Journal entry – John Grey – 5 Feb 1834

Wednesday 5th February



Was engaged in the Office making Estimates of the probable outlay for Building, hedging & draining for the present year, & the rental according to the reduction of those farms recently let, of which a statement was forwarded to the Board. Rode afterwards to inspect the work at the Embankments & the planting on Dipton Hill, on my return in the afternoon found Mr Pringle from Scremerston who paid me £300 of the Arrear due by him at May Day last, leaving still a balance of £94.  He wishes the Commissioners to refer to letters from the Receivers & Mr Weatherly, which I herewith send, upon which he considers himself entitled to hold his Farm at the annual rent of £500 instead of £575, but prays to have a reduction of £100 a year from the original rent of £575 on account of the great fall in the price of farm produce.   This is a petition to the same effect as that which was forwarded by him to the Board some weeks ago, except that the injury he sustained by the Rail way was the Ground upon which he then claimed a reduction.     By the accompanying letters it appears that the late Receivers & Mr Weatherly sanctioned the understanding that the Abatement of Rent given at that time, was to be permanent, instead of being restricted as I understand it was, to three years.  Mr Pringle also gave me Estimates for renewing a Platform around his Wind Mill of £9.15.0 and for putting in a new Pump in the place of a wooden one which is worn out of £7.18.- both of which I saw, when there, to be necessary, but refused to do on account of the Arrear of Rent.  I shall sanction his doing the Work, and make the allowance conditional on his discharging his arrear.



Benson having been directed to inspect the farm house at Whitechapel very minutely, reports to me that it is the oldest existing on the Estate, except that at Lees, which is also ruinous. That by mending the roof, it might stand for a few years in its present condition, though the walls are much shaken, but that nothing can with safety be done in the way of adding to or improving it.  It is, as I know, small & incommodious & stands badly, just in front of & too close to the fold yards.  To add to the Offices as intended & merely patch the Roof of the House, Benson estimates at £170. To remove & rebuild the House at £380 or thereabouts, of which I have desired him to prepare a Plan to be submitted for the decision of the Commissioners.