Journal entry – John Grey – 20 Dec 1834

Saturday 20th



Called on Mr Nairn before breakfast & examined his premises, having a description of the additions to the Mill & Machinery which he proposes in case of coming to an Agreement for a new term.  He has promised to supply me in a few days, with an estimate of the probably outlay to which those additions would subject him upon receiving which, I shall be better able to found a report to the Board.  An order had been made, Mr Nairn says, about two years ago for a grant of upwards of £200 for the purpose of adding a story to the Granaries which has never been acted upon, because it was considered by himself & Mr Hooper, that it would only in part remedy the deficiency of the Mill for want of room, & that it wd be better by an additional expenditure, to make the improvement more complete.  These Mills were formerly pretty well supplied with Water, but that is now much altered by the draining of some extensive Mosses in adjoining Properties to the West, by which, instead of the Water passing off gradually, it is, after falls of rain discharged so rapidly, that for a day or two, there is much more than can be used, & then hardly any for a long time to come,  to remedy this want of Water, Mr Nairn applied a Steam power in aid of the Water Wheel, but this works so inconveniently and is attended with such loss of time in changing from one to the other, that he would more adapt the present Mill entirely to the Steam power, & by an additional Building at the North end of the Mill in which he could place Machinery & a Water Wheel of considerable power, the present one being worn out, he would use the Water when it was to be had without interfering with the other Mill, & also gain the Granary now wanted, by floors above the new Building without unroofing & raising the present one.   This seems to be a very good plan for enlarging the premises & fitting them for doing a great deal of business.  It remains to be seen what the termes may be upon which Mr Nairn will undertake it.   Went through the Farm of Chesterhill & examined all the draining which had been done under my Sons inspection   Nothing has been done towards making the roads through the fields, except working stones in a Quarry, as the tenant wishes to take the advantage of Frost, should we have any, to save plunging the fields in leading them.  

       Went to Outchester having left a message for the tenant to be in the way. Discussed with him & filled up the Covenants in the Agreement for a Lease, which he executed.  Examined the Cottages which are damp, uncomfortable & out of repair from the superficial manner in which they had been finished.

       Went over his fields to see some draining he had begun and advise as to some in other parts that are wanted.  Having got a reduction of Rent, with a prospect of being able to pay it, the Tenant is exerting himself to improve the condition of the Farm.  Returned to Milfield Hill in the evening,after a long day of riding and Walking.