Journal entry – John Grey – 17 Jun 1833

Monday 17th June 1833

	I went in the morning to inspect the draining at Coastley and a quantity of Work charged for by Gilhespey, whose account Mr Hooper declined paying until inquirey was made inspecting it – the Work as stated in his account has been done, but I am much dissatisfied with the prices charged, and have informed him, that if he does not make a reluction [sic] of the charge, when he comes to receive payment on Friday that he will not again have any employment from the Hospital – this man seems to have been a deputy Bailiff under Mr Sample, as well as undertaker of Work – allowed to set out the drains – to cut them as he pleased, to fix his own prices & to measure off his own Work!!!

	I then went to Coastley Highside – a small Farm of poor land on a hilltop – nothing has been done to the Buildings since the present Tenant entered three years ago, Mr Sample never having visited the place; the House is damp – wants Locks, painting and spouts – There is luckily no thrashing Machine, but the Barn-floor is quite unfit to lay Corn upon, for want of boarding.

	The next place is Bagraw, a poor Farm and still poorer Tenant, called Thorburn – I fear he will neither be able to pay his Arrears or hold on his Farm – I persuaded him to attempt a little draining to improve a Field he is working for Wheat – The rent of this Farm is £95 and the Farm house alone looks like having cost from 4 to £500 in building – a double Cottage would have suited much better – the housewife said they had no need for the upstairs rooms, and she no time to clean them – It is moreover excessively ill built, and scarcely habitable on account of Smoke, which I ascribe to the bad finishing of the Chimnies and walls, as the smoke is seen issuing from all parts.

	I then went to Longhope – a high situation and cold soil – but rather well farmed by Mr Milburn – inspected a good deal of draining and marked out with Mr Hunt the situation of some yet to be done.

	I next proceeded to Elrington East Farm, at which, being let for only one year, nothing needs at present to be done – It is not however in bad repair.

	I came next to Elrington Hall Farm and found it in good cultivation – The House and Buildings in good repair – some draining wanted on the high ground. – Mr Lambert begged to have a Shed enlarged which is certainly too small and would not cost much. I begged of him to remind me of it next year.

	I next examined Woodhall Mill & Lands. The Mill is in good repair, with a powerful Water Wheel – Metal pipes have lately been laid, to convey the Water from the Reservoir to the Mill, which ought to be covered over with earth – also a part of the Garden Fence should be rebuilt which was taken down in laying the pipes – I calculated the expense and bargained with the Miller to do both for £3.

	I then went to Woodhall Farm, newly entered to by Mr Hutchinson – In the dwelling House and adjoining Cottage some repairs are wanted, as left by Mr Hooper to my direction – The Stable is very bad and wants new Stalls – The roof of a small Shed too is intirely rotten.

	In repairing old Buildings where the work is not intirely to be made new and can only be done by days work, I find that the Hospital has been charged 3s/4d and 3s/6d per day, which the Workmen receive from the Undertaker only 3s/- in such work, where no peculiar skill or nicety are required, I see no need of the intervention of an undertaker, & have set a Joiner to work at the above mentioned Stable today at 3s/-