December 2, 2009

On Monday morning a gas explosion occurred at the residence of Mr Alan McDonald, C.E., St. Francis Street, but happily none of the inmates sustained any personal injury. The house, a large one, situated at the corner of St. Francis Street and Eyre Street, was damaged to some extent, and two rooms on the ground floor, where the explosion took place, were injured, five windows being blown out and part of the flooring ripped up. Mrs. McDonald, her sister, and a servant, were the only occupants of the house at the time. The furniture was scattered about the two rooms.

Galway Fair

On Wednesday last, a fair for cattle sheep and pigs was held at Eyre Square. It was principally a pig fair, and was well attended both by buyers and sellers. In the early hours of the morning buyers were busy, and before morning broke over 500 pigs were trucked. From 50s to 57s was given, and the demand was good. All were sold.

The cattle and sheep were not a large market. Buyers were numerous, but were dissatisfied with the number of stock exposed. It behoves the people of the surrounding districts to patronise those fairs, and so help in making them the premier fairs of the West.

Cattle nuisance

The Medical Officer of Galway Urban Council reported a nuisance existing at Abbey lane, through cattle being kept too near dwellinghouses. Mr. Maloney: They are a good distance from Mr. Young’s house.Chairman: I am sorry you are not a sanitary officer (laughter).

Mr. Curran: Although we are not sanitary officers, we have a good idea of things. What did he say about Glynn’s premises?

Mr. Redington: He said they were insanitary.

Chairman: There is no use in us having officers if we do not adopt their reports.

Mr Curran: I do not see why poor people should be prevented from keeping cattle and selling milk.

Mr. Cooke: How far are the stables from the bedroom?Mr. Waters: About five or six yards.

The report was adopted.

Burning money

Still another burning is reported from Connemara. On the night of Monday last, or early on the morning of Tuesday, the house of Mr. Hector Graham, of Derrykyle, Letterfrack, was burned to the ground. Mr. Graham is a most popular young gentleman.

For some time past he was concerned in some litigation. It is said that all his money and chattels have been burned, no assistance having been at hand, and it is added that a large amount of compensation will be claimed.

1934

Milk budget

Eighty families in Ballinasloe urban area are in receipt of free milk for which the Department has allocated £410 for the year 1934 and ’35. As the regulations restrict the amount for any one family to two pints per day, and the recipients to children under five years of age, the Urban Council Committee, who are responsible for the administration of the scheme in the sanitary area, find that they are unable to spend this amount.

The Council have asked the Ministry to extend the scheme so that children over five years who are, in their opinion, as equally deserving as those under five years, would be entitled to receive milk.

Turkey prices

The distribution of free meat has already had its effect on poultry prices, and good turkeys could be bought at Ballinasloe market on Saturday at 5d. per lb.; choice birds were sold at 6d. Sellers held out late in the day on Saturday last hoping that some outside buyers would attend, and eventually sold the birds to local purchasers at 5d. and 6d. per lb. There is believed to be large quantities of turkeys for market in the district, and in many country districts card games are held where turkeys of 10 to 12 lbs. weight are the prize.

Meat factory

It is understood that Mr. F. Fahy, T.D., Ceann Comhairle, is to visit Loughrea on Friday next in connection with the new factory which the Town Commissioners are seeking to establish here. It is likely that Mr. Fahy will confer with the committee set up by the local Industrial Development Association as to the possibilities of a tinned meat factory, already suggested, a suitable site and the amount of capital which the Association could hope to realise to finance the project.

It is believed if the factory in question can be established a large number of the farming community in the districts around Loughrea will be prepared to assist financially the project.

World champions

Besides the Reeves’ Cup, which the Galway Gaelic footballers received when they won the World’s Championship from New York’s great team, the Galwegians were presented in New York with a set of beautiful medals by the NY GAA at a reception in Donovan’s Grand Circle Halls, attended by more than one thousand guests.

The world champions left New York on the “President Harding” on their return journey to Ireland on Tuesday night. If all goes well, Galway will play Kildare on December 8, and as this will be the first appearance of the champions following their return from America the game will have exceptional appeal.

For more Days Gone By see page 34 of this week's edition.