Journal entry – John Grey – 30 Jan 1835

Friday 30th January 1835



Received a statement from Mr Jobling of Newtonhall showing that he had miscalculated the Rent in his tender for the Hospitals farm at that place & applying to the Board for a reduction of the Rent to that amount viz £21.5.0 to be released from his Agreement.  To make the reduction or not, is for the Commissioners to decide, but to release such a Tenant would be very impolitic, as his rent even with the reduction, far exceeds any other offer.   I was surprized by the amount of his tender, having been told that he went by the advice of an experienced Land valuer - but the error seems to have arisen in his own calculations; the Rent with the reduction would be £353.15.. which is still £7 above my valuation.  I suppose they would lay on a little, on account of its contiguity.  If the reduction should be granted, the actual Rent had better be inserted by the Secretary in the Agreement, before returning it to me.  



Heard from the Moor Master, that he found it impossible to stop entirely the working of the Crow Coal throughout the Manor, & wishing to know what steps should be taken. It is out of the question to look for any revenue from it to the Hospital, and as it is a thin stratum of poor Coal that breaks out to the surface at a certain elevation on the mountain sides through a great extent of country to prevent the Miners digging it out, would be as difficult as to prevent their poaching, & attended with greater hardship.  The only thing of consequence to the Hospital seems to be to avoid incurring damage by such operations, and in suggested in answer to the Moor Master, the plan of allowing the owners of the premises to grant leave for its working, for such consideration as they may fix, they guaranteeing the Hospital against damage.   The right of the Hospital is set forth & secured by the Act for dividing the Commons.   He is to consult Mr Bainbridge & give me his opinion which I shall carry to the Board.  I took a long ride west ward, visited Stublick Colliery, where the Smelting of Beaumonts Ore in part at Langley Mills, has caused them an increased vend of Coals.  They have also got over all difficulty about the water, the Engine clearing the Colliery now in five hours a day.  Went through the farms in that quarter, examining some new Fences & draining.  At Deanraw agreed to allow John Pigg £3.-.- for the repair of some Fences on the ground he entered to last May, formerly occupied by Bell, which he left in wretched order & which it would cost the Hospital double the sum to do.  After visiting other farms, in that district, I reached Haydon Bridge at 6 o’clock to dine and sleep.