Tue 26 Oct 1869
Mr Clegram attended and stated that Nathaniel Hamlet the present lock keeper at the junction is to be pensioned. He suggested that it would be advantageous of the traffic on the Stroudwater & Gloucester Canal that the collector at the junction of the two canals be the officer of the two companies and be jointly appointed, at a salary of 15s per week by each company and allowed to live in the house of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co rent and tax free. Mr N. Peyton the present lock keeper at Framilode was proposed to be appointed in place of Mr Hamlet, who will leave at Christmas.
Messrs Strachan apologised for not writing as promised in relation to the trunk underneath the canal. They propose to take the top of the present wood trunk off and then put in a wrought iron boiler tube (which they have purchased) with masonry each end of the tube. Their request for the Stroudwater Navigation Co men to undertake the work at their cost was agreed.
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation held at the Committee Room at Wallbridge on Tuesday the 26^th day of October 1869
Present: S Phipps, G H A Beard, M^r H H Wilton Chairman, J C Hallewell, T M Croome, F S Thornton, W W Kearsey.
The various Accounts Books and Vouchers signed by M^r W Coley the Auditor and certified to be corrected were produced examined and passed.
The Treasurers book was produced examined and signed.
M^r Clegram the Engineer of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company attended the Committee and stated that Nathaniel Hamlet the present Lock Keeper at the Junction in in consequence of his infirmity about to be pensioned by that Company and M^r Clegram having expressed an opinion that it will be for the convenience and advantage of the traffic on the Stroudwater and Gloucester & Berkeley Canals that the Toll Collector at this Junction of the two Canals be the Officer of the two Companies and be jointly appointed.
That he be paid 15^s/ a week by each Company and allowed to live in the house of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company rent and Taxes free.
That he be fully instructed by each Company as to his duties to each.
That he be required to give security to each Company for the due performance of his duties in such sum as may be required by each Company.
That he be dismissed his Office upon the reasonable request of either Company & that this arrangement may be terminated by either Company on three months notice.
Resolved that this Committee approves the above terms of arrangement.
Resolved that M N Peyton the present Lock Keeper at Framilode be appointed should the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company concur in such appointment to the Office of Lock Keeper at the Junction in the place of N Hamlet who will leave at Xmas next.
A letter was read from Mess^rs Strachan & C^o of which the following is a copy:
Lodgemore Mills Octr 13^th 1869
To the Stroud Navigation Company
"Gentlemen
We are sorry we neglected writing you as promised M^r Peyton relative to the Trunk underneath the Canal which appears to be too much damaged to make good again. Our proposition is when it should suit your convenience to ahve the water out, to take the _top_ of the present wooden trunk, and then put in a wrought iron boiler tube, which we have bought for the purpose, building well into the masonry each end of the tube., this will make a good substantial job of it but to enable us to do it well, and that you also might be satisfied of the same, we should feel obliged if you will allow your men to undertake the job, _at our cost_, we rendering all the help we can with what tools, etc, we have at our command" Signed Strachan & C^o.
Resolved that Mess^rs Strachan & C^os request be aceeded to & that the Surveyor be instructed to act accordingly & that Mess^rs Strachan & C^o be informed thereof.
