Wed 19 Sep 1923
Bristol Road Lock: Dock Co sent cheque for £20.
New pair of bottom gates ready for fixing to Pike Lock at Eastington. Further repair of present gates necessary. Stoppage of canal needed to fix them.
Copy of Notice of intended stoppage sent to Ministry of Transport.
Plan received from County Surveyor for Pike Bridge showing proposed line for improvement of bridge.
Also plan from Surveyor re proposed improvement for Bristol Road Bridge. Committee’s opinion that bridge could be widened by about six feet without detriment to canal but present headroom, on plan about 11’ 7½” from weir level to underside of arch, not to be reduced. Clerk to inform Col Sinnnott’s representative of Committee’s decision.
Canal Association reported decision to raise subscription by 33⅓%, £4 instead of £3. Clerk to ask Mr Manning Lewis for good reason why Company should remain a member of the Association.
Blunder Lock bottom gates to be renewed.
£250 war stock sold.
£3 bonus to G Cook, canal ganger for July, August, September.
Appeal against assessment of Warehouse at Wallbridge for Property Tax. Mr Bloxam‘s suggested increase of 5% for inside repairs done by tenant accepted, £20 11s as against £23 15s.
[1923 Sept] Committee Meeting held at Wallbridge on Wednesday the 19^th day of September 1923 @ 3 o'clock pm
Present: Jack Margetson, F A Little, Henry R Hooper, W^m Davies, J R Morton Ball, S S Marling, R J C Little.
_Bristol Road Lock_
The Chairman stated that he had as desired at the last Meeting written to the Dock C^o and in response that C^o had generously sent a cheque for £20, which he had acknowledged.
_Pike Lock at Eastngton_
The Clerk reported that the new pair of bottom gates for this lock were now ready for fixing, and as further repair of the present gates had been necessary since the last Meeting he had called a stoppage of the Canal for the purpose of fixing them.
As required under the Railway and Canal Traffic Act a copy of the Notice of the intended stoppage had been sent to the Ministry of Transport.
_Pike Bridge at Eastington_
A plan from the County Surveyor was put in showing the proposed line for the improvement of this bridge. After considerable discussion it was agreed that any reply be left over until Mr Boxam's return.
_Bristol Road Bridge_
A plan was handed in from the Surveyor with regard to a proposed improvement to this bridge. The Committee, though not approving of some of the arrangements shown on the plan, were of opinion that the bridge could be widened by about six feet without any detriment to the Canal but, decided that in no case could they allow the present headroom -- which is shown on the plan about 11' 7½" from weir lefel to underside of Arch - to be reduced. The Clerk was instructed to inform Col Sinnott's representative, when he called, the Committees decision in the matter, and to say that it did not wish to stand in the way of any improvement being effected at the same time the improvements would have to be carried out with regard to Canal interests, and if a plan were submitted shewing in figures the measurements of the improvement desired the Committee would consider it. Mr Hooper undertook to visit the place when the amended plan is received.
_Canal Association_
Notice having been received from the above Association of its decision to raise the subscription by 33⅓% making the subscription payable by this company £4 instead of £3 a year.
The Clerk was requested to write M^r Manning Lewis and to ask him if he could give any good reason why the Company should remain members of the Association.
_Blunder Lock_
The Clerk reported that the bottom gates at this lock should be renewed. The Committee instructed the Clerk to proceed with the work.
_Cottage at Framilode_
Application had been received from M^r W Wathen for the cottage lately occupied by Mrs F Pockett at Framilode, rental of £5..4..0 a year which had not been increased under recent Acts of Parliament.
It was decided to let M^r Wathen the Cottage on his agreeing to pay £7..16..0 a year and signing the ordinary agreement.
_War Stock_
£250 War Stock (5%) standing in the names of Trustees for the Company, was sold through Lloyds Bank Ltd, Stroud, at 100 11/16 realising less stamps, cost of Power of Attorney and Brokers Commission £250..10..10, which amount had been placed to the credit of the Reserve A/c of the Company.
The Bonus granted to G Cook, Canal ganger for July, August and September, viz: £3 was authorised to be paid.
_Warehouse at Wallbridge_
The appeal against the Assessment of these premises for Property Tax came before the Commissioners on the 23^rd August last, and after having the Inspector in support of his figures and Mr Bloxam's arguments in opposition the Commissioners declined to increase the Assessments at all on account of the Insurance, but accepted Mr Bloxam's suggested increase of 5% for the inside repairs done by the Tenant, this works out as follows:
£ s d
Rent: 26..2..0
Add 5% for inside repairs: 1..6..0 [subtotal] 27..8..0
Less new allowance for general repairs: 6..17..0
[Total] £20..0..0
as against £23..15..0.
Cheques drawn:
Committee fees: 1..12..6
The Challow Saw Mills Co Ltd: 43..18..0
A C Weger: 4..18..0
G J Winson & Co Ltd: 5..2..6
The Ryeford Saw Mills Co: 43..5..0
S Hopson: 17..11..6
H C Steel Ltd: 1..12..0.
The Tonnage for the period 1^st July to 18^th September was £269..17..4 comparing with £270..7..0 last year and £207..12..2 in 1914.
The balance at the bank was £245..16..10 against £241..6..5 last year and £337..16..6 in 1914.
