1919-1935
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/1/9
Minutes from 17 September 1919 to 18 December 1935
of the Committee of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation
Messrs King & Co accepted £21 10s 6d as final payment re contract for swing bridge at Stonehouse.
Re Bristol Road Lock, Chairman and Mr Bloxam had met Mr Ward at Wallbridge office 28 March. Letter from E J Ward & Son Ltd. Claim against Navigation re sinking of the “Alfreda”, alleging cause being lock gates in unsound condition. In reply Chairman to repudiate claim. No further interview could take place, unless claim withdrawn. Company had so far made no definite claim. Figures before him represented total loss to Company due to negligence of his firm’s employees.
Committee to make claim for £403 19s, made up of £169 3s 9d traffic loss (25%), £185 12s 1d Sharpness New Docks Co costs in full, £3 7s Mr Bradley’s fee and expenses, £45 16s 2d one eighth cost of removing gates.
Swing bridge at Stonehouse: Messrs Vowles & Son Ltd wished to carry out inspection of bridge at own expense. Allowed, providing no inconvenience to Navigation and others.
No reply from County Council re Thames & Severn Canal. Decision to adjourn matter of payment of £150 contribution due towards deficit in accounts year ending September 1922 till next meeting.
John Richings, tenant of 80 sq yards of land on wharf at Stonehouse, had not paid rent, £12. If rent not paid forthwith, matter to pass to Company’s solicitors.
Re contribution toward accounts of Gloucester Harbour Board re lighting of River Severn, decision to pay contribution for last year. Clerk to ascertain whether canal traders used the River. Note: No present trader uses the River but as canal was open to all, it was decided to pay contribution as usual.
New balance pole ordered in place of broken one on inside bottom gate at Dudbridge. Not safe to work gate.
Re Bristol Road Lock, reply from Messrs Ward & Son. Friendly arrangement unlikely. Matter to be placed in hands of Company solicitor.
Re Stonehouse Swing Bridge, Messrs Vowles & Sons had not yet inspected bridge.
Letter from Mr E T Gardom re silted condition of Thames & Severn Canal. Canal Committee consider it unnecessary to undertake work suggested by Stroudwater Navigation. Cost prohibitive. No difficulty accommodating barges which generally use canal.
Decision to pay £150 re Thames & Severn Canal to Gloucestershire County Council.
Bassett, Company’s lock keeper at Dudbridge sustained injury at work. Insurance Co informed. Half wages till next meeting.
Application from Mr T M Sibly for special rate for motorboat on canal. No reduction in usual charge.
Mabel Bonsall Walker claimed two shares (numbers omitted), will of Frederica Frances Wood.
Report of inspection of canal Framilode to Wallbridge by Chairman, Messrs H R Hooper and Bloxam.
Renewal of bottom gates at Pike Lock, Eastington. Clerk to obtain necessary materials and labour. Challow Saw Mills Co. Ltd, lowest tender for oak scantling, £44 8s, accepted.
Offers for purchase of stone tile roof, about 33½ squares, of dock at Eastington listed.
Messrs Bomford & Evershed Ltd would not estimate vost of dredging canal unless particulars supplied. Mr Cullis, Dock Co. Gloucester, estimated cost of dredging mile of canal 18 feet wide x 1 foot deep £260.
Messrs Ward & Son Ltd offered to pay £100 in settlement of Company’s claim re Bristol Road Lock. Mr Bloxham to write back that Committee would settle matter on payment of £200.
Clerk to inform County Surveyor of rent for wharf at Stonehouse £1 per week from 1 July. 10s present rent inadequate.
Re use County Surveyor’s employees made of Dudbridge Wharf, usual wharfage charge for road material recently deposited on wharf 1s 6d per day for any engine and plant brought on to wharf.
Lean-to roof of stable on wharf Wallbridge, rented by Mr C Lambert at £7 p.a., very leaky. To replace with slate £21, Mr Hopson’s estimate. Clerk to obtain another estimate from Mr Wager, builder of Stroud.
Mr W Mourbey to rent warehouse on wharf at Dudbridge for 30s p.a.
Complete renewal of bottom gates at Pike Lock, Eastington, gates in hand. Repairs to heel and bars of outside bottom gate.
Messrs Orchard & Peer’s offer of £73 for stone tile roof of Dock at Eastington accepted. To remove tiles from premises by end of year.
Bristol Road Lock: Messrs Ward & Son Ltd paid £100 in settlement of Company’s claim for damage to gates. Accepted.
Stonehouse Wharf: County Surveyor to pay £1 instead of 10s per week from 1 July. Re Dudbridge Wharf they will 1s 6d per day for any roller stored on wharf. Usual wharfage charge for road material already deposited and any future deposit brought by road.
Bottom gates at the Double Locks: Heel of outside bottom gate repaired. New paddle fixed. Timber rotten. Necessary to scarf heel post. Oak from Ryeford Saw Mills Co £3 8s 3d.
Swing bridge at Saul: Messrs Shipway’s estimate of £21 14s accepted for 2½” oak planking for redecking of bridge.
About 41 sqare yards of land at Newtown. Land included in recent sale of adjoining property but no offer to purchase land.
Mr T F Timpson of Ryeford Lodge application to lay 1 inch pipe to canal to obtain water for his garden granted. Charge £2 2s p.a.
Bad and dangerous state of surface of roadway over Pike Bridge at Eastington. Much traffic. Committee hoped work would start shortly.
To sell £250 worth of 5% War Stock to cover repairs.
Stable, Wallbridge Wharf: Estimates from Mr Wager £5 15s and Mr Hopson £4 17s 6d to take off present tiles and recover with three ply ruberoid and make good to cement banks. Mr Hopson’s estimate accepted, providing tenant, Mr Lambert, agreed that ruberoid is suitable cover for stabling.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage, etc, since 1 January £657 11s 7d. After wages, etc, balance £68 4s 6d. No dividend declared.
Bristol Road Lock: Dock Co sent cheque for £20.
New pair of bottom gates ready for fixing to Pike Lock at Eastington. Further repair of present gates necessary. Stoppage of canal needed to fix them.
Copy of Notice of intended stoppage sent to Ministry of Transport.
Plan received from County Surveyor for Pike Bridge showing proposed line for improvement of bridge.
Also plan from Surveyor re proposed improvement for Bristol Road Bridge. Committee’s opinion that bridge could be widened by about six feet without detriment to canal but present headroom, on plan about 11’ 7½” from weir level to underside of arch, not to be reduced. Clerk to inform Col Sinnnott’s representative of Committee’s decision.
Canal Association reported decision to raise subscription by 33⅓%, £4 instead of £3. Clerk to ask Mr Manning Lewis for good reason why Company should remain a member of the Association.
Blunder Lock bottom gates to be renewed.
£250 war stock sold.
£3 bonus to G Cook, canal ganger for July, August, September.
Appeal against assessment of Warehouse at Wallbridge for Property Tax. Mr Bloxam‘s suggested increase of 5% for inside repairs done by tenant accepted, £20 11s as against £23 15s.
New gates fixed aat Pike Lock.
Letter to Clerk of Wheatenhurst Rural District Council drawing his attention to th heavy traffic being allowed to cross three bridges, Framilode, Saul and Whitminster, belonging to Stroudwater Navigation.
Mr William Wathen to take cottage at Framilode, lately occupied by Mrs Pockett. £7 16s rent.
Chairman to ask if Canal Association would permit Navigation’s subscription to remain at £1 1s.
Mr Z Whiting, tenant of wharf and premises at Eastington asked for repairs to be done at wharf house at Eastington Wharf. Mr Hooper and Clerk to visit place.
Roof of Bristol Road Wharf house to be repaired.
Messrs Cadbury declined Company’s offer to rent or purchase warehouse at Framilode.
Complaint about contamination of water in canal at Stonehouse Wharf by County Council, allowing tar to flow into waterway there. Clerk to ask him to abate nuisance.
Donald Sanderson Evans claimed share no.42 , will of Philip James Evans.
Warning notices pointing out danger of heavy traffic using swing bridges in area of the Wheatenhurst Rural District to be fixed on suitable places. Clerk to obtain names of persons residing in district using bridges.
County Council accepted Committee’s offer, as free gift, of stable at Pike Bridge. To re-erect it on another part of Company’s wharf. Mr Whiting to receive provisional notice to quit premises.
Fence on road side of wharf at Eastington reported as being badly out of repair. Mr Whiting responsible.
Canal Association accepted £1 1s as Company’s subscription for current year
Swing bridge at Lodgemoor(sic) unfit for heavy traffic for some time. Messrs A S Cooke & C, carrying out building operations at Lodgemoor Mills, exhibited notice to employees. Condition of bridge dangerous, loads not to exceed one ton in weight. Messrs Strachan & Co pointed out that state of bridge not due to recent cause. Unsafe condition for a long time.
Blunder Lock bottom gates repairs carried out. Estimates for oak framing for new pair of gates discussed. Challow Saw Mills Co. Ltd’s estimate for £33 2s 6d lowest, accepted.
Shed over sawpit at yard at Eastington gradually falling down. Tiles good, could be saved. Offers invites to purchase shed as it stands. No longer required. If no purchaser, shed to be taken down.
Walnut tree near carpenter’s shed dangerous. Offers to purchase invited, also for withy lop standing in paddock. Chalford Wood Workers Co’s offer of £10 accepted.
Mr Bush had not cut down overhanging trees. Clerk to send correspondence to Mr Bloxam.
River Frome lower level. Impossible for Company to widen river on Company’s side without risk of weakening original canal bank. Widening might have disastrous results. No attempt on opposite side. If surveyor attempted to carry out any work interfering with canal, he would do so at own risk. Land Drainage Officer of Gloucestershire County Council invited Company to join in scheme for resectioning of river. Clerk to refer Land Drainage Officer to Surveyor at Lower Level Commissioners.
Planking of main deck of swing bridge at Saul repaired. £2 13s 2d for new timbers.
Mr Z Whiting given notice to hand over premises at Eastington Lady-day next. Requested to repair fence on road side of wharf.
County Surveyor taking steps to reduce risk of contamination of water in canal at Stonehouse.
Eastington Workers Co agreed to take all risks of felling and clearing the walnut tree at Chalford Wood. To pay cash before removing.
Committee agreed to request of Department for aerial telephone stay wires over canal at Lodgemore and Fromhall.
Clerk had removed a little more of bank of river against withy bed at Junction. Clerk to ascertain extent of jurisdiction of Commissioners of Sewers.
Payment of £2 2s annual subscription to Stroud Hospital postponed
Special Committee Meeting recorded death of Mr W Davies who was on Committee for 41 years.
Special Meeting at request of Clerk of Gloucestershire County Council to consider granting of permission to proceed with works at Pike Bridge and Whitminster Bridge. Proposed reduction of headroom and width of arch would affect normal traffic on canal. Not less than one month’s notice of such obstruction could be given to traders and boatowners. Company must be indemnified against all loss of tonnage and receive compensation, based on average tonnage for corresponding period of 1920, 1921, 1922. Not to exceed £5 a day. Subject to an agreement on these terms, permission to be granted to Council to proceed with work. Notice of impending obstruction to be given at once to traders and boatowners.
Letter from Mr Gardom re T&S Canal noted that the expiry of period for repayment of existing loans re canal on 25 March 1925. Thames & Severn Canal Committee considering abandonment of canal after that date under Powers of Trust Act 1895. Enquired whether Directors of Stroudwater Navigation would receive representatives of Thames & Severn Canal Committee to discuss Navigation taking over canal. Chairman to write to Mr Gardom.
Notice of intended alteration of Pike Bridge and Bristol Road Bridge given to mill owners and traders on canal, also Board of Trade.
Bonus to George Cooke, Company’s ganger, £3 for three months to 22 December.
Gas House Bridge decking to be renewed. Estimate for timber about £18. Stroud Gas Company to pay half cost of maintenance.
Messrs Orchard & Peer to leave stone tiles on roof of dock at Eastington for further period.
£5 offer by Mr J E Brain for small piece of land at Newtown, about 40 sq yards, and application for water from canal to flush ditch adjoining accepted.
Clerk to obtain stop plank for gates at Bristol Road.
Minutes continued on page 133
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage, etc, since 1 July 1923 £1175 2s 2d. After wages, etc, balance £212 4s 8d. No dividend declared.
Continuation from page 131 https://stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/document/9894/.
Mr Hooper to arrange for two new ladders for canal use.
Through traffic to T&S Canal for year ended September 1923 £322 0s 8d. Average of last 3 years £387 19s 1d, 1894 £449 4s 1d. Decrease of £68 18s 5d.
Agreement with County Council re Pike Bridge and Bristol Road Bridge.
Mr Godsell’s estimate for two 28 rung ladders medium weight, 1s 8d per rung.
Messrs Price Walker & Co’s estimate for one pitch pine stop plank, 1s 10½d per foot run accepted.
Clerk’s letter to Messrs Cooke & Co re accumulation of silt in canal at Lodgemore.Company had to dredge there to pass traffic. Question of probable cost left until completion of work.
Mr Smith had not yet paid charges for railway borne coal hauled over wharf at Wallbridge, £13 12s 5d.
Estimate for two top paddles required for top lock at Newtown.
Clerk to obtain necessary oakum, sheet iron, pitch and nails for repair of Company’s house boat.
Application from Gloucestershire County Council for Company’s contribution of £150 towards deficit on accounts of T&S Canal, year ended September 1923.
Owing to financial position, subscription to Stroud Hospital to cease. Request from Hon. Secretary, Stroud Hospital Effort, for use of wharf at Wallbridge for parking some of cars in July agreed. Hospital Effort Committee to accept sole responsibility.
Work on Pike Bridge and Bristol Road Bridge begun. Stable on wharf taken down. Cheque from Mr Smith for £7 8s 2d, compensation to Company for use of short passage along wharf to Lodgemore Mills. Committee to return cheque as insufficient to meet account of £11 6s 11d. Charge of 1s 7d per ton usual for normal traffic over canal.
Application from County Council Highways Department for Company’s permission to lowering wall on premises of Stonehouse Wharf by main road at Stonehouse granted on following conditions.
1. Present coping to be replaced on lowered wall. Spiked railings fixed therein. Height of railings and wall not less than total height of old wall. Railings to be kept as near road edge of coping as possible to prevent climbing. One coat of tar varnish.
2. County Council to have dismantled stone. Present defective places in remaining wall to be made good by County Council.
Estimates for Notice plates to be exhibited at Company’s bridges in area of Wheatenhurst Rural District Council. Mr Verney’s estimate of £7 17s 6d for six white metal notice plates accepted.
Contribution of £3 to funds of Gloucester Harbour Board year ending 31 March. Company, trading on so very small a scale, practically decided to withdraw its name. Any chance of Navigation’s subscription remaining at £1 1s per annum?
Outsides and windows of wharf house at Stonehouse badly needed painting. New grate required in kitchen. Mr Day’s estimate of £2 5s for painting accepted. Grate from Mr Verney at estimated cost of £2 2s to be fixed.
£150 contribution to be paid re Thames & Severn Canal.
Gloucester Harbour Board Trustees accepted subscription of £1 1s per annum.
Tenant of cottage at Dudbridge, John Ashenford, left without notice, not paying £1 17s 6d rent due 25 March. Irrecoverable. Walter Thomas Mills as tenant.
Application from West Gloucestershire Power Co for permission to lay cable under and along towing path from main road bridge at Ryeford to wharf at Dudbridge and for land on wharf at Dudbridge on which to erect brick building for housing switch gear and apparatus.
Estimate of Ryeford Saw Mills for supply of oak planking for Gas House Bridge, £17 9s 9d, accepted.
Mr Hopson’s estimate, £2 5s for repair of certain ceilings at wharf house at Dudbridge. Clerk to obtain estimate for painting and papering.
George Cook, Company’s ganger, £3 bonus for three months to 19 March.
John Richings, rent not paid for wharfage room on wharf at Stonehouse £6.
New pair of bottom gates for Blunder Lock in hand. Material required, 360 ft run of 2”x9” red deal, Messrs Price Walker’s estimate 5½d per ft run in yard at Gloucester, 1 cwt of 5 inch x ⅜ inch spikes, 4 bars of ⅝ inch round iron, 2 bars of ½ inch round iron, 2 bars 2½ inch x ½ inch flat iron.
Mr Smith paid account for £11 6s 11d.
Wall at Stonehouse lowered, spiked railings fixed as agreed.
Chairman, Messrs Hooper, Bloxam and R J C Little met Mr Hill, Assistant Engineer of West Gloucestershire Power Co, and inspected proposed cable route from Ryeford to Dudbridge Wharf. Detailed application for laying of cables and lease of certain land at Dudbridge
Proceedings against John Richings for recovery of £6 rent. He had paid £3 to solicitor’s account.
Inspection of canal, Ocean to Stroud by Messrs H R Hooper, F A Little, G A Evans on 28 May, and Chairman, Messrs R J Caruthers-Little, W R Bloxam, G A Evans, Framilode to Ocean Bridge, on 25 June.
Alteration of existing brick parapet wall on east side of Pike Bridge to correspond with proposed wall on opposite side areed. Work to be done at no expense to Company.
Notices at bridges fixed. Mr Hooper provided steam piping for posts.
Mr Hopson’s estimate of £6 5s for papering and painting at wharf house, Dudbridge accepted.
Cost of dredging at Lodgemore to 5 June, £137 6s 8d. Letter to Messrs Cook & Co, contractors.
Stroud Brewery Co. Ltd sent claim by their tenant at Saul for alleged flooding of his premises with water from canal and consequent damage. Chairman on spot at canal inspection 25 June.
Committee of County Council to meet Canal Committee 1 July to discuss taking over T&S Canal.
Canal Inspection Report:
1. Coat of paint to be put on ironwork of footbridge at Ryeford.
2. Clerk to write to Stroud Rural District Council re surfacing of roadway over Oil Mills Bridge and Stonehouse Cross Bridge.
3. Repair to be made to wing walls of bottom gates of two locks at Dudbridge.
4. Fix new heel posts to upper gates at bottom lock at Dudbridge.
Madeline Charlotte Clutterbuck, Charles Fitzgerald Raikes and Kenneth Macdonald claimed shares nos.118,119, will of Edmund Henry Clutterbuck.
Clerk to give Mr Sibly notice that on or after 29 September 1924 rent charge for bathing in canal by pupils attending Wycliffe College, Stonehouse to be £5 p.a.
Messrs Cook & Co wrote that Company’s letter re tredging at Lodgemore had been handed to architects. Present unsatisfactory position could not be allowed to continue. Definitive reply without delay requested.
Claim by Mr Harris, “Stonebree”, Saul for £10 through Stroud Brewery Co., landlords. Water showed itself in Saul two to three o’clock in the morning, reaching Mr Harris’s house between ten and eleven o’clock. Premises flooded from Ditch at bottom of garden, water running round to front of house, getting in at front door. Whole of ground floor flooded, also shed used as a flour stores. Some flour damaged, some garden produce lost, value 5s. Water passed along Saul Ditch to culvert under canal. Some passed under road, through drain to Ditch which runs past bottom of his garden, some back and on to his premises.
Minutes continued on page 154
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage, etc, since 1 January £893 7s 6d. After wages, etc, balance £207 7s 5d. No dividend declared.
Continuation from page 152 https://stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/document/9902/.
Ditch in filthy state. Water over banks of Stroudwater Canal into Mr Parker’s field, then under Berkeley Canal into Saul Ditch. If Gloucester & Berkeley Canal had drawn sluices at Sharpness, flooding would not have happened. Stroudwater Canal on level with Berkeley Canal. Latter responsible for maintenance.
Mr Blakemore, Chairman of Parish Council, happened to be passing. Seconded Mr Harris re paddles at Sharpness. No blame to Navigation’s man Pockett. Good thing to have larger culvert under canal. Sufficient at time. Culvert could not take water from Saul during high tides. Flap or door which closes outlet when tides are running against it, holding back water in “Saul Ditch”. Saul liable to flood from surface water as well as tide water. More water against inlet than against outlet. Tidesman Pockett’s statement. Night Sat-Sun 31 May-1 June, Framilode Pound normal. 6.45am pound 15” above normal. He at once drew paddles at lock. 11 o’clock pound at proper level. At Junction Lock 8 o’clock water running over gates into Framilode pound, over off bank of pound and towing path bank. William Fredericks out at 1.30am, water in Berkeley Canal about 1” above weir level. 5.30am raining heavily, 1ft above weir level. Sent a man to Sharpness on his bicycle, 8 miles, to ask them there to raise sluices. Feeder at Whitminster not running. Water flowing over banks of Stroudwater Canal between Junction and Walk Bridge, on off side into Parker’s field, then under Berkeley Canal into “Saul Ditch”. Water running over gates at Junction Lock into Framilode pound. Flood water coming rapidly from Gloucester end of canal. 11 o’clock things normal. As precaution Berkeley Canal drawn down 10 inches. Mr Fredericks agreed Sharpness Docks Co liable for maintenance of canal and works of Stroudwater Canal from head of “Shallow Lock” to point below the Junction Lock in Framilode pound. Saul Parish Council have sluices closed during high tides, to stop tide water reaching our culvert. If they neglect to lower sluices, our “Flap” or “Door”hung at outlet of culvert would prevent tide water passing under canal through our culvert.
Committee received representatives of Thames & Severn Canal Committee on1 July. Suggestion that Navigation administer T&S Canal up to Chalford for two years. Every effort to cut down expenses and increase trade. Deficit during period to be borne by County Council. Proposal did not meet with representatives’ approval. County Council should apply to Ministry of Transport for order to abandon whole of canal after 25 March 1925, under terms of Thames & Severn Canal Act 1895. County Council at meeting 7 July adopted recommendation of its Canal Committee to apply for order to abandon whole of canal after 25 March 1925.
Protest with Ministry of Transport to County Council application. Copy to Sharpness Docks Co, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Co and Severn Commission asking them to make similar protest. Decision to inform Stroud Chamber of Commerce, Stroud Urban District Council, Stroud Rural District Council, Stroud Traders Association of position and ask them to join in protest. Mr Evans to interview Millowners, Stroud to Chalford.
Letter to Minister of Transport 23 July 1924. Closing of Thames & Severn Canal will very seriously affect Stroudwater Navigation, attempting to carry on under great financial difficulty owing to trade depression. Application will have serious effect on industries served by Navigation for over 150 years.
Necessary repairs of locksides at Dudbridge carried out.
New pair of bottom gates for Blunder Lock ready for fixing. Stoppage of canal needed. New balance pole required, £17 from Ryeford Saw Mills.
Messrs Bretherton & Sons, Gloucester, about re-arrangement of tenancy of Ship Inn premises, Wallbridge. Agreed to seven years full repairing lease at present rent £22 p.a.
Cooke & Co referred Committee to Falconer & Baker, the Architects of their works.
Various Public Bodies and Navigations prepared to send representatives to meeting re opposing closing of the T&S Canal. Any deputation to Ministry of Transport in better position to state case if proposal had financial backing. Stroudwater Navigation to continue contribution. Hope that Messrs Strachan & Co. Ltd, Messrs Hooper & Co. Ltd, Stroud Gas Co. and perhaps other Millowners would give financial support for two years towards upkeep of canal. Owners of mills on banks of T&S Canal concerned before those on Stroudwater Navigation.
Charles Walton Asbury claimed shares nos.57,107, will of Edith Jane Asbury.
Dredging at Lodgemore. W Falconer, Achitect, inspected length of canal at Lodgemore. Onus lay with Messrs Cook. Request to Mr Cook to meet Mr Bloxam.
Clerk to print letter and send to various Public Bodies, Traders and others in area of T&S Canal.
Estimates for oak framing for pair of new bottom gates at Westfield Lock. Messrs Shipway’s estimate 5s 6d per foot cube accepted.
West Gloucestershire Power Co carried electric cable over Dudbridge and Ryeford Bridges.
Temporary measures taken on canal bank at Stonehouse pending replacing of Gas Co.’s broken mains pipe.
Ryeford Saw Mills estimate of 2s 6d each for larch piles accepted.
Gas House Bridge. Mr Hawkes, haulier, damaged flooring of bridge.
Estimate, with plan, submitted by Messrs Daniels Ltd for renewal of Lodgemore Bridge. Mr Hooper to examine estimate and report.
Reported leakage of water from Pike Lock Eastington.
Clerk to request estimate and drawing of bridge capable of taking extra heavy loads from Messrs Daniels to replace Gas House Bridge.
Robert Johnston Caruthers-Little claimed shares nos.181,182, will of William Davies.
Circular letter sent out re Stroudwater Navigation Company taking over Thames & Severn Canal recorded in minutes.
Gloucestershire County Council presented Memorial to Minister of Transport for Order authorising abandonment of Thames & Severn Canal. Public Notice. Objections to be sent within month of 7 November 1924. Meeting to formulate objections to Memorial, 27 November.
Ship Inn premises offered to Messrs Lee Bros Ltd for £500, subject to reservation of right of way.
Mr Shipway’s estimate for oak scantling for Westfield Lock, 5s 9d per ft cube accepted.
Stroud Gas Co offered £15 towards repair of canal bank at Bond’s Mill and to pay for delivery of clay.
Now boundary of new work at Pike Bridge can be seen, no real room for erecting stable or shed in Whiting’s yard at Eastington without curtailing storage space. Cash compensation to be sought.
Necessary to renew defective floor of bridge over canal at Saul.
George Cook’s bonus, £3 for three months ending 16 September.
Clerk to supply particulars of expense already incurred in dredging at Lodgemore.
Report of meeting of bodies interested in maintenance of Thames & Severn Canal. Objection to closing of Navigation to be forwarded to Ministry. Memorial prepared by Company’s solicitors. Signed by Chairman on behalf of Stroud Navigation and by Traders on Stroudwater Navigation and Thames & Severn Canal. Memorial sent to Ministry recorded in minutes.
Forfeiture of lease of Ship Inn premises. Premises not part of lease but let to client. Should form part of any sale. Right of forfeiture not waived by Company. Price £500 to include all premises formerly known as the “Ship Inn” viz house, stable, wash house, left over small piece of ground attached.
Piling of canal bank at Bond’s Mill completed. Gas Co about to commence laying new gas main.
£50 cash compensation accepted for stable taken down by County Council for road improvement at Pike Bridge.
Mr Hopson occupying more wharf room than set out in his agreement. Premises at Wallbridge. Rent £26 2s per annum. Clerk to see him.
Total cost of dredging at Lodgemore £137 6s 8d. Last dredged March-May 1922. £119 15s for wages. Soundings of canal on 6 October showed not sufficient depth of water in pound to pass traffic. More water required on overflow at top lock at Dudbridge. Mr Bloxam to claim £120 from Messrs Cook & Co.
Thames & Severn Canal. Letter from Clerk of County Council. Company’s objections to Council’s Memorial. Letter to Navigations to obtain promise to continue contributions. Mr Milnes report re canal, Chalford to Stroud recorded in full.
Minutes (and report) continued on page 183.
General Half Yearly Meeting. Tonnage, etc, since 1 July 1924 £736 10s 5d. After wages, etc, balance £142 7s 2d. No dividend declared.
Continuation from page 181 https://stroudwaterhistory.org.uk/document/9909/.
Clerk to thank Mr Milnes and enquire fee. Pike Bridge improvement.
Company accounts requested by Ministry of Transport.
Mrs Penn’s premises at Stonehouse: Solicitors to take action to recover rent in arrear. Fourteen days notice.
George Cook apid £3 bonus.
Mr Hopson’s premises at Wallbridge. Some doubt as to (1) amount of land occupied under his Agreement, (2) amount by which Agreement has been exceded, (3) exact amount he was prepared to pay for. Clerk to peg out area actually required.
Letter from Rev E T Hull, Framilode Rectory re swing bridge at Framilode. Early February, he was leaving for Matson, so furniture needed removal. He assumed Framilode Bridge would carry ordinary loads. Informed Framilode Bridge not constructed to bear modern heavy traffic. Heavy furniture vans should remain on further side of bridge from house and be loaded there.
Mr Workman of the Ryeford Saw Mills Co applied for permission to haul stone over Ocean Bridge at Stonehouse. Not suitable for heavy vehicles, not safe for hauling stone by motor. Permission not given.
Consideration of state of canal at Wallbridge postponed. Promises of financial assistance totalling £562 17s 0d recorded in minutes.
Committee to allow Mr Hopson extra 60 sq yards, with 144 sq yards of additional wharf room adjoining his shed. Rent for warehouse and wharfroom £45 p.a.
Mr Verney’s estimate for carpenter’s tools, £4 6s 5d, accepted.
Messrs E T Ward & Son account for tonnage overdue.
Gloucester Harbour Board. £1 10s towards funds. Committee to withdraw name from list of subscribers.
Mr Shipway had withdrawn estimate for oak scantling for Westfield Lock bottom gates . Ryeford Saw Mill’s estimate of 6s 6d per foot cube for big pieces and 5s 6d for smaller pieces accepted.
Statement of Account and Balance Sheet of T&S Canal year ended September 1924. Tolls re through traffic over Stroudwater Navigation to and from Thames & Severn Canal year ended 26 September 1924 ascertained in compliance with Section 43 Thames & Severn Canal Trust Act 1895. Through traffic £335 11s 7d, average of past three years £367 13s. Average three years to September 1894 £449 4s 1d. Decrease of £71 11s 1d. No payment due Section 46 Thames & Severn Canal Trust Act 1895. Only £75 of £150 of promised contribution to canal paid.
Mrs Teesdale of Whitminster House wrote complaining of overflow of surplus water from canal to River Frome at Whitminster Lock. Any unusual overflow into River Frome caused by recent abnormal weather. Very large body of extra water coming into canal from meadow and neighbouring lands. Impossible to pass away all surplus water. Normally Company takes water from Frome. Turns water into river in case of floods or repairs. Gloucester & Berkeley Canal could mitigate floods as they are in control of section of Stroudwater Canal between Shallow Lock and Junction.
Messrs Abdella Mitchell, now in administration, owed £15 10s.
£50 in full settlement of Company’s claim re state of canal at Lodgemore accepted.
Total of promises for T&S Canal now £548 2s.
£75 requested, remaining portion of contribution due to Gloucestershire County Council towards deficit in Thames & Severn accounts, year ended 30 Sept 1924. Attention to be given to matter as soon as possible.
Mr Smart’s tonnage account for January and February, £29 3s 10d, not paid. Exception to weights charged on cargoes of coal from Staffordshire to Chalford. Weights taken from Worcester and Birmingham canal ticket. Payment requested.
Mr W Mourbey requested permission to fix small gas engine in shed at Dudbridge. If £2 extra rent paid, no objection provided no infringement of clause 4 of agreement, and payment of any extra insurance premium.
Chairman, Mr Hooper and Mr Bloxam met sub-committee of County Council about results of Company’s efforts to obtain financial assistance. Feelings of district towards abandonment. Work to put canal in condition to take traffic (Mr Milne’s report) discussed. If past contributions were continued for further two years, Council might be asked to continue to maintain for that period.
Letters to Sharpness New Docks Co., Severn Commission and Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Messrs Kimmins Drew & Co., Messrs Townsend & Stacey. S N D to consider matter, refusal from Townsend & Stacey.
Mr Hopson’s £40 rent not subject to deduction for insurance.
Messrs Smart & Son paid their account, less ⅔ they disputed.
Mr Whiting to give up premises on canal wharf at Eastington. Clerk to obtain definite date on which Mr Whiting would vacate premises.
Clerk to pay George Cook bonus for three months ending March.
Messrs Lee Bros to discuss purchase of “Old Ship Inn”. Committee viewed property with him re defining boundary against wharf and a right of way. No definite decision. Mr Bloxam to use his discretion re right of way. To negotiate sale at £400
Only three Committee members present at last meeting. No quorum. Proceedings confirmed.
Mr Lewis of Sharpness New Docks Co asked if it could be stated with certainty that Committee would recommend County Council to carry on T&S Canal for further two years, if all navigations promised financial support. Could not be stated at present.
Letter to Gloucester County Council and their reply in full. Subject to public bodies and Navigations united into Public Trust to which canal was transferred by Thames & Severn Canal Trust Act 1895, agreeing to continue usual contributions for two years, annual contribution £75.
Messrs Smart & Son and Messrs Ward behind with payments on tonnages.
Mr Z Whiting leaving premises at Eastington on 24 June. Estimates for necessary inside repair of house and renewal of fence against road. Applications to rent premises from W Underwood of Nupend and Mr Beard of Whitminster. First offer to Mr Beard. Rent £30 a year subject to signing Company’s agreement.
Clerk to inspect pair of tidesman’s top boots Mr Fredericks had for sale. To purchase them if price not to exceed £2.
Pair of new oak heels to be obtained for top gates at Dudbridge. Cost of material £4 11s. Extra labour obtained. Work in hand.
Leakage at Stonehouse Cross Bridge from water main.
