Bennett's of Ballinacurra Descriptive List (Ref. B609)

B609/

B609/9/A/21 Diary, 1901. At the front of the volume is a list of the barley experiments, giving addresses, acreage, and variety. There is much reference to experiments in this diary, including discussions with AGS, especially, 8 January, and work with HC Sheringham, instructor and breeder [see also B609/7/C/1]. Writing in early February of a case against a factory worker accused of criminal conduct with an under age girl, Bennett notes ‘depositions reveal very low morality amongst juvenile female employees’. B609/9/A/22 Diary, 1902. From May on, Bennett attended the Cork Exhibition on many days. Exhibits from the experimental plots were included in the Exhibition. The entry for 20 August notes ‘a wonderful display of hitting by Sergeant Sutcliffe of Black Prince, made 200 n.o.’. On 10 December Bennett attended a performance of ‘A Woman of No Importance’ in Dublin with the Roberts’: ‘very clever play and enjoyed it though finale v gruesome’. B609/9/A/23 Diary, 1903. On 28 February, Bennett attended a meeting to found a branch of the National Union for Prevention of Consumption. On 23 March he was asked to give evidence to a House of Commons committee in favour of the County Council getting representation on the Harbour Board. He travelled but the committee ‘objected to Counsel touching a question of Representation’. While in London he heard Mr Wyndham introduce his Irish Land Bill to the Commons. On 3 April Bennett began writing articles on malting for the Daily Express. On 15 June he attended a cricket match at the Mardyke between London County and the Gentlemen of Ireland, noting ‘very interesting cricket but old Grace an awful bounder’ [WG Grace]. On 1 August all of the family travelled to Cork for the visit of the king. Later in the month he had several meetings regarding the experimental plots. Sheringham resigned from his post in August, and Herbert Hunter was appointed his successor on 26 November. While shooting on 31 December, Bennett accidentally hit a man with ‘two grains in the face’. B609/9/A/24 Diary, 1904. On 23 February Bennett met a deputation of four farmers asking him to reverse the dismissal of a Mr Twohig for failing to carry out orders. He notes ‘in this I see working of Cath Assoc’ [Catholic Association]. On 7 May his son Jack won a scholarship to Shrewsbury School. Bennett’s brother in law and old friend Harry Humphreys died on 13 September. On 24 September Bennett replied to a letter from AGS complaining of high prices and low quality, noting ‘the complaint against quality is practically an annual one’.

B609/9/A/25 Diary, 1905. On 11 February Bennett attend a rugby international between Ireland and England in Cork, noting ‘McLeer a grand player’. The entry for 15 March records his grief at news at the loss of a Rathcoursey salmon

169