1846-1867
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/1/5
Minutes from 16 November 1846 to 25 April 1867
of the Committee of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation
Stroud Gas Company applied for reduction of rent of £5 per mile for use of towing path. Resolved that Proprietors take no step to prejudice legal right to full rent but the Clerk was instructed to give receipt for full rent on payment of £1 per mile per annum.
Captain Hunt attended meeting to complain of water coming past Stratford Mills passed on to his pond at Lodgemore Mills in sudden flushes. Mr Lane, tenant of mills, used Painswick Stream as a canal with locks. Detailed statement of Mr Hawker, late Clerk to Company, explaining history of water supply from Painswick stream read and entered into minutes. Proprietors to confer with Mr Lane to see if grounds of complaint can be removed, while retaining rights of Proprietors.
Frederica Frances George claimed share no.144, will of Emily Mary George.
M^r Lane declined to communicate with M^r Hunt on the water question at Lodgemore. The subject was dropped.
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General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 October 1864 £1853 4s 2d. After wages, etc, £1253 1s 9d profit. Dividend of £6 5s declared.
Mr Marston of Eastington in the habit of taking water from Canal for irrigating his land. On 1 May he had opened a channel from the canal through his land about 1 foot deep. Large quantity of water taken. Compensation required for illegal proceeding.
Mr Peyton reported he could not pass newly erected Stonehouse Railway Bridge. Width not in accordance with arrangement with Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company.
The surveyor complained that the raising of water above the weir at Ryeford Mills seriously damaged the towing path.
Special Meeting.
G Bird, owner of boat ‘Faith’, quitted Westfield Lock on 3 June without drawing the paddle and shutting the lock gate. Fined £1.
Opposition to the Severn Junction Railway Bill should be presented to the House of Lords if Mr Kearsey unable to negotiate terms with the railway.
Petition against Severn Junction Railway Bill has been started.
Tonnage of iron and other goods taken to the gas works to be 1s per ton.
No quorum – only 4 present.
Mr Warman and Mr Kearsey reported the result of their attendance in London on the opposition of the Canal Company to the Severn Junction Railway Company’s Bill. They read the clauses inserted in the Bill and the agreement obtained from the Railway Company for the protection of the Canal Company’s interests and for the interchange of traffic between railway and canal at Framilode, where the railway crosses the canal. Letter on compromise from Mr J Thornhill Harrison, engineer recorded in minutes.
Clauses inserted and agreement for purchase and demise by lease for 999 years at peppercorn rent of land required by Canal Company for accommodation of traffic between railway and canal very favourable to canal.
Letter from Messrs. Martin and Leslie, Parliamentary Agents, enclosing principal Agreement with comment on favourable terms.
Necessity of preventing flow of sewage or impure water into canal and abstraction of water from canal. Surveyor to make survey and full report to Committee.
Meeting on board Company’s boat for annual inspection.
Only 3 present, so not quorate.
Walls of Dudbridge Lock gradually getting worse. Should be repaired.
New footbridge should be made immediately in place of present one at Hilly Orchard.
Retaining walls running from railway Ocean Bridge should be repaired.
New gates ordered for lower end of top lock of the five should be put in not later than next summer.
Samuel Critchley applied to give up house and premises at Eastington and proposed James Godsell King as successor from 29 September next.
Received Surveyor’s report on sewers and drains. Should be stopped where no legal right exists.
New liebye at Stonehouse not completed in depth. Should not be forgotten when railway siding is made by Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company.
Surveyor’s report on drains and sewage read to be put into minute book.
Surveyor instructed to put on vaults to all privies on Company’s property now emptying into canal. All other parties named in report to be requested to put in vaults forthwith.
All parties now taking water from canal to discontinue same or enter into special agreement as to quantity to be taken. Yearly rent for use.
New foot bridge to be put in at Hilly Orchard.
Liability for repair of railway Ocean Bridge to be sought.
James Godsell King accepted as tenant of Chippenham Platt Wharf premises.
Messrs. Ford to be requested to put towing path between their mill and the bridge into good and sufficient repair.
Parties taking water from the canal:
Mr J D Hunt, Lodgemore – one pipe to supply steam engine, one to supply cattle with water;
Gas Company – pipe to supply their works;
Mr Thos Webb, Ebley – pipe to supply steam engine;
Mr Gardner, Saul – pipe taking water for general use.
Sewers and drains running into canal:
Downfield New House, belonging to Company – drain;
Dudbridge Wharf – drain from Company’s house and privy for use of wharf;
Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Co. Dudbridge – drain from stables and buildings;
Mrs Argent’s house, Dudbridge – water closet;
Mr Warman’s house, Ebley – ditch running from road and drain from house;
Mr Jefferies, Ebley – privy and sewage from stables;
Mr Webb, Ebley – drain from yard and ditch from road;
Mr T Eycott at Oakfields – drain from road;
Miss Brown’s house, Ryeford – drain from road;
Messrs. Ford Brothers, new house, Ryeford – drain bringing all sewage;
Mr Lewis, Ryeford – drain from house and privy;
Mr Blick, Stonehouse – ditch from road;
Company’s wharf, Stonehouse – privy and drain from house;
Mr Marling’s house, Stonehouse – privy empties into Stonehouse Ocean;
Company’s property, Eastington, Sam Critchley’s house – drain from privy, and drain from buildings, Bristol Road;
Mrs Bolton’s house – privy;
Mr Cam’s house, Saul – privy and other sewers.
Warehouse stable and oak coal pen at wharf at Bristol Road purchased by Mr King from Mr Critchley to be deemed removeable.
No vessel allowed to pass through any lock in canal after sunset and before sunrise without a special pass, costing 1s, and without having a good light at head of vessel and being attended by lock keeper. Clerk to inform all holders of night passes.
Clerk to ascertain penalty incurred by H. Nurse in entering canal at Framilode, departing against order of lock keeper, having no ticket and paying no tonnage.
No person allowed to take vessel to their land or yard from canal for repair or any other purpose without payment of 2s 6d for liberty to do so.
Stratford Flour Mills Company Ltd. allowed to use warehouse at wharf at Wallbridge used by late Mr Biddell for deposit of flour, corn and other things. Must keep warehouse in good repair, and pay all rates and taxes.
Mr Knee and Mr Nurse not allowed to use Wallbridge and Dudbridge wharfs for depositing coal brought by railway.
4d per ton on household Bullo coal at Downfield Wharf. No other coal allowed to be landed there. John Cottle of Dudbridge will superintend the wharf.
Resolution re charging 4d per ton on Bullo Household Coal rescinded.
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General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 April £1792 3s. After wages, etc, £1107 7s 1d profit. Dividend of £5 10s declared.
Salary of surveyor, Mr Peyton, raised from £80 to £99 19s per annum for undertaking extra duties in recording and accepting tonnage at Eastington Dock, as recorded in a minuted letter.
Meeting not quorate as only 3 members present.
Towing path dangerous near Messrs. Ford Brothers’ mill and they had trespassed on property of Canal Company. Subcommittee to investigate this and other complaints.
Insurance of Company property to be arranged with Norwich Union.
Action against Mr Marston of The Leaze, Eastington, for compensation for taking water from canal for his house and land. Withdrawn on payment of costs and 10s for compensation.
Mr G. Ford promised to repair injury to towing path as early as possible.
Draft petition to be prepared against Thames & Severn Railway Bill.
Josh. Warren, master of the boat ‘Gratitude’, S. Knight owner, broke lock and chain off swing bridge at Framilode on 3 January last. Fined £1 or full penalty of £5 to be enforced.
£2 to Stroud Coal fund.
Revd. William Eycott Martin claimed shares nos.114,115, will of Richard Martin.
Draft petition against Thames & Severn Railway Bill read and approved.
Special General Meeting for electing new committee member.
Mr Wilton elected and Messrs Hawker, Marling, Thornton and Phipps added to the committee.
Mr James King of Chippenham Platt allowed to transfer lease of his house and premises belonging to Company to Mr Richard Williams.
Petition against Thames & Severn Canal Junction Bill presented to House of Commons. In Company’s interest for Bill to be prosecuted. Solicitor and subcommittee given power to act as they deem expedient.
On 3 March J Tanner, captain of the ‘Sarah’, passed out of lock at Westfield without properly opening gates with only 2 hands. Fine of 5s. Clerk to inform Mr Sims, owner of vessel.
Towing path between Messrs. Ford’s mill and bridge at Ryeford to be properly remade.
Clerk to inform G Williams that master of his boat the ‘Ann’, placed road stone on part of Dudbridge Wharf. Fine for repeat.
J Butt to be fined if he again places his stones contrary to directions.
Thames & Severn Navigation Railway Bill passed Committee of House of Commons. Company to oppose bill in House of Lords. Messrs. Kearsey, Croome and C H Fisher to deal with means of opposition.
Revd. N M J Bowles of Framilode offered to sell to Company a blacksmith’s shop adjoining Ship Inn. Purchase not desirable.
C Cox, master of vessel ‘Trader’, owner Mr G Hazle, passed through Pike Lock without opening both gates and towed vessel with two donkeys abreast on 10 April. Fine of 5s or full penalties enforced.
Gas Co. required to lower gas pipes on towing path near Ryeford Mill for repair of path.
Raising of road at Ryeford to be left to Messrs. Hooper and Beard without injury to Company’s wharf.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 October 1865 £2049 5s 6d. After wages, etc, £1462 1s 4d profit. Dividend of £7 declared.
The Clerk to write to Members for the Borough of Stroud and County of Gloucester asking them to oppose Worcester and Birmingham Canal Bill on second reading. Reasons in Mr Waddy’s circular.
Draft petition against Bill for Thames & Severn Railway approved.
Mr S Biddell asked permission to erect a stable and cart house against garden wall of Company’s house at Wallbridge. Granted, with annual rent of 1s.
New bridge to be put in at Holly Orchard. 1 day stoppage if required.
Mr Harrison of Frocester Court, or another engineer, to inspect railway bridge at Stonehouse to report on how far the bridge has prevented boats with their usual and accustomed loads from passing freely. Notice to Railway Company. Full claim insisted on for past and future impediment.
Claims for compensation on account of detention of vessels at railway bridge to be referred to Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company.
Mr Harrison, or another engineer to Inspect liebye at Stonehouse which has not been properly carried out.
Mr Gorton’s premises at Downfield allowed paper for 2 rooms, door at top of staircase, 12 loads of gravel.
Repair of G Nurse’s stable at Dudbridge, and a small vault made for drainage of stable.
Hilly Orchard Bridge erected in June, inspected and approved.
Flooding of towing path on eastern side of Ryeford Mills. Brook kept higher than formerly. Messrs. Ford must lower boards on their weirs or raise and make good by piles the towing path, at their expense.
Mr Harrison to report on sufficiency of retaining wall of liebye at Stonehouse. Gates and posts erected by Railway Company on road leading to wharf to be removed.
Permission granted to Messrs. Jas Apperley and Co. to take water from canal at drawbridge near Ebley Mills for watering roads at Ebley and Cainscross. Payment of 1s annually.
Mr C Griffin, Superintendent of Gloucester Police complained of pigs, dogs, etc, being thrown into River Frome near where it passes into canal at Whitminster.
£200 to be paid to Mr J H Warman for expenses incurred on opposition to Thames & Severn Navigation Railway Bill.
Mr Peyton, the Surveyor, allowed to remove fencing to pen near dock at Eastington and erect a fence to enclose yard, remove privy outside yard and to alter shed to sawpit with opening on opposite side.
Mrs Critchley to quit house near Bristol Road lock occupied as a beer house.
Mr Peyton allowed salary increase of £10 and piece of garden ground, tenant Mr Williams, to keep a pony.
Amos Cook, master of vessel ‘Henry’ drew one of top paddles of Blunder Lock before closing lower gates. Fine of 5s.
Barge ‘Emily’ belonging to Messrs. Ford, on 30 July carried bricks from railway bridge to Ryeford, without giving account of them. Clerk to ask Messrs Ford to render an account.
The ‘Jane’, E Webb owner, Amos Workman master, navigated through the Dock Lock without first opening both the top gates on 15 August. A Workman fined 5s.
Mr Knee’s vessel, the ‘Lewis’, J Browning captain, navigated canal without a fender. Fine 5s.
J Cottle reported that Wm Walkley, captain of barge ‘Alma’, on 13 August neglected to shut lower gates of Dudbridge Lock before drawing paddles of Foundry Lock and caused waste of water. Fined 2s 6d.
J Cottle reported C Chandler for fishing in Stroud Pound with casting net. Summons to be taken and enforced against him.
Plan for land at Stonehouse Wharf between Company, Mr Harrison, and Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company, Mr Bruce, approved and signed.
Request from Mr G B Smith, solicitor to Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company, to let off water to enable the Company to do works in connection with bridge over canal at Stonehouse. Water to be drawn off at 12 o’clock on 14 October on terms of payment agreed in Railway Act. Bridge and all relating to it to be made in accordance with the Act. Settlement requested of large claim which already exists.
S S Marling’s proposal to raise road at exit from Ryeford Wharf and raise wharf not accepted.
G Hathaway, H Hawkins, S Leighton, W Powell, J Andrews, J Clark – acts against Company’s Act and the Byelaws in last month. Penalties to be enforced against them unless they pay 5s respectively within a fortnight.
Messrs. Strachan’s proposal that land rented from late Messrs. Hunt & Co. from canal bridge at Lodgemore to gate at 2s 6d per annum and rent of canal water supplied by pipes to boiler of the mill at 1s per annum to be continued accepted.
Notice to quit to be withdrawn from Mrs Critchley on condition that she gives up beer selling at Lady Day next and attends to her duties as lock keeper and night passer.
Mr Deane removed quantity of stone from railway bridge on canal to Ryeford and Stonehouse liebye. Account requested.
Messrs. Ford removed quantity of dirt from Stonehouse liebye to their wharf at Ryeford. Account requested.
Robt. Gardner drew top paddle of the Pike Lock, Eastington, before two bottom gates were shut. 5s payment to Clerk.
General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 April £1913 14s 5d. After wages, etc, £1036 13 5s profit. Dividend of £5 declared.
Mr Warman, having left neighbourhood, was requested to resign office of Solicitor to Stroudwater Navigation.
Adjourned General Half Yearly Meeting.
Sydney Clutterbuck defrauded Company of tonnage by wrong account of delivery at Bonds Mills. Mitigated fine of 10s.
Boat ‘Mary’, G Hazle owner, C Cox captain, navigated through canal at Whitminster, leaving two towing path gates propped open. Penalty 2s 6d.
Resignation of Mr Warman, the solicitor, accepted. Resolution of 25 October in no way reflected censure on him. In future Solicitor to be paid salary of £15 per annum. Mr W W Kearsey appointed Solicitor.
Mr Warman brought duplicate exchange deeds of land at Stonehouse Wharf between Company and Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company. Approved.
Messrs. Fielding and Platt’s estimate for a pump with brass bung and brass piston rod, £16 10s, to be accepted. Pump to be lent to traders at moderate charge.
Annual subscription of £5 to Cainscross Gas Inspectors.
Deputation from Wheatenhurst Highway Board to discuss alteration at Stonehouse Wharf Bridge and raising road at Ryeford.
Annual subscription of £2 to Stroud Coal Fund.
On 27 November J Clark, master of the barge ‘Effort’, belonging to Stratford Flour Mill Company, wasted water and drew top paddles before lower gates of Westfield Lock were shut. 5s penalty.
Mr Horne tumbled into canal when swing bridge at Lodgemore was blown open on 3 December. Claimed damages of £4 16s 0d. Company no liability to make compensation.
Counsel, Mr Macnamara, contended that Wheatenhurst Highway Board had no right to raise road at Ryeford.
Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company given notice to remove a shed erected against boundary wall at Stonehouse Wharf, roof of which overhangs the wall and pay for bricks and coping stones of old stable belonging to Company.
Complaints that Stroud Gas Company allow their gas tar to run into canal and foul the water. Solicitor to write to them.
Company willing to adopt mode of trying the case given in the opinion of Mr Huddlestone to save unnecessary expenses on litigation with Highway Board.
Repair of weighing machine at Dudbridge.
Mr Ford requested that company reduce rate of tonnage for coal to Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway at Stonehouse and Ryeford, reduce ordinary rate on coal to Ryeford Mills, and allow his firm drawback on all grain brought by canal to Ryeford and sent off by railway.
Freight and tonnage on coal from Lydney and Bullo Pill to Stonehouse and Ryeford now less than railway carriage and truck hire. No reason for reduction.
Company to allow Messrs. Ford a drawback of half tonnage on grain bona fide brought by canal to Ryeford and sent off by railway providing that the new trade gained thereby is proved to exceed 1000 tons per annum.
Subcommittee to be appointed to consider question of coal trade by railway through Stonehouse and Ryeford to Nailsworth, with authority to make arrangements with Midland, Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Companies and with traders.
Stable at Stonehouse Wharf to be built to plans produced by surveyor and signed by Chairman.
Re coal trade from Stonehouse Wharf our Counsel Mr J L Lloyd, consulted. Mr Kearsey to press Mr Allport, manager of Midland Railway, for definite communication on subject to reduce tonnage to proper amount provided for by Act viz. 1d per ton per mile.
Ryeford Wharf to be raised; estimated cost £24 3s.
Messrs. C Hooper & Co. asked for loan of Company’s pump. Charge of £2 2s and men’s wages.
Stroud Gas Light and Coke Company’s application to carry pipe on sufferance under canal at Gas Works Bridge approved. 2s per annum payment. S
Seal of Company to be affixed to demise of house near Gas Works to Mr J Cox.
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General Half Yearly Meeting.
Tonnage since 1 October 1866 £1780 11s 6d. After wages, etc, £1288 5s 9d profit. Dividend of £6 declared.
Mr Peyton the surveyor to be allowed an extra £11 a year for the keeping of a horse.
Correspondence between Mr Kearsey and Mr Allport re toll charges by Midland Railway Company on Stroud and Nailsworth Railway Company between liebye at Stonehouse & Nailsworth. Mr Kearsey to take necessary legal steps to procure reduction of rates.
Lease to Messrs Ford of land.
