Fri 5 Nov 1869
To Mrs S Renard
Committee have sanctioned repairs as necessary to your canal. Subscription fund for opposition of the Severn & Wye Railway has incurred expense in trying to put the canal equal with the railway. The committee deemed that, to retain traffic, tolls will need to be reduced. But your interests in the canal will be looked after
Canal Office, Nov 5th 1869
Mrs S Renard
Madam I beg leave to inform you that your Comtee have sanctioned the repairs as necessary - the Canal has gone on for a number of years without the renewal of Lock Gates & which have now been deemed necessary to replace by new ones The Subscription Fund to the opposition of the Sevn & Wye R was thought essential to introduce Clauses to place the Canal upon an equality with the Railway & the Law expenses were incurred for the same purpose. Your Comtee have bestowed much anxious thought upon the present aspect & position of your Canal. It has been deemed essential by them to retain traffic to considerably reduce the tolls - the Railway system has necessitated this reduction & I am much afraid the Railway schemes that are now afloat will demand a still further reduction. When I inform you there is one Gentlemen on your Comtee that represents 17 shares & others that represent a considerable number you may naturally suppose that your interest in the Undertaking will be carefully vigilantly & anxiously watched over by them.
