Tue 22 May 1804
Our clerk reported that owner Edward Lloyd discharged a cargo of coals of 5 ton 15 cwt at the distance of 150 yards above the bridge at Brimscombe consigned for Mr Joseph Lewis of Brimscombe, which coals were immediately taken down the towing path to Mr Lewis yard, and in consequence the owner would only pay 1s per ton for tonnage on our canal notwithstanding our clerk (conceiving it to be a fraud) demanded the sum of 2s 3d per ton. Clerk to wait upon Mr Lewis and inform him that as the coals were brought back again below the distance of 150yards we are clearly entitled to the full tonnage and that we hope he will settle it without referring us to the owner for payment.
Thomas Beard's wages be advanced to 14s per week.
At a Meeting of the Committee ot he Stroudwater Navigation held at the Committee room at Walbridge on Tuesday the 22^nd May 1804
Present: Joseph Grazebrooke, Benj^n Grazebroooke, Rev^d Will^m Ellis, Jn^o Allaway, Rev^d Jos^h Colborner, Rowles Scudamore, Jn^o Tyers.
Read the Minutes of the last Meeting.
Continued the Orders of the last Meeting Our Clerk reported that Owner Ew^d Lloyd discharged a Cargo of Coals of 57^Ton.. 15^Cwt at the distance of 150 Yards above the Bridge at Brimscombe, which Coals were immediately taken down the Towing path to M^r Lewis' Yard, and in consequence the Owner would pay only 1^s/ per Ton for Tonnage on our Canal, notwithstanding our Clerk (conceiving it to be a fraud) demanded the sum of 2/3^d per Ton. Ordered that our Clerk do wait upon M^r Lewis and inform him that as the Coals were brought back again to below the distance of 150 Yards, We are clearly entitled to the full Tonnage and that we hope he will settle it without reffering us to the Owner for payment.
Ordered that Tho^s Beards Wages be advanced to 14^s per week
Adjourned this Meeting to Thursday the 21^st day of June next at 8 o'Clock in the Morning aboard the Company Barge at Walbridge
