1848-1874
Gloucestershire Archives TS165b
Minutes of Committee from 1848 to 1874
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 3 Apr 1866.
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.
Further £1000 paid to Messrs Bircham. Wharncliffe meeting for approval of Bill to be held on 25 May.
Letter from Mr Newmarch of Cirencester. Dispute between the Millers and occupiers of water meadows on the Churn Stream. Company not to agree to proceedings in Chancery
Thames & Severn Railway Bill thrown out by House of Lords.
Financial arrangements. Mr Taunton’s remuneration for his services as Engineer. £100.
Accounts and payments.
Accounts and payments. Revised Table of Rates.
Mr Sanders Sen, father of and security for Mr Thomas Sanders, Clerk to Company, was dead. Another security required.
Existing agreement with Mr MacKenzie for Brimscombe Terrace House cancelled. Let to Mr John Wailes for 3 years. Alteration of Rowland’s premises £197.12 now producing £45 per annum.
Advertisement for letting the three warehouses near Brimscombe Station.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 2 Oct 1866.
Mr Biddell had removed old circular weir on Wallbridge Pound adjoining his Mill. No reply to letters.
Letter to Mr Newmarch re Charles Gardener, in charge of the Churn Water. Wages to be discontinued.
Thomas Sanders’ brother John to be his security. Company not liable to repair wall on Mr Ferrabee’s premises.
Richard Roberts, late watchman at summit level, allowed 5s a week.
Sale of surplus land.
Sale of timber £226 13 1, Thomas Sanders’security signed and lodged with Treasurer,
Mr Ferrabee had withdrawn his demand for Company to repair his wall.
Piece of land, late Gabbs’s, adjoining Chalford Turnpike, sold to Mr Taunton for £86.5.
Engine at Thames Head in sound and good condition.
James Mantell at Cricklade Wharf to quit, also watchman at Brimscombe Port.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 2 April 1867.
Repairs needing to be done at St John’s Lock at Lechlade. Mr Taunton to see Mr Leech, Engineer to the Conservators of the Thames.
Mr Taunton had settled with Mr Biddell re weir at Wallbridge, to be reconstructed by arrangement with exchange of small pieces of land and sluices to be under the control of the Company.
Lock and Dock dues made by Great Western Railway Company on vessels entering dock at Bullo Pill very adverse to water trade. Mr Crawshay, large colliery proprietor in the Forest of Dean also objected to new tolls.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 1 Oct 1867.
Ann Pratt, widow of late James Pratt, asked for pecuniary assistance. Donation of £10.
Thomas Sanders, Clerk at Brimscombe, asked for increase of salary or to occupy Brimscombe House free of rent, taxes, coals and gas. Mr Taunton to report.
Local agents of Great Western Railway Company had cut down some trees on small strip of land lying between Canal and the Brimscombe Station, which Mr Franks, an agent of Railway Company alleged he had planted. Mr Winterbotham, Solicitor Stroud, to write to Mr Sanders, Secretary of the Gt. Western Railway.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 7 April 1868.
Mr S S Marling wished Company to let to him Canal bank and land between his mills at Brimscombe and towing path extending from his new loom shed to the waste weir at Cleevis Lock. Let on yearly tenancy, 10s per annum.
Piece of land, part of West Wharf, sold to Brimscombe Gas Company for £43.
Mr Dunsford, Manager of the Wilts & Berks Navigation, asked what Company’s course of action would be if his Company was wound up. Company not competent to decide.
James Mantell had given up Cricklade Wharf House. He had appointed Mr James Messenger, coal merchant of Cricklade, his Agent and Wharfinger, with use of house only. Wharf warehouses restricted to general trade of Canal.
House and premises at Brimscombe let to Mr Evans, £25 per annum. Engravings and pictures ex Mr Willson, with other property, to be sold by auction.
Railway Company is now carrying, in large quantities, new steam coal, obtained since opening of Central Forest Railway, for the use of mills in the Stroud Valley, threatening water trade to mills. Mr Evans and Messrs Grist & Sons have already made a contract for this railway coal. Mr Taunton had written to Stroudwater Company suggesting a reduction in tolls from 1s to 8d effected by granting a drawback to those mills that this railway coal can most easily reach. Approved.
Thomas Sanders repeated his application for increase in salary, claiming William Pratt, foreman, received £100 perquisites in addition to his salary. Saunders to be asked what perquisites he referred to.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 6 Oct 1868.
Correspondence with Stroudwater Company re proposed reduction of tonnage of coals between Wallbridge and Brimscombe Basin. Correspondence to be preserved by the Treasurer
Discussion on whether Company should join Stroudwater Company to oppose Severn & Wye Bill extending their undertaking which would interfere with the shipping of Forest Coal at Lydney. Decision to present petition, separate from Stroudwater Company.
Thomas Sanders totally failed to substantiate his charge against William Pratt. Disgraceful conduct. Cautioned as to his future behaviour.
Meeting 2 April 1869 to affix Company Seal to petition against bill of Severn and Wye Canal and Railway Company.
Meeting to affix seal of Company to petition against the Bill of the Severn and Wye Canal & Railway Company
Mr James Smith of Brimscombe proposed to rent Canal. To pay Company yearly rental of £300 and all rents and compensations, rates, taxes, expenses, to maintain Canal with wharfs etc and to keep proper depth of water in the pounds, for 5-10 years
Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company Bill. Letter from Messrs Dorrington & Co. Steps taken in petition against Bill.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 6 April 1869.
Re Mr Smith’s proposition to lease Canal, Company not empowered to lease Canal.
Re Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company’s Bill. House of Lords decided that neither Company nor Stroudwater Company nor mill owners had any locus standi. Mill owners decided to start opposition in the Commons. Company to contribute to joint fund to continue opposition. Messrs Dorrington & Co to continue to act to settle the clauses.
Seal not added to petition against Bill of Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company.
Made jointly with Stroudwater Company.
Advisability of Company enabling connexion with Great Western Railway by means of siding from Brimscombe Station to Canal, only 12 ft below level of rails, estimated to cost not more than £200.
Letter from Mr Taunton to Chairman, Mr Salt, re long letter from Messrs Miles & Wood. Charges on Canal, Wallbridge to Brimscombe contrary to existing agreement (details given) Mr Taunton to write to Mr Thomas Salt Junior and to prepare a plan and estimate.
Letter from Mr T Salt Junior re proposed siding to Canal from Great Western Railway. Mr Taunton to see Mr Grierson.
Stroudwater Company to continue equal division of tonnage between two companies.
Mr Ferrabee fishing in brook between Company’s lands at Brimscombe. Conciliatory letter to Mr Whithead.
Costs of opposition to Severn & Wye Canal and Railway Company’s Bill in Parliament.
Conversion of void warehouse at Brimscombe into two cottages, let at £13.10 per annum.
Erection of new shop at Rowland’s premises, let at 7½ per cent on outlay. Two additional rooms to cottage at Thames Head occupied by Albert Sparrow.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 5 Oct 1869
Meeting with Chairman and Manager of Great Western Railway.
Adjourned Meeting between Mr Watson and Mr Thomas Salt Junior. Mr Grierson and Mr Taunton to consider terms for Joint Stock Purse.
Traffic on Canal. 5000 tons carried, yielding £2321.
Mr Taunton and Mr Grierson to discuss exchange of traffic statements, terms of Joint Stock Purse, siding without entering Joint Stock Purse system, reporting joint proceedings to a future Committee.
Mr Prideaux’s opinion on division of costs.
Interview proposed with Railway Company to exchange Traffic Statements of two Companies.
Letter from Messrs Miles & Wood. Payment of 6d per ton more canal dues on all coal brought into Canal for upper wharf than traders on lower canal wharf. Offer from Lower Canal Company to land coal there. Upper Wharf could lose all its trade.
Suggestion that Stroudwater Company should be invited to return to former agreement.
Protest against proceedings of Stroudwater Canal Company at variance with Act of Parliament.
Mr Joseph Chapman applied for compensation as his barge “The Mars” grounded in the tunnel. Vessel navigated improperly and contrary to rules of the Company.
Mr Kearsey’s costs re Severn & Wye Canal and Railway Bill settled.
Stroudwater Company agreed to raise rate of tonnage to Stroud Lower Wharf to 1s and to abide by previous Joint Tonnage rates.
Mr William Wilson, debtor to Company, had died abroad. Debt written off.
Letter to Sir Daniel Gooch, Chairman of Great Western Railway. Proposition for joint traffic arrangement. His reply promising to do so.
Suggestion that Company should become Carriers on own account. Purchase of a few boats and requisite appliances.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 5 April 1870.
Letters from Sir Daniel Gooch and Mr Grierson. Great Western Railway Company making a siding on small strip of land at the Bourne near Brimscombe Station on their own account Correspondence with Mr Owen, Engineer. Work stopped.
Interviews with Mr Allport, Manager of Midlands Railway re interchange of Traffic. Unofficial interview with some Directors of Stroudwater Company.
Letter to Stroudwater Company asking them to form a suitable place for a pontoon to float narrow gauge railway trucks over the two Navigations. Cost no more than £75.
Meeting of Committee Members with Mr Morris, of Messrs Oakhurst, Morris & Co, of the Old Jewry, to consider further utilisation of Canal property.
Mr Pratt’s application for increase in salary considered. Small allowance for unusual expense.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 4 October 1870.
The Thames Valley Drainage Bill. Mr Prideaux to write to Mr Hawkins, Solicitor, to protect interests of Company.
Proposal to float Midland Railway trucks on canal on pontoons to Mills and Wharves between Stonehouse and Brimscombe. Stroudwater company concerned about the effect on other traders.
Letter from Mr Beasley, Great Western Railway, re Mr Grierson’s absence.
Not desirable for Company to become Carriers on their own account.
Clause to be inserted in Thames Valley Drainage Bill.
Arch of Valley Bridge at Chalford very decayed. Considerable repairs being carried out.
Letter from Mr Lovett, Cricklade Highway Board, re bridges in parish of Marston Maisey.
Good boat load of stones and £10 for work accepted.
Death of Mr Charles Jones, Annuitant of Company. Letter from his daughter asking for pecuniary assistance for her mother. No available funds.
Letter from George Hagle, James Webb and Joseph Chapman, all of Chalford, traders, complaining of dilapidated condition of Canal.
Stroudwater Navigation Company refused to make a receiving place at their Stonehouse Wharf for the trial pontoon or to cooperate in any way.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 5 April 1871.
Death of Mr Thomas Salt, late chairman of Company. Mr B F Watson to succeed him.
Mr B F Watson, Chairman of Company to have interview with Mr Allport, Manager of Midland Railway re question of purchasing Canal. If suggestion declined, negotiations with any other company authorised.
Mr Allport to cause investigation of traffic on Canal and locality. Letter suggesting satisfactory result unlikely.
Mr John French, tenant of Badbrook Mill, had passed large quantities of mud down Badbrook Stream into Wallbridge pound, in defiance of cautions from Mr Taunton. Serious obstructions to Canal. Pound emptied, stoppage of navigation, deposit of mud. Fully loaded vessels prevented from entering Canal. Mr Winterbotham to take proceedings in County Court, to protect rights of Canal Company and to confer with Messrs Butt & Scurray re joining with Company.
Arch of Daneway Bridge in dangerous state. Underlined with brickwork, cost £30.
Building being erected on private land near towing path. Window opened overlooking Canal. No steps to be taken to obstruct the view.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 3 October 1871
Second opinion from Mr Anstie on proceedings of Mr French. Subject referred to Chairman and Mr Prideaux.
State of Navigation of upper part of Thames.
Claim for Income tax on Company’s wharf and warehouse property.
Mr Messenger, wharfinger at Cricklade. Request for assistance to enable him to stock wharf with coal. No funds.
Thomas Sanders, Clerk at Brimscombe Port granted increase in salary. £10 per annum.
Half –yearly statement of accounts to 2 April 1872.
Increase of 1s per week in wages for lockkeepers and labourers.
Recent loss of trade on Canal. Increased price of coal, diminished consumption by mills, Midland Counties coal brought up Thames from Oxford to Lechlade.
Mr Taunton repeated his suggestion that Canal Company should become carriers and from their own wharves. Decision against of Jan 3 1887 confirmed.
Report of Joint Committee of Houses of Parliament on Railway Companies Amalgamation re interests of Thames & Severn Canal.
Exchange of gauge from broad to narrow on Great Western Railway. Prejudicial to Navigation. Facilitates communication with Staffordshire and South Wales on railway.
Failure of works associated with Canal feeder at the Barton, Cirencester, settled by arrangement with Lord Bathurst’s Agent, Mr Anderson. Terms: Canal Company to repair and make feeder substantial and watertight as well as culvert constructed for carrying water of Daglingworth Stream under feeder.
Lord Bathurst to repair arch and walls carrying road between feeder and Daglingworth culvert.
Mr Taunton to superintend and decide cost.
Mr Phil Evans applied to convert old salt warehouse on island at Brimscombe into a workshop to make patent straps. Lease granted.
Long stoppage needed on Summit Level to repair some of defective puddles. Water not let out for more than 20 years.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 1 Oct 1872.
Mr Evans’s proposal of last meeting not proceeded with.
Mr Dangerfield asked permission to remove Company’s quick fence adjoining his premises at Chalford and substitute brick or stone wall on his side of stock or centre of quick fence at his own expense and to maintain same. Agreed. Materials, not exceeding 250 tons, to be carried on Canal toll-free.
Mr Cator’s application to put a bridle gate in Company’s fence near his house at Trewsbury and to use piece of towing path as a horse road granted. Rental 10s. Week’s notice to remove gate.
Mr Ellett, on behalf of Mr Paul Butler, asked permission to proceed against parties poaching and using Canal towing path for that purpose. Granted.
Mr Taunton to continue measures to deal with bad condition of Upper Thames.
Ownership of slope dividing Canal from railway, east of Kimberley Lock. Mr Staunton to confer with Engineer of Railway.
Half-yearly accounts to 1 April 1873.
Great Western Railway to pay 5s per annum for trespass on Canal slope east of and adjoining Wimberley Lock. £4.15 per annum for increased consumption of water at Brimscombe Station. Annual payment now £18.
Great Western Railway not willing to go ahead with forming a siding at Brimscombe Station.
Griffin’s Lock. Further slip at G W Railway works. Thrust in apron wall at head of lock. Railway company to pay for letting out water to do repairs.
Mr Owen (GWR) proposed to secure slip by putting in concrete wall, but days getting short. Company expect work done forthwith. Damage impedes navigation of Canal.
Mr Allport, Manager of Midland Railway Company, asked if Canal Company was willing to sell any and what portion of their land at the wharf in Stroud. No powers to sell land in question but would entertain any proposition of mutual interest.
Mr Grist of St Mary’s Mills, Chalford, had removed part of fence by Canal and erected a gate there. Refused to pay charge of 2s 6d per annum.
Intended acquisition of Birmingham & Worcester Canal by Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company.
Stroudwater Company sent memorial to traders re maintenance of T&S Navigation.
Mr Saunders, Clerk, and lockkeepers selling coal. Mr Taunton to act as he thinks fit.
Audit of accounts at Brimscombe port needed.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 7 October 1873.
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.
Received from Gt Western Railway £80 for letting out water for them to do repairs at the head of Griffin’s Mill lock.
Mr Grist agreed to pay 2s 6d per annum for use of towing path.
Mr James’s report on steam engine at Thames Head. Condition satisfactory.
Half-yearly statement of accounts to 7 April 1874.
Memorial from Stroudwater Navigation alleging portions of Canal so much out of repair as to be practically useless, to injury of traders and detrimental to interests of Stroudwater Navigation.
Receipts from Canal traffic insufficient to meet current expenses. Steam engine at Thames Head had broken down. Cost of repairs £60. Must be done to make it saleable. If not done, Navigation must cease during period of short water.
Meeting adjourned until 23 October.
Reply to Stroudwater Navigation’s Memorial. Steam engine repaired.
Letter from Mr Grist, Chairman of Brimscombe Gas Company. questioning Company’s right to claim 5s per annum for gateway and other use of Canal property.
Letter from Messrs Miles & Wood re alleged disadvantages of traders using Company’s wharf at Stroud compared with those using Stroudwater Canal wharf. Mr Taunton to point out to the latter that their charges not consistent with agreement existing between Companies.
Mr Fisher, Chairman of Stroud Local Board of Health, asking to be allowed to make outfall for storm water into Canal near Arundell’s Mill at Stroud. Granted. 2s 6d per annum, 3 calendar months notice. Discharge limited to rainwater.
Messrs Smith & Sons to take 1500 gallons of water per diem from Canal at Ferrabee’s pound. £5 per annum.
Printed half-yearly statement of accounts to 7 October 1879.
