ministration, put the grievance in the shape of a resolution,
which was unanimously adopted. In moving the resolution, his lordship
said: "We claim that we have a right to ask from the Government one-half
of the expenses incurred by the completion of these works, on the terms
and conditions upon which we entered into the engagement. The Government
are bound to do this in point of justice." The resolution was: "That
whilst we express our full approval of these works, yet the magistrates
and ratepayers feel that it is also their duty to express their strong
and unanimous opinion, that the just construction of the arrangement
between this barony and the Government for the completion of such works
as have been commenced under the Act 9 Vic. c. 1, requires an adherence
to the terms of that contract."

Some, whilst finding fault with the illiberality of the Government,
still expressed their satisfaction at the expenses under the new Act
being equally divided between landlord and tenant; a proper
responsibility being thus placed upon landlords, which was not the case
under the former Act. Very general discontent was manifested at the rule
by which the rate of wages on the public works was to be twopence a day
under the average wages of the district in which the works were being
carried on. Wages ruled so excessively low at the time, it was felt
that, with rapidly advancing markets, the labourer on the works could
not get food sufficient for his family. The object of this rule,
however, was obvious and well meant enough; it was framed to induce
agricultural labourers to remain at their usual employments, in order
that the crops might be sown. Had the Government been well informed of
the relations subsisting between farmer and labourer in Ireland, they
would have known that this arrangement could not have the desired
effect, _money-wages regularly paid_ being almost a thing unknown to our
agricultural population at the time; whilst the Famine made money-wages,
regularly paid, the first essential of existence.[146]

When the Government began to insist on task, or piecework, instead of
day labour, the greatest amount of dissatisfaction that occurred during
the entire Famine manifested itself. The engineers of the Board of Works
reported over and over again, that an industrious man, willing to
labour, could earn from fifteen to eighteen pence a-day under this
arrangement, yet the people rose in combination--almost in
rebellion--ag