Transcribed by Jane from The Mid-Ulster Mail Saturday, December 10, 1910
Old-Age Pensions
Dungannon and Moy Pension Committee
This Committee met on Monday evening. Mr. Michael M’RORY, J.P. (presided), and Messrs. W.H. DARRAGH, J.P.; Henry TOHALL, J.P.; R.D. GREEVES, Maurice P. CULLEN, James EWING; with Wm. J. BEATTY, secretary, and William HUNTER, pension officer.
Result of Appeals
The Clerk reported that the Local Government Board has disallowed the decision of the Committee granting the maximum pension to John TEGGART, of Gortgonis. They had confirmed the Committee’s decision allowing two shillings to Michael O’BRIEN, of Gortgonis.
Pay and Pension!
Robert ELDER and Robert WHITE, two employees of Dungannon Urban Council, raised questions that they were entitled to have their pensions of one shilling per week increased to five shillings, as their weekly wages had been reduced to eight shillings. The full amount was approved of.
A Retired Farmer
The P.O. objected to the claim of James CARDWELL, of Culrevog, aged 84, a retired farmer, on the ground that he was occupying a farm of twenty-four acres, which he had assigned to his son. Claimant was living rent free in the house and was supported by his son, and was not worse off than when he was owner of the farm. The claim was rejected.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM’s Claim
John CUNNINGHAM, Perry Street, Dungannon, aged seventy in February next, was objected to on the ground that he had not lived in the United Kingdom during the past twenty years. Claimant appeared and stated that he had gone to New York in January, 1888, and had returned in May, 1895. During his absence in America he had retained property in the locality and had voted out of it on his return.
To Mr. EWING – His family had gone with him to America, but he had retained his property. When he came back he went to live in his father’s house, which he would consider his home.
The clerk said that the point to decide was whether Mr. CUNNINGHAM had a home in this country during his absence in America.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM said that he had not been all the time in New York. He had been for some time in Canada, on British soil.
Mr. DARRAGH said that Mr. CUNNINGHAM could rest assured that the Committee would give his case every consideration and fair play. If it happened that they would decide against him, their decision was subject to the Local Government Board, and he would advise Mr. CUNNINGHAM to appeal if he thought that he was being treated unjustly.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM thanked the Committee for their kind consideration. It was a pleasure to meet such a council of intelligent gentlemen, and he was glad to know that the interests of the aged poor were in their hands. He had worked hard all his life on behalf of the country, and he thought that his claim should not be rejected on any little technical point. He had just come from a meeting of the Urban Council, where for three hours he had been fighting the battle for working men’s rights.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM then withdrew, and the Committee, after considering the matter, disallowed his claim.
Pensions Passed
Full pensions were passed to –
Mrs. Eleanor WILLIAMSON, Coolhill
Mrs. Elizabeth WRAY, Bovain, widow (owner of a small farm).
Mrs. Margaret J. DAWSON, Mullycarnon, supported by her son.
Jane THOMPSON, Culrevog, widow.
Margaret M’GUINESS, Derry, Coalisland, supported by her step- daughter.
Bridget ECCLES, Ballymeenagh, supported by donations from her children.
The Age Trouble
Margaret LAIRD, Mullaghateague, widow, was refused as she was not mentioned in the census return of her family in 1841, and her age was only given as five years in 1851.
Mary M’CRORY, Lisbarncraney, was objected to on age. Her family had been found in the census of 1841, but her name was not returned while in the census of 1851 her age had been give as eight years. The claimant stated that she was over seventy. Her birth had been recorded in an old book at home but it had been missing for some time.
New Year Grants
The following recipients of out-door relief were granted the full pension – Mary CRAIG, Moyard; Thomas DALY, Quinn’s Lane, Dungannon; Sarah HIGGINS, Boyd’s Square, Dungannon; Betty Ann BOYD, Stughan; Mary Ann WREA, Dungorman; Bridget WOODS, Ann Street, Dungannon; William STAFFORD, Moygashel; Francis M’ELGREW, Woodhill.
Residence Restriction
Susana HOLYWOOD, Drumay, Derryfubble, was refused any pension as she had not been resident in the United Kingdom during the past twenty years.
Property Problem
Charles RODGERS, Dungannon Street, Moy, aged 72, appeared in support of his claim. The pension officer contended that the claimant had disposed of his farm to his son and some cottages to his son-in- law, with whom the claimant resided. The claimant contended that the farm had been bought for the son with the latter’s money, and that he had now returned from America and taken possession of it. The cottages had been bought in the same manner for the son-in-law. The Committee decided, to grant the maximum pension.
Killyman Man’s Sad Fate – Found Dead in a Drain
Peter MELLON, of Church Avenue, Killyman, aged 63, was found dead in a drain on Monday morning. He had been at the Unionist demonstration on Saturday in Dungannon, and had been missing till his dead body was discovered.
An inquest was held on Tuesday evening by Mr. John MALONE, coroner, and a jury, of which Mr. Robert M’ILROY was foreman. Sergeant O’MEARA watched the proceedings on behalf of the Crown.
Patrick M’CRILLY, of Listamlaght, deposed that deceased was in his house on Saturday from 8 o’clock to 8-30 o’clock, p.m. He was not drunk, but stated he had two or three drinks, and he had a pint of rum in his pocket, which he opened in the house and took about half-a-glass and gave some to witness. Witness put the bottle in the pocket of his top coat when he was leaving. He left deceased about 800 or 400 yards on his way home by the county road. He was not staggering, and appeared able to take care of himself, and was in his usual health and spirits. There was no one on the road at the time. Deceased must have gone off the road to where his body was found, and there were no scratches on his face when witness parted with him.
James Edward MELLON, son of deceased. deposed he last saw his father alive in Dungannon Park about 8 o’clock on Saturday evening. He was then in his usual health and quite sober. Witness arrived home about 5 o’clock. His father was in the habit of being out late and sometimes of staying out overnight, so they were not surprised when he did not return home on Saturday night. On Sunday evening witness went to Moy to make inquiries and informed the police that his father was missing. On Monday morning they searched and found his body in the drain near the road, in about two feet of water. The drain was about seven wide and five feet deep. There were appearances on the side of the drain where he was struggling with his hands to get out. There were only one set of track marks leading to the place, but there were marks on the side of the drain in two places where he had struggled to get out. When he was found his head was under the water.
Hamilton WRAY, Moyroe, brother-in-law of deceased, stated that on Monday morning he helped to search for deceased. Pat M’CRILLY told him he saw deceased on Saturday night, so they then searched between M’CRILLY’s and deceased’s own house. Witness went for the dogs to help search for him, and while he was away the body was found.
Sergeant O’MARA, Laghey, deposed he was going to help in the search for deceased about 2 p.m. when he met Edward MALLON coming to report that his father had been found. He then went to the place and saw the body lying on the bank. There were no marks of violence on the body. He examined the banks of the stream and saw a foot mark as if he had slipped into the water. The water was not running and deceased’s cap was floating on the top of it. About fifty yards further on there were impressions on the bank, and in the stream where apparently he had struggled to get out. There was another impression about forty yards further on where he had caught the bank to get out. The dead weeds were beaten down in the water at each of the three places where he fell in and struggled to get out. There were no tracks of any other person at the drain, and there were no suspicions of foul play. From his appearance witness believed he was drowned.
The Jury found that deceased was accidentally drowned at Moyroe on 3rd December.
Concert at Augharan
On Friday evening a very enjoyable concert was held in Augharan Orange Hall in aid of repairs that have been recently done. Mr. Wm. S. DAVIS, D.M., presided, and the programme consisted of songs by Miss Tillie ANDERSON, Mr. George WRIGHT, Mr. James M’KNIGHT, Mr. MILLIGAN, Mr. KIRK, Mr. James M’KEOWN, Mr. GREEVES; readings and recitations by Mr. W. J. LEE, and a violin solo by Mr. G. DAVIS. After the usual vote of thanks the meeting concluded with the National Anthem. Afterwards dancing was indulged in till a late hour.
Dungannon Urban Council Monday.
Present – Messrs Thomas J. AIKEN, J.P. (presiding); Alex. PATTERSON, Samuel HOWARD, John BEATTY, Robert NEWTON, J.P.; Joseph GREENE, Bernard KELLY, George LITTLE, Michael HUGHES, James M’CANN, John HEYBURN, Gabriel CLARKE.
Messrs. J. M. HAMILTON, clerk; Robert M’DONALD, surveyor; Alfred M’CURRY, sanitary officer, and James DAVIDSON, water inspector, were also in attendance.
The Quarry in the Cemetery
Mr. GREENE said the clerk should be instructed to delete from the minutes the reference to the limestone quarry at the new cemetery on the Cookstown road. There was no call for it on the minutes, and the Board was a big enough laughing-stock already.
Mr. BEATTY – The minutes are merely a record of our last meeting.
The Clerk said if the paragraph was deleted it would make it far worse. The matter then dropped.
Catch-My-Pal Rooms.
Mr. LEEBODY, on behalf of the Dungannon Catch-my-Pals, inquired whether the Council would be willing to let or lease the premises in the Market Yard known as the coach-house, and under the Unionist Committee Rooms. The Dungannon pals were prepared to collect and spend £60 on the building – as it at present stood it contained only four walls and a roof. He was not prepared to state a figure for it, but he was sure they could come to terms. Of course any structural alterations would have to be of a temporary nature. He relied on the City Fathers to assist in the good work. It was a work of charity.
Mr. AIKEN – But there is a temporary objection. The markets will not be taken over until the new Board come into office in January.
Mr. GREENE – I would like Mr. LEEBODY to make an offer for the store. It is the business of the Council to help in the good work which is being done by this body.
The Chairman – The Board can discuss the matter and appoint a committee to meet the pals.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM – This Council should consider the matter at once and come to terms, as Mr. LEEBODY says there will be £60 expended on the building and that will give work during the winter.
At this stage Mr. LEEBODY retired and later on the chairman said the Board should fix rent. The principal reason why the pals wanted this building was that there was a good entrance to it and the accommodation would be better.
Mr. GREENE said the committee, when looking over the market returns, found that that building was let for £20 per annum, and he would propose that the Board offer to rent it at the same figure and the Council could pay the taxes.
Mr. CLARKE seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr. HEYBURN.
Mr. LITTLE thought the Council should insert a proviso in the agreement to the effect that the Council should be allowed the use of the room on special occasions.
Mr. GREENE warmly opposed this and said it was a grand opportunity of letting the premises without putting on restrictions. “There is something at the bottom of this I cannot understand when Mr. CLARKE is seconding my motion,” concluded Mr. GREENE amid laughter.
The motion was then put and carried unanimously.
Mr. NEWTON said he was not opposed to the pals but he would suggest that the council enter into a yearly agreement each side to give six months notice. The Council might get a better offer at some future time and they would be biting their fingers if they could not accept the offer. This was agreed to.
Purchasing the Plots
The Clerk reported that he had received a reply to his letter from Major ALEXANDER agreeing to accept, on behalf of Lord Ranfurly’s Trustees, the sum of £550 for the two fields on which it is proposed to build the Artizans’ Dwellings – this amount to include cost of conveyance by Lord Ranfurly’s solicitor. The only point was the reservation of minerals.
Mr. LITTLE – Does this reservation apply to the new cemetery?
The Clerk replied that the mineral rights in all townparks were reserved. In any case they couldn’t work at minerals in a cemetery.
Mr. GREENE inquired whether Mr. MEGLAUGHLIN would be acting for both the Council and Lord Ranfurly in this conveyance and received a reply in the affirmative.
Mr. GREENE – I don’t know whether the Council would be satisfied in doing that or not.
Mr. NEWTON said it would be better to pay a “fiver” and have the agreement looked over by a second solicitor. It was not a pleasant position in which Mr. MEGLAUGHLIN was placed. The Council might as well have the matter done properly.
Mr. CUNNINGHAM – Sure we have a solicitor on the Board. Couldn’t he do it?
Mr. HOWARD – I couldn’t, Mr. CUNNINGHAM.
Mr. BEATTY – He couldn’t and wouldn’t. (Laughter.)
Mr. HOWARD – I would, but couldn’t.
The Clerk said a K.C. was preparing the agreement for the markets at Lord Ranfurly’s expense.
Mr. GREENE said he was afraid Mr. MEGLAUGHLIN could not act for the Council and Lord Ranfurly. He would have to resign his position as solicitor to the Council or to Lord Ranfurly.
After a further discussion Mr. BEATTY moved that the offer be accepted provided that the Council did not pay any solicitor or K.C. for looking over the deed.
Mr. GREENE thought it very strange that he had never heard about a K.C. being appointed to look over the agreement between Lord Ranfurly and the Council relative to the purchase of the markets. It was never mentioned in the Council before. Several members concurred.
The Late Canon RICHARDS
Mrs. RICHARDS, Howard Terrace, wrote thanking the Council for their kind expression of sympathy on the death of her husband the late Canon RICHARDS.
Fitting Out the Inspector
In response to advertisements for the town inspector’s uniform Mr. S.E. M’MANUS offered to supply a suit and cap for £2 12s 6d, and overcoat for £1 12s 6d. This was passed on the motion of Mr. NEWTON, seconded by Mr. CLARKE.
Mr. John M’ELVOGUE secured the order for boots at 16s 6d.
Coal Fund for Christmas
Mr. CUNNINGHAM handed in the following notice of motion: – “I pray that the Dungannon Urban Council will, at their meeting take the necessary steps to start a coal fund to tide the poor of Dungannon over Christmas.”