Kilrush Union Minute Books 1849

This is for the Week Ending 8 December = No. in the House 2333 on 1 Decem.

Proposed by Daniel OGrady Seconded by Benjamin Cox. Resolved
That from the depreciation of Agricultural produce in our Union & the fall in the value of land together with the Poor Rates we are compelled to strike, we request the Commissioners of Poor Laws will sanction a New Valuation of the Union.

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Proposed by Benjamin Cox, Seconded by Daniel OGrady Resolved
That a Committee of the Board be held on Tuesday 11 Decemr. to investigate the whole of the proceedings connected with the Temporary Fever Hospitals & Medical Establishments in the Union. The following Gentlemen were appointed on the Committee - Colonel Vandeleur, Robert Borough, Daniel OGrady, Doctor Donovan, Benjamin Cox, Francis ODonnell, George Taylor, Denis Hynes.

Captain Kennedy handed in a Bill of Expenses for the conveyance of Bessy Conway, the child of a Convict, to Dublin which he had himself disbursed.
Captain Kennedy laid a Map of the Kildysert Premises before the Board with the view of having it forwarded to the Poor Law Commns.
Captain Kennedy laid a letter before the Board from Mr. Foley tendering his store as an Auxiliary Workhouse.
The Clerk laid an Eviction Notice on the table at the suit of Wm Copping Esq @ Daniel OGrady

The 1st of the 1st Dec/No. 70.500/49 relative to the Register of Owners Statements   of Claims to vote in Election of Guardians
  " 2     "     " same date No. 74200/49. with enquires annexed relative to Assist. Schoolmaster, Schoolmistress & Matron.
  " 3     "     " 3rd Dec No. 75293/49 directing that the Weekly Abstracts of Rate collected should be sent through Captain Kennedy
  " 4     "     " 5 Dec No. 731. M/49 relative to the Return of Liabilities for October last.
  " 5     "     " 6 Dec No. 76.664/49 relative to the appointment of Collectors.
  " 6     "     " 7th Dec No. 75380/49 sanctioning John Bolands appointment as Porter at Leadmore.
  " 7     "     " same date No. 76175/49 enclosing copy of a letter from Mr Wm Brew Poor Rate Collector
  " 8     "     " same date (to the Returning Officer) relative to the recent Election of Guardians
  " 9     "     " same date No. 74.184/49 relative to the disqualification of Mr James Reidy for the office of Guardian for Knock Electoral Division
  " 10     "     " same date No. 75.380/49 requiring to know the grounds on which the Guardians deem a New Valuation necessary
The 11th of the same date No. 75423/49 accompanying Copy of a Memorial signed by Reverend Mr Comyn and others praying that Dr. Tuite may be appointed Medical officer for Kilkee District
  " 12     "     " same date. Circular No. 736 - M49.
  " 13     "     " same Date         "      "   738 - M/49
  " 14     "     " 8 Decr.             "       "   739 - M/49
  " 15     "     " same date relative to a Report from the Medical Officer of the Workhouse

It being now 6 o Clock the Board adjourned to Monday the 10th December Inst, when the following business was transacted.

Proposed by George Taylor seconded by Denis Hynes Resolved that the sanction of the Commrs. be requested to proceed, against the undermentioned Immediate Lessors in the Superior Courts all applications for the Rates having failed.

John Westropp of Athyflin Co Limerick                                 £    28 :    11 :    2
Wm Monsell Hodges Donogrouge                                               12 :    17 :    2½
John Westropp Coolreigh Co Clare                                              16 :    17 :    2
Jas Patk OGorman Mahon M.P.                                                 37 :      8 :    9
John Bindon Scott Cahercon Co Clare                                        36 :      5 :    0
        Do                          Do                                                         20 :      0 :    0
Chs W. Smith Silverhills Moneyegll Tip.                                    20 .    17 :    8
Edward Moroney Dunaha                                                          24 :      3 :    5

The Clerk read the following Letter from Mr Alexr. Mc Mahon. Poor Rate Collector.
                                                                                                                                                        Decemr. 8 /49
Sir.
As one of the unsuccessful candidates for the Collection of Rates in Kilrush Electoral Division of the above Union & as a Rate Payer of said Division I protest against the appointment of Mr Wm Brew to that office in my stead on the grounds that his brother and father-in-law are both Members of your Board and these circumstances taken into account I respectfully submit he is disqualified from holding any situation under your Board
                                                                                                    (Signed)
                                                                                                                Alexander Mc Mahon.

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 Resolved that having been refused further Supplies by Mr Russell & other contractors or any advance of Money by the treasurer we call the attention of the Commissioners to the awful state of the Union. With Twelve thousand on the Out door Relief List without rations for the current week, over Two thousand inmates in the Workhouse and auxiliaries and no provisions for their next Meal except turnips which has been their principle food for the last two days and we feel satisfied that unless immediate assistance be sent us the consequences will be fearful in the extreme.

The Board entreat the Commissioners to take into consideration the state in which the finances of the Union were handed over to them by their predecessors leaving a debt not including Building instalments of fully £13.000. of which £1600. was an over drawn account on Treasurer. Eight thousand pounds due to Mr Russell and smaller sums to other merchants in the Town. Several Cheques of the late Vice Guardians dishonoured and no available resources except the Weekly collection or the outstanding arrears of a date made Eight months since which collection was greatly retarded by the dismissal of two of the Collectors by the Commissioners for charges brought against them before an Election also by the failure of a prosecution for a rescue and a dismissal upon some processes brought by another collector at the last sessions when it was decided by the Barrister (in consequence of some irregularity in the Books produced) that the prosecution was illegal and this report greatly exaggerated flew through the Country and encouraged resistance to the payment of the rates all of which circumstances tended to embarrass the new Board.

That upon the Second day of Meeting Viz. the 10th ult which was as soon as they could see their way (many of the Board being "new hands") they made a rate of 3/- in the pound, not that they considered it at all adequate but it was the opinion of the Majority that a higher rate would be disheartening to the Ratepayers for the present and that probably as much money would be received as from a higher rate and in a shorter time.
That the Board do not desire to avoid any legal responsibility thrown upon them as they evinced by the fact of some of them making themselves personally responsible for the last Week’s food nor to Spare themselves in any way if the Commissioners will only show them what to do, but they are fully convinced that nothing but an advance of money can take them out of their present difficulties and they therefore implore of the Commissioners not to lose a minute in applying to the Lords of the Treasury for Relief and the Board feel themselves relieved of all moral responsibility having laid this statement of the facts before the Commissioners.
Note - a copy of this resolution was forwarded to the Commissioners on Thursday the 6th Instant

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Medical Report week ended 8th December 49
Number in Infirmary by last report                      171
Admitted during the Week                                    39
                                                                            210
Discharged                              10
Sent to Fever Hospital              "
Died                                          4                          14
Remaining in Infirmary this day                        196.
        In Girls dysentery wards                              11.
         " Girls Skin disease wards                           63.
         " Boys         Ditto                                         61.
         " Small Pock wards                                       7.
         " Other Dormitories                                      7
Total under Medical treatment                           345
Deaths Viz
In Infirmary            4
other dormitories     3
                               7