32 MINUTES OF EVIDENCE BEFORE SELECT COMMITTEE Mr.
A.
Doughs.
491.
Chairman.]
Are the storerooms sufficiently large?—By
no means at
present.
24 May 1838.
492.
If your business were doubled or quadrupled, you would have to build
much larger storehouses than you have at present ?—Very
much greater.
493.
What would be the expense of the additional rent which that would bring upon the institution, supposing the amount of business should be quad¬ rupled ?—The
experience we have now had of the Mont de Piete system, after having seen it in Paris, would enable us to construct stores, suitable for the purpose of preserving the goods pledged at the establishment, at an eighth part of the cost at which those of the present Mont de Pietc have been constructed.
494.
What expense do you think would be required, taking into consideration the locality for erecting the necessary additional storerooms, supposing your business was largely increased?—I
should think that 350/.
would build sufficient storeage, or from that to 4001, supposing the business was quadrupled.
495.
Having raised this sum of money, what was the next step which you took in conducting the business of the establishment ?—I
was directed by Mr.
Barrington, upon the sum of 2,500/.
being declared lodged to the credit of the directors, to give notice of a public meeting to be held in the city of Limerick court-house, at which the Lord Bishop of Limerick presided, and at which meeting a board of direction was chosen to conduct the affairs of the establish¬ ment.
This board consisted of the Lord Bishop of Limerick, the Roman Catholic Bishop of Limerick, the two Members of Parliament for the city of Limerick, the mayor ex officio, the chief magistrate of police and 10 other gentlemen chosen from among the body of shareholders.
496.
What were their duties ?—They
are considered the sole and exclusive managers of the institution.
497.
What share do they take in the management of it ?—Their
duty consists in coming one day in each week, Friday, or oftener if summoned by me for that purpose, to audit and examine the accounts of the establishment, to check the cash on hand, and examine the state of the stores.
498.
Do they really give much personal attention?—I
am sorry to say that they do not, for their avocations in many instances prevent their doing so ; but I should be much better satisfied if the board of direction were to meet regularly every Friday.
499.
Do you suppose it is probable, in a joint stock company of that kind, that you should get the gratuitous attendance of persons of that station, upon numerous occasions, if it was considered necessary for the institution ?—It
is not generally the case I believe in establishments of that nature, unless the directors, as in the case of the Provincial Bank of Ireland, are paid a small, salary to insure their attendance, and fined a moderate sum if they absent themselves.
500.
Mr.
Lucas!]
Do you think you could permanently depend, for the carrying •on of this establishment, upon that gratuitous board or any gratuitous board ?—
I should think it would be absolutely necessary to have a small salary payable to the directors whose duty it was to attend; at the same time no great evil has hitherto arisen from the irregular attendance of our committee.
501.
Is not it natural to expect, that when the benevolent excitement of the first establishment wears out, the attendance will be even more irregular than at present?—-It
is not at all unlikely as human nature is constituted.
502.
Chairman!]
They appointed you as secretary of the institution, and the principal superintendence has since that period devolved upon yourself ?—The
principal superintendence and the general arrangement of the establishment unconnected with the pawnbroking.
503.
Will you have the goodness to hand in the rules of the institution?—
This is a copy of the rules which I prepared to lay before the Committee.
504.
As agreed to at a meeting of the board of directors ?~-As
revised by the board of directors, and certified by Mr.
Hutton, the consulting barrister of the Loan Fund Board; this I will deliver in.
[The Witness delivered in the same.]
505.
What was the next step they directed you to take, to promote the objects of the institution ?—The
next step I was directed to take was to endeavour to find a qualified person to conduct the pawnbroking, or practical details of the establishment, for which purpose I proceeded, in August 1836f to Mallow, and
offered
