Athenry’s lead
Athenry will give a lead to other towns in the county so far as the promotion of industry is concerned. It would be well in such towns as Loughrea, Gort and Tuam – their public men got their minds out of the atmosphere of breeding pedigree livestock and endeavoured to create employment for their townsmen and townswomen, who have to emigrate for want of a means of living.

Every small town should have an annual exhibition of at least local industries. The people of the small towns are blind to what is good for them, otherwise they would combine and save their people from ruin.

Drunkenness
Constable Doherty summoned Patrick Hession for drunkenness.
Complainant: It is his first offence within twelve months.

The defendant said he had taken the pledge. A few drinks would knock him up.

Sergeant O’Neill summoned the same defendant for a similar offence; and Constable Fox had him also summoned to show why he should not be bound to the peace for a similar offence.

Chairman: Will you keep the pledge?

Defendant: I will.

Chairman: If I were to fine you, I would fine you 40s in each case. I will give you this chance.

The cases were adjourned for three months.

Timber theft
Lord Francis Harvey prosecuted John Treacy for the alleged larceny of branches of trees from Garbally demesne.

Constable French, in answer to Mr Davidson (who appeared for complainant), said he was on duty on the 21st February in Garbally. He was concealed in ambush in the demesne, and say three men carrying a branch of a tree.

When they saw the witness, they dropped it and ran away. He pursued the defendant and caught up on him, and he gave his name as John Treacy. The branch was about 14 feet long, and would be value for about 1s.

Defendant said he was only crossing from his own house through the demesne, and he gave a hand to lift the stick.

Chairman: Why did you run so?

Defendant: I did not run.

Witness: You did.

Mr. Davidson said this was occurring frequently, but the defendant met the case very fairly, which might be something in his favour.
A fine of 5s was imposed, with 1s compensation.

1935

Airport rumour
There is a rumour in Clifden to the effect that Omey Strand at Claddaghduff was visited by two men during the week with a view to exploring the possibilities of an air port. It has not been possible to get confirmation.

Atlantic air service
Negotiations between interested parties and the Governments in London, Dublin, Newfoundland and the United States have just concluded, as a result of which there is a possibility of a regular trans-Atlantic air service between Galway Bay and Newfoundland in 7.5 hours being established within the next year. The scheme will provide for the building of a new aerodrome at Galway Bay.

A site for this aerodrome has already been selected at Furbough by Sir Alan Cobham, consultant to the Irish trans-Atlantic Corporation.
From Galway, it is a hop of 1,500 miles to the nearest point on the other side of the Atlantic – Notre Dame Bay.

Unemployment allotments
Galway Urban Council are at present considering the provision of an allotment scheme for the unemployed of the town. Under the Acquisition of Land (Allotments) Act which was passed by the Oireachtas last year, unemployed persons in urban areas can be provided by the local authorities with allotments of about one-eighth of a statute acre at a nominal rent, usually a shilling, for the growing of vegetables for themselves and their families and can also be provided with seeds, manures, etc., free of charge for the cultivation of the allotments.

Where the local authority has not land at its disposal, it can rent land and the difference between the amount of the rent and the amount paid by the allotment holders will be met by a State grant. The cost of seeds, manures, etc., will also be recouped to the local authority by means of a State grant.

In this way the scheme imposes no burden on the rates. For many reasons, the scheme is one that should receive the support of all interest in the social well-being of the unemployed. It is a scheme which tends to maintain morale, physical fitness and develop initiative.

Rail strike
Serious inconvenience and loss have been caused to the West by the Dublin rail strike which began over last weekend and is still continuing. Many trains running between Dublin and Galway have been several hours late and some buyers were prevented from attending Galway sheep and cattle fair on Wednesday morning.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.