Tue 18 Aug 1868
The Committee received a letter from Mr Clegram of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co seeking permission to make the opening of the dry dock wider from the G&B Canal at the junction with the Stroud Canal to admit the steam dredger in order to keep the canal free from mud accumulations, and to widen the Walk Bridgeway and Bridge. As the lengthening of the bridge may require some change in the rings and rollers upon which it moves, the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co will undertake to find the new rings and rollers for the bridge. This to be done in design and execution subject to the approval of Mr Peyton. Permission granted to the widening of the opening on the distinct understanding that the Company reserve its right to the legal ownership of the side of the bank to be removed in making the opening; also that the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co erect a sufficient gate at the entrance into such opening over which the Company shall have control for all purposes connected with the canal. Permission was granted to widen the Canal at the Walk Bridge for the purpose of getting the steam dredger to pass through, such alterations to be made at the expense of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co in such a manner that no extra expense is incurred in repairs thereafter to the Stroudwater Navigation Co because of the lengthening and widening of the bridge. Permissions all granted subject to the Stroudwater Navigation Co rights and under the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co Acts of Parliament. Also under the condition that such works and alterations be carried out with the entire approval of the Surveyor.
Mr Knee continue at Dudbridge Wharf until Christmas next, the Company expressing a hope that he will increase his trade within the next few months.
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation held at the Committee Room at Wallbridge the 18^th day of August 1868
Present: M^r F S Thornton, W W Kearsey, G H A Beard, J T Fisher Chairman, S Phipps.
The following letter received from M^r Clegram was read:
Gloucester & Berkeley Canal
Saul Lodge Aug^t 7^th 1868
"Gentlemen
As you are aware this Company have to keep the Stroud Canal from its junction with this Canal up to the Whitminster Lock clear of the accumulation of mud in it. This is a tedious and expensive process with the ordinary spoon dredger, and in order to expediate and economise this work I am advising an opening to be made sufficiently wide from the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal at the Junction to the Stroud Canal to admit the Steam Dredger; this would also involve the widening of the Walk Bridgeway and Bridge. I write to ask you permission to do this, and as the lengthening of the Bridge may involve some change in the rings and rollers upon which it moves, if you consent to its being done, I on behalf of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company undertake to find the new rings and rollers for the Bridge and that all the work we have to do shall be in design and execution subject to the approval of your Agent M^r Peyton."
(Signed by) W B Clegram.
Referring to the opening mentioned above,
Resolved that permission be granted on the distinct understanding that this Company reserves its right to the legal ownership of the site of the Bank to be removed in making such opening, and also, that the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal C^o erect a sufficient Gate at the entrance into such opening, over which the Company shall have controul for all purposes connected with this Canal.
Referring to the alterations at the Walk Bridge,
Resolved that permission be granted to widen the Canal there, for the purposes of getting the Steam Dredger to pass through; such alterations to be made at the expense of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company, and in such a manner that the repairs hereafter required by reason of the extra length, and width of the Bridge, shall not cause more expenses to this Company that at present incurred.
Resolved that the permissions above granted, as so given, subject to all this Company's rights, under this, and the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company's Act of Parliament, and upon the conditions that such works and alterations be carried out, so that in design and execution they have the entire approval of our Surveyor.
Resolved that M^R Knee continue at Dudbridge Wharf until Christmas next, the Committee expressing a hope that he will increase his trade there within the next few months.
Bills ordered to be paid: £ s d
General Assemblies Canal Inspection July 16^th: 9..6..4
Ja^s Trotman Timber: 108..13..6
O Cam Masonry: 32..18..6
C Harrison Masonry: 10..1..7
R^d Berry Ironmonger: 5..5..3
S^l Nicholls Smith's Work: 3..9..8
James Brothers Parchesters: 2..16..10
