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6.10.1874 76. Mr Mercer
reported that an explosion had taken place on the Regents Canal on the Friday 2nd
October…….he had called in the aid of the Company’s solicitor Mr Roscoe, under whose
authority he directed Mr Thomas to obtain the aid of the Company’s labourers
and overseers from the Southern and Middle Districts to assist those of the
Regents Canal in clearing the Navigation.
9.10.1874 79. Mr Rogers
proposed that no gunpowder or any other matter of an explosive character be
shipped by the Company.
80. That the Company for the present discontinue
the carriage of gunpowder for the general public.
21.10.1874 82. The
Chairman reported the result of the Inquest and after mature consideration of
the subject, Mr Roscoe being present, having been consulted, it was resolved
that the Company (Mr Mercer) reply to those making claim “reference to the
unfortunate accident which has recently occurred on the Regents Canal and I am
instructed by my directors to say that they do not admit any liability in
connection with that deplorable event.”
4.11.1874 89. ….Mr Henry
James QC, also Mr J C Matthew retained as Junior …
30.12.1874 101. ….also
retain Mr John Day, QC, Mr Grantham, Mr Dugdale and Mr Anderson….
27.1.1875 105. ….to
continue to defend the action…
18.5.1875 148. The
Chairman reported that the verdict was adverse to the Company…Resolved that the
damage done to property be admitted and that parties claiming compensation be
called upon to send in particulars of claims for investigation with a view to
settlement. Also resolved that the
£8332. 8. 4d invested under the names of Winthrop M Praed, Edward Thornton and
Richard Howe-Brown and the £3625 Consols in the names of P H Pepys, W M Praed
and R Hore-Brown …..be sold.
31.5.1875 Letter from Messrs Praeds that £40,000 be available
for loan if required
1.6.1875 153. That
the carriage of gunpowder be continued
5.8.1875 I understand that the Grand
Junction Canal Co is constructing a canal barge for the conveyance of
combustibles. Would you kindle inform me
where it is being built as the War Department are about to have a barge made of
a similar description for the conveyance of Government powder through the
canals.
6.8.1875 Reply: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter S5280 of yesterday’s date. Our
boats especially constructed for the conveyance of gunpowder are all at work. We have none just now in course of building.
The next time we have one of the boats in London, I shall be happy to let you
know where you can see it. If I may be
allowed, I would suggest that this Company’s boats could carry any quantity of
Government powder over any of the canals of the Kingdom, quite as safely as
barges built by the War Department and with great facility seeing the boats are
constantly in the work manned and horsed ready to proceed to any part where
they are required.
8.9.1875 185.
Reference repairs to Macclesfield Bridge and the North Lodge. The Company to offer to reconstruct the
bridge at a cost of £1500 and offer to pay £600 towards the Lodge.
3.11.1875 Due to the provisions of the Explosives Act 1875, the
Company should discontinue the carrying of explosives as soon as practicable
but not later than 1st December next.
17.11.1875 211. 766 claims
so far amount to £84417. 2. 0d, 589 of which amount to £43553. 6. 0d have been
settled for £33763. 9.4d
24.11.1875 214. Government
Inspectors had prevented Mr Thomas from replacing the old stone work, which
would cost an extra £30 - £40.
7.12.1875 217. North
Lodge repairs have been settled for £850
15.3.1876 That the present circumstances of the carrying trade are such as to make it expedient for
the discontinuance of the carrying trade of the Company at as early a period as
practicable.
10.5.1876 Resolution that the Company should discontinue
carrying from 1st July 1876
27.9.1876 Read a letter dated 17th inst from Mrs
Bewn (Bevan?), widow of the captain of the boat Tilbury,
destroyed at the explosion in October 1874 applying for further
assistance…..resolved that the sum of £5 be given to her in full discharge of
all claims against the Company.
25.10.1876 £10000 to be repaid to Messrs Praed.
10.10.1877 28. The final instalment of £5000 repaid to
Messrs Praed.