1889-1895
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/9/9
Letters written by William James Snape between June 1889 and December 1895
Acknowledging receipt of letter and six open forms of Schedule of Maximum Tolls and Charges.
The Committee think the current £15 per year will be reasonable for a supply of water to Fromehall Mill.
I sent a weighbridge pillar from Dudbridge to Bristol but the 'beam guide' was received broken and I claim 7s 6d for a replacement.
There will be a charge of 1s per year for a portion of wall you built on this Co's Garden Wall at Wallbridge.
Please settle the wharfage before Tuesday next's Committee meeting.
Again I remind you of your promise to repair the closet at Ryeford. The contents run into the Canal and cause a nuisance.
From 1 November a wharfage charge of 30s per year will be made for your use of the Wharf at Dudbridge.
Enclosing copy of the Schedule including the Company's proposed amendments and tolls.
Enclosing account for water taken from the Canal and man's time in altering the weir at Dudbridge. Do you intend to have any more water? If not, please make up the bank again.
Enclosing two prints of amendments to this Company's Schedule received by me. Will you be considering this Canal this month?
From today no pleasure boats may pass the Junction up or down the Canal on Sundays.
Enclosing cheque for £300 for half-yearly dividend to 31st October.
Enclosing a Power of Attorney as requested. Regarding transfer of Share 136, Act of Parliament requires certain formalities. Our solicitor could act as Attorney. Let me have the old share certificate as a new one will be made.
I have been waiting for the 'Excelsior' to arrive before replying. When she does arrive I shall measure the mast and let you know. In 6 months, 9622 tons of coal came from Bullo to Framilode Lock. If a Swing Bridge was erected this would probably come by railway with increased costs to the consumer.
Enclosing two prints of amendments to this Company's Schedule received from the Mansion House Association.
The 'Excelsior's' mast is 49 feet, length overall 69 feet and width 15 feet. It takes a barge one to one and a quarter hours to come up the 9 miles from Bullo to Framilode. I shall send you some particulars of charge changes T Bullo and Framilode due to the Severn Bridge.
You say that the collector will allow for the 'void' at the warehouse but not what is to be done with the overcharge.
Mr Keeling is wrong in saying that the increase in traffic at Bullo was due to the reduction in rate; it was the obstruction caused by the Severn Bridge. We have no trade from below the Bridge coming up to Framilode Lock; what stopped this is the Bridge. A bridge at Newnham would have the same effect. In addition to the height of the mast the length of the vessel, the bowsprit and boom which hangs about 10 feet over the side of the vessel must be considered along with state of tide and wind. Old hands say the rate of tide is seven to nine miles an hour.
Please pay the £2-18-5 'excess toll' due to this Company. This is the last time and unless paid at once further proceedings will be taken. Mr Saunders keeps asking for the proportion due to Thames & Severn Canal Co.
As this Company is fifth in the Canal list please do not take the objections to their schedule before 30th November.
I have no record of the trade passing up the Severn to Framilode Lock before the erection of the Bridge. No traffic passes up under the Bridge now to Framilode Lock but enters Sharpness. The 'Excelsior' is a regular trade to and from Bullo. Bargeman say the tide runs from seven to eight miles an hour.
Thank you for your offer of help. We have received objections to our Schedule from the Mansion House Association and the Mining Association. I enclose copies.
The conditions for your having the osier cuttings at the Junction are that you give 1s 6d per bundle for them, cut by you, measuring 40 inches round the butt end and the same six inches above. Don't cut them until I send a man down.
In view of the large amount of rain please pay particular attention to the paddles in the Locks and the sluice in Eastington Short Pound.
A dividend warrant for 30s was sent on 31 October to the account of Mr Alfred Brittan. Your notice was not received until 4 November.
Please cut off the water supply at Dudbridge in the name of E T Ward for which we pay 18s a year.
I have written to the National Provincial Bank, Abergavenny asking them to remit the dividend to Mr A Brittan.
Please send dividend of 30s to Mr A Brittan, Albion Chambers, Bristol as it was sent to you by mistake.
Enclosing cheque for £2-2-0 as one year's subscription to the Stroud Hospital.
Enclosing cheque for £1-16-5 for one year's tithe.
Enclosing cheque for £3-3-0 for one year's subscription to the Canal Association.
Enclosing cheque for £8-12-4 in settlement of our account.
Enclosing salary cheque for £6-10-0.
Please inspect the closet near the Ryeford footbridge which has fallen down and the contents run into the Canal. It belongs to Mr Kimmins.
Regarding the brook near Bristol Road, the Company's liability as to clearing it only extends as far as the first cross brook, beyond that it falls to the owner or tenant of the land. We also expect the tenant to clear away fallen trees and overgrown bushes as they interfere with the flow of water downstream.
Please pay the 5s for water taken from the Canal.
This Company is doing all it can. Mr Brynmor Jones MP is to put further questions to Mr Mundella. The Stroud Chamber of Commerce is also to arrange a deputation.
Please send me the last three year's balance sheets for the Thames & Severn Canal Co as we want to prepare a statement for Mr D Brynmore Jones who may need to present it to the President of the Board of Trade.
There is a small hole in the bank of the brook near Bristol Road caused by cattle. A cartload of earth from the bank should make this good. Overhanging branches and other obstructions due to fallen trees are the responsibility of the tenant.
Enclosing Share Certificate 87 made out in your name.
You may have the osier cuttings from the Ocean at 1s 6d per bundle cut by us and those at the mud bank, if two years old, at a little less. I will have them sent to the canal at Eastington. Mr Fredericks will allow you to pass free from there to Framilode.
Re Charity of Charles Ballinger, I return signed Income Tax certificate for dividend paid on two shares, now valued at £140 and not £200.
Do you have a pine log 27 feet long, not less than 15 inches x 15 inches? Please send one with the poles. I shall require two more but will wait until you get more in.
I said before to only send one log 27 feet x 15 inches x 15 inches. I will wait until you get more in to pick a larger log or two.
One of the Bridge plates is cracked so please send a man up to look at it. No heavy weight has passed over it. Of course we shall expect you to make all good free of any charge to this Company.
I see nothing has been done to Mr Kimmins' cess pool at Ryeford to stop sewage flowing into the Canal and neither have I had a reply to my letter.
Replying to request for Acts of Parliament, we have some but not others.
Forwarding the Acts of Parliament relating to the Stroudwater Navigation.
Acknowledging receipt of draft Schedule of Maximum Tolls and Charges which will be placed before the Directors at their next meeting. Enclosing Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Act containing sections relating to this Canal.
I have heard nothing about the machine plate. Let me know what you are going to do about it.
The draft Schedule has been considered by the Directors. They request a meeting of three of them with you next Thursday afternoon at your convenience.
The Committee will give no more than 4s 3d per cu ft for the oak as per specification. Are you willing to fix that price?
Acknowledging receipt of your letter. The three Directors will meet you tomorrow at 2 pm.
Acknowledging receipt of your response to the Proposed Thames and Severn Schedule which will be placed before my Committee.
Following your recent meeting with three Directors I enclose, as requested, a statement of the traffic to and from the various places on the Canal for year ending 30 September 1893. The Committee hope that if you cannot propose a toll of 1 1/4 for the whole Canal you might for the first 5 miles viz to Stonehouse.
The Committee do not consider the proposed tolls for the Thames and Severn Schedule unfair or excessive and will offer no objections and neither will Stroud Chamber of Commerce.
The Committee do not consider the proposed Thames and Severn tolls excessive and will be offering no objections.
Enclosing a Table of Distances on the Stroudwater Canal in compliance with the Railway & Canal Traffic Act 1888.
Enclosing Share Certificate 136 in favour of Alfred Brittan and Charles Miller.
Acknowledging receipt of amended Schedule of Tolls for Stroudwater Navigation.
I return your account charging for one section of platform for weighing machine at Dudbridge as we cannot hold ourselves responsible for your defective workmanship.
You can have what water you need at 9d per 1000 gallons, the same rate as the Thames & Severn Canal Co charge Stroud Local Board.
The last selling price for Stroudwater Navigation shares was £70 each.
None of the three wharves you name - Dudbridge, Ryeford, Stonehouse - are let and therefore no rents received.
Inquiries will be made re accident to horse at the Gas Works Bridge. I may say that this Bridge is in good order and properly constructed.
I am sending 1/2 pound of yellow prussiate of potash. Be very careful how you use and dispose of it as it is poison.
This Co will offer no objection to your proposed Schedule of Tolls for the Thames & Severn Canal and neither will the Stroud Chamber of Commerce.
Acknowledging a higher scale of tolls proposed for the Thames & Severn Canal Co to which this Company will raise no objection.
The cess pit in your yard at Dudbridge is full and overflowing into the Canal. It requires immediate attention.
Remove immediately your sign board and supports from the Company's wharf at Ryeford or I shall give instructions for them to be taken down and taken up to Dudbridge Wharf.
Nothing has been done to the Closet at Ryeford and everything is running into the Canal. I shall ask my Committee to take proceedings.
Please send the timber as arranged with our carpenter today. Shall I send back those I have or keep them at a reduced price?
Please supply another pitch pine log more than 27 feet.
At the recent Annual Inspection it was noticed that the roots of rushes and others on the Canal Bank in the Whitminster area were growing so as to contract the Waterway. Please have the obstruction removed.
Enclosing a printed notice of a stoppage to part of this Canal for repairs to Locks and other work from 7 to 20 July 1894.
This Company has received notice from the Mining Association of amendments to the Schedule relating to the Stroudwater Navigation. They did not offer any objection at the Inquiry and this small Company cannot appear at the Parliamentary Committee in support of the Schedule. I hope the Board of Trade will see that the interests of this Company do not suffer though their not being represented before the Committee.
My Committee enquire whether the Mining Association intend to press their proposed amendment to the Schedule. It had not been suggested at the Board of Trade inquiry and is of no value to mining interests as the only coal carried comes from the Severn or off the G&B Canal and very little is landed in the first mile of this Canal. Some grain and timber pass on to the Canal from the Thames & Severn at Stroud so to charge at the Stroud end for a fraction of the first mile as for a mile is important. Therefore I shall be glad to hear that the Mining Association will withdraw their amendment to this Company's schedule.
There are obvious banks of sand at four places in the Canal now there is no water in it. Must I get the rubbish out and charge the Council or will you order Mr Savage to have it done. The water will be run in again in nine or ten days.
There is a large quantity of sand, gravel, etc at the mouth of the drain from the Ship Inn, Stonehouse and also at the Swing Bridge. Before the water is run in please arrange for this to be removed otherwise I shall have to do it and charge the County Council.
Mr Savage will start to remove the banks of silt, etc next Monday morning. If he starts at Ryeford I shall have six men working there and would give him a little help.
I could meet you on the Canal Bridge at Ryeford tomorrow. My men will be at work at Ryeford on Monday so we could help you a bit there.
Again, your mother's privy vault at Ryeford requires rebuilding. The water will be out of the Canal for another week giving you an opportunity to put in the foundations.
A large quantity of sand is washed from the road into the Canal near your house. Please have it removed at once.
We understand that the Thames & Severn Canal Co are proposing an amendment by which the tolls would be very largely increased. We hope the Board of Trade will strongly oppose any proposed increase. As our Canal joins the Thames & Severn at Stroud we would be seriously prejudiced if this were adopted.
Opposite your Bathing place the boys have trodden down the gravel offering a serious obstruction to wide-bottomed vessels. Please have some of it thrown back which will also improve your bathing place. The Canal will be empty for a fortnight giving you ample time.
Secure the manhole at Bond's Mill by weighted planks, put all the rubbish against the wall and also at the Top Lock, clean and oil all the paddle gearing
As the rubbish from The Canal is unsuitable for grass land please do not put it on land you occupy without the Committee's permission.
Your claim for £3-7-6 has been placed in the hands of the Co's solicitors. Please call on them.
I saw opposite Mr Z Whiting's door the other day a rowboat. Find out to whom it belongs, if it has been used on the Canal and if so when and where.
The work is now completed at the Double Lock and the Canal is now open for traffic.
Your men are again putting spent hops in your manure pit at Wallbridge. Please put a stop to it or I shall bring it to the attention of the nuisance inspector.
The Committee instructs me to pay you 5s per week until further notice.
I am returning an account for payment re Canal Schedules. We decline to pay it as we thought we were dealing with the Canal Association and never expected to be charged. All letters were addressed to the Association and not to Grahams & Co. We are considering unsubscribing.
The Committee cannot ignore the laying of large pipes near Ebley Saw Mills to take water and drainage from Ebley properties into the Canal. For a long time there has been a growing nuisance and injury and substituting the open ditch for pipes will increase this by more sewage being discharged into the Canal. This is detrimental to the public health and is illegal. The Committee hope that you will bring the matter before the Sanitary Committee so that the sewage can be dealt with.
Enclosing the Thames & Severn Canal Co Balance sheets from 1874-1894 along with a copy of wage sheet for about 1888. I need them back for a meeting on Tuesday.
Please cut back the hedge from the weir to Saul Bridge as it is overhanging the towing path which is very inconvenient for the traffic.
Enclosing particulars of Income Tax paid on dividends for the three years ending 1 May 1894.
The supports to the iron fencing at Dudbridge Wharf are fixed on your land and we should remove them at any time on your request.
I know of no road drains having been blocked up at either Stonehouse or Ryeford. A few drains at Ryeford have been blocked up but these carried sewage into the Canal. Perhaps Mr Savage told you this before acquainting himself with the facts.
How far is it from Holly Bank Colliery to the Canal and what would be the cost of laying down a tramway? Would the Colliery Co put one down if a Canal trade could be worked up?
Please tell the van people to stop making fires under the 'Shed' at the Ship Inn. You will be held responsible for any damage.
Please note the state of the bank near the Timber Pit and also the pit's sides which you have cut away for your ducks. Put this right before you leave and also cut the hedge at the bottom of the garden.
I return the letter from the Birmingham Canal Navigation Co re the tramway from Holly Bank Colliery to the Canal. I can understand why the tramway was taken up as the Canal is Railway owned and the purpose would be to throw the entire Canal traffic on the Railway.
Bring back the portion of the fish trap you took from the Company's watercourse at Eastington. If it is not replaced proceedings will be taken against you. You should not have stopped the Company's man from cutting the hedge. We shall charge you for that work and for putting right the damage to the Timber Pit and Brook Bank.
I have arranged for a tenant for the Canal House, Eastington. Please leave the key and three weeks rent with Oliver Sittington.
Acknowledging receipt of Acts relating to the Stroudwater Navigation and the Gloucester & Berkeley Canal Act 1870.
The Committee would not wish to subscribe to a telephone line unless it was a direct line down the towing path to the Junction.
Let me know about the House at Eastington Canal Yard. The key is available and I shall prepare an agreement. Mr Salmon has paid three weeks rent and you can pay me the ten weeks to Xmas. Fires will be made in the house to keep it in airing this wet weather.
From 1st December the toll on coal delivered at Stonehouse Wharf will be charged to the carrier who will then charge you in his account.
Please reply to my letter of 7th September re Ebley sewage.
From 1st December charge all coal delivered by Mr Field to Gainer's to his account rather than to Gainer's. Mark on the tickets in column 'Where to' for whom it is. This is to get at the total weight delivered at each place for my half-yearly statement.
From 1st December the toll on all coal carried by you will be charged to your monthly account.
Please send ticket 454 if you have it, or a copy otherwise. Get the weight of birch planking from Sharpness as Smart cannot tell me. There is still some at Sharpness so there is no hurry.
I understand that the barge 'Finis' blocked the Canal and stopped the traffic today although you were working nearby. It is your duty to attend to such matters. And if you cannot explain yourself you will be suspended. Tell James Powell he is almost as bad as you. You should have seen to the barge's removal. Read Rules 3 and 23.
Enclosing particulars of distance and locks you ask for. Please pay your October tonnage by Friday so that I can make up my monthly accounts.
I have stopped the payment of the Dividend Warrant at your request.
Please come to look at the damage done to the Warehouse door and wall by your man which will be an expensive job if not done at once.
Stroudwater Canal shares are now worth £75 each.
Copy of telegram: Traffic stopped by slip. What are going to do?
When will something be done so that barges and boats can pass the slip in the Stroud Pound? The barges are having to be lightened, causing delay. You can use our mud boat at £4-4-6 for the week.
When I purchased the stone I understood it was to be delivered to the Stonehouse Siding at 2s per cubic foot, carriage free, and in your letter of 27th February you undertook to do so.
The approximate traffic to and from the River Severn and the Thames & Severn canal averaged over the past three years is 5,500 tons per annum.
In your letter of 27th February you say that the stone is to be delivered to Stonehouse for 2s per cube foot.
I can set out the statement you require in any way so let me know how you want it and I shall do my best.
You say in yours of 27th February that the stone is to delivered at Stonehouse. I cannot send you the letter as you request but I can show it to anyone you may send. The Midland Railway Co's clerk has taken a copy. PS The stone I had from Fishponds was delivered to Stonehouse at 2s 6d and I decided to have some of yours as it was cheaper although not so good. If yours is to come up at that price I shall have a harder and better stone from Fishponds for no more.
Enclosing cheque for £3-3-0 as our annual subscription.
I enclose a Post Order for 4s for four books with particulars of goods, etc. I have not been able to get them from Stroud Station.
I shall soon have the traffic returns to and from Stourport to the T&S Canal for Mr Southall and shall let you have a copy.
I cannot let you have the letter but you did state the stone is to be delivered at Stonehouse. I had the letter with me the day I was at your Quarry. The word 'Stonehouse' is clearly written and anyone can see the letter at this office.
I return the Statement of Traffic to and from the Thames & Severn Canal for 1881 and shall send as soon as I can the figures for 1893 and 1894.
Please find cheque for quarter year's salary. There is also a Table of Tolls; please note the changes.
