Journal entry – John Grey – 25 Oct 1834

Saturday 25th October



       Found that Major Johnson had been called to Scremerston the day before, & could not meet me till the middle of the following week.  Saw Mr Forster on the subject of letting Hartburngrainge Coal & the plans of the other Collieries, which he thinks ought to be made up to the present time. He expected to have a meeting with Crile the result of which he would immediately communicate to me.  Returned to Dilston & examined all matters that had occurred in my absence.  I received the Boards Minutes of the 16th October & the Secretary’s Letter of the 23d accompanied by a list of the Farms from which the Tenants beg to be released requiring me to report which I would recommend to be let by public Tender & which by private bargain, & of the latter, to say whether the parties will accept new Leases upon the Terms & at the Rent fixed upon by me.  To the latter question I can as yet give no answer, never having considered myself authorized by the Board to communicate my valuation to the Tenants, or to come to any terms with them respecting new Leases.  But as the Season is passing away & it becomes desirable on every account to expedite the lettings as much as possible, I shall use my best endeavours to obtain interviews with the respective Tenants to whom I think offers of their Farms should be made, that I may compare their proposals with my valuation & communicate both to the Board that no time may be lost in deciding whether they should be accepted, or the Farms submitted to public competition.

       With this view, I have written this evening to the Tenants of Scremerston, Outchester, Hartburngrainge, Newtonhall & Whittle, saying that to suit their convenience, I would meet them at Newcastle on Wednesday, where there is a Fair which several of them may have to attend.  The others I shall also see as early as possible.  And of those Farms which must of necessity go to the public, the Board will perhaps think it advisable that they should be advertized at once, adding to the advertizement afterwards, such as may not be taken by the present occupiers.  The Tenant of Aydonshields has refused to execute a Lease & has relinquished his Agreement.  Fewsters Farm of Newlands Haugh is not included in the List, because he has not sent in a resignation this year, considering that the Board had virtually released him by confirming Mr Hoopers promise, that he should pay for this year, the rent agreed for in the next, I shall however require him to send in a written resignation.  It will be remembered that this Farm is directed by the Board to be united to Newlands Town Farm, except a small part that is to be laid to the Mill.  Fewster is the only one of the present Tenants, that is at all likely to occupy it, & even he may be deficient in Capital, but should it be found that he cannot eventually carry it on still the object will have been attained of uniting the Farms and saving the Buildings.