Ennistymon Union Minute Books

Book No. 9 

Meetings held from 12th July 1850 - 2nd August 1850

[1] Meeting held on the 12th July 1850
State of the workhouse for the week ending 12th July 1850

[2]

The register book was signed from no.4230 to no.__
The out door relief register was signed from no.23237 to no.____

The clerk reported that he examined the collectors accounts for weeks ended the 22nd and 29th ultimo. That he forwarded the writ served by Mr Campbell, of Dublin, to Mr Cullinan together with the bill of costs for the purpose of having it taxed.

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

[3]

[5]

Medical Report
Admitted in the week ending Saturday, the 6th July, fever 25, dysentery and diarrhea 9, measles 2, small pox 4, after fever 1, total 41. Died in same week, fever 5, dysentery and diarrhea 5, measles 6. Remaining under treatment on the 6th, infirmary 155, fever hospital 58.
Under treatment at Lahinch 31, no deaths. Deaths at Sandfield 4.
                                               Charles Finucane M.R.C.S.L.

Miltown house admitted 12, discharged 11, died 1, remaining under treatment 37.
An accidental death took place at the farmyard in consequence of a man named Doogan falling into a boiler of stirabout. He died on the following day.
                                           John Costello M.D.

Master's Report
The matron at Lahinch Auxiliary reported that the meal supplied was bad and that the milk supplied was very bad. No order made.
The master of the parent house reported that the tea and sugar supplied by the contractor were inferior to sample. He also reported that the shoemaker's shop was entered on the night of the 7th inst. and some articles taken therefrom.

[6]

Letters of the commissioners and others were read.
- 5th July 1850, about the irregular attendance of the collectors and drawing the board's attention to the 100 sec. of the 1st and 2nd vic.
Ordered that the clerk do in every instance summons the collectors who do not attend on the day appointed.
- 5th July 1850, about the overcrowded state of the workhouse and pointing out the bad results that may arise from it. No order made.
- 6th July 1850, averting to the circular letter of the 3rd inst. and intimating that form C which accompanied that letter was substituted for form B.

[7] The master reported that he required the following articles, which were ordered by the board, 1000 yards of lining calico, 1 ton of hay, ten tons of yellow pine and,for the use of the shoemaker 2 dozen knives and 1 pair of lasts and 1 oz of best hairs and 3 dozen of lime wash brushes.
Captain McNamara handed in the following notice of motion

- that upon the board day which will be held upon July the 26th, I will move the board to rescind the resolution of the board of guardians made at their meeting of the 7th of May declaring a uniform rate of 2/6 in the pound sterling with a view of declaring a higher rate - and that divisional- such being necessary to meet the expenditure of the union.
The board ordered that Sally Stack the messenger at Moymore hospital be discharged and that a boy be sent from the parent workhouse to act as messenger in her place.
The board proceeded to consider tenders for clothing when the following were read: Kenny, Scott and Co., Kilkenny, blankets 1s 6 1/2d to 1s 5 1/2d lb., Malcummin Brothers Portlaw, shambray varing from 5d to 8 1/2d.
P O'Dwyer of Ennistymon shambray 5d to 7d per yard, bed
ticken from 6 1/4d to 8 1/2d per yard,
[8] Rugs 1s 8d to 2s 5d and Kilkenny blankets 1s 6 3/4d per lb, George Blackwell Ennistymon, blankets 1s 5 3/4d per lb, rugs 2s 6d, shambray 6 1/2d to 6 3/4d per yard, ticken 6 1/4d to 8d per yard.
Resolved that the tender of George Blackwell be accepted for shambray at 6 1/2d per yard and the tender of Pat O'Dwyer for blankets at 1s 6 3/4d per lb, rugs at 1s 8d
per pair and canvas ticken 8 1/2d per yard.

[1] Meeting held on the 19th July 1850.

The register book was signed from no.4230 to no.4457.
The out door relief register was signed from no.23237 to
no.____

State of the workhouse for the week ending 13th July 1850.

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

[4] Establishment account

[5]
Medical Report.
New cases admitted week ending July the 13th, fever 19, dysentry 10, measles 4, small pox 2, broken head 1, after labour 2, phthisis 1. Died same week, fever 7, dysentry and diarrhea 3, anasarca 2, measles 1, small pox 1, phthisis 1, one child died of a fall and 1 death in the probationary ward, only 2 days in the house.
Remaining under treatment on Saturday in infirmary 143, fever hospital 54.
Under treatment at Lahinch on Saturday in hospital 22. We had 2 deaths there and 4 at Sandfield.

Charles Finucane.
The master reported that the house was much in need of being painted.

[6]

Letters of the commissioners and others were read.
- 10th July 1850, about the Guarantee Society as surety for union officers and intimating that such was objectionable.
The clerk states to the board that such surety was not given by any officer in this union.
- 11th July 1850, circular with 2 copies of the 3rd annual report and intimating that a copy was sent separately to the chairman, vice chairman, and d.v. chairman.
The above gentlemen stated that they had not received a copy of the report.
- 18th July 1850, the list of candidates for Cloghaun and Kilfenora returned to insert the year 1851.
- 18th July 1850, reference to notice of motion of the 12th inst. given by Captain McNamara with a view of declaring a higher rate and intimating to the board that they could not hold out hopes of external aid to the union for more than 3 or 4 weeks.

[7]
Resolved
- That as soon as the valuation books are lodged that the rate of 2s 6d in the pound, declared on the 7th May last, be put in course of immediate preparation.
- That Patrick Brew, labour master and John Healy, gate porter, be suspended for drunkenness.
- That in consequence of the suspension of the labour master and gate porter, an advertisement be inserted in the Clare Journal newspaper and notice circulated for competent persons to fill such situations, all to be appointed upon Friday the 26th July

Salaries:
labour master 8-0-0
gate porter 6-0-0

- That Michael O'Brien, the collector for Drumcreehy Electoral Division, be summoned for non-attendance.
- That the commissioners be requested to direct the Ballyvaughan and Corofin Boards to lodge to the credit of the Ennistymon Union the amount of the estimate under the workhouse reservation orders.

- That this union incurs much expense in the
[8] support of the inmates formerly in the Ennis workhouse, without receiving the rate from that portion of the Ennis district added to this union - The commissioners are requested to direct the Ennis Board to supply funds, otherwise, though unwilling, this board must be under the necessity of turning out the paupers.

Mr. Stack's notice of motion, in reference to the poundage to be allowed to collectors under the next warrants and the collecting districts as at present constructed having been brought before the board for discussion, it was proposed that the remuneration to be given under the used warrants be 4d in the pound on the amount lodged with the treasurer. An amendment was proposed that the remuneration be 6d in the pound - a poll having been called for, the amendment was put from the chair when it was declared lost by a majority of one - the original motion was therefore carried, fixing the remuntion at 4d in the pound on the amount collected and lodged with the treasurer. The consideration of the collecting district was postponed until next board day. The labour master Patt Brew and the gate porter John Healy, having tendered their resignation respectively,
[9] the board decided on accepting them although under suspension Mr. Briscoe, the inspector, handed the clerk a treasurer's receipt for 300 for cloathing [sic] and bedding. The master reported that he required the following articles, which were ordered by the board, 500 yards of ticking, 1000 yards of shirting calico, 1000 yards of shambray, 500 yards of corduroy, 50 pair of blankets and 100 rugs.

[1] Meeting held on the 26th July, 1850.

[2] The register book was signed from no. 4448 to no. 4539.
The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 23237 to
no.---
The clerk reported that he had directed a summons to be issued against Mr. M. O'Brien rate collector according to the direction of the board, to be held at petty sessions in Ballyvaughan on the 30th inst. for disobedience of
orders.
The clerk, small accounts 3 0 0

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

[5]
Medical Report
Admissions to the fever hospital and infirmary week ended 20th July 29, died 14, remaining under treatment 174. Under treatment in Lahinch Auxiliary 24. No deaths at Sandfield, 5 under treatment.

Charles Finucane. M.D.

[6]
Letters of the Commissioners and others were read.
- 20th July 1850, requiring the monthly return of liabilities for June. The clerk submitted a copy of the return to the board and that he had complied with the
circular.
- 20th July 1850, enclosing copy of a letter addressed to Mr. Henry Daly about the death of Hanora Hanrahan.
- 25th July 1850, referring to the rate of poundage to be given by the board to the collectors under the next warrants and suggesting that 6d in the pound be the lowest offered. The board reconsidered their decision of the 19th inst. and resolved that the remuneration to be given under the next warrants be 6d in the pound on the amount collected and lodged with the treasurer - no amendment was proposed.
- 25th July 1850, copy of a memorial from Daniel Jourdan praying for outdoor relief. Ordered that the memorial be forwarded to the Ballyvaughan board of guardians for
consideration.

[7] - 25th July 1850, intimating that the commissioners were of opinion that the valuation books were already lodged and that the rate was in preparation.
The clerk stated to the board that he only received the first of the valuation books on the 24th inst., late in the evening, containing six of the electoral divisions and he had employed assistants and would be able to publish notice on Monday the 29th inst. that the above six rate books would be READy for inspection of rate payers.
- 25th July 1850, about the suspension of Patrick Brew labour master, and John Healy gate porter, and stating that the guardians had power to dismiss them. The board came to the following resolution.

Resolved
- That our inspector Mr. Briscoe be requested to lay before the commissioners his opinion of the conduct and efficiency of Patrick Brew and John Healy, labour master and gate porter, previous to their suspension for drunkenness, with the view of the board taking into consideration the prudence of continuing them in office, subject to the approval of the commissioners.
That the several rate collectors of this union be directed to return the names of their sureties on the [8] next board day.
- That the collecting districts be allocated to the
following collectors viz.
John Cahill, Patrick Jourdan, John McCarthy, Daniel Considine, Mathias Kenny and John O'Loughlin, should he resign the collection of rates in the Ennis union, in the proportion as near as practicable to an equal amount of the net annual value, and that the following committee be appointed to ascertain and report in reference to this resolution, Andrew Lysaght, John O'Dwyer, Francis O'Brien, Thomas Stack, Timothy Marrinan and John McNamara.
- That no stranger or officer be admitted to the boardroom or clerk's office during the transaction of usiness by the board unless by direction of the chairman.
- That the collectors in their bonds be limited to two months for the collection of the next rate and in default that their bonds be put in immediate suit.
John McNamara, Junior, gave notice of motion that on this day fortnight he will move that the salary of the Reverend Michael Connolly, chaplain at Sandfield Auxiliary Workhouse, be increased from thirty to forty pounds sterling per annum.

[9]
The master reported that the following articles were required for use of the workhouse, which were ordered by the board. 500 yards of shrouding calico, 1000 needles, 24 dozen thimbles, 20 stone of oats for the house at Lahinch and requisites for the shoemaker.
The election of labour master and porter was adjourned until next board day awaiting the commissioners' reply to resolution in reference to Brew and Healy, who are under suspension, and who filled the above situations.
The clerk submitted to the board a copy of the return forwarded to the commissioners on the 25th inst. "Return of guardians elected", Cloghaun Electoral Division, Michael Doherty, for the year ending 25th March 1851, and for Kilfenora division, Francis O'Brien for same period.

[1]

[2] The register book was signed from no. 4540 to no. 4632.
The outdoor relief register was signed from no. 23237 to
no. ---

The clerk reported that he attended at Ballyvaughan on the 30th ult. at petty sessions in the case of the guardians & O'Brien the collector for disobedience of orders. There were no magistrates in attendance, case adjourned.

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

[4] [Blank page]

[5]
Medical Report

Admitted into infirmary week ended July 27th, 21 to fever hospital, 16 to infirmary, total 37. Died within the week, fever 3, dysentry 2, pox 2, measles 1 and one infant. Total 9.
Remaining under treatment on Saturday the 27th in infirmary 128, fever hospital 49, under treatment at Lahinch 23, no deaths. 4 children died at Sandfield House of measles and dysentry.
                                                                            Charles Finucane. M.D.

Master's Report
The master brought under the notice of the board a practice existing at the auxiliary workhouse, that when an inmate is discharged he is stripped of his clothes and inferior ones given him and that the boys are often sent to the parent house without caps, jackets, etc. The board directed the master to particularize a case and it would be examined into. He reported that 48 paupers absconded during the week, that the able bodied women were idle in the various houses for want of material to keep them employed, and suggested the purchase of some wool. He also reported that the bread and rice contractors declined supplying the order made on them. No orders made in reference to the latter reports.
[6]
Read the commissioners' letters
- 30th July 1850, requiring information about current rates and any new rates agreed upon. The clerk stated that the information had been forwarded to the commissioners by the post of the 1st inst.
- 27th July 1850, acknowledging receipt of return of guardians in the supplemental election and requiring return of expenses. Ordered that it be forwarded to the commissioners.
- 29th July 1850, about the unsatisfactory collection of the rates in the districts of the following collectors, J. Cahill, D. Considine, M. O'Brien, M. Hehir, M. Hynes.
No order made.
- 1st August 1850, observations with reference to the rate last made prior to the 17th May 1850, on that valuation, Ordered to be attended to.
[7] - 1st August 1850, intimating that a communication had been received from the Chief Secretary's Office in reference to the good conduct of the emigrant girls sent out from this union last year.
- 1st August 1850, about the amount due under the workhouse reservation orders by the new unions of Corofin and Ballyvaughan - no order made.

Resolved
- That no person absconding from the parent or auxiliary workhouse be received into either houses without the authority of the board.
- That for the more easy adjustment of the rate payers' accounts with their respective rent agents under the 12 and 13 Vic Cap. 104, altering the mode of allowance to be made on the payment of  [8]rent, each collector shall specify in the rate receipt the amount of valuation of each such holding on which he receives the rate.

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