May 3, 2012

1912

Salthill ‘invasion’The summer is coming on us again with all the suddenness of a tropical dawn, and already one’s thoughts are turning to the seaside. Should the present heat continue throughout the month of May, we shall have illimitable oceans of days with the first streak of dawn at 1.30am and the last glimmer of daylight at 11pm.

Then is the time to think of the long lazy wash of rhythmic rollers as they capsize their surf on the beach of Salthill and the cooling freshness of a dip in Blackrock.

This consideration, however, is for the bathing season proper. But Salthill has other attractions, and its health-giving properties more immediately concern us.

It would be an adventuresome person who could sustain the regularity of a walk-out there during the biting cold of winter, and the nipping and eager air of spring, but the refreshing zephyr and the winds that blow from the south, are very welcome just at present, either in the morning before business, or in the evening, after a long day’s toil, and these may be always had at Salthill.

The difficulty lies in the way of adequate accommodation, but this, together with a great many other difficulties and discouragements which we are not sufficiently captious to specify, will, disappear in time, for it is in the nature of things that supply should equal demand. 

For instance, we know that Mr McAlinney, hotel proprietor, could give accommodation for thirty new houses at least, and in other aspects, we feel sure there would be no insurmountable obstacles.

1937

Industrial premises shortageAt the monthly meeting of the Galway Industrial Development Association, it was said that most people will be slow to believe that there is a decided dearth of suitable premises in Galway for industrial premises.

Yet this is a fact. Within the past two weeks, Galway lost a small industry to employ fifty hands or upwards for the reason that after three visits to the city, the promoters failed to find suitable premises.Speculation is rife as to where the French hat factory will find temporary premises. Certain Galway people possessing suitable, though unused, buildings are, it would appear, sufficiently retrogressive to refuse to sell or rent them.

Sewerage scheme strikeThe strike on the Spiddal sewerage scheme was after a number of discussions during the week between the contractors and representatives of the workers, settled on Thursday afternoon.

On Monday morning the matters in dispute were discussed, and it was arranged that the men should turn in to work on Tuesday morning. When representatives of Messrs. McNally contractors arrived in Spiddal on Tuesday morning, the men had not reported for work.

Messrs. McNally’s representatives again visited Spiddal on Wednesday and the position was again considered, and it was arranged that the men turn in for work on Thursday morning, but the men were not present on Thursday morning to resume. Late in the afternoon, thirteen men, including eight of the original workers, took up work on the scheme on wages of 30s per week.

Refusal to payThe notice to quit served by Tuam Town Commissioners on tenants at Toberjarlath and Athenry Road houses expires on Saturday. The tenants are asking for a reduction of their rents from 7s. 3d. a week (which includes 1s 3d poor rate) to a rent of 5s. weekly, inclusive of the rates. It is understood that about 105 of the 120 tenants refuse to pay the 7s. 3d. a week.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.