1848-1874
Gloucestershire Archives TS165b
Minutes of Committee from 1848 to 1874
Alterations proposed in Table of Rates and Tonnage.
Drawback of 5d per ton on all coals more than 5000 tons carried to Cirencester by Mr Cole.
Mr Smith allowed to store coke in warehouse on island at Brimscombe, with conditions.
William Prickett allowed £5 reduction on his rent.
Half-yearly accounts to 6 April 1858.
No business
Mr David Farrer allowed continued drawback, 3d per ton on all coals by canal, 300 to 500
tons, 6d above 500 tons.
Letter from Mr Freestone, Clerk to the Commissioners of the Stroud Road. Proposal that Turnpike Commissioners and Canal Company should bear expense of small repairs to bridge across Canal at Bowbridge. Agreed.
Letter from Mr Taunton. Cylinder and vacuum machine for preserving timber and advantages of guage wires to ascertain flow of spring into canal. Practical chymist should be consulted as to best way of destroying and removing weeds that pervade Canal. Committee not willing to embark on expense but any responsible person should experiment at own risk.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 5 Oct 1858.
Mr Farrer’s application for a reduction of tonnage declined.
Drawback of 6d per ton to Messrs Grist to be continued for ensuing year as 1610 tons coals carried in 1858.
Benefits to Company of new steam engine. £25 to Mr Taunton for services rendered.
Mr Dangerfield’s request for renewal of drawback on tonnage of coals not renewed. Quantity too small. Allowance for 1859 if weight carried not less than 600 tons.
Churn Millers’ water statements.
Sewage of Stroud about to be diverted from present course into canal by its being carried under the canal and carried away for agricultural purposes.
Letter from Mr Webb of Kempsford Wharf. His stable so dilapidated as to be useless. Expense of rebuilding £14. Authorised.
Cottage at Brimscombe retail wharf, formerly occupied by Ezra Wheeler, let to George Hazle, a trader. £9 per annum.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 5 April 1859.
Mr Kearsey, on behalf of the Brimscombe & Chalford Gas Company, applied to use towing
Path for their works. Referred to Mr Prideaux.
Report on alleged loss of water from River Churn. Messrs Elwes, Hutchinson and Hall
responsible. Also arrears of rent owing by Mr Phipp for use of banks of Canal at Kempsford. Both referred to Mr Prideaux for advice.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 5 Oct 1859.
Application of Brimscombe and Chalford Gas Company approved. Five shillings per annum for Gateway and laying of pipes on Canal Company’s property towards Barton’s
Mill.
Proceedings taken by Mr Jones against Thomas Gardener, Master of the “Conway”, Webb
owner, a coaler, taken without communication with Mr Taunton.
Great Western Railway Company has full powers to carry out works at Capel’s Mill provided they leave a waterway of 16 ft, towing path not less than 5 ft and no interruption of Canal.
Need for repairs to {Mr Taunton’s?] house at Brimscombe Port. Agreed to pay £26.
Letter to Mr Lane, Chief Engineer Great Western Railway, re infringement of Act
of Parliament during recent works at Capel’s Viaduct.
Mr David Farrar asked for relaxation of terms of drawback agreed 23 Nov 1858. Declined.
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.
Mr James Mantell allowed drawback of 2d per ton on 1000 tons of stone carried on summit
level before 29 Sep.
Letter to Mr Joseph Chapman re false declaration made by his Captain at Brimscombe Port.
His reply. Committee not to start proceedings subject to his paying amount due.
Half-yearly statement of account to 3 April 1860.
Mr Smith applied to rent piece of land at the Bourne.
Inventory of furniture and fixtures at the house at Brimscombe Port. Several articles to be
sold.
Correspondence with Mr T C Croome re abandonment of portion of wall at Capel’s Mill.
Mr Rowland, Carpenter, applied for right of entrance through corner of Company’s field at
Brimscombe. Granted. 1s per annum.
James Webb’s request to purchase two cottages adjoining Kempsford Wharf refused.
Read counsels opinion re Mr Wood passing mud down Badbrook Stream into the canal at Wallbridge. Nuisance not likely to occur again. No further proceedings.
Approval of Mr Taunton for his exertions for success of Company’s affairs.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 2 October 1860.
Mr Taunton to act for Company re proposed enclosure of Bisley Common.
Mr Witchell, for Stroud Local Board of Health, asked permission for abstraction of spring
of water at Gainey’s Well. Mr Taunton to prepare an estimate.
Mr Taunton to get rid of Mrs Hawker and Mrs Prickett from Company’s premises at
Lechlade and the Bourne.
Charles Cook, lockkeeper at South Cerney, in bad health. Mr Taunton to find other
employment for him and to appoint his successor.
Mr Smith, through his agent Mr Wood of Brimscombe, offered to pay £4 per annum for
piece of land at the Bourne lying between the Railway and the turnpike road. Agreed.
Residue of Gainey’s Well stream (which the Local Board wish to extract from the Wallbridge pound) estimated at 40,00 gallons per diem. Required a payment of £50.
Miss Ellis to give up Company’s house at Brimscombe.
Mr Taunton’s salary increased to £300 per annum.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 2 April 1861.
Charles Cook to continue as lockkeeper.
Mr Smith has not yet entered on the land at the Bourne.
£50 payment applied for from Stroud Board of Health, to be paid by 18 November.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 1 October 1861.
Correspondence re Mr Jones having charged various rates for freights of same nature to different people. Mr Jones to adhere strictly to scale of rates fixed by Bye Laws.
Re Mr Lane drawing off water from River Churn on Sundays. Opinion of Counsel read. Warning to be given to Mr Lane not to interfere with rights of Company in future.
Seal of the Company fixed to the sale of water at Gainey’s Well to Stroud Local Board of Health.
Water taken from River Churn to 5 Feb £22.17.11.
Mr William Miles request granted for use of ground, if he undertakes to remove bridge when required. 10s per annum.
Application from Mr Wilson, Secretary to Canal Association for subscription. Decision deferred.
Mr Miles no longer wished to construct weighbridge on Company’s land at Stroud.
Stroud & Chalford Turnpike Trust. £100 available for buying up bonds of Trust. Company has £206 invested to be sold at £38 per cent.
Messrs Debenham & Jewson to advertise Brimscombe Terrace House to let. £5 expenses.
Mr Joseph Chapman asked for drawback of 6d per ton on coals. Allowed 3d per ton on 500 tons per year to Gas works at the Bourne.
Albert Sparrow, second engineerman at Thames Head asked to be allowed coals in addition to his wages of 18s per week. Granted. Not more than 2cwt of coals per week.
Notice to be served on Mr Charles Hodgson, in arrears of rent for house at Brimscombe.
Mr John George, formerly trader on Canal but now a bankrupt, asked for pecuniary aid from Company. Refused.
Half-yearly statement of accounts ending 2 April 1862.
Stroud & Chalford Turnpike Trust Bonds sold for £78.
Request for subscription from Stroud General Hospital as Company’s servants had received benefits. Subscription to Gloster Hospital reduced from 3gns to 2gns, Minchinhampton Infirmary from 2 to 1gn, and 2gns to be subscribed to Stroud General Hospital.
Letter from Mr Dunsford. Wilts & Berks Canal Company’s intention to return to rate of 1s 6d per ton on goods other than coal. Company to return to their original sale of 1s 6d per ton.
Brimscombe Terrace House let to Mr William Bound at £26 per annum.
Office house at Brimscombe available to be let with vacant warehouses.
Mr Taunton to be allowed coals and candles.
Mr Taunton to enquire the cost of land lying between Railway and Canal at the Bourn belonging to Mr Nathaniel Marling.
Mr James’ report on engine at Thames Head. Charges £7.10.
Henry Baker, son of late Jasper Baker, employed by Company. 5s per month.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to October 1862.
Mr Taunton’s report on condition of Canal, locks and works generally.
Letting off water between locks to enable Railway Company to proceed with foundations of their bridge. Railway to pay amount due.
Biggs Andrews resigned from Committee.
Railway Company to pay £100 for letting out water from Canal to allow them to get in the foundations of their bridge.
Mr Taunton permitted to move some of Company’s furniture from Canal house at Brimscombe Port to his new residence.
Henry Hewlett, engineman at Thames Head, granted increase of 1s 6d per week.
Opposition of Stroudwater Navigation to Stonehouse and Nailsworth Railway Bill withdrawn.
Mr Ferrabee to rent part of the Company’s house at Brimscombe Port at £50 per annum. £15 per annum. Allowance to Mr Taunton for loss of stable and garden.
Repairs of leakages at summit level of canal.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 7 Apr 1863.
Stopping of leakages £90.
Mr James Webb asked Company to purchase his cottage at Kempsford Wharf and for him to rent it, to obtain license for sale of beer. Agreed.
Mr C H Phipp granted same reduction of 6d per ton as Mr James Webb.
Mr Taunton was authorised take out a summons against Thomas Spurrett for debt of £14.11.2.
Mr Taunton to find a deserving employee to succeed William Moss, late lockkeeper, deceased.
Mr George Rowland to rent house and coalyard at Brimscombe. Charles Hodgson given notice to quit.
Webb’s cottage purchased for £18. Also £2.15 received from Thomas Spurrett in settlement of his debt of £4.11.2.
After negotiations with Mr Taunton, Stroudwater Company had proposed reduction of tonnage on coal between Wallbridge and Brimscombe to 1s per ton shared between the Companies and Stroudwater to receive only 3d per ton for coal going beyond Brimscombe. Committee agreed subject to confirmation at the forthcoming General Assembly.
Stroud [Lower] Wharf had been enlarged and 300 sq yds let to Stroud Board of Health at £7 pa and 70 perches to John Savage at £3 pa.
Clarification of Company’s right of road to their dockyard between Mr George’s land and the canal.
Counsel’s opinion that Company could not sell water obtained under their Act of Parliament.
Mr William Holmes allowed to erect weigh bridge at Stroud Upper Wharf.
Low level of water in the Canal. Steps should be taken to improve supply of water from River Churn or to lay down a line of railway alongside Canal to assist traffic in times of drought.
Terrace house at Brimscombe let to Mr Theodore Mackenzie at £26 per year.
Mr Taunton to ascertain what cooperation would be given by persons in neighbourhood of the Churn, most interested in the supply of water. Expense not to exceed £10.
Thomas Horne to give up premises at Bourne.
Mr Brewin had applied to use a portion of wharf at Cirencester for Railway coal. Agreed. 3d per sq yard per quarter. 3 months notice.
List of furniture removed from Brimscombe Port house to Mr Taunton’s residence.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 4 October 1864.
Notices from The Wiltshire Railway Company, The East Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Railway company and the proposed Cheltenham and Gloucestershire Water Works Company. Also letter from Messrs Sewell & Co and Mr G T Newmarch re opposing the Water Works Bill.
Company not to oppose Railway Bills. Mr Prideaux to adopt most expedient course in opposition to Water Works Bill.
Petition against Cheltenham and Gloucestershire Water Works Bill prepared. Bill thrown out.
Committee of House of Commons to be appointed to enquire into state of River Thames. Mr Taunton to attend and offer evidence of injury to Canal by diminution of water in upper part of river.
Possession of west wharf house and premises at Brimscombe transferred from Mr Charles Hodgson to Mr George Rowland, a respectable and responsible person. £25 per year instead of £22. Proposal for alterations to premises. Committe agreed. Cost up to £100. Lease 14 years.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 4 April 1865.
Watchman, appointed to improve supply of water to River Churn, had removed some stanks, Legal proceedings threatened against Company. £25 to protect Company’s interests.
No business.
Meeting at Lechlade. Survey of Canal.
Mr Warman, Solicitor of Stroudwater Navigation, asked Company to contribute to opposition to Severn Junction Railway. Company not prepared at present to give an answer to his application.
Position of Company re extension of Railway system. East Gloucestershire, Severn Junction, Stonehouse and Nailsworth in addition to Great Western Railway, declining state of trade on the Canal by loss of through traffic and its isolation from Railway system.
Report made by Mr Barlow, consulting engineer to Midland Railway read.
Mr Taunton to confer with him and report to Committee.
Committee dissatisfied with state of Canal, especially Cirencester branch, under his supervision. To retire on pension, £90 per annum.
Mr Benbow of Kempsford complained that the Beer House adjoining the Canal wharf, occupied by Mr James Webb, was a disorderly house. Matter to be brought before Magistrates at Petty Sessions. Mrs Benbow to be informed.
Mr Thomas Salt Junior to represent Company on Wilts and Berks Board of Management. Notification to Mr Henry Lyde Dunsford, Manager of Wilts and Berks Canal.
Richard Roberts, watchman on Summit Level, in service of Company for 26 years, of good character, unable from rheumatism to do work satisfactorily, applied for lighter occupation.
Agreed. Wages to remain same.
Company property not in good repair eg Cricklade Wharf house. Alterations made at the lockkeeper’s cottage at Daneway, lately occupied by George Hooper (superannuated) and now by John Connely, approved.
Committee met and conferred with Mr G T Newmarch, Secretary to Association formed for the conservancy of the Churn River. Approval of measures taken to improve feeder to Summit Level of Canal.
Letter from Mr Thomas Salt to Mr Jones re his retirement. Mr Jones’ answer.
Report re adaptation of Canal to Railway purposes read and resolutions passed.
Further discussion on Report of Messrs Barlow and Taunton re adapting Canal to Railway purposes.
Resolution of Stroudwater Navigation to allow coal to be landed at Downfield Wharf never acted on and rescinded 24 October.
William Pratt appointed as working foreman. 27s per week. Jones to be paid salary to Christmas and then annuity £90 per annum.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 3 Oct 1865.
Draft of Bill for adapting Canal to purposes of a Railway. Capital to be raised etc. Approved.
Discussion with Mr Burt, from office of Messrs Bircham & Co. re Act of Parliament. Means of making a deposit, preliminary expenses.
Contributors to Deposit required for Bill £29,450. Interview with Mr Gooch, Chairman of the Great Western Railway Company, re Company’s scheme for constructing railway.
Re Canal as it now stands acceptable net rental is £7,500 per annum, with Railway £27,500.
Mr Ferrabee claimed compensation for loss of water. Case for opinion of Counsel approved.
Mr Taunton to be paid for engineering services, those of his assistant and petty expenses.
Agreement with Lord St Germans for purchase of land.
Accounts paid.
Special Meeting of Committee to fix seal of the Company to a power of attorney to enable the Treasurer to sell annuities
