1909-1914
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/9/12
Letters written by William James Snape between March 1909 and February 1914
Enclosing draft agreement for obtaining water from the canal. Kindly return with your remarks.
Explaining the difference between the Upper Wharf and Lower Wharf at Stroud
Concerning shares held by the late C H Hooper.
Enclosing agreement for water from the canal for signature.
Enclosing receipt for cost of agreement for water from the canal which was signed and sealed today.
Place the enclosed money order for £4 to the credit of the Company.
You can have as many boats as you like on the long pound from Double Locks to Eastington Top Lock for 5s each.
Enclosing receipt for canal tolls. The dockage bill must be paid. Re claim for detention of trow Gem, you can take what action you like.
Re repair of road near Oil Mills, the Company is not responsible.
Notice to quit cottage you occupy at Dudbridge on 16 May 1909 under agreement dated 24 December 1881.
Charges for the crane at Dudbridge are to be paid to the wharfinger immediately the crane has been used - not mixed up with the tolls.
I enclose a comparison statement of account for three half years ended 5th March last. Please note my remarks on the dividend which could be paid with the balance left. Every account has been paid.
Re: your concern about the stop gate at Framilode giving way I can reassure you that it is quite safe as it was thoroughly repaired some time ago. I will inspect it and make enquiries when next at Framilode. Philip Perry did the repairs and can tell you anything you wish to know. I will write again.
I will bring your report of your accident at Lodgemore Bridge to the attention of the Committee at our next meeting on 19th May
I must again ask you to settle your account for the new post put in at Lodgemore Bridge. Your Capt. William Gardiner ran into the bridge and left marks on the beam where the boat struck. We are not repairing it and I think we shall find that the blow has damaged some part of the underwork of the bridge and if so there will be an additional cost.
Received from Messrs Little and Whittingham 5s, the charge for making out a new certificate for share 145 in the names of H R Hooper and C W Hooper and entering their names on the books of the Company
In the half yearly accounts I find that you have had only two boatloads of coal which has brought in for tolls the large sum of 19s 3d in the last six months. We receive altogether from you 7s 11d per week (£20.10.0 annually) Your coal trade brought us in, with a barge-load of Forest coal, 8 1/2 per week. For this you have a good house with wharf and garden, a very good stable and nice bit of land. Please comment on the trade as I shall have to bring the matter before the Committee. I am told your boat is working for other people and you bring coal from the railway and deposit it on the Canal Wharf.
Re: dividend warrant, please obtain the signatures of the other executrices and fill in and return the enclosed form.
I enclose two copies of the statement of accounts for the year ending Sept last. Please retain a copy and return the other to me with remarks as formerly
The charge to Daneway is 6d per ton for all classes of goods 4. This is not a charge by Act of Parliament but to encourage trade. The 5s charge to Dudbridge is correct. In the schedule it is given as one mile from Stroud at 1 1/4d per ton per mile with a minimum charge of 5s . The minimum charge applies.
Please meet me at Lodgemore Bridge at 3.00pm tomorrow (Saturday)
Schedule of rents and tax with note: Please state how much Income Tax Schedules A D or E is included in the items Rates and Taxes for the two half year accounts. I presume that the rents do not differ from those returned last year
Re: Telephone Co. A detailed description of certain telegraph poles and cables
Encloses a postal order and stamps for toll overcharged on stone to Eastington on May 5th on Pioneer, Energy and Florrie
You report that your barge Gem was stuck in Blunder Lock in May. She has previously worked the canal easily for many years, but when she was docked recently guards were applied and she now exceeds the width specified in the Board of Trade Return 1888 by two inches so the fault is yours, but can be corrected by slightly reducing the size of the guards.
I find you are still depositing coal brought by railway on Canal property, which is for coal brought by canal and for which the rent is therefore low. I will propose to my Committee that you pay the same toll for coal brought by railway as for that brought by canal.
Please send a cheque for your overdue toll account. You also owe 7s 6d dockage; Mr Gardiner promised White the money and he let the barge through and got into trouble with the Committee. The a/c for the post at Lodgemore Bridge is also owing and more than the post was damaged. Mr Gardiner has admitted his man was drunk and did the damage; must I put him in County Court?
Do you intend to rent the land (enclosed by a wall) near your property at Newtown? The tenancy finishes on 24th; the rent is 2/6 per year.
Details of rent charged and tolls paid for a half year on Eastington Wharf
Copy of a minute, 21 Apr 1909: A question having arisen over the charge for docking James Smart's damaged barge Gem, the matter was left in the hands of Mr E P Little.
Record of receipt of 2s 6d payment for use of water from Stonehouse Ocean by Mr Chandler and conditions of use.
Copy of an extract from Company Minutes 25 Aug 1863 recording an agreement to rent a small triangular area of land at Eastington to Mr Hooper
Covering letter for the above extract sent to H R Hooper
A member of the Committee wishes to meet you. Please give two days notice of a suitable time
The other party cannot attend our meeting and suggests 6pm next Monday. Please call in when you leave the mill.
An itemised account for repairs to the swing bridge near the Gas Works
Please credit the Company's account with the enclosed postal order for 30/-
My Committee asks you to pay 12s 7d owing for repairs to the swing pole at Lodgemore Bridge. If not paid within a few days the 7s 6d dockage will also be charged to you.
We paid a £3.0.0 contribution to the Gloucester Harbour Company on 22nd Mar covering a year starting 25 Mar . We have only one representative, H. Hamilton Mills Esq.
I have reported non payment of 2s 6d rent for the gate near Stone Pit Bridge to my Committee: they have directed me to ask for immediate payment.
Re: Motor Car Acts Notice (Bridges): in reply to your letter of 29 Oct last, please inform me what firm can supply the notices required
Re: Motor Car Acts Notice: can you now tell me what form of notice you have adopted, if any.
Re: Motor Car Acts Notice 1896 & 1903: if you have ordered the notice plates contemplated, please could you tell me from which firm they can be obtained.
Re: Motor Car Acts Notice 1896 & 1903: if you have adopted a notice to attach to bridges, please inform my committee of the dimensions and wording etc.
The Committee has agreed to let you the small piece of land lately in the possession of Mr C H Hooper near your property in Newtown for 7s per year starting from 24th June last.
At their annual inspection of the canal on 22 June, the Committee noted three very bad places [specified] where streams of water are running into the canal bringing in quantities of road drift. Before I notify the County Surveyor, I thought I would ask you to see immediately to the catchpits in the road and to provide catchpits where there are none. I have had a quantity of sand and dredge deposited in the three places and will send in a bill for wages.
Thanks for your letter re Motor Car Acts Notice
Thanks for your reply ; my committee wish to know if you have adopted a form of notice and how you plan to display them.
My Committee wish to charge you £7.17.6, the cost of diverting sand washed into the canal from the road at Ebley and Stonehouse
Heavy loads of timber belonging to you are causing damage to the bridge planking at Stonehouse. Please use the Lower Road instead.. I have reported this to my Committee and will send a bill for repairs. I fear damage to the castings, which if broken would stop the road and be very expensive
Re: Motor Car Bridge Notice: when you have decided on the form of your notice, please send details.
I enclose share certificate 145 and a form for authority for payment of dividends - please acknowledge receipt
Agreement between this Company and The National Telephone Co received with thanks
By the instruction of my Committee I ask for payment of 12s 7d owing for repairs to Lodgemore bridge and 7s 6d for dockage.
Re: Motor Car Acts Notice: Your letter received with thanks
Re: Motor Car Acts Notice: Your standard plate is too large for our use. Please quote for your standard plate and a special plate made to our size
Holders of angling licences complain that you snatch bream and other fish rather than angling for them. If this occurs again I will fine you under the Canal Act and notify the Police. I mean what I say and will do it.
No meeting will be held this month
No meeting will be held this month
No meeting will be held this month
No meeting will be held this month
No meeting will be held this month
No meeting will be held this month
I enclose the insurance form filled in and I hope in order
I have a Committee meeting shortly and would be glad to hear from you as to payment of dock dues and repairs to the Lodgemore Bridge.
I require Chepstow stone to put on the Bristol Rd Bridge. County men are repairing the approaches. Please quote for delivery of 10 tons at that place as soon as possible.
[written by Percy Snape] I enclose F S for Yarnold - have noted when Hospital Money. I suspect Smith is helping Sam but could not Sam do that work and Smith get on with the roof - must keep a sharp eye on the expenses you know.
I enclose draft minutes of the last Committee meeting for your approval.
Stroudwater shares do not change hands very often, but are probably worth about £50 each. I could possibly get you a few at that price.
I enclose a postal order for £4 and pass book. Please make up and return as soon as possible.
Re: Stroudwater Co share, the face value of the same is £150
Six shares in this Company now stand in the names of Frederick Whitworth Jones and Edmund Thomas Moon Teesdale and the dividends are paid to Messrs Gunsley & Co Parliament St London. These shares were claimed by F S Whittingham, Solicitor, Stroud on their behalf and share certificates made out in their names.
Shares numbered 5.6.68.93.98.127 in this company were purchased on 24th July 1857 by the late Mr W H Jones for -. On June16 1891 the same were claimed by E T M Teesdale and F W Jones, Mr Whitingham Solicitor of Stroud asking for them. £150 was the original value of the shares, now worth about £50 each.
Shares in this company very seldom change hands and are now worth about £50 as stated in my previous letter. The capital of the Company is £30,000. If I hear of a likely purchaser I will inform you.
I have received your letter and will attend to it. Please advise me of the Act and Section on which you base your request and provide a copy of the opinion of counsel to which you refer.
Extract of minutes of a Committee meeting held on 17 Jul 1894. The stoppage of the canal between Ryeford and Eastington has revealed drains into the canal which the clerk was directed to get closed. Considerable deposits of sand and silt from road drains were also revealed and were drawn to the attention of the County surveyor who instructed Peter Savage, the local surveyor, to remove them.
In reply to your letter of 4 Sep, the need for dredging between Ryeford and Eastington was due to road drift from the public highway and the County Council is responsible. In a previous similar case in Stonehouse the Council Surveyor had the deposits removed at no expense to the Canal Co. The Committee have instructed me to return the enclosed dredging account for £7.17.6 for which the County Council are legally liable. [See p55]
[Attached to p54] Account of cost of dredging road silt from Ebley (near Gydes Swing Bridge and near Shipway's Yard) and at Stonehouse Cross bridge.
Permission is granted to lay a 1 inch pipe under the canal near Stroud Gas Works for an annual payment of 5s to and under the canal and 10s along the towing path from Swing Bridge to the west end of the Stroud Gas Co.'s property. Agreement to be prepared by the Company's Solicitor at the cost of the Council.
Your letter will be brought before the Committee next week
The Committee grant permission to your Council to lay pipe under the canal and towing path at Downfield on payment of 10s per annum.
The Committee adhere to their claim for £7:17:6, being advised that the County Council are legally liable. While this is on record the Company will not press for payment unless the same thing happens again. We ask the County Council to prevent road drift being washed into the canal in future.
Tolls received by this Company from traffic to and from the T&S Canal in the year ended 30 Sep 1909 amounted to £368:0:2d
Re the rent at Stonehouse, please give particulars: on whose instruction do you ask for rent on a mud tip at Stonehouse part No 81? From No 95 Dudbridge this is a garden to two cottages also give the charge on each plot and contents.
I enclose an extract of the minutes of our meeting of 19 Jan 1910 re an application of Messrs Apperly Curtis for a small quantity of land at Dudbridge Canal wharf [minute appended] Chairman to arrange the sale, retaining a right of entry for repairs and water falling from the roof to be dealt with.
By Permission of the Midland Railway Co we intend to deposit dredgings on land between our mud tip and their embankment at Stonehouse. I write to advise you of this as I understand this will fill a ditch which you use for drainage.
Last Friday your man and wagon damaged the Swing Bridge at Stroud Gas Works. This will be repaired and a bill of the costs will be sent to you.
re Mrs Searnackes Settlement. I apologise for delay in replying and find the paperwork is not in order. I enclose the transfer form used by the Company and a draft power of attorney. A death certificate for the late Mr Tabor is also required. Please let me have Certificate 200 as a new one will be required and a completed form of request as to payment of dividends
I enclose a bill 4s 6d for repairs to the handrail of Gasworks Swing bridge.
Ten tons each of stone has been deposited at Eastington and Bristol Rd. Let me know when the steamroller will be at these places and I will arrange for men to assist in putting it on the bridges.
Please place the enclosed cheque of £5.11.0 in the Company's account.
Details of sale transaction of land at the Dudbridge wharf to Messrs Apperly for £5:11:0
Mr Hopson the bearer will require the lock lowered about a foot as he is repairing the damage done by Mr John Wibby at Ryeford. You can do this but please pay due regard to the trade and the Company's interest and ascertain the position of any boats in the long pound before drawing water. Mr S. Hopson will pay you.
Cheque £2:10:0 Please deposit in Company's account.
Received with thanks, duplicate deed of conveyance of the small piece of land at Dudbridge and cheque for £5:11:0
Payment of the account for damages to the swing bridge needed in the next few days as I am preparing accounts for the committee or it will be handed over to the Company's solicitors.
I enclose copies of a letter received from Mr Southall (Severn Commission) relating to the T&S Canal and of my letter sent to Mr Southall today.
Re: Letter from Mr Gardom re T&S Canal. The Canal Committee of the Gloucestershire CC on 5th Apr. Mr P J Evans (Chairman) and W H Marling are members of the Committee and should attend as shall I. The general half yearly meeting of this Company will be held on 20th Apr and will consider this matter. I have forwarded your letter to Mr Evans.
Re: Searnacke's Trust: I have received the transfer of one share in this company certificate and the power of attorney. Please send the certificate of burial of the late Mr Tabor and I will proceed with the matter.
I enclose cheque £3:- as one year's contribution to the Gloucester Harbour Board. Please send receipt. I could not get the cheque signed until yesterday.
Postal order 30s enclosed, please credit to this Company's account. Please balance the account to 31st inst. In the enclosed pass book and return it . With thanks.
I have received the certificate of death of the late Mr G E Tabor.
Please credit the enclosed postal order 20s to this Company's account. On checking the enclosed pass book I find that the credit £2:10:0 (No. 4146 Deposit Receipt) is not included in the account. Please enter it and return the pass book.
I enclose Mr Tabor's death certificate which has been registered. I will send the share certificate in the next few days.
I enclose certificate for share 200 in this Company. And details of the fee (15s)
In reply to yours, the half yearly accounts have not yet been passed: the Committee meet on 30th of this month after which I will provide the accounts you request.
On 12th April your steam engine carrying furniture to the rectory passed over the swing bridge at Framilode despite a warning that it was only fit for light traffic such as carts and vans. Four planks were broken and the bridge shaken and greater damage may come to light. The cost of replacing the 4 planks was £1:4:0. Please send a cheque in settlement. promptly as I have a Committee meeting shortly.
White's rent: I have received a cheque £1:7:6, as per particulars furnished by Davis and Champion.
Cheque £7:10:0 enclosed please send receipt.
My committee have considered your letter and suggest I meet you on the spot. Would Monday or Tuesday next week at Stonehouse be convenient?
Estimates for drainage work at Dudbridge, including yours, were considered by the Committee and an estimate of £6:5:0 was accepted. Thank you for your trouble.
We are willing to deposit dredgings at the bottom of the west side mainline railway embankment crossing the canal at Stonehouse and to pipe a short length of your Company's ditch as suggested by your inspector, who suggests we request your permission and await your reply.
I enclose a/c of this Canal for the year ending 31 Mar 1910 (in duplicate) Please deal with them in the usual way and return one copy to me.
Mrs Teesdale has informed me that you are not able at present to discuss with me the gorse planted by you on the shallow banks between Shallow Lock and Walk Bridge as requested by my committee. Please place your views on record in writing so that I can place them before my Committee.
Re damage to the swing bridge at Framilode, I am surprised at the excuse put forward. Any reasonable driver should realise the bridge was not suitable to bear a steam engine weighing 5 tons and your driver was warned by our man. The goods could have been taken over by van and horses. No further damage has been found and as the cost is low I will agree to accept half the claim viz 12s which should no doubt be paid by your man.
I enclose the plan for drainage at Dudbridge for your perusal. Please send a form for me to fill in.
Thank you for your letter. Please send your observations on the deed you refer to also and I will place both before my Committee.
I mentioned your offer of 1s per year for taking water from the canal at Stonehouse but he thinks the Committee would not agree to it. Any further offer you make will be placed before the Committee.
Your warrant of yesterday for £6:15:0 received with thanks
A detailed income tax account sheet annotated by S M Gregory "Please state the amount of income tax debited for the two half years. No details need be given. In what details if at all do the rents differ from those in the year 1908/9"""
A dividend warrant was sent to Messrs Grindley & Co in respect of six shares in the names of yourself and F W Jones. They inform me the account is now closed. Please fill in the enclosed form.
I enclose the draft agreement for the canal at Ebley altered to take affect[sic] from 28 Mar as agreed, dated as for yesterday. Please send the agreement as soon as possible.
A tree from your land has fallen across the ditch which drains water from the Coffin Weir at Whitminster, flooding fields and damaging the Company's property. Please remove the tree as soon as possible
I have received the dividend warrant for £6:15:0: I will send a fresh warrant in your name Special formalities are required by Act of Parliament to transfer shares. Please apply to the Company's solicitors.
I enclose the dividend warrant as requested.
In answer to your query, the value of this company's shares on 9th was about £50 each.
I have received your letter with enclosures and have received £1:10:0 for registration fees
Re: Bridge House Eastington: your father pays 2/6 per year for taking water from the canal, 6d per year for the pipe to the wash-house and 1s per year for the pipe to the pump. The pipe is the property of this company and kept in repair by your father.
I enclose share certificates in the name of Mrs K A W Rowntree
I have received your report on netting of fish in the Canal near Parklands Bridge Whitminster. My Committee meet on the 15th, when I shall receive instructions to take summonses, so the Stonehouse Petty Sessions on 30th will be the most suitable date for hearings.
I regret that the oven door of the large grate delivered by the Midland Railway Co today is damaged and does not close. Please can your representative inspect this or I can return the grate to your warehouse.
I have received the account: Please send particulars of the item:" Schedule A
The Committee wishes to proceed in the netting case, so please take it in hand
The Committee agree that the gorse may remain on the bank until autumn as you request.
I have received the agreement sealed by Stroud Urban District Council re pipe near Gasworks at Downfield
Abdela & Co will not have a steam launch for three weeks: please arrange a canal inspection (Framilode to Eastington) with Mr S S Marling. Please let me know the date so that I can arrange for inspection of the upper portion with Mr Davies.
Mr Marling can only inspect on 29th at 3 pm. Please contact him and let me know where we should meet.
Mr Marling will inspect the lower portion of the canal on 29th. I suggest Monday next for inspection of the upper portion. Please inform Mr Whittingham of the date and time of the inspection. I cannot get a steam launch. Mr Whittingham cannot attend on Thursdays or Saturdays
How do matters stand in the fishing case? Do we need to take out summons or any other business in the case.
I have received your notice due yesterday (24th). I accept it on the understanding that the rent due on 29th Sep must be paid by that day, or your notice will be void and your tenancy will run to 25th Dec 1910
I have received your letter. If work to extend the culvert is carried out it would be rather expensive and a period of repayment of 10 - 15 years. Your ordinary agreement for 3 - 6 months would not be possible. As the proposed deposit of dredgings would be beneficial to both companies, especially yours,, my Committee suggests that the normal rental charge of 10s per year might be reduced to 5s. I would be happy to discuss this further in person.
Workman's insurance. I enclose completed form.
I am completing accounts to present to my Committee. Please pay 2s 6d annual trespass rent due for the doorway opening onto the towing path near the Ryeford Canal Bridge
I note you held an angling competition at which non members were charged 1s and we were not notified in advance. This is against our agreement which allows ten members at 2s per year and non-members must pay 2s 6d. One competition per year for members only is allowed and must be notified to us.
Re Workmans Insurance: I enclose £1:13:3, premium for one year to 31 Jul 1911. Please send receipt
My Committee request payment for doorway on towing path at Ryeford of 2s 6d , particulars as in my letter
Re: Mary Frances Clutterbuck, deceased: I have received your letter and 5s registration fee. I enclose the probate which has been registered and will forward the share certificate as soon as possible.
My committee has considered your letter re the old boat in Framilode Warehouse. It has been in the warehouse 14 years and your offer of £1 for warehouse charges is considered insufficient. They propose a payment of £2.10.0 upon which payment you can have the boat.
The Committee agrees to your request to open a doorway on to the towpath at the west end of your warehouse at Dudbridge, on payment of a quit rent of 1s per year. I will prepare a memorandum of agreement .
We understand that you are taking water from the canal for your engine boiler. A charge is made for this. Please send me the size of the pipe, horsepower of the engine and private trading name of the firm so that I can prepare the usual agreement
