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

B609/

on the barley and brewing industries in Ireland, if discontinued. He does so in spite of its ‘comparative dearness’ next to English barley, and the lack of success of recent efforts ‘to improve and increase its cultivation’. He expresses hope that the settlement of the ‘Land Question… will induce a greater degree of industry and more tillage in tillage districts’ [see also 5 September 1906]. In a letter of 14 March 1906 to AGS regarding the stout contract for Midleton Workhouse, Bennett forwards a newscutting and explains the context behind it. The dispute involved arose over Bennett’s buying of barley from a farm ‘which a local attempt had been made to boycott with more or less success’, provoking condemnation of his actions by the local branch of the Land League. A legal case ensued, but peace was restored through the exertions of one local MP, Captain Donelan. A letter of 18 March 1908 to Mr Norton concerns the placing of Bennett’s son with his firm [Minch, Norton & Co, Maltsters] for two years [see also 18 September 1913]. A letter of 8 March 1909 to Professor Campbell [DoA] concerns Midleton Agricultural Show Society. In a letter of 31 August to Mr La Touche, AGS, Bennett expresses his wish of building a new dwelling house at Charleston in substitution for his present house. In a letter of 3 June 1912 to DoA regarding the possible departure of Herbert Hunter from his position at the Cereal Station, Ballinacurra, Bennett states ‘I consider the matter of retaining Hunter’s services in Ireland of national importance to all those interested in cereals’. In a letter of 6 October 1912 to La Touche, Bennett gives details of a meeting of Cork barley buyers at which he was accused of breach of agreement for paying rail freight in addition to the agreed price. He notes ‘Mr Beamish made his charge in the most insulting manner making charges against my personal veracity and honour which I leave to you and the Board to estimate from your knowledge of me for the past 25 years’. He expresses anxiety at the effect competing local buyers and outside competition will have on prices now no agreement is in place. In a letter of 19 March 1915 to AGS commenting on the effect on workmen’s wages of AGS’s decision to curtail the malting season, Bennett concedes ‘I know that all classes must suffer loss during the present national danger’. [MS]

B609/1/B/6 General Letters Letterbook, 7 April 1888 to 9 September 1899. A damp press letterbook. Indexed. [MS]

B609/1/B/7 General Letters Letterbook, 7 September 1899 to 6 October 1903. A damp press letterbook. Indexed. [MS]

B609/1/B/8 General Letters Letterbook, 2 March 1901 to 14 January 1904. A typescript carbon copy letterbook. Indexed. [Gen]

B609/1/B/9 General Letters Letterbook, 6 October 1903 to 13 October 1906. A damp press letterbook. Indexed. [MS]