Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 8

Meetings held from 13th December 1849 - 10th January 1850

[1] Meeting held on the 13th December 1849.

[2]

[5] Medical Report.
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[6] The following orders of the P.L.C. were laid before the board.
Sealed order, dated 8th December 1849, limiting the number of inmates in the following workhouses.

[not legible]
[7] - 8th December 1849, requiring a return of the  . . . . . of rate reserved by the treasurer up to the 8th inst. The clerk stated that he forwarded the return.
- 8th December 1849, enclosing copy of Mr. Dean's report relative to the several works erected by Mr. John Herbert at Miltown, Ballykeale, Lahinch , Sandfield, Moymore, and parent workhouse and stating that the charges in the bills furnished were fair.
- 11th December 1849, copy of commissioners' reply to Mr. Fitzgerald of Bellmount about liability for rate.
- the secretaries, National Board of Education, 11th Dec 1849, awarding a gratuity of £1.10.0 to Mrs A. O'Donnell female teacher at Lahinch Aux Workhouse.
- Read letter from the Earl of Clare, 3rd Dec 1849, enclosing refund on the financial condition of the County of Limerick.
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[8] Resolved that in as much as we deem it essential to the prosperity of this union to render it unnecessary by all means in our power not to give indoor or outdoor relief to able bodied men, that the several relieving officers be required to call upon the proprietors and occupiers of property in their respective districts to ascertain from each the number of able bodied men (without land) they are willing to employ at agricultural labour, drainage, wall building or other work on their respective estates or holdings during the next six months and that they be required to furnish a report in writing accordingly to this board within a fortnight stating the number of able bodied men in such townlands within their respective districts.
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[9] We admire the zeal, ability and industry of the several noblemen and gentlemen by whom the report has been prepared. It is further resolved that our chairman be requested to transmit a copy of this resolution to the chairman or secretary of the Limerick Union with our best thanks for their exertions in the common cause.
Resolved that the letter of John Ganley Esq. C.E. and the plan for sheds thereto annexed be submitted to the building committee.
Resolved that the mode of supplying the several mastersand matrons with food for the weekly consumption of the paupers is objectionable and that it would be for the benefit of the union that the master of the parent workhouse should on each board day make a declaration in writing stating the number of inmates in the parent and auxiliary workhouse for the week ending on such board day and in the form here after mentioned, that such declaration be kept by the clerk in a separate file, and that the master and matron of the several auxiliary workhouses do furnish . . . . . . [not legible]

[10] The committee appointed to investigate into the charge prefered by Mr. Michael Considine last board day against the master having been investigated by a committee reported as follows, which was adopted by the board.
"That the master was guilty of a gross mistatement to the board"
The same committee enquired into the charge prefered against the master of the Ballykeale Aux. Workhouse. The charges were not properly substantiated, but the committee were of opinion that he should be reprimanded which was adopted by the board.
The board proceeded to elect a matron for the Lahinch Aux. Workhouse when the following candidates appeared. Mrs Margaret Edwards and Mrs Mary Molloy. After examining the candidates the board unanimously resolved to appoint Mrs Margaret Edwards at a salary of £15 per annum with apartments and the usual rations. The board proceeded to elect a porter for the front gate of the workhouse. It was unanimously resolved that Patrick Walsh be appointed at a salary of £5 per annum with rations and a suit of cloths.
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[1] Meeting held on the 20th December 1849.

The clerk reported that he advertised in the local newspapers for tenders for supply of meal for outdoor and indoor purposes and that he wrote to Mr. Cullinan, the solicitor of the vice guardians, for his bill of costs.

[6] The following letters from the P.L.C.s were read:
- 14th December 1849, enclosing the apportionment of the government advances up to the 29th Sept 1849, amounting to £12,391 on the respective electoral divisions and intimating that the sum issued by the commissioners was £12,643.
[not legible]
[7] - 17th December 1849, with the attorney general's opinion as to the liability of persons for rate when the immediate owner has exercised his right of possession.
- 19th December 1849, about the erection of sheds in the probationary wards and other alterations and stating that the commissioners were in communication with their architect on the proposed alterations.
- 19th December 1849, queries to be answered by the matron at Lahinch and the porter appointed at the workhouse gate.
- 19th December 1849, approving of the appointment of Mr.Michael Kerin as collector in the electoral division of Carron at a remuneration of 6d in the £.
Ordered that Mr. James Leyden do hand over all his books to Mr. Kerin when next he attends for settlement of his account.
- 19th December 1849, letter in reply to resolution of the 6th inst. on the reduction of salaries of all the other officers and other officers of the workhouse and declining to sanction the proposal . . . . . . . . [not legible]

[8] Resolved that with . . . . .. commissioners remarking on the several reductions which we have made in the salaries of the officers of this union we beg to remark that in making the reductions we do not loose sight of the necessity for an efficient discharge of the duties connected with their several situations. But our experience and knowledge of the country convinces us that the salaries we named are sufficient to procure the services of the same or equally qualified officers and are fully in proportion to the reduced expenses of every individual as well as to the capacity of the rate payers whose situations are not to be forgotten. That we have discharged this part of our duty with the utmost integrity of purpose and upon a reconsideration of the case cannot alter the decision to which we have come to that the amount at which the salaries of the chaplains were fixed can only be considered [not legible]

[9] - Read letter from Mr. Chas. O'Connell dated 20th December intimating that, as solicitor for Sir L. O' Brien and the Messrs Vandeleur, Fitzgerald and Blood, he would not raise any on the validity of the rates, but confine himself to an excessive valuation provided the guardians or the council would raise no points.
The board came to the following resolution.
Resolved - that the relief to be given on the outdoor lists be - to those over 15 years of age 1/2 stone of meal and under 15 years of age a 1/4 stone per week.
- That arrangements be made to bake white bread in the oven of the workhouse.
- That in every case where practicable women and their families whose husbands are out of the house be discharged.
- That the board do take 25 statute acres of land convenient to the workhouse for the purpose of employing the ablebodied paupers.
The board made an order that the relieving officers do attend every Wednesday in each week with the applicants for relief for inspection. The master having tendered his resignation the board resolved that it be accepted and that the clerk do advertise in the local newspapers. . . . . . from competent persons. . . . . . . [not legible]

. . . .Corofin, Thady Morgan 3 1/2d per cubic yard. For all the stones at the new church at Ennistymon, Gerald O Loughlin 8d per cubic yard. For the stone broken at Creanpoint, Miltown 6 1/12d per cubic yard, Francis O Donoghue and the broken stones at the Miltown chapple 7 1/2d per cubic yard Pat ???

[1] Meeting held on the 27th December 1849.

H.H. Briscoe P.L.I. attended
The clerk reported that he had advertised for a master for the parent workhouse, the election to take place on the 10th proximo.

[5] Medical Report.On Saturday last there were 112 patients under medical treatment in infirmary and 54 in fever hospital.
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[6] Read the following letter from the P.L.C.s
- 19th December 1849, requiring the monthly returns of rates collected during December.

The clerk intimated to the board that he had forwarded the returns to the commissioners which should have been first submitted to the board in consequence of the return being required by the 24th inst. A copy was submitted.
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[7] Resolved that an application be made to the Lords of the Treasury to grant the amount which has now been paid in full as "Rate in aid" amounting to £1594.16.9 3/4 from this union in consideration of its distressed condition and the urgent claims of the contractor.

The board made the following orders.
- that the schoolmaster and assistant schoolmaster of the auxiliary workhouse Miltown do attend for examination before the board to ascertain their qualifications.
- that the master do account to the board for a discrepancy of the number of inmates as charged in his books being 44 more than the actual number in the house.
- that the masters and matrons of the several auxiliary workhouses do not admit any paupers who may have absconded without first bringing them before the board.
- that the relieving officers and collectors do report to the board at their next meeting on the sanitary state of the country and that lists of the patients of the T.F.H. be submitted by the clerk at the next meeting.

[8] The following tenders for the supply of meal for outdoor relief and indoor purposes to the 25th March 1850 was considered by the board. The Messrs. Russell of Limerick, Indian meal for out and indoor purposes £8.5.6 per ton. Barley meal £7.12.6 per ton. Rye meal £7.10.0 per ton. Cash payment weekly or stop supplies.
The Messrs Bannatyne, Ennis best yellow Indian meal for outdoor purposes £8.5.0 per ton and for indoor as follows Indian meal £8.0.0 per ton. Rye meal, barley meal and oat meal £7.15.0 per ton, cash payment. Mr. Michael Mc Namara, Ballyvaughan, Indian meal at £7.14.6 per ton for the following electoral divisions, Burren, Carron, Drumcreehy, Rathborney and Kilonahen. It was resolved that the tender of Messrs. Bannatyne be accepted for out door and indoor supplies on the terms mentioned in his tender, exempting the following electoral divisions, Burren, Carron, Drumcreehy, Rathbourney and Kilonahen which are to be supplied with meal for outdoor . . . . . at £7.14.6 per ton.
[9] . . . . . roof of Sandfield House and other portions of it generally having been considered by the board it was resolved that the tender of Michael Grady be accepted at £4.10.0, the contractor to find all materials . . . . . .
The medical officer of the house handed to the chairman the following certificate in reference to the substitute of soup in place of milk in the morning meals in classes 1 and 2 as directed by resolution of the 22nd November. "We have no objection in the present state of the house to have classes 1 and 2 get soup ( or molases which would answer better with stirabout ) in lieu of milk at the same time we think new milk better and more conducive to health.
                                                                            James Shannon
                                                                            Charles Finucane.
                                                                                                    Medical Officers.

[1] Meeting of 3rd January 1850.

H.H. Briscoe Esq P.L.I. attended.

The clerk reported that the lists as directed by the board at last meeting of the patients in the temporary fever hospitals Miltown and Moymore were prepared.

[5] Medical Report.
New cases admitted in the week ending December 29th., fever 12, dysentery and diarrhea
12, measles 3 . . . . . . 3, dyspepsia 1, total 31. Remaining under treatment . . . . . . . total 119.
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[6] The following letters from the P.L.C.'s and others were read.
- 27th December 1849, about limiting the numbers in Gibson House from 180 to 100 until the back dormitories are properly repaired.
Ordered that the clerk do advertise for a contractor for the repair of the dormitories at Gibson Hotel and the other aux. houses at Lahinch and that Mr. Touhy to make specification thereof.
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[7] - 28th December 1849, the secretary enclosing an amended form of rate abstract with directions to have it regularly forwarded after the attendance of collectors for settlement of accounts.
- 31st December 1849, requiring a return of rate in aid reserved from the 8th to the 29th Dec 1849.
- The clerk read a letter from Mr. James Leyden, collector, Carron intimating that he was unable to attend for settlement of his account on the 1st inst. in consequence of illness and that he could not for a few days hand over his books to his successor Mr. M. Kerin.
- Read letters from Boilean and Usher, Dublin, intimating that unless they were paid the amount of their bill £39-13-9 that they would take law proceedings against the board.

Resolved
- That white bread be made in the workhouse and that a baker be advertised for, proposal to be received on the 17th January.
- That upon Tuesday the 15th of January an extraordinary meeting of the board be called to take into consideration the . . . . . . . . the present valuation.
[8] - That upon board day of the 17th January it be taken into consideration that the board days be Tuesday and Wednesdays, Tuesdays for the examination of applicants for relief and Wednesdays the general board day and that the second Monday be finance day in place of Tuesday, as at present.
Ordered that our clerk do direct Mr. Herbert to proceed to Roxton and Richmond and furnish plans of the houses in both places in their present condition and do also furnish separate specifications of the necessary alterations and repairs in each case for workhouse purposes.
Resolved that the board do adjourn until Saturday the fifth of January for the purpose of signing a warrant for collection of rates in the electoral division on Carron.
[section not legible]

[1]
Meeting held on the 10th January 1850.

[5] Medical Report.
We had new cases of fever 17, of dysentry and diarrhea 10, 1 of dropsy within the week. The deaths fever 1, dysentry and diarrhea 4, dropsy 1, pox 1, total 6. Remaining under treatment on Saturday the fifth, in fever hospital 69, infirmary 123, total 190. Under treatment at Lahinch infirmary on the fifth, 59 exclusive of skin disease. Died within the week, measles dysentry 1. Sandfield continues rather healthy, 2 infants died within the week. The stirabout made in the parent house is very much inferior to that at Lahinch though made of the same material. The soup is nothing more than meal and water without either pepper or vegetables of any kind, not even enough salt, as at present used it is not fit food for any class and I strongly recommend that the necessary addition be made in the preparing of it, or that it be done away with and molasses or milk substituted at breakfast as I have seen more diarrhea since its introduction and the stoping of the rice.

The clerk intimated to the board of guardians that he has been served with 388 notices of appeal to be tried at the Ennis sessions and asked if a solicitor would be retained . . . . . . . . . .
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[6] The following letters from the P.L.C. were read.
- 2nd January 1850, about rates agreed upon and signed with return to be forwarded.
The clerk stated that he forwarded the necessary information.
- 3rd January 1850, about the reduction in the quantity of meal to recipients of outdoor relief under 15 years to 1/4 stone of meal as per resolution of the board on the 20th ultimo.
- 3rd January 1850, about taking 25 acres of land to employ the ablebodied paupers and stating that it was not legal.
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[7]
- The Secretary, Poor Law Commissioners, 4th January 1850, stating that the return of the collectors balance sheet was the week ended 15th last forwarded.
The clerk stated that the guardians had by resolution directed the collectors to attend once a fortnight and that in consequence of Mr. Leydan the collector for Carron not attending until the fifth inst. he was unable to forward the returns in due course.
- 4th January 1850, sanctioning the appointment of Patrick Walsh as porter at a salary of £5 per annum.
- 4th January 1850, sanctioning the appointment of Mrs. Edwards as matron of Lahinch Auxiliary at a salary of £15 per annum.
- 7th January 1850, about the discrepancy in the advance made by the Poor Law Commissioners and Commissariat to this union, now satisfactorily accounted for.  

- 9th January 1850, disapproving of the use of soup in place of milk for clases 1 and 2 in the morning meals.
- 9th January 1850, intimating that the commissioners could not sanction the reduction as proposed by the board in the salaries of the workhouse officers but that they were prepared to give their best consideration to a modified reduction of relief officers' salaries varying from . . . . . . ?
[8]
The board of guardians proceeded to elect a master for the parent workhouse and on the respective candidates who were in attendance having been examined it was proposed by Sir L. O'Brien and seconded by Francis Mc Namara that Mr. Michael Mc Namara be elected master. Proposed by Francis O'Brien and seconded by Thomas Stack that Mr. Michael Guthrie be appointed master. A poll being called for there was a majority of 6 votes in favour of Mr. Mc Namara. It was accordingly resolved that he be appointed at a salary of £50 per annum with apartments and rations.

Resolved that no article for the future be supplied by contractors without a direct order from the board and that no officer of this board is to get any goods in anticipation of an order. The board came to the following resolutions.
Resolved that it be referred to the finance committe to take an account of all the liabilities of this union.
[section not legible]

[9] . . . . . not able to discharge any of the debts contracted previous to the first of November last.
Resolved that our clerk do advertise for a competent person to fill the office of relieving officer for Killilagh and Kilshanny and also that our clerk do advertise for tenders to flag the store opened back of this house. The election of relieving officer to take place on the 24th inst.

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