Tue 8 Jun 1869
Mr Partridge reported that during the closure of the canal it was discovered that the culvert leading from the Lodgemoor Reservoir to the Lodgemoor Mills had burst. Mr Peyton the surveyor applied to Messrs Strachan & Co (occupiers and proprietors) to repair the culvert as it was their responsibility. Messrs Strachan replied that they did not feel it was their responsibility to repair the culvert. After a few letters back and forth Messrs Strachan accepted the responsibility ‘to avoid any unpleasantness’ and agreed to repair it on 5 June. Mr Partridge spoke to Mr Hawker at Cheltenham and asked him if he could recollect the making of the culvert in question. Mr.Hawker replied that the culvert was made by Mr H. Cooke entirely of his own expense as it was considered of great advantage to Lodgemore Mills in approximately 1800 or a few years later before his brother Mr G Hawker visited Lodgemore Mills.
It was reported that the draft of the Petition to the House of Commons against the Severn & Wye Railway Bill was yesterday approved by Stroudwater Navigation Co, Thames & Severn Canal Co and the millowners, and that a subscription of £50 to the opposition fund had been promised. Company seal to be affixed to the Petition against the Severn & Wye Railway Bill.
Ordered 3 dozen of sherry wine of Messrs H. Batemans
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation held at the Committee Room at Wallbridge on Tuesday the 8^th day of June 1869
Present: M^r F S Thornton, C H Fisher, Chairman, G H A Beard, W W Kearsey, S Phipps, T M Croome J T Fisher.
M^r Partridge reported that during the present Stoppage of the Canal it was discovered that the Culvert leading from the Lodgemore Resevoir to the Lodgemore Mills had burst.
The Surveyor M^r Peyton applied to Mess^Rs Strachan & C^o the Occupiers & Proprietors of the said Mills to replace the Culvert who sent her the following letter:
Fromehall Mills Stroud June 3^rd 1869
"M^r Peyton
Dear Sire We have thought over he conversation you had with our M^r Roberts this morning as to the repair of the Culvert and ae not able to see how it can possibly fall on us, having been caused entirely by your withdrawing the water over which we have no control & we therefore leave it to you to have such repairs done as you think necessary. In saying this we wish it to be clearly understood that we do not want to avoid any responsibility that fairly belongs to us.
Yours respectly
Signed Strachan & C^o"
M^r Peyton brought the above letter to M^r Kearsey who suggested & recommended your Clerk to send the following reply to Mess^rs Strachan & C^o:
Canal Office Wallbridge June 4^th 1869
Mess^rs Strachan & C^o
Dear Sirs, Your letter of yesterday to M^r Peyton the Surveyor of the Stroudwater Navigation has been handed to me. Your letter appears to have been written under misapprehension.
The Culvert in question was only placed under the Cana by permission for the accomodation of your Mill and is altogether on sufferance & if you wish it to remain on the same terms as before you must at once repair it in a manner satisfactory to the Surveyor and such repairs must be entirely completed by Wednesday next when the Stoppage of the Canal will cease & the water have to be let in. If you should not repair it it will be necessary for it to be entirely removed & for the banks of the Canal to be made good and this should be done by you so will have to be done at your expense. No time should be lost in dealing with the matter as if the water cannot be let in on Wednesday next at 9 O'clock AM. I must point out to you that you will be liable for damages for the Stoppage of the entire Navigation which will be a very serious matter. As you will now see the true position of the business I feel afraid no question or unpleasantness will arise.
Lodgemore Mill, Stroud June 4^th 1869
"M^r N A Partridge
D^r Sir, We have received your not and although we are not satisfied the repairing of the Culvert belongs to us, yeat rather hand any unpleasantness should arise, we will put our man repairing the same to morrow morning.
Yours respect^ly
Signed Strachan & C^o."
M^r Partridge waited on M^r C Hawker in Cheltenham and enquired of him what he could recollect of the making of the Culvert in question. M^r Hawker replied that the Culvert was made by M^r H Cooke entirely at his own expense (as it was not considered by him of great advantage to the Lodgemore Mills) about the year 1800 or a few years later before his brother M^r George Hawker rented the Lodgemore Mills.
It was reported that the Draft of the Petition to the House of Commons against the Severn & Wye Railway Bill was yesterday approved at a Meeting of the Representatives of this Company & of the Thames & Severn Canal Company and of the Millowners and that s subscription of £50 to the opposition Fund by this Company had been promised. Resolved that the Seal of the Company be affixed by the Clerk to the Petition and the subscription made.
Ordered that the Seal of the Company be affixed to the Petition against the Severn & Wye Railway Bill in the House of Commons.
Ordered that the Canal Inspection do take place on Tuesday the 20^th day of July next on board the Boat -- the Boat to start from Wallbridge Wharf at 9 o'clock.
Ordered 3 doz of Sherry Wine of Mess^rs H & J Bateman
Bills ordered to be paid:
Cheque ordered to be drawn for the Opposition Fund against the Severn& Wye Railway Bill: 50..0..0
N A Partridge 1 Quarters Salary due June 24^th: 30..0..0
E Peyton 1 Quarters Salary due June 24^th: 30..0..0
M H Peyton 1 Quarters Salary due June 24^th: 15..0..0
