May 1844
From Mr Hawker
Canal Office, Wallbridge, Stroud
Draft contracts for maintenance of the canal
Stroudwater Navigation
Contract A
Repairs of Towing Paths, Canal Banks, including Gravel, Piles, Timber and other materials necessary, Mudding a portion of the Canal annually, Cutting wears, and all other work as specified in detail, which may be known on application to Mr Mason, or Mr Hawker, at the Canal Office.
The Canal is about 7.7 Miles in Length.
The Contactor to find for effecting the various tasks with the exception of
To do such work in such manner and time as shall be directed by the Superintendent.
The tools of the Company to be taken at a valuation by the Contractor and revalued back to the Compy at the expiration of the Contact.
To Gravel at least One Mile of Towing Paths every Year first Stoning the same if necessary.
To restore at least one quarter of a Mile every Year of the Towing paths and Canal bank sides at such places as may be ordered by the Siperintendent by piling and planking or Faggoting as may be necessary.
To stop all leaks from the Canal by pudling where puddle has been used - and also to break the Ice when necessary.
The Contractor to Mud (and carry away the same).
The Basin and Locks at Framilode as often as necessary and other Lock on the Canal 10 in number.
To throw at the Stoppage or Stoppages every Year or dredge with the Bag & Spoon at least 5000 tons of Mud from the Canal in addition to the Mudding of the Locks and Framiload Basin & Lock - or ½ a Mile each Year.
The Mowing of the Canal Banks and weeding of the Canal to be perform'd annually in the Months of June & July.
The Mud thrown from the canal or dredged to be Carried to the nearest place of deposit, and if any damage arise to the Land proprietors by laying the Mud on their property the same is to be made good by the Contractor.
The Contractors to be paid quarterly.
To keep the Turnpike and other Roads over the Bridges Stoned and Gravelled as heretofore done.
To scrape, keep clean, stone and gravel the Wharfs and Lock sides as often as that be necessary.
The Contract to be for Three Years.
Security to be given for the performance of all the above work to the amount of the Annual Contract.
Contract B
Repair of Lock gates, Swing Bridges, Towing path Gates, Fences, and all other work done by Carpenters including Timber & Iron, and all Materials required for such work.
There are 11 Locks, 7 Swing Bridges, 3 Stop Gates and the Dock gate, 41 Towing path gates, & 15 Wharf Gates & Doors, Wharf fences & Gallows Bridge.
The Contractor to find all Tools and Engines for effecting the various works.
To do all such work in such manner and time as shall be directed by the Superintendent.
The Tools and Engines of the Company to be taken at a valuation by the Contractor and valued back to the Company at the expiration of the Contract.
The present Stock of Timber & Iron of the Compy to be taken at a valuation and any portion of the same used to be paid for at the next quarterly statement.
The workmanship of the various repairs to be of the best kind, and the Superintendent of the Canal if he sees fit has the right to interpose and direct such repairs in his own way, or reject any Timber, Iron or other material intended for such repairs as he may judge unfit for the purpose.
The kind of Timber for the various repairs of the Lock Gates, Swing Bridges, Yard Gates and fences to be the same as now used.
New Lock gates when required and considered necessary by the Surveyor or Committee. The Contractor to have the use of the Yard at Eastington.
The Contractor to give security and the contract to be for Three Years.
Contract C
Repair of Locks, Bridges and Walls, and all work done by Bricklayers or Masons, including required Materials of all sorts.
This Contract embraces the repair of 11 Locks, The Stone & Brick work of 7 Swing Bridges, 12 Bridges, 13 Weirs and feeders, Culverts and water courses.
The Contractor to find all Tools and Engines for effecting the various works.
To do all such work in such manner and time as shall be directed by the Superintendent.
The Tools and Engines of the Company to be taken at a valuation by the Contractor and valued back to the Company at the expiration of the Contract.
The present Stock of Stone, Bricks or other materials to be taken at a valuation by the Contractor.
The Workmanship of the various repairs to be of the best kind, and the Superintendent of the Canal if he sees fit has the right to interpose and direct such repairs in his own way, or reject an Stone, Brick or other material intended for such repairs as he may judge unfit for the purpose.
The Contractor to be paid quarterly and to find Security for the due performance of his contract.
See letter to local papers 22nd May 1844 https://stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/document/266/
