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
Culverts at Lockham Bridge and Walk Bridge are repaired.
In consequence of the death of John Sutton, the superintendent of the coal wharf at Wallbridge, application has been made by John Sims requesting that the widow of the late John Sutton may be continued in the situation and that he will be a security for her. She will be continued for a few months by way of trial, Mr Sims having engaged to find a proper man to attend to the coal department and to be responsible for him.
Our clerk reported that he had informed Martha Share of the resolution of the general meeting respecting her quitting the house, but she has taken no notice of it. The windows and doors of the house are to be taken away in order to make her give up the possession.
Double Lock is much out of repair, which will require it to be partly taken down. Ordered that the same be set about as soon as the Severn will allow. Clerk to procure thirty thousand of brick of Richard Franklin at the Ryeford.
Samuel Bird has completed the Ice Boat.
Mr Cambridge requested permission to fix a weir on the side of the canal in the lower level on a certain meadow called Bully Mead, for the purpose of carrying off the surplus water from the canal in flood time in order to prevent an excess of water going over the weir in Spencehill Orchard, to the prejudice of the road at the foot of Saul bridge. Mr Cambridge to be allowed to do so on the condition that he and his successors do from time to time keep the same in repair.
Mr Cambridge having given up his claim to the towing path from Lockham Bridge to Whitminster Lock, the said towing path to be gravelled three feet wide, first raising the low places to prevent the water from flowing over.
Benjamin Grazebrook claimed shares nos.176,144, will of his father Benjamin Grazebrook.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £2190 5s 11½d. After wages, etc, £1685 0s 5½d. Dividend of £7 10s declared.
The Committee reported that Mr Cambridge had attended the Committee meeting on behalf of the principal landowners of that neighbourhood requesting permission to erect a large weir on the side of the canal between the swivel bridge and the Lock at Framilode to empty into the Severn for the purpose of taking the surplus water in a flood time. Mr Cambridge be allowed such a weir.
£100 to be added to coal concern capital, bringing it to £1500.
Mr Beard to apply to John Gubbins to procure some stone for the wall at the crib at Framilode, the present one being of timber is much decayed.
Repair of the Double Lock completed.
Mr Hicks complained of an injury sustained by the overflowing of the water from the canal into Oldbury Brook and proposed to be at half the expense of pitching that part where the water flows over. William Beard to get it done in a proper manner. Clerk to keep a correct account of expense and apply to Mr Hicks for a moiety of the same.
Leave given to Mr Peter Smith to rebuild the wall on the side of his stable at the corner of the wharf next to the road at Wallbridge. and to move the wall three feet back on the corner to the mouth of the arch. Mr Smith to pay for the stone and one guinea for the ground.
Mrs Ann Allaway claimed shares nos.123,124,125,126, will of her husband John Allaway.
Ordered that a bill be drawn on the Treasurer for £518 for the use of the Navigation.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1297 5s 10½. Balance after wages, etc, £864 5s 11½. Dividend of £4 declared.
Tonnage of fir wood be raised to 3s 6d per ton from Wallbridge, and in proportion to other places on the canal.
William Beard reported that the Crib at Framilode continues giving way and has slipped considerably. Every preparation be made for the repair as soon as the season permits.
Meeting adjourned after reading minutes of last meeting.
William Beard reported that the wing wall of Saul Bridge is fallen down. Bridge to be repaired as soon as the season permits.
Some stone be procured for preparing lime for the repairs of the Navigation.
Special Meeting. Some observations signed by William Hallett Esq, Chairman of the Committee of the Wilts & Berks Canal Company dated 13 March, were produced in which the advantages likely to result from a canal projected from Latton on the Thames & Severn Canal to Swindon situated on the line of the Wilts & Berks Canal to the interest of the Stroudwater Navigation Company are pointed out and our company are invited to present a petition to the Honourable the House of Commons in favour of the same. As the interests of the Stroudwater navigation Company are likely to be advanced by the formation of the projected canal a petition is to be prepared, signed by the chairman with the company seal attached.
Bill to be drawn on the Treasurer for £307 for the use of the Navigation.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1944 16s 10½d. Balance after wages, etc, £1555 4s. Dividend of £7 declared.
Annual inspection on the Company’s Barge.
Mary Hannage and Catherine Williams claimed shares nos.9,10, will of Martha Petttat.
Room be made over the brew-house at Robert Harper’s house on the wharf at Dudbridge.
A road to be made from the turnpike near Mr Clutterbuck’s house at Dudbridge to the premises occupied by Mr Thomas Grazebrook, in consideration which Thomas Grazebrook agrees to release his present Right of Way from the bridge at Dudbridge through the wharf to his dwelling house.
The bridge over the canal at Ryeford be repaired and a fence to be put up from the bridge to the entrance of the wharf house.
Facing of Court Orchard Lock be repaired. Also that of Saul Bridge.
Warehouse at Framilode be let at the best price that can be got.
Thomas Beard reported that Thomas Moody was detected in giving an account of fifteen ton of timber taken to the Bristol road on the 16 May, which when measured proved to be twenty-three tons. His vessel to be stopped the next time it comes into the canal until the penalty of 40s per ton is paid.
Ordered that the warehouse at Framilode be let at no less than £10 per annum, and that from this time it no longer used as a warehouse for the reception of goods merchandize, etc.
All traders are to settle their tonnage every voyage, and vessels are to be detained till such payment is made.
Joseph Yates, Master of Francis Lee's vessel, having defrauded the Company of the tonnage of two tons of iron taken on board his vessel on 7 August, is to be stopped the next time he visits the canal.
Three casks of souers? having been taken on board the vessel of Messrs Heane & Newman at Framilode on 18 July and having paid tonnage for half a ton only, our clerk is to enquire and obtain the amount of the whole tonnage.
5 guineas to be given to Thomas Beard as soon as the fine levied on Thomas Moody and Francis Lee is paid for his vigilance and attention thereon and also as an encouragement to his future exertions
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1534 0s 3d. Balance after wages, etc, £865 2s. Dividend of £4 declared.
It appearing that Barnett Hole, our clerk at Framilode, is much addicted to drinking and that there has been great neglect in the conduct of the business the Clerk is to give him a reprimand and advise him to be more circumspect in the future or he will be dismissed. He is to be directed not to clean out any vessel above Dudbridge without a special order from our clerk at Wallbridge.
William Beard reported that Edward Yates, having sunk his barge at the Ryeford and thereby obstructed the Navigation, which occupied three of our servants a day and part of the night ordered that our clerk do make out an account of the same, say 10s, and demand payment thereof in default of which payment being made the vessel to be detained.
Thomas Beard having reported that owner William Yates took on board a quantity of hay at the five locks and paid tonnage for 4 tons only, it is to be ascertained what quantity of hay was purchased and delivered by Farmer John Carefield to William Yates.
Its appearing absolutely necessary to have a superintendent for the better conduct of the Navigation, Thomas Beard is to be appointed to that office from December.
It appears that our bylaws of the 12 April 1808 is still being violated, to the great inconvenience of individuals and to the danger of the community at large. To put a stop to any persons navigating on this canal leaving the bridges improperly turned or left unsafe, information is to be laid against Richard Lloyd, owner of the Edward, for negligently and wilfully leaving two bridges improperly turned. Clerk is to lay information before the magistrates.
Owner Thomas Moody, having neglected to pay his note of hand, he is to be proceeded against immediately, Mr Wathen to be given instructions for the same.
Thomas Beard having called on John Carefield ascertained that he delivered six tons of hay to owner William Yates on the 15 November, whereas the quantity entered was four tons. Yates to be fined for the offence.
The gates at Wallbridge Wharf be locked at 8 o’clock from the 1 November until 25 March in every year, and that a doorway be made through the wall to enter the Committee Gardens.
It being reported that the barges of Messrs Heane & Newman are in the habit of evading the tonnage fees a letter is to be written to them on that subject desiring them to explain at our next meeting why they should not be fined.
A letter having been received from Mr Harry Hanford, agent to the Thames & Severn Canal Company, respecting a Horse Towing Path. The letter being addressed to Mr Grazebrook, he is to answer that the letter will be laid before the next General Meeting.
Robert Wainwright and William Blackburne claimed shares nos.13,14,15,52,53,54,55,56,77,78, will of Hannah Lindsey.
No vessel is to be allowed to leave the canal without producing the proper pass tickets from the Thames & Severn Canal to the Stroud Navigation and that notice has been given our servants. Clerk is to give notice to the barge owners of this resolution.
The navigation of the canal being obstructed in various places, Thomas Carruthers is requested to make enquiry at Bristol for a vessel on which to erect a steam engine for the purpose of removing the mud and also what the possible expense would be for both vessel and machine.
A letter is to be written to Mr Richard Miller to explain why he should not be fined for a false return in his account of tonnage under the dates of 22 and 27 of January.
Owner Yates attended and paid the mitigated fine of £4 the committee inflicted on him for evading the tonnage dues.
The Company having lost several deal planks and, Sam Banks being suspected of having stolen them, ordered that a warrant be taken out against him.
In consequence of the multiplicity of business to be gone through, the next committee meeting is to commence at 12 o'clock at Wallbridge.
In consequence of the ability and perseverance of Thomas Beard in the discharge of his duty, from next Saturday his wages be fixed at one guinea per week.
George Wathen has laid a writ against owner Thomas Moody, and is taking steps to obtain the fine.
Thomas Coney and Rev William Coney claimed shares nos.168,169,170, will of Bicknell Coney.
Mr Carruthers having made enquiry respecting the engine at Bristol for clearing the mud, has ascertained that the operation of it is uncertain and the expense of its construction too great for our purpose.
Owner Thomas Moody being in prison and considered not in a state to pay the remainder of a fine levied on him for a defraud of tonnage, George Wathen is requested to suspend all proceedings when the writ has expired.
Samuel Banks having been tried at Gloucester for stealing the Company planks and acquitted, the clerk is to pay Mr Wathen’s bill.
It appearing that the fine of £4 levied on owner Yates was in consequence of an error betwixt him and Bernard Hole, the clerk is to repay the £4.
John Rose applied for an advance of wages and was granted 2s per week advance bringing him to 16s per week.
Browning & Son offered their services as bricklayers and carpenters to the Company for the ensuing year they are engaged at 21s per week and the house rent free at one of the cottages at Dudbridge.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage = £2530 10 9d. Balance after wages, etc, £2089 17s 7d. Dividend of £9 declared.
The application made by Mr Harford, agent to the Thames & Severn Canal, for making a horse towing path from Wallbridge to Framilode was rejected meeting.
It having been reported that considerable quantities of corn is now being brought by land from Gloucester, and that if the tonnage on corn was reduced it would be the means of bringing up the canal, tonnage on corn coming up the canal to Wallbridge is to be 2s 6d per ton, and so in proportion for any less distance.
An order made on the 11 June last granting a road to Thomas Grazebrook was made by several gentlemen without sufficient deliberation resulting in the Company interests being compromised. It appearing that Thomas Grazebrook has no legal right to a road through the wharf, the order was revoked.
Annual inspection on board Company Barge.
Ordered that 20,000 Shropshire brick be procured immediately and the Court Orchard Lock be repaired. Also the Bristol Road Lock be repaired as soon as the brick is purchased.
Joseph Grazebrook produced a deed by which it appears that a right of road was granted by deed to the late Benjamin Grazebrook deceased, it appears there was due consideration of the right to a road for the order made on that on 11 June 1811.
Heane & Newman to pay the sum of 5s for the expense incurred in consequence of a vessel sunk in the Bristol Road level by their neglect.
Richard Miller of Brimscombe fined £4 8s for having defrauded the Company of the tonnage of goods amounting to 2 tons 4 cwt, landed at Stonehouse Farm for Messrs Davies, Beard & Davies and at Dudbridge 21 Jan 1812. Richard Miller entered and paid for only 1 ton, defrauding the Company of the tonnage of 2 tons 4 cwt. Mr Hains to apply to Miller for the penalty.
Mr Miller explained why he had neglected to pay the tonnage and the order was remitted on the payment of the outstanding tonnage.
Mr Cambridge given permission to put in an additional trunk under the canal at Walk Bridge at his own expense, provided he will undertake to do it in a proper and substantial manner and at a time when the navigation is stopped for other purposes and also that Mr Cambridge will undertake to keep it in good repair.
Wages of William Beard and Ambrose Beard be advanced 2s per week each.
The mud in the basin at Framilode be removed as soon as a convenient time will admit the stopping of the canal.
Mr Tavey to be allowed use of part of the warehouse at Wallbridge for laying in a stock of salt. Use to be free of rent for one year. Mr Tavey to pave it.
John Wild, of owner Thomas Ball’s vessel, having given a false account of his tonnage by entering 6 tons instead of 10 tons, the next time the vessel enters the Navigation she is to be detained until the penalty of 40s per ton be paid.
Thomas Beard is to stop and detain all vessels that shall navigate the Stroudwater Canal without the name on.
Thomas Ball paid the fine on four tons of timber.
Jane Noble and Elizabeth Noble claimed shares nos.181,182,183, will of John Padmore Noble.
The culvert at Mr Hogg’s be repaired immediately; also the puddle next to Mr Hogg’s house.
Mr Cambridge complaining of the state of the road on top of Kidman’s Bridge it is to be put in a proper state of repair.
Half Yearly General Meeting Tonnage £1706 7s 8½. Balance after wages, etc, £1288 12s 10d. Dividend of £5 declared.
On reconsideration of the order of 11 June 1811 to grant a road from the turnpike road near Mr Clutterbuck’s house at Dudbridge to the premises occupied by Mr Thomas Grazebrook in lieu of his right of road across the wharf, the order was rescinded before a majority.
For the more convenient dispatch of business the committee have resolved that on entrance of the fifth member thereof at the respective meetings such fifth gentleman shall take the chair and proceed forthwith to business.
Mr Peter Smith wish to purchase part of the land adjoining the wharf (at Wallbridge) to be considered at the next meeting.
Stone laying on Dudbridge wharf to be brought to the wharf at Wallbridge for the purpose of building a boundary wall.
Avertisement to the proprietors of coal works to be inserted twice in the Gloucester, Birmingham and such other papers that shall be found necessary.
All sums of money received by Mr Hains on account of the proprietors shall be paid into the bank of Messrs. Grazebrook, Wathen and Co as soon as possible. All payments to be made by cheques on them except for trifling debts, for which purpose £20 or thereabouts be drawn by Mr Hains as occasion may require.
In future all sellers of coals shall make a Bill of Parcels with receipts thereon (stamps) to be laid before the subsequent committee and examined as the Lockage Account.
Two letters were received from coal proprietors containing a proposal to supply the Company with coals, to which replies were ordered to be made.
The committee reconsidered the application of Messrs. Smiths for the purchase of part of the wharf, which they thought of too much consequence to determine and have therefore referred it to a general meeting.
Mr Hains to give in a statement of the quantity of each boat of coals he has bought during the last year at the next committee meeting.
Two pieces of deal balk not less than 37 feet long ordered from Messrs Price of Gloucester.
Barnett Hole our clerk at Framilode being deceased, Thomas Beard appointed for one year at the salary of £70 per annum to take a bond of £200 of William Beard as security.
It appeared from examination of the papers found in the house of Barnett Hole that he had received tonnage to a very considerable amount for which he has never accounted (details listed).
Bargemasters trading to the westward of Framilode bringing their boats into the canal shall pay for every such boat 1s 8d from the 1 April to 1 November, and shall pass free of any charge during the winter half year.
Thomas Beard having reported that various vessels still continue to navigate on the canal without the owners or steersman’s names being thereon, every such owner or steersman so offending shall be fined £5.
The wharfingers at Wallbridge and Dudbridge shall once in every week send onto our clerk an account of sales made during said week that our clerk shall register such sales in the waste(?) book.
Thomas Beard, the lockkeeper at Framilode, to be allowed such writing paper as may be necessary for the company's use.
The wages of Thomas Lewis be advanced to 21s per week during the Summer half year and continued so at present for the Winter.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £2247 5s. Balance after wages, etc, £1777 16s 9d. Dividend of £8 declared.
The application made the 24 November 1812 by Mr Peter Smith for the purchase of a piece of land adjoining the wharf was negatived.
Annual inspection on the Company's barge.
New gates to be put in at Dudbridge Lock and other repairs there.
Robert Harper to have an increase of 2d per ton on Newport Coals and Shropshire slack sold at Dudbridge Wharf.
Double Lock gates to be repaired as soon as possible.
Application made by Mr Crowdy to affix the Company Seal to a petition now depending in Parliament for making a Navigable Canal from Wilts & Berks Canal in the parish of Swindon to the Thames & Severn Canal at or near Latton approved.
Levels at Wheatenhurst and Ebley be cleansed of mud and that Mr Hains do request James Pickard to attend a meeting of the Committee at ten o’clock on Monday morning next and that usual notices be given to the barge masters regularly trading upon the canal.
The lock at Chippenham Platt, and also at Court Orchard, to be put in a perfect state of operation.
William Beard shall go to ??? and order two barge loads of brick, and also engage a sufficient number of bricklayers to repair the above mentioned locks and obtain limestone to prosecute the work on the line of the canal.
William Graves, master of William Wild’s barge, is to be prosecuted for the breach of the byelaws in carrying sail hoisted through the locks and bridges.
The bye laws prohibiting the use of shafts shod with iron on the canal to be put in force and that notice be previously given.
Advertisement be inserted in the Cambrian newspaper requesting quotes for supply of best Monmouthshire coals.
James Pickard to begin removing the mud out of the Whitminster level on 21 June and to find a sufficient number of men on 4s per day each man.
Mr Hains to call upon the proprietors of land adjoining the Whitminster level and inform them that the level is about to be cleared of mud and to know on which side of the canal they would like it put.
Mr Hains to give an authority to James Pickard to buy of Mr Price of Gloucester six deal planks of twenty feet in length, six of fifteen and six of ten.
Mr Hains to procure an estimate of the expense for building a house for the lockkeeper at Framilode.
Sophia Battersby claimed shares nos.98,5,6,93,127,68, will of William Battersby.
Edward Browning, the bricklayer at Dudbridge Wharf, having left the Company’s service, notice is to be given him to quit the premises on or before Michaelmas next.
Chairman requested to write a letter to Edward Browning about his continuing possession of the house belonging to the Company at Dudbridge and threaten to proceed against him for the same.
The swivel bridge at Lodgemore to be balanced and put in proper repair and that the locks be cleared of any weeds growing in them.
The feeder of the upper locks near Eastington adjoining the public road to be repaired and covered.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £1585 5s 9½d. Balance after wages, etc, £729 8s 3½d. Dividend of £3 10s declared.
In future every servant of the Stroudwater Navigation who is their tenant shall from April 1814 pay such rent as the Committee shall think proper to charge on the different premises.
John Lawrence being disabled by illness to conduct the business on Wallbridge Wharf, Samuel Adams appointed in his stead. Mr Hains is required to obtain the requisite securities.
The gates on the towing path leading from Wallbridge to the Ryeford having been lately broken down and destroyed, an advertisement to be inserted in the two Gloucester papers offering a reward of £20 for the discovery of the offenders, and hand bills posted at the bridges and other conspicuous places.
A book to be procured to record the letters of the Company.
Read minutes of last minute and then adjourned.
William Bowyer claimed share no.172, will of Mr Bowyer.
For the purpose of examining the accounts of the persons appointed to sell coals at Dudbridge and Wallbridge, such accounts show a balance of £1653 4s 10d.
The accounts of the persons appointed to sell coals at Dudbridge and Wallbridge and also the coal accounts, in general which show a balance of £1668 16s 11½d, a particular entry of which has been made in the coal account book.
William Beard 6o purchase 30,000 bricks, and also some timber and stone for the use of the Navigation
Withy trees on the banks of the canal at Stonehouse be sold to the best buyer. N
Notice be given to Thomas Gardner to quit the stable in his possession at Michaelmas next.
P H Fisher, Rev. Charles Palmer and Mr Robert Hughes of Stroud, claimed share no.75, will of Anne Colborne.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £2459 6s 1d. Balance after wages, etc, £1965 5s 6½d. Dividend of £9 15s declared.
The committee requested to have the house occupied by their lock keeper Thomas Beard repaired or to have a new one built.
In response to Thames & Severn Canal Company request to lower the tonnage upon all pig, bar and cast iron and copper passing the Stroudwater Canal from Framilode to or before Reading, agreed that the tonnage be lowered to the sum of 1d per ton per mile provided the Thames & Severn Company reduce their tonnage in the same proportion.
Committee authorised to allow a drawback of 6d per ton upon coals (except coals for malting and coke) passing the Stroudwater Canal into the River Thames to or below Radcot, the Committee taking care that the persons carrying the coals entitled to such drawback produce a sufficient document that the coals are ‘bona fide’ passing to or below Radcot.
Mr Hains’ salary to be raised to £120 per annum.
Mr Stanton and Mr Eycott thought that it was advisable to build a new house for the lock keeper at Framilode.
Annual inspection on board the Company's Barge.
The weir at Nassfield Lock is to be removed and a new one made to commence as near the head of the lock and empty itself by means of a culvert into the canal as near the lower part of the lock as it can be effected.
The statement of the total annual expenditure of the canal to be given in at the next meeting is to include the names of the clerks and servants with their respective salaries, wages and employments, and also an account of wages paid to additional labourers.
Two or more catchpools to be made in the ditch leading from Ebley into the canal at the bridge near Mr Pettat’s for preventing the soil passing into the canal, and that the servant whose duty it is to attend on that level do remove the soil thereon collected whenever it may be necessary.
The wall at the tail of Dudbridge lock be repaired.
The Company’s boat to be graved.
The order for removing the sprout at Mr Hill’s cottage near Stonehouse Bridge be immediately enforced.
The part of the wall of the Ryeford Bridge now supported by props be repaired.
The lock at Wheatenhurst to be repaired during a neap and the proper notice be given.
Mr Harris to be asked to send two hampers of port and one of sherry.
Mr Cambridge to be desired to secure the banks of the canal which he has cut through in order to make a weir.
It appeared that the materials of the house occupied by John Longney could be used in building a house for the lock keeper when possession of Longney's house has been obtained. Notice to be given to John Longney to quit the house by Lady Day.
Ordered that John Rose be dismissed with one month’s notice.
A fireplace and chimney are to be erected in the company warehouse at Framilode, and glass put into the windows to accommodate John Longney, who offers to quit his own house and to live therein till the new intended house can be erected for the lockkeeper.
Thomas Beard, the lockkeeper at Framilode, has omitted to make returns of and pay over to the Clerk various forms of money received by him for tonnage. He also confessed to receipt of certain other forms of money which has never been put in the company accounts. Thomas Beard to be dismissed and notice given to quit Company house.
Ambrose Beard, the lockkeeper at Bristol Road, given notice to quit his Company House.
A person to be sent to Framilode pro tempora to attend the lock
William Purcell appointed lockkeeper at Framilode.
Edward Hains, clerk, suspended, he having received and fraudulently embezzled Company money.
Letter sent to all proprietors about a special general meeting 21 June.
Treasurer to be asked not to make any further payments to Mr Hains.
The accounts of Mr Hains having been examined, it appears he is owed £27 14s 11d and £3 0s 4½d, including a quarter’s salary due in July, and the same was paid to him.
The books of the Company taken from Mr Hains to be locked in the iron chest and key delivered to Mr Miller.
Mary Sharpe claimed shares nos.36,37,38,40,47, will of Thomas Sharpe.
Applications received from various persons for the post of Clerk to the Company to be referred to the General Meeting.
Special General Meeting.
Resignation of Edward Hains accepted.
Mr George Hawker elected as new Chief Clerk with a salary of £120 per annum free of taxes.
Mr Hawker to give security to the Company Proprietors of £500; John and Charles Hawker named as his securities, this was accepted.
Thanks given to the Committee from the Proprietors for all their attention and interest in the Company.
Key of the chest delivered to Mr George Hawker.
New ledger and new journal to be prepared by Mr Brisley.
New tonnage book in the form recommended by Mr Miller be prepared for Mr Purcell the lockkeeper at Framilode.
New tonnage tickets to be prepared for Wallbridge and Framilode.
Letter from Mr Henry Lewis respecting his account to be referred to next meeting
Meeting not quorate
The bonds of Mr Hawker and Mr Purcell exhibited and appeared duly executed.
Robert Harper to be allowed to make an addition to his house for the purpose of selling salt, at his own expense.
Answer written to Mr Newman re his letter complaining of the lock keeper at Framilode.
Mr Miller and Mr Snowden have authority to direct something to be affixed to the bridge at Framilode to prevent barges passing under it.
The vegetables in the garden recently occupied by Thomas Beard to be valued.
William Purcells salary to be £65 per annum (paid quarterly), he agreeing to pay £5 per annum rent for his house and garden, exclusive of the land on the opposite side of the canal which he is not to occupy.
Ambrose Beard to quit his house immediately and it offered to Thomas Critchley at £25 per annum. Mr Critchley to agree to attend to Bristol Road Lock free of all expenses.
Mr Upton, Clerk to the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal, to be requested to meet some of the committee at Framilode 8 July to inspect Lock keepers house to give an estimate of the expense of repairing to old one or building a new one.
Mr Denyer, Clerk to the Thames & Severn Canal, to be requested to attend the office at Wallbridge and teach Mr Hawker their method of bookkeeping.
Proper oak posts to be placed, where necessary, at the locks on the canal.
Upper aqueduct at or near Mr Clissold’s Mill be examined and repaired.
Double Lock gates to be repaired.
Gates at all locks to be cleaned.
Farmer Daniels to top the willows hanging over the canal at Ebley.
Boards of orders and penalties regulating navigations to be repainted.
Pieces of land on the south west side at Framilode to be let.
Mr Thomas Grazebrook to quit the piece of ground on the Wharf at Dudbridge.
Resolution of 5 signatures of committee members being needed on cheques drawn on the Treasurers Coal account to be rescinded.
The Clerk to give Mr Thomas Critchley £10 reward for information about frauds committed by several members of the Company.
The aqueduct near Mr Clissold’s is not defective, the problem arises from water not being supplied by Mr Clissold according to his agreement with the Committee some years and from the bank of the canal adjoining Mrs Pettat’s having been cut through and water diverted. Letter sent to Mr Clissold to carry out repairs immediately.
A feeder to be made at the aqueduct above Ebley Mill on the towpath side to supply canal with water.
William Purcell to put in flood gates at the Mill at Whitminster every Sunday morning so the levels below the Bristol Road are properly supplied. It is also his duty to walk up the levels as far as Stonehouse everyday between tides to make sure no fraud is committed by persons navigating the canal.
William Beard to give an account and description of all materials on the Timber Yard at Chippenham Platt, and John Brown is to assist him in taking the account in writing.
Mr Blackwell, stonemason, to meet the committee at Wallbridge at 7am on Saturday to travel to Five Locks to consider the propriety and expense of removing the weir at that place.
Annual inspection on the Company’s Barge.
Mr Clissold has repaired the bank which he had cut through for the purpose of washing wool.
Mr Clissold sent a letter proposing the feeding of the canal from the brook, called Stroud Water, at Ebley, this proposal was suspended until after the next meeting at the request of Mr Clissold.
The weir at the top of Five Locks to be removed and the water taken into the canal at a more convenient place, Mr William Blackwell to proceed immediately.
The Westfield, Whitminster and Dudbridge Lock gates to be fresh planked.
Three catch pools to be put into a ditch at Ebley.
William Blackwell to make a new weir at the five locks for the sum of £16 8s 4d.
Proposal for new weir at Ebley Mill Pond deferred due to illness of Mr Clissold.
A proper person is to be appointed to value the lands and buildings belonging to the company. An account of Materials, Tools, Timber, Stone, Bricks, Boats, Punts to be taken with the valuation and reported to the committee every quarter.
Mr Hawker to be allowed his salary from the last Half Yearly General Meeting as remuneration for the extraordinary and additional labour employed by him on the books and accounts of the Canal Company in consequence of the confused state in which they were left by the late clerk Mr Hains.
The thanks of the Committee and 15 Guineas to be given to Mr Denyer for his trouble and assistance in arranging the Books and accounts of the Company on their late clerk’s dismissal.
Mr Upton, the engineer, to be paid 3 Guineas for his time and trouble.
Half Yearly General Meeting. Tonnage £2241 4s 9d. Balance after wages, etc, £1685 17s 3d. Dividend of £8 declared.
Proposed alteration on drawback of coal at Buscot rather than at Radcot denied.
Tonnage on slate to be raised to former sum of 1s.
Tonnage on corn be raised to the full tonnage.
Thanks to Mr Miller for his great attention to concerns of the Company and for the valuable information he has given this committee.
