Journal entry – John Grey – 16 May 1835

Saturday 16th May 1835



      Mr Forster returned today and having settled matters with the former and present Lessees of Brokenheugh, as to their respective conditions, furnished me with statements of the workings at the several Collieries, which I herewith send showing that the quantity of Coal wrought and sold at Brokenheugh from April 18th to September last falls short of the quantity allowed by 6761 Fothers and 3 Bolls.  There is a heap of Coals yet at Bank, which by his Agreement, he is allowed three months to dispose of - but as that will do little towards making up the quantity, we shall get no contingent rent from that concern.  It will be seen that during the four years that have expired of the Leases of Fourstones, 1532 Fothers and 3 Bolls of Coal have been vended less than the quantity allowed - but of Lime 519 Fothers have been sold above the amount upon which an extra Rent of £12.19.6 is chargeable.  At Stublick it will be seen that during the year ending 12th May 1834 there were over workings to the extent of 1137 Fothers and 5 Bolls producing an extra Rent of £85.6.9 of which £75 was received last year - but that in the year ending 9th May Instant there are 65 Fothers short of the quantity, to be made up in the present year, which I trust they will not only be able to do, but to add a good score of overworkings, as the increased Smelting at Langley Mills by Mr Beaumonts using them, will create a better demand for Coal.

      The small Colliery at Throckley has been hitherto very unproductive and I should be well satisfied to get the certain Rent, without looking for any account of overworkings, but it is conducted in such a disorderly manner, that Mr Forster has great difficulty in coming in at a correct amount of either the Coal or Iron Stone that have been vended, of the former we are certain that it is far within the stipulated amount, & the latter upon which the Lessee should pay 1/s Per Ton, has all gone to the Lemington Iron Works, where Mr Forster is to apply for an account, as a check against Bones.  If he cannot now be brought up with his Rent, and be made to act upon a more satisfactory manner I think it would be advisable to get quit of him and try to find a better tenant.

      I settled Mr Forsters account for his several examinations of the respective Collieries, the survey of Stublick and Fourstones, which occupied his Assistants a fortnight and for most distinct Plans of the several Seams in each, of which he has retained copies, that the Workings of each years may be laid down upon them.  I told him that I could not but think his charge a high one, while he replied that it was lower than was charged for going underground, by most of men who had served a long Apprenticeship to the business and had any pretensions to understand it.   I asked him what he would be willing to take by the year for attending to all the Hospitals concerns without any extra charge whatever, with the understanding that I should be at liberty to call upon him at all times, for information or personal attendance as I might see fit.  He stated that he ought to have £80.  His present account is only for nine months, but as it contains one Item of £10.10 - for Plans and copies, and another of £14.7.6 for surveying, which will not recur, I am of opinion that he ought to be satisfied with £60 and that he probably would take that sum. Had Mr Bell done his duty and kept forward the Plans of Stublick, those changes would not have occurred.  It is very essential to have the Collieries examined by a person qualified to direct their management, and as it may be hoped that Allerwash Lime and Coal will become a considerable concern, in addition to those already in operation, I think £60 a year would be a very moderate allowance for their superintendence, & likely to be much less than if charged in separate items as in the present instance.  I shall therefore be obliged by receiving the Boards directions respecting it. [marginal annotation: ‘Letter to the Admiralty recommended this / giving the satisfaction of this – I suppose we had better agree to this’]

      I Inclosed the Agreement with Crile for the Coal at Hartburngrainge, to Mr Fenwick, requesting him to prepare a Draft Lease and call upon him and Partners to examine it, which will put him to the test, as to his intention of fulfilling his agreement or not.  It is certain that he has discontinued his attempts to procure Coal, for the present.  Rode through Dipton Woods where the felling of the Lots is going on.