Fri 22 May 1840
Special Meeting. Mr Hawker, after 27 years service, noting his great age and infirmities and as an inducement to faithful servants of Company, it is expedient to continue his salary for discharge of restricted duties.
Advertisement in Gloucester papers and Midland Counties for office of Clerk of the Navigation. Salary £120 per year. House occupied by Organ at Chippenham Platt to be for new clerk.
At a Special Meeting of the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation held at the Committee Room at Wallbridge on Friday the 22^nd of May 1840
Present: M^r S Fisher, M^r Eycott. M^r J Fisher, M^r Wathen, M^r P H Fisher, M^r Hughes, M^r Wyatt, M^r Holbrow, M^r Jn^o Stanton, M^r Croome, M^r Beard, M^r Cosham, M^r Martin.
Ordered that the following Bills be paid, viz:
Mess^rs Martin Washborne & C^o: 16^£:8^s:0
The Committee having conferred with M^r Hawker the Company's Clerk as directed by the General Meeting, as to his retirement from the more active duties of his office and restricting his Services in the manner there directed,
M^r Hawker acquiesced in the arrangement, stating his entire dependence on the Salary for his support: Whereupon the Committee, took into consideration the length of time (27 years) of his Service, his great age and infirmities, and the progress in the concern in prosperity during his Clerkship; and Resolved that on those considerations, and with a view to its moral Effect on the agents & Servants of the Company in general, and as an inducement to the faithful discharge of their duty, It is expedient to continue M^r Hawkers Salary, as heretofore paid, etc, so long as he shall continue to discharge the restricted Duties of his Office to the satisfaction of the Committee.
Ordered that M^r Purcell's Service be dispensed with on and after the 20^th day of March next and notice be given to him to that effect.
Ordered that an Advertisement be inserted in the 2 Gloucester papers, and in the Midland Counties Herald, calling for tenders for filling the Office of Clerk of the Navigation, (limiting the Salary to £120 per Ann. with a Residence free of Rent & Tazes) on or before the 22^nd June next.
Ordered that the House occupied by Organ at Chippenham's Plat be the residence of the new Clerk, when it can be so used on arrangements being made for that purpose; and in the mean time a residence be provided.
Ordered that a Committee be summoned for June 24^th next, to consider the Tenders sent in.
