Cork City Council Tolls and Markets Committee Minutes
TitreCork City Council Tolls and Markets Committee Minutes
RéférenceCP/CO/TM/M
Date
1879-1929
Date 1879 - 1929
Etendue et contenuFor much of its history, Cork Corporation has been responsible for providing and supervising markets for the sale of goods, and administering a system of tolls, or charges, to be exacted from persons seeking to sell goods within the city and its markets. The English Market is the only remaining market in City Council ownership, but up to the early to mid-twentieth century there were many others throughout the city. The present distinct series of Tolls and Markets Committee minutes begins in 1879, but earlier minutes are contained in General Committee minute books for 1867-78 [CP/CO/GC/M].
The functions of the Tolls and Markets Committee (sometimes Markets and Tolls) are described as being ‘All matters and accounts connected with the maintenance, management and revenues of the City Fairs, Markets, and Tolls’ [CP/CO/TM/M/001; for order of business, see CP/CO/TM/M/002]. For a period from 1882 to 1889, the committee was also responsible for supervision of hackney carriages (see below).
Meetings were generally held weekly or fortnightly. In addition to councillor members, officers usually in attendance included the City Surveyor, the Superintendent of Tolls and Markets, the Inspector of Grand Parade Market, the Inspector of the Hide Crane Market, and the city secretary. Accounts for preceding weeks were examined and officers’ reports read. Orders and recommendations were made on foot of these reports, and on matters arising and applications, such as those received for vacant stalls. The Grand Parade Market Inspector was responsible for the Grand Parade and Prince’s Street Markets (now English Market), with other markets and toll booths being managed by the Tolls and Markets Inspector. An exception to this was the Hide Crane Market, a special market with a weighbridge for the sale of animal hide and skins, which had its own inspector.
The Committee was responsible for overseeing the operations of both markets and tolls booths, including the work of market inspectors, beadles, and nightwatchmen, and toll inspectors, collectors, and checkers. It granted stalls in its markets, and could revoke such grants for non-payment of rent, disciplinary or other reasons. It considered applications to rent vacant stalls, and for remission of arrears and other charges. It was also responsible for repairs and upkeep, opening hours, nightly superintendence, and financial management.
Grand Parade/Prince’s St Market included sections for sellers of meat, fish, tripe, eggs and butter, and fruit and vegetables. Other markets sometimes had a more limited scope. Markets supervised included the Grand Parade and Prince’s Street Markets, Bazaar Market and St Peter’s Market (Cornmarket St), Harpur’s Lane Market (potatoes and vegetables, Cornmarket St/Paul St), Cattle Market and Hide Crane Market (both Shandon), North Market [‘Old’ or, formerly, St Anne’s, Blackpool], and Barrack Street Market. Cork Corporation was head landlord of much of the Butter Market building, in Shandon, but the market was managed by Butter Market Trustees. Similarly, the city’s Cornmarket was managed by the Corn Market Committee. The Corporation was represented on both bodies. Cork Corporation also oversaw the city’s Pound.
Toll stations or booths were placed at various approaches to the city, one of the best known being that at St Luke’s Cross, which is still in place. Others included those at Blarney Lane, Lee Road, North Lee Road, Seward’s Walk (near Cork Gaol), Shanakiel Road, Douglas Street, Evergreen Road, Friar’s Walk, Gillabbey Street, Brandy Lane, Passage Road, Victoria Cross, Red Forge, Commons Road, Blackpool Bridge, Dublin Street, Brickfields Road, Ballyhooley Road, Dillon’s Cross, and Lower Glanmire Road. There were also toll boxes at the entrance to markets. Livestock and agricultural produce, including malt for brewing and distilling industries, made up much of the goods admitted. Tolls were also charged on goods entering the city by train, while they were refunded on livestock subsequently shipped out of, or otherwise removed from, the city. In the mid-1890s, a Corporation weighbridge was erected on the Coal Quay, for weighing potatoes and other goods, a charge being applied for this service. Opposition to paying the tolls is noted in one particular case, 29 Apr 1896, where the payment of tolls was avoided by means of one individual impersonating a freeman of the city. Freemen of Cork City were exempt from paying market tolls [CP/CO/TM/M/005]. The collection of tolls ceased in May 1927.
Fairs and markets held in the city included the Cattle Market every Monday and Thursday, and ‘old fairs’ in the Fair Field on the Monday after 25 March (2 days), Trinity Monday, the Monday after 15 August, and on 1 October. ‘Quarterly fairs’ in cattle and horses were held on the first Thursday in February, May, August, and November. Horse fairs were held at Cork Park Racecoure the day after Spring and Autumn race meetings. Marsh’s cattle auction, a private auction, was held every Tuesday and Saturday at Copley St. (Source: Guy’s City and County Cork Almanac and Directory, 1895, p31).
In 1881, the committee sat jointly with a Council committee on the new Grand Parade Market Front, which involved demolition of some stalls and building of new shops. This work was discussed and undetaken over a lengthy period, consideration at one time being given to including municipal offices and a School of Design and Gallery of Art in this development [see General Committee minutes, eg, CP/CO/GP/M/002, 18 November 1875].
From March 1882 (and seemingly up to December 1889) the committee had responsibility for supervision of hackney carriages added to its functions. The Inspector of Hackney Carriages attended meetings and a Hackney Car sub-committee sat occasionally. Applications for licence renewals, complaints, traffic affairs, and matters arising were all considered by this committee. A distinct Hackney Carriage Committee came into being in January 1890 [CP/CO/HC/M].
Under an order of Council of 23 June 1899, the committee was appointed the Executive Committee for the County Borough area under the Diseases of Animals Acts. Under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, Cork Corporation became local authority under these acts in 1899, replacing the Board of Guardians in this role, and delegated most of its powers to this executive committee. The local authority was answerable to the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council. From 1894 to 1899 there was much communication with the Veterinary Dept regarding improvement of the Cattle Market to meet the requirements of the acts, the committee eventually approving large expenditure on this work. The services of a veterinary inspector were shared with Cork County Council, based on the Cork Union area. This executive committee’s responsibilities included sanitary matters respecting sale and transport of cattle and other animals, the city’s Dogs’ Home, suspected cases of diseases including rabies and swine fever, and other animal health matters. Volume CP/CO/TM/M/6, below, records several meetings of this committee in June-July 1899, but none thereafter. A discrete committee, with a distinct series of minutes, may have been created, but unfortunately no such records are present.
From November 1924 to March 1929, while the Corporation was dissolved, committee meetings were attended by the City Commissioner (later City Manager), with other officers sometimes attending. City Manager Monahan continued to attend meetings, without Councillors present, up to 14 November 1929, when the present series ends.
The series documents the work of markets, the occupancy of stalls, and the history of market provision and retail in the city. It also records the collection of tolls and the operation of a system of toll booths and collection at railway stations, all part of the commercial life of the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The series has great value from a social and economic history persepective. In particular, it is a key source for those interested in the English Market, Cork’s thriving city centre covered market, which was formerly known as Grand Parade and Prince’s Street Markets. Cork City Council continues to licence outdoor markets, such as ‘farmers’ markets, held in Cork.
The functions of the Tolls and Markets Committee (sometimes Markets and Tolls) are described as being ‘All matters and accounts connected with the maintenance, management and revenues of the City Fairs, Markets, and Tolls’ [CP/CO/TM/M/001; for order of business, see CP/CO/TM/M/002]. For a period from 1882 to 1889, the committee was also responsible for supervision of hackney carriages (see below).
Meetings were generally held weekly or fortnightly. In addition to councillor members, officers usually in attendance included the City Surveyor, the Superintendent of Tolls and Markets, the Inspector of Grand Parade Market, the Inspector of the Hide Crane Market, and the city secretary. Accounts for preceding weeks were examined and officers’ reports read. Orders and recommendations were made on foot of these reports, and on matters arising and applications, such as those received for vacant stalls. The Grand Parade Market Inspector was responsible for the Grand Parade and Prince’s Street Markets (now English Market), with other markets and toll booths being managed by the Tolls and Markets Inspector. An exception to this was the Hide Crane Market, a special market with a weighbridge for the sale of animal hide and skins, which had its own inspector.
The Committee was responsible for overseeing the operations of both markets and tolls booths, including the work of market inspectors, beadles, and nightwatchmen, and toll inspectors, collectors, and checkers. It granted stalls in its markets, and could revoke such grants for non-payment of rent, disciplinary or other reasons. It considered applications to rent vacant stalls, and for remission of arrears and other charges. It was also responsible for repairs and upkeep, opening hours, nightly superintendence, and financial management.
Grand Parade/Prince’s St Market included sections for sellers of meat, fish, tripe, eggs and butter, and fruit and vegetables. Other markets sometimes had a more limited scope. Markets supervised included the Grand Parade and Prince’s Street Markets, Bazaar Market and St Peter’s Market (Cornmarket St), Harpur’s Lane Market (potatoes and vegetables, Cornmarket St/Paul St), Cattle Market and Hide Crane Market (both Shandon), North Market [‘Old’ or, formerly, St Anne’s, Blackpool], and Barrack Street Market. Cork Corporation was head landlord of much of the Butter Market building, in Shandon, but the market was managed by Butter Market Trustees. Similarly, the city’s Cornmarket was managed by the Corn Market Committee. The Corporation was represented on both bodies. Cork Corporation also oversaw the city’s Pound.
Toll stations or booths were placed at various approaches to the city, one of the best known being that at St Luke’s Cross, which is still in place. Others included those at Blarney Lane, Lee Road, North Lee Road, Seward’s Walk (near Cork Gaol), Shanakiel Road, Douglas Street, Evergreen Road, Friar’s Walk, Gillabbey Street, Brandy Lane, Passage Road, Victoria Cross, Red Forge, Commons Road, Blackpool Bridge, Dublin Street, Brickfields Road, Ballyhooley Road, Dillon’s Cross, and Lower Glanmire Road. There were also toll boxes at the entrance to markets. Livestock and agricultural produce, including malt for brewing and distilling industries, made up much of the goods admitted. Tolls were also charged on goods entering the city by train, while they were refunded on livestock subsequently shipped out of, or otherwise removed from, the city. In the mid-1890s, a Corporation weighbridge was erected on the Coal Quay, for weighing potatoes and other goods, a charge being applied for this service. Opposition to paying the tolls is noted in one particular case, 29 Apr 1896, where the payment of tolls was avoided by means of one individual impersonating a freeman of the city. Freemen of Cork City were exempt from paying market tolls [CP/CO/TM/M/005]. The collection of tolls ceased in May 1927.
Fairs and markets held in the city included the Cattle Market every Monday and Thursday, and ‘old fairs’ in the Fair Field on the Monday after 25 March (2 days), Trinity Monday, the Monday after 15 August, and on 1 October. ‘Quarterly fairs’ in cattle and horses were held on the first Thursday in February, May, August, and November. Horse fairs were held at Cork Park Racecoure the day after Spring and Autumn race meetings. Marsh’s cattle auction, a private auction, was held every Tuesday and Saturday at Copley St. (Source: Guy’s City and County Cork Almanac and Directory, 1895, p31).
In 1881, the committee sat jointly with a Council committee on the new Grand Parade Market Front, which involved demolition of some stalls and building of new shops. This work was discussed and undetaken over a lengthy period, consideration at one time being given to including municipal offices and a School of Design and Gallery of Art in this development [see General Committee minutes, eg, CP/CO/GP/M/002, 18 November 1875].
From March 1882 (and seemingly up to December 1889) the committee had responsibility for supervision of hackney carriages added to its functions. The Inspector of Hackney Carriages attended meetings and a Hackney Car sub-committee sat occasionally. Applications for licence renewals, complaints, traffic affairs, and matters arising were all considered by this committee. A distinct Hackney Carriage Committee came into being in January 1890 [CP/CO/HC/M].
Under an order of Council of 23 June 1899, the committee was appointed the Executive Committee for the County Borough area under the Diseases of Animals Acts. Under the Local Government (Ireland) Act 1898, Cork Corporation became local authority under these acts in 1899, replacing the Board of Guardians in this role, and delegated most of its powers to this executive committee. The local authority was answerable to the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council. From 1894 to 1899 there was much communication with the Veterinary Dept regarding improvement of the Cattle Market to meet the requirements of the acts, the committee eventually approving large expenditure on this work. The services of a veterinary inspector were shared with Cork County Council, based on the Cork Union area. This executive committee’s responsibilities included sanitary matters respecting sale and transport of cattle and other animals, the city’s Dogs’ Home, suspected cases of diseases including rabies and swine fever, and other animal health matters. Volume CP/CO/TM/M/6, below, records several meetings of this committee in June-July 1899, but none thereafter. A discrete committee, with a distinct series of minutes, may have been created, but unfortunately no such records are present.
From November 1924 to March 1929, while the Corporation was dissolved, committee meetings were attended by the City Commissioner (later City Manager), with other officers sometimes attending. City Manager Monahan continued to attend meetings, without Councillors present, up to 14 November 1929, when the present series ends.
The series documents the work of markets, the occupancy of stalls, and the history of market provision and retail in the city. It also records the collection of tolls and the operation of a system of toll booths and collection at railway stations, all part of the commercial life of the city in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The series has great value from a social and economic history persepective. In particular, it is a key source for those interested in the English Market, Cork’s thriving city centre covered market, which was formerly known as Grand Parade and Prince’s Street Markets. Cork City Council continues to licence outdoor markets, such as ‘farmers’ markets, held in Cork.
Etendue9 volumes
LangueEnglish
Mot clé de personneCork City Council, Cork Corporation
AccessOpen by appointment to those holding a current readers' ticket
Conditions de reproductionSubject to Rules Governing Reproduction of Records
Niveausérie
RepositoryCork City and County Archives