April 6, 2011

Date Published: 06-Apr-2011

1911

Angry scenes

Lively scenes attended an inquiry at Mountbellew by Mr. D.A. Price L.G.B. Inspector, into the District Council’s application for a sum of £2,665 for the sinking of wells and the erection of pumps in the various parts of the Union, and for £1,000 for providing a system of sewerage in the village of Ballygar.

The Workhouse Boardroom, where the inspector sat, was crowded by ratepayers, many of whom strongly protested against the action of the Council in seeking to increase the Union rates. Replying to Mr. Price, the Clerk said if the larger loan were refused they would have to take the money out of revenue – half this year and half next year.

When Mr. Cornwall, engineer, stated that a pump in Kilmore was now in good order, a voice shouted: “It’s a d––sight worse than ever it was.” “It’s all humbug,” said another voice, while Mr. J. Cunningham, Co.C., was giving evidence and the term “Scandalous!” was used by a third voice.

“Our forefathers had to do without them,” said a ratepayer, referring to the Council, “and they were healthier and better men than we are.”

The Ballygar proposal met with vehement opposition, and the Inspector had on several occasions to adjourn if order was not observed. “We’ve been quiet too long, asleep too long. These Councillors are walking upon us,” interjected a ratepayer.

The Inspector temporarily suspended the inquiry. Subsequently, Messrs. Cunningham and Kenny, D.O’s were examined against the proposal, and a voice declared – “There will be a regular rebellion in the village if the work costs more than £300.”

1936

Buried alive

A 60 year-old farmer from Caherlistrane was found buried in a sandpit near his home on Friday evening last. The man, who had a new house building, was engaged raising sand from a pit on the land of a neighbour. When he did not return home at the usual hour on Friday evening, a search was begun for him and the tragic discovery was made by his son and a neighbour.

When found buried in the sand on Friday evening, he was on his knees and there was about a foot of sand over his head. His body was covered in stones and sand and the spade and shovel he was using were buried in the sand and broken.

Fire hose

At a meeting of Loughrea Town Board, when an application for the loan of the fire hose to water the new tennis court being laid at the Temperance Hall grounds was raised, Mr. Coghlan reminded the meeting that they would first have to rescind the minute setting out that the hose was for the sole use of the Board and was not to be lent to outsiders. “Could you not take it out for a trial?” Mr. Cox suggested.

“Get it back wet and let it rot,” commented the Chairman (Mr. Cahill). The Board made no order on the application.

Loan application

Mr. Michael Ua Riain, B.E., Engineering Inspector under the Local Government Department, opened an inquiry at the Galway Town Hall on Tuesday into an application by the Galway Urban Council for a loan of £126,000 for the purposes of the Small Dwellings Acquisitions Acts.

Mr. Cooke said that the Urban Council were at present engaged under the Small Dwellings Acts and clearance area enactments in improving the city of Galway as much as possible.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.