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

B609/

representatives. A letter of 4 March concerns a planned technical meeting for the malting industry at St James’s Gate. It is noted that such meetings did not occur in the past ‘partly due to a deliberate “Iron Curtain” policy from this office. As you know, this has changed over the past ten years or so, and now it is generally accepted that exchange of information should be encouraged as a means towards getting the best results’. A letter of 9 January discusses the likelihood of increased barley sales in county Cork next season, and the possibility of buying from the Youghal/Ardmore and Blackwater Valley areas. A letter of 9 November 1951 forwards draft minutes of the third management committee meeting. Among September letters are many to prospective contractors, copied to JHB from AGS, directing them to apply to JHB but advising them that their location is ‘outside an economic distance from the Maltings’. A letter of 24 September from Levinge to Mrs West, discussing an item in the Cork Examiner, comments on the high price of barley worldwide. you for your letter of 12 August which makes rather depressing reading. It would appear to us that a lot of the trouble is due to the use of combine harvesters before the whole crop has reached the requisite stage of over-ripeness’. A letter of 20 April concerns the Irish Maltsters’ Association’s view on an attempt by beet growers to secure a levy. A letter of 14 March relates to trials of malting anthracite carried out in conjunction with the National Coal Board. A letter of 26 January concerns contracts for the production of ‘Beorna’ seed in 1953, noting ‘as the nucleus stocks for general cultivation in Ireland will result from the seed grown in 1953 we consider that its cultivation on under strictly controlled conditions is of the utmost importance’. A draft form of contract for growers is enclosed. A letter of 13 January from Levinge to Mrs West relates to standardising of B609/1/A/36 Letters from AGS, 1 September 1952 to 31 August 1953. A letter of 22 August 1953 informs JHB that from 24 August Mr GP Jackson will be brewer-in-charge at the Malt Dept. A letter of 13 August begins ‘thank contracts for growers. He states ‘This seems to me to be quite correct and to be particularly important at the present moment when for the next few years there will be two varieties of seed in production’ (Spratt Archer and Beorna). There are several letters in this file relating to Richard Farrell, a new agent based in Youghal. B609/1/A/37 Letters from AGS, September 1953 to August 1954. A letter of 25 August 1954 from GP Jackson, Malt Dept, to Mrs West, informs her that kiln turners as presently installed have been found to be unsafe by the inspector under the Factories Act. In a letter of 13 August, LE Hudson, brewer-in-charge, AGS Experimental Maltings, requests some ‘Herta’ barley. A letter of 24 July explains changes, both in barley buying practices, (namely, the purchase of surplus barley to encourage improved yield and quality), and the method of purchasing roasting barley (a guaranteed market will not longer apply). A letter of 6 April forwards the Audit Certificate for March 1954 for completion [a recurring item]. In a letter of 13 March, GP Jackson discusses the ‘rather disturbing news’ that JHB have purchased 1500 barrels above the contract amount. He adds ‘As a Director of Bennett’s I will talk to Sir Richard about this and see what action he thinks we should take’. A letter of 31 December 1953