November 10, 2011

1911

Suicide bailA man against whom a true bill was found by the Grand Jury at Galway Quarter Sessions for attempted suicide, was allowed out on his own recognisances. The Recorder asked if the prisoner was able to plead.

Dr. Kinkead said he thought the prisoner was. Since he entered the prison he had behaved in a rational way, and seemed to be all right. The police record was that he had been in Ballinasloe for three years, and that he had been discharged two years ago. The prisoner’s own statement confirmed this report.

His Honor: He has been in gaol since the 16th October. Would any further imprisonment under the doctor’s care be an advantage?Dr. Kinkead: I do not know that it might. He seems to be all right at present. If he were a lunatic he would have made a better attempt; the wound was only a slight one.

The prisoner’s father said if his son was allowed out, he was prepared to give bail for his future good behaviour. The prisoner was allowed out on bail of £20.

Galway stormAlthough the recent storm – if storm it could be called – did not pass over Galway without leaving some traces of its ravage, the damage, on the whole, was slight. On Saturday night, a brisk breeze grew towards midnight to a stiffish squall, and later to a fitful gale, which brought down a plentiful crop of slates all over the town. When it became serious, everyone’s thoughts turned seaward, but we are happy to state so far there is no report of any fatality to hand.

1936

Bad literatureAt the monthly meeting of the members of the Galway Division A.O.H. (Board of Erin), Very Rev. A.J. Considine delivered a vigorous speech in denunciation of the sale of bad and immoral literature. Father Considine, who was received with loud applause, said he was very glad they had taken the initiative on this matter.

He expected that the Hibernians would do so, for he recalled with pride it was they who took the first steps in Dublin some time ago to institute proceedings against the vendors of immoral postcards. Those proceedings were successful in court, and he understood that what had been a nuisance and a poison had been thoroughly abated, if not altogether removed.

There was no doubt about it that immoral newspapers and magazines had been sold in Galway. He held in his hand one of these newspapers, which he purchased the day before, and in the first two pages, there were reports of ten cases of divorce, six of abduction and four presentations of medical men for performing illegal operations on women.

It was right to say that some time ago, some of the priests called on the various newsagents asking them to discontinue the sale of certain newspapers. They gave an undertaking that they would do so, and as far as he know, they loyally adhered to it. The paper he alluded to was bought at a place that the priests had not called on, but he was sure that the authorities responsible for it would be amenable to suasion as were all the other vendors.

He wished the new committee God-speed in their crusade for clean living and pure thinking, with which he whole-heartedly identified himself, and he had no doubt at all that their efforts would be crowned with complete success (loud applause).

Forestry reportThe report of the German forestry expert, referred to by Mr. Derrig during an election campaign speech at Clifden, is still being eagerly looked forward to in Connemara. It was hoped that as a result of this report, much-needed employment would be made available throughout the Gaeltacht.

There seems to be no doubt whatsoever that the report will be favourable as regards the planting of trees in Connemara; for similar undertakings on a small scale have previously been carried out with success by private owners.

The progress of modern science has tended to increase rather than dispense with the utility of timber, with the result that the world’s supply is running alarmingly short. This being so, a scheme of tree-planting in Connemara would not only be a very necessary expedient at the moment, but would prove to be a sound investment in the years to come.

Leaseholders’ associationAt a meeting held in the Town Hall, Galway, on Thursday afternoon, a branch of the National Leaseholder’s Association was formed for Galway City and a provisional committee was appointed.

National Director, Mr. Owen Mulholland explained in detail the aims and objects of the Association and read a list of provisions of legislation proposed by the organisation, and which, he said, would be submitted to the leaders of the parties in the Dail before next Easter.

The proposed legislation, he pointed out, sought to have Fair Rent Courts established with a view to reducing all excessive ground or base rents on all private houses and business premises and introducing a national purchase scheme for town leaseholders to enable them to buy out their lease rents at a fair price, either outright or spread over a period of years, and to make every house and business premises a freehold, just as farms are today under the Land Acts.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.