Galway In Days Gone By

1918

Portumna assault

At Portumna Petty Sessions – before Mr. Whyte R.M. (presiding), and J. Morrissey, J.P. – James Madden summoned James Canning for assault. In a cross-summons James Canning charged James Madden with abusive and threatening language.

Mr. Kearns, solr., appeared for Madden and Mr. Muleair, solr., for Canning.

James Madden started, in reply to Mr. Kearns, that on October 14th James Canning caught him by the throat, and, added witness, “pulled it out of him” (laughter). There were blood marks on his neck. He called him and old cripple.

“I am on the best of terms with him and have never interfered with him,” concluded witness.

To Mr. Mulcair: HE was a quiet man, and never interfered with Canning. He did not call in the doctor. He went to Mr. Kearns as he thought he would get better value (laughter).

James Canning stated Madden stopped him when driving his cattle. He shoved Madden, who called him a perjurer and raised a stick over his head.

James Power corroborated.

Canning was fined 10s. and both parties were bound to the peace.

Mellows unopposed

Mr. Liam Mellows, Sinn Fein candidate, was returned unopposed to the East Galway Parliamentary division on Wednesday. Some forty supporters attended at the courthouse for the declaration. There was no demonstration.

In the paper on which he relied he was proposed by Rev. Dr. Dignan, seconded by Mr. M. Staunton.

Rev. Father O’Flanagan visited Ballinasloe on Tuesday, and addressed a small and unrepresentative meeting, which was attended by a number of clergy. His address was on similar lines to that which he delivered on that night in Galway City.

1943

Teachers’ pay

In the hands of capable administrators it would be possible to provide better schools for the children, better salaries for the teachers, and better results in education for the same outlay, said Mrs. K. M. Clarke, Kiltimagh, women’s representative on the Central Executive Committee of the I.N.T.O., at a meeting of the Galway Co. Committee of the Organisation in the Town Hall, Galway, on Saturday.  The meeting, attended by over one hundred Co. Galway teachers, unanimously passed a resolution demanding an immediate and substantial increase in salaries and in the pensions of retired teachers in view of the increase in the cost of living.

Bus stop complaints

Mr. Michael O’Flaherty, P.C., II.C., told Galway Chamber of Commerce at its meeting on Monday night that he had hear many complaints about the recent change of the ‘bus terminus from Victoria Place to the railway station.

He had heard it said that the railway station was not at all a satisfactory place for boarding ‘busses because people had to queue up on the road where there was no shelter from bad weather.

Books don’t last

The County Manager (Mr. C. L. O’Flynn) at a meeting of Galway-Co. Libraries Committee on Saturday adopted estimates for the coming year which provided for an expenditure of £2,717. He reduced the estimates submitted by the County Librarian by £204.

In a statement submitted with the estimates the County Librarian said that the figures were approximately the minimum necessary to maintain the services at its present level.

The main item in the library budgets just now was the book fund. At no time since public libraries were empowered by law to purchase books had the acquisition of stocks presented such difficulties. The cost of books had risen appreciably if not unduly. Outstanding was the question of the provision of novels.  The flimsiest make-up cost half-a-guinea a copy, and before the novel had passed through many hands it was certain to be laid aside for binding.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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