Wednesday, October 22nd, 1845

PARSONSTOWN UNION
Admitted during the week – 6
Remaining on preceding week – 202
Total – 208

Discharged – 7
Died – 0

Remaining on Saturday the 18th – 201
Sick in hospital – 18
Externs – 23

Average expense of pauper per week £0 1s. 4 3/8 d
Total expense of provisions and necessaries £15 7s. 11½d.

In consequence of the calamitous prospects of the potato crop, the Guardians of the above Union came to the resolution that the paupers should in general use a potato diet, thereby saving the oatmeal for a future period. There is a special meeting summoned for Saturday next, to take into consideration the most judicious means of guarding against the worst consequences. It would be well if the poor could be persuaded respecting the relative saving between potato and oatmeal diet; as in the Work-House here the week’s expense for dinner was £3 9s. 3 ¾ d, while for breakfast it was only £2 8s. 8 ¾ d., for the same number.

PETTY SESSIONAL PROCEEDINGS
(FROM OUR REPORTERS)
PARSONSTOWN – Saturday
Before Thomas Hacket, Esq., and Captain Kelly, R.M.
Twenty two cases were entered for hearing.

DRUNK AND DISORDERLY.
A wretched looking creature named Kennedy – whose tattered garments, dilapidated hat, and soiled shirt, the collar of which bore soil marks of a nozey origin, denoted his attachment to the mountain dew - was placed at the bar, charged with having been found in Cumberland street, in a state of happy forgetfulness. Sub-Constable Casey stated that he found the defendant lying across the pavement, he raised him, but his endeavours to make him resume the perpendicular were utterly fruitless – as he bent his body forward, and then, by his own centre of gravity, would descend to the curb stone. By the aid, however, of a powerful shake or two, he showed some sign of consciousness, and, was removed. The Constable stated that the defendant caused a good deal of annoyance, as he was surrounded by a crowd of pugnacious little boys and girls. The defendant stated that he met with some friends, who treated him to two “croppers” and not having tasted food for some hours previously, total insensibility followed, accompanied by a desire to dispense with the luxury of a bed for the coolness of the pavement. A verdict of guilty was recorded against him, and he was fined two shillings and sixpence; but not having the ‘needful’ he was locked up for 24 hours.

PICKING POCKETS
John Fitzpatrick, a young, but frequently convicted pickpocket, in physiognomy an exact facsimile of Thornhill’s popular portrait of Jack Sheppard, was charged with stealing £1 7s 6d, from the pocket of a man named Hugh Larkin. The prosecutor a remarkably stupid old man, deposed that a few hours previously, he was passing along the Main Street, which was very much thronged with people, the prinsoner jostled him, put his hand into the pocket of his pantaloons, and took there-from a one pound note, and three half-crown pieces. He did not catch the hand, but felt it, and kept the prisoner in view till he was arrested. He under-went a very searching cross-examination by Mr. Dowling, solicitor, who appeared for the prisoner. Sub-Constable Nicholson deposed that he arrested the prisoner, and found on his person a pound note and some coppers. Mr. Dowling addressed the Bench, and remarked that the money found by the Constable was not the same that Larkin alleged to have lost. The Bench gave the prisoner the benefit of the doubt, an discharged him. The other cases consisted of petty assaults and common trespass, and did not possess the slightest interest.

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