[Appendix A(36) 1792 Report of Commissioners of Inquiry]

N° 36.

The EXAMINATION of ROBERT FARRANT, Esquire, High Bailiff of the Town and District of Peele, in the Isle of Man, taken at Douglas, October 18th, 1791.

THIS Examinant saith, That he has held the office of High Bailiff for the town and district of Peele since the year 1777, at a salary of twenty-five pounds sterling per annum. his office is held by commission from the Governor during pleasure, which gives this Examinant full power to hear and determine " all causes and suits where the matters in issue do not amount to forty shillings, exclusive of costs, according to the statute provided in that behalf ; and in His Majesty's name to command the peace, suppress riots, and commit offenders; and also to do and execute all other matters and things appertaining to the office of High Bailiff within the said town and district, or elsewhere within the said isle, as occasion may require ; and to execute every civil duty and power heretofore vested in the Captains of the several market towns, according to such rules, orders, and instructions, as shall be given him from time to time by the Governor in Chief, by the Lieutenant Governor of the said isle for the time being, to that purpose; whereof His majesty's Chief and Petit Constables, and all others whom it may concern, are to take due notice, and give their ready obedience accordingly."

He holds a Weekly Court in the Town of Peele for the determination of all matters of debt arising in his district under forty shillings throughout the year, except during herring and harvest seasons, which generally commence in the beginning of the month of August, and continue to the middle of October. This Court is usually held on a Friday ; but in case of necessity, may be held on any other day, and as often as occasion may require.

With respect to the process of his Weekly Court, when any person wishes to commence a suit there,he applies to this Examinant for a summons to compel the Defendant to appear before this Examinant at the next Court day : but it is necessary that the Defendant should have the summons served upon him three complete days previous to the day of his appearance.

When the parties are met before him they plead their own cause, and he decides between them without the intervention of any jury, and is the sole judge in his Court, which is not a Court of Record.

From his determination an appeal lies to the Deemster, which is to be presented within seven days from the service of the judgment upon the party wishing to appeal, as is expressed in the Act of Tynwald of 1777, which constitutes the office of High Bailiff, and particularly describes the nature and duties thereof.

Has been in possession of the Castle of Peele for six or seven years last past, and has paid a small annual acknowledgment to the Governor for the advantage derived from the herbage within the walls which inclose about three acres of ground.

When he first took possession of the Castle he observed two or three breaches through the north-west part of the walls, which he conceived might be convenient for concealing and securing smuggled goods ; and he has since, at his own expence, repaired those breaches ; and does not know or apprehend that any smuggled goods have been concealed within the Castle since those breaches have been repaired.

There is now only one entrance to the Castle, which is through the Fort gate, and that has been constantly kept locked by this Examinant till within these few weeks last part ; but no person has resided within the walls since this Examinant has been in possession of the Castle.

ROBERT FARRANT.

Jn^o Spranger.
W^m Osgoode.
Will^m Roe.
David Reid.

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