1866-1872
Gloucestershire Archives D1180/9/3
Letters written by N A Partridge between March 1866 and May 1872
Please move your timber from under Dudbridge crane or you will be charged 2s 6d per day.
Unless you pay the mitigation fine of £1, the full penalty of £5 will be enforced against you.
Captain of Ann placed road stone on Dudbridge Wharf contrary to directions of Cottle. Next time he will be fined.
J Tanner passed your vessel out of Westfield Lock without having the gates properly opened and with only two hands, for which he will be fined the mitigation penalty of 5s.
Notice of General Half Yearly Meeting on 26 April at 2 o'clock. Continued …
From last page. Notice of meeting sent to F G Carrington, D M Walker & Stroud Journal.
Re Bill to transfer Worc & Birm Canal to McLean Brassey & Elliott, our Company will ask our MPs to oppose it.
Requests to Sir M Beach, E Horsman, G P Scrope, R S Holford & Col N Kingscote to oppose bill to authorise sale of Worcester & Birmingham Canal to McLean, Brassey and Elliott, as it would destroy through water communication between Stroudwater Co and consuming and producing districts of the Midland Counties. Continued ...
Request from General Meeting on 26 April that gas pipe in tow path is lowered at Ryeford Mill to allow tow path to be repaired.
Thank you for letter offering to sell blacksmith's shop adjoining Ship Inn at Framilode. The company not aware of circumstances that would make it desirable to buy it.
Millstones left in warehouse at Dudbridge Wharf for more than a year. Remove within three days or you will be charged 2s 6d per day. Wharfage has already been incurred.
Unless you pay at Wallbridge 7s 6d for 30 tons brought up on The Mystery on 21st June 1864 within 14 days, there will be action against you in the County Court.
I placed your account of detention of your vessels before the committee. The following resolution was proposed as they do not admit any claim against them.
I placed your account of detention of your vessels before the committee. The following resolution was proposed as they do not admit any claim against them.
The following resolution was proposed yesterday and copy of minutes sent. Rent for taking water to be 1s per annum.
The following minute was entered yesterday on their books as they inspected the canal.
You have rendered yourself liable to a fine of £5 for refusing instruction of wharfinger Cottle at Dudbridge Wharf. Unless 5s paid to M N Peyton within one week, the full penalty will be enforced.
You have incurred fine of £5 for drawing top paddle at Blunder Lock before closing lower gates. Pay 5s to Mr M N Peyton of Framilode or Mr E Peyton of Eastington within one week or full penalty will be enforced.
Your barge Emily carried bricks from the Stonehouse Railway Bridge to Ryeford without any account being rendered. Send an account of the quantity carried.
Resolution of Committee was that they cannot entertain your proposal, as the same would if carried into effect be in their opinion prejudicial to the interest of the Canal.
I send receipt for £14 for mud wheeled into your reservoir at Ebley. Send receipt for £4 4s for water by special arrangement - less than what could be claimed under the Act of Parliament. Send receipt for 20s sent for Dangerfield.
Notice of General Half Yearly Meeting on 25 October at 2 o'clock.
You have removed dirt from Stonehouse Lay Bye to your wharf at Ryeford. Send account of quantity and anything you carry in future.
You have removed stone from the Railway Bridge to Ryeford and Stonehouse. Send account of quantity and anything you carry in future.
Reply to letter 30 Nov asking if next committee meeting would receive deputation from Wheatenhurst Highway Board to discuss raising of highway at Ryeford adjoining the wharf. The meeting will be at Wallbridge on 18 inst, but the matter has been decided in accordance with letter of 10 November from Mr Kearsey, the solicitor of the company.
Dredging boat has come up the canal without bringing any account of what it has carried. I cannot allow it to pass until such account is rendered and paid. There is also due 13s 4d on 160 tons of drift, carried by the Happy Return which you promised to pay immediately and which is not done. The vessels will be stopped until the amount is paid.
I have placed yesterday your letter of 4 inst regarding Mr Horne's accident and that consideration has been given to its content.
Your letter will be placed before the Committee on 3 January.
In reply to letter of 18 December requesting compensation, the members resolved today that there is no reason to alter the decision at the last meeting, and do not accept any liability to make compensation.
Mr Kearsey has advised that he only gave permission to take coals from the railway station at Dudbridge Wharf during the frost. Now that the canal and Severn are navigable, if you continue to take coals you risk being given notice to quit the Dudbridge premises
Your son has damaged the swing bridge at Hilly Orchard, near Dudbridge. The committee request that you bring him to their meeting at Wallbridge on 19 March at 1 o'clock. Sent to H Baker of Stroud, H Chandler, F Benford, A Benford of Rodborough, C Harris of Stanley and A Totnall of Kings Stanley.
Committee will meet on 20th March not 19th. Sent to H Baker of Stroud, H Chandler, F Benford, A Benford of Rodborough, C Harris of Stanley and A Totnall of Kings Stanley.
Notice of General Half Yearly Meeting on 25 April at 2 o'clock.
Discontinue use of premises rented by you as a beerhouse.
The following resolution was proposed on 14 May.. Must take immediate steps to prevent towpath damage by overflow from mill pond.
There will be a committee meeting on 28 May. I will place your circular before them.
Request for definite answer to resolution proposed at meeting on 14 May regarding the water of your mill pond overflowing the towpath.
Your circular was placed before the committee yesterday. They concur with the views expressed within.
Your letter of the 27 was laid before the committee and the accompanying resolution was proposed and with reference to the last remark in your letter, the committee consider the question with Mr Jones to have been mentioned by Mr William Warman as a matter requiring attention and it was accordingly left to Mr Beard to arrange with Mr Jones This has been done between those gentlemen and the committee has no intention of being discourteous to you in thus communicating with Mr Jones through one of their own members.
Your son left the bridge open at Stonehouse Ocean, and is liable to a fine of £5. Request that you bring him to the meeting on Tuesday 18 June.
Unless you remove the road stone from the Stonehouse and Ryeford Wharves within three days, you shall pay 2s 6d per day on each wharf that it remains.
Take steps to prevent saw dust from drifting into the canal.
The following resolution was proposed on July 27th regarding damage to the towpath at Ryeford Mills.
Invoice July 1st. To 10 days wharfage road stone at Ryeford Wharf 2s 6d per day £1 5s. Send the amount of the enclosed account.
There is a want of proper drainage near Ryeford Wharf, and water flows into the wharf. Please bring the matter before the Board of Haywardsend and request a remedy.
You have not complied with the conditions entitling you to the drawback. I cannot accept less than the full amount of the account, which you shall send by return of post.
Tonnage on wheat would be reduced to 1s from 1s 7d by way of drawback provided they imported 2500 tons annually.
Tonnage on wheat would be reduced to 1s from 1s 4d by way of drawback provided he imported 2000 tons annually.
Tonnage on wheat would be reduced to 1s from 1s 6d by way of drawback provided he imported 2000 tons annually.
Tonnage on wheat would be reduced to 1s from 1s 6d by way of drawback provided they imported 600 tons annually.
I shall let payment of your account stand until the next committee meeting on 17 September. The rates of tonnage on wheat brought up to Ryeford Mill will reduce from 1s 3d to 11d per ton by way of drawback provided that you import 3500 tons per annum. Also give your attention to the overflow of water on the towpath.
There is a want of proper drainage to the highway near Ryeford Wharf and water flows into the company's wharf. Please bring the matter before the Wheatenhurst Highway Board and request a remedy.
Inform me if you are the secretary to the Framilode Benefit Society and if you received the notice to quit the room rented by the Society which was sent 26 August.
You will pay to Mr Miller a week from today 25s bill delivered on 8 August for wharfage of road stone.
Pay the enclosed bill for repairing damage to the weighing machine house at Dudbridge Wharf by the negligence of the driver of your timber wagon. Copy of bill to C Harrison, W Gobey
For 1 years rent of towing paths. Receipt given for 30s received from the Stroud Gas Company in discharge of rent, the £6 being allowed off to them without prejudice to the right of the canal to the full rent in future.
The rates of tonnage on wheat brought by canal to Ebley Mill will be reduced to 11d per ton by way of drawback from 1s 4d provided you import 2000 tons annually.
I have placed your letter of the 14 October before the committee. I am not allowed to make any drawback on your wheat brought to Ebley until the conditions of the arrangement by importing 2000 tons per annum have been completed. It is only on this distinct understanding ..that the drawback of 5d per ton will be allowed on the present charge of 1s 4d. I cannot allow the drawback from your quarterly account.
You have left a cargo of gravel on the wharf at Dudbridge for the last fortnight. Unless this is removed within three days Bye Law 24 of the company will be enforced against you. Copy enclosed. I once more apply for 20s already due for wharfage.
The following resolution was proposed at the meeting yesterday and also to inform you that unless you pay 25s by Saturday a summons will be taken against you.
In reply to your memorandum of the 18 November, I placed it before the board and they instructed me to send you the resolution proposed regarding changes to tonnage rates which is placed on the other side.
Unless you pay the rent due proceedings will be taken against you.
Send per Richard Williams 50 tons best Merchant Engine Coal for the Stroudwater Navigation Co. Post at the lowest net price for cash and send me the invoice.
The committee meet in the course of a few days when I will place your memorandum of 28 January before them.
Unless you send rent and amount of bill due to Stroudwater Co by bearer, I shall place account in Mr Kearsey's hands, and shall not allow your vessels to pass without the tonnage being paid at the time of clearing out.
In addition to 2.5% off merchant coal, you also allow 3d per ton for carriage. Inform by return of post if that is the case. Please put the company on the most favourable terms as they have to compete with railway and may become good customers.
My company have reduced rates to 3d per ton on coal. I hope you will reduce as much as possible to meet severe railway traffic.
Will take legal steps to obtain payment. Letter cancelled as account was sent before letter was forwarded.
Vessels will not pass without the tonnage being paid when vessels are cleared out.
Mr Kearsey informs that regarding the arrangement made with Mr Heelas, your vessels will be detained until this arrangement is completed.
Your captain J Dangerfield will be fined for going back with 50 tons in the trow Ann without giving any account, and for wasting the water. Pay 3d per ton for said clinkers.
Send the rent of 1s per annum due 25 inst for use of boat at pen near Ryeford Bridge.
Advert of half yearly general meeting on 23 inst.
Mr Salisbury hasn't paid rent. Send £2.
Boatman Walkley took your goods to Dudbridge and told you that we would forward to Kempsford on Mr Bowly's account. Stroudwater Co have no boats and do not carry goods. The goods are in Dudbridge warehouse, but no charge will be made for storage because of the misrepresentation by Walkley.
The committee do not consider stoppages unnecessary frequent. They prevent dilapidation multiplying on both canals. We do not consider current stoppage at Framilode obstructed through traffic as it took place during neap tides. No notice of stoppage on North Wilts & Berks canal has reached us.
Mr Salisbury left kitchen grate broken at house rented at Downfield. If you do not repair, the company will and you will pay the expenses. Rent due to June 24 remains unpaid.
Unless you pay rent, Mr Kearsey will be instructed to proceed against you.
Copy of resolution regarding widening of Walk Bridge sent.
Copy of resolution re continued use of Dudbridge Wharf sent.
Send amount on account. I am instructed not to give credit, and would be reluctant to stop your vessels to demand payment.
Sent notice to remove poles from Stonehouse Wharf (bye law 24)
Notice of General Half Yearly Meeting on 27 October
Your letter requesting reduction in tonnage rates was put before the committee. Mr Kearsey, G H A Beard and I T Fisher will make arrangements with Thames & Severn Canal Co as they see best.
The committee has placed 800 tons of mud for your use near Whitminster. Charge is 1.5d per ton, totalling £5.
Placed letter before committee asking for donation to school at Framilode. Cannot comply because of great falling off of traffic.
Company cannot reduce tonnage rate for coal. It was halved 2 or 3 years ago to compete with railways.
24th Bye Law will be enforced against you for not removing sawdust from Dudbridge.
Application for erection of pillar box at Eastington. Present toll collector at the Turnpike refuses to take letters.
Copy sent of resolution regarding special arrangement with your firm for tonnages over 10,000 tons. Send confirmation that you accept the terms.
Committee can only grant permission to the Wheatenhurst Highway Board to place stone on wharves if Mr Peyton thinks it won't affect operation of the company, and will be removed when he thinks necessary.
Committee cannot allow paving slabs to be replaced, they can be had by application to Mr Peyton.
Thanks you for the plans sent, please send tracing of graving dock.
The rates of tonnage will be only 6d per ton on steam coals landed at Chipppenham Platt and all intervening places up to Dudbridge. Sent to Roberts Jowlings and Co; ?? Stevens & Whitby; S S Marling and Co; A Gould; P P & C Playne; W Playne and Co; Gallop & Ridler; A Gould; Gainer & Co; J H Taunton
Notice of General Half Yearly Meeting on 27 April sent to Walker; Carrington; Higgs; editor Stroud News
Mr G Ford had assented to agreement regarding a special tonnage rate for goods to or from their mill with a drawback for large quantity (details given). Nothing was said of wheat from Lechlade. Ford's assented to report of sub-committee. in your letter of 15th. Cannot depart from this agreement.
I can only receive the amount less 15s on account, carrying the balance forward.
Following resolution was passed regarding door in wall by towpath; please confirm that you comply with the terms.
Unless you pay 5s for the drawing and wasting of water at locks at Westfield, penalty of 40s will be enforced.
Rate of tonnage only reduced to 6d on steam coal
Sending copy of resolution of 19 January 1869 as to rent of Dudbridge Wharf.
If you do not repair the culvert in time for the end of the stoppage, it will be removed at your expense. If water cannot be let in, you will be liable for stoppage of whole navigation.
The toll for chemical manure to Cirencester or beyond is 4d per ton
Application for improvement of road to landing place and reduction in tonnage was placed before committee. Copy of resolution sent.
Rate of tonnage of corn and flour will be reduced from 3d to 2d per ton, subject to you making the road to the carrying place. You can use the stone belonging to the company.
Rate of tonnage of sulphur and coprolite will be reduced from 8d to 6d per ton.
Will place your letter before committee at next hearing
The following resolution was proposed to letter sent 5th April. Copy of resolution re reduction of tolls east of Eastington sent.
Cannot allow credit so cannot allow vessel to pass without the money due for tonnage.
Accounts presented at my office vary from those given at the junction with G&B Canal by vessel Emma. Captain should present same book of account at both places.
The company offers space to the Highway Board at Stonehouse Wharf for storage of road stone at a rent of £2 per annum.
You were bathing in the canal by Hilly Orchard Bridge, and so you are requested to attend meeting on 26 October at Wallbridge. Sent to White of Paganhill, J Wilkins, W Wilkins, W French of Ebley and W Beard of Puckshole.
The account sent last quarter and the one now sent must be paid by 16 October. I cannot and dare not again be driven into a corner.
Committee have sanctioned repairs as necessary to your canal. Subscription fund for opposition of the Severn & Wye Railway has incurred expense in trying to put the canal equal with the railway. The committee deemed that, to retain traffic, tolls will need to be reduced. But your interests in the canal will be looked after
Committee would be pleased to see you at meeting. The dividend is declining due to railway competition necessitating reduction in tolls.
Will provide requested list of shareholders upon payment of 21s
Your carter obstructs access to the crane at Dudbridge when he brings poles and timber on to the wharf. If this continues, he will be liable for fine of £5. Also, unless poles are removed from the wharf, Bye Law 24 will be enforced.
Your carter obstructs access to the crane at Dudbridge when he brings poles and timber on to the wharf. If this continues, he will be liable for fine of £5. Also, unless poles are removed from the wharf, Bye Law 24 will be enforced.
Cannot consent to deduction of £1 11s 6d as a result of loss by the Queen Esther without committee's consent. Send letter asking them for deduction.
Cannot make these deductions without consent of the committee. Could have got committee assent or dissent if had been informed at the time. Send the money as cannot close books
Committee send cheque for £1 11s 6d deduction on Queen Esther's cargo. (Signed C H Fisher, Chairman)
There is two year's rent due from Wheatenhurst Highways Board for land at Stonehouse Wharf. Please send amount.
Mr Ward complained about removal of a fence during rebuilding of Dudbridge bridge. Please obtain permission of commissioners to erect a short wall.
Copy of resolution re charge of 1s per pipe for taking water to engines sent.
Copy of resolution to require 1s per annum for each pipe supplying water sent.
Replace fence between towpath and the pond to Ryeford Mill taken down by your men.
Copy of resolution respecting boundary fence sent
Copy of resolution respecting removal of obstructions sent.
The Company of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation dissent from the proposed undertaking
Notice of Special General Meeting on 15th February, for the alteration of a Bye Law and for other purposes. Sent to Gloucester and Stroud newspapers..
Your brothers need to send a power of attorney to some one to sign the register book of the company.
Having navigated the canal with only two hands, you are liable to a penalty of 40s, which will be enforced unless you pay 2s. Sent on 23 March to R Ridler, Joseph Davis; 8 April to T Young, G Bird; 10 April to John Davis; 11 April to A Whiting; April 12 to W Bullock, A Bounds; April 13 to C Cox; April 15 to J Aldridge; April 18 to T Weyman; April 22 to H Ralph.
