Sat 24 May 1851
Report of Committee Members on meeting in London on 15 May with members of Thames & Severn Canal Co. Exchange of letters on reduction of tonnage recorded In minutes. Stroudwater proposed that all coals carried through tunnel should be charged at 6d per ton. T&S expect to be allowed to arrange their tonnage as they please in places that do not encroach of the markets of the Stroudwater.
At a Special Meeting of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation held at the Committee Room at Wallbridge on Saturday the 24th day of May 1851
Present: M^r Fred^k Eycott, M^r Hen^y Harris, Will^m Fryer, Tho^s C Croome, Jn^o H Warman, Cha^s H Fisher, Rich^d Martin, Cha^s Hooper, G H A Beard Chairman.
Several Members of the Committee accompanied by M^r Hawner having proceeded to London on the 15th Int in pursuance of the Resolution of the 14th instant to meet the Committee of the Thames and Severn Canal Company and having been then asked to state their views in writing delivered to the Committee of the Thames and Severn Canal Company a paper of which the following is a copy:
London 15ht May 1851
"The Views of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation is that each Company may place themselves under the Act of June 1845. Then to reduce the Tonnage on Coals carried to Wallbridge from Framilode to One Shilling and Sixpence."
"To meet the Clauses in the Thames and Severn Canal Act They propose that one third of the tonnage on all Coals carried to Wallbridge should be allowed on all such as are landed on the Thames and Severn Canal between Wallbridge and the Tunnel under the present Clauses of the Act as to those landed below Brimscombe."
"That all Coals carried through the Tunnel should be charged one uniform rate of sixpence instead of the present rates of sixpence, sevenpence, eightpence and ninepence."
And the Committee of the Thames and Severn Canal Company requested time to consider it in consequence of the absence of their Chairman.
A letter from M^r Richards the Chairman dated the 19th Ins^t was now read and is as follows:
20 Lombard Street 19th May 1851
"Gentlemen,
I was deeply concerned to be obliged to attend a summons from the Minister of Public Works at Bruxelles the very morning appointed for the meeting of the Managers of the two Canals. I returned last night and hasten to acknowledge the receipt of the Memorandum drawn up by M^r Croome and sent to me this morning."
"In all negociations of importance it seems to me that much time is saved by an early admission of the necessity of mutual and necessary concession and I might add a one sided bargain in never a good one. In this spirit I now have the honor of replying to the above minute."
"My Committee will consent to join yours in placing ourselves under the useful of the provisions of the Act of June 1845. They will consent to a reduction of the Toll or Tonnage on Coals carried from Framilode to Wallbridge to 1/6."
"They will consent to a reduction to be made by their Company rateably with that made by the Stroudwater Company, but it is unreasonable to expect them to give up two thirds to the benefit of the Stroud Company and to be satisfied with one third while their present position secures them one half."
"The proposed Concession by the Stroud Canal of an uniform rate of sixpence on all Coals carried through the Tunnel is admitted to be important, but it will be of no peculiar advantage to the Thames and Severn Canal. It will preserve a traffic useful to both Canals by giving up to the Public what it is necessary to sacrifice to prevent the trade leaving the Canal."
"The Thames and Severn Canal Company expect to be allowed to arrange their tonnage as they please in all places that do not encroach on the Markets of the Stroud Canal."
"It these conditions and terms of arrangement suit the views of the Committee of the Stroudwater Canal Navigation an agreement embracing these points will be matter a easy and speedy arrangement and will meet my immediate attention."
"I have the honor to remain, Gentlemen,
Your most obed"t very humble S^t
W^m P Richards"
"To Charles Hawker Esq^re
For the Committee of the Stroudwater Canal Navigation"
Resoled that there seems to be no sufficient reason alleged for deviating from the Minute suggested by this Committee and that a letter now read and copied below be approved and sent to M^r Richards and that the Chairman be requested to sign it on behalf of this Committee.
Canal Office Wallbridge 24th May 1851
Sir
As Chairman of a Meeting of the Committee of the Company of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation held this day I am deputed by the Committee to acknowledge the receipt for your letter of the 19th Ins^t.
The Committee much regretted your absence at their meeting with your Committee on the 15th Ins^t as no Gentleman on your part was present who was inclined to discuss the details and merits of the neasure and we were consequently confined to delivering a written statement of our views. This statement was the result of a long and anxious review of the whole bearing of the subject.
This Committee cordially reciprocate your wish to avoid a one sided and unfair bargain an to enter upon the discussion with such admissions as to reduce the points into the narrowest possible Compass.
After maturely weighing your proposal this Committee do not consider that they are justified in recommending for adoption by their Shareholders but on the contrary they feel that the suggestions thrown out in their minute of the 15th Instant are fair as a basis of arrangement funded in justice and most calculated to be mutually advantageous to both companies. Amongst many reasons for this opinion the following have been prominently put forwards: The Thames and Severn Act provides that our of 3/6 Tonnage a sum of 1/3 shall be allowed on Coals carried into the Thames and Severn Canal and landed below Brimscombe. This was therefore considered by parties engaged in framing that Act to be the right proportion and in this proposing for the future to adopt two thirds and one third as the division of Tonnage on Coals landed between Stroud and Brimscombe the original proposition is kept up as far as practicable. This also meets as nearly as possible the fail division of Tonnage in respect to the relative distances over which Coal is carried, the advantages however preponderate in favor of your Canal.
No reason has been assigned for abandoning the compulsory clause as to be amount to be charged by your Company on Coals landed between Stroud and Brimscombe, this Committee therefore adhere to their former view but if you wish for an abandonment or variation of the Clause and will propose a corresponding concession I have little doubt that it will be entertained in a friendly spirit by this Committee provided it does not interfere with the trade of the Stroudwater Navigation.
The reason for proposing to fix the tonnage to be charged by this Company on Coals carried through the Tunnel on the Thames and Severn Canal at sixpence is that the present rates charged under the System of Drawbacks have worked to the mutual advantage of the two Companies and the concession of an uniform rate on the lowest charge is considered by this Committee to be of still greater value to your company as enabling you to regulate your Tonnage accordingly.
Should you deem an interview advisable this Committee will be happy to assemble at any time to receive you and to go into further explanation.
It would be a matter of regret if we should find that the two Companies from want of mutual good understanding allow a formidable rival to occupy their ground. This Committee however feel that their powers are sufficient to enable them to take such measures as would protect the Interest of their Shareholders if they do not meet with their cooperation, but they think that on further considering the matter you will see that the proposal made it most (?) to the mutual interests of the two Canals and of the traders.
Allow one in conclusion to say that I trust no legal difficulties exist under the Clauses of the Act of 1845 to our making such an arrangement as we contemplate.
I have the honor to be, Sir
Your most obed Servant
signed G H A Beard
W P Richards Esq^re
Chairman of the Thames & Severn Canal Committee.
Resolved that the sum of Three Guineas each be paid to the Seven Gentlemen who went to London on the 15th Ins^t and a similar sum to M^r Hawker to cover the expenses of the journey.
