Journal entry – John Grey – 14 Sep 1833

Saturday 14th September 1833



Alston Mill

Had a minute examination of the Mill at Alston, with Mr Murray the Millwright, who had been engaged to meet me there.   The Water Wheel is not in a very bad state, except that the Axle is loose & in such danger of doing mischief to other parts of the machinery that I have desired him to send a man up for a few days to wedge the Gudgeons & put the wheels into a proper set, so that the Mill may continue to work with safety till the new parts are ready to be put in.  Instead of running in brasses the Axles are set in lignum vitae, which absorbs the Oil and has worn irregularly, so that all the Cog Wheels are destroyed by not working fairly into one another, and the Cogs cut off angularity.  The motions are not correctly calculated nor the wheels so proportioned as to work very smoothly.  One of the grinding Stones is quite worn out & the Kiln plate also, which are additions to the expense that I did not reckon upon - to make up the Mill upon a modern principle, putting in new Metal Shafts etc would cost by Murray’s calculation £149 but I see no necessity for this, as it is quite possible, by fixing Cast Iron Segments round the Spur and pit wheels, instead of renewing the wooden cogs as at present, to adjust the motions to the proper pitch and make the Machinery to work better than it has ever done & to last for many years.  The Estimate for this will be seen to be £75.5.0 according, Murray says to the lowest possible calculation- subject to inspection & subsequent valuation, if I should think fit.  From the character which the man universally bears and the minute examination upon which his calculation is formed, I should be inclined to recommend the adoption of this latter estimate by the Board, & the sooner the work is examined the better.  



Stock at Langley Mills

I had an interview with Mr Thomas Wilson and received from him a Check for the value of Stock at Langley Mills, also informed him of some small wood which is cut in the Plantation on Rodderup Fell - asking him to have it examined and to make me an offer for it.  He seemed indifferent about the purchase; but if it cannot be sold to the mines with which he is concerned, I fear we shall not find a purchaser at all.  



Finding that an inclination exists among the Road Trustees in the west, to continue the present system and Salaries till May instead of terminating them in February as was proposed, because of the badness of the Season, at the latter period, I called upon Mr Ord in my way home to talk the matter over with him.  I cannot see any reason for continuing Mr McConnel’s sinecure, one day longer than can be avoided, or for thinking that the roads will be benefitted by the management of his deputy for three months after he knows that he is to be dismissed, rather than by that of one entering upon a new term.  Besides the Work to be done for maintaining the Roads through the winter, should be done now, & not left for short days and bad weather.  Mr Ord seemed inclined to take this view of the subject & hope it may be acted upon.  Returned to Corbridge in the evening