Journal entry – John Grey – 30 Jul 1833

Tuesday 30th July 1833



Haydon Bridge Inn

Set off early to Haydon Bridge.  Found that the plan adopted for cleansing the Cellar of the Inn, by means of taking a different course for the conduit, had been effected at very little cost, & that the flags can be now laid down in the Cellar floor with safety.  Mr Hetherington showed me an estimate for repairing the brewing utensils belonging to the Hospital, which have been long out of use, amounting to nearly £10.  he is desirous to have the brew house put in order, that he may make his own Ale.  In this I think he is right, & I told him that something should be done to the roof of the house, which indeed is necessary to preserve it - but that I should prefer selling him the utensils by valuation, leaving him to put them in such repair as he chose and giving him an undertaking that the Hospital would take them from him in like manner on his leaving the premises.  This will ensure their being taken good care of.  



Langley & Stublick

I then proceeded to Langley Mills & Stublick Colliery, where I delivered the leases to the respective managers , & engaged to meet Mr George Lee at Langley on friday.   I afterwards went to Alston & in the evening had a long conversation with Mr Bainbridge on the subject of the Roads.  He furnished me with a copy of the minutes of the Committee to be submitted to the general meeting to be held at Hexham on tuesday next, when it is my purpose to attend and qualify as a Trustee.  That copy I shall forward to the Board, which will sufficiently explain the state of their finances.  Having examined the Road particularly on my way to Alston, I could not but remark to Mr Bainbridge upon the thinness of the Metal & the danger of its melting through altogether in some parts, if we should have a bad winter.  From this circumstance & from the prices which are paid per yard for leading & breaking stones, which are low, I cannot anticipate any saving of expenditure in that branch of outlay, consistant with the maintenance of the roads in a tolerable state of repair.  I did however tell Mr Bainbridge that I was certain a Surveyor might be had to do the work as satisfactorily as at present for one half of the Salary, & that one Clerk could do as well as two.  It appears that the Surveyor cannot be removed for nine months to come, in compliance with the Act.  Some resolutions on the subject will likely be come to on tuesday, which I shall report to the Board.