Journal entry – John Grey – 4 Oct 1833

Friday 4th October



Wark Rents

Wrote to Mr Johnson informing him that the Estates of Whittle & Newton are not to be disposed off [sic].  Finding by a letter from Mr Jay accompaning the Boards minutes today that the Duke of Northumb. has accepted the conveyance of Wark upon the conditions stipulated for in Mr Hoopers letter, one of which conditions is that his Grace is to receive all rents from & after the 12th of May last, it follows that the rents due at May Day last, but not yet collected must be received by the Commissioners - but I have no instructions respecting the Fee Farm Rents payable yearly at (Michs/29th September ) and now due.  They amount to £37.17.10 and as Mr Fenwick the Solicitor is going there to hold the Court, in the latter part of this month, I beg to submit to the Board, whether it would not be as well that have the assistance of Mr Dickinson to collect them at that time, as usual, leaving him to pay over to the Dukes Agent the proportion which may be his due. 



Dilston Woods

 I accompanied Mr Parkin and William Benson to examine the Dilston Woods,  & decide upon such as is advisable to cut, both as its state of maturity & suitableness for the purposes for which it is required, & arranged for having it stored for the Winter.  Went with Benson to examine the repairs at the Park Farm and returned by the Workmen on the Tyne Banks. 



Gateshead Road Trust

 I have a letter from Mr Gibson, Clerk to the Gateshead and Hexham Road Trust stating that before the Commissioners undertake the change of Road, they would like to be apprised of the expense, & wish me to state what sum would be accepted by the Commissioners for the removal of the houses which are to be taken down.  In consequence of which, I made today a calculation with Mr Benson’s assistance, of the cost of removing the Materials & rebuilding with them a Blacksmiths dwelling house and forge, which will be about £60.  For this sum the Hospital would have a new building in lieu of an old one, & would receive a rent of £6.0.0 probably.  Under these circumstances it is for the Commissioners to decide whether they will exact the whole or what portion of that amount from the Road Trustees.   The mere leading of the Materials would not cost more than £15.0.0.  They are to hold a Meeting on the 28th and would be glad to have an answer by that day.



Dilston House

In addition to the plans for the House proposed at Dilston, I now forward calculations of the plan by Wm Benson, together with the amount of his calculations under the different heads of expenditure. The weather continues mild & the harvest in the high districts of Whittonstall and Hexhamshire is near a conclusion.