Ballinasloe Asylum Report

The boys in the Institution are receiving training as farm servants, and that the girls in cookery, laundry and needlework, which we consider is exactly what fits these young people for the battle of life that they will be called on to fight.

Ballinasloe Board of Guardians
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The Price of Turf
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Industrial Training of the Children
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The usual weekly meeting of the above Board was held on Saturday last at the Boardroom of the Union, Mr. P.J. Parker (Chairman), presiding. Also present——Messers T.P. Kileen, T. Glynn, M. Geraghty, P. Keogh, P. Claffey, J. Kelly (B); M. Lyons, and J. Flynn (C).

CONDOLENCE
The Chairman proposed, and Mr. Keogh seconded the following: – “That we, the members of the Ballinasloe Board of Guardians express our deepest sympathy with Mr. P.J. Connolly, R.O., on the death of his son at the front”.  The Chairman said that he was sorry to learn of his death which he heard of only on his previous day.

MISCELLANEOUS
The Clerk reported that the Auditor would attend to audit the accounts of the Union on the 19th September.  The Master reported that he had collected £47 odd from patients, and lodged same to credit.  That they should make arrangements for the taking in of the turf for coming year.

Approved.

The Chairman said that the amount collected by the Master was a very satisfactory one.

TURF SUPPLY

The Master said it would be necessary for them to fix the price they would give for turf.  The old price was 4d.  Mr. Keogh said that it would be a fair price for this year, as they were giving 1s 3d in the Asylum.  Mr. Geraghty said a little more should be given for turf now, as coal which was once 1s per cwt was now almost 3s, and only for they had the turf they would have nothing for fire.

The Master said that coal had gone up about double.  He would facilitate any of those who had their turf ready by taking it at once off their hands, so as not to inconvenience them and give them every chance.  After a discussion it was decided by four votes for 1s 4d to two votes, Messrs Geraghty and Glynn, for 1s 5d to give the 1s 4d.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Clerk read a letter from Mrs Kirwan thanking the Board on behalf of herself and family for their kind vote of condolence on the death of her husband, the late Dr. Kirwan.

THE INSPECTOR’S REPORT
The Clerk said that the special business of the day was to consider the notice on the circular to each member stating “You are to consider the following extract from the Inspector’s report on his recent inspection of the workhouse, viz.- That there are no facilities for the industrial training of the children”.

The Master said that if he were there he could have saved the postage on the sending out of the circular.

Chairman- How could you answer it?

Master- The children are trained on the farm and to things they are used to, and the girls to cookery and sewing and various other subjects which would make them good servants.

Mr. Geraghty said that he thought the Inspector was a bit astray in turning the place into an Industrial School. The Master said that the idea of teaching regular general trades to boys was tried from time to time and always failed because boys trained in workhouses and industrial schools rarely made proper tradesmen.  What boys wanted in workhouses and such institutions was training on the farm and such like, and girls to become good useful servants, which was as honourable a thing as anything else.  They were trained to do needlework and cooking and other useful things.

Mr. Glynn-He wants them to them to play pianos (laughter.)  Don’t they get the same instructions here as in the National schools outside?

After a discussion the Board made the following order-“That the L.G. Board be informed that the boys in the Institution are receiving training as farm servants, and that the girls in cookery, laundry and needlework, which we consider is exactly what fits these young people for the battle of life that they will be called on to fight.

From East Galway Democrat, 26th August 1916

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