Wed 16 Jun 1920
Mr Evershed of Bomford and Evershed had inspected canal re estimate for complete dredging. No plant suitable for work. No quote but 3s 3d per cube yard probable cost.
Request to Chairman of Control Committee to sanction employment of extra gang of four men for work under Mr Snape. Removing worst obstructions to take probably 12 or 14 months.
Canal Control sanctioned increase of 5s a week to tidesman Pockett.
Minutes of Canal Association meeting 4 June. Minister of Transport had appointed committee to consider future of Inland Waterways of country. Mr Neville Chamberlain MP to be Chairman. Terms of reference to deal with questions.
1 What portion of the Waterways should be taken over and on what terms?
2 What should be the form of ownership?
3 What improvements should be carried out in such acquired portions?
4 How to secure any extra value of the frontage to the body making the improvements?
5 How cooperation between transport by water and rail or road could be best developed?
Formal application made.
Messrs W H Vowles & Sons complained that swing bridge at Stonehouse was in a dangerous condition. Unsuitable for heavy traffic to Brush Works. Messrs Vowles not contributing to cost. Mr Bloxam to consider position.
Messrs Dickinson & Cox’s lease of Stonehouse Wharf expiring 29 September. Committee to accept as yearly tenant Mrs Penn, for some years undertenant. Rent £28 as now.
Request to Canal Control Committee to add £25 per annum to £150 last agreed as Mr Snape’s salary.
[1920 June] Committee Meeting held at Wallbridge on Wednesday the 16^th day of June 1920 @ 3.20 o'clock pm
Present: W^m Davies, S S Marling, W R Bloxam, R J C Little, Philip Jas Evans.
Mr Snape reported that Mr Evershed of Bomford & Evershed had inspected the Canal with the object to giving an Estimate for a complete dredging of same.
A letter from him was read in which he said they had no plant suitable for the work and they would not care to quote for the job but went on to give 3/2 per cube yard as the probable cost.
The Committee after discussion decided to ask the Chairman of Control Committee to sanction the employment of an extra gang of four men for doing the work under Mr Snape as far as removing the worst obstruction event which would probably take 12 or 14 months.
A letter had been received giving the sanction of the Canal Control to an increase of 5/- per week in the case of Tidesman Pockett.
The Canal Association had sent Minutes of their Meeting on June 4 from which it appeared that the Minister of Transport had appointed a Committee to consider the future of the inland waterways of this Country - Mr Neville Chamberlain MP to be Chairman and the terms of reference would deal with the questions:-
1 What portion of the Waterways should be taken over and on what terms?
2 What should be the form of Ownership?
3 What improvements should be carried out in such acquired portions?
4 How to secure any extra value of the frontage to the body making the improvements?
5 How co-operation between Transport by water and rail or road could be best developed?
Formal application had been made through the Canal Control Committee that the Undertaking be taken possession of under Sec 3 1(b) of the Ministry of Transport Act 1919 upon the assumption that the terms of Control would not be less favourable than those at present in operation.
Messrs W H Vowles & Sons Ltd had complained that the Swing Bridge at Stonehouse was in a dangerous condition. This was being remedied but it was pointed out that the bridge was unsuitable for the heavy traffic to the Brush Works and as Messrs Vowles had raised the question of their not contributing to the cost the matter was put in Mr Bloxam's hands to consider the position and inform the Committee at next Meeting respecting same.
Messrs Dickinson & Cox's Lease of Stonehouse Wharf would be expiring on September 29^th next and the Committee agreed to accept as yearly Tenant Mrs Penn who had for some years been the undertenant. The rent to be £28 per annum as now.
Mr Snape's application for increase of salary was considered and it was decided to ask the Canal Control Committee to add £25 per annum to the £150 last agreed to by them which included War Bonus.
It was ordered that the next Committee and Half Yearly Meeting be held on Thursday July 29 at 3.20 and 3.45pm respectively.
Tonnage to date was £164..2..6 as compared with 156..8..0 a year since and £212..11.1 in 1914.
Credit at Bank was £293..17..2 against 66.10..8 same time in 1919 and 316..12..5 in 1914.
