Journal Entry – William Hooper – 18 Feb 1833

Monday 18th February 1833



Reported to the Board on the several lots of Wood which it might be desirable to sell this year, requesting authority to offer them by Public Auction, and suggesting that the conditions of sale should be made to require a deposit of five per cent on the day of sale, and payment for the remainder within one month, with the option of twelve months credit on giving satisfactory security, and five per cent Interest.  The reasons for recommending this alteration are, first that the Deposit is a guarantee for the purchase, without the necessity of immediately requiring the execution of Bonds, and secondly there is a strong inducement for the parties to pay ready money, which is always desirable in the Hospital’s commercial transactions, while if they should avail themselves of the option, which I propose to prevent prejudice to the sale, the Hospital has a just right to be particular in obtaining satisfactory security.



Rode to West Lands end Farm, and inspected the several improvements required by the Tenant – Some draining which it is important to proceed with, I promised to take into consideration immediately, and also some trifling repairs to his dwelling house. – Rode from thence to Lees Farm, the Tenant of which is £94 in arrear – This farm is suffering injury from want of a proper road and fence leading up to the Homestead, and the Dwelling House is old and indifferent, but the present tenant is evidently meditating the surrender of his Lease, and he seems in that state of poverty that the sooner I believe the better.



On my return I found Mr Rochester, the new tenant of Dilston Mill, and after much discussion, I arranged with him to recommend the reduction of £7 a year from his rent, until such time as the three acres of Slopes were restored to him by the Railway Company, when he is to revert to the higher rent. – I also promised him that if he would make me a liberal offer for the Way-going Crop, he sowing what is wanting, I would recommend its acceptance to the Board, and I would secure the Grass etc. to him by giving him power to distrain, if any cattle was put into it.