The Streets of Athenry

Source: Galway Express, Saturday 03 March 1900

In his quarterly report Mr J. Smith, County Surveyor, East Division, referring to the state of Athenry Streets observed:— So much has been said and written about the condition of the streets of Athenry for the past few months, that it might perhaps, be desirable that the history of proposal No. 19 (Loughrea) for their maintenance should be referred to by me at some length. At the District Quarterly Meeting in July last I had an application for their repair at 6s per perch before the District Council, when they decided to allow only 3s per perch. This sum was totally insufficient, and no Contractor could be got to tender for the work; consequently it was put in my hands for tbe quarter ended 31st December at the rate of 9d per perch for the three months, and I was unable to do more than get the streets cleaned at periodic intervals. I again laid an application at 6s per per perch before the District Council at their October meeting, when they decided to ” split the difference” and allow 4s 6d per perch. For a second time no contractor tendered for the work, and they were again put in my hands for three months at the rate of 1s 1½ d per perch, and I have been able to get some repairs done besides cleaning, but, of course, during the period referred to, the surface has become very much worn, and the streets are now in a bad state. For the third time, at the quarterly meeting in January, I brought forward an application at 6s per perch, which was approved and at last a contract was taken for their main-tenance. I would further draw attention to the fact that in 1895, when the streets were taken at 3s per perch, only a few fairs were held yearly in Athenry. since then monthly fairs have been instituted, which are held in the streets, there being no Fair Green, and it is very improbable that the streets will ever be in good repair, as the metalling will hardly have time to consolidate between the fairs. In connection with this application a notice of motion was on the list to make concrete footpaths in Athenry at a cost of £400, and is was contended that it they were made the streets could be kept in repair for 3s per perch which was the old price, and that the ₤400 could be obtained by loan if necessary, and would mean a saving to the district of over ₤41, as compared with my estimate. The calculations laid before the Council on this matter were inaccurate, in that they did not make allowance for the amount chargeable to the County-at-large. In any case, I fail to see that pedestrian traffic could to any great degree affect the question of the cost of road maintenance. Although I do not wish it to be understood that 1 am opposing the requirements of Athenry, I think that persons writing to in the public Press ought to be more accurate in their statements, and not at all times blame officials for a condition of things which is not in their power to rectify.