1867-1887
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/1/6
Minutes from 14 May 1867 to 15 February 1887
of the Committee of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £1646 7s 10d. After wages, etc, profit £791 11s 11d. Dividend of £3 15s declared.
From the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company’s Judgment Debt remains £638.5s.2d, the sum of £433.14s.8d. having been drawn for the dredging of the Canal by steam power.
Chairman to convey to the family the Committee’s sense of loss in being thus deprived of the valuable services of their solicitor, Mr Kearsey, who died this morning.
Canal Association to be paid an annual subscription of £3 3s on the assumption that the Company incur no liability beyond this description. Also that Mr Croome and Major Fisher attend the next meeting of the Association at the Westminster Palace Hotel.
Swing Bridges to be painted; also a stoppage of the Canal in July next at Blunder Lock to put in a new pair of Bottom Gates, and that the new fence be erected from the Wharfinger’s house to The Ship Inn, Wallbridge.
Pending the holding of a General Meeting, Mr Croome requested to act as Solicitor to the Company.
Clerk to write to Messrs Ford Brothers giving notice that the drain put under the towing path and into the canal near the Double Locks without the knowledge or permission of the Company will be removed from the Company’s property immediately after next week.
Chairman authorised to give a cheque for the amount of Mr Kearsey’s bill of costs when examined by Mr Little.
Clerk to write to Messrs E Stephens & Co referring to the agreement in respect of the inside work of the House at Dudbridge Wharf, and requesting that the same be painted, papered, etc.
The stable floor at Dudbridge Wharf to be relaid.
Estimate to be requested for rebuilding the chimney and re-slating the roof of Wallbridge Canal House.
Special Meeting: It was agreed at the meeting with Mr G Ford, Mr A Ford and their solicitor, Mr Parsons, that the drain under the towing path and into the canal near the Double Locks, be taken up, in accordance with the Resolution passed at the last meeting, and the Surveyor was instructed accordingly.
Thomas Myers Croome claimed share nos.128,166, will of William Woodruffe Kearsey;
Joseph Watts Hallewell, joint owner of shares nos.13,14,90,104,178 with William Woodruffe Kearsey, to own shares alone;
Henry Hooper Wilton and Thomas Commeline claimed share nos.121,141, will of Harriet Wilton;
Thomas Myers Croome joint owner of shares nos.46,81 with Mary Ann Croome, to own shares alone.
Annual inspection of the Canal take place on 1 and 2 of September and that the Chairman, Mr Beard, Mr Fisher, Major Fisher, Mr Little, Mr Stanton, Mr Hooper and Mr Marling attend.
Inspections of the canal between Wallbridge and Eastington showed canal and works in efficient working order.
Mr W H Marling accepted that the withy trees at the top of the Ocean mark the extent of the Canal Company’s property
Inspection of the canal from Stonehouse Ocean to Framilode found that the stores, wage and other books, shops, etc, at the Eastington Canal Yard were in good order.
Messrs Snape and Peyton explained the working of the canal with respect to the tickets, books, etc, to Messrs Beard and Marling at the Junction office.
Clerk and Mr Beard pick out and buy 6 oak and 3 elm trees from Mr F H Morgan of Cambridge: oak 3/6d per cubic foot and elm 1/7d per cubic foot, delivered to Eastington Canal Yard.
Clerk to meet Mr Beard and Mr Stanton at Stonehouse Ocean to arrange the boundary line and have posts put in and marked S.W.N.
As requested by the Stroud Brewery Co, the rent of the Ship Inn, Wallbridge to be reduced to £40 p.a. from the 29 September.
William Davies, captain of the barge Endeavour, charged 13s for damaging the outside bottom gates of the Bristol Road Lock, and 10s fine for wasting water from the pound above the lock.
Works recommended to be done: the outside boundary wall at Dudbridge Wharf to be repaired and stable floor relaid; new steps at the Double locks; a few piles and puddling on the length of canal between Stonehouse Swing Bridge and the Brick Bridge near Stonehouse Wharf.
Road leading to Mr Barnard’s property at Dudbridge Wharf was used on 2 and 3 of September to show the Company’s ownership.
Pipe laid from Ebley Mill into the Canal near Mr Gyde’s Swing Bridge which has been in over 20 years, by permission, but no rent paid.
Accounts, books and vouchers checked and certified. Treasurer’s book examined and signed by Chairman.
Memo: The annual stoppage of the towing path took place this month but was not entered (see printed notice) signed by Mr W James Snape, Clerk.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £1472 15s 11d. After wages, etc, profit £715 11s 5d. Dividend of £3 10s declared.
From the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company’s Judgement Debt there remains £208.0s.6d including half year’s interest.
Mr T M Croome appointed as Solicitor to the Company on the same terms as for the late Mr Kearsley.
Mr H H Mills elected onto the Committee in place of Mr Kearsey.
Only four members present, therefore no meeting.
An annual subscription of £2 2s due on 25 December each year to be paid to Stroud Hospital.
The format for a Fishing Ticket was placed before the Committee and approved and ordered to be printed.
Mr Mills to write to Mr Vizard on the question of the Tithe charges for Eastington Parish.
Mr Mills placed Mr Vizard’s reply about the tithe charge for Eastington and Wheatenhurst parishes before the Committee, and the Clerk was instructed to forward the cheque for £5.7s.1d. in settlement of the account.
Tithe charges on a strip of land below the junction near Saul, as passed to the Committee by The Rev Arthur Mosley, Rector of Saul, to be paid.
Messrs Webb & Spring’s, timber merchants of Ebley, charge for having a small boat on the canal in the Ebley pound to be reduced to £1 10s p.a. from the 25 March next.
Messrs Hooper’s rent for a small boat on the Canal between Bond’s Mill and the Midland Railway be reduced to £1 10s p.a. from the 25 March next.
Clerk instructed to inspect the culvert under the canal near the swing bridge at Saul.
The culvert under the canal near the swing bridge at Saul was inspected on the 10 March and would appear to be in good repair. The measurements taken showed clearly that the watercourse above and below the culvert required deepening. Clerk to write to Mr Spire with the measurements.
Mr Mills instructed to appeal in respect of the land occupied by the Company in the Wheatenhurst parish - a legal precedent was referred to over the question of the rating: when a statute exempted the tolls of a Canal Co from payment of rates, the land occupied by the Company was also exempted.
Mr Mills instructed to take Counsel’s Opinion on the question of the injury to the Company’s trade caused by the excessive rates charged by the Great Western Railway Co for the carriage of coal from the pits in the Forest of Dean to Bullo Pill and the rates of the Severn & Wye Railway & Canal Co for carriage of coal from the pits to Lydney Basin, with a view to making an application to the Railway and Canal Commissioners.
Company’s Seal affixed to the demise of the premises at Dudbridge between the Company and Mr Trevor Powell.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1880 £1334 12s. After wages, etc, profit £408 7s 6d. Dividend of £2 declared.
From the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company’s Judgement Debt there remains £211.0s.6d including half year’s interest.
Committee for next year: Messrs Beard, Hooper, Marling, Stanton, Mills, Howard, Little, Croome, Gyde and Major Fisher.
Committee meetings be held on Tuesdays rather than Thursdays.
Tonnage on wheat brought to Mr Lanes Mill at Ebley to be 8d. instead of 11d per ton.
Mr Mills to give Notice of Appeal against the rating of the wharves in the parishes of Stonehouse and Painswick, in view of the success of the appeal against the rating of Company property at Whitminster.
Mr Mills not to proceed to take Counsel’s Opinion at present on charges of GWR and Severn & Wye Railway Co (as resolved in Committee Meeting of the 17 March).
Mr Hooper allowed to put in a 3 inch pipe (instead of existing 2 inch pipe) to take water from the Canal to Bond’s Mill, subject to a payment of £2 p.a. from the first quarter day after the new pipe is installed and subject to six months’ notice by either party.
Blank page.
No business done.
Annual survey of the canal take place on Thursday 25 August, by Messrs Beard, Mills, Gyde, Hooper and Major Fisher, by boat from Wallbridge Wharf.
Clerk to ask for all the Company’s papers to be returned from Messrs Kearsey and Parsons.
Clerk to write to the Stroud Gas Light & Coke Company stating that, because of the altered circumstances of the two companies and the diminution of trade with the Canal company, the statutory charge of £5 per mile will be charged for the their gas piping laid in the Towing Path.
Ordered that Mr Fallow’s wages be paid quarterly instead of fortnightly, but not to alter the terms of the Resolution under which he was engaged (see Committee Meeting 31 July 1872).
Committee inspection of the Canal from Wallbridge to Framilode found the buildings, canal and other works to be in good repair.
William Davis, captain of the boat Sarah, fined 10s as a result of running into the bottom gates at Bristol Road Lock.
Mr Ford of Messrs Ford Bros was informed that the Committee would consider his request for a reduction of tonnage on grain and flour to and from Ryeford Mills and would communicate with him.
Robert Townsend Hippisley and James Hughes claimed share nos.181,182,183, will of George James Luke Noble.
Mr Croome to search amongst Mr Harris’ papers in respect of Mr Winterbotham’s request not to demand the increased payment from the Stroud Gas Light and Coke Company.
Clerk to inform Messrs Ford Bros that they cannot agree to their requested reduction in tonnage.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £1290 9s 10d. After wages, etc, profit £627 13s 10d. Dividend of £3 declared.
From the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company’s Judgement Debt there remains £214.0s.6d including half year’s interest.
Mr E F Gyde and Mr T M Croome re-elected members of the Committee.
The Stroud Gas Light & Coke Company’s issue was adjourned to enable more information to be gathered. Clerk to see Mr Withey re the ashing of the towing path for the length of the pipes from Dudbridge to the Nutshell Bridge, Stonehouse; also the path under Ebley Bridge is in a dangerous state owing to the gas pipe being laid above the surface; also the coping stones require raising.
A new fence to be erected on the Company’s land beside the Bristol Road wharf.
Clerk see Mr Hadley, timber merchant of Cambridge, to make an arrangement on the packing of the swing bridge so that it will take the weight of the timber which Mr Hadley has purchased from the vicar of Framilode.
Special Meeting.
Samuel Clayfield, Hezekiah Birt and John Ryland Yates claimed share nos.15,18,19,123,124,130,132,161,165, will of Maria Franklin.
Reverend Charles Turner Wilson and Alfred John Stanton claimed share nos. 77,78,151,153, will of Henry Hooper Wilton.
Proposed that the Thames & Severn Canal Bill in Parliament during the forthcoming Session be opposed, together with conditions re the setting up of a sub-committee.
Clerk to inform Ford Brothers that the Committee could not depart from their Resolution of the 25 October.
Re the Stroud Gas Light & Coke Company’s rent, Committee will not insist on the Resolution of the 16 August last, but will fall back on the Resolution of the 21 March 1865, on the understanding that the repairs of the Towing Path be carried out promptly and efficiently by the Gas Company to the satisfaction of the Canal Company’s Surveyor.
Meeting be adjourned to the 27 December.
Robert Pearce, captain of the boat William, fined 10s in each instance of wasting water at the Double Locks on the 7 and 9 December, and be summonsed in default of payment.
Adjourned meeting from the 20 December, 1881. No quorum. Meeting not held.
Permission given to Messrs Gainer, Dyers of Stonehouse, to have a 3 inch pipe to take water from the canal to their boilers and dye pans, on payment of 2s p.a. from the date of installation of the pipe; rent to be paid half yearly, and subject to three months’ notice on either side.
Mr John Clark, publican of Saul, to be charged a yearly amount of 5s to have a small boat between Saul Bridge and The Junction to take beer over and bring empty casks back; the usual charge of 1s 8d for any other goods carried or locks used, and a ticket to be got from the Clerk at the Junction office.
Special Meeting. Thames & Severn Canal Bill: The draft petition against the Thames & Severn Canal Bill, having been read and approved, it was proposed and seconded that the Seal of this Company be affixed to it. Mr Little requested to attend on behalf of this Company as s deputation to the President of the Board of Trade on the 15 February from all the Canal Companies interested in keeping open the water communication between the Thames and Severn.
Midland Railway Company’s (Additional Powers) Bill: The Chairman, Mr Hooper, Mr Little, Mr Mills and Mr Croome to form a sub-committee to oppose the Bill in Parliament during the forthcoming session and to join other companies or individuals in their opposition if so doing appears likely to lessen the expenses, even at the risk of fettering the individual action of this Company. Any three to form a quorum with power to act and not to spend more than £200 without further authority.
A copy of the following resolution to be sent to Admiral Sir Frederick Nicholas Bart C.B. Chairman of the Thames Conservancy Board:
That the Committee of the Stroudwater Navigation Co having determined to oppose the Thames and Severn Canal Bill 1882 on the grounds amongst others that the proposals contained in the said Bill seriously menace the interests of the Public in the maintenance of the existing system of Inland Navigation and having been informed that The Severn Commissioners, The Sharpness New Docks and Gloucester and Birmingham Navigation Company and The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company have also on similar public grounds determined to oppose the said Bill, hereby respectfully invite the Thames Conservancy Board as a public body having jurisdiction over the navigation of the eastern end of the T&S Canal to cooperate with them in the opposition to the said Bill by which if passed into law the Thames & Severn Canal Company will be empowered to stop up and destroy the navigation now existing through and along the T&S Canal which forms the connecting link in the great chain of water communication between the River Thames and the West of England and Midland Counties.
Anna Maria Uthwall claimed share nos.50,133 will of Edolphe Andrews Uthwall.
Messrs Gainer & Co, given permission to put in a 4 inch pipe instead of a 3 invh pipe from the canal at Stonehouse to supply water to the engine boilers, on payment of £1 extra to the charge now made of £2, making a charge of £3 p.a.
The fine of £1 to be paid by R Pearce (see Minute Book 20th Dec 1881) be reduced to 10s.
Company’s Seal affixed to the petition presented against the Thames & Severn Canal Co’s Railway Bill. Mr Little reported that the President of the Board of Trade had expressed himself generally in favour of the views of the deputation as to the importance of the waterways of the County being maintained.
Note: Printed report from Stroud Journal 18 Feb 1882 glued onto page 345.
Reported by the sub-committee that a petition had been presented against the Midland Railway (Additional Powers) Bill and the Company’s Seal affixed to it.
Thames & Severn Canal Bill 1882: Agreement for working the Thames & Severn Canal proposed at a meeting of Managers and Secretaries held at Gloucester Canal Office on the 27 February 1882 accepted provided that the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Company adopt the same arrangement. Clerk instructed to write to Mr Waddy, the secretary, to this effect.
Midland Railway (Additional Powers) Bill 1882: A further sum of £150 voted to meet the expenses in opposing the Bill.
Note: Printed report from 27 Feb 1882 glued onto page 347.
Accounts, books and vouchers checked and certified. Treasurer’s book examined and signed by Chairman.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1881 £1358 3s 10d. After wages, etc, profit £693 14s 9d. Dividend of £3 declared.
From the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company’s Judgement Debt there remains £217.0s.6d including half year’s interest.
If, as a consequence of the rejection of the Thames & Severn Canal Bill, the Thames & Severn Canal Co should stop the supply of water to the canal or otherwise fail to maintain it in a fit state for traffic, this Company is prepared to cooperate with the neighbouring navigations in making an application to Parliament to obtain powers for working and maintaining the Canal on the principle embodied in the arrangement set out in the appendix to the Report of the Board of Trade on the above mentioned Bill.
In view of the importance to this Company of preserving the navigation of the T&S Canal and of protecting it from further neglect on the part of its proprietors, a sub-committee be appointed to consider the best course of action to be taken, with power to appoint two members to represent this Company at any meeting of representatives of the associated Navigations that may be held with the view of securing united action in effecting the above objects; the sub-committee to report from time to time to the General Committee for their approval the course of action proposed at such meetings. Three members to form a quorum.
Mr E T Ward allowed to take the tenancy of the house, stables, weighing machine office and garden situated at Dudbridge (now occupied by Mr Trevor Powell) at a rental of £25 p.a. from the 24 June.
The canal between Eastington Top Lock and Bristol Road Lock and between the Junction to Framilode be closed for repairs from 12 o’clock on Saturday night, 22 July, to 6 o’clock Monday morning, 31 July 1882.
Only four members present. No meeting held.
Annual inspection of the canal to take place on Wednesday 9 August; the boat to start from Wallbridge wharf at 9 o’clock.
Mr C Critchley’s notice to give up possession of the house, gardens and stable at Stonehouse Wharf at the 29 September accepted; resolved that the tenancy go to Mr John Butt of Bowbridge, coal merchant and boat owner, from 29 September at the rent of £20 p.a.
Clerk to purchase a few pitch pine logs and red deal floor boarding for about £40.
In reply to Mr Croome’s offer to resign as solicitor to the Company in view of his being away from Stroud during the coming winter, it was resolved unanimously that his offer be not accepted and that he be requested to continue as Solicitor.
Inspection took place of the canal from Wallbridge to Eastington and from Eastington to Framilode on the 9 August last and found the buildings, locks, canal and other works to be in good repair.
Company’s Seal to be affixed to both the demises for the premises at Stonehouse Wharf to Mr John Butt and the premises at Dudbridge Wharf to Mr E J Ward.
Mr Scriven, Sergeant of Police at Stonehouse, to take out a summons against Charles Lewis of Ryeford for netting in the canal, if he considers it a clear case.
Mr Mills, the Company’s solicitor, to write to Mr George Long, one of Messrs Ford Bros’ captains, and caution him as a result of his very abusive language to Mr Fallows.
An extra sluice and trunk be put in from Lodgemore Feeder to the Canal as an extra water supply and to secure a supply of water in the event of the present sluice needing repair.
Messrs Butt & Smart, Coal Merchants, attended to ask the Committee to take off the 2 tons put on each boat load of Staffordshire Coal. Clerk to charge for the same weight as passed by the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co.
A meeting to be called for 10 October to draw cheques for legal expenses incurred in opposing the Thames & Severn Canal Co’s Railway Bill and the Midland Railway Co’s (Additional Powers) Bill in Parliament.
The Committee’s attention was drawn to the drainage of sewerage matter into the Canal at Ebley and Stonehouse: it was understood that the Rural Sanitary Authority were to put in more drains to carry other than surface or pure water into the canal. Instructed that our Clerk write to the Clerk to the Authority to find out if this is the case, and to state that nothing but surface or pure water is allowed to pass through the drains into the canal.
crossed out
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £1302 6s 4d. After wages, etc, profit £704 8s 2d. Dividend of £2 10s declared.
From the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company’s Judgement Debt there remains £220.0s.6d including half year’s interest.
The various items signed by Mr F Sturge, the Auditor, and the Treasurer’s book, usually produced and examined by the meeting held earlier in the day, were produced at this meeting, as it would appear the earlier meeting had not taken place.
Cheque for £215 be drawn for Messrs Little & Mills as Parliamentary expenses in opposing the Thames & Severn (Railway Bill) and the Midland Railway Co’s (Additional Powers) Bill.
Clerk to write to Messrs Ford Bros in respect of their failure to draw up the flood gates at Ryeford Mill during the present floods, which led to flooding of the towpath between the Double Locks and Ryeford and to the Company’s property being damaged, and to state that they will be held responsible for any damage the Company might sustain in future as a result of failure to draw up the floodgates to their fullest extent.
Chairman reported the meeting called by the Sharpness New Docks Co at their office at Gloucester with the representatives of the Associated Canal Companies on the 3 November. The meeting was called to consider the correspondence between Mr Waddy and Mr Taunton in respect of future management of the T&S Canal and to determine what further steps should be taken in the matter when resolutions were passed that Parliamentary Notice should be forthwith given of the intention of the Associated Companies to provide a Bill next Session for powers to take over the T&S Canal. Another meeting of the representatives to be held before any further step be taken.
Copy of letter of 18 November 1882 from Mr Waddy of the Sharpness New Docks and Gloucester & Birmingham Navigation Co to the effect that the Severn Commissioners and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company do not wish to join in putting forward a Bill for taking over the maintenance and management of the T&S Canal. Two members of each Navigation’s governing body invited to attend meeting on the 24 November.
Report from Meeting of The Allied Navigations on 24 November.
Resolutions passed with respect to this report.
Instructions for the inspection of the Culvert under the canal at Saul following complaint by Clerk of Rural Sanatory Authority of Wheatenhurst Union.
Only 4 members present, no meeting held.
Committee accept with sincere regret Mr Beard’s resignation of the Chairmanship.
Members of the Committee expressed their sincere regret at the decease of Mr T M Croome. Clerk to convey to Mr Croome’s family their condolence on the loss of one so universally respected and beloved.
Mr T H Pearce, barge owner, having been refused permission from the Thames & Severn Canal Co to continue unloading stone on the Lower Lock Side as he has done for many years, given permission to land stone on Wallbridge Wharf on the payment of £1 for one year’s wharfage to be paid in advance, in order to keep the trade in stone up the T&S Canal and places on the Thames.
Thames & Severn Canal: The report by Messrs Clegram, Marten and Snape as a result of the resolution passed at the meeting held in Gloucester on the 24 November 1882 was read to the Committee.
Clerk reported that sewerage and other matters flowed into the canal from a closet, piggeries and stable in the occupation of Mr Henry Lewis, coal merchant, etc, at Ryeford Wharf. Clerk to write to him and request that the same be discontinued at once.
Clerk reported that the culvert under the Canal at Saul has been thoroughly cleaned out.
Meeting of representatives of The Allied Navigation at Gloucester to be called for March 8th to consider the mutual interests Mr Marling and Mr Mills to attend the meeting as representing this Company.
Mr Stanton stated that the drains at Ebley had been turned over to the Rural Sanitary Authority and he believed that sewerage matter passed through the same and flowed into the Canal. Clerk was to see Mr Savage the Road Surveyor and ascertain if this is the case.
Mr Butt and Mr Critchley attended and stated that Mr Critchley would go back to Stonehouse Wharf if the Committee agreed. Mr Charles Critchley accepted as tenant of the house and stable situate at Stonehouse Wharf from the 25 March next under the terms which Mr John Butt now holds the same. Mr Critchley to pay for the Agreement.
Clerk to inform Mr Fallows, the Foreman at Eastington yard, to send the Stores Book up for every Committee meeting.
James Thomas fined £1 for forcing open with his boat Endeavour the bottom gates of the Whitminster or Shallow Lock, leaving the outside top gate closed, the top outside paddle up and not using the bottom ones.
Proceedings of the meeting of the Associated Canals and Navigations held at Gloucester Canal office on the 8 March read.
Mr H H Mills appointed Solicitor to the Company on the same terms as the late Mr Croome held the position.
Company’s Seal was affixed to a demise of the house and stable at Stonehouse Wharf taken by Mr Charles Critchley.
Clerk reported that Mr James Thomas had paid the £1 fine for running into the gates at Whitminster Lock on the 9 February.
The various account books and the Treasurer’s Book were produced, passed or signed.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1882 £1312 2s 8d. After wages, etc, profit £458 3s 6d. Dividend of £2 declared.
From the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company’s Judgement Debt there remains £223.0s.6d including half year’s interest.
Charles Hawkins Fisher and Frederick Colborne Fisher claimed share nos.40,101, will of Sarah Colborne;
Percy Witchell claimed share no. 37, will of Samuel Phipps.
Mrs Elizabeth Markey, the owner of the property adjoining the Culvert at Saul, had paid the sum of £1 9s 3d, being the proportional part of the expense payable by the owner of such adjoining property under the Agreement dated 24 June 1863 between the Company and the late Mr John Sims.
Clerk directed to remove the piles from Mr Charles Jefferies of Ebley’s drain into the Canal from his Cottages on receiving Mr Jefferies written undertaking, within six months from this date, to put in a tank or catchpit 6ft long, 4ft wide and 4ft deep and to keep such tank or catch pit properly emptied..
E T Ward of Dudbridge Wharf asked for an allowance of 3d per ton on steam coal bought by water from Lydney and Bullo to Dudbridge Wharf, as the cost per ton on coal from Lydney was 5d per ton, and 4d per ton from Bullo, whereas the Railway charge to Dudbridge Station is 3s 5d per ton including truck hire. Not allowed as, if it became known, similar applications would be made by other traders and mill owners.
Annual canal inspection take place on Thursday 12 July starting from Wallbridge Wharf at 9am.
Clerk to inspect the catchpit for the reception of sewerage from the closet and Stables at Ryeford Wharf, made by Mr H Lewis of Ryeford in compliance with a Resolution passed on the 16 January 1883.
Mr Sibly of Stonehouse College given permission to use that portion of Canal on the eastern side of the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Bridge as a bathing place for his pupils, on payment of 1s per week, starting from today, an Agreement to be drawn up by the Company’s solicitor. Mr Sibly agreed to pay all expenses.
Clerk to have Stamped the Agreement signed by Mr Charles Jefferies of Ebley re the drain (from two closets) into the Canal. See Minute May 15th 1883 folio 378.
On the 12 July Messrs Little, Hooper, Howard, Davies and Ball made the canal inspection from Wallbridge to Bond’s Mill, where Mr Hooper left. The Canal was in a efficient state of repair, with the only imminent important expenditure necessary being in respect of the culverts near Lodgemore Mills. Other repairs needed were listed.
The duly stamped Agreement between the Company and Mr Jefferies in respect of the catchpit at Ebley was produced.
The two boys Edward Pritchard and Frederick Gay of Stroud were severely reprimanded and cautioned for leaving the Swing Bridge at Lodgemore partly open. Bills were ordered to be printed and distributed at the Mills along the canal cautioning the public against offences of this nature.
[Crossed through a claim for share no. 116 from Joseph Timbrell Fisher to the executrix Judith Fisher.]
The roof of the washhouse at the Canal Office be repaired or newly roofed.
Upper floor of the Wallbridge Warehouse had been let to Mr Buckler for £10 for one year from the 26 July 1883.
Clerk used the road leading from the Public Road to Mr Barnard’s house at Dudbridge on the 23 July with horse and cart.
Clerk to write a second letter to Mr Barnard requiring him to repair the wall at Dudbridge.
Company’s Solicitor to write to Mr Powell for the payment of £6 5s 3d due for tonnage.
Clerk to write to Mr P Savage (Road Surveyor to the Wheatenhurst Highway Board) approving him renting a portion of Dudbridge Wharf for the deposit of stone, at the rent of £2 pa from the 28 September.
Chairman, Solicitor and Clerk to attend a meeting of the Allied Navigations on the 28 September at the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co’s office in Gloucester.
Company Seal to be affixed to the Agreement between the Company and Mr Sibly re bathing in the Canal by Wycliffe College, Stonehouse, pupils.
Judith Fisher claimed share no. 116, will of Joseph Timbrell.
Clerk produced a letter from Mr Barnard explaining that he has obtained an estimate for the work.
Clerk reported that he and Mr Hamilton Mills had attended a meeting of the Representatives of the Allied Navigations at the Canal Office in Gloucester on the 28 September when Mr Clegram stated he believed that Thames & Severn Canal Co were willing to entertain in principle a proposal such as that embodied in the proposal of the 27 February 1882 and suggested a committee be appointed to negotiate on the lines of that proposal. Resolved that our Clerk (Mr Snape) attend any meeting of any committee that may be convened on the subject and report to this Committee the recommendations arrived at.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £1305 16s 6d. After wages, etc, profit £619 17s 6d. Dividend of £2 10s declared.
From the Stonehouse & Nailsworth Railway Company’s Judgement Debt there remains £226.0s.6d including half year’s interest.
The Thames & Severn Canal Company stated that the terms proposed on the 27 February 1882 were objectionable and declined to place the same before his Committee or call a meeting of Shareholders.
Mr Waddy of the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co asked for a reduction in toll charged on bricks and other brick yard goods, and the revised tolls were agreed.
Mr Barnard has not repaired the boundary wall at Dudbridge Wharf and Mr Jefferies had not put in the catchpit at Ebley.
Mr Savage, road surveyor, had written offering £1 p.a. for the use of a portion of Dudbridge Wharf for a stone depot; Clerk to reply that no less charge than £2 p.a. could be made.
Clerk reported that the appeal against Income Tax on the £315 paid for Parliamentary Expenses had been allowed by the Commissioners, subject to reference to the Income Tax Board, as the application was an unusual one..
Clerk to see the Insurance Agent in order that the Fire Insurances of the Company property might be readjusted and in some cases increased.
Clerk reported that the outlet pipe to Mr Jefferies’ catchpit was lower than the inlet pipe and, therefore, when the Canal was full, did not answer the purpose for which it was intended. Mr Snape instructed to see Mr Jefferies with a view to the catchpit being altered.
Mr Snape to order of Oak at 4/3 per cubic foot from Messrs Webb & Spring.
The attention of Mr Whithy, chairman of Stroud Gas Co, has been drawn to the damage they had done to the crown of the Nutshell Bridge arch by putting pipes over it to Stonehouse Church, and has promised to attend to it.
Clerk to see the Insurance Agent as it was felt that some of the charges of insurance against Fire of the Company’s Property were excessive.
Clerk reported that Mr Jefferies would not agree to the outlet pipe of the catchpit at Ebley being lowered but was willing for the pipe to be put at the end of the pit with an iron grid. Approved and done.
Clerk gave Messrs Webb & Spring notice that, as some pieces of oak supplied had not been cut to the size ordered and were knotty, sappy, shaken, and in some instances with the bark left on, others be supplied in their stead.
Mr Savage, road surveyor, had written agreeing to take a portion of Dudbridge Wharf as a stone depot, for one year ending on the 29 September 1884, on the terms required.
The Income Tax Commissioners had allowed the deduction on the £315 Parliamentary expenses incurred in opposing the Thames & Severn Canal Railway Bill and the Midland Railway Additional Powers Bill, Session 1882.
Stoppage of the towing path of the canal on 4 February and four following days was agreed; notice to be given in the usual way by posting hand bills or placards.
In view of the time elapsed since William Timbrell, boatman, ran his boat into the gates at the Shallow Lock, no notice should be taken of his offence, but Jessie Smart should be fined 5s. for running his boat into the bottom gate at the Double Locks.
It was reported that the Towing path had been stopped as ordered at the last meeting.
Thames & Severn Canal: The minutes of meetings held by the Committee of the Allied Navigations on the 3 November 1883 and the 8 February 1884 were read.
Sir William Henry Marling representing the Trustees of the Stonehouse Court Estate and Messrs Hooper and Stanton representing this Company having definitively agreed upon the boundaries of the Stonehouse Ocean; a plan of the Ocean and its boundaries has been produced and submitted to this meeting. The plan also delineates the positions of withy trees belonging to Stonehouse Court Estate and others belonging to this Company. Resolved that the seal of the Company be affixed to the plan and the plan be signed by Sir William Henry Marling on behalf of the Trustees of the Stonehouse Court Estate.
Sir William Henry Marling and William Charles Lucy claim share nos.94,121,141, will of Sir Samuel Stephen Marling.
