Journal Entry – William Hooper – 1 Jun 1833

Saturday June 1st 1833



I sent for Mr Bell of Stubblick Colliery this morning to settle his accounts, the Balance of which was £80.11.1 due to the Hospital, and I told him that the Board had taken into consideration the circumstances of his being the Lessee of other Collieries, as well as the Lessee of the farm, and coupling this with every other consideration respecting his claims and services, had directed me to allow him two years gratuity on his discharge, but that they could grant no Pension. Mr Bell replied that by the Newspaper he held in his hand, he found he had to thank me for this, and that he was to have had a Pension of £52.10.0, which he considered himself to have a claim to, and he therefore should decline taking any gratuity at present. I told him that as I must close his account, it would be necessary for him to pay me the balance, but that if he took the Gratuity I would promise him that it should not prejudice his case in any application he might make to the Commissioners. He refused, however, and paid me his balance, and I could only observe that I was glad money was no object to him. I purposely abstain from any comment, nor could I condescend to offer explanation to Mr Bell to relieve myself of having done him or Mr Mulcaster any act of injustice or unkindness. Messrs Wilson and Co came to me today, and we agreed for their taking the Langley Small farms & Cottages, comprehending all that is not let to Stubblick Colliery, or to Mr Mulcaster, and also including Silliwray East Allotment, which has been let at £5 a year, but the last Tenant is now deceased. Messrs Wilson & Co are to have the cottages in repair, and they undertake to keep them in repair during the whole term of fourteen years, and so to deliver them up to pay all rates, taxes, and other expenses, and a rent of seventy five pounds a year – I promised to draw up an Agreement to this effect, which might be signed in triplicate by both parties. Mr Walker the Lessee of Prudham-stone Quarry applied to me to ascertain if we had any Cottages near the Quarry that we could let to him – I told him that I believed we had none nearer than Allerwash, and these were occupied; but whenever any were vacant he should have a preference for his Workmen.



When at Alston I called Mr Dickinson and Mr Stephen’s attention to the prices paid to the Carriage of Lead-ore to the Receiving Houses, and told them fully to consider and let me know what reduction might be made without injustice and I have received their statement, in which they consider that Carriers will be found willing to convey the Ores on the following terms – viz:



Where 3/6 per Bing was paid last year 3/2

      2/-                             1/9

      1/-                             1/-

        6d                              5d

        5d                              4d

Being a reduction upon all but those charged at 1/- per Bing, which they consider as low as it can be done for.