Journal Entry – William Hooper – 16 May 1833

Thursday May 16th 1833



From the many matters which have engaged my attention since my return from Alston, I quite omitted to mention a letter I receive from Mr Ruddock informing me that the person appointed to value the land taken by the Hexham Road Trustees from our tenants, had made his report as to the amount of compensation they were entitled to, the total of which is £148, instead of £380 as paid by. The Hospital, and that he should submit this report to the Trustees at their next meeting. I can find no adequate terms in which to express my sense of this, and the only means I could devise was to obtain an interview with some of the Trustees, all of whom are strangers to me.  At my request, Mr Birkett wrote to Mr Leadbitter of Warden who is one of the most active in the management, to state my wishes, and to say I would call upon him whenever he would appoint. He kindly came to me to-day, and we entered fully into the discussion: he seemed at first disposed to advocate the course pursued by the Trust, but at length admitted that no Gentleman, or Man of principle, would act so in his individual capacity, and it was not difficult to shew the injustice under the existing circumstances; and he promised me to attend the meeting, and endeavour to settle matters, tho’ I confess myself not sanguine in gaining any point upon principle, while Mr Ruddock has a legal quibble to fight me with.



In the afternoon I proceeded to Newcastle to receive the Rents of the Meldon Tenancy.