Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 2 

Meetings held from 8th November 1844 - 3rd January 1845

[192]
Meeting held on the 8th day of November, 1844.

The register book was signed from No. 992 to No. 1004.
The clerk reported
- that Mr. Fallon and securities have not perfected the bond for supplying potatoes as agreed on the 25th October last.
[193] - that Mr. Geo. MacNamara has passed notes at 3, 6, 9 months for the amount of the default of James Callinan, the collector, for when Mr. MacNamara was security.
Those notes are indorsed [sic] by Mr.Calcutt of Ennistymon.

The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that the

[194]

[195]
Mr. George MacNamara, one of the sureties for James Callinan, former collector of poor rate for Burren, Drumcreehy and Rathborney Electoral Division preferred to settle the balance of £41-12-6 due of said collector by indorsing to the treasurer the 3 promisory notes of Andrew Hillary and Denis Hillary, payable to himself and the Provincial Bank, Ennis, the first in three months for £14.1.10, the 2nd in 6 months for £14.6.2, and the 3rd in nine months for £14.10.6 and further indorsed by Richard Calcutt Esq. the 3 bills including £1.6.0 for interest.
Resolved that said bills be accepted in full discharge of the aforesaid balance and that the bond executed by said Callinan and sureties be cancelled and it is further resolved that £6.11.9 included in said Callinan warrant be included as arrear in the warrant of Michael Kerin the present collector as so much uncollected by Callinan to be paid over to Mr. MacNamara, said sum of £6.11.9 being included in the said bills.

The letter of the Commissioners of the 24th ult. and the observations of Mr. Wilkinson, architect of the board, in reference to the contract entered into with Mr. John Herbert for keeping this house in repair for 2 years and for the making certain new works in his said contract referred to having been read, and the subject being fully considered this board are unanimously of opinion [196] that it would be both illegal and unfounded to make the alteration suggested, particularly as the board has already been perfected and a considerate sum already extended by the contractor in the performance of the said contract. And this board are also of opinion that all parties are sufficiently bound by the contract already enlisted into and that they have no cause to apprehend any quabbling or litigation on the part of Mr. Herbert. The board do not understand what Mr. Wilkinson means by new walls as there are no new walls mentioned in the contract or in any way alluded to.

The board also have to observe that their clerk did not write any letter to the Commissioners on the 7th of October on the subject, and they therefore apprehend that Mr Wilkinson's observations must have referred to the business of some other contract.

Proposed by Mr. MacNamara, seconded by Mr. O'Gorman, that we consider the authority claimed by the Commissioners in the articles for the regulation of the boards of guardians in Ireland exceedingly overbearing and such as could only emanate from men who had forgotten their own position and had disregarded the character and station of those who have been elected by the rate payers of the Kingdom to administer the provisions of the Poor Relief Act.
[197]
To withdraw from the respective boards of guardians the control of their officers, the power of dismissal for improper conduct by those who appoint and those who pay them is an arbitrary privilege not sought for nor presumed to be exercised by any power of the state and one which we in union with the other boards in the Kingdom thus positively refuse to acknowledge and are determined to resist.

That we now call upon the Commissioners to rescind a regulation tending like many others of their proceedings to bring into disrepute an act sought for by the humane and generous of the land and framed by the legislature, with the most benevolent intentions.

That without the design of holding out any unseemly threat or wishing in any way to embarrass the Commissioners in the legitimate excerise of the functions entrusted to them, we declare our determination to withdraw from the board if this, our demand, is not complied with as we conceive our further attendance in such a position as we are now placed in derogatory to our characters and disrespectful to those who have placed us in the responsible and confidential situations we occupy.
[l98]
Moved as an amendment by the Chairman Mr. C. O'Brien and seconded by Mr. Michael Considine that it is the duty of the guardians, ex-officio and elected, to continue in office and perform the duties entrusted to them during the period for which they have been elected and that they should not cavil with regulations made by the Commissioners in the excerise of their powers under the ammended act.

The proposer is influenced by the following considerations.

1st. The inconvenience which would result to the establishment by the resignation and the probable expense that would arise to the ratepayers by the appointment of paid guardians during the period of such resignation.

2nd. It being the duty of all persons to obey existing laws until they are repealed.

3rd. That it would be for the advantage of the public that the responsibility of appointing the clerk and all other officers should be put upon the Commissioners subject to the complaint of the guardians for any instance of misconduct or neglect.
Resolved that tenders be again invited for building the wall (and piggory) round the workhouse to be opened on this day 3 weeks.
[199] The amendment was carried by a majority of 7 to 2.

Resolved that we accept William Lawlor's tender for platters at 4 1/2d each and quarts at 3 1/2d each, pints at 2 1/2d each to be marked Ennistymon Union.
Resolved that the proceedings of this board as regards the motion of Mr McNamara on the subject of the letter of the Limerick Board of Guardians, and the amendment thereon be published in the Clare Journal.
The union abstract of accounts for 29th inst. was laid before the board.
Resolved that in case Mr. Fallon does not perfect his bond by Monday next, new tenders be invited for potatoes.

Medical Report
Fever is on the decline, we had no new cases since last report. We have had one death, Peter Hansberry who died of chronic diarrhea on Thursday morning, aged 80 years.
Some articles of medicine are required, a list of which I will give to the clerk.
                            Charles Finucane M.R.C.S.L.
                            Medical Officer
[200]
Resolved that the cupboard bed for porter and 6 cradles be again advertised for against this day week.
Several letters remained unread by the clerk in consequence of the pressures of business until the next meeting.

[201]
Meeting held on the 15th November, l844.

The register book was signed from No. 1005 to No. 1012.
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

Resolved that checks be drawn for the following sums, viz.,

[204]
Read tenders for potatoes.
Resolved that we accept Richard Nagle's tender for potatoes at 2 1/2d per stone for 10 months from this date.
Read tender for porter's bed and 6 cradles.
Resolved that James McDonough's tender be accepted for a cupboard bed for the porter according to the master's directions for the sum of £2.18, and that Charles Carrigg's tender for 6 cradles at 9d. each be accepted, to be made according to directions to be given by the master.

Being informed by the master that converting the sheets into shirts would create waste,
Resolved that only 40 sheets be used instead of 80 and 275 yards of dowlas be procured from Mr. O'Dwyer, the contractor for making shirts for 50 men & 50 boys.
Resolved that two planks of timber be given for the use of tables for the school and cut to sizes and thickness under the directions of the master.

Medical Report:
We have had no cases of fever since last report. We have had one birth and no death.
                                            Charles Finnucane M.D.

[205]
Stock having been taken of the clothing and bedding in the workhouse and the clothing and bedding condemned by the committee having been signed by Mr. Kenny, the Chairman, thereof (in the clothing book) and who has given the following certificate thereto:

I do hereby certify that I have carefully counted, examined and calculated the different clothing of the Ennistymon Workhouse and found the stock and the accounts to correspond.
                                    Nov. l3 l844
                                    Mathias Kenny

Read Commissioners' letter of the 31st. ultimo with reference to the piggory intended to be built.

Resolved that it is the intention of the board to make an experiment convinced that it is a matter of economy.

Read Commissioners' letter of the l3th inst. with reference to James Callinan's bond and the promisory notes given to satisfy the balance due on foot thereof.

No meeting on the 22nd Nov. l844

[206]
Meeting held on Friday the 29th day of November l844.

The register book was signed from No. 1013 to No. 1023.

The clerk reported
- that Richard Nagle and his securities have perfected their bond for supplying potatoes and that advertisement calling on tenders for supplying bread, meal, candles, salt and coffins until 8th Dec. l845 were posted.
[207]
The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that the

[209]
The master having stated that 3 boys' caps are missing and many other irregularities occuring in the school from the absence of the schoolmaster,
Resolved that the schoolmaster do only absent himself 2 hours on Sunday from 12 noon to 2 o'clock p.m.

Read tenders for boundary wall.
Resolved that we accept John Donohue's tender for £118 for building a yard wall and piggory according to a specification in the custody of the clerk and that he be allowed 1/8 the statute perch in addition for so much of the said yard wall as will be required to be built of solid masonry for the rere of the intended stabling.
- that checks be drawn for the following sums, viz.

Read tenders for coffins until the 8th Dec. l845.
Resolved that we accept Pat Quinn's tender for men's and women's coffins @ 6/6 each and boys' and girls' coffins under l6 years at 3/- each.
[210]
Read tenders for salt and dipt candles
Resolved that we accept Michael Roghan's tender for salt at 4d per stone and for dipt candles at 5 1/2d. per 1b. for 12 months from 8th Dec. next.

Read tenders for bread.
Resolved that we accept John Fallon's tender for 5 3/4d per 41b. loaf for bread for 12 months from the 8th December next.

Read tenders for meal.
Resolved that we accept Michael Roughan's tender at £12.15.0 per ton for 12 months from 8th Dec. l844.

Medical Report:
Since last report we have had 3 new cases of fever. We had one death Pat Curtin who died from long continunance of chronic fever.
                                Charles Finucane, M.D.

Resolved that tenders for new milk be invited against this day week to be supplied from the 22nd of Dec. l844 to the 8th day of December l845.
Read Commissioners' letter dated 20th Nov, l844 against Mr. Herbert's contract.
Read several letters from boards of guardians of other unions.
[211]
Resolved:
- that tenders for straw be advertised for 12 months from Friday next until 8th Dec. l845.
- that 70 yards of grey callico be had from Mr. O'Dwyer, the contractor, for lining 70 girls' frocks.
- that tenders be invited against this day fortnight for creating an altar in the dining hall according to a plan and specification in the custody of the clerk and to be completed fit for Divine Services on the 26th day of January l845, neatly painted in oak colour.
- that Anne Cullinan gets liberty to go out for one day and Ann Ensk for 5 days.

[212]
Meeting held on Friday the 6th of December l844.

The register book was signed from No. 1024 to No. 1049.

The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[215]
Resolved that tenders for straw be again advertised for this day week.

Read tender for new milk.
Resolved that we accept Mrs Mary Moran's tender for new milk from the 22nd December inst. until the 8th of December, l845, at 1 1/2d per quart. Francis O' Brien and Pat O' Dwyer, both of Ennistymon, securities.

Resolved that a cheque be drawn in favour of James McDonough for £2.l8.0 being for a new bed for the porter.

Medical Report:
There are l7 patients in the hospital at present. We have one new case of fever for the last week, Lucy Walsh died of consumption on the morning of Wednesday last.
                                    James Shannon, M.D.

It being necessary to give a better diet to the paupers at Christmas than at other seasons,
Resolved that they be supplied as at last Christmas namely on Christmas day, l lb. of bread, 1/2 oz. of coffee and 2 ozs. of sugar each for breakfast and for dinner on Christmas Eve, 1 1b. of bread each and 1 pint milk and for dinner on Christmas Day 1 1b. of pork, each together with 5 /- worth of cabbage on the whole, and that tenders for the meat be invited for this day week.

Resolved that tenders be invited for 50 chamber utensils and keeping the tin work in repair.

Resolved that a cheque be drawn in favour of Patrick Quinn for coffins for one pound.

Read several letters from boards of guardians of other unions relative to the 41st article of the Commissioners regulations.

[216]
Resolved that we do not regret the course we have already taken on that subject and that we will not be dictated to by any other board or boards.

Resolved that an order be made for one ream of common writing paper and one gallon of ink for the use of the school and on the recommendation of the master it was ordered that the schoolmaster do procure quills for both schools for the wastepaper.

Meeting held on Friday the l3th December, l844.

The register book was signed from No. 1050 to No. 1058.

[217]
The clerk reported that Mrs. Moran's bond for new milk is signed and Michael Roughan's bond for meal, dipt candles and salt is not signed.

The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that the

[219]
Read several letters from boards of guardians of other unions respecting the 41st article of the Commissioners regulations.

Resolved that this board do not concur in their opinions nor agree with the resolutions contained in those several letters as regards that article.

Read tenders for erecting an altar in the dining hall of the workhouse according to a plan and specification in the custody of the clerk.

Resolved that we accept Charles Carrigg's tender for £20.10.0 for completing said altar according to the plan and specification.

Read tender for pork for the paupers' Christmas dinner.

Resolved that we accept John Carrigg's tender of 5 1/4 per 1b. for as much as will be requiring by the master on the occasion.

Read tender for straw.

Resolved that we accept Daniel Considine's tender at 1/15 per ton for as much as will be required until 8th December, l845.

[220]
Meeting held on Friday the 26th December 1844.

The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that the

Medical Report:

There are 29 patients in the hospital at present of which ten are affected with fever of a mild form.
                                        James Shannon M.D.

[223]

Read tenders for groceries.

Resolved that Pat O'Dwyer's tender be accepted at the following prices until 8th Dec l845.

Read tender for soap

Resolved that we accept Michael Roughan's tender for soap at £1.12.0, the cost until the 8th December l845.
- that the clerk does write to Mr. Thom for his directory, to remain for the use of the board of
guardians.
- that tenders be invited for this day week for closing up with boards one inch thick the sheds in the men's and women's yards for the purpose of straw storage etc. and to be painting with lead colour door and frame to each shed with lock and key.
- that we accept William Lawlor's tender at 1/2 each for 50 chamber utensils.
[224]
- that we accept of William Lawlor's tender for keeping the following tin articles in repair from time to time:

[225]
Meeting held on Friday the 27th December 1844.

The register book was signed from No. 1059 to No. 1065.

The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that the

[227]
Medical Report
A patient named Nancy Williams died on the 25th inst. of disease of the brain. There are 24 persons still in hospital. Fever is decreasing, four cases of which we have at present under medical treatment.
                                        James Shannon M.D.

[228]
Resolved
- that Joan Sullivan a pauper do get leave of absence for a few days.
- that we pay the sum of £20.0.0 sterling to Mr John Herbert for the following plans of superintendence of works about to be excuted viz. Plan and specification of altar and superintending the building thereof.

- that we accept the tender of Francis Walsh at £10.0.0 for closing up the sheds in the male and female yards with solid masonry with painted doors of red pine one inch thick, locks, keys and hinges, he finding all materials and workmanship.

- that in as much as the medical officer imputes the increase of sickness, and particulary fever, amongst the boys and girls to the want of shoes and stockings during the winter and spring months, that tenders be invited for 180 pair of childrens' shoes in 3 sizes, samples of each size to accompany the tenders. The quarters to be of light runner and the uppers of good calf skin, firmly made.
[229] The largest size to have tips in the heels and nails in the other parts of the shoes and also to invite tenders for an equal number of socks in 3 sizes and samples likewise to accompany them, tenders to be invited for the 10th January 1845.

It appearing that some of the boys require clothing and it being necessary that same should be supplied,

Resolved that the former contractor, Mr O'Dwyer, do forthwith supply 20 suits for boys, same description as before and same price.

Resolved that cheques be drawn for the following salaries and sums viz:

Read Commissioners' letter dating 24th Dec 1844.

Resolved that Michael Wheelan be discharged, he being considered no longer an object for workhouse relief.

[230]
Meeting held on Friday the 3rd of January 1845.

The register book was signed from No. 1066 to No. 1068.

The treasurer's book of receipts and payments was produced by which it appeared that there had been

[233]
It appearing by Mr Herbert's report that the contractor for the building of the fever hospital is entitled to the further payment of £100 and that the balance is more than sufficent to finish the work.

Resolved
- that our clerk do write to the Commissioners for said sum to be remitted in such shape as they shall consider most prudent and that the report of Mr Herbert the superintendent be sent herewith.
- that Mr. Herbert gets a check for £8.6.8 being the 2nd instalment of £25 allowed him for the superintendence.
- that Mrs. Moran gets a check for £48.4.7 1/2 due for milk from the 27th Sept 44 to the 28th Dec 44
- that Patk. O'Dwyer get a check for groceries for the sum of £7.3.7 1/2 after this day.
- that Patk. O'Dwyer get a check for the sum of £5.15.6 for clothing and caps.

The plan for the stabling, boundary wall and piggory was laid before the board by Mr. Herbert and approved of.

[234] Medical Report
There are 33 patients in hospital. We have 7 new cases of fever this day. There has been one death since last report.
                                                            Charles Finucane M.R.C.S.L.


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