Local Studies Department

Poor Law Meeting at Naas - January 9th, 1841

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The Board of Guardians of the Naas Union met at the Courthouse, Naas on Wednesday, the 6th inst. Mr. Muggeridge, one of the Poor Law Commissioners attended. The time of the meeting was principally taken up in considering the objections made to the valuation. These objections are so numerous that it is calculated if the guardians were to sit every day for a month, they would not be able to get through them, so as to give each a consideration. It is really incredible the number of errors and overcharges that are to be found in the Valuators books; persons holding 30 acres of ground are put down as holders of 60; and land not worth more than 30s an acre is valued at £3; from the numerous complaints and objections made the Poor Law Commissioners are likely to quash the present valuation.

A communication from the medical practitioners of Naas Union was read, objecting to the terms offered by the Guardians for vaccinating under the new Act, and demanding a sum of £30 per annum to be paid to the Medical Officers of each district for the above purpose. The proposal was rejected by the Guardians.

The appointment of a master and matron next came under consideration Mr. Sinnot, who was appointed by the Guardians at a former meeting, but rejected by the Commissioners, again offered himself for the situation. It was however decided that as he had been declared ineligible by the Commissioners there was no use in him again looking for the appointment. The election of master and matron was subsequently postponed to the next day of meeting.