Tue 20 Jul 1897
Annual survey of canal in steam launch ‘Stella’, lent by Messrs Edwin Clark & Co., Brimscombe, 8 July.
Cutting of weeds in progress. Planking for swing bridge at Bond’s Mill ready. Whitminster Pound still in need of dredging. No public right over Company’s towing path. Sewage entering canal at Ebley and Ryeford a nuisance requiring abatement. Bathing shelter at Eastington near Westfield Bridge satisfactory.
Cargoes of stone from Rowley Hall and Ireland at several points on canal wharves. Traffic on increase.
F A Jones, engineer of Sharpness New Docks Co. intended to dredge Whitminster Pound.
Vice Chairman of Stonehouse Parish Council agreed to pay rent £1 p.a. for licence to use canal for public bathing.
Messrs Apperly Curtis & Co began to take water from canal for new reservoirs 5 July.
£1800 lent by Lloyd’s Bank, Stroud to Thames & Severn Canal Trust, ¹⁄₃ to Company, ²⁄₃ to Sharpness Docks Co.
Committee Meeting held at Wallbridge on Tuesday the 20^th July 1897 @ 3 o'clock pm
Present: Mr C H Hooper Chairman, Mr E P Little, Sir W H Marling Bart, Mr W Davies, Mr W J Stanton.
The Chairman read a short report of the recent survey of he Canal, as follows:-
The annual survey of the Canal was made on Thursday July 8^th in the steam-launch "Stella" (lent by Messrs Edwin Clark & C^o of Brimscombe) by the Chairman and Mr E P Little accompanied by Mr Snape.
The weeds and rushes had not been everywhere cut as the staff had been unable to spare the time, but it was in progress and the works were generally found in a satisfactory condition. The swing Bridge at "Bond's Mill" was the principal exception and for this the planking is ready in the Yard at Eastington, when the Carpenters can take it in hand.
The "Whitminster Pound", which has previously been the subject of report, was still in need of dredging and "weed-cutting" which is due from the Sharpness New Docks Company.
The spot at which Mr Sibly raised lately a question of trespass, was examined, and it was seen that no public right could exist over the Company's towing-path.
The entrance of sewage to the Canal at Ebley and Ryeford was notices as a nuisance requiring abatement.
The Bathing Shelter lately erected at Eastington on the Company's ground near "Westfield Bridge" appeared to be satisfactory and was understood to be working well.
One or two minor matters connected with the Company's house property were attended to by the survey. The large room over the Warehouse at Framilode is now vacant.
It was noted as satisfactory that cargoes of Stone from "Rowley Hall" and from Ireland, were found at several points on the Canal Wharves, and it appears that this traffic is on the increase.
A letter (date June 26) form Mr F A Jones, Engineer of the Sharpness New Docks Company, was read in reference to the mussing and reed-cutting of the "Whitminster Pound", expressing his intention to arrange to dredge this reach as soon as practicable, and Sir W H Marling Bart remarked that the Sharpness Company fully recognized their responsibility for doing it.
A letter from the Vice-Chairman of the Stonehouse Parish Council was read, agreeing to pay the rent of £1 per annum for the past and current year. for the licsnce to use the Canal for public Bathing, under the terms (with modification as to hours) granted previously to the "Polo and Bathing Club" and this was confirmed for the period, terminating June 24^th.
The Clerk reported that Messrs Apperly Curtin & C^o Ltd had commenced to take water from the Canal for their new reservoirs on the 5^th July, and he was instructed to give a receipt in full on their payment of the quarter due September 19 prox.
The Seal of the Company was affixed to the Guarantee by this Company and the Sharpness Docks C^o of the £1800, lent by Lloyds Bank Stroud to the Thames and Severn Canal Trust, for the completion of the "Restoration Works" the liability falling in the proportion of one third on this Company and two thirds on the Sharpness Docks Company.
Cheques drawn:
Messrs Edwin Clark & C^o: £2..10..0
