Undated
Evidence taken at meeting.
Samuel Symonds of Glocester being examined, says that during a scarcity of water in the River Severn, which always happens once, or more time every Summer for many weeks together that no Barges can Navigate down from Shrewsbury, Bridgnorth, Bewdley, Stourport &c, to Gloceser or Framiload, and that lase summer no Coal was brought to Framiload for two months or more, and that it is usual for the Coal Trade to Framiload to be obstructed in the Summer for one, two or three Months together.
John Gleave being examined says all Carters Close was Cut thro' before the 19th of April 1775,, except about twelve yards which they Cut thro' sometime after, at their own discretion not having any orders from the Committee of Directors, and that they thought the undertakes, their Masters, by having a Letter of leave from Mr Yates's Steward, and permission from Askall the apparent Tennant, has a right so to do; -- it is his Oppinion, from his Observations on the force of the Tides, that the money laid out on the Lock after the Tryall at Glocester was absolutely necessary for its preservation.
William Beard being further examined, says he worked at the oil mill between twenty and thirty years, at Bridgend Mill three of four yeare and at Mr Hills, and Sandfords Mills -- that at the oyle mill he seldom knew a Pen Longer that two hours, that they always drew their overfall every Saturday night; and that he never remembered Water so scarce or to be kept back any Sunday during the time a either of the aforesaid mills., at Bridgent there being a Wear,, they not so particular in drawing up, as where there was none. He is some 70 years old and has work'd within the aforesaid limits all his time except about 6 years.
The opposition may also ? that Kennets Cut has already injured the Land & that the cut to make the ? Navigation Cut ???? is ready to prove the contrary and says that the Lands cut thro' by ? re ? by Cutting off the Nooks, and by having more Land, and Less liable to floods, and he is certain Mr Stephens has received no Injury nor Loss, on the Contrary the straitning of the River has given one Acre to the Owners. That his father rented the Lands in Question of Mr Stephens 40 years to Lady Day 1775, that he as been every year in the County as Manage of his Fathers Business, and has know the Lands for more than 30 years, he is certain the above Lands are more in value and the better since the River has be made straight by Kemmets Cut. End
William Mayo being examined says, he Work's 24 Years at Lodgmore, which is the Upper Mill next to Wallbridge, and was mill man, living at the Mill 17 years, he has a Great deal of business every time of short water, and generally took care of the water himself, h usualy work'd till twelve oClock Saturday Night, and then drew up the overfalls, and on every Sunday morning he found the water running waste as soon as he was up, and Continued running waste all the Day. -- He never remembers a Pen of more than three Hours, and that but once, but genarly Pens in a scarce time were from half an hour, to an hour, or two, mostly within the hour but incertain; as all the three Streams unite in that Mill Pond. -- He also proves that below this Mill the River Stroudwater is supplied with two Streams called the Woodchester Water, and Cuckolds Brook, which is more than one third of the water running within the River abore.
Lawrence speaks to the floodg Mr Clemens ? ? if necessary
