The Rev. Hugh Mackay Mackenzie, Minister
IV - Parochial Economy
Savings Banks:
There is a branch in this parish of the Sutherland Savings Bank, established in 1834, by the advice and under the direction of Mr Loch, M. P., Commissioner to the Duke of Sutherland. It extends over the whole county, and is divided into three general branches, which again are subdivided according to the parishes. The deposits and drawings in this parish since its commencement, are as follows.
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Deposits |
Drawings |
| From |
February 1834 |
To |
31st July 1834 |
L. 151 11 5 |
|
| From |
February 1835 |
To |
31st July 1835 |
L. 112 11 4 |
L. 23 17 5 |
| From |
February 1836 |
To |
31st July 1836 |
L. 182 18 5 |
L. 65 16 8 |
| From |
February 1837 |
To |
31st July 1837 |
L. 89 0 3 |
L. 77 5 11 |
| From |
February 1838 |
To |
31st July 1838 |
L. 80 15 4 |
L. 132 14 2 |
| From |
February 1839 |
To |
31st July 1839 |
L. 103 14 1 |
L. 105 3 1 |
| From |
February 1840 |
To |
31st July 1840 |
L. 187 0 11 |
L. 56 15 6 |
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|
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Totals |
L. 907 11 9 |
L. 461 15 9 |
The number of depositors at present is 35, composed chiefly of tradesmen, servants, and junior members of families. Four per cent. interest is given for sums under L.20. When the amount exceeds this sum, only 2 per cent. is allowed.
Poor:
The average number of paupers for the last six years is 70. The funds for their relief are distributed yearly, and, as these are variable, the sum allotted to each cannot be permanent. The distributions to the different paupers range generally from 2s. to 10s., according to their peculiar circumstances. Church collections and an annual donation of L. 6 from the Duke of Sutherland, which, united, amount on an average to L. 24, constitute the sole fund for their relief, at the disposal of the session. From this sum there are to be deducted small salaries for the kirk-officer and session-clerk, and disbursements for assisting in the burial of those who die quite destitute. It is thus evident that the poor are mainly indebted for their support, not to the session funds, but to the every-day charities and kind offices of relatives and neighbours. Yet, trifling as the sum given by the session is, the demands on them are increasing, and it is not considered now nearly so degrading to receive their aid as it was a few years ago.
Besides those upon the poor's roll, there are a few who receive permanent charity in meal or otherwise to the annual value of L. 14, 1s 3d., granted originally by the late Duchess - Countess of Sutherland, and continued by his Grace the present Duke of Sutherland. Her Grace's kindness to aged widows and to respectable persons in reduced circumstances, was very considerate, and a most commendable trait in her character. It deserves to be noticed that, in 1837, a season of great scarcity in the Highlands, she gave meal to the poor of the parish to the value of about L. 60. and supplied the small tenants with a great quantity at the purchase price, - the arrears of which have lately been remitted, amounting to about L. 200. The object of putting this meal to the accounts of the tenants was, not so much the expectation of ever realizing the money, as the desire that they should not feel themselves therein treated as paupers.
Inns:
There are only two houses licensed to sell spirits. One of these is a neat comfortable inn in the village of Tongue, which was considered a large house when built twenty years ago, though new it is frequently found deficient in the necessary accommodations.
Fuel:
Peat is the fuel commonly used by all classes. From its long continued and rapidly increasing consumption, the labour and expense of procuring it is now very great; and the more comfortable inhabitants seem resolved to purchase coal in future, assured that it will be found less expensive. Free access to peat, however, is a mighty privilege to the common people, as it costs them nothing but their personal labour.
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