Journal entry – John Grey – 9 Aug 1834

Saturday 9th August 1834



Set out early to visit the several Farms in the district of Newlands & Whittonstall, most of which will be to value & Let this Season, on which account, I wish to look over them while the Crop is on the Ground, as well as afterwards.  I told Harrison, who objected to execute his Lease on Account of the Grant of Lime not being included, that he must make up his mind to do so at once, or relinquish his present Agreement.  He is to let me know in a few days.  I particularly examined the buildings at Newlands Haugh Farm, which are in a ruinous condition, to decide upon what might be absolutely necessary, & to get Benson to make an estimate of it, to enable me to decide upon the comparative advantages of letting it together with, or distinct from the adjoining Farm.  To unite them would undoubtedly save a great deal of building, as the Farm House, barn & some hovels at the Town Farm are sufficient & the only thing against it, is the want of Capital in the Tenants.  I shall advert to this hereafter.  I went to the Mill, where a part of the Roof has been taken off, & was under repair, the Wood so rotten that the Men could not upon it to take down the Slates, but by placing a Scaffold. On my return in the evening I found Mr Foster, who had examined Throckley Colliery in his way here, of the condition & prospects of which, under its present management, he thinks unfavourably, but of which he will report at length hereafter.  I advised him with the Conditions & terms of the other Collieries to the West which he is now visiting.