Poor rates in the West.

On Wednesday last Tomkins Brew, Esq., R.M., accompanied by Messrs. Lewis, county inspector, from Loughrea, and Sweeny, sub-inspector, from Ballinasloe, with a force of nearly one hundred police, attended on the lands of Guilka and Skehana, in the Ballinasloe union, to protect the collector while making distress for the rate. There was neither horse, cow, sheep, stack of corn, or potato-pit to be found; and the proceeds of the day’s collection amounted to the considerable sum of 11.75 pence !

A circumstance connected with the occasion reflects great credit on Mr. James Lynch of Windfield, a universally esteemed gentleman resident in that neighbourhood, who, on heating of the arrival of the police force, proceeded to the spot, and finding, on looking over the collector’s list, found that a great number of the defaulters were utterly unable to pay, not having a potato for either food or seed, generously advanced the rate, and offered to take the amount in labour at their convenience. We need scarcely add that this proposal was gratefully accepted, while the poor people poured blessings on their benefactor.

© Tuam Herald Report