1880-1884
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/9/6
Letters written by William James Snape between April 1880 and February 1884
I am not in particular hurry for the castings - matter will not go before the Board until next Summer. All I need is to be able to tell Committee where we can get tubes and await instructions.
Your request for special rate on acid to be placed before Board Tuesday next. Suggest write to Mr Taunton of Thames & Severn Canal Co at Brimscombe where it joins Stroudwater as this is also area you wish to trade in. Will you do business with us below Stroud?
You are fined for neglecting to close top gates at Whitminster Lock on 7 December and causing a waste of water. Pay fine to Mr Fallows.
Glad to hear you are likely to get the brick contract. You will need to negotiate lower rate with other Canal Companies to match ours.
Could you send sample of bricks needed for heading of Saul Culvert for our next meeting?
In relation to the Lodgemore Culvert, discussion on details of scale drawing.
More discussion on the bricks, their place of origin, and the nature of comparative tolls on the canals.
Acknowledgement of receipt of loaned plan, sections and letters re, proposed bridge over T&S Canal.
Quarter year's salary cheque, due 25 Dec 1882, enclosed.
Enclosing draft report on T&S Canal. Shall be at Framilode tomorrow and will call at your office to discuss. Mostly illegible.
Very feint writing, but seems to concern detailed regulations on the use of the canal by various sizes of vessel and of charges on them.
Very feint writing, but seems to concern detailed regulations on the use of the canal by various sizes of vessel and of charges on them.
Have forwarded to Mr Waddy the report on T&S Canal.
Enclosing report on T&S Canal (see above).
Requesting views on materials and costs of components and labour potentially needed for Lodgemore Feeder, for an estimate as near as possible to likely actual expenditure.
Bill enclosed from Webb & Spring. Need corrected bill allowing for damaged boards. Meet me at Stonehouse station or wharf at 2.25pm.
Please indicate what Smart paid on bricks down G&B Canal 28/29 Nov. Need to calculate amount of tonnage paid from brickyard through to Stroud.
Please to indicate weight and amount of tonnage paid by Smart 26 Oct. when he passed down the River with load of bricks for me from Oldbury.
Please to indicate weight and amount of tonnage paid by Smart 25 Oct. when he passed down the Worc & Birm Canal with load of bricks for me from Oldbury.
Please to indicate weight and amount of tonnage paid by Smart 25 Oct. when he passed down the Worc & Birm Canal with load of bricks for me from Oldbury.
Apologies, but am afraid I made mistake in date in my recent letter of 10th inst. The boat load of bricks passed over your Canal 26 Nov, not Oct. as previously stated.
Apologies, but am afraid I made mistake in date in my recent letter of 10th inst. The boat load of bricks passed over your Canal 27 Nov, not Oct. as previously stated.
Your bill recently received (£1 1s 0d) will be placed before our Committee Tuesday next.
Your account for carriage of stone from Bristol (£7 11s 8d) will be placed before Committee 20 Feb next.
Cheque enclosed in settlement of bill for £5 0s 3d. Receipt please.
Have you reached agreement with Thames & Severn Canal Co. on rate on acid? I will discuss comparative rate with our Committee and hope to offer you a favourable rate for all passing on this Canal. Can do similar if you intend to trade with the mills below Stroud.
Neither Mr Little, nor Mr Mills can attend meeting before 25 inst. Please to arrange for that day.
My Committee has approved your application for a portion of land for a pen at Wallbridge Canal Wharf. Conditions are listed.
Drainage from your stable, piggeries and a closet are fouling up the canal. This 'nuisance' must be dealt with at once or we shall take action.
Your two sunken boats at Ryeford cause an obstruction to free passage of traffic. Please get them up or we will take action.
Recounts difficulties in proceeding against Messrs. Ford Bros. for overloading their barge. Also, in case of obstruction, would have to prove the stoppage of trade. Ford Bros need to address the 'manner in which their captains navigate the Canal'. Have instructed Lewis to raise his two sunken boats within 7 days.
In reply to yours of 21 December regarding monthly credit account, I refer you to my letter of 19 July 1882.
Letter of condolence on behalf of Committee to widow on death of 'lamented colleague', Mr Croome.
Have received report from Hooper on T&S Canal. The meeting will now be held on Thursday 25th inst.
Thanks for report. Meeting now to be held on Thursday 25th inst.
Thanks for letter about Canal representatives. Meeting now to be held on Thursday 25th inst., 1.15pm.
Have received comparative statement of through tolls for traffic onto T&S Canal. Encloses copy of Traders' letter requesting this Company to call attention to Thames & Severn Canal Co on state of their Canal.
Concerning payment of warrants, please to forward signed copy to Mr E H Palmer, Manager County of Gloucester Bank, Stroud.
Discusses application by Pratt for reduction of 2d per ton on carriage of wheat from Sharpness to Cirencester. Disallowed - normal rate of 4d per ton pertains. Continued …
Mr Fallows reports that on 9th inst. your boat, 'Endeavour' forced open the lock gates at Whitminster. A fine of £1 is imposed. Failure to pay will incur the full charge of 50s. Pay Peyton or Fallows.
Bring to next Committee meeting (20 March) and all subsequent, your books with 'Stores received' and 'Stores Issued', all made up to date.
Encloses a bill for tonnage (£1 0s 1d). Please instruct Brooks to pay same.
Encloses 24, 1d stamps for postage.
Please find out names of owners of land through which portion of culvert runs at Saul. Let me have the cost of clearing it out - need to send to representatives of late John Simms. Come up early on Friday, so can show you this and other sewage and drainage-related issues.
Cheque enclosed, value £7 11s 8d for carriage of freight of 70 tons broken stone from Bristol to Stroud Canal. Receipt please.
Encloses cheque, value £8 15s 0d in settlement of account for broken stone. Receipt, please.
Reply to yours of 24th inst. The Midland Railway Co. have not yet commenced any work at Stroud Upper Wharves.
Cheque for your quarter year's salary enclosed (£19 10s 0d). Receipt please. I am instructed to make a minute inspection of culvert under Canal at Ebley some time soon - we must arrange a time.
Cheque to value £10 8s 0d for your quarter year's salary. Receipt please.
In reply to yours of 19th inst, I hope to attend meeting at Gloucester on 5 April next.
Have informed Clegram of proposed stoppage at Bristol Rd Lock on May 14; two carpenters requested for then and next day. Supply list and costs of materials required for addition to carpenters' shop.
Respecting stoppage at Bristol Road Lock, have arranged for bottom gate to be replanked on 14 May. Let me have 2 carpenters for that and following day.
What sum would you require for the 2 boilers (if required for the culverts at Lodgemore) now lying in mill yard at Ebley?
This encloses copy of bill (8s) sent to you a few days ago for carting timber through Stonehouse Canal Wharf. Please settle account.
There is a discrepancy on Income Tax Rental and actual rents received. Need to meet and sort it out.
More instructions regarding proposed stoppage at Bristol Road Lock. Workmen, materials supply and approach discussed.
Notice of appointment as Member to Board. Next meeting - 15 May. Programme of meetings enclosed.
Notice of appointment as Member to Board. Next meeting - 15 May. Programme of meetings enclosed.
Notice of appointment as Member to Board. Next meeting - 15 May. Programme of meetings enclosed.
Cheque (£47 5s 6d) will be drawn for you at next meeting.
Acknowledging receipt of Table of Tolls, Wilts & Berks Canal, and of Distances. Thanks expressed.
Instruction to gather as much data as possible on the history, usage and condition of the Culvert under the Canal at Ebley and prepare a written report for presentation at next meeting of Board (15 May)
Am in receipt of your letter agreeing to release two carpenters to assist work at Bristol Rd Lock. They will be needed Monday and Tuesday. Nothing yet been done at Upper Wharves.
Apologies, but unable to call this week, as have sprained knee. Will re-arrange as soon as well again.
Enclosing nine Stroudwater Navigation Share Certificates in name of Mr Samuel Clayfield. Numbers given.
Contractors for the new Railway should have this day commenced to tip in garden of Middle Wharf.
Contractors for the new Railway should have this day commenced to tip in garden of Middle Wharf.
Field's account sent tonight. Please call on Mr Alder - King Stanley - for wharfage account. Please provide list of timber required to make pair of bottom and top gates for Dudbridge Wharf Lock, then we can calculate cost.
Supplies names of owners of the property at Ebley - Mr Jones (Brewer) and Mr Henry Jefferies.
Itemised Bill for clearing out portion of Culvert from end of Canal Company's culvert near swing bridge at Saul.
Letter to accompany bill (p356) with details of previous owner's undertaking for clearance of his part of culvert. This must be upheld by new owner (E Markey), and account now paid.
Encloses form of indemnification for loss of Canal shares in name of late Sarah Colborn deceased. Describes procedure for legal transfer.
Discussion opened on request for overtime work to be allowed each day by bricklayers and Labourers. Snape not in favour - will discuss with Fallows.
Regarding arrangements on travel methods and timing to meet for inspection of Wilts & Berks Canal and Thames and Isis Navigation.
Jefferies' drain from closet at Ebley has been closed up as instructed by Committee. Jefferies should attend next meeting to have history of regulations of drains and closets explained.
Fourteen casks of cement is too many to deal with; please send just seven for trial, at once to Stroud.
Regarding application by Gloucester Angling Association for discounted fishing tickets. Permission denied, unless applied for at normal price.
Receipt for payment of bill for cost of clearance of culvert as outlined above in letter of 2 May 1883.
Asks for copy of Minutes for meeting held at Gloucester 2 March 1878 respecting obstruction to traffic of the River by stone being deposited; also any particulars of opposition to the Bill of 1877 and whether the section of the Bridge has been cause of any lessening of trade up the River. Seeks opinions of any captains of barges operating here & their experience of the Bridge.
Encloses cheque, value £47 5s 6d in settlement of account. Receipt, please.
Order given by Committee for delivery of half-load of 5,000 bricks. Cost is £2 5s 6d per 10,000 load.
Please would you ease traffic over brick bridge to your mill at Ebley during repairs that we will shortly undertake there as part of bridge will be dismantled to enable repair.
Confirms obligation by Framilode Benefit Society as agreed in legal document of 1868, to pay the Company for maintenance of building in good condition, and also payment of rates, taxes and rentals.
Please charge 5s toll on Mr Kimmins' boat as he did not use full length of Canal. In future, he must have a ticket for any such use of the Canal.
Please send me word of the seven casks of cement recently ordered and awaited.
Enclosing completed Income Tax forms; further documents and particulars on rents when I am able.
Enclosing information about expenses incurred in opposing Bills in Parliament
Reporting an error in the declared cargo of No 4 Boat
Enclosing particulars as to the obstruction to river traffic occasioned by the Severn Bridge at Sharpness. Tomorrow, I am making an inspection of the Wilts & Berks Canal with Mr Marten.
Did the Board of Trade send an engineer to examine the Severn Bridge as promised?
I cannot reduce our rate on coping bricks but I will lay the matter before my Committee.
Enclosing form of transfer of shares 40 & 101 to yourself and other papers for you to complete
Oil turps and Venetian Red were sent by the Ceres. Could you get the new grate and door done at Bristol Road. Suggest you have a blacksmith for about a month to have the ironwork ready for Double Lock gates. Mr Hawkins will bring you here and we can go gently down looking at your new works.
In your next summary please note amount of merchandise as well as coal passing under the Bridge
Returning 30s loaned the other day. Please say how you will arrange the report for the Committee of the Allied Navigations.
Enclosing bill for 5s for washing sheep in the canal at Westfield Lock.
Enclosing bill for 5s for washing sheep in the canal at Walk Bridge.
Promising to gather together details of traffic passing up the river to Framilode and traffic passing in at Sharpness before the Bridge, and enclosing similar details for last 3.5 years.
We support your objections to the Canal Boats Bill and consider the 1877 Act to be sufficient.
I certify the value of share 116 is £80.
I shall not be able to give you as much detail of the traffic through the bridge as I had hoped. Mr Field will be able to tell you more. Several top masts have been knocked off. Continued …
Continuation of 383: To avoid the Bridge, coal at Lydney is now taken to Bullo to be shipped there.
The largest vessels navigating the river before the Bridge could carry 200 tons.
Please send a list of your members. Please send copy of evidence already given to Mr Salt's Committee
Enclosing map of Railways in Forest of Dean & connections with Gloucester and Stroud. Gloucester & Berkeley & Stroudwater Canals also shown.
Raising question of why had Midland Railway been used in preference to the Canal for recent carriage of road stone to Ryeford at greater cost to ratepayers. Will make enquiries to the Road Authorities.
See Mr Savage to ask what is the cost difference between carriage of road stone to Ryeford by Rail and by Canal. Also to identify the Road Authorities, to clarify this.
Mr Field states that largest vessels working the Severn before the Bridge was there were 200 tons, but now only 100 tons. No information to date on volume of traffic passing up Severn and not touching our system. Much more about the likely competition to be offered by the Tunnel and effects on London and Bristol ports and Bullo and Lydney.
Continuation of letter above…
Please regard the reduced toll to you of 6d per ton for carriage of coping blocks a special, private arrangement for this contract only. Normal rates to others are higher!
Encloses dividend on shares 129, lately in name of J Fisher deceased and yourself. Registration fee of 5s now owing please.
Describes best route from Worcester to London using the Gloucester & Berkeley, Stroudwater, and the Thames & Severn Canals. Advises against the use of River from Lechlade to London. Lists charges.
Encloses stamps as asked; please acknowledge. Traffic returns have arrived, for which, thanks.
Further dispute about the reduced toll agreed on building bricks, which Mr Wing tries to extend to other commodities such as copings (see earlier letter above, p391).
Permit Mr Taylor to have 200-300 bricks at price of £3 per 100. Let me know if you can erect footbridge over the Double Locks before the canal inspection on 27/28 June.
Beg to inform you of your appointment as Committee Chairman for year ending April 1884.
Enclosing copy of the Evidence given before Mr Salt's Committee which you kindly lent me.
Enclosing statement of coal traffic from Bullo above the Bridge. Shows little traffic before the Bridge, but after completion, traffic increased, but there was a decrease in traffic from ports below the Bridge, vessels not wanting to risk the passage of the Bridge. More on this....
1 July 1884. Cheque for 3 guineas in payment of subscription to Canal Association to 1 July 1884.
Salary cheque enclosed for Quarter year.
Salary cheque enclosed for Quarter year. I need to obtain some Oak as instructed… do you have same?
Bill enclosed for copings - have only charged 4d per ton according to private arrangement for this one special contract alone.
