A story next with a sad sentiment about the annual meeting of Blantyre Parish Council in October 1892. As officials met as usual to discuss ‘Blantyre business’, the agenda turned to who should receive ‘poor relief’ in the parish.
This would usually comprise of the reading of a list, with the men in the committee who, if anybody should receive food, clothing or financial assistance from the Council.
The Inspector next turned his attention to a boy named John Comber residing with Mrs Cushna at Turner’s Buildings, Glasgow Road, Blantyre. It was heard that the boy had been suffering from consumption, his case heard at 2 prior meetings, but relief refused, offering him the poorhouse in Hamilton instead.
It was suggested by the Inspector that a medical line could be afforded to the boy, but before anything else could be discussed, Mr Fegan spoke up quickly. It was heard that since the Inspector had previously refused nourishment and help for the boy in previous months, he had since died and the matter didn’t therefore require any other consideration and could be dropped. However, before the committee moved on Messrs Fegan and ONeal wanted the Council members to know of their extreme dissatisfaction of how this had been ‘dealt with’ and their disapproval of the other officials.
A sad case, and nothing in the newspaper of any lessons learned from this!
