Tue 21 Feb 1871
Mr Taunton’s proposal for coals to be borne on both canals by means of trucks and pontoons was discussed fully. It was felt that it would not be in the interests of this canal to agree to the plan.
The question of making an allowance of £39 to Mr Knee of Wallbridge Wharf as part of his rent was discussed. Because of the large amount of his general traffic the allowance was agreed for the past year, without in any way pledging the Committee to carry it on in future.
The death of Jack Cottle, the Company’s caretaker, was reported and the question of appointing a successor discussed. Mr Peyton suggested that the duty of gauging vessels laden with Staffordshire coal might be discharged at the junction by Mr Matthew Peyton, the care of the crane and warehouse at Dudbridge by Mr Ward, and the care of the water and lock between Wallbridge and Dudbridge by one of the labourers at present employed by the Company. Mr Ward agreed to take over crane and warehouse at Dudbridge, and the public weighing machine at £210 for the next six months.
Mr Peyton was instructed to provide a new iron fence for the Company’s premises at Dudbridge at a possible cost of £15. He also reported that the tides at Framilode had damaged the Company’s pier there. Mr Beard to inspect the place and repair it as he sees fit.
Clerk directed to communicate with Mr Taunton on the overflow at Wallbridge from the upper canal into the Company’s garden.
At a Meeting of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation held at the Committee Room at Wallbridge on Tuesday the 21^st day of February 1871
Present: M^r S Phipps, Capt^n C H Fisher Chairman, F S Thornton, G H A Beard, T Marling, T M Croome, J T Fisher, J C Hallewell.
M^r Taunton's proposal for the establishment of a traffic in coals, etc, to be borne on both Canals by means of trucks and pontoons was again carefully considered, and after considerable discussion, It was Resolved that it did not appear that the interests of this Canal would be furthered by the plan.
The question of the making of an allowance to M^r Knee of Wallbridge Wharf of £39 part of his rent, altho' he had not brought up 4000 tons of coal to Wallbridge Wharf (the stipulated quantity) was considered, and on account of the large amount of his general traffic on this Canal it was resolved to make the allowance to him for the past year without in any way pledging the Committee to its further continuance.
The death of Jos^h Cottle the Company's caretaker at Dudbridge was reported to the Committee, and the question of their appointing a successor in his duties was considered. M^r Peyton the Surveyor was consulted, and it appeared to the Committee that the duty of guaging vessels laden with Staffordshire coal might be discharged at the Junction by Matthew Peyton, the care of the Crane and Warehouse at Dudbridge by M^r Ward and the care of the water and Lock between Wallbridge & Dudbridge by one of the labourers at present in the Company' service.
M^r Ward attended and agreed to take over the care of the Crane and Warehouse at Dudbridge and agreed to take the public Weighing Machine at the same place at £210 for the next six months. The house & Wharf to be still rent free, his tenure of the Machine to commence from today.
M^r Peyton the Surveyor attended and the above determination as to Dudbridge was communicated to him. He was also instructed to provide a new Iron fence for the Company's premises there at a probable cost of £15.
He also reported that the tides at Framilode had damaged the Company's Pier there. Resolved that M^r Beard inspect the place and give such orders for its repair as he & M^r Peyton deem best & this he agreed to do.
The Clerk was directed to communicate with M^r Taunton on the subject of the overflow at Wallbridge from the upper Canal into the Company's garden there.
Resolved that the Day for holding Committee Meetings be altered and that in future it be the 3^d Thursday in every month.
Bills ordered to be paid: £ s d
Monger & Stout Ironmonger: 13..11..11
Knee Jr carriage of Timber: 1..13..0
S Nicholls Blacksmith: 0..16..6
