Appendix (A.)
252 APPENDIX to FIRST REPORT from the COMMISSIONERS for inquiring Impotent through Age.
Munster, County Cork.
Examinations taken by Thomas Martin, Esq.
John Lcilor, I* sq.
There is a species of labourer, who comes in from the country at the age of about 22 or 23, who has regular work at 8 5.
a week, out of which he can and does save; this class is much better than the city labourer.
Tradesmen could save, but they seldom do; many of them drink.
With respect to a provision for the infirm through age, and the sick, it was considered by the witnesses present the feeling of the city is nearly unanimous in favour of it.
The house of industry is allowed by all to be of the greatest service to the city.
Parish St.
Mary's,
Shandon.
City of Cork.
Pe7'sons who atte7ided the Exa)7iination.
Mrs.
Colemam, superior of the convent of the Sisters of Charity.—llev.
Mr.
Daly, senior catholic
curate.—Mr.
Edward Jamls Downey, clerk of the chapel for 23 years.—Mr.
R.
Howell, woolcomber.—Mr.
John Murphy, coffin-maker, president of the sick poor sociely.—Mr.
Johx Nagle, son of a tradesman.—Mr.
James Nolan, foreman maltster.—Dr.
Quarry, rector of the parish.—Dr.
Sloane, minister of presbyterian congregation.
In this parish the number of persons destitute from age is very great, and consists of persons reduced in circumstances, whose support devolves, as a matter of duty, on the nearest relatives.
In the case of parents or brothers, people would cry
" shame "
on a man who would allow a near relative to go into the house of industry.
There were, however, some cases of their being deserted by their relations when the iatter were barely able to support themselves.
Occasionally one child feels aggrieved at bearing exclusively the parent's support, and then they go about from one to another.
As the support of the parents often presses very sorely on the children, and as they are of course obliged to bear all the changes of circumstances, it must often happen that they suffer great misery; in some cases, too, it may lead to ill feeling, but they are the exceptions; in the main, they are kind to one another.
There are some instances in the parish of those who emigrated having sent home remit¬ tances to their relations; one man came home and left 50 guineas among his relations, and then went out to earn more.
A great many go about the neighbourhood with wallets collecting food, and they some¬ times live better than those who live with their relatives; yet the disinclination to beg is verv great, and they suffer much before they resort to it.
The gentry subscribe for the support of institutions, yet, as before stated, they do not give much, compared with the middle class; in some few instances they support pensioners; a great many of them, however, entirely refuse contributions.
This has been done so stiiking as to excite great indignation.
It has been proposed at a public meeting to publish the names of the defaulters.
Those who do not reside on their own estates do not in general send anv subscriptions.
Lord Cork subscribes for the support of the poor of the whole city.
The only collection is at the chuich on Sunday, amounting to 15 s.
or 205.
It was considered impossible for labourers or tradesmen, generally, looking to the state of wages in the parish, to lay by a provision for age; perhaps they might if in constant em¬ ployment, and if members of a benefit society.
In answer to tho question, Was the general opinion of the parish favourable to a provision for the aged poor?
the roman-catholic curate said, "" So far, I think it would be favourable."
Paiusl.
St.
Mitltoze, Tcn\n of Kinhak.
Pai.
Kinsale.
Persons who attended the Examination.
Mr.
Michael Cadogan, boatman.—Edward
Daly, esq.,
barristcr-at-law, resident.—Jeremiah
M'Daniel, esq.,
burgess of the corporation.—Mr.
Daniel Dempsey, boatman.—Mr.
George Dawson, boatman.—Edward
Heard, sovereign of Kinsale.—Mr.
Jeremiah Hurly, shop¬ keeper.-Rev.
Justin Holey M'Namara, parish priest.—Henry
Thomas King Nason, esq.,
foundling offices collector.—James
Sandys, esq.-Mr.
John Sullivan, pawnbroker.—Rev.
Maurice Walshe, catholic curate.
There are great numbers of the impotent through age who are chiefly supported by their relations; many are supported by their neighbours; and witness says,
" It has often puzzled me to think how poor people are supported."
When asked, they have answered, " By God and their neighbours."
The charity of the poor to each other is wonderfully great; when fish is not scarce, the old and infirm fishermen have some given them by those who go out.
The younger branches take their aged and infirm relations (when these are no longer able to support themselves) and keep them (as they do their wives) " for better, for worse," and share freely whatever they may have with them.
It frequently presses heavily on the younger branches.
Witness tells of bavino* met an old man begging, whose son he knew to be a labourer, and on asking the son why he let his father beg, he said, "I cannot help it; I would be glad enough to support him it (couid, but I am not able ; when I have a good meal I always toll him, and he gets a share o i lr; but that is but little, and sure he must begf when I cannot p'ive him enough."
Those
o5 b who
