1884-1885
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/9/7
Letters written by WIlliam James Snape between February 1884 and October 1885
Re cost of Clee Hill and Rowley Hill stone
Fine of 5s to be paid for running into the bottom gates of the Double Lock
Fine of 10s to be paid for wilfully running the Fides into the bottom gates of the Whitminster Shallow Lock
Re cost of Rowley Hill stone compared to Clee Hill stone
Thanking for communication received.
Asking for rate per ton for stone on the Staffs & Worcs Canal to Stourport.
Asking cost of broken stone per ton delivered into boats
Asking for rate of delivery of stone from Rowley to Stroud Lower and Upper wharves.
Asking for cost of broken stone delivered into boats
Rate to Stourport "heavy"" and suggesting less. Request for copy of dividend warrant
Rates for carrying stone. Trying to introduce Rowley Hill stone as would be carried by water whereas Clee Hill stone is carried by rail.
Cheque enclosed for payment for bricks.
Certifying that last selling price of Stroudwater Navigation shares was £80.
Thanking for reduction in price for transporting stone which is cheaper by 6d per ton than railway.
Calculating balance of payment for bricks.
Statement of carriage of bricks.
Application for two share certificates on behalf of Mrs E Jerrard who wishes to sell.
Cheque for £19.10.0d for quarterly salary and cheque for payment of oak planking bill.
Cheque for £10.8.0d for quarterly salary.
Share certificates will be made out when they have been signed.
Receipt for payment enclosed. Copy of brick account also given.
Re Mr Field helping to monitor tides at Hock Crib. Concern at stones being put around piers of Severn Bridge.
Instruction to take out summons against Charles Lewis for ramming gates at Whitminster Lock. If clear case, also summons against Dolman for lowering the paddle without a windlass.
Mr Field is a vessel owner from Saul. I shall talk to him about the stone the Railway Company intend to put round the pier of the Severn Bridge.
Mr Field indicated a place at Hock Crib for the gauge posts. The Severn Bridge Railway Company have engaged Eglestaff of Bristol to put the stone round the Bridge piers. Mr Field will tell me when they start and I shall let you know.
I could meet you later in the day or on Wednesday. I have examined the culvert and it is in working order.
Enclosing a tracing of the plan of part of the Ocean showing the boundaries of the Stonehouse Court Estate and Stroudwater Navigation Co and a copy of a relevant Minute.
Enclosing a book to record any accidents at the Severn Bridge.
Please pay the 2s 6d wharfage due for timber put on Wallbridge Wharf.
As requested, I enclose a list of Barges using this Canal with names of owners and captains. I suggest informing the River Severn Commission, the Board of Trade and the Railway Company and also arranging a meeting of pilots, barge owners and other interested parties.
Please settle the enclosed bill for 3s11d for weighing 46lb of logwood over the Company's Bridge at Wallbridge Wharf.
Draw F White's attention to Bye Law 8 and charge him 1s 8d lockage for taking coal from Dudbridge to Framilode. He should be glad to have got off so lightly.
Enclosing requested copy of Transfer form. I shall require the old certificates, relevant death certificates and a Power of Attorney for me to sign the Transfer Book.
Acknowledging receipt of Authority for payment of Dividends on shares held by Sir W H Marling, H Playne and Capt W B Marling.
The Canal Survey will be on Tuesday 10th June, starting from Wallbridge at 9am. Prepare for the Stoppage next Sunday. Let me know when you need a carpenter; proceed with the manholes at both ends of the culvert under the Canal near Stonehouse Church with a grating at the upper end. Leave the work at Downfield Cottages until after the inspection. The crown of the arches of the Nutshell and Roving Bridges must be done. Continued ...
Continuation from 31: At Nutshell Mr Davies wants something done to the Tunnel between the two houses but keep an account as this is to be charged to him.
Please raise and take away the sunken boat opposite Dudbridge Wharf immediately as it is a serious obstruction to Canal traffic.
If the coping bricks at Dudbridge Wharf and other bricks and goods at Wallbridge are not removed by 2nd June a wharfage charge of 2s 6d per day will be due.
Please remove the fireclay bricks from our Dudbridge Warehouse or a wharfage charge of 2s 6d per week will be made.
Please stop washing your trap at Dudbridge using Canal Co's water unless you pay 6d per week in advance.
Captain Hawkins of Mr Lambert's boat is in the habit of bringing pieces of deals 'ends etc' from Gloucester. If you see anything on his or any other boat or barge that is not on the waybill, charge 1s 8d to be paid before the vessel proceeds.
Please pay the 2s 6d wharfage account long due.
Please send the cement in casks of two tons or just over as the GWR charge 13s 4d per ton for over two tons and 22s 6d per ton for less than two tons.
I don't understand how you know so little about the Ship Canal Gazette as you published it until 15 August 1883 and in that gave notice that it would be published monthly until Parliament resumes. Please send any of those to date; I have them all to 15 August 1883.
You have passed a pleasure boat up the Canal today, contrary to the Act. Never let this happen again and under no circumstances whatever allow anything to pass on Sundays. Never let anything pass again.
I do not want copies of the Evidence published at £2-2-0 per book. I shall be satisfied with two copies of the closing speech of Mr Pember when it is printed.
Enclosing a copy of the gauge register taken at Framilode Lock for May.
June 1st was a Sunday when the ticket or pass was made out for the pleasure boat. Give the 10s to Peyton for his account. The pleasure boat passed the Junction and on to Eastington without a ticket which is an offence and for that alone a ticket should not have been issued.
Enclosing the tonnage account for May. Details of the brick account given
I am sorry you are annoyed by the boys at Ebley but think you should inform the Police.
You addressed Mr Field as 'Charles' when it should have been 'Amos'. It was not Mr Field but Thomas Long of Priding near Framilode who got up the Memorial. If you write to Amos Field he will tell you all you need to know.
Enclosing a Return of all vessels passing on the Canal from 19 May to 1 I June. The boats have passed several times during the period so this does not show the amount of traffic. Some boatmen will have given their names in at other places, some men may have left one boat and joined another and some don't work regularly by water.
Please remove the oak lying in our way at Eastington and also the timber in the Canal at Ebley. You will be held responsible for any stoppage or detention of traffic.
A large quantity of timber is to come from Gloucester to Stroud for fences etc at the August Agricultural Show. I want it to come by water. The Railway charges 3s 4d per ton; what is your rate from Gloucester to Lower Wharf Wallbridge. Wharfage is free and they can have it unloaded on to the wharf and take it away at their convenience.
Please let me know if you can attend the Annual Inspection on Tuesday 10 June, the boat leaving Wallbridge Wharf at 9.30am.
Please let me know if you can attend the Annual Inspection on Tuesday 10 June, the boat leaving Wallbridge Wharf at 9.30am.
Please let me know if you can attend the Annual Inspection on Tuesday 10 June, the boat arriving at Ocean Bridge a little before 12 noon.
Please let me know if you can attend the Annual Inspection on Tuesday 10 June, the boat arriving at Bond's Mill at about 12 noon.
Please let me know if you can attend the Annual Inspection on Tuesday 10 June, the boat leaving Wallbridge Wharf at 9.30am.
Write to Amos Field rather than C Field who knows nothing about the River - he keeps a small grocery shop in Saul. Thomas Long is taking the lead in the Memorial but C Field is likely to send it to the Board of Trade being Secretary. I have asked Amos Field to let you know when the Memorial is sent. He will let me know when the Severn Bridge Company starts work. The Midland Company's contractor has started with the pieces of the Bridge to span the Lock at the Upper Wharf.
My clerk entered the barges and boats as 'lighters' as at the time they were working as such although they are really ordinary working vessels and should be registered.
Forwarding C Lambert's permit. Note that the drawback allowed is 15s rather than 17s 6d. Tell the Toll Collector at Calf Heath to allow the 2s 6d when the boat next passes.
W Fawkes paid his rent 5s in advance so call on Mr Daniels, the present tenant, with the enclosed bill for sheep washing and get him to sign the agreement to pay the 5s in advance.
I have today returned 13 empty cement casks. Please reflect this in the bill for the 16 casks just received.
I hope to go to Framilode on Thursday, leaving on the 8.45 and walking through the churchyard to the tow path to look at Nutshell Bridge.
Enclosing cheque for £16-13-4 for timber.
Amos Field's address is Saul, near Stonehouse, Gloucester. Framilode Lock is not large enough for the steam yacht so Mr Field must find a berth for her at Minsterworth. He says the work will start at the Severn Bridge very soon and that the Company will buy two old barges to sink at the Bridge filled with stone. I am glad that the Memorial and letters are with the Board of Trade.
Again, attend to the Boundary Wall at Dudbridge Wharf as promised. If it is not repaired immediately it will be put in the hands of our solicitors.
We understand your tenant has accessed the Canal to supply water to a reservoir for cattle. This can only be allowed if he puts in a proper pipe and pays an annual rent of £1.
The Committee cannot allow your gardener to take water from the Canal unless you put in a 2in pipe at an annual rent of £1.
Enclosing a cheque for £19-10-0 as 1/4 years salary.
Enclosing a cheque for £10-8-0 as 1/4 years salary.
Enclosing a cheque for £3-3-0 as our Annual Subscription.
Maj Chapman agrees to pay £1 pa to use the water and asks to be able to use it until the pipe is installed. Tell him he may and tell the gardener not to damage the Bank. Someone must be there when the pipe is installed to be sure that any damage is made good.
The charge for pleasure boats is 10s each and I can make no allowances.
Could you let me have your carpenter Perry to assist in the making and putting in of two lock gates on Monday 21 July?
I cannot accompany you on the 24th to inspect the Severn Bridge piers and stone deposit. A Field and T Long will go with you as they both know the River thoroughly. Perhaps C Field should go as he sent the Memorial on behalf of the Traders.
Mr Taunton's Steamboat will pass up and down the Canal. Let them through on Saturday night with a free pass up to Eastington and back.
Can I have the Traffic Statement for year ending December 1883 and for the 1/2 year ending last 30 June?
Thank you for your cheque. Your application for a reduction of 2d/ton on wheat from Avonmouth and Sharpness will go to the Board on 19 August.
Our rate for extra carpenters is 6d/hour and a quart of beer. Let me know if they will be coming.
There will be a stoppage on the last week of August and I shall want extra carpenters. Could I have your man Organ again?
I shall be replanking a pair of Bottom gates during the stoppage and shall need extra carpenters. Could I have two of yours and at what rate?
Could you send me (?7) more casks of cement and charge in the account now owing? I shall have so many empties to return it will be better to settle in one bill.
Pay the bearer 3s 1d for weighing.
We do not have the power to detain any goods if given away by Henry Pegler. Those who take them away are responsible for the rent. Tell that to anyone who removes the goods. Another tenant might come to some arrangement with Pegler's sister.
Thank you for your two postcards. The man could not go to Bond's Mill before today as he was working somewhere else.
You have made a mistake in the enclosed bill.
Could I have Organ next week? I have had great trouble getting a carpenter as the work is so specialised.
Some of your timber is in the way at Stonehouse Wharf, preventing Mr Kimmins from loading some trucks. Have it shipped off as soon as possible.
Move your barge to the other side of the Canal; boatmen complain that it is in the way of traffic. Coping stones opposite the Mill Yard have fallen into the Canal along with some of the towing path making it dangerous for the horses, etc. Give these matters your immediate attention.
Mr Clegram will let us have two carpenters. Let me know tomorrow when I see you at the Bridge when you want them so that I can write to him. Push ahead with preparations for the stoppage. Let me know what guttering and spouting is needed; pass this to Ford; start on the new Bottom Gates for Pike Lock.
Enclosing transfer and Power of Attorney for shares 118 and 119 to G H Clutterbuck. Get them signed and return.
Thank you for the two carpenters. Could Perry be one as we shall put in a pair of new gates?
Please return the old share certificates so that the new ones can start.
Your application for the cottage at Framilode will be considered.
The Committee regret they cannot reduce the rate on wheat from Avonmouth as you do not pay for the full weight carried. They could only reduce the rate if they charge for the actual dead weight carried.
You loaded 5000 bricks but only 4977 have been received. Let me have a bill for the carriage.
Fallows says that a small boat with two ladies and three boys went up the Canal, through the Eastington Locks and back. Do you know anything about it?
Mr Watt's small boat license has expired. If the Canal has been used since then charge him 5s for the year.
Miss Watts owes 5s to have a small boat on the Canal for the year. If the locks are used 1s 8d up and down will be charged. They were last time so add 3s 4d to the 5s.
If you cannot find share certificates 118 and 119 give an undertaking freeing the Company from all liability in their regard.
Enclosing Power of Attorney and Transfer for shares 109 and 110.
If you are at Framilode ask Pegler's sister-in-law what she will do. Do you know of anyone else who will take the house?
I have had a letter from the late H Pegler's sister-in-law. She will pay the rent to 29 September and give up the key now so we can do any repairs. She wants to pull down a pig sty or sell it to the next tenant. I shall see her but we would not allow a brick sty to be removed.
Fallows will call on you about the Framilode cottage: rent; key; pig sty.
Enclosing share certificates 118 and 119 in the name of Edmund Henry Clutterbuck of Hardenhuish Park.
Could you come tomorrow for wages? Don't forget to put the date on the new Top Gates at Dudbridge.
When Thomas has finished at Critchley's he should put in the coping stones at Ford's Wharf. Take him to Ryeford and get the size of the stones needed so that I can order them.
Enclosing a Minute from the Company's last Committee Meeting respecting the trespass on the Towing Path at Stonehouse. Will you have the same agreement as your late tenant W Fawkes?
Please let me have the transfer documents related to shares 109 and 110 as soon as possible.
Nothing is settled regarding the tenancy of the Framilode cottage. We shall be doing some repairs while it is empty.
Enclosing a cheque for £19-10-0 for 1/4 years salary.
Send me a copy of ticket 3495. Enclosing a cheque for £10-8-0 for 1/4 years salary.
I sold the shares to Mr Little as per Mrs Gerard's letter at £77-10-0 each. He understands that sum to include the half year dividend. I shall send a cheque when the Transfer document is received.
