Derry Corporation Minute Book Volume 15 (1860-1863)

Introduction

This volume of Derry Corporation minutes covers the period from 2nd January 1860 to 2nd February 1863.

This minute book is the first which has printed page numbers. Lists of estimated Corporation expenditure can be found throughout the volume - they were drawn up for each half year. The first example of this can be found on page 41.

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Highlights from Volume 15

In 1860 the Town Clark reported that:  “Lieutenant Colonel Hobbs commanding the 14th Depot Battalion, Belfast, has been appointed by the Commander of the forces in Ireland to present the Russian Trophy to the City...  This Gun was captured from the Russians in the late Crimean War... Although the British didn’t lose any guns, the Russians lost Hundreds....Remember for very pound of metal in this canon, a stream of English blood has flown…..” (See page 6 - 8).

In November 1860 Constable J. Young was charged for being intoxicated on duty. He was charged 5 shillings.

A petition was presented to the Lord Lieutenant against building a separate “lunatic asylum” in Donegal, when Derry already has one: “Sufficient accommodation for Lunatics can be provided by other means quite satisfactorily...”

In May 1860, a deputation from the Canadian Government and the Montreal Ocean steamers, visited the city to assess the access capabilities of the port (see page 37).

Also in May 1860 (see page 48), the numbering of houses in the city began. "this committee has authorised the Surveyor to purchase one thousand stone-ware Numbers at Two Shillings and six pence per dozen, and employ a proper person to affix them on the doors and to collect Three Pence per door for same."

On page 132 there is a note regarding occupants of the Bastions on the City Walls who were to pay "to the Coporation a yearly rent of One Shilling."

In September 1861, Rear Admirable Smart detailed his intentions to bring his squadron to Lough Foyle, to: “Afford the citizens of Derry, the opportunity of witnessing so many fine ships...”

A civic reception was planned for November 1861 for the visit of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel, Bart, M.P, her Majesty the Queen, chief secretary for Ireland.