Journal Entry – William Hooper – 15 May 1833

Wednesday May 15th 1833



I was engaged to-day in examining into the repairs etc necessary to put this Inn in habitable condition, and also in arranging and settling some disputed claims about the stabling, which are made very complicated and difficult from the irregularities so long permitted. The tenant of Grindon in burning Heather, with a careless disregard of the danger to an adjoining Wood, actually set fire to it, and from four to six Acres has been so burnt as to kill the whole of the trees – fortunately it happens to be of little or no value, the trees being Scotch fir planted many years ago, but which have never throve, and Parkins assures me there was no chance of their ever doing so. The wood is now only fit for Hedge stakes to which purpose I shall recommend to Mr Grey its application, and it does not appear to be adviseable to plant this Ground afresh, the Wood-Inspector considering the ground totally unfit for it. 



Mr Burn the Valuator of the tools etc at the Smelting Mills arrived. And as soon as Mr Storey has completed the Colliery, which will be in the course of this day, they will proceed with the Mills.



Examined with Mr Bell his final accounts at the Colliery, and was compelled to refuse his claims for Papering some rooms in his House, hanging bells, fruit trees etc to the amount of more than twenty pounds – I felt also great displeasure at a Bill for £5.3.0 for repairs to his Dwelling House, ordered by him since I came to Haydon Bridge, without any reference to me whatever – nothing but the consideration that it is the last time such an impropriety can occur, would have induced me to pay this Bill, but I did not fail to tell both Mr Bell and Mr Reed what I thought on the subject.