Journal entry – John Grey – 11 Jun 1834

Wednesday 11th June 1834



A Post Office having this week been established at Corbridge, I ordered a private Bag for the Office, and the Blacksmith at Dilston who has a young family not able for much work, engages to have it carried back and forward daily for any consideration that I may think right to give.  This will cost perhaps 1s/3d Per week, but then we shall be saved the charge of 1d upon each Letter as hitherto paid to the Mail Guards.  Was engaged for some time in the Office.  Received a Proposal from a person named Wright for a building Lease of the same small pieces of Ground that have been detached by the Railway at Dilston which the Saw Mill Company offer for.  He proposes to give only two Pounds rent during the Lease, but then does not claim any remuneration for the Buildings, which they do at its termination.  So that if he were to lay out £250 as he says he contemplates and give up the Buildings at the end, his rent would be greater than theirs.  The Saw Mill party are however the best Tenants, as well as more likely than any others to turn the thing to good account, but I think they ought either to give up their claim to the value of the Buildings, the Hospital supplying the Wood, or to offer a higher ground rent, say £20 during the Lease, for though the Land is not worth more than £8.. to a farmer, it would let for more as it is situated.  I rode over the farms of Coastley & Hackford, deciding the draining upon them, which is much wanted & certain to be very beneficial.  Returned through the Wood in Coastley Dean & examined some damage which has been done & if not put a stop to, likely to go on increasing, by the course of the Brook at its junction with the Tyne.  Came to Westboat, where the Blacksmith has completed his Building, upon which I told him to come and get the allowance of £5 promised him & sign an Agreement for 21years at £11 a year.  He states that he has laid out £30 instead of £20 in rebuilding the House.