1803-1830
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/1/3
Minutes from 11 October 1803 to 15 December 1830
of the Committee of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1404 8s. Balance after wages, etc, £1279 7s. Dividend of £4 declared.
Resolved that we feel it our duty at this important crisis to use our utmost exertions in defence of our country, and therefore would make to his Majesty in case of Invasion a respectful tender of the use of our canal tonnage free and also of our vessels and servants, which offer, our Chairman is requested to convey to the Lord Lieutenant.
Continued orders of last meeting.
Susannah Chalie claimed shares nos.22,180,189,103, will of John Chalie.
New schooner finished and expected to arrive here in a few days. Ordered that the builder be paid £400 on account and that Mr Bird be employed to inspect it and report to the committee whether it is finished according to the contract.
New schooner or ketch arrived with the first cargo of coals from Newport .Mr Bird has made his report that she is in every respect finished according to the contract, but the Captain George Hipwood reports that there are a few necessaries wanting to complete the cabin. The builder, E. H. Broadfield, is to supply such necessaries which belong to his contract and upon his furnishing them our clerk should remit him the balance due to him.
Mr Beard reported that on Thursday night of 9 January some of the Stanley Mill Corps wantonly fired balls through the gates at Chippenham Platt, Court Orchard, and Bristol Road Locks, which has caused a leakage in the respective gates. Our clerk to wait upon Captain S Wathen to acquaint him with the circumstance and to request that he will endeavour to find out the persons guilty of the offence and to remonstrate with them on the impropriety of their conduct and also to acquaint them the fine they are liable to for such offence.
Treasurer to make a return of £2200 to the Commissioners of the Income tax, being the dividends for the last year paid from the canal to the respective proprietors.
The basin at Framilode, and that part of the canal situated near the wharf at Wallbridge, are to be cleaned of the mud as soon as possible.
The small piece of land rented by Richard Cam be laid on to the wharf at Wallbridge.
Mr Read attended the committee complaining that he had sustained frequent damages in consequence of the gate leading to the bridge on his lawn having been left open and the fence on the side of the road broken. A lock with the two keys to be provided, one to be delivered to Mr Read and the other to Mr Clissold, requesting them to keep the gate locked in future, and that hurdles be provided to fence the road from the gate to the bridge.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £2261 3s 11d, Balance after wages, etc, £1748 19s 4d. Dividend of £7 declared. The sum of £200 to be taken from the above balance and added to the capital employed in the coal trade.
The Chairman of the last general meeting reported that he had communicated to the Lord Lieutenant the offer of the use of our canal, tonnage to be free, and of our boats and servants in case of invasion and that he had received an answer from the Lord Lieutenant stating that His Majesty was graciously pleased to accept it.
Committee for next year: Revd. William Ellis, Rev Joseph Colborne, Samuel Wathen, John Allaway, Benjamin Grazebrook, Joseph Grazebrook, Rowles Scudamore, William Battersby, Nathaniel Wathen, Nathaniel Jones, Henry Burgh, William Sevill, James Tyers.
Our clerk reported that owner Edward Lloyd discharged a cargo of coals of 5 ton 15 cwt at the distance of 150 yards above the bridge at Brimscombe consigned for Mr Joseph Lewis of Brimscombe, which coals were immediately taken down the towing path to Mr Lewis yard, and in consequence the owner would only pay 1s per ton for tonnage on our canal notwithstanding our clerk (conceiving it to be a fraud) demanded the sum of 2s 3d per ton. Clerk to wait upon Mr Lewis and inform him that as the coals were brought back again below the distance of 150yards we are clearly entitled to the full tonnage and that we hope he will settle it without referring us to the owner for payment.
Thomas Beard's wages be advanced to 14s per week.
Annual inspection on the Company's barge.
One of the Beacons at Framilode broken by one of the Thames & Severn Canal boats, an application is to be made to their agent to repair the same.
Ordered that the following repairs be set about immediately and forwarded as soon as possible viz: the lock gates at Framilode to be made in perfect repair; he wall at the lower lock to the Severn to be built up; the arch of Saul Bridge to be repaired also Bristol Road Bridge; the lock gates to be cleared of grass and weeds.
Mr Henry Cooke having applied for permission to take the waste water from the upper level into Lodgemore Mill Pond, it is agreed that he may erect a weir for that purpose exactly upon a level with the weir at the first lock.
Application having been made to Mr Joseph Lewis in consequence of the order of 22 May, it appeared that he had landed the coals within the distance prescribed by the Thames & Severn Canals Act of Parliament merely in consequence of Brimscombe Wharf having been so loaded with coals as to prevent the landing of more and Mr Lewis having promised not again to landing articles within the limits, ordered that no future notice be taken of the business.
Samuel Lysons Esq claimed share no.154, will of Rev Sam Peach.
Bill drawn on the Treasurer for the sum of £278 8s 10d for the use of the navigation.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1334 14s 3d. Balance after wages, etc, £1094 14s 9d. Dividend of £5 declared.
It having been reported by the Committee that the sum of £61 has been expended in cleansing our upper level from mud which has been collected principally by mud brought down the Badbrook [Slad Brook] which has deposited itself in the lowest level of the Thames & Severn Canal and has been afterwards conveyed by the passing of vessels into the Stroudwater Canal, resolved that the Thames & Severn Canal Committee be requested to build an aqueduct as soon as possible to convey the Badbrook Stream under the Thames & Severn Canal.
Mr Edward Hill had proposed to pay 20 guineas for the purchase of ground containing about [blank] feet on each side of Hills Bridge on which a warehouse has been erected, he undertaking to keep in repair that part of the bridge that is connected with the warehouse. Proposal accepted, the seal of the Company to be affixed to a conveyance of the same.
Mr Lewis attended proposing to pay 1s 6d per ton tonnage to the Company to land coal opposite his Dye house below Brimscombe Bridge rather than to convey it from the wharf at Brimscombe. Proposal complied with, it being evidently favourable to the interests of the Company.
Tonnage on road stone to be raised to 2s per ton to Wallbridge and so in proportion in future.
Sir Samuel Wathen appointed a Committee man for the ensuing half year in the room of the late Rev. William Ellis.
Twelve or fourteen hundred feet of oak timber to be purchased for the use of the navigation.
It appearing to the Committee that a mistake of 6d per ton advance on the Bristol Road stone was made in the entry of the last General Half yearly meeting and that any advance whatever would be a like prejudicial to the Canal and Country, a bounty or drawback of 1s per ton will be allowed on all such stone as may be imported from this time.
Mr Beard having agreed for about 1200 feet of oak timber at 2s 9d per foot in pursuance of the direction of the last meeting, the contract was confirmed.
Mr William Hogg shall be appointed to succeed Mr Rich. Cam in the management of the coal trade. He shall give security to the amount of £300 to be answerable for deficiencies that may occur in the coal account and that upon entering into the House he shall take the fixtures, casks and stock of Mr Cam at a proper valuation and pay for it at a time to be named by the Committee and that 1d per ton for tallying shall be allowed on the stock of coals in hand.
No transfer of any share shall be entered in the register book of the Company unless the proper stamp has been affixed to the instrument.
The Ebley Level shall be supplied from the Brook leading to Mr Clissolds Mill pond agreeable to a former order of this committee.
Mr Denyer, the Thames & Severn Company Clerk, had returned a verbal answer to the letter written to Mr J. Sills in pursuance of an order the General Meeting of 9 October proposing to our company to pay one half of the expense of an Aqueduct to convey Badbrook water under the Thames & Severn Canal. Clerk to send a letter to Mr Joseph Sills stating that our Committee declined to concur in such proposal it being evident that the Thames and seven Company had no claim whatever on our Company to contribute towards the expense of erecting an Aqueduct under their canal.
Our clerk is to inform Mr Sills that a beacon at Framilode shall be erected with all convenient speed agreeable to the desire of the Thames & Severn Company in lieu of that destroyed by one of their trows, relying on the promise of their committee to defray the expense thereof.
Very considerable inconvenience and loss living been sustained by the company from the neglect of persons to remove within a reasonable time coal, stone, bricks, timber, etc, from their differing wharves, the following rates of wharfage be henceforth charged on all articles imported or deposited for exportation viz; 2d per ton for the first twenty-eight days, and 2d per ton per week for every week after expiration of that period until the goods shall be removed from the wharf and that notice to this effect be given to all parties now having any articles deposited therein.
The Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company having given notice of an intended application to Parliament for Powers to alter the line of their canal it appears absolutely necessary that certain Members of our Committee be deputed to watch the progress of the Bill. Tthe following gentlemen are therefore requested to attend in London for that purpose viz: Mr Burgh, Mr B. Grazebrook and Mr Wathen. Ordered that our clerk do write a letter to the committee of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company requesting them to indemnify us for any necessary expenses which may arise in consequence of this proposed alteration.
Mrs Anna Maria Ellis claimed shares nos.82,83,101, will of William Ellis.
Charles Joseph Harford claimed shares nos.79,80, will of Joseph Harford.
A letter was received from Mr J. Sills written at the request of the Thames & Severn Committee declining to undertake the erection of an aqueduct for the conveyance of the Badbrook water under the Thames & Severn canal under the idea of it not being practical. Resolved that our clerk be directed to report to the Thames & Severn Committee that an aqueduct may be built without any difficulty and that it is highly expedient that it should be done as speedily as possible as while the Badbrook stream continues to flow into the canal, the lower level of the Thames & Severn will be continually filling up with mud which will in great part be conveyed from such level into our canal and that therefore the committee must again urge the necessity of building the proposed aqueduct.
Letter from Mr Wheeler, clerk to the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Committee, stating in reply to our letter of the 17 December that as the branch of the G&B canal to the Hock Crib is intended to commence at more than three quarters of a mile beyond the South Bank of the Stroud Canal no alteration will be made in crossing our navigation and that under such circumstances an indemnity proposed in the letter of our clerk to be made to our company appeared to be unnecessary. Our clerk is to reply stating that if such indemnity shall be withheld, our committee will expect an assurance signed by the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Committee that no alteration will be made in crossing our navigation and that no clause shall be introduced into their proposed New Act of Parliament that shall in any way alter or infringe on the former enactments in their various acts, that affect in any way whatsoever the interests of our company, and that an answer to this letter be requested as speedily as possible for the satisfaction of our Committee.
A letter from Mr John Wheeler, clerk to the Gloucester & Berkley Canal Co. stating that in their intending Act of Parliament for which they were about to apply they had not the least intention to infringe upon any of the enactments made in favour of the Stroudwater Navigation Company, that the Bill they intended to lay before Parliament should be printed and that a copy should be sent for the inspection of our committee as early as possible . Resolved that a letter be forthwith written to the Chairman of the Committee of the Gloucester & Berkeley, to be signed by the Chairman of our Committee, acknowledging the receipt of the letter from their and requesting as speedily as possible an assurance from him on the part of the Gloucester & Berkeley agreeably to the tenor of the letter of Mr Haines of 31 January written in consequence of an order of our committee that no clause should be introduced into their new intended Act of Parliament that should in any manner be injurious to the interests and revenues of our Company and also that agreeably to Mr Wheeler’s promise a copy of the Bill when printed may be sent to the clerk of our company.
A letter was received of the 29 January last addressed to the Chairman of our Committee from Mr Samuel Galton, Chairman of the Birmingham Canal Company, stating that a demand for the payment of poor rates having been made of that Company which was quite unusual and as he conceived illegal a joint application was proposed to be made to Parliament by that Company in conjunction with others that should feel themselves interested in the question for an Act to explain and amend the poor laws on this point. As our Company is by an express clause of our Act of Parliament secured from a liability to the payment of such a charge, we are totally uninterested in the question that has been stated and consequently to decline to join in the intended application to the legislature. A letter to such effect was to be sent to Mr Galton, signed by the Chairman of our Committee.
Bill be drawn on the treasurer for the sum of £263 0s 5d for the use of the Navigation.
Ordered that Mr Camm be allowed £3 3s as a compensation for the erection of the bar, etc, at his late house at Wallbridge.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £2458 2s 2d. Balance after wages, etc, £2290 16s 6d. Dividend of £10 declared.
The Committee reports that they have made several applications to the Thames & Severn Canal Company respecting the proposed aqueduct at Wallbridge and that they are now engaged in correspondence with the proprietors of that Canal Company on the subject. Ordered that the committee do continue this negotiation until the business is completed.
Tonnage on Bristol road stone is fixed at 1s per ton
Annual inspection on the Company's barge.
Continued the order for the repairs of Saul Bridge. Also that all other repairs necessary to be done on the Navigation be forwarded as quickly as possible.
It being reported that our small boat belonging to the Enterprize was so much damaged by the carelessness of the men belonging to owner John Yates, Vessel of Stourport, coming down the Severn at Framilode so as to render it unfit for use. Clerk to request him to replace the same by another in its stead.
Letter from John Yates junior concerning the injury done to the Company’s small boat at Framilode. Clerk to inform him that if he will pay half the expense of new boat of the same dimensions the committee will receive the same as a satisfaction, they being convinced from the information given that the damages was occasioned from carelessness of Mr Yates men.
Our clerk reported that he had received a verbal message from Mr Denyer, clerk to the Thames & Severn Canal, declining to make the proposed aqueduct to convey the Badbrook stream under their canal. Consideration of this subject to be referred to the next general meeting.
Clerk has written to John Yates but has not received any answer. Another letter is to be written to him on the subject.
Our clerk reported that John Hunt, on the 10 of September, had damaged the lower gates of the first lock at Dudbridge by running his vessel carelessly against it and breaking the same so as to render it necessary to put up a new one. Clerk to detain his vessel (the first time it be in the canal) until a reasonable compensation be made for such damage.
Deal baulks be provided for cutting planks for the gates and also that scantlings of oak be provided sufficient for two lock gates and kept in store in case of accident.
Mr Cook having complained of a waste of water through the weirs of the locks at Dudbridge to the injury of his mill. The weirs at these locks are to be contracted (by way of experiment) in order to remedy the evil complained of.
Bill to be drawn on the treasurer for the sum of £483 16s 0½d for the use navigation.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1252 7s 5½d. Balance after wages, etc, £1058 7s 11d. Dividend of £4 declared.
The committee having reported the unsuccessful negotiations with the Committee of the Thames & Severn Canal respecting the Badbrook water under their canal. Resolved that although we consider ourselves perfectly justified in the claim we have made on the proprietors of the Thames & Severn Canal, yet rather than enter into any litigation with them on the subject, we accede to their proposal of paying a moiety [liable to pay a contribution] of the expense of conveying the Badbrook water under their canal .Our chairman to communicate this resolution to the chair of their committee.
Rev John Bull claimed shares nos.1,128, will of Francis Bull.
Mr Henry Burden of Abingdon, Agent to the Cheese Mongers of London, attended to make a proposal to the Company to erect a warehouse on the Bristol Road wharf for the purpose of housing cheese. The dimensions of the warehouse to be seventy-five feet long by eighteen feet wide or thereabouts, six feet high in the side walls and covered with thatch. He was ready to take a lease for fourteen years, paying the Company a rent of 10 per cent per annum on the sum that may be expended, the expense do not exceed £60. Proposal accepted and a lease be prepared at the joint expense of Mr Burden and the company, to be executed previously to possession being given.
A letter having been received from John Yates junior objecting to pay half the value of the Company’s small boat damaged it principally through his carelessness to or that of his men.Clerk to send a letter requiring him to pay £6 in compensation for such damage, in default of which the company’s solicitor would be authorised to commence an action against him.
Continued the orders of the Bristol Road Warehouse.
Clerk reported that Mr John Yates has paid the sum of £6 for damages of a boat.
Suspended the orders respecting the erection of a warehouse at Bristol Road wharf till it has undergone further consideration.
Ordered that a new bridge be erected at Bonds Mill in lieu of the old one it being in ruinous state.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £2074 3s 8d. Balance after wages, etc, £2010 7s 8d. Dividend of £8 declared.
Thames & Severn Canal Company declined to abide by their former proposal of paying half the expense of making a culvert at Wallbridge. The committee are therefore hereby directed to take such steps as may be necessary to obtain redress.
Annual inspection on Company’s Barge. The repairs necessary to be done on the Navigation are to be forwarded as quick as possible.
Mr Hicks attended and proposed that an opinion should be submitted to Counsel on part of an agreement made 7 November 1777 between the Company and Henry Stephens Esq, late of Chavenage, that respects the retention of the House belonging to the Company inhabited by their servant William Beard. Mr Hicks apprehending that by virtue thereof he, as the present owner of the land lately belonging to Mr Stevens on which the house is erected, had a right to reclaim the said house on paying the Company for the materials. An opinion should be taken on a case that shall be previously laid before the Committee and by them approved and that the expense attendant thereon shall be equally divided between Mr Hicks and the Company.
Application made by William Read of Ebley for the Company to pay him after having been exonerated from the support and repair of a fence to the road leading from the turnpike road at Ebley to the grounds now belonging to Mr Clissold on the opposite side of the canal. It gave access to Mr Read’s meadow on the same side of the canal as well as to a bridge that he used alone for his benefit. Also from a certain rent of 5s per year secured by the Company under an agreement entered into between the late Mr Thomas Ellis of Ebley and the Company, it was resolved that the sum of £35 be paid to Mr Read on an agreement being executed between him and the Company to the effect above mentioned; provided, however, that under the said agreement the company shall be secured harmless against any claim that may be made at a future period by Mr Stephen Clissold of Ebley or his heirs in consideration of his having relinquished a right of road across the meadow of the aforesaid Mr Read as well as any claim for repairs of a bridge lately erected by the said Mr Clissold. Instructions to be given to Mr Clark, attorney in law, to procure a draft agreement by the next meeting.
Ordered that the trunk leading from the old river under the canal at Mr Clissold’s mill pond be examined as it is reported to be out of repair. The same to be effectually repaired so that the wash of water may be prevented as much as possible.
Many disorderly persons having been seen of late bathing in the Navigation to the great annoyance of passengers passing along the towing path, hand bills are to be posted upon the bridges over the canal stating that persons found bathing in future will be prosecuted at the expense of the Company.
Thomas Grazebrook to make a dock for repairing vessels in a ground belonging to Mr Joseph Grazebrook called Downfield, he agreeing that the Company and their successors shall be admitted to the use of the said dock for repairing their vessels free of expense. The same may be occupied by the said Thomas Grazebrook for the purpose of repairs and continued there for a reasonable time.
The last Half Yearly General Meeting having referred to the Committee to further proceedings with the Thames & Severn Canal Company in order to obtain redress for the loss sustained by the company in consequence of the Badbrook water having lodged in the Thames & Severn a large quantity of mud, much of which has been thence conveyed into our Navigation, an account of the expense incurred by this company in the summer of 1804 in clearing our upper level from the mud that has been thus collected is to be prepared and transmitted to the Chairman of the Thames & Severn Canal Committee with a letter signed by the Chairman of our committee requiring payment thereof unless they will consent to fulfil their past promise, since withdrawn, of paying half of the expense of an aqueduct to convey the above stream under their canal.
Mr Clissold having attended and pledged himself to furnish an ample supply of water from his mill pond for the Ebley level and others below to Wheatenhurst, whereby the complaint made to the Committee at their last meeting by Mr Cooke will be done away. The repair of the trunks at Ebley to be deferred till the Spring of 1807.
The gates of the Double lock are to be repaired to prevent the waste of water that exists at present.
Sarah Lawson Skey claimed shares nos.2,11,12,177,178, will of Samuel Skey.
Our clerk reported that no communication had been received from Mr Hicks since the last meeting of the Committee relative to the application made by him.
It being represented that the weir from the lower level of the Navigation into Framilode millpond was very much out of repair in consequence whereof there was a great waste of water into the latter, and also that the pipe that the committee some time since allowed Messrs Purnell and Veale to place in the canal to furnish their mills with a supply of water for washing metal was constantly kept open contrary to the original intention of the grant. Our Chairman is to be requested to write a letter of complaint requiring the gentlemen to repair the weir and to take care that no improper use be made of the pipe. Otherwise the weir would be stopped up.
Mr Veale having answered respecting the weirs and pipe at Framilode that we may either repair the same or stop them up, the pipe and weir are to be immediately stopped up by William Beard.
The Thames & Severn Canal Company having evaded an answer to our resolution of the 19 May, resolved that we will wait until our next meeting hoping that in the meantime we shall have a satisfactory answer.
The ground lying between the Severn Lock and Framilode to be fenced and enclosed.
£274 10s 8d be drawn from the treasurer for the use of the Navigation.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1289 17s 0½d. Balance after wages, etc, £1275 2s 0½d. Dividend of £5 declared.
The committee reported their proceedings respecting the culvert at Wallbridge. Resolved that this meeting do approve of the same and direct their perseverance in such matters.
A letter was received from Mr Hicks accompanied by the draft of a case intended to be laid before counsel. Previous to any farther legal procedure in this business, Mr Burgh, Mr Joseph Grazebrook and Mr Sam Wathen are requested to wait on Mr Hicks to propose to comply with his wishes of giving up to him possession of the Company’s house now inhabited by William Beard and to pay him in addition of the value of the materials of the said house whatever sum those gentlemen may conceive it to be to the interest of the Company to advance in order to obtain the freehold of the island now occupied by the Company at a low rent, and of which notice has been given to relinquish the possession on the 25 March next. Clerk is to communicate with Mr Hicks by letter requesting that he will appoint a time and place when the above named Gentleman may wait upon him.
A letter having been produced from Mules, Barnett and Co. of Stourport inquiring whether the Committee intended to dispose of the Company’s ketch that has been laid up unused for upwards of a twelve month. As it appears that an ample supply of Newport Coals is attainable on moderate terms, it is advisable to dispose of it. Our clerk is to inform Messrs. Mules and Co. that the ketch together with her rigging and appurtenances is to be disposed of for 500 guineas, to be paid on the delivery of the vessel.
Ordered that the sum of £2 12s 6d be paid to John Daniels through whose humanity and resolution William Simmons was lately rescued from a watery grave. Our clerk to send mention of the circumstance to be inserted in an article of intelligence in the next Gloucester Journal.
Mr Grazebrook and other gentlemen met with Mr Hicks and agreed with him for the absolute purchase of the island at the price of £98 per acre, the same to be remeasured by a person to be appointed for that purpose. Mr Hicks shall take to the house occupied by William Beard upon paying the Company the value of the materials thereupon the house to be given up to Mr Hicks as soon as the company can provide another for William Beard, and until that period to pay a fair rent for the same.
Sam Keene of Hampton to be employed to measure the island correctly, and Mr Clarke to be desired to prepare a deed of enforcement for the conveyance thereof.
Edward Keene and William Beard employed to measure the materials of the house in the occupation of William Beard so that the amount can be deducted from the purchase money to be paid to Mr Hicks.
Our clerk reported that he had offered the sale of the ketch to Messrs Mules & Barnett for 500 guineas which was declined but £500 was offered and accepted by five of the committee.
Proposal from Sam Bird of Brimscombe for building a new barge for the committee. He is to be desired to attend the next meeting.
Thames & Severn Canal committee offered £15 towards the making of a culvert to take the Badbrook water under their canal. They were not disposed to join in making the culvert.
Clerk presented a drawing of the Island with the coal wharf belonging to Mr Hicks as measured by made by Sam Keene, being one acre, one rood and twenty-nine perches; also a valuation of the materials of the house occupied by William Beard amounting to £27 9s. Clerk to prepare a conveyance.
Sam Bird to be paid sixty guineas on his finishing a new barge by the 1 June.
House be erected on the Island at Chippenham Platt for the residence of William Beard. Messrs B and J Grazebrookto fix on the most suitable spot for house.
The £15 offered by the Thames & Severn committee for building an aqueduct to convey the Badbrook under the Thames & Severn Canal, was deemed totally inadequate. Committee would not accept less than one moiety of the expense of the work.
Edward Hains applied for an increase of salary in consequence of his being subject to pay the property tax and of the dearness of provisions. His salary be increased to £100 per year on condition that he devote the whole of his time and attention to promote the interest of the Company.
Mr Hicks had been paid. A site for the house on the Island was selected. Building has begun.
Rev John Bull claimed shares nos.190,139,131, will of Mary Bull, his mother.
On the island stood a cottage erected by John Watkins who has a life interest therein, but after his decease the same will become the property of our Company for which reversionary interest the sum of £6 14s 9d has been paid to Mr Hicks. The future property therein is included in the conveyance executed between Mr Hicks and the Company.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1855 14s 9d. Balance after wages, etc, £1999 8s 7½. Dividend of £8 declared.
Committee to pursue negotiations with Thames & Severn Canal Company over culvert at Wallbridge.
Annual inspection on board the Company barge.
Bridge near Mr Brown’s Mill to be repaired.
Mr Eycott complained that the swivel bridge to be erected in lieu of the present bridge was higher than he expected and so inconvenient. Another bridge to be constructed near Mr Eycotts Mill not subject to the complaint.
John Scandreff Harford claimed shares nos.23,95,200,27,28,29,90, will of Edward Harford.
Thomas Watkins to be prosecuted for bathing in the canal unless he makes suitable confessions to the committee.
Several owners being suspected of putting coals into wagons in which they have been carried off previously to the tonnage having been paid, notice is to be given to all persons coming into the Navigation that if any man shall be found guilty of such practise, the vessel shall be detained until he shall have paid the Company 40s per ton on all coals taken.
Conduct of William Hogg, employed to sell coals at Wallbridge Wharf and as keeper of the Company’s warehouse, and also the general neglect of his duty and the dishonesty and incapacity that have long marked his conduct, the Committee are to give him notice that he shall no longer be employed to sell coal from 10 October.
Thomas Watkins junior expressed contrition for having bathed in the canal on the evening of the 23 July, pleading ignorance of the order. The prosecution to be suspended, he having signed an acknowledgement to be inserted in the Gloucester Journal.
The licence granted to William Hogg for the sale of liquors at the Company’s House on the Wharf at Wallbridge will expire on the 29 September. He is to quit the said house on that day and John Sutton is to be allowed to take possession and to rent the same from month to month at the sum of £15 per year provided that the magistrates do sign a licence in his favour.
John Sutton having applied to rent the Company’s House known by the sign of the Ship on their wharf at Wallbridge and also to be employed to sell coals for the Company. To be engaged to sell coals for the term of one year from the 10 October next on a Bond being entered into by Mr John Sims and Mr James Hogg jointly and severally of £300.
John Spencer and Ann Tucker claimed shares nos.61,88, will of Mary Spencer.
Many infractions of the byelaw which requires that no vessel shall be navigated on the canal without three men at least being attendant thereon during the Navigation thereof. A board to be placed in a conspicuous situation at Framilode and Wallbridge stating the determination of the Committee henceforth rigorously to enforce a byelaw so essential to the preservation of the works on the Navigation.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1315 9s 7d. Balance after paying wages, etc, £1071 10s 9½d. Dividend of £5 declared.
The Committee unsuccessful in negotiating with the Thames & Severn Committee respecting the culvert at Wallbridge they are directed to take legal measures to bring the matter to a speedy conclusion.
A proposition having been made on the part of some respectable owners of vessels, to purchase, or rent on a long lease, a piece of land at Framilode for the purpose of making a dock. Deferred to the next meeting.
Read minutes and continued previous orders.
Letter from Messrs Brown & Co of Stonehouse requesting a new bridge may be erected near their premises to replace the old one now in a dilapidated state. A new bridge is in preparation and is to be erected in the Spring.
Further to the agreement between the Company and Mr William Read and Mr Clissold of Ebley for the erection of a bridge for the sole use of William Read, £35 to be paid to Mr William Read.
Mr Clissold to be sent a recognition of the permission granted him by the Company to erect a bridge across the canal near Ebley.
Charles Brook and James Fowler claimed share no.16, will of Henry Francis (Harry) Brook.
The committee finding that the transfer of shares nos.148,196 from Francis Knight to the Rev Valpy has not been executed, the treasurer told to withhold payment of future dividends until such an execution has taken place and the clerk is directed to write a letter to Rev Valpy to this effect.
Mr Hains having represented that William Rowley, Joseph Rowley and Luke Bradley had carried sails in navigating their vessel in the canal in defiance of notice given by the Company’s servants to the contrary. Application to be made to the magistrates to enforce against them the byelaw that takes cognisance of such an offence.
Stephen Dangerfield having been convicted before the magistrates at sessions of navigating his vessel with one man and a boy only, instead of having three men, in consequence of which he is liable to pay the penalty of £5, but it appearing he was ignorant of the byelaw in question and he having expressed contrition for such an offence, ordered that he be desired to attend the next meeting of the Committee, the magistrates being in the meantime requested to suspend the infliction of the penalty.
Mr Barker, proprietor of the vessel which had been navigating with sails in defiance of the byelaw, having stated such proceeding was without his knowledge or consent, ordered that the prosecution against William Rowley and others be discontinued .
Stephen Dangerfield, who has been convicted in the penalty of £5 for an offence against a byelaw of the Company, having expressed contrition for the same the fine to be remitted to him.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £2108 12s 5½d. Balance after wages, etc, £1784 11s 7½d. Dividend of £8 declared.
Proposed dock at Framilode can’t be made without serious inconvenience to the navigation because of lack of space.
As byelaw respecting the navigating of vessels with sails sometimes inconveniences barge owners, it is rescinded. But from 1 May next nobody shall be allowed to navigate a barge with a sail hoisted within the distance of one hundred yards from any bridge or lock. Any person so offending shall forfeit for each offence the sum of £5.
Whereas serious inconveniences have arisen to people by leaving open the swivel bridges, any person who wilfully or negligently leaves open any bridge shall, for every offence, forfeit the sum of £5.
Agreed to sell a small piece of land near the Ryeford, 12 yards long and 11 yards wide at one end and 5 yards at the other, to Richard Franklin at the price £10.
Committee for next year: Samuel Wathen, Sir Samuel Wathen, Benjamin Grazebrook, Rev Joseph Colborne, Rowles Scudamore, Joseph Grazebrook, Nathaniel Wathen, Nathaniel Jones, Henry Burgh, James Tyers, John Hawker, William Stanton, Thomas Holbrow.
Annual inspection on board the Company Barge. Repairs to be done to the Navigation be forwarded as quickly as possible.
Thomas Beard’s wages be advanced 2s per week .
Tonnage on Pantile to be that now in force for blue slates.
Mr Clarke to be paid £16 10s for law charges.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1929 12s 10½. Balance after wages, etc, £1567 14s 1d. Dividend of £7 10s declared.
William Addis to be paid the sum of £11 19s 4d, being the balance of his account for the Pleasure Boat.
Hannah Lindsey claimed shares nos.13,14,15,52,53,54,55,56,77,78, will of Rev Theophiles Lindsey.
Five openings have been cut in the bank of the lower level of the canal by Anthony Eley, William Saunders, John Lawrance, and George Lawrance on 26 January. Our clerk is to apply to the magistrates at the petty Sessions at the Kings Arms at Stroud tomorrow for warrants against the above persons, and that Mr Burgh, Mr S Wathan, Mr N Wathan, Mr B Grazebrook, Mr J Grazebrook and Mr Jones, or any three of them, be requested to attend the sessions at the Kings Arms at Stroud on Friday 3 March.
John Rose has not paid proper attention to the floodgates at the Bond House and that the floods have done much damage. We severely reprimanded him upon his promise of being very attentive in future.
Thomas and James Perry claimed shares nos.105,147,179,72,188,152, will of James Perry.
An addition of about 12 feet is to be made to the Lock house at Bristol Road.
John Lawrence, Joseph Davis and Samuel Golding having been convicted by the magistrates in the penalty of £20 each for cutting the bank of the canal near Framilode but the magistrates having left the mitigation of the penalty to the consideration of the committee, we do refer the same to the general meeting tomorrow.
William Pavey having drowned in the canal another person to be appointed to serve in his room as soon as a proper one can be found.
Half Yearly General meeting. Tonnage = £2103 13s 9½. Balance after wages, etc, £1815 15s 1½. Dividend of £8 declared.
Tonnage on road stone raised to 2s per ton from Framilode to Stroud, and in proportion for any intermediate distance. Bounty not exceeding one half of the tonnage be granted on all road stone that may be landed at and above Stonehouse Cross on consideration that the same be removed from the Company’s Wharfs within twenty-eight days after its being landed.
Our Committee having referred to this meeting whether any mitigation of the penalty of £20 is due, resolved that the same be reduced £10, to be paid by John Lawrence, Joseph Davis and Samuel Golding if approved by the magistrates.
Annual inspection on the Company’s Barge.
Barnard Hole to attend as lock keeper at Framilode in the room of William Pavey deceased on the terms of £40 per annum and his house and garden, his whole time to be devoted to the services of the Company.
Mr Clissold having applied to the Committee to postpone the repair of the culvert at Ebley for the present on account of his having occasion for the water, ordered that it be postponed until a convenient opportunity.
William Beard reported that several coping stones were wantonly thrown from the bridge at Stonehouse into the canal and several gates on the side of the canal were thrown down by some person or persons unknown. Hand bills are to be painted, offereing a reward of 10 guineas for apprehending the offenders, to be paid on conviction.
Ordered that the aqueduct at Ebley be repaired as soon as materials can be got ready. Also Lockham Bridge and the culvert at Walk Bridge be examined and repaired the first opportunity, and the banks on Mr Cambridge's land be raised where necessary.
Aqueduct at Ebley repaired. Repairs of the Walk Bridge will be examined and repaired the first opportunity.
Rev Thomas Flint claimed share no.145, will of Mary Cambridge.
An Ice Boat is to be built by Sam Bird according to his estimate, under the inspection of William Beard.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1930 17s 6½d. Balance after wages, etc, £1589 15s 6½. Dividend of £7 10s declared.
The Committee have given repeated notice to Martha Share to quit the possession of the house at Dudbridge but she still retains possession in defiance. The committee is to take such further steps as may be necessary to obtain possession of the house.
