Halpins of Wicklow, etc. - Part 4

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Part 1.

Summary of News.

Rathdrum Union - The persons nominated as Guardians for the Moneystown and Trooperstown Divisions of this union are Messrs Michael Byrne and Thomas Byrne of Moneystown, and Moneystown Hill, and for the Oldtown Division, Messrs Thomas Valentine and James Fleming of Roundwood, Farmers.

Rathdown Union - A contest is anticipated for the post of Poor Law Guardians, in the Rathdown Union, for Kingstown.  Mr Hennessy, late Town Commissioner, offering himself in the Roman Catholic interest.  Messrs Hasler and Chambers, JP., the present and for many years the guardians representing the place at the board, in the Protestant interest, intend it is understood stoutly to defend their position.

Arklow Lifeboat - On Tuesday morning a vessel was observed by the coxswain of the Arklow Lifeboat to be aground on the bank.  The lifeboat of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution was immediately launched, and reached the bank in about an hour and a half.  The crew were unwilling to leave, hoping that their vessel would float off at high water, which turned out the case.  The lifeboat then accompanied her for some time, fearing that she might have sprung a leak while in contact with the bank, but on signal being made that no injury was received, the coxswain returned to shore.  The Blue Eyed Maid, of London, being in the offing when the boat was returning, and observing that she was falling to leeward, owing to the strong tide running against her, and that she would have much difficulty in making Arklow, hove to and took her in tow, and brought her up to the bar.  This considerate act deserves to be noticed as worthy of imitation.

Accident to a Steamboat - The Steamer that left the North Wall, Dublin, on Saturday night last, laden with passengers, goods and 275 pigs, bound for Holyhead, met with an accident of a very dangerous character, about five miles beyond the Kish light, the boiler having burst and disabling the vessel, she remained in the position mentioned all night.  On Sunday the engineer succeeded in getting steam up, and brought the vessel back to the North Wall.  Though all on board were much alarmed, no accident very fortunately occurred.

Attempt at  Piracy on the Mayo Coast - On the night of the 7th of this month, at the hour of ten o'clock, a desperate attempt was made to plunder the schooner ''Vixen'' laden with flour, in Blacksod Bay, where she was driven for refuge by stress of weather.  The crew of three boats, numbering about twenty men, boarded the schooner on coming to anchor and set about opening the hatches, but the captain, with great presence of mind, quickly set up a blue light and rocket, which had the effect of deterring them in their purpose, and they took to their boats, fearing the approach of the coast-guards.

Important Charge - At the Cork Assizes on Saturday last, Judge Keogh, in addressing the Grand Jury said, ''I am happy to be able to state that the business before you at the present assizes will be light.  The calendar contains not more than 25 cases, which are not henious nor aggravated.  Considering the extent of the county, the vast range of districts it comprises, including almost one-tenth of Ireland, with a population of five or six hundred thousand persons, the information before me is not in any way discreditable to that large population.

Donegal Assizes - Mr Justice Hayes, at Lifford, on opening the assizes on Saturday, stated in his charge to the Grand Jury, that he was ''filled with dismay at the great prevalence of illicit distillation which (he observed) was the beginning of crime.  He regretted also to find the county proclaimed as the headquarters of agrarian conspiracy.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assizes

Quit Rents (Ireland) - A return has been issued, showing the gross and net amounts of Irish Quit and Crown rents received and applied by the Commissioners of Woods and Forests in each year from the 5th day of January, 1861, to the 5th day of January, 1863.  It appears from this paper that the receipts in 1861 - 62 were £47,057, and the expenditure £3,100, showing a surplus of £43,957; and the receipts in 1862 - 63 were £46,912, and the expenditure was £2,955, leaving a surplus of £44,027.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quit-rent

Latest Intelligence.

Italy - We are informed that collisions have taken place in Rome between the French and Pontifical troops.  Detachments of troops patrol the city night and day, to maintain order.  The populace participate in the conflicts by siding with the Papal soldiers.

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Part 2.

Home News.

The Earl of Donoughmore, in the House of Lords on Thursday, inquired whether government intended to take any steps to reorganize the Irish constabulary.  He complained of the exclusively military character of the force, and its centralization.  Earl Granville defended the constabulary, on the ground that the peculiar circumstances of Ireland rendered a military organization necessary.  The government had, however, communicated with the executive in Ireland [Dublin Castle] to see what could be done to improve the efficiency of the force.

The time-honoured custom of setting aside the 17th of March as a holiday throughout Ireland, to commemorate the advent of St. Patrick, was observed throughout the length and breadth of the land with customary eclat.  In the metropolis the day was celebrated by the trooping of the Castle guard, formed by companies of the different regiments now stationed in Dublin, in the presence of His Excellency and a distinguished company.  Several thousand persons assembled to witness the imposing sight.  In Wicklow the day was observed as a partial holiday, and, with the exception of a few drunken brawls, which were soon quietened by the activity of the Constabulary, the day passed over in a peaceful and pleasant manner.

- The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, March 19, 1864.

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Part 1.

Wicklow Town Commissioners.

Monday, March 14, 1864.

A meeting of the Town Commissioners was held in the Court House on Monday evening last, at eight o'clock, the following members of the Board being in attendance:

George Wynne, Esq. Chairman; Dr. A. Nolan, Messrs J. Perrin, J. Nolan, J. Hayden, J. Chapman, J.P. Hopkins, T. Troy, J. Oakes, J. Pim, Wm. McPhail, and R. Halpin, Secretary.

The Chairman said, in reference to the letting of the old Market House, they were taken by surprise at the last meeting.  An application had been made for it which he thought very advantageous, when a verbal proposal was made on the instant by another party, which, in his opinion, was not so favourable as the first one.  It would be for them, however, to consider the merits of each, and decide at once as to the most eligible one.
Mr. Hayden said he was not opposed to letting the Market House to Mr. McPhail, at the same time making allusion to a claim he had to materials at present in the building.
The Chairman said they could not entertain the question of any claim Mr. Hayden might suppose he had; they were met for the purpose of considering a special subject - the letting of the Market House.
Mr. Chapman thought if Mr. Hayden had wished to remain as tenant, the Commissioners would not have removed him so long as he paid the rent.  Mr. Hayden had not only surrendered it, but in such a manner that it looked like taking advantage of the Secretary.  The Commissioners were bound to set the premises to the best advantage.
After some further observations in support of Mr. Chapman's views from Mr. Hopkins and Dr. Nolan, Mr. McPhail stated the terms of his application, namely, to take the Market House for four years certain, and to expend the sum of £40, provided the commissioners granted a lease for 75 years, when they had the power to do so.
Mr. Hayden objected to the letting of the Market House to anyone.  He considered the Commissioners did him an injustice in not letting him the premises.
Mr. Perrin observed that there was no injustice done by the Commissioners, for he had himself surreptitiously given up the concern. 
Dr. A. Nolan then moved the following resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Perrin: -
Resolved: That the premises known as the Town Hall and Market House be let to Mr. William McPhail, at the yearly rent of £23 per annum, from the 25th March, 1864, for four years certain, at the expiration of which time the Commissioners, as far as in their power, do engage to grant him a lease of the premises for 75 years.
Mr. Hayden moved an amendment, which was seconded by Mr. Troy, that the premises be let only from year to year.
Dr. Nolan said, that if a person proposed to take premises for so lengthened a period as 75 years, it was a most favourable proposition, as he would lay out doubtless a substantial sum in improvements; and would not the outlay of £40 be equivalent to any benefit it was supposed they were granting in giving up the old materials about the premises.
The amendment having been put to the meeting by the Chairman, it was negatived, 3 voting for it, and 7 against.
The original proposition was carried.

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Part 2.

Monthly Meeting of the Board of Commissioners continued:

A memorial from shipowners in the town of Wicklow was read, respecting the dues paid by vessels frequenting the port, and, after some discussion, it was proposed by Dr. Nolan and seconded by Mr. Chapman, that the resolution of the 25th of April, 1862, be rescinded, and that the rates for vessels from the 1st of May next should be 4d per ton annually for Wicklow vessels, provided all arrears were paid up on or before the 1st of May next; and 3d per ton for foreign vessels each voyage.
It was proposed by Mr. Nolan and seconded by Mr. Hopkins, that the mooring fees for boats under 15 tons should be 6d each voyage - Carried.

Mr Hayden moved a resolution, which was seconded by Mr Chapman, that 10 per cent be allowed to Mr Hutchinson for collecting the tolls.

Mr. Chapman said, in reference to any further outlay on the harbour, that from conversations he had had with the Surveyor, that official was of opinion it would be useless to expend any more money at present.  He thought the Harbour Master ought to report at once any timber that was loose about the quays which was the property of the Commissioners, and if any be stolen, to endeavour to trace out the offenders, with a view to their punishment.
The Chairman thought it would be useless to expend more on the harbour.  In reference to the duties of the Harbour Master, that official ought to take every means of protecting the property of the Commissioners.
Mr. Chapman suggested that all small matters that required doing should be done out of the tolls, without touching any moneys borrowed by the Commissioners.
The Chairman said he wished to draw that attention of the Board to the state of the Murrough.  It was the most attractive part of the town for strangers, and he hoped before they adjourned that they would come to some resolution to attend to it.
Mr. Hopkins stated it was his opinion that the Chairman had power to protect the Murrough.
The Chairman thought his power was not available without funds.  If the Commissioners would empower him to act, and furnish him with means, he should be able to carry out the work.
Mr. Chapman made some remarks respecting the cartage of timber, which was one cause of the state of the Murrough.
Mr. Hopkins alluded to the value of the Murrough for the exercise of the militia during the period of their embodiment in Wicklow, and the Chairman observed that a little thing would drive them away, if no inducement were held out to encourage their annual assemblage in the town.
Mr. Chapman said it was important that it should be done now; it would not be wise to wait until another meeting.
After a few words from Dr. A. Nolan, in reference to the necessity of some steps being taken to preserve the condition of the Murrough, and keep up its attractions for visitors to the town, it was resolved that Mr. Edwards be written to respecting the state of the Murrough, that the timber now deposited there be removed by water, and that in future none be stored there, and that the timber deposited along the banks of the river be likewise removed.
The meeting then adjourned.

- The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, March 19, 1864.

The photo attached depicts timber strewn along the Wicklow quays, with the Morrough in the distance (c.1890).

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Part 3.

Wicklow Rifle Militia - This fine regiment will assemble here on Saturday, the 14th of May, for 21 days training, and we have no doubt the men will conduct themselves in the same orderly way they have hitherto done in former years, during their periodical stay in Wicklow.

Baltinglass Union, Thursday.

Thomas S. Dennis Esq. in the Chair.  Other Guardians present - Edward A. Dennis, Esq., Messrs Robert Parke, Charles Wynne, Edward Heydon, and Patrick Kelley.

State of the House.

Remaining since last week, 295; in infirmary 37; in Fever Hospital 14; admitted 18; born 0; died 0; discharged 11; remaining 301.  Corresponding number last year 286.

Finance

.

Cost of Provisions received, £46 11s 9d.  Do.consumed, £39 2s 2d.  Average cost per head, weekly, 2s 5d.  Do. in Fever Hospital, 4s 4d.  Do. in Infirmary, 2s 7d.  Amount of Poor Rate collected and lodged during the week, £000 00s 0d.  Do. Uncollected, £1,672 19s 1d.  Balance in favour of Guardians £1,756 18s 4d.  Cost of Out-relief for the week, £2 16s 6d.

- The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, March 19, 1864.

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Part 1.

I've already referred to the special relationship between Francis Wakefield, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, and R W Halpin, Town Clerk, Secretary to the Harbour Board, Post Master and Bookseller.  Both men were committed radicals and devoted their entire political lives to the improvement of Wicklow's economy and the reform of Local Government in Ireland.  According to his obituary, Wakefield was not quite a Home Ruler, but he was certainly a strong supporter of many of Gladstone's attempts to secure greater political independence for Ireland.  R W Halpin, who was also Wakefield's personal agent, openly supported the nationalist cause and enjoyed the respect of most of Wicklow's Catholic community.  Joseph McCarroll, one of the county's most notable nationalist politicians in the last quarter of the 19th century, spoke with sincere appreciation of R W Halpin's services after the latter died in 1883, and James Everett, Wicklow's longest serving TD, referred to my great, great grandfather with genuine feeling when relatives of mine visited Wicklow in the 1950s.  Everett never met R W Halpin, but he heard a great deal about him from Joe McCarroll, and was taught by Robert James Halpin (1872 - 1960), who was R W Halpin's grandson.  Over the next few months I intend to post a good deal about the daily political activities of Francis Wakefield and R W Halpin, which should allow readers to form an appreciation of their reformative endeavours.  In the mean time, this letter, published by Wakefield in June 1868, gives some insight into the kinds of issues he and my great great grandfather concerned themselves with.

(I have made some slight changes to the original text to improve clarity.)

The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, June 20, 1868.

Wicklow Dispensary.

To The Editor Of The Wicklow Newsletter:

Sir - Since I have bee a resident in Ireland I have noticed that what Albert Smith* called ''the poor man dodge'' is extremely worked.  In any legal question the fact of the plaintiff or defendant being a ''poor man'' is eagerly brought forward by counsel for the favourable consideration of the jury.  In every other display of oratory, on the hustings, at commissioners meetings, each speaker endeavours to impress upon his audience his eager desire to benefit this object of universal sympathy.  I am quite ready to concede that when the jury, the members of Parliament, and the commissioners, discover that they can benefit the ''poor man'' without injuring themselves financially, or offending their prejudices, or inconveniencing themselves in any way, they readily lean towards him, sometimes to the perversion of justice.  But the fact remains that the hardworking poor in Ireland have been worse paid and had less consideration given to their wants than in any country with which I am acquainted.  Now I have the pen in my hand I can scarcely refrain from giving your readers my late experience of the wretched hovels in which the poor dwell, and the utter disregard of all sanitary considerations in choosing the sites of their habitations.  The bottom of two steep lanes where foul drainage stagnates, appears a favourite site for the friends of the poor man to locate their charge.

However, my present letter is the consideration of how we are going to doctor the poor man when the wear and tear of life, insufficient food and foul lodging lay him up, and the rate-payers have to keep him and his family.  In your last impression on the obituary of Dr. Banks, you alluded to the prodigious amount of work he had to undergo for £100 per annum.  I know one instance in which a gentleman acting for him had to travel 36 Irish miles in 24 hours to one patient, and there are in the district 10,000 people who may require the services of the Wicklow Dispensary Doctor!  It was quite right in dealing with that subject that you only dwelt on the hardships Dr. Banks had to suffer.  Indeed, the situation of a gentleman by birth and education, obliged by the demands of a growing family, to undertake an amount of work no one could thoroughly perform, for a sum which would hardly pay for the keep of his horse and the wear and tear of his clothes and gig, is painful in the extreme, and I, for my part, feel that there is something degrading in the idea that the agent who spends two or three days in the year collecting from tenants £2,000, and the auctioneer who sells in a few hours £2,000 worth of property, receive the same sum as a surgeon, who, after an expensive education, and a rigid examination, attends to the health of some thousands of people for a whole year, up late and early, out in all weathers, exposed to all dangers from contagious diseases.  But my present purpose is to consider the claims of the poor, to have proper medical attendance, and I confess I consider the report that the Dispensary Committee intends reducing the surgeon's salary to £85 per annum as a heartless joke.  The fact is however, that, as about £20 is received for the arduous and tiresome work of registration, some clever cheese-parer amongst the committee thinks this £20 may be reckoned as part of the salary!  I have not heard that the fortunate gentleman who may be elected to the post of surgeon will be expected to give an account of any private practice he may obtain and take the amount from the £85 per annum, but no one need be astonished should this be the case.

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Part 2.

But sir, it is quite impossible that even on £100 per annum any man can do justice to this district.  It must be either divided and Ashford, Glenealy, Dunran, &c., formed into one district, while Wicklow, Rathnew, &c., form the other, or the dispensary doctor must be allowed an assistant.  The former plan would be far the best and secure quicker attendance upon the sick, for hours must often elapse before anyone taken ill or being injured beyond the Devil's Glen can send into Wicklow and find the surgeon, who may be attending a case near Sea-park.  It would of course involve more expense if two medical officers at £75 were engaged instead of one at £100, and even if one were allowed £30 per annum towards an assistant, there would be a little apparent saving.  However, I maintain that the ''poor'' who we are all so anxious - in theory at any rate - to serve, are entitled to have their wants in illness ministered to in a far more efficient manner than has hitherto been possible.  I hear there is at least one clergyman on the committee.  No doubt he will remind his colleagues far better than I can do, of all the moral and religious obligations which bind them to consider the claims of the sick and the needy.  I will merely take the low ground of the rate-payer.  In the first place, badly paid work is badly done.  The poor fellows I knew years ago in the West, who were employed at 9 pence per day, were unable to do a quarter of a day's work.  The railway and bank directors, however, who received handsome salaries and had no responsibilities, have robbed their shareholders of thousands.  Therefore, divide your district, and pay your dispensary doctors something worth having.  Don't let people who can afford to pay get free tickets, and when the time for attendance at the dispensary arrives, see the doctor is at his post.  In the second place, if a man is laid up, he cannot earn wages.  If he dies, his wife and family come on the parish.  The object of the ratepayer is to get a sick man well as speedily as possible, and not to let him die by any means.  Suppose by not having a doctor in time 5 men die every year, and thus five families of 4 each are thrown on the parish, that is 20 people, and each of these costs 4 shillings a week, that is £200 per annum.  Let the rate-payers reflect on this pecuniary drain every year, mounting up for five years at least, till the aggregate run is £1,000 per annum, then I am sure all will vote for two doctors well paid and well kept up to their work.

I am, yours &c., Francis Wakefield.

Wicklow, June 18, 1868.

* Albert Smith: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Richard_Smith

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Part 1.

Wicklow Town Commissioners.

A special meeting of this Board, convened by requisition, was held at 7 o'clock on Monday evening last, in the County Courthouse.  The following Commissioners attended:

Dr. Andrew Nolan, Chairman, Messrs. Francis Wakefield, Thomas Doolittle, John Hayden, James W. Dillon, John Chapman, Henry McPhail, John O'Brien, Thomas Smyth, Thomas Troy, and William McPhail; Robert Halpin, Secretary.

The Corporation Land - Allowance For Raw Stubble, &c.

Mr Chapman proposed that the tenants should be allowed the first half-year's rent for such portions of their land as is in raw stubble or broken ground.
Mr Wakefield was of opinion that this allowance should only be granted to those tenants paying £4 per acre.
The Chairman - I think it would be well if you would define the fields where the allowance should be made.
Mr Hayden - I think you might confine it to Carr's late holding.
Mr Wakefield - I am under the impression that some gentlemen have been given this allowance in the fixing of the rents.  Have any persons been granted land at a low rent because some of it was in raw stubble?
Mr Chapman - No.
Mr Henry McPhail - If I do not make a great mistake I believe a resolution has been already passed that the tenants getting possession in November would not come under rent until the March following.
The Chairman - That has no relation with the question before us.
Mr Chapman - I don't know the reason why Mr Wakefield should put in the proviso that the allowance should be made only to the tenants paying £4 an acre.  The resolution I have proposed would take in every person that fell in for raw stubble or broken ground.  Among those is Mr James Byrne.  If the Commissioners think he should not be granted the allowance I have no objection: but whether they do or not there is another holding which should have the advantage of it, and that is, a part of the field held originally by Mr Byrne which was given to Mr Thomas Doolittle.  The broken land on that should have the same advantage as the rest.

(Here Mr O'Brien called upon the Chairman to show him the requisition convening the meeting as it was a special one.)

Chairman - I know that this meeting was called by the unanimous consent of the committee, and at least four of the Commissioners signed the requisition.
Mr O'Brien - But you know you cannot call a special meeting unless there is a requisition for it, signed by at least one-third of the Commissioners.  I require the requisition to be produced; our meeting must be legally constituted.

The Secretary Mr Halpin then went for the requisition.

Several Commissioners thought that seven members of the Board had signed the requisition, and that they might go on with the business.
Mr Wakefield - As you wish the business to go on I must say that in my experience I do not know of any books that show more injustice than the books of the Wicklow Commissioners.  I consider that lately we have not acted justly and equally, and it shall not go on without my protest.
The Chairman - Mr Wakefield, I must call you to order, because I think you are making a gross attack on the Commissioners, and I am sure you will admit that an attack of that kind should not be made.  I must request you to confine your observations to the resolution at present before us.
Mr Wakefield - I am coming to that.  Mr Chapman by a series of resolutions has compelled us to commit an injustice which really I am ashamed of.  I will tell you what we have done: I believe I proposed that Mr Connor should have his land at 17s 6d per acre.  Mr Chapman advisedly -
The Chairman - I must protest against you saying anything about Mr Chapman doing acts 'advisedly'.  What he proposed received the full consent of the Commissioners, and if you reflect upon him in that way you reflect upon the whole body.  I cannot sit here and allow an individual Commissioner to bring a charge against another for what the whole Board has confirmed, and I must say Mr Chapman's resolutions were framed with an intelligence and zeal which should be commended.
Mr Wakefield - I am just telling you what we have done.
Mr Chapman - You must confine yourself to the business.
Mr Wakefield - We took a piece of land from Mr Connor which was immediately assigned at £2 10s per acre to Mr Fox, one of the most respectable men in this town.  The piece of land given to Mr Connor, in place of this, for 17s 6d an acre, is to be taken back and given to Mr Fox at £4 per acre.  Now, if you consider that is fair, I am done with my notions of what is fair and right.  In the case of Mr Byrne, his land was given at the low rent of £2 an acre because he got raw stubble.  I heard Mr Chapman say that himself - I remember it distinctly.  In addition to that allowance are we to give him half a year's rent?  When you are going to put a £4 rent for bad land on a respectable inhabitant, who has laid out a great deal of money in the town, I have a right to be heard, and I will see justice done.  We have passed a lot of resolutions, and after all very probably what we have done will be upset.  You have already granted an allowance to Mr Byrne for the raw stubble.  Now you propose to give him further compensation.

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Part 2.

Mr Chapman - Almost every word Mr Wakefield has said is incorrect and untrue.
Mr Hayden - I object to that language.  Mr Chapman should not charge anyone with being untrue.
Mr Dillon - I believe no Commissioner has a right to say that the words of another are untrue.
The Chairman - I think not.
Mr Chapman - With regard to the fixing of the rents I had nothing to do with it.  I never said that because Mr Byrne got raw stubble his rent should be £2 per acre.  I had nothing to do with that.  It was fixed by a vote of the Commissioners; and I was neither the proposer nor the seconder of the resolution on his rent.  With regard to the rent on Mr Connor, I had nothing whatever to say about it.  I never proposed a rent on anyone, but in several instances I objected to a high rent being placed on some parties.  The only thing I took any part in was the procuring of the grazing land, and the dividing of the plot called ''the orchard plot.''  Why Mr Wakefield should focus his attack on me I cannot imagine, unless it is because I opposed an application of his at the last meeting, which I shall feel bound to oppose as long as I am Commissioner.  But whenever Mr Wakefield proposes anything that is right and fair, I shall support him.
Mr Wakefield - As far as the rent on Mr Connor goes I know that I proposed it, but I must say that I was told that it would be no advantage to anyone to get Connor's land at the high rent of £4 per acre.
Mr Chapman - I was not at all the proposer of that change of land.  The only thing that occurred to me in that matter was that that field might be of great advantage to some parties living in the town, and what was given to Mr Connor was more than what he had before.  When I went out to see it, I perceived at once that there was some mistake.
Mr Wakefield - I am very glad that Mr Chapman has given this explanation.  In my observations I may have been rather warm, but Mr Chapman admits that there was a mistake made.
The Chairman - We saw that we had committed a mistake and we accordingly took steps to rectify it.
Mr Chapman - I had nothing to do with fixing the rents.
Mr Wakefield - Well, if so, I beg your pardon.
The Chairman - I think that when the rent of £4 was fixed on Carr's plot, Mr Chapman intimated that there should be allowances made for worn ground in that instance, but I think it was solely restricted to that plot.
Mr Chapman - I would say let all get the allowance except Mr James Byrne.
Mr Wakefield - The misfortune is that every man that has not got what he had before is not satisfied.  We have gone on no principle.  What you should have done in fixing the rents was to have taken the poor law valuation as a basis, and then, before you made any distribution, fix it 25 or 50 per cent, or as much as you like over that.  Then I don't think anyone could find fault with us.
Mr Hayden - That question is not at present before us, Mr Wakefield.
Mr Chapman - I will put in the words ''on Carr's late holding only'' in my resolution if you wish, or if you like to put in the field held by Mr Thomas Doolittle I shall do so.  I objected to the rent put on that field at the time it was fixed as I thought it was too high.
Mr Henry McPhail - There is half of the land held by Mr Thomas Doolittle raw ground.
Mr Wakefield - The Chairman confirms me in my statement that Mr Byrne got his land at a low rent because it was broken land.
The Chairman - Decidedly.

A resolution was then proposed by Mr Chapman and seconded by Mr Wakefield to the effect that the tenants on Carr's late holding be allowed the first half year's rent on such portions of their land as is in raw stubble or broken ground: the same allowance to be made in the case of the broken ground in Mr Doolittle's field.
The resolution was passed.

The Commissioners were then proceeding to other business when the Secretary returned with the requisition which he said was signed by only four members of the Board.  He also stated that he did not receive any notice of it until Saturday evening, and he had not time to get more signatures.
The Chairman said they could go on no further with the proceedings, and what they had passed fell to the ground.  It was a pity to lose so much time.
Mr O'Brien - But I don't think I am to be blamed for calling for the requisition.
The Chairman - Oh, certainly not.

Another requisition for a meeting to be held on the following Thursday was then drawn out and signed by the Commissioners, after which the meeting adjourned.

- The Wicklow Newsletter, Saturday, June 20, 1868.