December 1, 2011

Date Published: {J}

1911

Bad literature

At Tuam Board of Guardians, the Chairman proposed the following: –

“That we, the members of the Tuam Board of Guardians hereby express our approval of the crusade against the importation of evil literature into this country.

The baneful influence which an objectionable Press exercises on the moral characteristics of a populace is certain to have a demoralising effect, and the movement inaugurated in Limerick against the evil is one deserving of the support of the public bodies of Ireland, and by this expression and endorsement of their action, we hope the desired results will be obtained.”

In proposing the resolution, the Chairman said it was their duty to take action in this matter. They had plenty of healthy literature to read in the publications of the Catholic Truth Society stalls at their churches, in the Local Press, etc.

Mr. Larkin seconded the resolution, which was passed unanimously.

Bad roads

At a meeting of Ballinasloe Urban Council, Chairman A.D. Cahill said: I am glad to see the roads are pulling up and improving. I travelled from Ballinasloe to Ahascragh yesterday and I saw three miles of road around Annaghbog that there was not a a shovel of stones put on since last April. The ruts are fully six inches deep, and the horses are up to their bellies on it.

Mr. Elder: I agree.

Chairman: It is a living disgrace. I would ask you to pass a vote of censure on the County Council. It is a bad omen of Home Rule to throw everything into one man’s hands. It is scandalous to have a leading road from Ballinasloe in such a state. I myself pass a vote of censure on the County Council and on Mr. Moran for their neglect of this road.

Me. Beegan: One man cannot do all the work.

Mr Byrne: I say it is not Mr. Moran’s fault. He attends to his work properly. No matter what supervision he has he cannot get the work done.

Mr. Beegan: It was reported that Mr. Moran did not visit this road.

Mr. Byrne; The only quarrel that we had with Mr. Moran up to the present is that he has been over-officious. We didn’t admit he has too much ground to cover.

Clerk: We cannot get a contractor to take this road, although we increase the amount to £90.

Mr. Byrne: That makes it different.

1936

Burned to death

That death was due to shock and injuries from burns, which were accidental, was the verdict of the Coroner, Dr. Cusack, sitting without a jury at St. Brendan’s Terrace, Ballinasloe, on a 2 years and 8 months old boy.

The mother of the child said the children were in bed upstairs, when she left the house for a few minutes, the father having gone to work.

When she returned, she found the child screaming and his clothes alight. She pulled the clothes off him and rolled him in a sheet. He was then badly burned and died in a few hours. The child must have come downstairs while she was out, as she found some pieces of burned timber which he had pulled from the fire.

Dr. Daly, M.O., who was early on the scene, said the child had expansive burns on the face and body. He did all he could for it, but there was then little hope for it, and he reported the matter to the Guards. Nurse O’Grady, who attended the child and called in the doctor, also gave evidence.

Road building

Over forty men commenced road-building at Camus on Monday under the new relief works scheme by which it is hoped to obviate the necessity of “dole”. Further employment will be shortly afforded in other areas.

Silver fox

While stalking wild geese at Ballinaboy on Monday night, John Conroy and Francis Faherty, Clifden, aroused and shot a silver fox weighing 58 lbs. The fox is presumed to have been also interested in the wild geese, and his splendid condition suggests that his interest was decidedly material.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.