1887-1904
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/1/7
Minutes from 15 March 1887 to 17 May 1904
of the Committee of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation
30 gallon cistern provided for Stonehouse Wharf House to be connected to Chalford mains.
County Surveyor promised 50 loads of rough gravel for Dudbridge Wharf and to roll it in.
Report of Company’s foreman, Hill, accompanying the Reliance. No impediment sufficient to cause actual stoppage. Vessel drawing 5 feet with 67 tons, other vessels carrying 67-70 draw only 4 feet 6 inches. Motive to exaggerate obstacles by crew of Reliance might exist in advantage gained employing extra horse and men. Mr Snape undertook to dredge points indicated by Hill.
Mr Taylor of Wharf House, Eastington, asked permission to erect a shed for trap on Company’s premises.
Due supply of water to Company’s two houses at Downfield discussed. Examination of natural supply. Desirability of connecting with mains of Urban District Council.
Chairman and Mr Mills to arrange easement, 2s 6d, for Company’s property under wing wall at Ebley Bridge from Nailsworth Brewery.
Flood at commencement of New Year. Towing path near Dudbridge Lock washed down to underlying gas main. £5 12s to restore. Report from E Hill, wharfinger at Dudbridge. Cause of inundation with man in charge of brook sluices at Froomhall Mills.
County Surveyor sent quantity of rough gravel for repairs of Dudbridge Wharf.
Little widening to be made to gateway to Mr Taylor’s garden at Eastington.
Fair present supply of good water in trough by swing bridge at Downfield Cottages. Further investigation of source of supply.
Use of towing path Wallbridge to Framilode stopped 11/12 February. Stoppage effective except for portion near Midland Railway Bridge to swing bridge at Stonehouse. Mr G W Sibly with about a score of his assistant masters and boys of Wycliffe College violently forced his way past Company’s men. Edward Hill pushed into canal, leg broken. Committee, Sir William Marling and Messrs Ball, Little and Mills, given power to institute legal proceedings against Mr Sibly.
Stroud Gas Company permitted to raise towing path opposite their works.
Solicitor to have conference with counsel, Mr Morton Brown, to bring action in County Court against Mr Sibly for criminal damages for trespass and injunction to restrain him from using towing path when closed to public. Meeting between Mr Morton Brown and Mr Sibly. If Mr Sibly were to sign undertaking not to trespass on towing path in future and pay £5 5s Company would accept and abandon proposed action.
Correspondence with reference to Hill being compensated for accident on 12 February. Hill paid fortnight’s wages since accident. No more wages at present but small sum as a loan if he requested any money before next Committee Meeting.
£50 from Reserve Fund towards cost of small warehouse and stable on Wallbridge Wharf.
Mud removed at several places pointed out by captain of Gas Co’s boat, the Reliance.
New gates for Dudbridge Bottom ready soon.
Mr Sibly willing to sign an apology and not renew the trespass provided apology not published in local papers. Publication of apology insisted on. Mr Sibly to sign apology and undertaking within a week or legal proceedings to be commenced against him.
Letter from Mr Treasurer, solicitor, Gloucester, claiming on behalf of Mr Robert Butler repayment of tolls on canal by reason of his holding a charter as inhabitant and landowner within Manor of Rodley in county of Gloucester. Tolls under special Act of Parliament. Claim not allowed.
Gloucestershire County Council about to take over T&S Canal. Company proposed to make charge of £10 p.a. for use of offices at Wallbridge until canal reopened for traffic.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1900 £762 4s. After wages, etc, profit £394 18s 3d. Dividend of £1 5s declared.
Clerk to put in gates for Dudbridge Lower Lock first week in August or when canal stopped.
Stroud District Council laid sewerage pipes under canal for drainage of Cainscross. Notice from Mr T Winterbotham, clerk to Stroud Rural District Council which intended to proceed with Cainscross and Rodborough sewage scheme.
Mr Sibly’s signed apology. ‘I find that I was misinformed as to the Public having a right of way over the Company’s towing path at Stonehouse and regret that I attempted, in the interest of the Public to assert a supposed right to use the path on 13 February last, on which day it was stopped by your orders. I hereby undertake not to make any such future attempt and I consent to your publishing this undertaking’.
Discussion about adopting practice of Great Western Railway Company and stop towing paths on fixed day each year but allow anyone who asked permission to pass.
Mr Stanley Marling called attention to wall supporting approach to towing path at Ryeford, owned by Company or Mrs Spring, owner of Ryeford Mills. Clerk to repair wall.
Letter from Mr Edward Caruthers Little thanking Committee for resolution as to his past services to Company.
Letter from Mr Gardom, clerk to Gloucestershire County Council. Thames & Severn Canal Committee meeting to be held at Gloucester. £10 rent proposed to be charged by Company not payable. £10 for daily use of room from Thames & Severn business and man’s time for marking out tickets for trade between Stroud and Chalford.
Letter from Mr Chambers, Secretary of Stroud Angling Club, asking for reduction in charge of 2s 6d for fishing licences. No reduction.
Secretary of Stroud Swimming Club asking for use of basin at Wallbridge for five Saturday afternoons in July and August. Agreed on payment of £2 2s. Club to be responsible for damage.
Mr Heelas, solicitor for Edward Hill, commenced action for personal injury against Messrs Sibly and Muller provided Company would undertake to pay his out of pocket expenses if Hill’s claim unsuccessful. Company to give undertaking.
Act of Parliament confirming provisional order of Board of Trade for transfer of Thames & Severn Canal to Gloucestershire County Council received Royal Assent 2 July. County Council had paid £3600 borrowed by Thames & Severn Canal Trust. Company gave guarantee for one third. Now free of liability.
Swimming Club charged 10s 6d for use at basin at Wallbridge for Club Sports on 17 August.
Report on annual inspection of canal on 25/26 June.
Attention needed at Lodgemore Mills wharf, wall on each side of gate badly finished. Gatepost stones out of place.
Towing path opposite Gas House entrance: coping to be 6 inches higher to bar flood water leak from entering Gas Company’s premises.
Dudbridge top lock paddle posts rather rotted away.
At Dudbridge Wharf towing path gates out of order.
Bridge at Ebley: Building within line drawn from outside of one wing to outside of other wing a trespass. Nailsworth Brewery Company to recognise it.
Ryeford: On footbridge to cottages iron band has disappeared from end of cross or stay bar. Towing path under road bridge under water.
Bond’s Mill: Iron stile on fence by towing path below mill is unacknowledged.
‘New town’, Eastington: Corner piece occupied by Mr Davis for petroleum storage to remain property of Navigation.
Blunder Lock, Eastington: Balance pole end badly perished.
Leakage in dry dock at Eastington Wharf. Hole by cottage garden. Extra rail to make it secure for present. Want of method in keeping stores. Thames & Severn Trust occasionally borrow men and stores.
Eastington Dock Lock overflow finds way down towpath.
Westfield Lock: Balance poles very badly perished. Gates to be reinspected in a few month’s time.
Westfield Bridge: Gap in south west brick buttress.
Bristol Road Wharf: Complaint of tenant, Tudor. Cottage pump not attended to. Canal bank above Bristol Road requires attention. Store cattle in field the cause.
Shallow Lock: Gates old and in bad order. Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Co have put in powerful centrifugal pump at Gloucester. May keep up level of water. Arbitration suggested to settle questions outstanding between two companies as to working of Shallow Lock.
In future list of stores in stock at end of each half year to be prepared by Clerk and laid on table at each half yearly meeting.
£1 towards rent of telephone at Company’s offices if County Council paid £2.
Notice prohibiting bicycles from being ridden on wharves and towing path.
Edward Hill’s action against Messrs Sibly and Muller compromised by Mr Sibly paying £60 in settlement of damages. £5 made to him by Company for period when he was unable to work.
Gloucestershire County Council to pay £10 for one year for use of Company’s offices and man’s time in making out tickets for Thames and Severn Canal and to pay £1 1s p.a. towards cost of telephone, one half of charge.
New gates at Dudbridge bottom lock put in.
Letters from Postmaster of Stroud, Mr T Steele, and Mr C H Bishop asking permission to ride bicycles on towing path.
Permission given to Mr C L Davis and Miss Cox to wheel bicycles along towing path from Sparrows Nest Cottages to Ryeford Bridge at cost of 1s p.a.
Secretary of Strachan & Co complained of leaks in canal bank between Lodgemoor Mills and Gas Works. Clerk not aware of leaks. To see Mr H C Buckler, one of directors of Strachan & Co.
Edward Hill, lock keeper at Dudbridge, reported that Thomas Davis on 3 September passed boat through lock without opening both gates. Contravention of byelaw. Matter referred to solicitor.
Discontinuance of guarantee by Sharpness New Docks Co and this Company to Gloucester Conservative Benefit Society re mortgage of £4500.
Resolved to refuse all applications for leave to ride bicycles on towing path.
Thomas Davis to be summoned for breach of Company’s bye-laws unless he expressed regret and signed undertaking not to commit offence again.
New bridge at Gas Works required. Clerk suggested carriage bridge instead of spindle bridge. To obtain detailed estimate and estimate of repairing Bond’s Mill Bridge.
Resolved to have town water laid on to two cottages at Downfield if tenants agreed to pay rates.
Telephone laid on to office.
Messrs S J Dudbridge appointed auditors to Company in place of Mr Stephen of Dudbridge.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £760 8s 9d. After wages, etc, profit £504 12s 6d. Dividend of £1 10s declared.
Thomas Davis convicted and fined 10s by Stroud Magistrates for breach of Company’s byelaws on not opening both gates when passing through Dudbridge Lock. Notices to be printed and posted.
New spindle bridge near Gas Works. Bond’s Mill Bridge to be repaired.
Messrs Ball Smith & Co enquired if Company would object to proposed Stroud & Gloucestershire Light Railway being taken over Dudbridge Bridge. No objection.
Seal to agreement with Nailsworth Brewery or tenancy of small piece of land adjoining bridge at Ebley.
Clerk to obtain estimate for painting and papering Committee Room and covering floor with linoleum.
Committee Room to be painted and papered. Cost not to exceed £4 10s. Floor to be covered with linoleum.
£150 due to Gloucestershire County Council under Thames & Severn Canal Act.
Dudbridge Wharf damaged by traction engine employed to haul stone for County Council. Letter to Mr Phillips, County Surveyor, requesting him to make good the damage.
Enquiry from London Chamber of Commerce if Company prepared to join a Canal Trade section of Chamber. Company favourable to proposal.
Mr E Northam Witchell and William Henry Cox Fisher claimed shares nos.39,40,41,75,101,184, will of Charles Hawkins Fisher.
Stroud Rural District Council intended to lay pipes through Dudbridge Wharf.
National Telephone Co had given up rental of small building on Wallbridge Wharf. Clerk to find another tenant.
Letter from Mr Philip Cooke, Clerk to Gloucester Harbour Board. Copy of resolution asking corporations and companies with seats on Board to pay £6 p.a. for each of representatives for one year only. Council in respect of Thames & Severn Canal asked to refund one half of amount paid. Mr C H Hooper resigned seat on Gloucester Harbour Board.
No fishing to be permitted between 15 March and 14 June. When any pound of canal emptied, due notice to be given Stroud Angling Association and that such Association be permitted to net fish and place them in adjoining pound to preserve them.
Ice breaking on canal necessary. Traffic had not been stopped.
Brick sewage tank at Ryeford belonging to Mr J C C Kimmins had fallen into canal. Not reinstated. Sewage coming into canal. Clerk to write again to Mr Kimmins requesting his immediate attention to matter.
Sewage tank at Ryeford not rebuilt. No reply from Mr Kimmins. Mr Hall, Inspector of Nuisances, had matter in hand.
Clerk to give permission to Cainscross & Ebley Cooperative Society to erect notice board on Dudbridge Wharf for 6d p.a.
Clerk to purchase necessary timber for four towing path gates and material for six wheelbarrows.
Vault at Ryeford not yet reinstated. Mr Hall had matter in hand.
Clerk unable to sell osiers at Eastington. To write to Mr J King of Nailsworth and ask if he would purchase them.
Mr G W Sibly and two ladies seen riding bicycles on towpath between Ebley Mill Bridge and Hilly Orchard on 2 April. Clerk to warn persons trespassing and then bring any case before Committee if second offence committed.
Mrs Brunsdon of the Bell Inn found emptying contents of sewage vault into canal. Mr Clissold, Chairman of Nailsworth Brewery C,o stated that penalty would be paid. Fine of 5s.
Recent drowning of girl in the canal at Stonehouse. Swing bridge at Stonehouse Mills left open. Suggestion to Stonehouse Parish. In future lamp which lighted railway crossing and swing bridge to be kept lighted at night throughout whole year instead of six months Oct-April. Rails of bridge painted white. More easily seen.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1901 £869 12s 1d. After wages, etc, profit £487 15s 10d. Dividend of £1 10s declared.
Nailsworth Brewery paid 5s fine for pollution of canal at Ebley.
Swing bridge at Stonehouse painted. Bond’s Mill Bridge repaired.
Mr Kimmins’ closet vault at Ryeford. Nothing done.
Chairman, Mr Hooper, again filled post of representative of Company on Gloucester Harbour Board.
Application from Postmistress of Stonehouse that the postman be allowed to cycle over the towing path between Junction and Framilode post office. Letter box on Company’s property at Framilode. Traffic now so trifling that Committee felt it might be an exception. Postman to wear some distinguishing dress or mark of his being a public servant.
Reports on inspection of canal by Mr W J Stanton and Mr Mills on 12/13 May. Repairs needed basin wall at Wallbridge, at entrance of upper canal, rainwater at wharfinger’s house at Wallbridge, and wall at Lodgemore Mills. Mr E P Little to see Mr Hall as to nuisance at Ebley and Ryeford. At Bristol Road Wharf, silt pits for washings from the road required.
Investment of £520 1s from Reserve Fund on purchase of £500 Cape of Good Hope 3½% Inscribed Stock.
Agreement with Mr Joseph Summers for tenancy of dwelling house at Dudbridge Wharf.
No market for osiers grown on Company’s grounds. They might be planted at Stonehouse mud tip or elsewhere.
Thomas James Graham claimed share no.185, will of Joseph Graham.
Detailed survey reports inserted into minutes.
Ship containing 360 tons of stone from North Wales was being unloaded into barges at Junction, destined for canal.
Reappointment of Mr Hooper to Gloucester Harbour Board. £6 contribution from Company.
Application from Messrs Braithwaite to take water from canal for mixing concrete during construction of tanks at Ebley. Granted on payment of £1 1s.
Laying of sewage pipes under Ebley Pound in progress.
47 square yards of land at Newtown retained as Company’s property.
Mr Vick of Cambridge applied for erection of gate of towing path, completing fence across field near Stonepits Bridge. Gate to be found and fixed by Mr Vick at own expense. Trespass rent 2s 6d p.a.
Notice from Messrs Ball Smith & Co, Solicitors to scheme for Light Railway crossing canal bridge at Dudbridge. Clerk to see plan and watch progress.
Mr Lambert, coal merchant of Stroud has complained to Chairman that difference in rates prevented him bringing coal to Stroud Brewery by water.
Messrs Braithwaite agreed to terms and payment of 21s for taking water.
Sewage pipes at Dudbridge laid. £48 19s 3d to be claimed from Stroud Rural District Council for stoppage of canal and expenses of Company.
Mr John Vick to pay 2s 6d p.a. for new towing path gate near Stonepit Bridge.
Tracing of line of proposed Light Railway over Dudbridge Bridge inspected.
Stroud Brewery Co made contract for carriage of coal by railway to end of year. Clerk to see Mr H H Bishop, Managing Director of Brewery.
Clerk to Stonehouse Parish Council suggested that all swing bridges on canal should be locked at night. Not acted upon. Hand rails, stanchions and outside beams of all swing bridges to be painted with coat of white paint every autumn.
Mr W G Robinson requested permission to erect new wooden swing bridge at Whitminster in place of brick bridge. Committee unable to comply.
Zinc sewage tank placed on Mr Kimmins’ premises at Ebley.
No reply from County Surveyor about silt coming into canal at Bristol Road Bridge.
George Smith, a boatman, committed breach of byelaws by drawing a staple and passing with a barge through Eastington Locks when padlocked by one of Company’s servants. To explain conduct to Mr Mills who would issue a summons if advisable.
Marianne Dudden claimed share no.134, will of Fanny Rawlings Dudden.
No quorum. Only three members present.
Scheme for proposed Light Railway had fallen through.
Notice to quit office and stables at Dudbridge Wharf on 1 November received from Mr T Ward.
No communication with County Surveyor with reference to silt in canal at Bristol Road Wharf.
Repairs, including wall between Wallbridge Wharf and Lodgemore Mills completed.
Mr Mills resigned as solicitor to Company. Messrs Little & Whittingham appointed solicitors to Company from 1 October.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1898 £815 19s. After wages, etc, profit £547 0s 3d. Dividend of £1 10s declared.
Dr Steedman of Stonehouse to continue to pay Company 1s 6d per week for stabling his horse at Dudbridge Wharf.
Letter from Clerk to County Surveyor, Mr Phillips, as to Bristol Road catch pits.
Damage to canal bank near Stonehouse Court by Mr Chandler’s pigs.
Stroud Rural District Council wanted to put in ventilating pipe in connexion with Cainscross Sewerage on shed of Canal Company at Dudbridge.
County Council contribute £6 p.a. to Gloucester Harbour Board as they control Thames & Severn Canal.
Nuisance at Mr Mortimer’s timber yard at Ebley. Trespass on canal.
Repainting of top rails of bridges over canal in interests of public before winter. Trial of luminous paint.
Inspection of site at Dudbridge Wharf where District Council desired to place ventilating shaft from their sewer against end of warehouse and higher than roof of cottage adjoining shed.
Clerk accepted offer of 6d per bundle for growing crop of osiers.
Stonehouse Bridge top rails painted with ordinary white paint. Luminous paint higher cost.
Provisional order for electric lighting in Stroud discussed.
Notices received regarding Stroud District & Cheltenham Tramways Bill. Company ‘dissenting’.
Dividends on Cape of Good Hope Stock paid to Chancery Lane Safe Deposit Co for credit of Reserve Fund.
Lamp to light Stonehouse swing bridge. Post on towpath if necessary.
Mr Mortimer suggested owner of Ebley Saw Mills, Mrs Spring, might be asked to provide for abatement of nuisance.
Deposit of silt in canal at Ryeford. Mr Kimmins to raise sill of doorway by which rush of water down Mr Price’s drive finds access to Mr Kimmins’ garden, carrying silt into canal.
Mr H C Jones found weighbridge at Dudbridge inaccurate. Summons issued against Company. Fault partial. Machine seen by makers within six months.
Mr E N Witchell, on behalf of promoters of Stroud Electric Lighting Scheme, suggested variation of route for cable coming down Gas House Lane, under canal at bridge, along towing path near Gas Works. Towing path narrow, piled, and unstable here. Company cannot agree to route.
Dr Steedman gave notice to terminate occupation of Dudbridge stable.
Traffic in canal uninterrupted by ice.
£150 annual contribution to T&S Canal deficit.
Summons served on Company for inaccurate weighing machine at Dudbridge. Nominal fine 5s 6d and costs. 5s for restamping by inspector. £2 3s 3d to Messrs Bartlett for readjusting. Charge of 5s by Gas Company for use of test weights.
Proposal by Stroud Urban District Council to cross canal at right angle with proposed cable, at point between western boundary of Gas Works and Foundry Lock well below towing path and gas mains laid there, with protection of canal and works, approved.
Additional provision for a stank to safeguard level of Lodgemore pound.
£48 19s 3d due last year from Stroud Rural District Council for stoppage of canal unpaid.
Mr Kimmins verbally promised to have sill placed at doorway of his garden at Ryeford to prevent surface water coming down Mr Price’s road.
Mr Jackson had taken 51 bundles of witheys, cut by himself, at 9d per bundle.
Mr Halling of Deerhurst had brought up trial barge load of stone for Mr Haynes.
‘California pump’ belonging to Company worn out mainly in its use on Thames & Severn Canal. Hire charge suggested of 20s contribution towards reinstatement. Approved.
Mr Mortimer, Ebley Saw Mills, intended to abolish nuisance in yard and connect with new sewerage as soon as available.
Gas Company had decided to forgo charge for use of weights to Company.
Draft clause for protection of Stroudwater Navigation in connexion with Stroud Urban District Council’s Electric Lighting Bill accepted. Under consideration by Board of Trade. Urban Council to pay legal charges of solicitors of Navigation.
24 March named for claim of £48 19s 3d unpaid by Stroud Rural District Council.
Sill at Mr Kimmins garden door at Ryeford not yet raised.
Relief of pressure by surface water on Company’s culvert at Bristol Road requires enlargement of County Council’s 6 inch drain.
Difficulty in procuring ashes to repair towing path at Ebley.
Bristol Road Wharf piled and towing path ‘Westfield Ground’ to Coffin Weir cut back and re-ashed.
Arrangement with Mr Witchell for execution by Stroud Urban Council of deed providing for security of canal in connexion with electric lighting scheme. Council to pay all charges.
Overdue cheque of £48 19s 3d paid by Stroud District Rural District Council.
Claim for damages on Messrs Peake & Co of saw mills Cambridge for damages done by their timber wagon at Eastington Bridge. 16s 8d for renewal of broken guard post.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1898 £810 12s 8d. After wages, etc, profit £469 14s 3d. Dividend of £1 10s declared.
Continuation from page 361 (https://stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/document/6225/).
Agreement to pay £6 to Gloucester Harbour Board towards expense of lighting the estuary of the Severn. Not an annual contribution.
Walk Bridge needed re-planking. Cost £16 9s.
Messrs R Gay & Co supplied white paint for bridges.
Papering and painting, about £2-£3, required at house at Dudbridge occupied by Mr Summers.
Messrs Peake & Co of Cambridge declined to pay for damage to Eastington Bridge by their timber wagon. Construction of bridge dangerous to traffic. No action for recovery as amount smaller than worth legal expense.
Leave granted to Stroud Laundry Co. to take water from canal at Ebley. 1 inch pipe for 20s p.a.
Messrs Strachan had opened a gateway upon towing path at Lodgemoor from one of their cottages. 2s 6d p.a. to be paid to Company.
Quotation by Great Western Railway Co 1s per foot for old broad gauge rails delivered at Chalford. Clerk to order 6 or what he might require.
New lifting-jack and a wood boring machine sanctioned. 50s and 30s.
Painting of two bridges with ‘Gays paint’. Two coats, including labour, £1 3s 0d.
Rt. Hon. Sir J E Dorington elected President of Canal Association. Mr Southall, Severn Commission, Chairman of Committee.
Clerk to get letter from Messrs Strachan & Co agreeing to ‘easement’ gateway at Lodgemore, duly stamped.
Letter from Mr Jones of Sharpness Company as to cutting the weeds and muddings in the Whitminster Reach.
Failure of masonry at the Double Locks receiving attention.
Erection of telephone wire over Wallbridge Wharf to warehouse rented to Mr Lambourn.
Company’s interests affected by Railway Electrical Power Bill, now before Parliament.
Three railway metals from Great Western Railway. Cost £2 14s.
New lifting jack and boring machine purchased.
Repairs of Walk Bridge proceeding.
of Lady Eliza Daubeney, Henry Atlee and Hugh Frederick Daubeney claimed shares nos 2,125, will of Sir Henry Charles Barnston Daubeney;
Mary Jane Hallewell claimed share no.122, will of Jane Hallewell.
Annual inspection be Mr F A Little and Mr H H Mills with Mr Snape on 25 June.
New ropes attached to life buoy and drags. Weeds in Framilode Pound require cutting. Clarke takes grass from bank adjoining towing path at 10s p.a. Asked to graze bank.
Repairs to Walk Bridge nearly completed. Grass on small piece belonging to Company at bridge between towing path and canal cut by occupant of adjoining land. Letter to be sent. Land property of Company.
Bristol Road Bridge, silt washed from road into canal. County Surveyor should be asked to raise side of road next wharf. Needs larger pipes in field on opposite side to carry off water passing through culvert under canal.
Repairs required to walls of dry dock at Eastington. Small piece of bank on side of Whiting’s garden requires piling. Company to give land to widen approach to Eastington Bridge on north side. County Council to bear cost.
No provision in Long Pound for insertion of stop planks. Provision also at Stonehouse Swing Bridge.
Dredging required to bank at Ryeford Wharf.
Sewage coming into canal at two places. Mr Snape to call attention of Medical Officer of Health, Dr Martin, to matter.
Rebuilding wall at Double Locks.
Messrs Strachan agreed to pay 2s 6d p.a. fir gateway.
Mr Boulton to pay 2/6 to keep a tow boat on canal on Framilode Pound.
Leave given to Mr Clark of Junction Inn, Saul, to graze grass on canal bank and towing path. Additional 5s to 10s paid for grass crop.
Letter from Mr Long of Stapleton. Seven fishing licences useless to holders by stoppage of canal.
Sewer ventilating pipe fixed by Stroud Rural District Council at Dudbridge.
Telegram from County Surveyor with request to get silt at Stonehouse Cross Bridge removed from canal at County expense.
Stonehouse police reported clothing in canal 12 July. Apology to Company required from lads named and sent to Sergeant. Prosecution if offence repeated.
Application by Stroud and District Angling Association to angle in canal on Sundays refused.
Lloyds Bank Limited at Stroud authorised to honour all cheques drawn on Company’s account.
Government Auditor of Gloucestershire County Council to have tolls for 3 years ended September 1902 and 1904 received in respect of through traffic over Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal.
Cost of repairing slip at Double Locks £63 19s 8d of which £10 17s 2d was for labour furnished by regular staff.
Messrs Haines & Sumner, agents of owner of land adjoining aqueduct at Whitminster promised to see to piling of brook.
Eastington Dock repaired at cost of £18 6s 1d.
Insanitary matters at Ryeford inspected with Medical officer of Health, Dr Martin.
Provisional order of Stroud Urban District Council for electric lighting.
Mr Long of Stapleton & Silver Bream Angling Association accepted promise to consider it next year.
New bridge at Gas Works completed. Cost £133 14s 0d.
Repairs to Framilode Bridge cost £39 16s 2d.
Piling of bank at Whitminster Aqueduct ordered by Chairman. Clerk to tell Messrs Haines & Sumner that all necessary work had been done.
Rev F B Teasdale and Mr F A Jones alleged obstruction to free flow of water into River Froome below Junction. Requested Company to clear part contiguous to their land. No such obstruction recognised. Soliciitor to draft reply.
Detention of vessel Reliance due to sudden failure of water in canal at Whitminster Reach to be reported to Sharpness Docks Co.
All money received by Clerk to be paid into bank as they come in. Outgoings to be provided by ‘omnibus’ cheques given to Mr Snape at intervals at Chairman’s direction.
Stones in hand worth £85 13 4d.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 April £781 15s 4d. After wages, etc, profit £401. Dividend of £1 10s declared.
Protection of wing wall of Whitminster Aqueduct needed from eddies of stream due to heightened level of water on further side of aqueduct which resulted from construction of G&B Canal.
Rev F B Teesdale acknowledged letter ordered at last meeting.
Reply of General Manager of Sharpness Docks Co on detention of Reliance by loss of water through Junction in Bristol Road reach. Harbour Master did not let engineer know of intention to scour basin. No pumping done.
Sir W H Marling, Chairman of Sharpness Docks Co, suggested a conference of Mr Snape with Engineer of Docks Co re maintaining level.
Unclaimed dividends. Rev A H Stanton, Nov 1 1900, Mrs H Ruegg, Nov 1 1902, Miss J Hallewell, May 1 1903. New warrants to be issued.
Hilly Orchard Bridge would require renewal next year. Estimated cost £32 13s 9d.
Mr H Lambourn, tenant of warehouse and buildings of yard at Wallbridge at rent of £22 19s 4d, applied for reduction to £15. Clerk to suggest that reopening of T&S Canal next year should see improvement in trade.
Sir W H Marling to meet Mr Snape at Gloucester to discuss with engineer of Sharpness Canal practicable means for safeguarding level of water on Bristol Road reach.
Through traffic in 1903 £444 2s 11d. £448 4s 9d average for 3 years. 1903 saw decrease of 19s 6d. No payment due. £150 to be paid to County Council next month, plus 3s 4d due from tolls taken in 1902.
Mr Lambourn’s question as to rental of Wallbridge Warehouse resolved by provision of addition of a WC, a gas jet in the office and on the top floor.
Renewal of seven angling tickets of a Bristol Angling Association.
Next stoppage of towpaths postponed till 1906. Sharpness Docks Co. liable for repair of Whitminster Lock gates.
Response from Sharpness New Docks Co re maintaining level of Bristol Road pound recorded in minutes.
Letter from Swindon Corporation to cut off supply of water from reservoir supplying Wilts & Berks Canal. Company deprecated closure as it affects water supply.
Clerk to explore eelative cost of water borne ‘Rowley Regis’ road stone and rail borne ‘Clee Hill’ stone adding to rates for Irish, Arklow, stone.
Mr E P Little to bring advatages of water borne stone before Stroud Rural District Council.
Ellen Harford, William Alfred Harford and Hugh Wyndham Luttrell Harford, claimed shares nos.23,24,25,27,28,29,30,95, will of Henry Harford.
Communication from Canal Association on enquiry by Home Office about proposed legislation for protection of Docks and Canals against accidents occurred to employees or persons trading.
Swindon Corporation Bill: Resolution passed by Committee deprecating closure of Wilts & Berks Canal. Statutory obligation to put and maintain North Wilts branch in good condition. Conditions provided for by Agreement between Thames & Severn, Canal trust and the Wilts & Berks Canal Company. Drafted 1899 but not ratified.
Better boat service over Sharpness & Stroudwater systems towards London desirable. Could be provided by Severn & Canal Carrying Co, Gloucester.
Local Government Board enquiry into allowing an increase of weight of motor cars beyond present limit of 4 tons involves question of strength of canal bridges. Canal Association asked company solicitors to look into legal bearings.
Resolution to be forwarded to Mr Dunstan, manager of Lloyds Bank, Stroud stating that cheques to be signed by members of Committee and countersigned by Secretary are to be honoured.
Solicitors suggested transference of Company’s insurances to Royal from Norwich Union, their insurers since 1805.
Resolution carried unanimously at meeting of Canal Association 23 February 1904 limiting weight of motor cars to such as ordinary canal bridges will safely carry until provision made by Parliament for rebuilding bridges.
Correspondence with Sharpness New Docks Co re keeping proper level in Bristol Road pound. Mr Whittingham to draft letter in reply to Mr Waddy’s letter of 4 February. Future maintenance of lock, banks and alterations recognised by Sharpness Dock Co’s engineer, Mr Jones, necessary to effectual working of Shallow Lock rests legally with Sharpness Co and not with Stroudwater Co. Sir William Marling to see Mr Keeling. Height of pound should be raised one foot.
Letter from Mr Waddy 9 April. Six inches sufficient to raise the Shallow Lock and banks. Greater raising of lock than 6 inches wise, but no difficulty raised. Statutory obligation of Company safeguarded.
Application from post mistress at Stonehouse to permit use by messenger with bicycle of towing path from Ocean Bridge to Meadow Mill declined.
Mr Lambourn’s application for reduced rent declined.
Mr J J Bassett of Ebley applied for convenience for storing petroleum on Stonehouse Wharf.
Application by Parish Council of Cainscross to permit bathing in canal at Hilly Orchard declined.
Proposal by National Telephone Co to lay wires under Wallbridge Wharf instead of over. Yearly agreement and some increase of rent desirable.
Vans of carriers Messrs R J Smith & Co had gone over Gas Works swing bridge with “skid pans” on wheels to detriment of bridge. Letter from Clerk. Promise to see to it.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage since 1 October 1903 £805 14s 1d. After wages, etc, profit £347 10s 11d. Dividend of £1 10s declared.
Letter from Mr Hubert Field asking for reduction on tonnage charged to Stanley Mills, to carry coal in competition with railway.
Question of a through rate on stone from Staffordshire to T&S Canal. Mr Thomas Baines of Gloucester applied for through rate to be fixed with view to his tendering for the carriage of 5000 tons. Toll for stone passing over canal to any point on T&S Canal reduced to 3d per ton. Present toll to Brimscombe 6d and any place beyond 4d.
Reply by Clerk to manager of Sharpness Docks Co respecting Whitminster Shallow Lock and Pound. Mr Waddy’s acknowledgement deemed satisfactory.
Mr Bassett to pay 1s per square yard for space at Stonehouse Wharf. Mr Snape to see him.
Subject to Company’s approval of a site, Committee ready to further Cainscross Parish Council’s proposal for bathing at Ebley. Rent 29s p.a.
Draft form of Agreement with National Telephone Co for laying wires under Wallbridge Wharf reviewed.
Committee could not alter rates of tonnage to Stanley Mill as suggested by Mr Hubert Field.