Calls to reopen Cork city dockyard, Mallow viaduct is rebuilt, and poitín raids
CORK Cumann na nGaedheal TDs met today in Dublin to discuss a range of issues pertinent to the city and county, the Echo reported 100 years ago today, on Saturday, October 13, 1923.
The first was the urgency for a pier in West Cork in light of the recent drowning disaster and for a slip at Crookhaven.
Next was the extension of the city boundary, with a guiding role for Cork Corporation as the citizens’ best representative.
The Dáil grant for the School of Music amounted to £425 rather than the promised £1,425 and the TDs noted the paucity of the grant is no reflection on the activity of the school.
With regard to Haulbowline, Dr Browne, Bishop of Cloyne, led a deputation earlier in the year to Dublin to press on the Government the importance of a future for the dockyard, but nothing has been heard since.
The TDs also discussed bringing Cork’s roads to the immediate attention of the Road Board appointed by the Government; telephone extensions to Skibbereen, Bantry and Macroom; the £1½ million national housing grant for ex-servicemen in the European war; and a Labour Exchange for Passage West.
The average attendance of children at school in Cork is 85%, whilst the figure for the whole of Ireland is just 63%.
Plainly, Cork leads the way in the highly important matter of the education of our youth. Indeed, it has done so for years, and has now succeeded in establishing a record of the most brilliant order. To use a common expression, no city or town can hold a candle to it. Merit for this must be given where it is due.
So too, the priests of the various parishes who have taken a laudable role in the good work.
The city citizenry, no doubt about it, increasingly recognise that the foundation of the temporal and spiritual wellbeing of our children is largely laid within the walls of the school-room.
Deputy Lord Mayor Ellis presided at Cork Corporation’s meeting last night, during which proposals for the temporary accommodation for its staff were considered.
Among the premises considered were: Mr Meagher’s premises at 3/4 Sullivan’s Quay at no expense, provided the Corporation repair it free of charge; the Independent Chapel on Oliver Plunkett Street; 17, Charlotte Quay, off South Mall; 9/10 Dyke Parade. Sean Jennings offered three flats comprising 13 rooms and four attics.
Robert Day said he did not think anywhere should be taken until they were thoroughly satisfied the Corporation had no suitable premises of its own.
Sir John Scott said he was present at the handover of the keys for Union Quay Barracks and had no hesitation in believing the premises was the Corporation’s.
Mr Day proposed a postponement of further action until they had a report from the City Engineer regarding the School of Music. This was carried and the Engineer was accordingly instructed.
The re-opening of the Mallow viaduct will be performed by President Cosgrave on Monday. The President’s party will leave Kingsbridge, Dublin, at 9am. and reach Mallow at 12.
The destruction at Mallow has disrupted railway service for many months and its re-opening emphasises that reconstruction in Ireland is well under way.
The Civic Guard have carried out two successful poitín raids in West Cork. Bantry Guards found a quantity of spirit in the house of a farmer and the still-head, worm and boiler hidden around the farmyard. Seargeant McGuire made a similar discovery of distilling equipment in a house in the Ballineen district, but no spirit or wash. There was, however, a half a ton of grain which is believed to have been intended for the manufacture of potheen.
Warsaw: A fort in the Warsaw citadel blew up this morning in which explosives were stored. Great damage has been caused to property in the city.
Berlin: Unemployment demonstrations at Hoechst yesterday developed into rioting. Shops were plundered and police were ordered to use their weapons. One man was killed.
Osaka: Japanese submarine No. 70 which sank on August 21, has been towed to coast and four bodies have been recovered.Of the 96 crew, 11 were saved and 85 are reported missing.
