Wed 18 Jul 1906
Mr C H Hooper is unable to attend meetings and resigns as chairman because of eyesight problems..
Lease of Ship Inn completed.
Arrangements for repairs to house on Stonehouse Wharf to be made with executors of Mr C Critchley.
Messrs Dickinson, Prosser & Cox to rent house and premises on Stonehouse Wharf. Company to put in weighbridge.
Solicitor to apply to Mr Harding of Whitminster for charge for washing sheep and to Mr Vick of Quedgeley for annual charge for gate erected on towing path near Stonepit Bridge.
The reports of the canal inspections by Mr P J Evans and Mr E P Little were read and entered in the Minutes,
[1906 July] Committee Meeting held at Wallbridge on Wednesday the 18^th day of July 1906 at 4.15pm
Present: Mr H Hamilton Mills, Chairman, Mr P J Evans, Mr W J Stanton, Mr F A Little, Mr S S Marling, Mr W Davies, Sir W H Marling Bart, Mr Whittingham, Solicitor in attendance.
[Mr C H Hooper] Mr Mills read a letter he had received from Mr C H Hooper stating that the sight of one of his eyes had become affected and that the oculist he had consulted advised complete rest, so that he would be unable to attend this Committee Meeting and that he feared he must resign the Chairmanship; it was resolved that Mr Mills be requested to convey to him the sympathy and regret of the Committee and to express the hope that his eyesight would soon be completely restored and that he would allow any question of his resigning the Chairmanship to stand over for the present.
[Lease Ship Inn] The Clerk reported that the Lease of 'The Ship Inn' Wallbridge to Smith & Son Ltd had been duly completed and produced the counterpart Lease executed by them.
[House on Stonehouse Wharf] The question of the liability of the Executors of the late Mr C Critchley to do inside repairs to the house on Stonehouse Wharf was discussed and the Clerk was instructed to endeavour to arrange the matter with the Executors.
[Dickinson Prosser & Cox re premises at Stonehouse] The Clerk was instructed to accept the offer of Messrs Dickinson Prosser and Cox to rent the house and premises on Stonehouse Wharf on lease 7 years at £28 per annum, the Company to put in a Weighbridge which the lessees would keep in repair. The Solicitors were instructed to prepare the necessary lease. The Clerk was authorised to order the weighbridge from Bartlett & Son Ltd at the price of £46..-.
[Mr Harding Sheep Washing Mr Vick gate near Stonepitts Bdge] The Solicitor was instructed to apply to Mr Harding of Whitminster for payment of 10^s/ charged for washing sheep in the Canal, and to Mr Vick of Quedgeley, near Gloucester, for payment of 2/6 the annual charge for the gate erected on the towing path near Stonepitts Bridge, Wheatenhurst.
[Survey] The Reports of the Canal Inspection by Mr P J Evans and Mr E P Little were read and ordered to be entered in the Minutes,
_Mr E P Little's report_
16^th July 1906.
Gentlemen
On behalf of Mr Chas H Hooper and Mr F A Little, the sub-Committee appointed to report on the state of the Canal at Framilode to Eastington Wharf, I inspected such part of the Canal on the 9^th instant, and found it generally in good order. The weeds however require to be cut, and this I understand will be done at an early date instead of being done twice during the season as in former years.
_Shallow Lock_ A new Swing Bridge will be required in about a year's time, - the Iron Work of the existing bridge can be used again and the new Iron Ring Posts are in stock.
_Stonepit Bridge_ A Buttress on each side of this Bridge requires Mason's repairs.
_Parkland Bridge_ Mr Robinson has repaired this to my entire satisfaction.
_Dock Lock_ Two new Heels are required to the gates of this Lock and will shortly be put in. A facing board is also required to the gates.
_Eastington Wharf_ The piling of the wall to Whitings garden requires careful watching, if no immediate repair.
I also inspected the Company's Stores which are in order, but there is no Timber in Stock except that which is required for immediate use.
_Pike Lock_ New Heels and Heads are required to gates and it has been arranged to put them in in a fortnight's time.
The new Iron Work for the footbridge at Hilly Orchard has been prepared by the Company's Workmen and the woodwork is in hand and will be ready for erection this Autumn
Yours faithfully
Edward P Little.
The Committee of Proprietors
of the Stroudwater Navigation
Wallbridge
Stroud.
_Mr P J Evan's report_ July 12 1906.
To the Chairman
Stroudwater Navigation
Dear Sir
In company with Mr Snape I have this day made a careful inspection of the Canal from Eastington to Wallbridge and beg to report as follows:-
The Canal was in good working order over the length inspected and full of water.
A slight hollow in towing path near Bonds Mill was seen and would be duly looked to by Mr Snape at once.
The towing path gate by the 'Ocean' needs renewing completely.
The grass on the banks by the 'Nutshell' house was very rank and needs trimming otherwise the grass banks were looking tidy and well trimmed.
The towing path gate by Stonehouse Cross Bridge wants renewing.
There is a nasty heap of refuse by the outbuildings at Stonehouse Wharf which needs removal.
The Cart shed at same Wharf needs Iron Gutters put to replace rotten wooden ones and the Broseley tiles set right.
The wall put up by the Midland Railway Company in front of the House at same wharf needs repairs and the Midland Railway Company will be asked to attend to this being their duty.
The fence at Stonehouse Court Farm has been covered with straw and rubbish the Owner of said Farm must have his attention called to this. Boundary stones should be placed defining what is Canal property and what belongs to Stonehouse Court.
The old urinal close to Stonehouse Cross Bridge to be removed as it is not used and is untidy and falling about.
The wall on towing path from Canal Cottages to Coal Pen at Ryeford belonging to Sir W H Marling is in a very bad state and needs rebuilding as the stones are now being thrown into the Canal.
At the Double Lock - the lower gate wants a piece let in at the top. The Upper Gate heel post on off side is got into bad order and the heads are also very bad. New Gates will be needed here soon.
At Ebley Mills the footbridge rail is knocked out of shape and needs setting right. The Bridge works badly and has to be forced open by Donkeys or Horses. Messrs Marling & Co should be asked to see to this.
The footbridge by the late Mr E Gyde's house does not appear to pay any trespass rent but should do.
The Dudbridge upper Lock Gate was being repaired - new head and balance pole - and the water was out and Canal stopped for the purpose.
Yours faithfully
P Jas Evans.
[Stonehouse Court Estate] The Clerk was instructed to communicate with Mr F Winterbotham, Solicitor to the Stonehouse Court Estate with reference to the boundary of the Company's property as set out in accordance with the plan signed by Sir W H Marling on the 22^nd April 1884 {and to which the Company's seal was attached).
[August Meeting] It was resolved that no Committee Meeting be held in August.
