Committee elected Sub committee to meet with promoters of Wilts & Berks Canal.
Mortgages cancelled and motgages executed William Stevenson resigns as Treasurer Deputation appointed to meet Committee of Wilts & Berks Canal William Smith, bond for his security accepted Deputation appointed to Special General Meeting of Stroudwater Canal Mr Chambers & Mr Black to inquire into practicability of canal from Monmouth to the Severn
Wilts & Berks Canal told the Company is willing to treat for a junction A convenient cottage to be erected near the orchard at Brimscombe Port for the use of Thomas Bagnall and his house to be vacated and repaired for Mr Richard Miller.
Wilts & Berks Committee decline applying for a junction R J Newman's cash book examined Agreed John Moss of Sapperton, baker, could repair and lease Sapperton Mill.
Printed report by James Black about a proposed canal linking the Wilts & Berks Canal with the Thames & Severn Canal, and about attempts to increase the supply of water to the summit level of the Thames & Severn Canal.
Report on a meeting with the Wilts & Berks Canal Co. Long report from James Black on the Wilts & Berks Canal, other proposed canals and on improving water supply to the summit.
Some observations signed by William Hallett Esq, Chairman of the Committee of the Wilts & Berks Canal Company dated 13 March, were produced in which the advantages likely to result from a canal projected from Latton on the Thames & Severn Canal to Swindon situated on the line of the Wilts & Berks Canal to the interest of the Stroudwater Navigation Company are pointed out and our company are invited to present a petition to the Honourable the House of Commons in favour of the same.
Wilts & Berks Canal Co to be invited to a meeting re Severn Junction.
Application made by Mr Crowdy to affix the Company Seal to a petition now depending in Parliament for making a Navigable Canal from Wilts & Berks Canal in the parish of Swindon to the Thames & Severn Canal at or near Latton approved.
Expect full 60 tons of coal to be taken as per agreement and to have supply in opposition to Wilts & Berks.
Business is at present rather slack goods being very scarce notwithstanding the Kennett & Avon & Wilts & Berks Canals have been stopped for repairs nearly three weeks.
What are dimensions of largest boats that navigate Wilts & Berks Canal as side walls of one of Locks needs repairing & worth considering whether to widen to take 2 small boats at a time.
T&S Co willing to second application of North Wilts Co by a Case similar to the petition in favour of the Act, and the Wilts & Berks should do so likewise - and Forest of Dean Railway Co.
Weather prevents building of aqueduct at Latton proceeding as fast as wished … the water in the part excavated is so excessive as to require the aid of horses to work the screw pump night & day… Oxford Journal contains particulars regarding Wilts & Berks Canal & proposed Abingdon & Aylesbury Canals.
Messrs Whitworth & Atherton from Wilts & Berks Canal selling at Cirencester Forest of Dean Soft Coals at very reduced prices with very considerable trade at that Wharf.
There is a very clever man in this neighbourhood to whom would recommend the Wilts & Berks Committee if disposed to have a machine.
Application of the Wilts & Berks and the North Wilts Canal Companies for the drawback on coals passing below Radcot Bridge that was granted in 1814 be rescinded from 1 June.
All stone produced at the summit level for repairing the Wilts & Berks Canal and the North Wilts Branch to pay tonnage of 1d per ton per mile.
Agreed to reduce tonnage on coke from Wilts & Berks Canal.
Trade tended to open eyes of Bristol dealers as previously used Wilts & Berks Canal.
Mr Durnford of Wilts & Berks Canal proposed toll reductions - details given.
Agreed to discuss mutual toll reductions with the Wilts & Berks Canal Co.
Mr Denyer to confer with Clerks of Stroudwater and Wilts & Berks Canals to agree time when all three can be stopped.
Will speak to Mr Dunsford & recommend similar price charged on Wilts & Berks canal and hope this would enable an extensive trade.
Willing to fall in with any arrangements that may be made between the Wilts & Berks & Stroudwater, at the same time knowing the difficulty of keeping workmen in a proper state of sobriety etc I beg to suggest the propriety of avoiding if possible such periods as are severally kept as festivals by the “productive population”.
Enclose letter received from Mr Dunsford, agent to Wilts & Berks Canal Co. stating, there cannot be a doubt of the advantage of a concerted arrangement between us as to stoppages for repairs, especially since the establishment of the Fly Boats… Correspond directly with Mr Dunsford as to proposals as Stroud Canal is in the centre.
Wilts & Berks Canal impeded by ice unlike T&S though present very heavy snow fall may terminate in a thaw.
Must be a mistake regarding Wilts & Berks Canal having been assured their stoppage would be for a fortnight.
One leaves this Canal; 9 miles short of its destination by passing along Wilts & Berks Canal; the other by continuing to end of this Canal to Lechlade then down the Thames.
Frost has caused some inconvenience by detention to boats, ice having prevented their moving for 2 days on Wilts & Berks Canal.
This is one week previous to Whitmonday, period arranged for Wilts & Berks, Stroud & T&S to stop annually for repairs.
Thus both the Stroud & Wilts & Berks have fled from the understood arrangement of not stopping till Whit Monday.
Have given notice of proposed stoppage of Canal (in conjunction with Stroud & Wilts & Berks) at Whitsuntide to enable traders to provide sufficient stocks of coal, salt etc to most places.
The canal would be stopped at the same time as the Stroud and Wilts & Berks Canals.
It is intended to reduce tonnage on Salt passing in one bottom in quantities of not less than thirty tons to Newbridge and below, on Thames at same rate as on Wilts & Berks to or beyond Abingdon.
No alteration contemplated on boats going to or below Abingdon via Wilts & Berks Canal with salt, only difference being between salt passing to or below Newbridge in Canal Boats & Trows.
Will see if he charges same rate of tonnage as he did Hale on the Wilts & Berks Canal.
That Gem of Canals with its inexhaustible reservoir (the Wilts & Berks) all but totally stopped for lack of water.
Wilts & Berks been in very bad state as to water.
Wilts & Berks carriage of block stone and coal.
Wilts & Berks Co – agreed to match their reduced tolls on iron & nails.
Wilts & Berks Co complained about lack of communication over tolls – matter resolved by discussion.
Wilts & Berks Canal Co – tolls discussed.
Reduction in size of locks approved in agreement with wishes of Wilts & Berks Canal Co.
Agreement with Wilts & Berks Canal Co sealed.
Payment of account on clause introduced into Wilts & Berks Canal Act.
Drawbank of 6d on salt passing from Wallbridge through T&S Canal into Wilts & Berks Canal to Oxford and beyond Pewsey Wharf on the Kennet & Avon Canal, on production of a certificate that it has been delivered within three months after passing Wallbridge.
Iron for bridge at Bath passed along canal, grain from Wilts & Berks carried on return.
Stone passing from summit level used on Great Western Railway, Wilts & Berks Canal, Cheltenham & Great Western Union Railway and Berkshire roads.
On all coal delivered below Radcot Bridge on River Thames, or at or beyond Swindon on Wilts & Berks Canal, drawback allowed of 4d per ton on present tonnage of 1s.
Up Carriage Upon all Coal delivered below Radcot Bridge on the River Thames or beyond Even Swindon on the Wilts & Berks Canal (2/3 charge by T&S) Stroud 1./-.
ON OATS carried from or beyond the Junction of the Gloucester and Berkeley Canal with the Stroudwater Canal to or beyond Even Swindon, on the Wilts & Berks Canal, or to or beyond Radcot, on the River Thames, to 1½d per ton per mile, leaving the tonnage payable in the first case 2s 6½d per ton, and in the latter case 3s 7d per ton.
Ordered That in conformity with the recommendn of the Committee as reported to this meeting the Committee be authorised to allow Drawbacks after the rate hereinafter mentioned on the Tonnage of the various articles hereafter mentioned passing on this Navigation to and from the places hereafter mentioned on the terms and conditions hereafter mentioned; The Committee taking care that the persons carrying the articles and bound to pay the Tonnage thereof, do produce a sufficient document to show that the articles have "-bona fide_" so passed according to the Terms and conditions; And provided the Thames & Severn Canal Compy do carry into effect their proposal to allow a drawback on, or to reduce their Tonnage, in the like cases; On which proposal the Committee have acted in recommending to this meeting the intended drawback:- That is to say:- That upon all _Coals_ delivered below Radcott Bridge on the River Thames, or at or beyond Even Swindon on the Wilts & Berks Canal.
If rain deferred another week, the Wilts & Berks Canal would have been closed.
Mr Willson, agent for Thames & Severn Canal Co, submitted proposition of drawback of 4d per ton on all coals to any place below Siddington Lock and 6d per ton on all coals taken into Wilts & Berks Canal on condition that Thames & Severn Canal Co reduce tonnage to 1s 8d and Wilts & Berks to same.
Loss of the carriage of grain from Wilts & Berks Canal to Stroud etc.
Mr Dunsford, Agent of Wilts & Berks Canal Company, applied for repair.
General Meeting to consider repeal of regulation on coal going into Wilts & Berks Canal over Thames & Severn Canal and that of goods passing over Canal from Wallbridge and going below Ensham Bridge.
Mr James Webb allowed drawback of 3d per ton on 150 tons of manure carried 1 Feb to 1 Jul from Wilts & Berks Canal to Kempsford.
Wilts & Berks Canal Company’s intention to return to rate of 1s 6d per ton on goods other than coal.
Provisional Agreements between Messrs Bircham & Co and the Wilts & Berks Canal, also with Miss Gordon and Mr James Withy to induce them to withdraw their opposition to Railway Bill.
No notice of stoppage on North Wilts & Berks canal has reached us.
Mr Dunsford, Manager of the Wilts & Berks Navigation, asked what Company’s course of action would be if his Company was wound up.
Special Meeting to enable John Elton Mervin Power of Purton House, Wilts, to vote on behalf of Company at a meeting of Proprietors of the Wilts & Berks Canal.
Copy of Wilts & Berks Canal rates requested
Strategies of Thames Navigation and Wilts & Berks towards the Bill unknown.
Information on ownership of North Wilts Canal and Wilts & Berks and regarding inspection of T&S Canal next week and ordering of boat for the purpose.
That the Severn Commissioners, Sharpness New Docks Co, Staffordshire Canal Co, Stroudwater Navigation Co, Wilts & Berks Canal Co, Birmingham Canal Navigations be invited to appoint two members each of their respective bodies to form together a Committee to consider the best means of getting the Thames and Severn Canal put into an efficient condition and such arrangement made with regard to tolls and otherwise as will meet the necessities of the Trade.
Acknowledging receipt of Table of Tolls, Wilts & Berks Canal, and of Distances.
Regarding arrangements on travel methods and timing to meet for inspection of Wilts & Berks Canal and Thames and Isis Navigation.
Tomorrow, I am making an inspection of the Wilts & Berks Canal with Mr Marten.
Re notes on visit to Wilts & Berks Canal.
Present: Representing Sir W H Marling Bart: Sharpness Docks, etc, Co Mr T Nelson Foster: Sharpness Docks, etc, Co Mr Henry Waddy: Sharpness Docks, etc, Co Mr Hubert Waddy: Sharpness Docks, etc, Co Mr G W Keeling: Sharpness Docks, etc, Co Mr F A Jones: Sharpness Docks, etc, Co Mr T Southall: Severn Navigation Commission Mr H Hamilton Mills: Stroudwater Navigation Mr C H Hooper, Stroudwater Navigation Mr W J Snape, Stroudwater Navigation Mr W J Ainsworth, Wilts & Berks Canal.
Re T&S Canal, Mr Ainsworth will give you traffic to and from the Wilts & Berks Canal, the Thames Conservancy as to River Thames, Mr Waddy from the Junction to the T&S Canal and a return of the down traffic to the G&B Canal.
The toll on this Canal will be 8d per ton, so 1s 1d from the Junction to Latton, or with Wilts & Berks toll 2s 7d from Junction to Abingdon.
Mr Charles Henry Hooper, Stroudwater Navigation, Sir W H Marling, Mr Hubert Waddy, Sharpness New Docks & Gloucester & Birmingham Navigation Co, Mr Thomas Southall, Severn Commissioners, Mr William John Ainsworth, Wilts & Berks Canal Co, Mr Hugh William Russell, County Council of Berkshire, Mr Wilfred Joseph Cripps, County Council of Glos, Mr Henry Mousell, Mayor, Aldermen and citizens of City of Gloucester.
Opposition to closure of Wilts & Berks Canal Co. Stafford & Worcester Canal Co. preferred to lend £200 of £2000 rather than undertake any guarantee.
Page 1 of letter objecting to the proposed closure of Wilts & Berks Canal as it would affect the Thames & Severn Trust's 1895 undertaking to trade between Gloucester and Swindon
Page 2 of lettter relating to the proposed closure of the Wilts & Berks Canal
Letter from Clerk to Board of Trade about opposition to application of Wilts & Berks Navigation to abandon canal read.
Chairman drew attention to resolution of Committee 18 May 1897 opposing application of Wilts & Berks Canal Company to relinquish their undertaking.
Stroudwater Navigation Co withdraw opposition to closure of main section of Wilts & Berks Canal, providing North Wilts Branch maintained in good repair
Letter to Board of Trade withdrawing opposition to application by Wilts & Berks to abandon their undertaking.
Letter from Swindon Corporation to cut off supply of water from reservoir supplying Wilts & Berks Canal.
Swindon Corporation Bill: Resolution passed by Committee deprecating closure of Wilts & Berks Canal.
