Thu 16 Jul 1868
Annual inspection on the boat.
At the Company’s house at Downfield, lately rented by Mr Cox and occupied by his tenant Mr N Salisbury, it was found the grate in the kitchen was damaged, which was perfect when the tenancy began. Mr Cox to be called on to repair the grate within one week and, if he refuses, the work to be done by the Company and Mr Cox to be compelled to pay the expense.
The two houses at Downfield are to be whitewashed.
The north wall of the Dudbridge Lock is in bad repair. Surveyor stated that the cost of repair would be £30. Work ordered to be done.
The gates at the double lock are out of repair. The Surveyor recommended that they be repaired at a few pounds expense which would carry them on a few years.
A new door and frame to be put in the hall of the premises adjoining the Turnpike Road, occupied by C Critchley at Stonehouse. Also the gateway next to the Turnpike Road to be filled up with stone, and the old roadway to be broken up. The stone to be hauled away and a new gate to be put in the track adjoining the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway.
The Surveyor reported that he very much wanted a shed for converted timber at Eastington Dock, there being none at the present where timber can be locked up. The estimated cost of a shed about 40ft long by 22ft wide covered with Bridgewater tile would be from £25 to £30. The shed is to be built in line with the sawpit as early as convenient to the Surveyor.
The Committee inspected the new Blacksmith’s shop which had been built and found it to be to their entire satisfaction.
Joseph Cottle reported that on 6 July J Clark, master of the Effort, came to Dudbridge, his boat being loaded with wheat without a Framilode ticket, and on the 8 July H Clapham, master of the Sisters, came up without any captain, or ticket, loaded with Oil Cake.
A letter was read from Mr Clegram (Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co) proposing to meet the Committee at Whitminster to ask permission to raise the walls of Whitminster Lock 2 or 3 courses of brick at the cost of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co. At the interview Mr Clegram expressed his anxiety to avoid if possible the raising of the said wall and requested that he might be permitted at the expense of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co to put up fences to be approved by the Surveyor to prevent cattle falling into the lock; also that if such fences should prove insufficient he might be at liberty to raise the coping stone round the lock as proposed above.
Mr Clegram also requested that the Committee should allow his Company to widen the bridge wall at the Walk Bridge, Whitminster, 2 feet and to lengthen the bridge. The Committee being satisfied that the foundation of the stonework of this bridge will soon require expensive repairs resolved that consent be granted, upon condition of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co doing the work in a thorough and workmanlike manner to the approval of the Surveyor. The Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co finding the carriage for the said bridge.
Mr Clegram having applied on behalf of his company to be permitted to make a “cut” through their land to join the two canals at Framilode Junction, for the purpose of bringing their large Steam Dredging Machine into that part of Stroudwater Canal which it is their duty to clean but are unable to do because of the narrowness of the Stroudwater canal there. Mr Clegram to let the Surveyor have a detailed statement of his plans.
The Committee having completed their inspection from Wallbridge to Framilode were pleased with the present state, general condition and management, and especially with the new locks at Framilode which suit their purpose well.
Mr Knee of Wallbridge met the Committee at Framilode to discuss the matter of his coal trade at Dudbridge. He expressed himself unable to pledge to sell any certain quantity of coal there in the face of the present competition (the Committee talked of 3000 tons annually). He wished to continue with the present arrangement for another six months. He is to be answered at Wallbridge after the next Committee meeting.
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation held on board the Boat on Thursday the 16^th day of July 1868
Present: M^r W W Kearsey, T Marlng Chairman, G H A Beard, C H Fisher, J C Hallewell, J T Fisher, S Phipps, H H Wilton.
The Committee having inspected the Company's house at Downfield, lately rented by M^r Cox, and occupied by his Tenant M^r W^M Salisbury, found the Grate in the kitchen left by him, broken, which was perfect when M^r Cox took possession.
Ordered that M^r Cox be called upon forthwith to repair the same, and in case of his refusal, or, neglect to do so within one week from this day, the same to be done by the Company and M^r Cox to be compelled to pay the expense thereof.
Ordered that the 2 housed at Downfield be whitewashed.
The North wall of the Dudbridge Lock is in a bade state; the Surveyor reported that the cost of the repair would be about £8..-..-.
Ordered to be done.
The Gates at the Double Locks are out of repair, the Surveyor recommended that they be repaired at the next Stoppage, at a few pounds expense, which would carry the Gates on a few years'
Ordered to be done.
Ordered that a new door and frame be put in the wall of the premises adjoining the Turnpike road, occupied by C Critchley, at Stonehouse, also the Gateway next the Turnpike road to be walled up with Stone, and the old Roadway to be broken up, and the stone hauled away, also, a new Gate to be put in the wall adjoining the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway.
The Surveyor reported that he very much wanted a Shed for converted timber at Eastington Dock, there being none at present where timber can be locked up -- the estimated cost of a Shed about 40ft long by 22 wide covered with Bridgewater tile would be from £25 to £30.
Ordered that the Shed be built in a line with the Sawpit, as early as may suit the convenience of the Surveyor,
The Committee inspected the new Blacksmith's shop which has been built, and found it to their entire satisfaction.
Jos^h Cottle reported as follows -- ON the 6^th of July J Clark Master of the Effort came to Dudbridge, his Boat being loaded with Wheat, without a Framilode Ticket, and on the 8^th of July H Clapham, Master of the Sisters came up without any Captain, or, Ticked loaded with Oil Cake.
A Letter was read from M^r Clegram proposing to meet the Committee at Whitminster, to ask permission to raise the walls of Whitminster Lock 2 or 3 courses of Brick a the cost of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company.
At the above interview, M^r Clegram expressed his anxiety to avoid, if possible, the raising of the said Walls, and requested that he might be permitted at the expense of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company, to put up fences to be approved of by our Surveyor, to prevent Cattle falling into the Lock, also that if such fences should prove insufficient, he might be at liberty at like expense, and approval, to raise the coping stone round the Locks as proposed above.
M^r Clegram also requested that the Committee would allow his Company to widen the Bridge wall at the Walk Bridge Whitminster 2 feet, and to lengthen the Bridge.
The Committee being satisfied that the foundations of the stonework of this Bridge will soon require expensive repairs,
Resolved that consent be granted, upon condition of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company's doing the work in a thorough, and workmanlike manner, to the approval of our Surveyor. The Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company finding the carriage for the said Bridge.
M^r Clegram having applied on behalf of his Company to be permitted to make a cut through their land to join the two Canals at Framilode Junction, for the purpose of bringing their large Steam Dredging Machine into that part of our Canal, which it is their duty to cleanse, which they are unable to do by reason of the narrowness of our Canal there.. M^r Clegram promised to let our Surveyor have a detailed statement of his plans, to effect this object.
Resolved that on receiving such statement, the same be taken into consideration with a view, so far as possible, to carry out such scheme.
The Committee having completed their inspection from Wallbridge to Framilode, are pleased to put upon record their entire satisfaction with the present state, general condition, and management thereof -- more especially were they pleased with the new Locks at Framilode which appear to answer their proposed purpose well.
M^r Knee of Wallbridge met the Committee at Framilode, and went into the matter of his Coat trade at Dudbridge. He expressed himself unable to pledge himself to sell any certain quantity of coal there, in the face of the present competition (the Committee talked of 3000 tons annually) and he wished the Committee to continue the present arrangement with him for another 6 months -- this was not decided on, but it was resolved that an answer should be given him, at Wallbridge, after our next Committee Meeting.
