they should have the power to deduct a reasonable sum from the amount ; and on the Inspector-General certifying that the same is proper, according to the best of his judgment, the Treasurer should be empowered to pay the same, without farther reference to the Grand Jury.

Another object of the attention of the Grand Jury, during these two days, should be the exa mination of the accounts of tradesmen, for work done, and articles supplied ; which, in most counties, have thrown great burdens upon the landholders ; and, in many former instances, the articles supplied, have been for the private use of the officers of the county, and not for the public. The third day should be occupied in the strict examination of presentments applied for, of Over seers, and the Inspector-General, whose duty should be to view and measure all work intended to be performed in the whole county ; the amount of which exceeded twenty pounds — three Magis trates certifying in remote places from the Assizes town, being considered sufficient for all work under twenty pounds ; but it should be understood that the inspection of the Surveyor or Inspector- General is not to be dispensed with, if he should be at any place within the distance of seven or eis-ht miles of the intended work.

By the Grand Jury thus appropriating three distinct days to these occupations, all sufficiently important, particularly in the large counties, for their undivided attention, their minds would not be perplexed by mixed duties* and those interested in their proceedings would know the days they were to attend. — Probably less than three days would answer for small counties. It would there fore be well for Parliament to regulate the time necessary for the counties by their extent ; as one day may answer for some, two for others, and three for the largest. . In cases of traverse, the legal investigation into these inquiries should take place on the first day the Judge opened his commission ; but it is submitted, that the Judge should neither confirm or reject any presentments, until the last day of the Assizes, affording all concerned an opportunity for farther investigation, and preparing evidence, if required, for the last day.

It might be advisable for Parliament to take measures to prevent vexatious and unnecessary traverses being entered against presentments that are granted. To check the improper interference of any person in this instance, the penalty the Traversers enter in the Crown-office, should be levied under the authority of the Judge. But if the present system of obtaining presentments were to exist, traverses should be countenanced, as they would tend to check the improvident expenditure of public money.

Section II

* OVERSEERSi If applications for presentments be rejected, the Grand Jury should not tear or deface them, but lay them aside for further investigation, on the demand of the Overseers, who may attend the court, on the third day to be examined, if necessary. The attendance of the Overseers, unless it should be their convenience, may not be always requisite ; but it is generally understood, Overseei's are in some manner personally interested in the presentments they apply for, as far as those presentments contribute to their convenience, and the local advantage of their property, which must be virtu ally understood, as the reason of their assuming a duty so troublesome! and in many respects by no means enviable, and which often exposes them to the unjust remarks of passing travellers. Previous to applications for presentments, the Overseers, who should be men of real respectability and not Masons or Gentlemen's Stewards, should give sufficient notice to the Inspector-General, that they intend applying for such presentments, stating all particulars, and also have such notice posted up, on the next market town gate or cross, c and on the church and chapel doors of the pan's?* in which the work is intended to be performed, that all parties having an interest therein, may be able to approve of, or object to the work.

The Inspector-General also should examine the work when finished, and report whether the Overseers are entitled or not to payment. The Superintendents over workmen, acting imder the directions of the Overseers, should be paid one penny pei* man per day, for the number of men employed on a road ; which the Overseers could easily ascertain by their accounts, which accounts should be subject to the occasional ex amination of the baronial Inspector, and the Inspector-General. When the number of men employed on the road, did not amount to twenty, the Superintendent should be allowed one shilling and eight pence per day. The necessity of Super intendents being better paid, is very obvious. — The allowance of five per cent onr the amount of the presentment, is totally inadequate ; in some cases it would not amount to ten pence a day, and Would scarcely pay their expenses going and returning to,, and from the Assizes town ; but under the new regulations, as the respectable accounting Overseer should only be paid the amount by the Treasurer, the Superintendent would have no occasion to attend at the Assizes.

A very great defect exists in permitting any but gentlemen to account or receive the amount of a presentment, unless where a contract is entered into. The present system exposes the respectable Overseer* to great impositions; an instance of which occurred in the Barony of Kerricurrihy, in the County of Cork.* Unless the Superintendents of the work men be adequately paid, they must look to what they can rob the public of, for the emolument which the law ought to allow them ; the conse* quence is, that gentlemen cannot procure men of good character and respectability to act, and are obliged to have recourse to professed road-jobbers, or rather professed rogues. An instance of great attention to the repairs of roads, and deserving general praise and imitation, is now practised in the South Liberties of Cork, by Thomas Cuthbert and Charles Evanson, Esqrs. ; who have taken a contract for seven years, at the rate of five shillings per perch, to keep in perfect order about three miles of the road leading from Cork to Passage and Cove ; one of the greatest thoroughfiires in Ireland, particularly during war.

And although this road is extremely narrow, and greatly inconvenienced by the dropping from trees in wet weather, particularly near the demesne of Maryborough, it is always in excellent repair, being done with broken limestone. The writer takes the liberty of annexing, in Appendix No. 1, some excellent observations on Irish roads, extracted from a very important work — ' The Natural and Political circumstances of Ireland,' which Thomas Newenham, Esq. has « See Note i. favoured the public with, and from which some* useful information on this important subject might be elicited. He also adds, in Appendix No. 2, some very useful observations on repairing roads, by Charles Wilkes, Esq. nor can the writer pass over without favourable notice the highly useful remarks on this subject, which the Rev. Horatio Townsend has not only theoretically discussed, but reduced to practice in this County, and for which the reader is referred to his Addenda to the Statistical Survey of the County of Cork -y a work of great utility, not only to every Irish landholder, but to every true patriot.

The suggestions of this experienced and highly competent writer, are peculiarly entitled to public considera tion at this period of general distress. . Such persons as may be hereafter interested in mak ing or repairing roads, or in agricultural pursuits, may derive considerable public benefit from atten tively perusing these valuable works, and selecting remedies suitable to every situation so fully detailed in these extracts. On the present system of Overseers remaining out of the entire of their expenditure, until the work is completely finished, numerous instances have of serious injury to the public in general, as Overseers too often find it difficult to advance the requisite sums. The consequence is, a few weeks before the Assizes, the work is undertaken in a great hurry, and too often imperfectly and badly executed, a vast number of men being injudiciously employed, without proper superinten dants.