The VICE-GUARDIANS to
the COMMISSIONERS: —March 18, 1848.
We have the honour to report for the information of the Commissioners
that during the past week we have carefully examined the interior
arrangements of this workhouse, and have to submit the following
observations:—
We found the dormitories very badly kept, the
floors and platforms badly swept, the straw in the beds excessively
dirty, and collections of dust and filth under almost every bed.
On inspecting the laundry we found the clothes
which had been washed and were in the process of drying completely
covered with vermin, and the persons and clothes of the paupers
generally neglected. On remonstrating with the master and matron
as to the state of filth in which we found the house, they stated
that the filthy clothes all came from the infirmary: we therefore
sent for the medical attendants, and informed them of the statements
made by the master and matron, and at the same time called their
especial attention to the necessity of seeing that the clothes
and bedding of the paupers in the hospital be kept perfectly clean.
We have also the honour to enclose for information
of the Commissioners, the report of the inspector of national
schools, as to the state in which he found the schools of this
house, and as to the qualifications of the schoolmaster and schoolmistress;
and from our own observation, we are able fully to confirm his
report as to the unfitness of both teachers.
The schoolmistress is completely ignorant of
the national school system of education, neither grammar, geography,
nor writing is taught in her department: and the boys have not
made that progress in their education which might have been expected,
nor are they kept so clean and orderly as they ought to be. We
therefore recommend their dismissal, or that they be advised to
resign.
We have further to state that we have felt it
to be our duty to suspend the relieving officer for the division
of Ennistymon in consequence of the gross neglect of his duties.
Numbers of the very destitute have not been relieved and we have
reason to suppose that a system of favouritism has been throughout
pursued by him.
We have appointed another person to perform his
duties until such time as we may receive the instructions of the
Commissioners on the subject.