Tue 15 Dec 1868
John Hughes, James Peat Heane and Josiah Costree claimed share nos.92,191, will of Richard Hodges Carter.
Sub-committee attended at Lydney and saw Mr Henderson, the manager of the Norchard Pits and then to Holmes Level Pit. Mr Henderson informed the Committee that he was very anxious to compete with the steam coal from Holmes Level Pit and was coming into the neighbourhood on the morrow. They were astonished to see the extent of the works at Holmes Level Pit and the inexpensive process required for working the coal. They were sorry also to find that the manager had made a further reduction to 3s 1d per ton at the pit’s mouth so that with present means of transit it is feared that the Norchard Coal cannot compete, as far as canal traffic is concerned with the new steam coal.
Mr Kearsey sent Mr Taunton extracts from the report on tonnages as far as the same related to coal to be carried on the T&S Canal. A letter from Mr Taunton objecting to the terms proposed was read. The Company do not feel justified in departing from the terms of the report which they do not feel to be fairly open to complaint. Mr Partridge to communicate with Mr Taunton to that effect.
Resolved that Mr Godsell of Froombridge Mills be allowed to carry all his traffic of every description up and down to and from the Bristol Road Wharf at the rate of 3d per ton.
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation held at the Committee Room at Wallbridge on Tuesday 15^th December 1868
Present: M^r F S Thornton, W W Kearsey Chairman, S Phipps, J T Fisher, G H A Beard, C H Fisher, J C Hallewell.
M^r W W Kearsey of Stroud in the County of Gloucester Gentleman attended on behalf of John Hodley Hughes of the City of Gloucester Gentleman James Peat Heane of Wotton Cottage near the Said City of Gloucester Esquire & Josiah Costree of the City of Gloucester Surveyor Executors under the Will of the late Richard Hodges Carter of Hillfield Road near the City but in the County of Gloucester Esquire and made out their Claim to 2 Shares numbered 92 & 191 of the Undertaking of the Stroudwater Navigation lately belonging to and now standing in the name of the said R H Carter deceased by producing the Probate of the Will of the said R H Carter deceased bearing date the 11^th day of October 1867 and proved in the Prinicipal Registry of her Majesty's Court of Probate on the 22^d day of October 1868 and also be producing a written authority by the said Executors and also the Tickets or Titles of the said Shares and their Claim was admitted accordinly and new Tickets ordered to be made out.
The SubCommitee attended at Lydney and saw M^r Henderson the Manager of the Norchard Pits and thence to the Holmes Level Pit. M^r Henderson informed the Committee that he was very anxious to compete with the Steam Coal from the Holmes Level Pit and was coming into the neighbourhood on the morrow with that object in view.
The Committee was astonished to see the extent of the Works at Holmes' Level Pit and the inexpensive process required for working the Coal - they were sorry also to find that the Manager had made a further reduction to 3^s/1^d per Ton at the Pit's mouth so that with present means of transit your Committee fear that the Norchard Coal cannot compete, so far as our Canal traffic is concerned, with the new Steam Coal.
M^r Kearsey stated that he had sent to M^r Taunton extracts from the Report of the Surveyor as far as the same related to Coal to be carried on the Thames & Severn Canal. A Letter from M^r Taunton dated the 8^th Ins't objecting to the terms mentioned in such Extract was read. Resolved that whilst this Committee have been and are desirous of Meeting the Thames & Severn Canal Company as far as they reasonably can they do not feel justified in departing from the terms of the Report which they do not consider to be fairly open to complaint and that M^r Partridge communicate with M^r Taunton to that Effect.
Resolved that M^r Godsell of Froombridge Mills be allowed to carry all his traffic of every description up and down to and from the Bristol Road Wharf at the rate of 3^d per Ton whatever distance the same may be carried on this Canal. This arrangement to exist until further Order.
Bills ordered to be paid: £ s d
N A Partridge 1 Qr Salary due Xmas: 30,,0.,0
E Peyton 1 Qr Salary due Xmas: 30..0..0
M N Peyton 1 Q^r Salary due Xmas: 15..0..0
G Perry Paint, etc: 2..2..0
