The Lancashire Textile Project 2013

CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LTD.
BARNOLDSWICK.

MINUTE BOOKS MINUTE BOOK 1
Commences April 27 1889.
[Anything in square brackets is explanatory material inserted by the transcriber, Stanley Challenger Graham. At times these may seem simplistic but I have to bear in mind the fact that not everyone will be familiar with the trade or the district. I know also that it can be very annoying if technical terms are used outside the reader's experience so please bear with me if I seem to state the obvious.]

[Prior to this first Annual General Meeting there were reports in the Craven Herald:
22/10/1888. Proposed new weaving shed. Report of a meeting at the Baptist chapel re. The new shed company.
03/11/1888. Meeting of the new shed company at Mechanic’s Hall (Jepp Hill). Discussions as to site.
17/11/1888. Meeting in Seven Stars Assembly Rooms. Shares to be £25. Initial share capital to be £10,000. £6000 of this taken up at the meeting.]

[I know no way of accurately converting monetary values from this era into modern prices. The multiplier depends on which base value is used. The accepted calculation relative to average wages falls in the middle of the range and is the one I bear in my mind when looking at prices up to about 1910. This is roughly 100 and in most cases seems a slightly low estimate based on those values which I have some knowledge of however I’m satisfied it is a good rough yardstick, the best we can hope for!]

Calf Hall Shed Company Limited.
The first Annual General Meeting of the Company was held pursuant to the Statute in the Seven Stars Assembly Room Barnoldswick on the 27th day of April 1889. Mr Brooks Banks occupying the Chair. The Solicitor to the company was present.
On the question of the appointment of Directors in the place of the provisional directors who retire, it was proposed by Mr Stephen Pickles and seconded by Mr John Brooks that seven be the number of directors. An amendment that twelve be the number was proposed by Mr John Horsfield and seconded by Mr John Edmondson and being put to the meeting was carried, the original motion was therefore lost.
The appointment of individual directors was then proceeded with and the following gentlemen were proposed and seconded as directors.
Mr Leonard Holdsworth [I don’t know what Leonard Holdsworth did but in 1887 he was noted as living at 23 Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick.] was proposed by Mr James Edmondson. Seconded by Mr Sandy Harmer and had 41 votes. Mr Proctor Barrett [Proctor Barrett was a joiner and builder with premises on Station Road, Barnoldswick] was proposed by Mr Stephen Pickles and seconded by Mr John Brooks, had 47 votes. Mr Brooks Banks was proposed by Mr James Edmondson and seconded by Mr Stephen Hartley and had 49 votes. Dr J D Roberts was proposed by Mr Albion Hargreaves and seconded by Mr Watson Knowles, had 44 votes. Mr William Holdsworth [William Holdsworth was a joiner with premises on Commercial Street, Barnoldswick] was proposed by Mr Joseph Brearley and seconded by Mr Johnson Edmondson [Johnson Edmondson was an overlooker and his address in 1887 was 9 Albion Terrace], had 46 votes. Mr Robert Clark was proposed by Mr Watson Knowles and seconded by Mr William Williams, had 26 votes. Mr Thomas Dent [Thomas Dent was a baker of 5 Albion Terrace; on Park Road, his bakery was behind the house and fronts on to Wellington Street.] was proposed by Mr Stephen Pickles and seconded by Mr Henry Pickles, had 43 votes. Mr Johnson Edmondson was proposed by Mr Thomas Baxter and seconded by Mr John Horsfield, had 46 votes. Mr Simon Parker was proposed by Mr Thomas Suthers and seconded by Mr James Edmondson, had 30 votes. Mr Edward Smith [Edward Smith was a stonemason and contractor of Mosley Street, Barnoldswick.] was proposed by Mr Fred Suthers and seconded by Mr Watson Knowles, had 38 votes. Mr John Pickup was proposed by Mr Thomas Baxter and seconded by Mr John William Elsworth, had 10 votes. Mr William Perry was proposed by Mr John Horsfield and seconded by Mr Henry Pickles, had 37 votes. Mr Joseph Brearley was proposed by Mr Stephen Pickles and seconded by Mr J T Suthers, had 21 votes. Mr William P Brooks [William Proctor Brooks was an auctioneer and valuer and may have owned Wellhouse Farm on Church Street, Barnoldswick.] was proposed by Mr Henry Pickles and seconded by Mr Harry Broughton, had 23 votes.
The Meeting then proceeded to vote on the names proposed and each gentleman received the number of votes set against his name in the above list.
The following gentlemen were therefore appointed Directors.
Mr Leonard Holdsworth, 41 votes.
“ Proctor Barrett, 47 votes.
“ Brooks Banks, 49 votes.
“ Dr. J D Roberts, 44 votes.
“ William Holdsworth, 46 votes.
“ Robert Clark, 26 votes.
“ Thomas Dent, 43 votes.
“ Johnson Edmondson, 46 votes.
“ Simon Parker, 30 votes.
“ Edward Smith, 38 votes.
“ William Perry, 37 votes.
“ William P Brooks, 23 votes.

The Shareholders then proceeded to elect an Auditor. Mr William Williams proposed and Mr J T Suthers seconded that Mr John Lancaster be appointed auditor. This motion, being put to the meeting was carried unanimously. Mr John Lancaster was accordingly elected Auditor for the ensuing year.
A vote of thanks to Mr John Hartley the secretary being proposed and seconded was put to the meeting and carried unanimously.
This concluded the business of the meeting. Signed Brooks Banks, chairman and John Hartley, secretary.
[Report in Craven Herald 17/11/1888 on a meeting held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms reports that shares were £25 each and £6,000 worth were taken up at this meeting.]

May 1st 1889.
At the first meeting of the directors after the first annual general meeting of the Shareholders held on the 17th of April 1889 the following resolutions were passed.
Proposed by Dr J D Roberts and seconded by Thomas Dent that Mr Brooks Banks be the chairman for the ensuing year, put to the vote and carried.
Proposed by Robert Clark and seconded by Proctor Barrett That Dr Roberts be the vice-chairman, put to the vote and carried.
Proposed by Thomas Dent and seconded by Johnson Edmondson that Proctor Barrett be the Treasurer. Put to the vote and carried.
Proposed by Proctor Barrett and seconded by Simon Parker that the resolution passed on April 3rd 1889 relating to the secretary delivering all notices and calls to the shareholders within the postal district of Barnoldswick be rescinded. Put to the vote and carried.
Proposed by Dr Roberts and seconded by Simon Parker that John Hartley be the secretary for the ensuing year. Put to the vote and carried.
Signed, Brooks Banks Chairman and John Hartley, secretary.

May 8th 1889
Resolved 1st. Minutes of last meeting passed as read. [This legal requirement was always the first item of business and it was after agreement on this point that the appropriate persons signed the minutes of the last meeting. Usually a formality but could lead to a codicil being placed on the previous minutes.]
Res. 2nd. That the Clerk of Works salary be paid by cheque for the month. [Refers to the building of the new shed at Calf Hall]
Res. 3rd. That the secretary write to Messrs Green and Lowcock [Wakefield] to ask if they have tenders at their lowest price for the economisers. [These are flue gas heat-recovery systems for heating boiler feed water.]
Res. 4th. That the secretary write to the intending occupants of the shed asking them for a formal application for room and power in the new shed and state how much [space] they will want.
Res. 5th. That William Holdsworth make a cover for the weighing machine in shed.
Signed. Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 15th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes passed as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Thomas Steen of Burnley be paid for the weighing machine as per bill £4-5-0 and that Mr Hawley’s [building contractor] certificate for £500 be paid on a/c. [The process of payment for work done was that the architect issued a certificate for a certain amount once he had satisfied himself that the work had been done to an acceptable standard. A ‘call’ was a request for payment from a professional not covered by certificate. A bill was an individual claim for payment from a tradesman not administered by the architect, i.e., work directly commissioned by the board of directors.]
Res. 3rd. That Messrs Holden’s letter asking for terms for room and power be replied to. The terms to be that they pay per annum 39/- per loom and £90 for one tape machine for a term of three years subject to alteration if necessary at that time. [The concept of a 'shed company' providing 'room and power' to individual tenants was not new and terms of rental in other similar sheds were well known. There is also the possibility that even at this early stage advice was being sought from Proctor and Proctor, accountants of Grimshaw Street Burnley. P&P acted as secretaries and administrators to many shed companies in East Lancashire and later took on this role for the CHSC. Their role was to be very important throughout the life of the company.]
Res. 4th. That Messrs L Holdsworth and Brooks Banks got to Colne to see Mr Thompson and push him on with the shed roof. [Ironwork]
Res. 5th. That Messrs Arthur Lowcock and Co make the economisers as per their specification and price as tendered, viz., £150 or 25/- per pipe all complete.
Res. 6th. That a call of £5 per share be made on the shareholders and that it be due on the 22nd day of June 1889.
Signed Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 22nd 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Messrs Thompson and Co’s certificate of £530 on account of ironwork and girders be paid when presented.
Res. 3rd. That there be extra windows put in each gable and two in each pike of the building or warehouse.
Res. 4th. That John Riley Smith make the ventilators for the shed roof, two in each bay, for the sum of £3 extra to his contract.
Res. 5th. That William P Brooks have the soil from the top end of the shed.
Signed. Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 29th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson [architect, living at Crow Trees, Higherford, offices in Colne] and also Mr Thompson and send per first train to Colne requesting them both to meet our directors at 2pm tomorrow without fail at our office or at the new shed.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 5th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read
Res. 2nd. That John Hartley’s bill be paid for the first month’s expenses.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

June 12th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Lambert Robinson [Clerk of Works. The official temporarily hired by CHSC to supervise the building work on the new shed at Calf Hall] be paid his month’s salary.
Res. 3rd. Proposed by William Holdsworth and seconded by Thomas Smith that Thomas Naylor’s shares 274 and 275 be transferred to Towers Singleton. [Coach proprietor, Commercial St Barlick]
Signed Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 19th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Atkinson’s call of £45 be paid by cheque as usual. [His fees]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 26th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd Proposed by William Holdsworth and seconded by Edward Smith that John Riley Smith [slating] be paid £250 by cheque for work done.
Signed Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 3rd 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the managing directors see Riley Smith and push him on with the shed roof.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 10th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Lambert Robinson be paid his month’s wages.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Hawley’s certificate be paid when presented amounting to £1000.
Res. 4th. That the clerk of works see Heap and Thornton [local builders specialising in slating, plastering and lime-washing. This entry probably refers to slaking quick-lime in pits to produce 'putty-lime' which was the essential starting ingredient for making plaster, sand-lime mortar and lime-wash.] and push them on with preparing lime for the shed.
Res. 5th. That Mr Thompson and Co’s certificate be paid on account amounting to £300.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

July 17th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That J R Smith's certificate be paid on account amounting to £ [no amount stated].
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

July 24th 1889
Res. 1st. That Leonard Holdsworth be chairman pro tem.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary go to Colne to see Mr Hartley [Solicitors of Colne] respecting the Springs Dam. [water resource on Calf Hall Beck which served the new shed]
Res. 3rd. Minutes as read.
Res. 4th. That Mr Stanworth’s certificate for £250 be paid on account of the slating.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 31st 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the two shares 274 and 275 be transferred to Towers Singleton.
Res. 3rd. That Richard Brennand build the wall at the North end of the shed at 5/- per rood [specialised superficial measure for stonework or slating. 36 square yards.] The wall to be five feet high and scotch topped. And that he prepare the ground by day work. [This was a dry stone boundary wall. 'Scotch topping' is the arrangement of stones on top of the wall alternatively laid flat and on end, reminiscent of battlements on a castle. Also called 'bucks and does' locally.]
Res. 4th. That Mr Hawley be asked to cart the stones for the wall.
Res. 5th. That the secretary make application to the Gas Company to be supplied with gas for the sheds.
Res. 6th. That Lambert Robinson be paid his month’s salary.
Signed Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 7th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson to say that the directors are determined that the contractors are to be pushed on with the work and you write them to that effect. The Masons. The Joiners. The slaters and the glaziers and if they do not push on the directors will employ other parties to finish the work without delay as the time is nearly up and a great deal of work to be done in little time.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 14th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That J R Smith’s certificate be paid on account, £100.
Res. 3rd. That Brooks Bank, Dr Roberts and Johnson Edmondson be appointed to see J R Smith and push him with the work.
Res. 4th. That the secretary write to William Varley and Sons and push them with the glazing.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 21st 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That if the joiner be allowed to put 5/8” boards on the engine house roof to slate on instead of 1” boards he pays the difference in value.
Res. 3rd. That the face boards he has now got be objected to and well-seasoned board be obtained in their place and the Building Committee see to it in the morning first thing.
Res. 4th. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson at Colne and and ask him to meet the directors on Friday at 11am and that the chairman and secretary be appointed to meet him and push him on with the work.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 28th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write to Messrs Yates [boiler makers, Blackburn] and tell them they can bring the boiler as soon as they can make it convenient.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Atkinson get the dampers [steel shutters in flues for regulating draught] required for the boiler and the girders and beams for the engine house.
Res. 4th. That the clerk of works salary be paid for the month.
Res. 5th. That Mr Hawley’s certificate be paid on account, £500.
Res. 6th. That Mr Thompson’s certificate be paid on account, £400.
Res. 7th. That the secretary summon the directors to meet on Friday night and also the clerk of works and the architect, to meet at 6.30pm and the joiner, J R Smith, to meet the board at 7pm to discuss the progress of the work.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 4th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the chimney builders be presented with 10/6 [half a guinea] as a gift. [Almost certainly topping out of the stack]
Res. 3rd. That Messrs Butterworth and Tinker’s tender be accepted for the lightning conductor [chimney] at ten pence fer foot complete overall. [Were they the chimney builders? It was a specialised job and almost always a separate contract.]
Res. 4th. That two iron skylights of the largest size be put in the engine house roof.
Res. 5th. That John Riley Smith be paid £50 on account if no certificate comes from Mr Atkinson and that if a certificate comes he be paid according to that.
Res. 6th. That Misses Bibby[sic] be accepted as a shareholder in place of Stephen Pickles’ two shares, Henry Pickles one share and Jane Pickles one share and that the shares be transferred to Misses Bibby when the instrument of transfer is produced satisfactory[sic].
Res. 7th. That the secretary see Messrs Heap and Thornton and ask them to commence slate pointing and plastering first thing. [Slate pointing was the practice of pointing the gaps in the slates from below to seal them against wind and weather. Often called 'clashing up'.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 11th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Varley and Sons certificate be paid £150 on account of plumbing and glazing.
Res. 3rd. That the clerk of works get a ladder and eye bolts for the engine house.
Res. 4th. That the privies inside the shed be built with brick and whitewashed with calcium [? I suspect this is a fancy name for simple lime-washing which has antiseptic properties. Probably used by the sanitary inspector, it sounds more scientific!].
Res. 5th. That William Holdsworth make the frames for the ventilators in the end of the shed.
Res. 6th. That Watson Knowles be the engineer for the shed at the rate of £1-4-0 per week. [Engine tenter appointed during building so he could be familiar with the engine. See Nov 29th 1889 minutes for confirmation of his appointment as engineer.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 18th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write to the Sanitary Inspector [Skipton Rural Sanitation District. Barnoldswick Local Board formed in November 1890] for information regarding the expense of emptying the closet tanks at the shed. [Evidence that the water carriage sewage system hadn’t yet reached Calf Hall]
Res. 3rd. That there be 12 ropes [2” diameter] got for the engine for driving the shed [engine installed for 430hp at 63rpm. Ropes capable of transmitting 600hp. Capacity for increase in power.]. And Mr Atkinson to invite tenders from several rope-makers, the price to be stated in one lump sum [This would include splicing and installing]
Res. 4th. That Messrs Roberts be instructed to fit the second motion wheel on the shaft [main lineshaft into the mill. William Roberts and Sons of Phoenix Foundry, Nelson were the engine manufacturers.]
Res. 5th. That Messrs Roberts make and fit and find all material for completing the engine, viz., all the pipes to couple up the engine with the boiler and wells [These wells are the cold water supply for the condenser water and the hot well which is part of the boiler feed-water system. The boiler feed pump was integral with the engine.] at the rate of 12/6 per Cwt. [1cwt=112lbs]
Res. 6th. That Mr Atkinson get another small girder to carry the flags over the water-course at the West end of the shed.
Res. 7th. That the partitions which divide the shed and warehouse be of wood and not brick. [Use of wood gave internal flexibility if and when space needed to be re-arranged in the shed.]
Res. 8th. That Mr Atkinson invite tenders for two hoists for the warehouse.
Res. 9th. That Messrs Heap and Thornton’s certificate be paid, £60 for plastering.
Res. 10th. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to tell Mr John Riley Smith that the directors are determined to deduct £15 per week from his account from the 1st of September to his completing the contract.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 25th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write and inform the Sanitary Inspector that the Company intend to look after and empty their own privy tanks at the shed. [These were not septic tanks as we understand them but simple pits which, when full, were emptied manually and the contents spread on the land. Very often the contractors who did this work were the farmers who owned the land.]
Res. 3rd. That Messrs Roberts make a set of keys [spanners] for the engine and to be stamped with the Company’s name.
Res. 4th. That the clerk of works salary be paid for the month.
Res. 5th. That Mr Atkinson’s call of £45 be paid as usual.
Res. 6th. That Richard Brennand’s account for walling be paid as per bill.
Res. 7th. That Mr Atkinson’s certificate for £100 for John Riley Smith be suspended payment until the windows he has ordered at Bingley arrive on the premises.
Res. 8th. That the copy of the lease for Springs Dam as sent by Mr Hartley of Colne be returned with instructions to complete the same.
Res. 9th. That the clerk of works employ William Pickover as labourer for the shed for the sum of 18/- per week.
Res. 10th. That Mr Hart’s tender for ropes [Thomas Hart, Lambeth Rope-works, Blackburn] for the engine be accepted at the price stated on his tender, viz., £60 and that he be written to to that effect.
Res. 11th. That the engine house floor be flagged with Rossendale Polished flags.
Res. 12th. That there be two skylights put in the privy roofs and that Heap and Thornton put them in.
Res. 13th. That an iron pipe be got for the water-course to carry the water to the well for the engine.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

October 1st 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the privies be removed from inside the shed and be built outside the warehouse at the south west corner. [Harold Duxbury once told me that if privies were built outside the main building they were not subject to local rates, perhaps the directors had only just realised this. Harold thought it was an incentive to manufacturers to place them outside as this was seen to be more hygienic.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

October 9th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That John Hartley’s bill be paid by cheque, £9-15-5.
Res. 3rd. That Matthew Hawley’s certificate for £500 be paid.
Res. 4th. That William Stanworth’s certificate for £200 be paid.
Res. 5th. That Messrs Yates’ bill for boiler be paid. £393.
Res. 6th. That Mr Arthur Lowcock’s bill for economisers be paid. £150.
Res. 7th. That Joseph Standing’s bill be paid. £1-0-10. [Printer at 24 Church Street Barnoldswick in 1889 but later moved to Butts Top]
Res. 8th. That Joseph Thompson and Co’s certificate be suspended until he makes better progress with his work. Paid October 16th.
Res. 9th. That Mr Atkinson be requested to send J R Smith a bill of £15 per week dating from the first day of September up to date and the amount thereof to be deducted from his certificate.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

October 16th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the clerk of works goes to Bingley to see about the engine house windows tomorrow morning and to purchase the furniture for doors, what will be required. [‘Door furniture’ usually means hinges, bolts, locks, handles etc.]
Res. 3rd. That there be steps from the inside of the engine house down into the boiler house.
Res. 4th. That the privies at the west end of the warehouse be built as per the plans submitted at this meeting.
Res. 5th. That the clerk of works get the road repaired down Calf Hall Lane to the shed. [This road became known as Calf Hall Road eventually.]
Res. 6th. That the directors meet on Friday night at 5.45pm to decide about the steam and gas pipes and the hoists for shed. [Town's gas was available at this time and used for lighting in the sheds. There were individual meters for each tenant and they paid their own gas accounts. Where a gas account is paid by CHSC this is for lighting in areas like the engine and boiler house or external lighting.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

[Craven Herald report, 18/10/1889. Calf Hall Shed nearly ready to run. Estimated two months.]

October 19th 1889
Res. 1st. That Samuel Baldwin of Burnley make the hoists as per tender and specification for the sum of £105 to be completed in four weeks on November 15th 1889. [It is never clear whether 'hoists' refers to internal lifts or the external cat heads used for bringing in beams form road transport.]
Res. 2nd. That the letting of gas and steam pipes be adjourned till next Wednesday night and that Walton Burnley be written to to that affect.
Res. 3rd. That there be six locks obtained as per sample at about 3/- each for outside doors and all inside locks at 1/10 or 2/- each and as many bottom bolts or bars for doors as required.
Res. 4th. That J R Smith be paid his £100 as granted previously as per certificate.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

October 23rd 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the clerk of works salary be paid £6 for the month.
Res. 3rd. That the tender for the gas and steam piping be accepted from William Walton, Burnley. The gas tender for the sum of £125-10-0 and the steam tender for £130-10-0. The whole, both gas and steam to be complete in four weeks from the above date. [This is gas lighting pipes and steam heating pipes throughout the building. It can also include steam supplies to tape sizing machines and associated plant for each tenant, usually installed in their warehouse. Usually one tape machine for each 400 looms. Not clear at this stage whether the positions of these have been determined. In view of the imminent opening we can probably assume that the tender includes these.]
Res. 4th. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to see about the ropes for driving warehouse and looms in shed. [Individual rope drives were used for getting power into warehouses to run cloth plaiting machines. The reference to sheds is probably where a rope drive was needed to cope with a change in level of the main line shaft from the engine.]
Res. 5th. That the economisers be built up at the ends as shewn in Lowcock and Green’s plans. [This firm later became Green and Son.]
Res 6th. That all the broken drums if any be taken off the shafts and the clerk of works to see to it at once. [Almost certainly accidental damage caused by other contractors working in the shed to the cast iron loom driving pulleys after the transmission was installed.]
Res. 7th. That the door place at the east end of the shed be walled up with brick and washed over with cement.
Res. 8th. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson to push on Mr Hawley with his work on the shed.
Res. 9th. That the ceilings in warehouse and shed be of well-seasoned timber and the clerk of works add that clause to the specification.
Res. 10th. That the directors borrow £2000 and the chairman and secretary goes to see our solicitor respecting it.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

October 30th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That this company lay a four or five inch gas main down Calf Hall Lane to the shed and Mr Atkinson try to obtain permission from Mr Lowcock [proprietor of land to the south of the Calf Hall Shed site which later became Mill Street.] to lay them on the meadow side of the wall.
Res. 3rd. That John Riley Smith certificate of £50 be paid.
Res. 4th. That Mr Brooks Banks and Dr Roberts be appointed to meet Mr Atkinson and Mr Hawley to push them on with the work. [It may be worthwhile to point out the obvious. The directors were anxious to get the shed working and start to get a return on their investment. In modern terms they were moving at an incredible rate but in their terms they were being held up.]
Res. 5th. That the clerk of works gets John Sanderson and a few more labourers to repair and make the road to the shed. [Worth noting that the road, now called Calf Hall Road, was water-bound macadam and had never been intended to carry the traffic caused by the building of the shed. It would be in a very bad state.]
Res. 6th. That the clerk of works get some coals from Mr Simon Parker [Director and from later evidence seems to have been a coal merchant and carter operating out of the Barnoldswick railway yard.] when they want some for the boiler. [Commissioning the boiler and steam mains.]
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett’s tender of £90 for the ceilings be accepted on condition that he completes the whole job in three weeks from the above date and that he does all extras at the same schedule of prices, that is 1/9 ½ per yard all complete.
Res. 8th. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson respecting some of the bolts in the cistern being too short and that they are to be replaced with proper ones. [The cast iron cistern on the boiler house roof for boiler make-up water.]
Res. 9th. That Heap and Thornton's certificate of £50 be paid.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 6th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the street Gas Inspectors have the use of the office of the Calf Hall Shed Company Limited at the rate of 1/6 for one meeting per week and 9d for each meeting after the first in each week.
Res. 3rd. That the shed and warehouse be painted and all outside work that has not been primed to have one coat of paint and the inside to be well painted and finished. Mr Atkinson to invite tenders from several painters for the same.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 13th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Atkinson send a copy of specification for painting next Wednesday night for the approval of the board.
Res. 3rd. That the loading place in Pickles’ warehouse be made so that a horse and lorry can back in and the revolving doors be closed. [Stephen Pickles was one of the first tenants]
Res. 4th. That Mr J Waller be allowed to transfer his two shares.
Res. 5th. That John Riley Smith be paid a certificate of £50 on account.
Res. 6th. That John Hartley have a cheque for £10 for expenses and to pay wages.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 15th 1889
Special Meeting.
Res. 1st. That the hoist belonging to Pickles’ warehouse be set with the end to the boiler house wall instead of the back to the wall.
Res. 2nd. That the clerk of works and secretary see Mr John Eastwood if he will sell the tackle belonging to the caul [The operating gear for the clow or sluice gate on the dam in the watercourse.] or weir in the watercourse. [Eastwood was occupying Bracewell’s old Butts mill as tenant to the Craven Bank who repossessed the Bracewell assets c.1887 after Bracewell Brothers failed. Butts was across the road downstream from the new shed and historically Butts drew water from the Calf Hall Beck.]
Res. 3rd. That Edward Smith’s tender for the gas main down Calf Hall Lane for £51 be accepted.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 20th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the clerk of works and the secretary buy an iron ladder of John Eastwood at Butts Mill.
Res. 3rd. That one [railway] truck of coal be ordered with George Andrews and one with John Widdup [Both coal merchants operating out of the railway yard. A truck at this time held about twelve tons.] at the price stated on their tender.
Res. 4th. That Simon Parker have the carting of the coal from the station to the shed at 6d per ton. [The two wheeled tipping carts held about thirty hundredweights, one and a half tons.]
Res. 5th. That the clerk of works salary be paid £6 for the month.
Res. 6th. That the secretary draw a cheque for £15 for wages and expenses.
Res. 7th. That the privies in the shed be plastered inside whether specified or not in their contract.
Res. 8th. That a road be made across to the boiler house out of Calf Hall Lane.
Res. 9th. That the specification for painting be adopted as altered with red ink. And Mr Atkinson be instructed to invite tenders for the same to be sent to the chairman on or before the 29th of November 1889 at 6pm, to be endorsed “Tenders for painting”.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 27th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Palmer’s oil bill be paid and 2½% be deducted when paid.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Holdsworth board up the hole in the west end of the shed and Samuel Heap point the windows inside the shed and warehouse.

November 29th 1889
Special meeting.
That J&J Heys of Colne tender be accepted for painting, £42.
That Thomas Thornber be accepted as oiler at the rate of 17/- per week subject to give and take a week’s notice from the board on each side and be paid every week. [An ‘oiler’ was the engine tenter’s assistant who also had duties oiling transmission shaft bearings in the mill. Note that any labour connected with the actual running of the shed was the responsibility of the board.]
That the engine driver be subject to give and take 4 week’s notice and paid every four weeks and he commenced his duties on November 30th 1889. [First appointed September 11th board meeting. Now confirmed as engineer. Note also that he was active in seconding votes for directors at the first Annual General meeting on 27th April. The post of engineer was much sought after and reading between the lines Watson Knowles had been working hard for his eventual appointment.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

[Craven Herald report, 29/11/1889. Calf Hall Shed almost completed and expected to start on December 1st. Further report on 06/12/1889 of the starting and christening of the engines on 30th November.]

CALF HALL ENGINE START 1889

[Extract from The Craven Herald of Friday December 6th 1889.]

'PRESENTATION. On Monday evening part of the weavers employed by Messrs. Eastwood and Maudsley, Long Ing Shed, met to make a presentation to their late tackler, Mr H Middleton, who has left the employ of Eastwood and Maudsley and gone to work for Messrs. S Pickles and Sons at Calf Hall Shed.
TRADE. The cotton trade here is reviving, all the looms which commenced running a few weeks ago being still kept going by Stephen Pickles and Sons, and Messrs Slater and Bailey have got their looms moved from Clough Shed to the new Calf Hall Shed as have also Messrs Holden Brothers from the Long Ing Shed. New looms have arrived for those manufacturers who are occupying Calf Hall Shed which is ready for starting as soon as these looms are ready for running. A number of new looms have also arrived for Mr E Ormerod of Long Ing Shed who is filling part of the space occupied by Holden Brothers at this shed.
CHRISTENING AND STARTING OF ENGINES. The starting and christening of the engines of the Calf Hall New Weaving Shed took place on Saturday afternoon last in the presence of a large number of people including the Board of Directors viz.: Mr B Banks (chairman), Messrs T Dent, S Parker, J Edmondson, W Holdsworth, R Clark, E Smith, P Barrett, W Perry, W P Brooks, L Holdsworth, J Hartley (secretary). There were also present: Mr J R Smith, Mr W Varley, Colne. Mr Stanworth, Burnley. Mr J Thompson, Colne. Mr Atkinson, Colne. Mr Roberts, Nelson. Rev. E R Lewis. Mr I Barrett. And Mesdames B Banks, T Dent, P Barrett, Roberts (Nelson), Parker, W P Brooks, Smith, Perry, Clark and many others including a large number of shareholders. The engine was started at 3:45pm by Mrs B Banks and Mrs T Dent and allowed to run for about a quarter of an hour. Mr Brooks Banks then addressed the meeting. He said he was very glad to see so many there, who were met to rejoice with them that could rejoice. Many would be glad to hear of this day, as it looked but a day since they had met on purpose to form a company. They succeeded better than a great number thought they would seeing that they had to make bricks without straw. Many of them no doubt heard that the company would never succeed when the prospectus was issued, which was certainly a very modest one. “The promoters of the company had got no wool on their backs” was the reason given why it would never succeed. He would rather take 100 sheep with little wool than one blustering tup with it all. He was glad to tell them that very few shareholders had sold their shares even under adverse circumstances, thus shewing that the company had been well-accepted. He then read letters of apology from Mr W Roberts, Nelson. Mr Varley, Colne. Dr Roberts (a director). Mr M Hawley, Nelson also a telegram from Mr T Hart of Blackburn. Mr Atkinson of Colne, the architect, then gave a description of the building. The shed is built upon the parallel girder system, the following being the dimensions: Shed 169ft 6inches by 211ft, and containing an area of 33,332 square feet. The warehouse, ground floor, is 203ft by 42ft with an area of 8505 square feet; first floor 206ft by 42ft, an area of 8658 square feet. Top room 61ft by 21 feet, area being 1281 square feet making a total for warehousing of 18,444 square feet. The shed will hold 828 looms at 40” reed space and gives 40¼ square feet to each loom, the largest he thought, in the district with 22¼ square feet Warehouse space for each loom, besides spacious engine and boiler houses and other necessary buildings. Mr Roberts then gave a description of the engines made by W Roberts and Co. of Nelson. The engines are a pair of horizontal engines on the [cross] compound principle working high and low pressure, 4ft stroke working at 63rpm thus having a piston speed of 504ft/per minute and are capabler of driving about 450 indicated horse power. The high pressure cylinder is 19½ inches diameter and the low pressure 38 inches diameter. The pistons are on Mather’s principle with steel spiral springs. The high pressure cylinder is fitted with valves on the improved principle by Roberts and Co. The low pressure cylinder has double slide valves with extra ports. The connecting rods are made with the best faggoted scrap iron polished throughout. The fly wheel shaft is made from homogeneous iron and the flywheel is put together in one boss, ten arms and ten segments and weighs about 22 tons. The outer rim of the wheel is grooved to receive 12 ropes. [Geoff Shackleton is of the opinion that this was the first Roberts’ engine made for rope driving.] The wheel is 18ft diameter and the power is transmitted by 12 ropes to two pulleys, 9ft 6 inches in diameter. The governors are on the pendulum principle. The christening ceremony then took place when Mrs Banks had the honour of naming the high pressure engine after her daughter “Emily”. The low pressure engine was named “Annie” by Mrs Dent after her fourth daughter. Mr P Barrett, in proposing a vote of thanks to the ladies for naming the engines, said that any improvement in Barnoldswick could be done by its own people. Mr J Edmondson seconded the proposition. Mr B Banks and Mr T Dent acknowledged the compliment and said they hoped the affair would be successful both for the shareholders and tenants. The ceremony being over the engines were again started amid cheers and allowed to run for some time. The party then wended their way to the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms where dinner was provided and over 100 sat down. The Chairman of the Company, Mr B Banks presided and after the repast the following toasts were gone through: Mr Roberts of Nelson, in proposing the toast of the “Calf Hall Shed Company” complimented the company on the position of its shed upon which a great deal depended for the success he hoped they would have. Mr J Thompson of Colne also wished them every success as he said it was a large undertaking. He was pleased to see so many shareholders present, it shewed they were in sympathy with the board of directors and acting harmoniously together. “The Director of the Board” was then submitted by Mr J Edmondson of Bingley. He said their directors were men he had spent a good deal of time with and he always found them honourable, upright and honest. They could not boast of having men on the board who had titles except a FRCS. They were men who had raised themselves up to the positions they occupied that day by their own exertions. He thought if it did not succeed none would and it was his best wish that the concern would succeed. Mr S Hartley spoke to the same effect. “Our Tenants” was proposed by Mr C J Turner of Colne who thought the tenants of this concern a very important item, for it was through the tenants it would pay and if there had not been any tenants it would have been a great loss. Mr J Hartley hoped that it would be the best business the tenants had done in their life. Mr S Parker proposed “Our Architect” and Mr Atkinson in responding said it was with pleasure he was there on that occasion. It was now about twelve months since they had started the building but many people believed it would not be running now. This he thought would not have been had they not had an efficient army of contractors who he thought had done their best to bring it to a successful issue. Mr T Dent proposed the toast of “The Secretary and Other Officers”. “The Chairman” was submitted by Mr Turner of Colne who said he was sorry Dr Roberts could not be there owing to indisposition and he had taken his place. Mr B Banks, in reply, said that they were now only waiting for a report of a good lively dividend. This concluded the toast list and afterwards the evening was spent in singing etc. The contractors for the various works in connection with the building are as follows: Mason’s work, Messrs J & M Hawley of Colne and Nelson. Joiner, Mr J R Smith, Barnoldswick. Plasterers Messrs Heap and Thornton, Barnoldswick. Slater, Mr W Stanworth of Burnley. Plumber, Mr W Varley of Colne. Engineers Messrs W Roberts and Co of Nelson [Phoenix Foundry]. Millwrights, Messrs J Thompson and Co of Colne. Gas and steam pipes, Mr W Walton, Burnley. Boiler, Mr W Yates, Blackburn. Ropes, Mr T Hart of Blackburn. Economisers Mr Lowcock of Manchester. All the space in the shed is taken up by the following firms: Messrs S Pickles and Sons, 400 looms. Messrs Holden Brothers, 230 looms. Messrs Slater and Bailey 198 looms. All these gentlemen have taken the spaces on a lease for a term of five years which commenced on Monday last.'

December 4th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That there be two trucks of coal per week from George Andrews, Earby for a period of six months and one truck per week from J&H Widdup.
Res. 3rd. That a telegram be sent to Mr William Walton, Burnley for him to come to Barnoldswick by the 11am train in the morning.
Res. 4th. That Mr Atkinson and Mr Thompson have each a telegram sent to them to come to Barnoldswick by the 11am train in the morning.
Res. 5th. That the road be made forward from the front of the warehouse into Calf Hall Lane [Later called Mill Street].
Res. 6th. That John Riley Smith be invited to attend at the shed at 11am in the morning.
Res. 7th. That no lime be used in pointing the windows and the ridges.
Res. 8th. That Messrs Pickles be asked to leave the ceiling side of the shed unoccupied. [To allow ceiling to be finished?]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

December 11th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Hartley, Solicitor, be instructed to complete the mortgage deed for the loan of £2000 and have it transferred to our account at the Craven Bank as quickly as possible. [In 1791 a group of Quakers in Skipton banded together and formed the first local bank in the area, Birkbeck’s, Alcock and Company trading as the Craven Bank. The bank opened its first branch in Barlick in 1876 in Mr Dean’s front parlour, it moved from there to the shop next door. In 1891 they were at the corner of Church Street and then in Station Road. In 1910 they moved into purpose built premises in Newtown and are still there incorporated in HSBC.]
Res. 3rd. That the directors meet on Friday night to consider the tenants case.
Res/ 4th. That the secretary write to Thomas Smith, Burnley, for a tender for wheel covers. [Most likely sheet metal guards for the bevel gears driving the cross-shafts in the mill.]
Res. 5th. That Joseph Thompson have a cheque made out for £200.
Res. 6th. That Matthew Hawley have a cheque made out for £500.
Res. 7th. That the valve in the watercourse be walled round.
Res. 8th. That there be stone steps down into the boiler house.
Res. 9th. That there be glass lubricators got for the line-shaft in the shed.
Res. 10th. That the water pipe to supply the tape machine be connected with the feed pipe in the boiler house.
Res. 11th. That there be a door fixed under the engine house steps.

December 13th 1889
Special meeting.
Res. 1st. That Joseph Petty’s tender for “covering the boiler, cylinder and pipes” be accepted at 3½ pence per square foot as per specification. [This covering is asbestos insulation compound applied as a plaster.]
Res. 2nd. That Robert Chester’s tender be accepted for making the wheel covers at 14/- each.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

December 18th 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Robert Chester make covers under the cranks in the engine house to catch the waste oil.
Res. 3rd. That the engineer get himself a lamp such as he wants and charge it to the Company.
Res. 4th. That George Andrews be written to respecting the bad quality of the coal he is sending. [It should be borne in mind that many complaints from engineers as regards coal quality were attempts to favour a particular merchant who could be quite generous as regards gratuities. No evidence of this here of course but it should be borne in mind. It was surprising what high quality ‘Christmas Boxes’ some engineers got each year!]
Res. 5th. That the clerk of works salary be paid and that a week’s notice be given to him to leave his work. [He was redundant once the construction phase was over.]
Res. 6th. That the directors and secretary’s salaries be paid for the year.
Res. 7th. That Thomas Hart’s bill for the [driving] ropes be paid minus the labourer’s wages. [CHSC must have supplied some labour.]
Res. 8th. That Proctor Barrett’s bill be paid subject to the approval of the clerk of works.
Res. 9th. That James Watson and James Wilson Horsfield be accepted as shareholders in place of Henry John Waller.
Res. 10th. That the directors meet on Tuesday night instead of on Wednesday “Christmas Day”.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

December 23rd 1889
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the managing directors get the privies put into proper repair before or on Christmas Day.
Res. 3rd. That Samuel Greenwood, leather merchant of Colne bill be paid for strapping [driving belts] amounting to £19-4-3. [The company were responsible for power as far as the loom pulley and so provided the belts from the cross-shafts to the looms.]
Res. 4th. That Mr Hawley be written to send in his bill of extras as soon as possible.
Res. 5th. That Mr Atkinson be written to to push Riley and the other contractors to finish their contracts.
Res. 6th. That Edward Smith makes and finishes the road-making as soon as possible by Wednesday next.
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett get the quadrants and other fittings for the windows in the warehouse that may be required as soon as possible.
Res. 8th. That Mr Walton be pushed to get the warehouse and shed fit up with gas lights. [The gas pipes and light fittings were landlord's fixtures.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

December 27th 1889
Special meeting.
Res. 1st. That Mr Cowell be asked to put a valve on the feed pipe for washing out the boiler with. [The chemical treatment of boiler feed water was in its infancy at this time and the impurities in the make-up water was deposited as scale in the boiler. Shutting down the boiler, emptying it and washing out before refilling with cold water was common practice and very wasteful. Apart from the time and labour involved it took about five tons of coal to bring the boiler back into steam. In normal practice the boiler was banked up at the end of each working day to give a slow fire overnight maintaining steam pressure and heat levels in the boiler and supporting brickwork. The advent of more efficient boiler water treatment was a great saving in later years.]
Res. 2nd. That Mr S Baldwin be written to asking him to come over and look at the hoist as one of them does not work satisfactory.
Res. 3rd. That Edward Smith see to a shaft being put up to drive the hoist separately from the tape room.
Res. 4th. That Johnson Edmondson be instructed to get two wagons of “Park Hill Best Coal” from G Andrews as soon as possible.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

January 1st 1890
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Edward Smith get two trucks of coal from Widdups, Roundwood Coal [Colliery at Leeds.], as soon as possible.
Res. 3rd. That Joseph Petty, boiler coverer, have a cheque value £5 on account of boiler covering.
Res. 4th. That John Hartley have a cheque value £20 for expenses and wages.
Res. 5th. That Simon Parker have a cheque value £5-1-8 as per his coal bill and carting.
Res. 6th. That Mr Atkinson be written to and requested to obtain the necessary quantity of gas brackets as per the sample sent as soon as possible. And that he inform Mr Thompson that the directors cannot pay any more money on account until he has made the cistern right and sent in his bill of extras.
Res. 7th. That a call of £3 per share be made on the shareholders to be paid on or before the 8th day of February 1890.
Res. 8th. That the tenants of the shed begin to pay overtime from the 30th day of December 1889 for their tape machine. [If tenants needed to use the tapes outside normal working hours they required engine power and steam. In later years the tapes could be powered by a donkey engine in the tape room but in the early days they probably needed the main engine to run to turn the shafting. No evidence so far of a donkey engine in situ. Running the tapes, even by donkey engine required the services of a firebeater working overtime.]
Signed, Thomas Dent and John Hartley.

January 8th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary order two wagons of coals ‘Silkstone Rough Slack’ [Silkstone was the name of a seam of good coal in the Barnsley area where several collieries mined the same seam.] from Mr Michael Whittaker, Keighley. [In the early days of the shed the engineer and directors were looking for the quality of coal which suited their operation best. In later years quality was still important but the price had more influence.]
Res. 3rd. That Mr Atkinson be written to to inform him that the painting is not being done satisfactorily, some portions of the shed have only received two coats of paint and he is to inform Mr Hey that the difference will be deducted from his contract.
Res. 4th. That the tenants have the draft of lease given to them to look over and return to the directors when they have done with it. [The first reference I have apart from the report of the opening ceremony is from the Barlick Local Board rate books for 1892 when there are three tenants, S Pickles, B&M Holden and Windle and Bailey. It is likely that these were the original tenants. Worth noting that in that year CHSC paid £344 Poor Rate and £344 Town Rate. Remember that at this time the local Board of Guardians at Skipton Workhouse were financed by a separate Poor Rate.]
Res. 5th. That the following bills be paid as presented, viz.: Rogers £3-1-0 for putting up the gas pendants in the shed [shed lighting]. George Andrews coal bill, £21-18-3½. John and Henry Widdup coal bill, £15-18-6. William Sagar [Barnoldswick quarry operator] stone bill, £7-13-6 and Edward Smith’s bill for laying and providing gas mains to the shed, £53-2-0. [Worth noting that at this time of the year gas lighting was essential for full-time working and this shortcoming was only one of the difficulties that would be encountered when ‘running a shed in’. See LTP for Jack Platt’s account of this process at Bancroft Shed 30 years later.]
Res. 6th. That Mr Thompson’s note respecting the cistern be sent to Mr Atkinson with instructions that the directors do not consider his note any excuse, for the cistern had never been right from the first whether full or empty and if Mr Thompson cannot make it right he is to employ some other party to do so at once and pay them out of his account. [The cistern is the cast iron tank on top of the boiler house essential for supplying the boiler with make-up feed water, it is more than likely that this deficiency had been giving the engineer serious problems.]
Res. 7th. That the secretary write to several parties for their terms of insurance for the shed for five or six thousand pounds.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

January 15th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Heap and Thornton certificate be paid, £60 on account.
Res. 3rd. That William Holdsworth board the underside of the stairs in the warehouse and board up to the first rail round the railing at the top of the steps. [A human touch, looks like ‘modesty’ boarding to me.]
Res. 4th. That the secretary write to Mr Walton to get the gas pipe finished in the engine house as the Painters and plasterers are waiting to finish their work.
Re. 5th. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson and ask him to send a copy of each of the contractor’s specifications and Mr Varley’s account stand over until next week. [Worth reflecting that what would be a simple matter of photo-copying today was a considerable clerical job in 1890.]
Res. 6th. That the secretary write to Messrs Yates and ask them to postpone sending their man until the boiler is blown off. [That is emptied of steam and water which could only be done without stopping the shed at weekend.]
Res. 7th. That the secretary write to Mr Baldwin asking him to send a man to the hoist as it cannot be oiled satisfactorily.
Res. 8th. That the secretary write to and ask the tenants to meet the directors next Wednesday night to consider the signing of the leases.
Res. 9th. That the secretary prepare the Scrip Book for the shareholders to have their Scrips with the last payment of their share money. [Scrip is the old legal term for what we would now call a share certificate.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

January 22nd 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the Managing Director order the engineer to keep the steam in the shed so that it will warm it properly both first thing in the morning and during the day when it was required. [The tip of an iceberg, the collision between the need to conserve coal and the demands of the tenants for adequate working temperatures. Whilst ‘steaming’ for humidifying the atmosphere in sheds had been an issue for years, as far as I am aware there was no requirement for a minimum temperature before the Factory Act of 1901. Regulation 5 decreed that the minimum temperature should be 50F but allowed half an hour after starting for this temperature to be reached. In 1918 the regulation was changed to not less than 50F at starting time (6am) and should be at least 55F by 6:30am. The temperature should not fall below 55F at any time during the day. The regulations were voluntary until 1929 when they became compulsory and were still at that level when I was running Bancroft Shed in the 1970s. Despite all these regulations over the years the weavers still complained and the engineer strove for economy.]
Res. 3rd. That Samuel Baldwin’s bill for the hoist be paid.
Res. 4th. That The secretary have a cheque value £20 for to pay wages and expenses.
Res. 5th That William Varley’s bill be paid subject to his completing his contract as stated by Mr Whitehead.
Res. 6th. That the secretary order a cask of cylinder oil from Samuel Cooke and Co. Burnley at 2/1 per gallon.
Res. 7th. That William Cowell’s bill be paid if approved by the managing directors when they have looked it up.
Res. 8th. That George Andrews be written to request him to send some coal as he is now three wagons in arrears.
Res. 9th. That the secretary write to each of the tenants requesting them to meet the directors at our office at 7:30pm on Friday night to discuss their objections to the lease.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

January 24th 1890
Special meeting.
Res. 1st. Business to discuss with the tenants of the shed the question of the lease.

January 29th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary and E. Smith look up Proctor Barrett’s bill and pay it if satisfactory.
Res. 3rd. That a cheque be made out value £9-0-0 to Ellis Ashworth being the amount of Rent due for Springs Dam for one year, due February 2nd 1890.
Res. 4th. That a cheque be made out and paid value £4-1-0 for oil bill to James Light and Son, Liverpool.
Res. 5th. That a cheque be made out for Samuel Cooke and Co. value £5-11-0 as per bill for oil and wheel grease.
Res. 6th. That Mr Atkinson’s certificate for £200 for Joseph Thompson be not paid at present.
Res. 7th. That Robert Clark and Dr Roberts look up J&J Hey’s bill for painting and report thereon.
Res. 8th. That the secretary send a letter by train tomorrow morning to inform Mr Atkinson that the steam will be blown off and the fires put out on Saturday next and that he request Mr Hawley to come while all is cool and make the economisers work satisfactory as they are of no use as they are at present. And also to level the engine house Cellar floor so that the water will run off and if he, Mr Hawley, objects to do these jobs the directors will employ some other party to complete them and pay the cost of the work out of Mr Hawley’s contract without any further notice.
Res. 9th. That Mr Edward Smith make a drain to take all the water from about the boiler house to run into the watercourse below Brook’s Barn and that he commence at once.
Res. 10th. That the secretary write to Mr Hawley and inform him from this board that Mr Edward Smith has never made a statement before them which Mr Hawley says he has done. And that Dr Roberts and John Hartley both deny that they told Mr Hawley or anyone else that Mr Edward Smith ever made such a statement before this board as Mr Hawley had given a bribe or fee to Mr Atkinson to get Mr Edward Smith to put his tender “for the mason’s work for the shed” higher so that Mr Hawley could get the job. And it is painful for the parties concerned to have to refute such a statement as having come from them.
Signed, (no chairman’s signature) John Hartley. [Intriguing. Especially since Brooks Banks didn’t sign the minutes.]

February 5th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. Mr Thompson’s certificate for £200 be paid.
Res. 3rd. That the shed, warehouse and all other buildings belonging to Calf Hall Shed Co. be insured in £4,000. That the Alliance Co. have £2000 at 5/- per cent per annum and the Glasgow and London have £2000 at 3/- per cent per annum and a deposit of £1-10-0 be made to each Co. for a protection note until the Policy be completed. [On the face of it strange that they should insure half with an expensive company and half with a cheaper one. I think the reason may be that the Alliance Co. was the preferred insurer of the holder of the £2000 mortgage mentioned earlier, most likely the Craven Bank.]
Res. 4th. That Messrs Roberts have a cheque granted for £300. [William Roberts, engine builders of Nelson. [Even when the engine was completed and running it was the custom of the engine builders to have a skilled fitter work alongside the engineer for a few weeks to make sure he was capable and to help deal with teething troubles. It may well be that this service was an extra on the contract price, hence the late payment.]
Res. 5th. That William Holdsworth’s bill be paid £23-0-6.
Res. 6th. That Mr Stanworth’s account be paid as per certificate £101-7-6.
Res. 7th. That George Andrews’ bill be paid for coal, £19-16-7.
Res. 8th. That Simon Parker and Co.’s bill for coal and carting be paid. £8-18-3.
Res. 9th. That a notice be put up or given to the engineer with instructions for turning the steam on in warehouse and shed. [The old heating bogie raising its head again. There must have been complaints from the tenants.]
Res. 10th. That the managing directors attend the Butts [mill] sale with instructions and power to buy any article they may think cheap and useful for the Company.
[It will help if we know more about Butts Mill at this point. Butts mill was built in 1846 by William Bracewell. Here is what my friend Geoff Shackleton told me: “In August 1888 the mill closed due to the chancery proceedings {After 'Billycock' Bracewell’s death. He is often given this name to differentiate him from his cousin William Bracewell of Coates.} and Billycock’s executors then tried to sell the mill. It was reported as let to Messrs Eastwood and Bradley in October 1889 and in February 1890 it was reported that the spinning mill was being pulled down.  In May 1891 the mill was reported as being converted to a weaving shed and that Messrs. Eastwood and Maudsley were about to move their looms from Long Ing Shed to Butts. {Long Ing was the shed company which started up a year before Calf Hall but never operated more than the one shed.} In April 1895 it was reported that tenants had been found for the 'two new sheds at Butts Mill'.  (These seem to have been built where the spinning mill stood.) In May 1897 'the engine broke down stopping all 2000 looms'. June 1899  'A new engine is being put in at Butts Weaving Shed Barnoldswick.  Some alterations in the shafting have have been found necessary and consequently the whole of the 2000 looms have been stopped'. {Probably the second-hand Musgrave engine which drove the mill until closure} July 1899  'Butts Mill with 1700 looms.  The new engine has arrived and got into position.  Last Thursday morning week the place was restarted. December 1899  'Butts Mill has passed into the hands of Thomas Hodgkinson who for many years was manager and secretary of Butts Mill Company.”
Additional information from my index: Report in Craven Herald dated 24/01/1890. J Eastwood and Co. have bought Butts Mill from the Craven Bank for £6000. On Feb 14th the paper reported that Eastwood and Co. were selling an engine and machinery because they intended to concentrate on weaving. {the days of the combined spinning/weaving mill were over} Craven Herald report 18/04/1890. Butts Mill Shed Company was formed on March 3rd. 1890 with a capital of £10,000 in £1 shares. The subscribers were J Eastwood of Burnley, Mrs Eastwood, W H Maudsley manufacturer, Mrs Maudsley, F Eastwood, warehouseman, W Bradley, manufacturer and Mrs Bradley, all with one share each. The Textile Mercury of 15/05/1891 reports that Eastwood and Maudsley have moved their looms from Long Ing Shed to Butts Mill. In January 1903 the Calf Hall Company will buy Butts Mill from the Butts Mill Company for £19,000, price to include all loose effects apart from new stores and coal. So the sale referred to in the minutes was evidently connected with the closure of the spinning section.]
Res. 11th. That the secretary give Thomas Thornber a week’s notice to leave the employ of the company when he pays him next week. [See minutes for November 29th 1889. Set on then as oiler.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

February 12th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Michael Whitaker’s coal bill be paid £7-17-0.
Res. 3rd. That H&J Widdup’s coal bill be paid £16-6-11.
Res. 4th. That the gas bill be paid £1-1-3. [Gas in Barlick. Bracewell’s Wellhouse Mill had its own gas plant for lighting and sold gas to one or two nearby consumers. Bracewell bought the Corn Mill and built a gas plant large enough to supply the town. This was taken over by the Craven Bank after his death and in 1888 was bought by a private company The Barnoldswick Gas Company. In August 1892 this concern was bought by the new Local Board for £13, 850 and on the 17th July 1893 the Barnoldswick Local Board (Gas) Act was given royal assent. So the gas company referred to in the minutes until 1892 is the original private company.]
Res. 5th. That William Hawley’s have £300 on account.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages and expenses.
Res. 7th. That the secretary write George Andrews respecting his non-delivery of coal according to contract and inform him that he is six wagons in arrears and owing to him being so far in arrears it has caused our directors great inconvenience and expense and they think that he ought to pay the difference it has cost them having had to pay 14/6 and 16/2 per ton.
Res. 8th. That John Heugham(?) be allowed to transfer his shares to his brother and sister.
Res. 9th. That the secretary write and inform the tenants of the shed that the directors have decided that they should start paying rent for their looms from the 3rd day of February last and they be allowed nine weeks of abatement from the 2nd day of December 1889 instead of eight weeks and to have a three year lease starting from December 2nd 1889 and they be requested to return the draft lease at once so that a proper one can be made and the lease completed. [This was normal practice when starting a new shed as there were many stoppages and problems during the period when the shed and engine were being bedded in.]
Res. 10th. That Edward Smith be allowed to put up a mortar mill at the west end of the shed and drive it off the lineshaft end which projects through the wall and that he pay sixpence per hour for motive power and he be allowed to have all the spare ashes from the boiler house and that he make and keep the road to it in proper repair and he find all the labour and material for working the machine. [Since time immemorial the standard putty lime/sand mortar had been used for all building work. With the advent of coal-fired boilers and lineshaft power being available at the mills builders started to use ash-lime mortar. This was made in a mortar pan in which one or two wheels revolved in a circular cast iron basin and ground ashes and lime with water into a smooth consistency. It was standard practice to leave the end of the shed lineshaft poking out of the wall so power could be easily taken off for the mortar mill. There was a ready supply of clinker and ash from the boilers so the builder got good mortar cheap, the mill got free disposal of ash and everyone was happy. One of the advantages of ash-lime mortar was that it ‘went off’ very slowly and could be stored on site for a reasonable period and ‘knocked up’ with the addition of water and remixing when needed. Once set it was very hard and durable mortar.]
Res. 11th. That the managing directors fence off the west end of the shed, both back and front. The back part of the shed to be fenced with railing and wall, and the front part with a dry wall across the front of the warehouse to the fence wall.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

February 19th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That one wagon per week of coals “Park Hill Stock” at 10/6 per ton be ordered from Simon Parks and Co..
Res. 3rd. That a cheque value £200 be made out for John Riley Smith on account subject to the architect’s approval.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

February 26th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Joseph Petty have a cheque for £5 on account of boiler covering. [Asbestos insulation]
Res. 3rd. That one of the managing directors see George Andrews in the morning respecting the non-delivery of coal.
Res. 4th. That Mr Atkinson make out a certificate for Messrs J&J Hey for painting value £42 according to contract if that amount will cover all the extras. [‘Extras’ were, and still are, a fertile field for dispute in contracts. For this reason a prudent customer stipulates that all extra work has to have prior approval from the architect and this is a standard clause in modern contracts. It would appear that the CHSC directors perhaps had a more flexible system.]
Res. 5th. That Mr William Walton have a cheque for £200 on account.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

March 5th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Simon Parker’s bill be paid £9-10-6 for coals and carting for last month.
Res. 3rd. That George Andrew’s bill be paid £24-4-0 for coals.
Res. 4th. That Thomas Hart’s bill be paid for rope splicing £1-7-9.
Res. 5th. That William Sagar’s bill for stone be not paid at present and Edward Smith see him about it.
Res. 6th. That Mr Brooks Banks go to Colne and see our solicitor respecting meeting on Saturday next and ask him to be present.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

March 12th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Roger Wright’s bill be paid for work done with horse and cart with man, £2-7-11. [Farmer at New House, Brogden]
Res. 3rd. That Henry and John Widdup’s bill be paid for coals, £22-14-3.
Res. 4th. That Edward Smith wall up to the trough ends of the shed roof and see to the ventilators being made to turn rain.
Res. 5th. It was proposed by Proctor Barrett and seconded by Edward Smith that the Calf Hall Shed Company Ltd. Purchase the Wellhouse Mill for the sum of £8000 on the terms offered by Mr George Robinson. [Manager of the Craven Bank who were the liquidators of the Bracewell assets.]
Res. 6th. That Mr Brooks Banks go to Colne and instruct Mr Hartley Solicitor to proceed at once with any necessary arrangements that may be required to complete the purchase.
Res. 7th. [crossed out and 8th added in pencil(?)] That Mr Brooks Banks request Mr Hartley or a substitute from his office to attend at the adjourned meeting of shareholders to be held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on Monday the 24th day of March 1890 to commence at 6:30pm.
Res. 7th. That the adjourned meeting of shareholders be held on the 24th of March 1890 to commence at 6:30pm in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

[Wellhouse Mill. It should be noted that when first built by Bracewell in 1854 the mill was called ‘New Mill’ and this name persists in some reports.

GEOFF SHACKLETON’S COMMENTS ON WELLHOUSE MILL DRAWN FROM VARIOUS TEXTILE PUBLICATIONS:
Stanley has some comprehensive records of this mill so any common notes are not repeated here. I can however add some details for the engines and the change of ownership period around 1889.
C&NT 25/04/1885 Several engine breakdowns are being commented on. Large spinning mill engine in particular.
C&NT 20/08/1887 All the machinery is to be sold at auction.
C&NT 12/09/1887 All machinery to be sold on Mon, Wed, Thurs of this week.
TM 15/11/1887 A Company has been formed to take-over the extensive works which formerly belonged to Mr. William Bracewell. The weaving sheds contain 1078 looms which together with the foundry has been purchased for £15,750. [Foundry may be a misnomer and could refer to the mechanic's shop which existed at WH Mill. I have no evidence of there ever being a foundry there.]
CFT 18/05/1888 WH Mill has now been stopped nine months.
TM 15/08/1888 WH Mill belonging to Messrs W. Bracewell has been stopped indefinitely and their other mill Butts will stop this week. Thus 500 hands are out of work. The estate is in Chancery and it is said that the machinery will be sold. (By this time the Craven Bank were actually the owners)
TM 15/09/1888 WH and Butts Mills remain at a standstill.
CFT 26/06/1889 Reports stating that WH and Butts Mills have been sold are not correct.
CFT 4/10/1889 The 768 looms in the shed have been disposed of. The larger part fetched only breaking up prices.
Yorks Post 23/11/1889 Matthew Watson to sell by auction at Wellhouse Mill on December 9th three powerful steam engines, shafting gearing, piping etc. The engines are described giving principal dimensions. A 1250hp twin beam engine which drove the spinning mill. A single beam engine of 300hp which drove the shed and a single beam engine of 150hp which drove the mechanics shop.
13/12/1889 All the engines were sold at auction on Monday last. ( It transpired that being obsolete beam engines, the buyer was George Rushworth of Colne, scrap merchant.)
CFT 14/03/1890 A number of shareholders are to decide on Saturday whether to form a Company to purchase WH Mill which has been offered to them by the Craven Bank for £8,000. (End of Shackleton extracts)

SG NOTES FROM INDEX.
The mill had already been up for sale. See sale document dated 3rd and 4th of August 1887. The description of the sale is:
1886-B-4929. In the Chancery of the County Palatine of Lancaster, Manchester District. Bracewell V Smith. Freehold properties to be sold by auction by James Thomas Rushton at the Seven Stars Hotel on 3rd and 4th of August 1887. (The sale included Wellhouse and Butts Mills, the Corn Mill, gasworks and various blocks of houses.)
DESCRIPTION OF WELLHOUSE MILL IN THE SALE DOCUMENT OF 1887.
Lot 1. All that valuable plot of freehold and leasehold land situate at Wellhouse, Barnoldswick containing 42,331 square yards and forming the site of Wellhouse Mill and reservoirs. Some 3,200 yards of land is leasehold for 999 years at a rent of £20 per annum. Together with substantial stone built cotton spinning mills, weaving sheds and manufacturing premises now containing 79,960 mule and throstle spindles and 768 looms with full preparing machinery; mechanics, joiners, bobbin turning and turners shops, gasworks, engine and boiler houses and other buildings thereto belonging.
THE MOTIVE POWER
Is represented by eight high pressure steam boilers each 30ft by 7ft 6inches. [Newton Pickles evidence suggests these were single flued or Cornish boilers. SG.] Green’s economisers with 192 pipes; several steam pumping and fire engines; [see fire pump at Helmshore Mill donated to them by Silentnight after renovations]
THREE ENGINES
Fine pair of beam condensing engines (McNaughted) with two 45” cylinders and two 53 ½ “ cylinders, 8 feet stroke. (The description ‘McNaughted’ refers to the common practice of converting existing beam engines to triple expansion as patented by John McNaught of Glasgow in 1845.)
Beam condensing steam engine (McNaughted) two cylinders 28” and 36”, 6ft stroke.
Beam condensing engine (McNaughted) with two 20” cylinders, 4ft stroke. All main and cross line shafting polished. All pipework.
GASWORKS
The gas plant consists of 18 retorts, patent scrubber, 4 purifiers, ram pumps and gasometer, 40ft in diameter. Several thousand yards of pipe laid in the town. (Note that this plant was at Wellhouse mill itself, see plan with sale document. The gasometer is shown on the west side of the mill behind the engine house. This plant had evidently been installed to provide gas for the mill but was supplying public in town at same time. The ‘NEW GASWORKS’ is mentioned as a separate item in the sale document and its area agrees with the site shown on a plan in the sale doc for the gasworks site near the corn mill.]
THE MACHINERY
To be sold with the mills. Two cotton openers, six double beater lap machines, five single beater ditto, 156 carding engines, six grinding machines, thirteen drawing frames, thirteen slubbing frames, fifteen intermediate frames, 196 throstle frames, twenty six pairs of mules, 79,960 spindles for twist and weft, ten winding machines, thirteen beam warping mills, ten circular warping mills, three tape sizing machines, size mixing apparatus, three winding on frames, 768 power looms, five plaiting machines and cloth press. (Note that the spinning machinery was redundant. The day of the combined spinning and weaving mill was over. Specialisation in weaving was the future. This was one of the factors that led to the Bracewell failure, they were locked into an obsolete business model by the inertia of invested capital.)
THE MECHANICS AND SMITHS TOOLS
Consist of eight lathes, drilling, slotting, shaping, wheel-cutting, cutter-making, planing machines, screwing and tapping machine, steam hammer, Smith & ? glazing and grindstones. (This workshop, later referred to as ‘Wellhouse Shop’ was to play an important role in the future.)
THE BOBBIN WORKS contains eight bobbin turning lathes, planing and moulding machines; three saw benches, fret sawing machine, two mortising machines, and the whole of the turner’s plant. The loose articles consisting of bobbins, cans, driving strapping, mechanics, smiths and engineers loose tools will be included in the sale. (Later referred to as the ‘joiner’s shop’ or ‘laundry’. I apologise for the length of the additional information but it will make what follows much clearer.)]

March 19th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write to the parties who have applied to the Bank for room and power and tell them that the Calf Hall Shed Company Ltd are open and willing to treat with them for room and power at Wellhouse Mill. [Good indication of the demand for space.]
Res. 3rd. That Joseph Standing’s bill be paid for £2-2-0. [I like the fact that the printer charged in guineas.]
Res. 4th. That this meeting be adjourned until Friday night next at 7pm.
[No signature]

March 21st 1890
Adjourned meeting that the following resolutions be submitted to the shareholders at their meeting on the 24th day of March for their approval or rejection.
Res. 1st. That this meeting empower the directors to issue new shares to the amount of £10,000 and that the present shareholders have the preference of taking up the new shares.
Res. 2nd. That an application form be sent to each shareholder to be returned to the secretary on or before the 24th day of April next stating how many of the new shares they are willing to take up. And on the receipt of the applications the directors proceed to allot the shares according to the number of shares each applicant holds at present and no fees be paid on application but £2 be paid on each share when allotted before being entered in the register.
Res. 3rd. That no dividend or interest be paid on the new shares before the 1st day of July 1891 and after that date the old and the new shares divide the profits equally between them (if there be any) according to the amount paid up on each share.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

March 26th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That our chairman, Mr brooks Banks, go to Skipton and have an interview with Mr Robinson [Manager, Craven Bank] respecting the Well House Mill.
Res. 3rd. That Joseph Petty’s bill be paid for boiler and pipe covering amounting to £12-17-9½.
Res. 4th. That Joseph Thompson and Co. be paid £200 on account.
Res. 5th. That Johnson Edmondson coal bill be paid, £4-10-0.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 to pay wages and expenses with.
Res. 7th. That H&J Widdup’s offer of three wagons per week of Roundwood Coal at 12/- per ton to be delivered at Barnoldswick station, Pit Weight, be accepted.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

April 2nd 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Edward Smith engage someone to cart coal from station to shed until next Wednesday.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Walton’s bill be paid as per account.
Res. 4th. That bills be sent to tenants for the four weeks rent due on 31st March 1890.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 4th 1890
Special meeting.
To take into consideration our solicitor’s letter with respect to the conditions and terms of the bank for the purchasing of Well House Mill.
Res. 1st. The clause to be passed as all right and satisfactory as at present stated. [First clause in conditions?]
Res. 2nd. The directors object to that which refers to £3000 having to be spent forthwith upon the premises but the directors agree to put down an engine of sufficient power to drive the present shed with extensions, renewals and alterations that will be necessary. [Bear in mind that the bank had sold the existing obsolete beam engines for scrap. It seems clear to me that the bank were making sure that if the CHSC defaulted on the purchase or running of Wellhouse the bank would have an attractive modern plant as an asset for recovery of their money.]
Res. 3rd. The directors propose to raise the purchase money by issuing new shares to the present shareholders and failing to raise sufficient by that mode the remainder by borrowing.
Res. 4th. That our managing directors and chairman engage John Shepherd as caretaker and engineer at Wellhouse Mill at a weekly wage of 28/-. [William Bracewell incorporated a large maintenance shop in the 1853/54 build of Wellhouse Mill, he also had a bobbin turning and carpentry facility in what was always called ‘The Joiner’s Shop’. We know that at the time of his death Peter Bilborough was his chief engineer and I think one of his foreman fitters was called Shepherd. Bilborough left engineering and became a coal merchant in the station yard. John Shepherd knew the mill and seemed a good choice as engineer.]
Res. 5th. That the chairman and secretary go to Colne and have an interview with our solicitor respecting that clause referring to the £3000 having to be spent forthwith and also with reference to the rights of way and the mode of raising the purchase money.
[No signatures]

April 9th. 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the wagon of coal of smudge [Slack, coal dust?] sent by Andrews be refused.
Res. 3rd. That Robert Chester be paid £15 on account and the managing directors meet him on Saturday next and call his attention to some portions of his work as being very unsatisfactory. [Tinsmith, maker of wheel covers etc.]
Res. 4th. That two new ropes be got from Thomas Hart, Blackburn to be 1½ inches thick and 48ft long and allow length for splicing besides. [Perhaps worth noting that endless cotton drive ropes had to be long-spliced in situ when installing. This was a skilled job done by the rope-makers and explains why there was often an extra payment to them after purchase of the ropes.]
Res. 5th. That H&V Wilkinson’s account be paid 12/- for new barrow. [Henry and Vandaleur Wilkinson of Booth Bridge, Thornton-in-Craven, joiners and bobbin turners.]
Res. 6th. That an arrangement be made with the Midland Railway co-respecting the unloading and demurrage of coal wagons at the station. [Demurrage was the accepted term for penalty payments for delay in unloading railway wagons in the station sidings, also common in connection with the shipping trade. Intended to ensure quick turn-round and maximising space on the lines or at the docks. Very often a bone of contention.]
Res. 7th. That the Annual General Meeting of shareholders be held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on Saturday the 26th of April 1890 to commence at 5:30pm.
Res 8th. That a cask of cylinder oil and a cask of engine and shafting oil be sent for to Samuel Cooke at Burnley. [Cylinder oil was specialised high temperature oil used for lubricating the steam cylinders on the engine. Engine and shafting oil was a common, general purpose lubricant.]
Res 9th. That H&J Widdup cart the coal from the station to the shed at the rate of -/6d per ton for six months. [The coal was carried in two wheel tipping carts which held about 30cwt of coal. So round trip price of say 9d.]
Res. 10th. That the secretary write to our solicitor respecting the supplying of the Midland Railway engines with water from the Wellhouse Mill. [We will hear much more of this. There was no piped water supply in Barnoldswick until about 1895 and the Midland Railway had an arrangement with Bracewell’s Wellhouse Mill (William Bracewell was one of the original promoters of the Barnoldswick branch line) whereby water was pumped by steam pump from the mill to the railway station for replenishing the water in the locomotives. Note that this means that even when the mill was closed a boiler had to be kept lit to provide steam for the pump.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 16th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Thomas Hart’s account £3-8-2 be paid for ropes by cheque.
Res. 3rd. That Samuel Cooke and Co account £8-6-8 be paid for oils by cheque.
Res. 4th. That the retiring directors for the ensuing year should be decided by ballot and the lots fell to Messrs. J D Roberts, William Perry, William Holdsworth and Thomas Dent.
Res. 5th. That the three shares held by James Wilson Horsfield be transferred to Smith Horsfield. [Perhaps worth noting that share transfers were often to multiple new owners, often by partiple inheritance on the death of the original shareholder. In later years this dispersal of shares became a major problem for anyone wanting to increase a shareholding in the company as they were impossible to buy.]
Res. 6th. That 6d per share be paid to the company for all share transfers and if supplied with a form, 6d extra.
Res. 7th. That a letter be sent by the secretary to Mr William Hewitt, chairman of the Barnoldswick Railway Company to inform him that unless some satisfactory arrangement be made with the Calf Hall Shed Company respecting the supplying of water for the station the Calf Hall Shed Company cannot supply them any longer.
Res. 8th. That William Sagar’s account £12 for stones be paid by cheque.
Res. 9th. That the accounts for the present general meeting be made up to April 16th 1890.
Res. 10th. That the chairman go to Colne to see Mr Hartley our solicitor respecting the report to the general meeting.
Res. 11th. That Simon Parker’s account, £7-11-2 and George Andrew’s account £28-1-0 for coal be paid by cheque.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 23rd 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Edward Smith see John Shepherd tonight and give him instructions to let the fires at Wellhouse Mill go out and pump no more water to the station until satisfactory arrangements have been made by the Railway Co to pay all expenses up to the present that have been incurred by the Calf Hall Shed Co. [Wellhouse was not running as there was no motive power so one boiler was being kept in steam solely for the benefit of the railway company. They have evidently not responded to the Calf Hall directors so the water supply to the station will cease. This would be a serious matter for the Railway Company.]
Res. 3rd. That the secretary write to Mr Robinson, Craven Bank, asking him to get the two boilers out which have been sold as the Calf Hall Shed Company is in want of the room they now occupy. And also to inform Mr Robinson respecting Mr Rushworth using Dynamite at WH Mill for breaking up the engines and give Mr Robinson the correspondence between the company and Mr Rushworth on the subject and ask him who will be responsible if any damage be done to the property. [I was intrigued by the use of the trade name Dynamite so I did some digging. £8,000 plus approximately £3,000 further in new plant and repairs was a lot of money to pay for a mill in those days. An average weekly wage for a skilled labourer would be about £1, relate that to about £300 for the same hours today and you get a figure of somewhere between two and three million pounds! So you can understand the CHSC director’s consternation when they found out that George Rushworth, the Colne scrap merchant who was taking the engines out of the mill, was using dynamite to break up the castings. The Shed Company immediately fired off a letter to George Robinson, manager of the Craven Bank at Skipton, to ask him whether he was aware of this circumstance and whether the bank would pay for any damage caused by this dangerous practice. History so far hasn’t divulged what transpired but as there is no further mention of the matter I assume that George was reined in and no further damage was caused.
I wasn’t surprised by the use of explosives, black powder had been used for years in the quarries to fracture large faces, what did surprise me was the use of the trade name ‘Dynamite’ so I had to do a bit of research. I already knew a bit about explosives from my army career but when I started digging into the subject I found some fascinating stories.
Many chemists worked on nitro glycerine and a depressing number were killed as their experiments exploded. One such unfortunate was Emil Oskar Nobel, brother of Alfred Nobel, who died when the family’s nitro factory blew up on the 3rd of September 1864. Alfred redoubled his efforts and by 1865 had made the process reasonably safe, he invented the blasting cap in 1866 and in 1867 patented a solid explosive made by absorbing nitro glycerine into a special clay called Kieslguhr and named it Dynamite. So, I had solved my problem, George Rushworth could have been using Dynamite in 1890, and the name was evidently well known.]
Res. 4th. That the secretary inform Mr Moorhouse of Earby that Mr Brooks Banks and Mr Proctor Barrett had been appointed by this board as a deputation to wait upon him and have an interview regarding his application for room and power at Wellhouse Mill and to ask him to fix a date sometime next week for that purpose and they will visit him.
Res. 5th. That the secretary see Mr John Lancaster [Accountant] and ask him what his charges are for auditing for this last year and ask him to stand for the ensuing year.
Res. 6th. That the secretary pay Widdup’s coal account when he has received the rents from the tenants. [Understandable. The company is living hand to mouth at the moment. These were the perilous days when a lot of new companies failed because cash flow didn’t keep pace with expenses.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 26th 1890
The Calf Hall Shed Company. The second Annual General Meeting of this company was held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms Barnoldswick on Saturday the 26th day of April 1890 at 5:30pm.
The chair was occupied by Mr Brooks Banks chairman of the board of directors. The solicitor of the company was present.
The secretary read the minutes of the first Annual General Meeting. Mr James Watson proposed that “The minutes of the last general meeting as now read be confirmed”. This was seconded by Mr Proctor Barrett and the motion, being put to the meeting, was carried unanimously.
The notice convening the present meeting was then read as follows.
“Notice is hereby given that the second annual general meeting of the shareholders of the calf Hall Shed Company Limited will be held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms Barnoldswick on Saturday the 26th day of April 1890 at half past five o’clock in the afternoon.
Business:
1. To receive the statement of accounts and the report of the directors and to declare a dividend.
2. To elect four directors in the place of Dr Roberts, William Holdsworth, Thomas Dent and William Perry who retire but are eligible for re-election.
3. To elect an auditor for the ensuing year.
4. To authorise the directors to borrow any sum or sums of money not exceeding in the whole £8000 at such time and in such manner and upon such terms as the directors may think fit.
The secretary then proceeded to read the statement of accounts or balance sheet and the report of the directors as follows.
Balance sheet for the year ending April 16th 1890.
LIABILITIES. Shareholder’s capital, £10,008. Loan capital, £2,000. Interest £32-15-3. Sundries, £3-16-6. Cash owing, £727-14-9. Total, £ 12,772-6-6.
ASSETS. Land and buildings, £7,332-4-11. Millwright and iron work, £2,225-16-7. Engines, boilers and economisers, £1,980-4-3. Steam and gas pipes, ropes and hoists, £492-14-6. Gas Mains, road-making and stones, £109-13-8. Rent and gas, £10-0-4. Oil, Tallow and coal, £233-12-10. Strapping, £19-3-1. Printing and stationary[sic], £8-6-0. Wages and sundry expenses, 224-12-8. Returned share money, £8. Cheque books, £1. Cash in bank, £26-4-6. Cash in hand, £14-15-1. Total, £12,772-6-6.
Examined and certified correct by John Lancaster.
Meetings attended by directors, possible attendances 62. Brooks Banks, 55. Dr Roberts, 50. Leonard Holdsworth, 53. Edward Smith, 57. W P Brooks, 23. Simon Parker, 49. Proctor Barrett, 49. Tomas Dent 69. William Holdsworth, 50. Robert Clark, 61. William Perry, 34. Johnson Edmondson, 58.
Director’s report April 16th 1890.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Herewith we present the accounts of the company from the commencement up to April 16th 1890. By perusing your balance sheet you will see that we have not yet received any rents but we have four week’s rent due and after paying all as far as we can we are in debt to the amount of £727-14-9 with the exception of the small balance at the bank and in hand but your directors hope that when the next balance sheet is due they will be able to pay a dividend to the shareholders. The directors have pleasure in reporting that they are in treaty with the Craven Bank Limited for the purchase of Wellhouse Mill Barnoldswick with the machinery and effects therein. The price fixed is £8,000 which the directors deem reasonable and it is propsed to extend the payments over a term of years to be secured as the directors may approve.
By Order of the Board, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.
Mr Matthew Hawley proposed “That the statement of accounts and the report of the directors now read be adopted”. This was seconded by Mr John Kidd and being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
Mr Matthew Hawley proposed “That Dr J D Roberts be re-elected a director of the company” This was seconded by Mr Jon William Ellsworth and being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
Mr John Horsfield proposed “That Mr William Holdsworth be re-elected a director of the company” This was seconded by Mr Samuel Heap and being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
Mr Frederick Suthers proposed “That Mr Thomas Dent be re-elected a director of the company” This was seconded by Mr James Watson and being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
Mr James Watson proposed “That Mr William Perry be re-elected a director of the company” This was seconded by Mr William Williams and being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
On the question of the appointment of an auditor for the ensuing year Mr John Kidd proposed “That Mr John Lancaster be again appointed auditor for the ensuing year” This was seconded by Mr John Edmondson and being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
The chairman having referred to the paragraph in the director’s report relating to the purchase of Wellhouse Mill Mr William Lancaster proposed “That the directors be authorised to borrow in the name or otherwise on behalf of the company such sums of money that they may from time to time deem expedient either by the way of mortgage of the whole or any part of the property or by bond or debenture notes or in such other manner as they may from time to time deem best for the interests of the company provided that nevertheless the aggregate principal money to be borrowed shall not at any time exceed £10,000 exclusive of the sums already borrowed” This was seconded by Mr John Horsfield and on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 30th 1890
Res. 1st. At the first director’s meeting after the second Annual General Meeting it was proposed and seconded and passed unanimously that Mr Brooks Banks be the chairman for the ensuing year.
Res. 2nd. Minutes of the last meeting be passed as read.
Res. 3rd. That Dr Roberts be the vice-chairman for the ensuing year.
Res. 4th. That Proctor Barrett be Treasurer for the ensuing year.
Res. 5th. That John Hartley be secretary for the ensuing year.
Res. 6th. That John Lancaster be paid £1 for auditing the accounts for the last year.
Res. 7th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages and expenses.
Res. 8th. That the fires go out at Wellhouse Mill and we wait no longer for an answer from the directors of the Barnoldswick Railway Company respecting the water supply.
[Next items are noted as special meeting of May 2nd.]
Res. 9th. That George Watson be engaged as a labourer to help Shepherd at Wellhouse Mill at 23/- per week.
Res. 10th. That the tenders for the engine [Wellhouse] as at present offered be not accepted and another special meeting of the directors be held on Monday 5th of May to take them into special consideration and the secretary write to Mr Atkinson and ask him to attend.
Res. 11th. That the secretary be appointed as a Managing Director to look after both of the sheds and he to have £10 per year extra for his services commencing on April 30th 1890.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 7th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary and Johnson Edmondson go to Colne tomorrow to see the solicitor on the question of borrowing £800.
Res. 3rd. That the managing directors and the secretary meet at the shed [Calf Hall] tomorrow morning to make some arrangements about the supply of water for the engine.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 14th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That George Watson and John Shepherd be paid no over(?) time but have it stopped from off their time.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary purchase two cupboards from New Mill [WH] for 2/6 of Mr John Schofield.
Res. 4th. That J R Smith account be left unpaid until he has completed his contract.
Res. 5th. That Holden’s hoist be repaired.
Res. 6th. That the coal account for the month be paid.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 21st 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Barrett and Holdsworth complete J R Smith’s contract and be paid out of his account.
Res. 3rd. That we have Corliss valves to the high pressure cylinders of the engine for Wellhouse Mill. [An important decision showing that the directors were well advised. More accurately this is Corliss motion to cylindrical valves as opposed to the old fashioned slide valves. Corliss gear was more efficient and allowed true expansive working which was more efficient and saved steam.]
Res. 4th. That Messrs Banks, Parker, Dent and Hartley go tomorrow to see Mr Atkinson, Mr Roberts [Phoenix Foundry, Nelson, engine makers for the Calf Hall Shed engine] and the Burnley Ironworks Company [BI was the new company which had taken over William Bracewell’s foundry in Burnley following the sale of assets after Bracewell Brother’s failure. They were to become one of the most respected and successful engine-builders in the area.]
Res. 5th. That Messrs Banks and Hartley go to see Mr Robinson [Manager Craven Bank, Skipton branch] to try to borrow £800 from the Craven Bank upon the Calf Hall Shed property. [I checked that figure very carefully because I wondered whether it should be £8,000 but the entry is quite clear and a subsequent entry on June 25th shows that it was the £800 eventually lent to Moorhouse of Earby to assist his tenancy at WH Mill.]
[No signature}

May 23rd 1890
At a special meeting held on May 23rd 1890 it was proposed, seconded and carried that the tender of the Burnley Ironworks be accepted for the engine required at Wellhouse Mill according to the specifications given for the sum of £1590.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 28th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20.
Res. 3rd. That R W Harrison’s account for India Rubber Rings amounting to £1-3-5 be paid. [Almost certainly rubbers for the non-return valves on the air pump of the engine at Calf Hall following the water troubles mentioned in May 7th minutes. Essential for achieving a good vacuum in the condenser which is needed for economic running.]
[This entry made but struck out: Res. 4th. That the secretary ask the engine driver at Calf Hall Shed his price for both the engine driving and firing altogether]
Res. 4th. That the secretary invite tenders for Coal Hopper for the boiler at calf Hall Shed. [The Calf Hall boiler was hand-fired as installed. ‘Coal hopper’ is actually mechanical stokers for the two furnaces on the single Lancashire boiler. The intention seems to be to do away with the firebeater's wage. ‘Firebeater’ is the local term for a man who stokes the boiler.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 4th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That we have E Bennis, Bolton mechanical stokers and moveable firebars put in at Calf Hall Shed for the sum of £70 less 7½% in 14 days to be completed by 21st of June 1890. [Not hanging about! This was a pair of Bennis ‘shovel’ stokers and self-cleaning firebars which made firing fully automatic, the coal hoppers feeding the stokers had to be filled by hand probably every half an hour and ashes removed when necessary.]
Res. 3rd. That Simon Parker be allowed to transfer six of his shares to Moreland Hoyle. [Miller at Barnoldswick Corn Mill]
Res. 4th. That the secretary write and inform Mr James Moorhouse of Earby that he can have Room and Power at Wellhouse Shed at 39/- per annum and one tape machine at £90 per annum to tape for about 400 looms and if a less quantity a proportionately less rate and he will be allowed 16 weeks abatement from the commencement of the starting of the engine and if he requires money the directors will lend him at 5% and the directors require an early answer whether he will accept those terms. [400 looms was an optimum number of looms as one tape machine and one cloth-plaiting machine could cope with this number. Victor Hedges, who had a lifetime of experience with managing room and power sheds confirmed this in an interview in the Lancashire Textile Project. (LTP) The accepted horsepower required to drive the looms was accepted as ½hp for each including tape and other machinery. This is why the accepted optimum size for a shed became 1200 looms with three tape machines driven by a 600hp engine and a large single Lancashire boiler.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 11th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary inform Mr James Moorhouse that the directors cannot see their way to make any further concessions than those given on the 4th of June 1890 and they will thank him for an answer whether or not he will accept them.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary write to our solicitor and inform him that our directors have decided to take his advice and that he must leave out of the lease that portion that referred to the twelve weeks rent being in arrears before a years rent can be demanded.
Res. 4th. That Moreland Hoyle [Tenant of Barnoldswick Corn Mill.] be accepted as a shareholder of six shares transferred from Mr Simon Parker.
Res. 5th. That John Riley Smith's account be paid amounting to £75-19-2 less £1-19-2 deducted for the gutter over the engine house not being satisfactory.
Res. 6th. That the coal account for the month be paid.
Res. 7th. That the secretary and directors be paid their expenses incurred by them in attending to the affairs of the company.
Res. 8th. That the secretary be paid his half year’s salary amounting to £12-10-0.
Res. 9th. That Barrett and Holdsworth try to improve the ventilators on the shed from raining in. [Calf Hall]
Res. 10th. That the engine house at Wellhouse Mill be set in a portion of the boiler house as shewn on the plan and there be two ventilators of approved makers be put on the roof of the engine house. [Because there was to be an entirely new power plant at Wellhouse all the old engine houses, boiler house and boilers were redundant so the replacement plant was a new build.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 18th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That a cask of about 40 gallons of cylinder oil be ordered with Samuel Cooke and Co of Burnley.
Res. 3rd. That Proctor Barrett have 15lbs of old roping at 6d per lb.
Res. 4th. That the company take all the old flags from out of the engine house at both Butts and Wellhouse Mill at 3/2 per yard and that Edward Smith has those in the Butts yard at 2/6 per yard and this company keep the remainder ?yards. [Engine house flags were good quality and CHSC were going to need them for the new build at Wellhouse
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 25th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Samuel Cooke’s bill be paid £4-7-6. [40 gallons of cylinder oil]
Res. 3rd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages and expenses.
Res. 4th. That William Robert’s account be paid, 9/11.
Res. 5th. That the interest on the £2000 be paid to Mr Hartley, £40 less £1 tax.
Res. 6th. That the plans for the engine house as shewn for Wellhouse Mill be accepted and Mr Atkinson be requested to send out specifications to four or five masons or contractors, to let the work of getting out two engine beds and the pulling down of the [old] boiler and gas house [WH had its own gas plant for lighting but this was redundant as the new gas works near the Corn Mill was operating.] and erecting the new engine house at Wellhouse Mill and the tenders be sent to our chairman as soon as possible.
Res. 7th. That the secretary write and inform Mr Moorhouse that the directors will advance him £800 at 5% interest to be paid half yearly and the principal to be paid back in annual instalments to be agreed on between the directors and himself but not to extend over the length of his lease. They cannot see their way to go any further without placing themselves in difficulties. [One assumes that the company were getting the money borrowed on the security of CH Shed at less than 5%.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

July 2nd 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr William Walton’s bill be paid for the gas meter, £2-11-0.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Atkinson have a cheque in settlement of his account of commission for the Calf Hall Shed Co Ltd value £10.
Res. 4th. That there be 3 windows in the back side of the engine house at Wellhouse Mill and 2 windows in the cellar at the end of the engine house and the three windows at the back have swivel sashes at the top for ventilation and one window in front to have a door in the bottom portion and a fire escape landing outside and the two windows in the front that are made to take out to have the circular top made to open for ventilation. [It was common practice to make the large windows in the end of the engine house capable of being removed to give sufficient access to take out or install the largest part of the engine, usually the low pressure cylinder.]
Res. 5th. That the decision of this board be put off until the next meeting respecting Mr Moorhouse’s letter asking for the £800 before the looms are delivered, and the conditions of tenancy, and the secretary write to Mr Moorhouse to that effect. [James Moorhouse is not being particularly difficult. The great advantage of the Room and Power system to the tenants was the low threshold of entry and what we see from the minutes is the process of negotiation that was the precursor to every letting. We shall see later that the balance of power in these negotiations depended entirely on the current demand for space, there will be times when much more leeway was given to get a tenant into the shed. Once in there was a certain inertia against moving but it is amazing in later years how many looms were moved around the town to take advantage of say six months free space.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 9th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write Mr Pickup [Burnley Ironworks manager] asking the probable extra cost if the US packings be put in the Low Pressure cylinder. [This is the metallic piston rod packing made by the United States Metallic Packing Co of Allerton Road, Clayton, Bradford. It replaced the old soft waste packings and was again good advice from someone, the most modern practice.]
Res. 3rd. That Messrs Moorhouse and Company have £3 per loom advanced to them as they get the looms on the premises up to 250 looms and then £50 advanced at once.
Res. 4th. That the chairman, vice-chairman, Mr Dent, Mr William P Brooks and the secretary have a personal interview with Mr Moorhouse on the tenancy question.
Res. 5th. That Mr Robert Chester’s account be paid by cheque amount £6-5-2.
Res. 6th. That Mr Samuel Thompson's account be paid in cash by the secretary amount £2-3-1.
Res. 7th. That Messrs Hawley’s tender for building the engine house at Wellhouse Mill be accepted for the sum of £598-10-0.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 16th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Proctor Barrett account be paid £7-13-0.
Res. 3rd. That Mr P Brooks have the grass which grows on the land at the top end of the shed for the present season [for grazing] and that he keeps the fence in repair as payment for the same.
Res. 4th. George Andrew’s coal bill be paid for the month amounting to £9-0-9.
Res. 5th. That Widdup’s coal bill be paid for the month amounting to £62-16-7.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have a cheque value £20 for wages and expenses. [It becomes obvious as time goes on that it was standard practice for the secretary to be responsible for paying the wages of the company servants.]
Res. 7th. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson to divide the loom space in the shed for 250 looms for the new tenant. [From here on the minutes can be ambiguous as to which mill they are referring to. I shall flag up my best guess if needed. In this case I think are are talking about James Moorhouse at Wellhouse Mill. You may have noticed that Calf Hall is named ‘shed’ and Wellhouse and Butts are ‘mills’. This usually distinguishes between the older combined ‘mills’ that ran both spinning and weaving and the modern ‘sheds’ which specialised exclusively in weaving. The days of the combined mill were over as the spinners of SE Lancashire could supply yarn cheaper than it could be made in the old mills because they too had specialised.]
Res. 8th. That Watson Knowles be requested to attend the director’s meeting next Wednesday night. [Engine Tenter at Calf Hall Shed.]
Res. 9th. That the secretary engage John Knowles as labourer at 20/- per week if he is willing to accept it.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 23rd 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Messrs P Brooks, Proctor Barrett, Brooks Banks and the secretary be appointed to wait on the Gas Company to arrange if they can with them if they can to have water from the Corn Mill Dam to Wellhouse Mill. [The Corn Mill had been sold with the gas works in one lot in the sale after Bracewell Brothers failed. William Bracewell had first rented and then bought the Corn Mill and enlarged the dam in the 1850s because it was the best water resource in Barnoldswick. He laid a 6” cast iron pipe from the dam to Wellhouse to supplement the water resource there if necessary. We don’t know how much water he took off at the Corn Mill and it is very complicated because part of his agenda was to attack his cousins who worked Old Coates Mill using water from the Butts Beck. The CHSC directors obviously knew about the pipe and in the absence of any hard information about how much water was available at Wellhouse they were attempting to give themselves every option.]
Res. 3rd. That we have the Metallic Packing put in the Low Pressure cylinder of the new engines at Wellhouse Mill. [Notice that they refer to ‘engines’ at Wellhouse. This is because the engine they had specified from Burnley Ironworks was built as a double tandem compound but with only one side installed. They clearly anticipated the eventual need for more power as they extended the mill.]
Res. 4th. That Messrs Bennis bill be paid amounting to £70 and 7½% debited. [Bennis had obviously missed their optimistic date of ‘before 21st June’!]
Res. 5th. That Watson Knowles be paid 32/- per week for minding the engine, firing the boiler, oiling and doing all the work that is required at Calf Hall Shed and he commence after Saturday 26th of July 1890. [A big wage but I know from experience running a similar plant alone that he had taken on a big job. The general rule became that this was a bad thing as something had to suffer and having a firebeater was the accepted norm.]
Res. 6th. That the chairman and Messrs Dent and Parker meet the other room and power company [The Long Ing Room and Power Company, Barnoldswick.] to consider the propriety of stopping their places for one week at Feast Time [Wakes, annual holiday] and making an allowance of rent.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 30th 1890
Res. 1St, Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That we allow the Gas Company one half of the pipes [old gas plant] taken out of the ground at Wellhouse Mill and we pay them £10 per year for the use of the water from Corn Mill Dam to Wellhouse Mill.
Res. 3rd. That Shepherd’s wage be 30/- per week starting from Saturday next. [Had he heard about Watson Knowles’ raise?]
Res. 4th. That Thomas Nuttall have some slates as he requires and he either buys or exchanges from them.
Res. 5th. That the alteration in the warehouse as recommended by our architect and committee be adopted. [Wellhouse?]
Res. 6th. That the shares be thrown open to the public.
Res. 7th. That Mr Atkinson be allowed 12 shares in the company and he pays the calls for three of them and the company pays for the other 9 as commission either more or less as the case may be.
Res. 8th. That Proctor Barrett’s tender for the joinery work in the engine house be accepted at £129-10-0. [WH]
Res. 9th. That the chairman, Secretary, Johnson Edmondson, William Holdsworth, Proctor Barrett and Edward Smith be appointed to meet the tenants at Wellhouse Mill on Friday night next.
Signed, Brooks Barrett and John Hartley.

August 6th 1890
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the board sell to the gas company 13½cwt of lead pipes which they have taken out of the ground at WH Mill at 12/6 per cwt. [£8-8-9]
Res. 3rd. That we stop the engine at Calf Hall Shed for holidays on Friday night August 22nd and start them again Monday morning September 1st 1890 and we allow the tenants 30 hours rent.
Res. 4th. That Messrs Hawley take out the two boilers at WH Mill and put them on the vacant ground nearby.
Res. 5th. That the secretary order a cask of engine and shafting oil.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages and expenses.
Res. 7th. That Alfred Pilkington have room and power at WH Mill on the same conditions as the other tenants.
Res. 8th. That the shares be advertised in two local papers, the Pioneer and the Herald.
Res. 9th. That the Chairman, Proctor Barrett, Johnson Edmondson and Thomas Dent be appointed to meet the tenants at WH Mill at 6:30pm on Thursday night next.
Res. 10th. That Proctor Barrett’s tender for the engine house [joinery] be altered from £129-10-0 to £136.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 13th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the lead pipes be fetched from the gas works to our premises at WH Mill. [Problems with the sale?]
Res. 3rd. That George Andrews’ coal bill be paid, £3-6-7.
Res. 4th. That H&J Widdup’s coal bill be paid, £20-15-9.
Res. 5th. That Samuel Cooke’s bill be paid for oil, £4-2-6.
Res. 6th. That Edward Smith’s account be paid, £5-18-10.
Res. 7th. That the windows, doors and ventilators at Calf Hall Shed be painted and Robert Clark make out a specification for the same.
Res. 8th. That Thomas Dent have the tin dishes at WH Mill at 3d each, 12 of them.
Res. 9th. That Nuttall, Norcross and Heap and Thornton be each invited to tender for the whitewashing of the shed at WH Mill.
Res. 10th. That the chairman and Dr Roberts be appointed to see Mr Rickards of Bell Busk with the view of taking Wellhouse Mill for spinning purposes. [Rickards was the name of a famous cotton broker of London round the end of the 18th century. In 1862 Charles Rickards of Armley near Leeds took over Bell Busk mill near Coniston Cold between Settle and Skipton and the partnership Fell & Rickards Ltd converted the mill from cotton to silk spinning possibly due to the cotton famine of the early 1860s caused by the American Civil War. The 1871 census shows Charles Rickards employing a total of 80 workers (20 men, 23 women, 14 boys and 23 girls) and living in the "Mill House". Ten years later the 1881 census tells us he was then employing 30 Men 30 Women and 35 Girls. In 1892 he acquired Low Mill in Sackville Street, Skipton, which was built in 1839 by John Benson Sidgwick for weft spinning and weaving, this was also turned over to silk. Rickards ran the operation at Bell Busk whilst Fell ran the company’s other Skipton silk mill, and between the two sites they employed around 300 people. So this Rickards was looking for space around this date. Our man I think.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 20th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Atkinson gets a practical millwright for WH Mill.
Res. 3rd. That Messrs Dent, E Smith, P Barrett, William Holdsworth, P Brooks, the secretary and Mr Atkinson meet Messrs Moorhouse and Pilkington to arrange for the warehouse and shed at 9:20am tomorrow.
Res. 4th. That Mr Atkinson advertise in the paper for a tenant for WH Mill.
Res. 5th. That the secretary see Mr Green, the rate collector, respecting the rates.
Res. 6th. That Watson Knowles have six days wage stopped at this feast. [Annual Holidays]
Res. 7th. That the labourers have a weeks holiday.
Res. 8th. That George Rushworth’s account for the flags be paid amounting to £11-11-2. [The Colne scrap merchant demolishing the engines. Presumably the houses as well so the flags would his to sell.]
Res. 9th. That the ventilators at WH Mill be taken off and slated in their place and the roof and ceilings be repaired and whitewashed and Messrs Nuttall, Norcross and Heap and Thornton be invited each to give a tender for the same and Proctor Barrett and William Holdsworth attend to it at once.
Res. 10th. That the specifications as made out for painting be sent out and to be returned on or before Wednesday next.
Res. 11th. That William Holdsworth repair the pettys at Calf Hall Shed. [Archaic name for privies.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

August 27th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read,
Res. 2nd. That Messrs Thompson account be paid, £3-7-1.
Res. 3rd. That the Poor Rate be paid, £34-8-0. [Two rates had to be paid, the Town Rate and the Poor Rate. The Town Rate was used for the expenses of running the town’s services and the Poor Rate supported the work of the Local Guardians and Workhouse, in this case at Skipton. At this time they seem to have been equal amounts.]
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages and expenses.
Res. 5th. That Heap and Thornton’s do the repairing at WH Mill and whitewashing for the sum of £12.
Res. 6th. That the painting tenders be put off until the next meeting.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 3rd 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary get some flax packing for the CH Shed engine. [Almost certainly for the stuffing boxes on the cylinders to seal round the piston rod]
Res. 3rd. That Thomas King’s tender for painting be accepted for the sum of £32.
Res. 4th. That all those who have applied for shares have them allotted at once.
Res. 5th. That Proctor Barrett repair the windows at WH Shed[sic].
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 10th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the flue cleaning be put off till next week. [Bad management. This should have been done during the holiday as the boiler will have to be shut down and cooled.]
Res. 3rd. That the coal bill for the month be paid, amount £24-15-8.
Res. 4th. That James Gott’s bill be paid for the flax gaskin[sic] £1-2-8. [I think ‘gasket’ was intended.]
Res. 5th. That the secretary write Mr Hawley and Mr Atkinson to meet the directors tomorrow at 2 o’clock.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 17th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the millwright be engaged on the best terms he can be got on till the job be finished. [This man was an engineer used to shafting and gearing.]
Res. 3rd. That £1-14-0 be paid to Watson Knowles for flue cleaning and boiler-washing. [Cleaning fly ash out of the flues and washing sediment out of the boiler. There has been no mention as yet of any purchase of feed-water additives to prevent scaling and encourage dissolved solids in the water to precipitate out so they can be removed by blowing the boiler down while at rest but under pressure. This is a problem waiting to happen.]
Res. 4th. That Proctor Barrett have the Joiner’s Shop at WH Mill [The old bobbin turning section, later called the laundry] for the annual rent of £26. [No mention of it but this would include motive power from the mill shafting and minimal heating]
Res 5th. That a bill be sent to the Railway Company for £12 for pumping water to the station during the month of April 1890.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 7th. That Atkinson Pickover be paid off on Saturday next. [A William Pickover was later firebeater at CH Shed. Perhaps he was that or a labourer.]
Res. 8th. That the Half Yearly Meeting be held on the 1st of November 1890.
Res. 9th. That Mr Moorhouse be informed that steam cannot be put into the shed until the pipes be connected with the cistern and boiler. [Shed heating! The colder weather is here again.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 24th 1890
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res 3rd. That the secretary send the Hawley tender note and bill for getting out the boilers to Mr Blockley the owner of the boilers.
Res. 4th. That the secretary reply to Mr Waddington’s letter respecting Thomas Smith’s shares.
Res. 5th. That Thomas King repair the windows at CH Shed roof. [Painter, decorator and glazier of Barnoldswick]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

October 8th 1890
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Atkinson’s money be paid amounting to £9.
Res. 3rd. That preparation be made at WH Mill for getting the tape cylinders into the tape room and arrange for stairs. [Tape cylinders were large fragile structures and all tape rooms needed arrangements for a way in big enough to handle them.]
Res. 4th. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to get out the specifications for slating, plastering and pointing at WH Mill. The company to find the slaters.
Res. 5th. That Mr Atkinson be requested to meet the directors at WH Mill next Monday at 2 o’clock and attend a meeting of directors at night at 6:30pm.
Res. 6th. That a gas lamp be put up at Calf Hall Shed and the company provide gas for the same. [A street light I think, outside the premises.]
Res. 7th. That the road to CH Shed be repaired and a channel made in the road opposite Windle’s warehouse.
Res. 8th. That the directors meet at WH Mill on Monday next at 2pm and at the office at 6:30pm.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

October 11th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary has a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That Widdup’s coal bill be paid, £25-11-2.
Res. 4th. That Atkinson bill for stone be paid immediately amounting to £3-7-4
Res. 5th. That the gas bill be paid amounting to 3/7d.
Res. 6th. That a cask of cylinder oil be ordered with James Light and Son. [In case you’re wondering why cylinder oil is ordered from different suppliers at times, engineers were always searching for the best oil as it was the highest duty oil and could materially affect the running of the engine.]
Res 7th. That a dividend of 3½% be recommended to be paid to the shareholders at the rate of 7% per annum. [As a comparison, bank interest rate between 1890-1900 was rising slowly from about 2% to 4%.]
Res. 8th. That the half yearly meeting of the shareholders be held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on Saturday the 1st day of November 1890 at half past five.
Res. 9th. That the tenants of CH Shed be notified that from this date they will have to keep all windows in repair by putting in whole sheets [glass?].
Res. 10th. That the chairman and Mr Holdsworth go to Skipton to see Mr Robinson at the Craven Bank respecting repairing the WH road and of the business they may think requisite.
Signed, Thomas Dent and John Hartley.

October 22nd 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the chairman, vice-chairman, Simon Parker and William Brooks be appointed as a deputation to meet a deputation from the Railway Company to discuss the water pumping question.
Res/ 3rd. That William Holdsworth and Proctor Barrett make and fit complete a pair of big doors for the warehouse for the sum of £3-10-0. [WH?]
Res. 4th. That the shares belonging to the late George Smith be transferred to his son Thomas Smith of Burnley.
Res. 5th. That a letter be sent to the Gas Company requesting a gas supply for WH Mill.
Signed, Thomas Dent and John Hartley.

October 29th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Proctor Barrett’s account be paid amounting to £17-1-8.
Res. 3rd. That Baxendale’s account be paid amounting to £13-18-10.
Res. 4th. That James Light’s account be paid amounting to £3-9-4. [One cask of cylinder oil]
Res. 5th. That two screw jacks be purchased from Mr Atkinson for 10/-.
Res. 6th. That the directors meet at the office at 5pm on Saturday before going to the meeting.
Res. 7th. That the dividend be paid by warrant. [See Half Yearly meeting November 1st for the meaning of this.]
Res. 8th. That Proctor Barrett have a cheque for £36 on account of his work at WH Mill.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 3rd 1890
Special Meeting.
Res. 1st. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson to enforce upon Mr Hawley the penalty of £15 per week according to the specification until he has completed his contract seeing that the joiner and the engineers are both waiting to commence their work and cannot do so. [PB joinery work in engine house and ‘engineers’ from Burnley Ironworks to install and erect the engine.]
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write and enquire of Mr Atkinson the reason why the slaters and plasterers tender have not been sent in as he promised some time since that he would send out invitations for them immediately.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary inform Mr Atkinson that the board passed a resolution disapproving the manner in which he had superintended the work at WH Mill inasmuch as some of the work is not done to the satisfaction of the board and the whole of the works ought to have been completed by the end of last month.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 1st 1890
At the half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the Calf Hall Shed company Limited held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on the 1st day of November 1890 at half past five o’clock in the afternoon pursuant to the announcement in the half-yearly report and balance sheet issued to each shareholder.
Mr Brooks Banks occupied the chair when the following resolutions were adopted after the secretary had read the minutes of the last General Meeting. Mr John Brooks proposed that the minutes of the last general meeting as now read be conformed. This was seconded by Mr William Williams and the motion being put to the meeting was passed unanimously.
The notice concerning the present meeting was then read as follows.
Notice is hereby given that the half-yearly meeting of the shareholders of the Calf Hall Shed company Limited will be held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on the 1st day of November 1890 at half past five o’clock in the afternoon.
Barnoldswick, October 20th 1890.
Business of the meeting.
1. To confirm the minutes of the last general meeting.
2. To receive the report and balance sheet of the directors and sanction the proposed dividend.
3. To fix the remuneration of the directors for the year ending December 6th 1890.
4. And for the transaction of the ordinary general business of the company.

Annexed on the next page is copy of the report and balance sheet. [The printed report and balance sheet is missing.]

The chairman, Mr Brooks Banks, after reading the report for the half year moved that the dividend proposed by the directors be confirmed and the report and balance sheet as read be passed. The motion was seconded by Mr James Edmondson and on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
Referring to the remuneration of the directors Mr John Horsfield proposed that the directors be paid at the rate of £30 per annum as usual but only to be paid up to the 11th day of October, the making up of the balance sheet. The motion was seconded by Mr James Edmondson and on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously. It was then moved by Mr Thomas Pickover that the question of the remuneration of the directors be placed on the report and balance sheet for discussion each half year, seconded by Mr Towers Singleton and on being put to the meeting was carried.
It was then moved by Mr James Edmondson that the dividend be paid in full without deducting the Income Tax ‘by Dividend Warrant’ and it was seconded by Dr J D Roberts and on being put to the meeting was carried.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 5th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write to several collieries asking for a quotation for about 300 tons of coal. [Coal was the biggest running expense and there was a constant search for the cheapest source. In this case by by-passing the local coal merchants, cutting out the middle man.]
Res. 3rd. That the secretary have a cheque value £20 for wages and expenses.
Res. 4th. That the chairman has a cheque value £26 for the directors salary for 45 weeks ending October 11th 1890.
Res. 5th. That Watson Knowles be asked if he is willing to go on at the same rate of wages. 32/-, and continue to do all the work both oiling and firing and minding the engine as usual. [Useful indication of the status of the engine-tenter. He was a key member of the staff and not easily replaced. It is interesting to note over the years how, with the increase in qualified men, this relationship changed.]
Res. 6th. That Messrs Dent and Holt’s tender £55 be accepted for the making and fixing of the hoist at WH Mill.
Res. 7th. That the secretary make a call on the shareholders of £2 per share on the new shares to be paid on or before the 12th day of December 1890.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 12th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes passed as read.
Res. 2nd. That H Hargreave’s account be paid amounting to £6-10-5. [Almost certainly Henry Hargreaves, ironmonger and tinsmith trading from 5 Church Street Barnoldswick. Known locally as ‘Harry Tinner’]
Res. 3rd. That Messrs Thomas Nuttall’s tender for the slating and plastering of the engine house at WH Mill be accepted for the sum of £22-15-0.
Res. 4th. That the oiling of the shed at CH be taken from the engineer’s work. [This is oiling and maintaining the bearings on the transmission shafting in the shed. Loom oiling was the responsibility of the tenants.]
Res. 5th. That Joseph Sneath be wired or written to asking his price for minding the engine and boiler only. [Joseph James Sneath. This refers to WH Mill as he becomes the engineer there in January]
Res. 6th. That the sanitary rate be paid amounting to £22-18-8.
Res. 7th. That another meeting be held on Friday to consider the appointment of an engineer for CH Shed.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 14th 1890
Special meeting.
Res. 1st That Proctor Barrett take the escape valve to Roberts, Nelson to repair as soon as the engine stops tomorrow. [Not sure but sounds like a defective safety valve on the boiler, probably leaking (feathering) excessively]
Res 2nd. That Mr Varley and Sons' tender for plumbing and glazing the engine house [WH] for the sum of £23 be accepted.
Res. 3rd. That Edward Watson be engaged as fireman and engine tenter at CH Shed at 28/- per week the condition to be to give and take 14 days notice when leaving and to be paid every two weeks. [4/- a week cheaper than Watson Knowles who had evidently pushed his luck far enough]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 19th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the coal account be paid for the month £64-3-8.
Res. 3rd. That an enquiry be sent to the Victoria Colliery and Coke Company [Wakefield] as to how soon they could deliver 3 per week [wagons] of Stanley Main [coal seam] coal at 9/1 delivered in Midland wagons at Barnoldswick station. [Interesting that CHSC are specifying Midland Railway wagons rather than the colliery’s own wagons. Probably something to do with a favourable demurrage rate]
Res. 4th. That the secretary write and inform Mr John Varley of Colne that he can have ashlar stones [hewed square, probably engine bed stones from the old engine houses] from WH Mill suitable for engine beds, delivered in trucks at Barnoldswick station at 10d per cubic foot if he chooses his blocks and if he takes them all as they come out he can have them for 6d per foot.
Res. 5th. That the secretary order a cask of engine and shafting oil also a cask of cylinder oil as per usual quality about 40 gallons each from Messrs Samuel Cooke and Co, Burnley. [Note that ‘casks’ refers to wooden barrels. The standard ‘44 gallon’ oil drum was first manufactured during WW2 when the requisite welding and fabrication technology became available]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

November 26th 1890
Res. 1st Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque value £20 for wages and expenses.
Res. 3rd. That John Riddiough have a weeks notice given to him on Saturday next to leave his present employment.
Res. 4th. That Moorhouse and Hartley be permitted to take away all their looms and other machinery and effects from WH Mill and the secretary write to them to that effect.
Res. 5th. That William Roberts and Co of Nelson have the scrap iron at WH Mill delivered at station or canal for 51/- per ton.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

December 3rd 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Pickup’s letter asking for £500 on the engine for WH Mill be passed to Mr Atkinson with instructions not to grant a certificate until one becomes due according to the contract.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Atkinson’s attention be drawn to some of the window heads in the engine house which have given way and are out of plumb and should be made right before the roof goes on. And also to the drilling of the engine bed which is not progressing satisfactorily and that he press the penalty of £15 per week on the contractor for not completing the contract according to the specification. [This would be the holes down to the base of the bed for the long holding-down bolts on the engine.]
Res. 4th. That Messrs Cooke and Co account for oil be paid amounting to £8-9-0.
Res. 5th. That Thomas King be paid £30 on account of painting and the remainder when the painting is complete.
Res. 6th. That William Holdsworth’s account for jobbing work be paid amounting to £7-11-0.
Res. 7th. That the wooden hut at CH Shed be advertised for sale in the Pioneer three weeks and the price asked be £4-10-0.
Res. 8th. That the secretary write Messrs Mohn and Abdur respecting their application for room and power at WH Mill for about 200 looms and tape machine. Saying that our terms are 39/- per loom per annum and one tape machine for 400 looms about £90 per annum. And the secretary inform them that some of the directors have been appointed to wait on them and give them all necessary information on the subject. [Mohn and Abdur are a mystery. This is the only reference I have for them and I have never found them in the directories]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

December 10th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. Moved by Mr Barrett and seconded by Mr Smith that Mr Atkinson be requested not to order any flags for covering the pipe trench at WH Mills.
Res. 3rd. Proposed by Mr Clark and seconded by Mr W Edmondson that the managing directors receive the sum of 6/- per week from now until the next half-yearly meeting for their special services. Viz. Messrs Smith, Barrett and Holdsworth. [The managing directors were ‘hands-on’ and supervised the day to day work of the company outside the secretary’s responsibilities.]
Res. 4th. Proposed by Mr Clark and seconded by Mr Brooks that a vote of thanks be made and entered in the Minute Book for past duties carried out by the managing directors viz. Messrs Smith, Barrett, William Holdsworth and our chairman Mr Brooks Banks.
Res. 5th. Moved by Mr Parker and seconded by Mr [?] that the secretary write to ask Mr Roberts if the iron is to be delivered onto the railway or canal and when.
Res. 6th. Proposed by Mr Brooks and seconded by Mr Clark that Messrs Widdup’s quotation for coals be accepted up to the end of March and a telegram sent in answer.
Res. 7th. Proposed by Mr Clark and seconded by Mr Smith that the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 8th. Proposed by Mr Smith and seconded by Mr Dent that Mr Atkinson’s call be paid amounting to £18 on account of his commission and £4-4-0 paid for two screw jacks and advertising in the Burnley Gazette and the Manchester Guardian.
Res. 9th. Proposed by Mr Brooks and seconded by Mr Barrett that the secretary’s salary be paid up to December 8th 1890 amounting to £18-13-0.
Res. 10th. Proposed by Mr Clark and seconded by Mr Dent that Mr Atkinson instruct the Burnley Ironworks Co to deliver the first instalment of the engine at WH Mill.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.
[Interesting to me that the style of these minutes is different than normal, I suspect they were taken by some other person and transcribed by John Hartley. You get very used to one person’s style when transcribing.]

December 17th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the Burnley Ironworks account for wheels supplied to WH Mill be paid amounting to £9-15-0. [Almost certainly bevel gears for the shafting]
Res. 3rd. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be paid £500 on account of the engines at WH Mill.
Res. 4th. That the secretary write and ask Messrs Roberts and Co, Nelson, to have the scrap iron delivered on the railway if they can make it convenient to do so. [Delivery at Coates Wharf on the canal involved the very steep hill up to Coates Bridge and this was a serious inconvenience for horse-drawn transport. Far easier gradients to the station yard.]
Res. 5th. That Messrs Harrison’s account be paid, £2-6-0 for india rubber rings and asbestos.
Res. 6th. That Mr Hartley Colne be paid the interest due on the 16th inst. on £2000 amounting to £40 less £1 for income tax, £39. [This for half a year, the rate per annum is 4%]
Res. 7th. That Widdup Coal account be paid for the month amounting to £65-12-0.
Res. 8th. That the tenders for the shafting at WH Mill be left undecided till Friday night and in the meantime Mr Atkinson be seen or written to respecting them and to send a copy of the specification to the board.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.
[I am struck by the fact that it is no wonder Moorhouse removed his looms and machinery. They were laid in a mill with no engine and one wonders whether the directors had been too optimistic when they gave him an estimate of when they would start the engine.]

December 19th 1890
Friday night. Special meeting.
Res. 1st. That a brick building be put up at CH Shed for the tenants to put their sweepings in and the managing director attend to it as soon as possible. [There is a good reason for this. Probably a replacement for the wooden hut on sale for £4-10-0. ‘Sweepings’ are exactly what they say, dirty waste cotton off the floor containing oil and useless for re-selling to the waste trade. They were dangerous because there was a high probability of spontaneous combustion. Almost certainly brought to the company’s attention by the insurance company.]
Res. 2nd. That Mr Robert Black be empowered to sell the wooden hut at CH Shed for the sum of £4.
Res. 3rd. That the scrap iron go by rail to Nelson and this company and Messrs Roberts divide the extra charge of 7% for carriage by rail between them as per Messrs Roberts’ suggestion.
Res. 4th. That Mr Edward Smith cart the scrap iron to the station at 9d per ton and he finds a man to assist him and the company pays his wage.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

December 24th 1890
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the call of shares be sent out on the 24th day of December and become due on the 4th of January 1891.
Res 3rd. That the wood hut [CH] be sold to Henry Wormall, Earby for £4.
Res. 4th. That Joseph Thompson and Co’s tender for the shafting at WH Mill be accepted for the sum of £320 providing he signs the conditions etc. on Saturday next. [Millwright of Colne]
Res. 5th That the fire insurance premium be paid for the year.
Res. 6th. That Proctor Barrett be paid £40 on account of his contract.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

December 31st 1890
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Robert Clark has 2/6 for his services in disposing of the wooden hut.
Res. 3rd. That the Gas Co be paid amounting to £1-18-4.
Res. 4th. That Mr Walton’s account be paid amounting to £14-13-6½.
Res. 5th. That the income tax be paid amounting to £15-10-10.
Res. 6th. That Samuel Thompson’s account be paid amounting to £2-17-4.
Res. 7th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages and expenses.
Res. 8th. That Messrs Proctor Barrett and William P Brooks be appointed as a deputation to go to Colne and see Mr Hartley and Mr Atkinson respecting the borrowing of £7,000 on the CH Shed extension. [First time we hear the word ‘extension’. We shall see much more of it as the CHSC extend their sheds to accommodate more tenants.]
Res. 9th. That the secretary write to Bolton for grate bars and get them here as soon as possible. [The firebars in the boiler furnaces could be burnt out very quickly if the Bennis stokers were managed incorrectly and allowed to get overheated. These must be for the stokers at CH and have failed more quickly than they should. A possible consequence of not having a full-time firebeater attending to the boilers. It was expense like this and fuel economy which eventually convinced the mill owners that a separate firebeater was essential.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

January 7th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson requesting information respecting information regarding his interview with Mr Hartley on the loan question.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary write to Mr Royds for further information regarding his rent. [Albert Hudson Royds lived in Rochdale but owned extensive lands in Barnoldswick. The Bracewell Sale document of 1887 refers to an indenture created 25th of March 1858 between Albert Hudson Royds and William Bracewell. The indenture had been lost. There was also mention of a way-leave of 5/- per year payable to Royds for a drain running through his land, almost certainly the CI pipe that William Bracewell put in to carry the overflow from the WH dams direct to the Stock Beck at a level too low for it to be useful to his cousins at Old Coates Mill. We shall see that the leases were offered to CHSC in 1953 when the estate of Colonel Royds of Falinge, Rochdale was broken up.]
Res. 4th. That the account from the gas company amounting to £4-3-4 be paid for allowing the water to come from the Corn Mill Dam to WH Mill dam for five months at the rate of £10 per annum. [We meet the Bracewell water manipulation yet again.]
Res. 5th. That Messrs Chairman, secretary, P Barrett, William Holdsworth and E Smith be appointed to meet Mr James Nutter respecting him taking room and power at the CH Shed extension and that he sign an agreement to that effect. [James Nutter was senior partner in one of the most important manufacturing families in Barlick. They were to become even more important. A good tenant but a hard businessman.]
Res. 6th. That the secretary inform Mr Atkinson that the directors insist on having the gable end wall of the engine house pulled down and rebuilt in a proper manner. [One wonders how it managed to be built badly, inadequate supervision by the architect?]
Res. 7th. That the secretary write to the Burnley Ironworks Company expressing the dissatisfaction of the board seeing they are making no progress at all completing the engine [WH] and also inform them that the Railway Co are claiming demurrage from this company for detention of the lurry[sic] [I suspect wagon] through their neglect in not unloading it.
Res. 8th. That Messrs William Brooks and A Pilkington be requested to sign an agreement for taking room and power at WH Shed[sic].
Res. 9th. That William Holdsworth buy and fit up a grindstone for WH Mill.
Res. 10th. That Mr F Hulley[sic] sell by auction on Saturday next a quantity of old wood etc. and that R Clark and P Parker be his assistants and that Proctor Barrett and William Holdsworth superintend the sale at WH Mill.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

January 14th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That George Andrew’s coal bill be paid, £16-6-0.
Res. 3rd. That Widdup’s coal account for the month be paid, £39-10-10.
Res. 4th. That Moreland Hoyle [corn miller] account for carting be paid, 14/-.
Res. 5th. That Proctor Barrett’s account for work be paid, £15-10-0.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20.
Res. 6th. [A rare mistake on a page change and not corrected] That a provisional agreement be drawn up and signed by Mr James Nutter and the board respecting taking room and power at CH Shed extension.
Res. 7th. That Mr Alfred Pilkington be seen by the deputation respecting his taking room and power at WH Mill. [Billy Brooks, who was a very accurate informant, once told me that in 1890/1900 a fully furnished loom cost about £5 and this was recouped after weaving three or four warps. Trade was good and going into manufacturing was seen as a licence to print money]
Res. 8th. That the trees on CH Shed land be felled and stubbed ready for sale. [Clearing site for further extension. Recognise that this adding of load had an effect on the engines at these expanding mills. This was to lead to problems later on.]
Res. 9th. That 12 notices be printed and put up round the town asking for tenders for an engine driver and fireman for WH Mill. [The public notice was a very powerful method of communication at that time. Everybody read them and news travelled fast by word of mouth. Notice also that the directors are hiring a firebeater to assist the engineer. They are learning by experience.]
Res. 10th. That Mr Blockley be asked to remove the two old boilers from off the premises at WH Mill and in default he pay rent of 10/- per week until they are removed. [Worth noting that any legal matter regarding property rights was guaranteed support in court. This was not to be regarded as an edict that could be ignored. We shall see many instances of property law being used in the management of the sheds as time goes on.]
Res. 11th. That an account be sent in to Mr George Rushworth [scrap man Colne] for damages by his men taking out the engines at WH Mill.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

January 21st 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That E Bennis account be paid £3-15-1.
Res. 3rd. That Edward Smith account be paid, £16-16-0.
Res. 4th. That Mr Atkinson have a cheque value £18 on account of commission.
Res. 5th. That half the working expenses [of the CHSC] be booked to the WH Mill account.
Res. 6th. That the account which had been sent to George Rushworth claiming damages be sent to the Craven Bank, along with Mr Rushworth’s reply, asking them to look into the matter. [We have the resolution to buy WH Mill in 1890 but so far I have found no evidence of the actual conveyance. In view of the CHSC activity on the site we have to assume that they were by this time the owners but their relationship with the Craven Bank is a complicated one because the bank are still responsible for certain matters like the removal of the old plant and I think this is at the root of the difference in opinion as regards responsibility for damage caused by Rushworth.]
Res. 7th. That Richard Kirk’s tender for walling at WH Mill be accepted at 7/- per rood the wall to be six feet high.
Res. 8th. That Joshua Crook’s tender [Joiner and wheelwright of Hey Farm, Barnoldswick.] for the trees at CH Shed be accepted at £7-5-0.
Res. 9th. That Joseph James Sneath’s tender for engine tenting and firing at Wellhouse Mill for 24/- per week be accepted that wage to commence when the engine is ready for starting and in the meantime to labour for the engineers while it is being put up and that he makes his own arrangements with them as regards his wage. [He gets familiar with the engine as it is being built but evidently thinks he can handle the firing as well, he will change his mind!]
Res. 10th. That the managing directors be empowered to make the best arrangements they can for the better heating of the shed at Calf Hall.
Res. 11th. That Mr Brooks Banks go to Colne and along with Mr Atkinson see Mr Hartley about the borrowing of the money and empower them to make the best terms they can but not to go further than 5% interest.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

January 28th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Edward Smith have the corner stone of those heads[window?] at WH Mill at 6d each.
Res. 3rd. That a call of £2 per share be made as soon as convenient for the secretary to be due on March 4th 1891.
Res. 4th. That a letter be sent to Craven Bank respecting John Duckworth having his notice given to quit the land at WH Mill by the 2nd day of February. [Still renting from the bank?]
Res. 5th. That Mr Aldersley’s offer of 10/- per annum be accepted for going up the WH Mill road with his milk cart. [Milk retailer of Coates Hall. The road which is now Wellhouse Road was not adopted at this time and the property of the owner of the mill.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

February 4th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That the Poor Rate be paid amounting to £22-18-8. [Half year]
Res. 4th. That the CH Shed extension be made to hold 414 looms or 460. [Addition in pencil. Remember that 400 loom spaces was the most efficient size of a weaving unit.]
Res. 5th. That Messrs Roberts be asked to come and look up the engine at CH Shed. [Increased load?]
Res. 6th. That the company puts in the joiner’s shop [WH] a shafting for driving the machines and steam pipes put in to warm the place for a term of five years to commence when the engine starts to run.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

February 11th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the rent be paid amounting to £9 for Springs Dam.
Res. 3rd. That Messrs Hawley have £300 on account of work done at WH Mill and the secretary write to Mr Atkinson to grant a certificate to that affect. [One factor which has received no mention but which was to become a problem later at WH Mill is that the ground on which it was built was river bottom silt and very unstable. This would be giving the contractors problems and subsidence would later become a serious matter.]
Res. 4th. That the ashlar stones at the front of WH Mill be sold. The better ones at 8d if it can be got and the inferior at 6d.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

February 18th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That Widdup’s coal bill be paid, £74-3-11.
Res. 4th. That P Barrett has a cheque on account of ceiling at WH Mill on account for £20.
Res. 5th. That James Cooper’s tender for the ropes at £50 be accepted subject to alterations in the quantities more or less. [Cooper, rope-maker of Nelson]
Res. 6th. That the next meeting be held on Tuesday night in place of Wednesday night.
Res. 7th. That Joseph Standing’s account be paid, £3-17-3 for printing etc.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

February 24th 1891
Res. 1st. That the fifth resolution [Last meeting] relating to contract for ropes to be rescinded and the remainder of the minutes be passed as read.
Res. 2nd. That Thomas Hart’s tender for ropes be accepted at £58-10-0 subject to alteration in the smaller ropes either more or less in quantity.
Res. 3rd. That Mr William Perry supply a cask of soda for CH Shed boiler. [The penny has dropped! This is for treatment of the boiler feed water to minimise the accumulation of scale inside the boiler caused by impurities in the boiler feed water. The addition of soda was a very crude measure but water treatment technology was in its infancy. At least they have recognised the problem.]
Res. 4th. That a cheque book be ordered with the bank.
Res. 5th. That the secretary copy the lease [Room and power contract], get a proper stamp on and get Mr Nutter’s signature to it. [Are they refining their contractual procedures?]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

March 4th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary has a cheque for wages, £20.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Atkinson have a cheque for £18 on account of his commission for WH Mill.
Res. 4th. That Thomas Pickover be allowed to transfer his share to Elizabeth Clark.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

March 11th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That a certificate be be granted to Joseph Thompson on account of his contract at WH Mill for £200.
Res. 4th. That Edward Smith's account for flags be paid amounting to £7-16-6 for WH Mill.
Res. 5th. That a special meeting be held on Friday night to commence at 6 o’clock.
Res. 6th. That the secretary order one cask of cylinder oil and one cask of shafting oil from S Cooke and Co.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

March 13th 1891
Special meeting.
Res. 1st. That the chairman and vice chairman be appointed to go to Colne and see Mr Hartley respecting the loan of £7,000.
Res. 2nd. That clause 2 of the specification for the CH Shed extension be made to read: ‘To the satisfaction of the board of directors and architect or any person they may appoint’.
Res. 3rd. That clause 3 read ‘that the decision of the board and architect in all cases of dispute be final’.
Res. 4th. That clause 11 read: ‘and the shed to be ready for roof and the warehouse ready for the first floor by the 1st day of April 1891 and the warehouse to be ready for the roof by the 1st day of September 1891.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

March 18th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for wages, £20.
Res. 3rd. That Royd’s letter for rent be sent to Mr George Robinson, Craven Bank. [The fact that the bank were expected to pay the ground rent seems to indicate that they still owned the mill.]
Res. 4th. That Cooke’s oil account be paid £8-12-10.
Res. 5th. That Widdup’s coal account be paid amounting to £63-5-7.
Res. 6th. That an Extraordinary Meeting of shareholders be held in the Mechanic’s Hall as soon as possible and the secretary go to Colne to see Mr Hartley respecting it.
Res. 7th. That a number of coal agents be asked to send a quotation for the price of coal for WH Mill. [It is perhaps worth mentioning that William Bracewell ran his mills from his own coal pits at Ingleton. It wasn’t very good coal but was cheap. When the bank took over the Bracewell assets they ordered all expenditure on the pits to be halted. This meant that pumping stopped, they drowned out and were never opened again.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

March 25th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That there be three huts built for the three tenants at CH Shed at the east end of the shed, one for each tenant to store sweepings in.
Res. 3rd. That a new steam gauge be got for WH Mill.
Res. 4th. That Mr Holdsworth have a cheque for £20 on account of ceilings at WH Mill.
Res. 5th. That Messrs Brooks Banks, Dr Roberts, William Brooks and Mr Holdsworth be appointed as a delegation to see Mr Robinson, Craven Bank about borrowing some money from the bank.
Res. 4th. That Robert Clark make some further enquiries respecting the borrowing of some money from where he is in correspondence.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 1st 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Messrs Walton account [be paid] as per bill.
Res. 3rd. That Proctor Barrett be paid on account £29-9-0.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for expenses.
Res. 5th. That a boat load of coal [approx. 40 tons] be ordered from Altham, 11/3 per ton, and got at once for CH Shed and a boat load of Townley Best Slack at 9/4 per ton be got in a week hence, both from Holgate Marsden. [Holgate Marsden lived in Salterforth and was a coal and stone merchant operating from Salterforth Wharf. In 1900 he is mentioned as the owner of a boat-building yard at Salterforth and was later a partner in Coates Shed. No mention here of where the coal was to be unloaded but almost certainly at Coates Wharf as this avoided carting the coal over the hill into Barlick from Salterforth, in the days of horse transport this was a serous consideration.]
Res. 6th. That the pipes and cylinders be covered with Petty’s composition at WH Mill as per his contract.
Res. 7th. That Edward Smith’s tender be accepted for mason’s work at CH Shed extension for the sum of £1,175 as per plans and specification and Proctor Barrett’s tender for joiner’s work be accepted at £247.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 8th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the gas bill be paid amounting to £1-18-4.
Res. 3rd. That Samuel Thompson account be paid amounting to £4-3-1½.
Res. 4th. That Bennis account be paid, 7/- for casting.
Res. 5th. That two casks of oil be got for WH Mill, one cylinder oil and one shafting oil.
Res. 6th. That Atkinson certificate for £30 be paid to Proctor Barrett.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

[Cotton Factory Times 17/04/1891 and NC 17/04/1891. Both describe the engine christening which took place on Sat 11th April. Mrs. W. P. Brooks christened the engine 'Progress'. Made by Burnley Ironworks, this was the left hand side of a pair of double tandem engines and it was hoped that they would soon be asked to provide the other half of the engine. No mention in the minutes. Quite strange.]

April 15th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the Burnley Ironworks account be paid, £530 subject to a certificate from Mr Atkinson.
Res. 3rd. That Widdup’s coal account for the month be paid, £48-3-3.
Res. 4th. That a cheque for £20 for wages be granted to the secretary.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 22nd 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Dent and Holt account for hoist be paid amounting to £55.
Res. 3rd. That WB White be paid for belting, £6-10-2½.
Res. 4th. That Mr Varley’s account be referred to Mr Atkinson.
Res. 5th. That Messrs Cooke and Co’s account for oil be paid, £8-14-0.
Res. 6th. That Messrs Duckett and Co’s account for cement be paid, £1-10-0.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

April 29th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That a cask of tallow be ordered for WH Mill.
Res. 4th. That Burnley Ironworks be paid £30 as per Mr Atkinson’s certificate.
Res. 5th. That a boatload of Altham coal be ordered at once.
Res. 6th. That a dividend of 6% be paid on this half year.
Res. 7th. That the number of attendances of the directors be put on the annual report.
Res. 8th. That Henry Hargreaves’ quotation for lead at WH Mill be accepted at 10/6 per cwt.
Res. 9th. That Brooks Banks, Proctor Barrett, Robert Clark and Johnson Edmondson be the retiring directors for the annual meeting.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 6th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That 2/6 be allowed to boatmen for delivering a boat load of coals.
Res. 3rd. That two wagons of coals be ordered with Mr Widdup of Salterforth of unscreened Mixed coal delivered at Barnoldswick station at 10/3 per ton.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 5th. That Robert Thompson be paid off on Saturday next.
Res. 6th. That Frank Walling be paid off on Saturday next.
Res. 7th. That two oil pumps be ordered for the flywheel necks at WH Mill. [For the pedestal bearings supporting the weight of the fly-shaft and flywheel. It surprises me that these aren’t included in the engine contract.]
Res. 8th. That a cask of boiler composition be ordered, about 4cwt, from Rawlinson’s Burnley. [Now we’re cooking with gas! The directors have been listening to advice. Not sure which boiler this is for.]
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 13th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Brooks Banks and Simon Parker attend the meeting on fee farm rent on Friday next. [‘Fee Farm Rent’ a perpetual rent reserved upon a conveyance in fee simple. (Webster's dictionary) Is this the conveyance for WH Mill?]
Res. 3rd. That Thomas Rawlinson account be paid for boiler composition amounting to £2-8-0. [For one cask, approx. 4cwt]
Res. 4th. That oil and tallow and India Rubber rings be ordered for WH Mill.
Res. 5th. That John Pickup’s tender for old brass be accepted at five and one sixteenth pence per pound.
Res. 6th. That a boat load of unscreened engine coal be ordered with Crabtree of Salterforth as per sample of those at Long Ing, delivered at Coates at 9/10.
Res. 7th. That the meetings of this company be held at WH Mill and the office of this company be at WH Mill and give a week’s notice to that effect.
Res. 8th. That Proctor Barrett removes the furniture from this office to Wellhouse Mill on or before next Wednesday.
Res. 9th. That Proctor Barrett’s account be paid for ceilings.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

May 20th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Widdup’s coal bill be paid £29-19-4.
Res. 3rd. That the arching of the watercourse be left as it is at the moment at CH Shed.
Res. 4th. That the secretary write Thornton solicitors re. The loan account.
Res. 5th. That the secretary write Atkinson for specification for the extension at CH Shed and let him know there are no quotations for the iron at WH Mill.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

Calf Hall Shed Company Limited
Barnoldswick. May 23rd 1891
[Printed balance sheet and report is missing.]
The Third Annual Meeting of this company was held in the Mechanic’s Hall, Barnoldswick on Saturday the 23rd day of May 1891 at 5 o’clock in the afternoon pursuant to the announcement in the balance sheet sent to each Shareholder. Mr Brooks Banks chairman of the directors occupied the chair and read the notice convening the meeting and the director’s report. The secretary read the minutes of the last Half Yearly Meeting after which the following resolutions were passed.
1. Proposed by Mr John Edmondson and seconded by Mr James Ratcliffe that the minutes of the last half-yearly meeting be passed as read. Put to the meeting and carried.
2. Proposed by Mr Walton Windle and seconded by Greenwood Hartley that a dividend of 3% be paid for this half year and on being put to the meeting was carried.
3. Proposed by Mr Walton Windle and seconded by Mr Henry Wilson that the dividend be paid less income tax and being put to the meeting was carried.
4. Proposed by Mr John Brooks and seconded by Mr William Williams that Mr John Lancaster be the auditor for the ensuing year and that his salary for the last year be £1 and being put to the meeting was carried.
5. On the question of the four directors in place of those retiring it was proposed by Mr James Ratcliffe and seconded by Mr Henry Wilson that Mr Brooks Banks be nominated as a new director. Proposed by Mr Walton Windle and seconded by Mr William Williams that Mr Proctor Barrett be nominated as a director. Proposed by Mr Henry Wilson and seconded by Mr David Nutter that Mr John Horsfield be nominated as a director. Proposed by Mr Stephen Hartley and seconded by Walton Windle that Johnson Edmondson be nominated a director. Proposed by Mr William Williams and seconded by Mr John Edmondson that Mr Robert Clark be nominated as a director.
The meeting then proceeded to vote on the names which had been nominated with the following results. (The gentlemen having in the meantime retired from the room.) Brooks Banks, 17. Proctor Barrett, 16. John Horsfield, 14. Johnson Edmondson, 11. Robert Clark, 4.
The following were then appointed directors for a period of three years. [All the list excepting Robert Clark]
Res. 6th. It was proposed by Mr Henry Wilson and seconded by Mr Richard Bailey that the director’s salary be £15 for the last half year.
Res. 7th. Proposed by Mr John Dean and seconded by Mr John Edmondson that the old and new shares be amalgamated together at the end of this half year and from that date they receive dividends alike according to the amount paid up on each share.
Res. 8th. Proposed and seconded that a list of those persons qualified to act as directors be supplied to each shareholder with the next annual balance sheet.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 17th 1892
[A rogue entry which does not exactly correspond with the correctly positioned entry so I have ignored it.]

May 27th 1891
Being the first meeting after the Annual General Meeting.
Res. 1st. Brooks Banks be chairman for the ensuing year.
Res. 2nd. Dr J D Roberts be vice chairman for the ensuing year.
Res. 3rd. Minutes as read.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for wages value £20.
Re. 5th. That Mr Joseph Bullock’s tender for the old mortar mill at £6-10-0 and the large cistern on the mill as it stands at £4-5-0 be accepted. The remaining portion of his tender for the engine at £37-10-0 and the small cistern delivered on the ground at £5 and the iron roofing delivered on the ground at £30 and for old pillars and cast metal at 44/- be refused, the price being too little. [WH Mill disposals]
Res. 6th. That the secretary write Mr Bateman and ask him if he intends taking all the stones both big and little and if not, what he considers ‘little ones’ or how many cubic feet they should contain.
Res. 7th. That the secretary write out a cheque for Mr Joseph Thompson and Co on account of work done at Mr Atkinson’s request.
Res. 8th. That Mr Holgate Marsden’s coal account for the month of April be paid amounting to £72-19-2.
Res. 9th. That a cheque value £100 be paid to Edward Smith if he can obtain a certificate from Mr Atkinson for that amount for mason's work done at the CH Shed extension.
Res. 10th. That a boatload of Altham coal at 10/8 per ton delivered at Coates Wharf be ordered with Holgate Marsden.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 3rd 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Thomas Nuttall’s account be referred to Mr Atkinson for approval with a reminder that the directors think a portion of the extras [should] be paid by Mr Hawley.
Res. 4th. That the seal of the company be placed upon the loan account and signed by the chairman.
Res. 5th. That Edward Smith provide flags for the completion of the engine house at WH Mill and that he flag the engine house cellar according to Mr Hawley’s request and suggestions.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 10th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Joseph Thompson’s account for paring[?] shaft at CH Shed be paid.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Pickover’s wage be increased 1/- per week to 19/- per week for the present.
Res. 4th. That the water rent be paid to the Gas Company [Corn Mill water] and notice given that we shall want no more. [They have evidently found that their fears of a shortage at WH have proved misplaced. At least for the time being.]
Res. 5th. That the secretary be paid his half year’s salary, £17-10-0.
Res 6th. That a call of £2 per share be made upon the shareholders.
Res. 7th. That a boatload of coal be ordered with Crabtree Brothers at 9/6 per ton delivered at Coates Wharf wharfage free for WH Mill.
Res. 8th. That a boatload of coal be ordered with Holgate Marsden for CH Shed at 10/3 per ton delivered at Coates Wharf.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 17th 1891
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for wages, £20.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary write to Ellison and Fawcett to give the best quotation they can for scrap iron as soon as possible as we cannot decide the other question until we receive their quotation.
Res. 4th. That the interest be paid for the loan of £2000 to Mr Hartley, £39.
Res. 5th. That the secretary write to Mr F Hulley for information respecting the income tax.
Res. 6th. That Crabtree’s account for coal be paid, £22-12-4.
Res. 7th. That the secretary order two barrels of oil for WH Mill and two barrels for CH Shed from S Cooke and Co of Burnley.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

June 24th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That William Holdsworth account be paid, £67-10-6.
Res. 3rd. That Edward Smith see Mr Bateman regarding the ashlar stones.
Res. 4th. That Heap and Thornton certificate for £40 be paid and Hawley certificate for £200.
Res. 5th. That Mr Atkinson be written to requesting him to come to Barlick[sic] to look up the plant at WH Mill.
Res. 6th. That Ellison and Fawcett tender be accepted and they be asked to give 45/- per ton for the old metal and if they cannot give that price the secretary ask other parties for their price for the old metal.
Res. 7th. That the chairman, vice-chairman, John Horsfield and the secretary form a committee for the completion of the leases of the tenants for WH Mill and Nutters for CH Shed extension.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 1st 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Holgate and Marsden’s coal account be paid.
Res. 3rd. That William Widdup coal account be paid.
Res. 4th. That William Walton account be paid, £7.
Res. 5th. That Robert Clark’s account be paid, 2/8 for painting notice boards.
Res. 6th. That Ellison and Fawcett quotation for scrap metal be accepted at 45/- per ton.
Res. 7th. That a boatload of coals be ordered with with Holgate Marsden for CH Shed at 10/3 per ton.
Res. 8th. That a reply be sent to Delaney informing him that his price offered for Roundwood coal cannot be accepted at 11/2 per ton.
Res. 9th. That Messrs Atkinson and Barrett be appointed to settle the question with the contractors as to removing the earth away from the CH Shed extension. [It’s obvious to this day that a lot of earth was roughly dumped in the area between the back of CH Shed and the junction of Shitten Ginnel with Calf Hall Lane.]
Res. 10th. That some windows in the CH Shed extension be made so that they will open for ventilation.
Res. 11th. That the offer from the Barnoldswick Railway Company of £6 for the pumping of water from WH Mill to Barnoldswick station for the month of April 1890 be accepted and the secretary send them an account for that amount.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 8th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Proctor Barrett’s certificate for £25 be paid.
Res. 3rd. That a certificate for wages, £20 be paid.
Res. 4th. That the water rent for £5 be paid when called upon. [Springs Dam or Corn Mill?]
Res. 5th. That the delivery notes for coal be sent to the secretary. [The directors are refining their administrative systems as they get experience. This process is very clear from the minutes of the succeeding years. They do not seem, in the first place, to have learned from other’s experience in the field. Perhaps an indication of independence.]
Res. 6th. That John W Widdup’s account for carting coal be paid.
Res. 7th. That a certificate for the Burnley Ironworks to the amount of £500 be paid.
Res. 8th. That this company pay a deposit of £125 for the purchase of the land offered for sale subject to the approval of the shareholders and if not approved by the shareholders the directors to refund the amount back to the company. [A bold and unusual move possibly driven by the need for a speedy decision. It will become clear later what land is being bought.]
Res. 9th. That a meeting of the shareholders be held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on Monday evening July 20th 1891 to consider the purchase of the land adjoining WH Mill.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 15th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Edward Smith have £30 on account off his bill.
Res. 3rd. That the managing directors be paid their salary from December the 10th 1890 up to this date, 2/- per week. Edward Smith, Proctor Barrett and William Holdsworth.
Res. 4th. That Ellison and Fawcett’s system of self-oiling lubricators at CH Shed be adopted. [I suspect this is shaft oilers on the lineshaft bearings.]
Signed, Thomas Dent and John Hartley.

July 22nd 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Proctor Barrett and John Horsfield be appointed as a deputation to treat with the gas company with regard to taking gas to Bank Hall. [Bit of a puzzle this one. Bank Hall was the large house near Coates Mill built by Christopher George Bracewell, William Bracewell's youngest son and he died in 1889. There is a later reference to George Proctor who by that time was secretary of the CHSC living there. I have no evidence of CHSC owning Bank Hall but why else would they be installing gas there? Perhaps it will become clear later.]
Res. 3rd. That Richard Crabtree account for coal be paid £42-19-2.
Res. 4th. That W B White account be paid £6-10-2½. [Leather strapping. White at Colne later became a loom-maker and I think this is the same man.]
Res. 5th. That Holgate Marsden and Richard Crabtree be appointed to supply us with coal until further notice.
Res. 6th. That Thomas Rawlinson account be paid amounting to £2-8-0.
Res. 7th. That the secretary have money for wages, £20.
Res. 8th. That the managing directors be appointed for another six months ending December 10th 1891.[sic]
Res. 9th. That a cheque for £18 be paid to Mr Atkinson on account of commission.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

July 29th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for expenses and wages.
Res. 3rd. That the general District Rate be paid amounting to £34-8-0.
Res. 4th. That the water rent for WH Mill be paid £5. [Could this be rent paid to the Roundell Estate for water rights in Eastwood Bottoms?]
Res. 5th. That H&J Widdup account for coal be paid, 16/-.
Res. 6th. That Holgate Marsden account for coals be paid, £23-11-6.
Res. 7th. That Samuel Thompson’s account for smith’s work be paid, £3-16-10. [Local ironmonger of Newtown, Barlick]
Res. 8th. That Mr Atkinson’s certificate for the Burnley Ironworks be paid at £153-7-0.
Res. 9th. That this company advertise room and power in WH Shed in two papers for 13 weeks. The Yorkshire Post and the Yorkshire Pioneer.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 5th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the Gas Company pay 2/6 per annum for the right of laying pipes down on WH Mill property.
Res. 3rd. That the engineer or fireman have 6d per hour overtime for the tape machine at CH Shed. [The tape machine needed steam so the boiler had to be fired. It also needed motive power and in the absence of a donkey engine in the tape room (no evidence seen of one) the engine had to run to turn the shafting. Bad for CHSC but an indication that at least one tenant was busy.]
Res. 4th. That the old wrought iron be offered for sale at £3-15-0 per ton.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 12th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary go to Colne to see our solicitor and pay him his charges for professional services.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Cooke’s account for oil be paid amounting to £40-19-4.
Res. 4th. That the Calf Hall Shed and Wellhouse Mill stop for holidays on Friday night August 21st and start again on Monday morning August 31st and the tenants have 30 hours abatement of rent. [First evidence we have of the engine starting at WH Mill. There is no mention in the minutes. See my earlier note of a report in the Cotton Factory Times of a christening on April 11th.]
Res. 5th. That Mr Varley and sons account be paid, £23.
Res. 6th. That Mr Atkinson’s certificate for £100 for Edward Smith on account of CH Shed extension be paid.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

August 19th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Nuttall’s account be referred to Mr Atkinson for his approval amounting to £14-10-6½.
Res. 4th. That the Poor Rate be paid when called on by the Collector of Rates amounting to £11-9-4.
Res. 5th. That Joseph Standing’s account for printing be paid amounting to £1-16-9.
Res. 6th. That Richard Crabtree’s account for coals be paid amounting to £22-14-4.
Res. 7th. That the secretary write Mr Hartley solicitor Colne to inform him that the payment for the land be deferred until the Conveyance and Deeds be ready. [Sounds like a pretty obvious precaution!]
Res. 8th. That there be no meeting of directors next week.
Res. 9th. That the secretary write Messrs Roberts Nelson to send a man to indicate the engine at CH Shed on Friday next before we stop for the holidays. [Indicating the engine could show up faults in valve settings or other problems. Sounds to me as though the engine was struggling to carry the increased loading.]
Res. 10th. That the secretary prepare for a call [on shares] as early as possible.
Res. 11th. That the secretary write to Richard Crabtree to give a tender for the delivery of coal at WH Mill.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

September 2nd 1891
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Royd’s bill be paid for rent for WH Mill for the half year ending May 1891. [Ground Rent]
Res. 3rd. That Holgate Marsden’s account for coal be paid amounting to £45-2-0.
Res. 4th. That Holgate Marsden supply CH Shed with coal at 11/1 per ton delivered at CH Shed and Richard Crabtree supply WH Mill with coal at 10/2 per ton delivered at WH Mill. [Remember that WH was much nearer the Coates Wharf than CH and this could account for the difference in price.]
Res. 5th. That the secretary ask H&J Widdup for a tender for supplying Monk Bretton and Roundwood coal for a term of six months for CH Shed.
Res. 6th. That this company offer the gas mains at Calf Hall Shed to the Gas Company for the sum of £50.
Res. 7th. That a written agreement be made with the Gas Company respecting laying mains at 2/6 per annum and a separate agreement for the Long Ing Shed at 6d per annum. [Baffling! Was the first item the gas main to Bank Hall? There was no trading connection between the CHSC and the Long Ing Shed Company to my knowledge so I am at a loss to explain this entry.]
Res. 8th. That Edward Smith’s account be paid up.
Res. 9th. That some packing be ordered for the WH Mill engine.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 9th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Atkinson be appointed surveyor for the building land adjoining WH Mill on Mean Laithe Flatt and that he commence at once at 2½% commission for surveying and laying out for building purposes and be paid as the land is sold. [To the best of my knowledge Mean Laithe Flatt was land originally connected with Wellhouse Farm on Church Street and was probably land that went with Wellhouse Mill as it had been originally bought by William Bracewell for housing his workers. The best guess I can give is that is the land to the south of the mill on the other side of what is now Wellhouse Road and all built up.]
Res. 3rd. That Mr Atkinson invite tenders for a new boiler at CH Shed to be delivered in the first week in May. [This will be an additional boiler. CH engine and boiler are heavily loaded now, more steaming capacity is needed.]
Res. 4th. That Mr Atkinson make a sketch of the two houses in front of WH Boiler house. [?]
Res. 5th. That Messrs Thompson and Co’s account be paid amounting to £29-19-7.
Res. 6th. That William Holdsworth go to see Messrs Hawley about borrowing a crane for WH Mill for lifting stones.
Res. 7th. That Thomas Brown be engaged to help Shepherd at CH Shed roof at 27/- per week.
Signed, Johnson Edmondson and John Hartley.

September 15th 1891
Special meeting.
Res. 1st. At a special meeting held September 15th 1891 Mr G M Evans, solicitor of Skipton be instructed to obtain £7,000 on CHSC property, interest not to exceed 4½% and in the event of his finding the money the company agrees to pay procuration fee, mortgages, mortgage costs and mortgage solicitors costs as per Solicitor’s Remuneration Act 1891.
Signed, Johnson Edmondson and John Hartley.

September 16th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That Richard Crabtree account for coal be paid, £22-14-4.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 23rd 1891
Res. 1st Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Holdsworth ceil [roof with sealing, archaic word.] the space between the shed and warehouse with old boards from Proctor Barrett.
Res. 3rd. That John William Widdup’s coal carting account be paid amounting to £12-14-0.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

September 30th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Holgate Marsden’s account be paid amounting to £47-7-0.
Res. 3rd. That William Walton account be paid excepting the pipe which has come too many[sic].
Res. 4th. That the secretary have £20 for wages,
Res. 5th. That William Brooks’ account be paid for waste.
Res. 6th. That Messrs Yates tender be accepted for the boiler for CH Shed extension for the sum of £388 as per tender.
Res. 7th. That the secretary order a cask of oil for WH Mill with Messrs Cooke and Co.
Res. 8th. That Mr Evans’ offer of £7,000 be accepted at 5%. £5,000 at present and £2,000 when the extension is complete and occupied. [Not clear where this extension is but probably CH.]
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

October 7th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Edward Smith have a certificate granted for £200 for work done at CH Shed extension.
Res. 3rd. That the land adjoining WH Mill be let by tender and that Simon Parker, William Holdsworth and Johnson Edmondson be appointed as a committee to look after it. [It begins to look as though the land which the directors bought was the remainder of the Bracewell sale land opposite WH Mill and that the director’s reason for buying it was to turn a profit and to ensure that they could lay out Wellhouse Road and secure a definite boundary and access to the mill. This is my best guess at present.]
Res. 4th. That Simon Parker and Johnson Edmondson be appointed to look after the coal business. [Ordering all coal or some specific matter?]
Res. 5th. That the secretary order with Delaney 2½ wagons a week of Monk Bretton Pea Nut Coal.
Res. 6th. That the chairman sign the paper for the purchase of the farm rent.
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett account be paid £9-7-11½ on account of jobbing work and his account for the contract for the [WH] engine house be referred to Mr Atkinson.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

October 14th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Joseph Thompson’s account be paid £2-9-8.
Res. 3rd. That Delaney account for coal be paid, £16-5-2.
Res. 4th. That Clapham account be paid £2-8-1.
Res. 5th. That 2 wagons of coal be ordered with H&J Widdup of Newland Pea Nuts at 10/- per ton.
Res. 6th. That William Holdsworth repair the boiler house door and cover the second motion shaft in the engine house and finish the engine house floor at WH Mill and fix some iron bars over the urinals at the far end of the shed. [The second motion shaft is the end of the lineshaft into the mill that carries the smaller second motion pulley which is driven by ropes from the engine flywheel and is sized to give the correct lineshaft speed when the engine is running at designed speed.]
Res. 7th. That Edward Smith repair the road down Calf Hall Lane and a portion of the WH Mill road.
Signed, Brooks Banks and John Hartley.

October 21st 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Simon Parker and William P Brooks go to Skipton and appeal against the income tax.
Res. 3rd. That the account for advertising in the Yorkshire Post be paid, £2-12-0
Res. 4th. That Richard Crabtree be paid for coal, £23-9-8.
Res. 5th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 6th. That Delaney’s quotation for Roundwood coal for CH Shed be accepted at 11/2 per ton.
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett have the stones in the gas well and fill it up with earth for £3. [This was the base of the old gasometer at WH Mill which, prior to Bracewell building the new gas works at the Corn Mill site, supplied gas for lighting WH Mill and a few domestic customers nearby. It was a ‘wet’ gasholder and the ‘gas well’ was stone-lined and watertight.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

October 28th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Holgate Marsden account for coal be paid £23-13-6.
Res. 3rd. That Dr Roberts attend the meeting of the Fee Farm question at the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on Thursday the 29th.
Signed, William P Brooks and John Hartley.

November 4th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary has a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That the Delaney coal account be paid, £34-0-5.
Res. 4th. That an account for steam trap be paid £2-1-4. [A small device for releasing condensate from a pipe while retaining the steam.]
Res. 5th. That half a dozen rings round and half a dozen square rings india rubber be got for WH Mill. [Almost certainly for air pump and condenser water pipes.]
Res. 6th. That Proctor Barrett have the land adjoining the dam at WH Mill at a yearly rent of £6-6-0 and pay all rates and taxes. [For grazing?]
Res. 7th. That Fred Blezzard’s tender be accepted for the Mean Laithe Flatt pasture at the yearly rent of £10 and pay all rates and taxes. [Grazing again on the land opposite the mill.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

November 11th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That William Williams be allowed to transfer his shares to Sandy Harmer.
Res. 3rd. That Henry Hargreave's account be paid [Tinsmith] £8-13-4.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for £10 for wages.
Res. 5th. That H&J Widdup’s account be paid £11-0-3.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

November 18th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Joseph Petty have £5 on account of pipe and boiler covering at WH Mill.
Res. 3rd. That Richard Crabtree account be paid £23-9-8.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for £10 for wages.
Res. 5th. That two casks of boiler composition be obtained from Thomas Rawlinson, one for CH Shed and one for WH Mill.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

November 25th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Joseph Petty’s account be paid £13-17-1½.
Res. 3rd. That Heap and Thornton be paid £30-19-2½ on account of the CH Shed contract leaving £1-8-3 unpaid until the window of the engine house be properly completed.
Res. 5th. That Edward Smith have 6 old empty oil barrels at 1/9 each.
Res. 6th. That Harrison account for IR rings amounting to 9/6 be paid.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.
Addenda.
Res. 7th. That 4 steam traps be ordered similar to the one we had in October from Lancaster and Tonge, Manchester.

December 2nd. 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Messrs W&J Varley have the glazing of windows at CH Shed extension at 3¼d per foot for 21oz English sheet glass. [21 ounces weight per square foot, the specification for the thickness of glass used.]
Res. 3rd. That Burnley Ironworks account be settled when the sight feed lubricator be made to work satisfactorily. [Most likely the high pressure lubricator for the HP Cylinder.]
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

December 9th 1891.
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Simon Parker see Hoyle respecting his charges for carting stones and get a reduction if possible from his account and then it can be paid £8-6-6.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary be paid his half yearly salary, £17-10-0.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

December 16th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the interest of the loan of £2000 be paid amounting to £39. [£40 less £1 income tax.]
Res. 3rd. That H&J Widdup’s account for carting coal be paid amounting to £2-18-0.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

Barnoldswick. December 19th 1891
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms an Saturday the 19th of December 1891 at 4 o’clock in the afternoon pursuant to the announcement in the balance sheet issued to the shareholders. [Missing from minute book]
Dr Roberts, vice chairman of the company accepting the chair in the absence of Mr Brooks Banks the chairman of the company.
The chairman read the notice convening the meeting and than called upon the secretary to read the report and balance sheet for the last half year and the minutes of the Annual General Meeting after which the following resolutions were passed.
Res. 1st. That the minutes of the last general meeting be confirmed. Proposed By Mr Walton Windle and seconded by Mr Matthew Hawley. After being put to the meeting was carried.
Res. 2nd. Proposed by Mr Matthew Hawley and seconded by Mr William Hargreaves that the report and balance sheet be adopted and a dividend of 3% be paid out of the half year profits of the CHSC and on being put to the meeting was carried.
Res. 3rd. Proposed by Mr Thomas Baxter and seconded by Mr Matthew Hawley that the dividend be paid less income tax and on being put to the meeting was carried.
Res. 4th. Proposed by Mr Thomas Baxter and seconded by Mr Stephen Hartley that the director’s salary be £15 for the half year and being put to the meeting was carried.
Res. 5th. Proposed by Mr Walton Windle and seconded by Mr Thomas Baxter that the directors make every effort they can to obtain tenants for the remaining portion of WH Shed and they be empowered to borrow money to assist the tenants if required to do so. On being put to the meeting was carried.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

December 23rd 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That a call be made on the shareholders as soon as it can be got ready.
Res. 3rd. That some packings be ordered for WH Mill and some oil for CH Shed.
Res. 4th. That Crabtree coal account be paid £23-7-8.
Res. 5th. That an account from S Thompson be paid £2-17-0.
Res. 6th. That Leonard Holdsworth be allowed to sell one share to William Bailey Barrett.
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett be paid £50 on account of the CH Shed extension on Mr Atkinson’s certificate.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

December 30th 1891
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Richard Crabtree have 1d per ton extra for coal from this date, 10/3 per ton.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

January 6th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the fire [insurance] premium be paid amounting to £6.
Res. 3rd. That a cheque for £21 be sent to Messrs E O Porter and Co for the survey of CH Shed.
Res. 4th. That a cheque for £40 be sent to Mr Hartley at Colne for the stamp duty for the deeds of WH Mill. [Our first solid evidence that the CHSC are not yet the owners of WH Mill.]
Res. 5th. That the fire apparatus be offered to the Local Board [Formed in November 1890, Barlick became autonomous.] and they be allowed to test them. [Not sure what this is. I know there was a fire pump at WH Mill but can’t say if this is what is referred to.]

January 11th 1892
Special meeting.
Res. 1st. That Messrs Barrett, Smith and William Holdsworth pay a visit to Skipton to see Mr Robinson, manager of the Craven Bank if he would allow the company to draw a cheque to pay for the Mean Laithe Flatt Meadow and also [the directors] to see the surveyor of taxes about the excessive tax put on the WH Mill property.
Res. 2nd. To ask Mr Nutter to meet the board next Wednesday night at 8 o’clock.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Barrett alter the old windows to fit the back portion of the Warehouse at CH Shed.
Res. 4th. That Mr Atkinson be written to to come and meet some of the directors and Mr Nutter at CH Shed at 1:30pm on Wednesday.
Res. 5th. That 5/- per sett be paid for all export taping. [This was a tenant using spare time on his tape machine to size warps for other manufacturers.]
Signed, Thomas Dent and John Hartley.

January 13th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Burnley Ironworks account be paid amounting to £46-7-0.
Res. 3rd. That a cheque be sent to Mr Hartley, Colne, to pay for the Mean Laithe Flatt, £1,151-7-5.
Res. 4th. That Messrs Clapham Brother’s account be paid, £8-12-6.
Res. 5th. That the coal account be paid to Delaney deducting £2-1-3 for bad coal and inconvenience during the month.
Res. 6th. That H&J Widdup’s account be paid amounting to £3-16-6.
Res. 7th. That Yorkshire Post account be paid amounting to £1-6-0.
Res. 8th. That Heap and Thornton be paid £70 on account of slating CH Shed on the certificate of Mr Atkinson.
Res. 9th. That the fire apparatus be offered to the Local Board at 30% under the cost price or market value.
Signed, ? And John Hartley

January 20th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Delaney coal account be settled, £2-1-3. [Evidently Mr Delaney wasn’t having any nonsense!]
Res. 3rd. That Mr J Varley Account be paid £8-5-6½.
Res. 4th. That E Bennis account be paid £1-15-3. [Stoker spares]
Res 5th That Arthur Jones’ shares be transferred to Harrison Bailey, two old shares and three new shares. [Surprising that a differentiation is made as new and old had been amalgamated.]
Res. 6th. That Proctor Barrett account be paid £5-16-8.
Res. 7th. That Richard Crabtree account for coal be paid £46-19-4.
Res. 8th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 9th. That Edward Smith be allowed to remove his mortar mill from CH Shed to WH Mill. [The extension at CH is finished and the next scene of operations is going to be at WH. It made sense for the mortar to be milled on site.]
Res 10th. That Heap and Thornton tender for plastering etc. at CH Shed extension for the sum of £102 be accepted.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

January 27th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the gas bill be paid £2-3-8.
Res. 3rd. That R W Harrison’s account be paid £1-5-2½.
Res 4th. That Edward Smith make a drain along side of the warehouse at CH Shed extension.
Res. 5th. That Ellison and Fawcett have £200 on account of CH Shed extension subject to Mr Atkinson’s certificate.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

February 3rd 1892
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Packing be got for CH Shed.
Res. 3rd. That oil be got for WH Mill.
Res. 4th. That the architect invite tenders for boarding the underside of the warehouse floor and attic.
Res. 5th. That John Slater have 5/- for making a statutory declaration with regard to the WH Mill property.
Res. 6th. That a cheque for £2-18-2 be sent to Mr Hartley in respect of the rent [ground rent?] for Mean Laithe Flatt.
Res. 7th. That a gate be put into the Mean Laithe Flatt land to go in level and that Mr E Smith put the gate and stoops in. [Stoops are gateposts]
Res 8th. That Proctor Barrett have £50 on Mr Atkinson’s certificate for the CH Shed extension.
Res. 9th. That Edward Smith have £200 on Mr Atkinson’s certificate for CH Shed extension.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

February 10th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That half year’s rent be paid for Springs Dam, £4-10-0.
Res. 3rd. That Samuel Cooke’s oil account be paid, £21-0-9.
Res. 4th. That the Poor Rate be paid £15-14-0.
Res. 5th. That the Income Tax be paid £19-17-8.
Res. 6th. That Mr Atkinson’s call be paid, £18.
Res. 7th. That 8 steam traps be ordered from Lancaster and Tonge.
Res. 8th. That Delaney’s account stand over.
Res. 9th. That W J Varley’s account stand over.
Res 10th. That Proctor Barrett remove the ceiling in the shed at WH Mill.
Res. 11th. That Edward Smith make a doorway into the warehouse at WH Mill.
Res. 12th. That B&E Holden have the space left by Windle and Bailey at CH Shed and that they be allowed 12 weeks grace free of rent and the 12 weeks commence 14 days after Windle and Bailey have left the place.
Res. 13th. That Dent and Holt tender for the hoist, £55, be accepted to be completed in six weeks.
Res. 14th. That William Holdsworth’s tender be accepted at 10d per yard for boarding the underside of warehouse floor and roof at CH Shed extension.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

February 17th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Richard Crabtree coal account be paid £47-7-0.
Res. 3rd. That Delaney’s coal account be paid £87-1-6.
Res. 4th. That Mr Royd’s rent be paid £9-15-0.
Res. 5th. That Mr Holdsworth’s tender be accepted at 10d.
Res. 6th. That George Rushworth’s price for the pumps, shafts and pipe cannot be accepted.
Res. 7th. That the Local Board Rate be paid £39-5-0.
Res. 8th. That W&J Varley’s account be paid £7-15-3.
Res. 9th. That H&J Widdup’s account be paid £3-1-0.
Res. 10th. That James Nutter have the weighing machine offered at £3 with cover attached.
Signed, Johnson Edmondson and John Hartley.

February 24th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That CH Shed be efficiently warmed before the next winter.
Res 4th That Windle and Bailey’s agreement be accepted and that the CHSC purchase the 184 looms from them for £800. [Approximately £4-8-0 per loom. Remember that these are almost new looms and are in situ ready for work fully furnished. We shall see what the CHSC does with them but on the face of it Nutters will take them over either by purchase or rent. We shall find as the company progresses that if a manufacturer failed (as W&B obviously have) CHSC took the looms in lieu of rent owing and used the asset to make it easier for new manufacturers to cross the threshold into weaving. This was to be a very important factor in the formation of new firms.]
Signed, Johnson Edmondson and John Hartley.

March 2nd 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That John Shepherd and John Windle, millwright, be paid time and a quarter for overtime while working on the shafting at WH Shed. [This work would have to be done outside working hours when it was stationary.]
Res. 4th. That a call of £2 per share be made as soon as it can be got ready.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

March 9th 1892
Res. 1st Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Clough Mill Company be paid for coal £3-11-0. [Slater Brothers owned Clough Mill. No connection between the two firms. Loan of coal? Mistake in delivery?]
Res. 3rd. That Mr Atkinson’s certificate for Varley for glazing at CH Shed extension be paid £55.
Res 4th. That Mr Atkinson's certificate for E Smith for mason’s work be paid, £200.
Res. 5th. That John Delaney’s account for coal be paid when due for February, £61-10-2.
Res 6th. That Mr Simon Parker and Mr Johnson Edmondson be appointed to go and see Burnley Building Society.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

March 16th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Lancaster and Tonge’s account for steam traps be paid £16-16-0.
Res. 3rd. That Widdup’s account for carting coal be paid £3-18-6.
Res. 4th. That Samuel Thompson’s account be paid subject to Shepherd looking it up to see it is all right.
Res. 5th. That Shepherd employs Brown to do his ironwork instead of Thompson. [This J W Brown, blacksmith who had premises on Manchester Road, Barnoldswick.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

March 23rd 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Varley account for tubes be paid £19-10-11.
Res. 3rd. That Bennis and Co be paid for springs for stoker, 5/-.
Res. 4th. That the secretary write to the insurance company to inspect the boilers on Easter Holiday. [It was a requirement of the insurance companies that steam boilers be inspected every 14 months. In effect this was annual inspection. Without a satisfactory report from the insurance company’s surveyor the insurance was invalid. Usually done during the week-long summer break, the fact it is being done at Easter suggests that this was something of an emergency. Perhaps the CHSC or their insurers had only just realised that this requirement hadn’t been fulfilled.]
Res. 5th. That Mr Atkinson’s certificate for Proctor Barrett for CH Shed extension be paid, £75.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 7th. That Crabtree coal account be paid £24-18-5.
Res. 8th. That Heap and Thornton slate the waste room and privy at WH Mill.
Res. 9th. That the new boiler [CH] be made without doors and the old doors be fitted to the new boiler. [The furnace doors were taken off the old boiler when the Bennis shovel stokers were fitted. These doors are being used for the new boiler. Indicates that for the time being it will be hand-fired.]
Res. 10th. That the secretary write to Mr T Denthorn[?] of Oldham to ask for a loan of £7,000.
Res. 11th. That the tenants at WH Mill be allowed ? hours rent abatement for stoppage.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

March 3rd 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Leonard Holdsworth be allowed to transfer one share to Stephen Dean.
Res. 3rd. That Heap and Thornton account be paid amounting to £20-18-6.
Res. 4th. That Mr B White’s account be paid when called for £5-6-3½.
Res. 5th. That Thomas Hart’s account for ropes be paid £4-7-0.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

April 6th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Thomas Rawlinson account for [boiler] composition be paid £4-7-6.
Res. 3rd. That John Delaney’s account be paid when due £62-1-2.
Res. 4th. That Simon Parker account be paid 15/3.
Res. 5th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Signed, Johnson Edmondson and John Hartley.

April 13th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the engineer at WH Mill have 26/- per week after this week. To commence on April 18th 1892.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary reply to the Local Board and inform them that this company refuses to pay any part of the expense of laying water pipes to CH Shed. [The municipal waterworks at Whitemoor Bore was supplying water and the task of piping the supply around the town had started.]
Res. 4th. That William Varley account be paid £1-17-0.
Res. 5th. That Heap and Thornton’s certificate for £70 be paid and the account for work done at WH Mill be paid, £24-1-11.
Res. 6th. That the gas bill be paid £2-13-1.
Res. 7th. That R W Harrison account be paid £6-15-5½.
Res. 8th. That H&J Widdup’s account be paid £3-14-0.
Res. 9th. That Mr Proctor Barrett makes some rollers [Blinds] for engine house windows at WH Mill and Mr P Brooks supplies cloth and makes them ready.
Res. 10th. That Mr Atkinson have a cheque on his commission amounting to £18.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

April 20th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That Richard Crabtree’s account for coal be paid, £23-13-6.
Res. 4th. That Proctor Barrett account be paid amounting to £39-11-8½.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

April 27th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Edward Smith and William Holdsworth make a privy out of Pickles shed weaver’s for Pickles winders to go in from outside. [Garbled entry but I think it is a separate privy for the winders.]
Res. 3rd. That Windle and Bailey be allowed to run their tape 6 hours over time free of rent subject to satisfying the engineer or fireman. [Evidently they haven’t vacated their space yet. (See February 10th minutes.) Interesting that they pay the overtime direct to the engineer or fireman and no account is taken of the cost of fuel and depreciation. Because of this entry I tend to think that a donkey engine in the tape room must have been used for motive power and not the main engine. There is also the fact that it specifies the engineer or the fireman. The firebeater would not be trusted to run the engine on his own. On balance, my assessment is that even though we have no evidence in the minutes, a donkey engine was used for motive power for the tape as was usual practice in tape rooms.]
Res. 4th. That the engineer be paid 30/- for flue-cleaning at WH Mill. [Flue-cleaning, done properly, was a big and very dirty job. What is virtually certain is that no director went into the flues to verify it had been done properly. Not a satisfactory way of ensuring maximum efficiency. Also worth noting that the 30/- covers all labour and it was not a one-man job. It would take a day to do properly.]
Res. 5th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 6th. That John Delaney’s tender for coal for CH Shed be accepted at 10/9 per ton delivered at Barnoldswick station subject to the quantity and quality being satisfactory. [Worth noting when comparing prices that many factors were at work. Individual suppliers had their own arrangements with specific collieries and there were small but important variations in quality between seams. This explains why contracts were made by CHSC at varying prices in one market.]
Res. 7th. That the secretary write Burnley Ironworks reporting an article on putting composition in boiler. [Not sure what this signifies exactly but it would appear that the directors were aware of advances in the science of water treatment and were seeking advice from a reliable source.]
Res. 8th. That the boiler insurance fees be paid for twelve months amounting to £2-15-3. [This may explain the previous item. The insurance companies were active in promoting best practice as it reduced the chances of any failure for which they would be responsible. It may well be that they were making it a condition of insurance that total dissolved solids in the boiler water were within what they regarded as acceptable parameters and informing the client of latest practice could be one way of ensuring this. This was certainly the insurance practice in my experience later on.]
Res. 9th. That blacksmith J W Brown be paid £3 subject to being satisfactory to Shepherd.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

May 4th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the contract note for coal from John Delaney be signed by the secretary.
Res 3rd. That the agreement for sale of land be signed by the Board with the seal of the company.
Res. 4th. That no 14 plot of land be offered at 3/- per yard with 10% off it if the whole be sold in one lot.
Signed Simon Parker and John Hartley.

May 11th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That an expansion coupling be got for Wellhouse Mill shed and our millwright see to it at once and order it with Messrs Roberts at Nelson. [The shafting at WH has been re-arranged with the installation of the new engine. The weather is warming up and they have evidently hit a problem with expansion in the longer lineshaft which would affect all the gearing attached to it. What they are doing is installing a sliding joint in the shaft to accept movement and stop it being transmitted to the gearing. Quite a big job involving cutting out a section of the heavy shaft and installing the joint.]
Res. 3rd. That bills be printed and posted in the town for a fireman and oiler at CH Shed the applicants to state wage required. [Common sense is creeping in, there is no economy in one man running both boiler and engine house. This was to become standard procedure in all future weaving sheds.]
Res. 4th. That Delaney’s account for coals be paid for the month £8-16-6.
Res. 5th. That Arthur Lowcock’s account for economisers be paid. £2-4-9.
Res. 6th. That White’s account for strapping [leather] be paid amounting to £14-1-9½.
Res. 7th. That W H Hartley’s account for lease-making be paid £29-12-0.
Res 8th. That ½cwt of composition for ropes be sent for from Hart’s at Blackburn. [Experience kicking in again. This was a mixture of tallow and graphite used to dress driving ropes. This acted as a lubricant which lessened the amount of power lost in friction in the drive and surprisingly made the drive more efficient due to the large surface area the ropes were acting on, the chief gain being regularity of drive, essential for efficient loom-driving. There was another advantage, the composition put a coating on the ropes which eliminated loose fibres being detached and thus cut down wear making the ropes last longer. The rope drive at Bancroft Shed still contained ropes that had been in use for over sixty years without failing.]
Res. 9th. That a certificate for Edward Smith for £160 be passed.
Res. 10th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

May 28th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes passed as read.
Res. 2nd. That Moreland Hoyle’s account [Corn miller] for stone leading [carting] to Coates Canal [wharf] be paid £ 4-6-0. [This will be for stone sold by the company after the alterations at WH.]
Res. 3rd. That the secretary give instructions to the police to prosecute any persons for trespassing on the premises of WH Mill.
Res. 4th. That the Railway Co account for carriage of goods from Nelson to Barnoldswick be paid, 4/3.
Res. 5th. That Delaney’s coal account be paid less the demurrage for the return of empty wagons.
Res. 6th. That the millwrights come to Wellhouse Mill and take down the pumping engine as soon as possible. [A legacy from Bracewell ownership and possibly the pump originally used to pump water up to the station.]
Res. 7th. That the accounts be made up for the half year on the 18th day of June 1892.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

May 25th 1892
Res 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Atkinson have £40 on account of commission.
Res. 3rd. That the Royal and Midland and Alliance Economic fire insurance be invited to give a quotation what they will insure the WH Mill and the CH Shed extension for.
Res. 4th. That the secretary order a cask of boiler composition for CH Shed.
Res. 5th. That Crabtree’s coal account be paid for last month, £47-7-0.
Res. 6th. That John Sagar account for loan of stone wagons be paid £1-3-0.
Res. 7th. That W B White’s account for strapping be paid, £2-4-5. [In view of the amount of leather driving belts being bought by the CHSC I am beginning to be more secure in my assumption that in the provision of room and power, the shed company provided the driving belt between the shafting in the shed and the looms.]
Res. 8th. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 9th. That John Winder, millwright, be given two weeks notice from May 28th 1892.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

June 1st 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That 28lbs of each quality of Bolton Polish be ordered with W A Platt and Sons of Bury. [No idea what this is. Too large a quantity for metal polish for the engine! Only thing I can surmise is that this is black-lead polish, used for protecting boiler fronts from corrosion.]
Res. 3rd. That Thomas Rawlinson’s account for boiler composition be paid when due, £2-6-0.
Res. 4th. That a cask of shafting oil be ordered for WH Mill from John Rycroft at Nelson.
Res. 5th. That Ellison and Fawcett have a cheque for £200 subject to Mr Atkinson’s certificate.
Res. 6th. That Proctor Barrett have a cheque for £60 on account of CH Shed extension.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

June 8th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That Joseph Thompson’s account be paid, 9/8.
Res. 4th. That Messrs Roberts be written to to send a man to do the necessary alterations at CH Shed engine. [Probably valve-setting.]
Res. 5th. That Delaney be written to stop sending any more Roundwood coals until further instructions and send Double Screened Monk Bretton in place of them at 12/3 per ton. [This plus Roberts being called to the engine suggests to me that the plant at CH Shed is hard-pressed and using better coal is one way of attacking the problem.]
Res. 6th. That the secretary see the engine man at CH Shed and order some fire-grate bars. [They are eating fire bars at CH Shed, another indication of a hard-pressed boiler and poor coal. If the coal wasn’t screened properly and contained smalls and slack it would be cheaper but clog the fire bars up thus allowing them to overheat and burn out as it is the cold air rising through the bars which keeps them cool.]
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett put in a sample ventilator window in the Holden portion of CH Shed.
Special meeting June 13th
Resolved that William Brooks, Johnson Edmondson and Thomas Dent go to Skipton to have an interview with Mr Robinson at the Craven Bank.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

June 15th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That Bennis account stand over £3-11-3.
Res. 4th. That Hart’s account be paid £14-13-1½.
Res. 5th. That Henry Hargreaves make the wheel covers for the CH Shed extension at 12/6 each unfixed if required.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

June 22nd 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Widdup’s account for coal carting be paid, £5-0-6.
Res. 3rd. That Richard Crabtree account be paid £47-7-0.
Res. 4th. That the interest be paid to WH Hartley, £39.
Res. 5th. That Samuel Thompson account be paid 8/3.
Res. 6th. That William Holdsworth’s account be paid £40-8-11.
Res. 7th. That Hart’s account from Blackburn be paid 12/3.
Res. 8th. That the secretary’s half year wage be paid £17-10-0.
Res. 9th. That That J W Brown account be paid £3-2-1.
Res. 10th. That Fattorini’s account for clocks be paid, £4-15-0. [Bradford firm of jewellers and watchmakers.]
Res. 11th. That Mr Atkinson be written to to grant no more certificates to Heap and Thornton until the slate at CH Shed extension be made good and satisfactory and that Mr Atkinson write to Heap and Thornton that if Mr Nutter claims any damages for spoiled goods the company will charge Heap and Thornton with that amount. [Roof evidently leaking. Evidence that James Nutter has taken the space and is working there.]
Res. 12th. That a dividend of 2½% be paid for this next half year.
Res. 13th. That the Annual Meeting be held on the 7th July 1892.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

June 29th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Thornton, solicitor, make four abstracts for the land sold. One for Proctor Barrett, one for Mr Holdsworth, one for Edward Smith and one for James Edmondson.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 4th. That the secretary write to Delaney to come over to Barlick[sic] the next time he comes to Earby to have an interview with some of the directors respecting the paying of the May account for coal.
Res. 5th. That Rebecca Baldwin be allowed to transfer her three shares to William Baldwin.
Res. 6th. That Mr James Edmondson be requested to sign the agreement of the sale of land and be requested to pay a deposit of 10% and pay the remainder of the purchase money on the 1st of September and the same agreement to apply to Edward Smith. [Mean Laithe Flatt]
Res. 7th. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to invite tenders for painting the CH Shed extension only outside.
Res. 8th. That Proctor Barrett put 12 ventilators on the roof of Nutter sheds.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

July 6th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That one cask of cylinder oil and one cask of shaft oil be ordered from S Cooke for CH Shed.
Res. 3rd. That Rycroft account for oil be paid when due.
Res. 4th. That W A Platt and Sons be paid when due.
Res. 5th. That James Lofthouse, painter [Barrett Directory for 1902 records him as painter of 1 Rainhall Road, Barnoldswick.] have the painting of CH Shed according to the specification for the sum of £21-10-0.
Signed, J Edmondson and John Hartley.

CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LIMITED.
Barnoldswick, July 8th 1892.
The annual general meeting of the company was held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on Friday the 8th of July 1982 at 6:30pm. Pursuant to the announcement in the balance sheet issued to each shareholder. [Not in the record] Doctor Roberts occupied the chair in the absence of Mr Brooks Banks the chairman of the company.
The chairman, after reading the notice convening the meeting called on the secretary to read the minutes of the last general meeting after which the chairman read the report of the directors and the balance sheet for the last half year after which the following resolutions were passed.
Res. 1st. It was proposed by Mr Robert Clark and seconded by Mr John Edmondson that the minutes of the last general meeting be conformed and on being put to the meeting was carried.
Res. 2nd. It was proposed by Mr Robert Clark and seconded by Mr Benjamin Windle that the report and balance sheet be adopted and that a dividend of 2½% for the half year be paid out of the profits of CH Shed and the dividend be paid less income tax. And on being put to the meeting was carried.
Res. 3rd. It was proposed by Mr Proctor Barrett and seconded by Mr John Dean that Mr John Lancaster be the auditor for the ensuing year and that his salary be £1 and on being put to the meeting was carried.
Res. 4th. On the question of the election of four directors in place of those retiring it was propsed by Mr Jon Dean and seconded by Mr William Baxter that Mr Edward Smith be nominated as a director.
Ditto by James Watson and Benjamin Windle that Mr Simon Parker be nominated.
Ditto by James Watson and John Edmondson that Leonard Holdsworth be nominated.
Ditto by Henry Wilson and James Watson that William Proctor Brooks be nominated.
Ditto by Walton Windle and Thomas Baxter (Senior) that Greenwood Wilkinson be a director.
The meeting then proceeded to vote by Ballot on the names of those which[sic] had been nominated with the following results. The four polling the highest number to be elected for the next three years.
Leonard Holdsworth 19 votes.
Edward Smith 16 votes.
Simon Parker 20 votes.
William P Brooks 17 votes.
Greenwood Wilkinson 14 votes.
The following gentlemen were therefore elected as directors for the next three years:
Simon Parker, Leonard Holdsworth, William P Brooks and Edward Smith.
Res. 5th. Proposed by Mr Henry Wilson and seconded by Mr Stephen Hartley that the director’s salary be £15 for the half year ending July 8th 1892 and on being put to the meeting was carried.
Res. 6th. That a letter from this meeting representing a large number of shareholders and ratepayers as well, be sent to the Local Board requesting them to lay water mains and a fire hydrant to CH Shed seeing they have a large amount of valuable property at stake should a fire break out on the premises and the Fire Insurance Company refuses to insure them without paying a very heavy premium.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

July 14th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes passed as read.
Res. 2nd. That Dent and Holt’s account for the hoist be paid, £56.
Res. 3rd. That monthly accounts be sent in and paid for all jobbing work both mason’s , joiners and smiths work in future.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

July 20th 1982
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Joseph Petty’s tender for covering boiler and steam piping be accepted at 3½d per square foot outside measure.
Res. 3rd. That Walton’s tender for gas and steam tubing and fittings be accepted.
Res. 4th. That Richard Crabtree account for coal be paid £23-13-6.
Res. 5th. That John Delaney’s coal account be paid £54.
Res. 6th. That the director’s meetings commence in future at 7:30pm and the roll call to be made before commencing business and no mark to be given after that time.
Res. 7th. That oil and tallow be ordered for WH Mill.

July 27th 1892
Special meeting.
Res 8th. That Mr Holdsworth’s account for boarding under the floor at the CH Shed extension be paid amounting to £50-16-8.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

July 27th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the engines at both sheds stop on Friday night before Feast and starting again on Monday morning after the Feast. Stop on Friday night on the 19th August and start again on Monday morning the 29th of August and the tenants have 30 hours abatement of rent.
Res. 3rd. That the CH Shed extension be insured in the Economic Fire Insurance Co at 3/- per cent on £2,000.
Res. 4th. That H&J Widdup’s coal account be paid £4-8-1. [Carting coal]
Res. 5th. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 6th. That Simon Parker be paid for the office cleaning and lighting, £?.
Res. 7th. [This entry struck out and noted as ‘Reserved September 3rd 1892]
That Proctor Barrett’s rent for the joiner’s shop [WH] and power be £26 as usual but he pays 5/- per week for the extra machinery he has put in since he made his contract and that he be allowed to have the old Tin Shop at 1/- per week extra subject to four weeks notice to give it up when wanted and that he take it as it stands at present without any further outlay or expense. The machinery at present to comprise one circular saw and a laithe[sic] in the bottom room and one circular saw, one band saw, one surface planing machine and one thickness machine in the upper room.
Res. 8th. That J W Brown [smith] account be paid subject to Shepherd approval of being right, £1-2-8.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

August 3rd 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read subject to Res. 7 being considered afterwards.
Res. 2nd. That Joseph Wiseman’s account be paid [Barrett 1892 records him as coal merchant of Station Yard, lived on West Avenue], 15/15½[sic].
Res. 3rd. That Henry Hargreave’s account be paid for glazing, £3-17-11.
Res. 4th. That Yates and Thom be paid £194 on account of boiler. [I think this is the second boiler at CH Shed.]
Res. 5th. That Charles Thornton’s account for making abstracts stand over.
Res. 6th. That a cask of composition for the boiler at WH Mill be had from Thomas Rawlinson.
Res. 7th. That Joseph Petty repair the other boiler and pipe that is required.
Res. 8th That the shed and warehouse at WH Mill be insured in the Royal Insurance Company. The shed at the rate of 5/- per cent for £1000 and the warehouse at 5/- per cent for £1500.
Signed Simon Parker and John Hartley.

August 10th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That the Poor Rate be paid when called for £11-15-6.
Res. 4th. That Delaney’s coal account for last month be paid, £54-11-4.
Res. 5th. That the secretary write to Featherstone Colliery [Wakefield. At one time the largest colliery in Britain.]
Res. 6th. That the rent of Springs Dam be paid, £4-10-0. [half year?]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

August 17th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Varley’s account for glazing CH Shed extension be paid amounting to £45-16-4.
Res. 3rd. That Roberts’ account be paid subject to a reduction if it can be got.
Res. 4th. That Hawley’s account be paid, £?
Res. 5th. That Proctor Barrett have £40 on account.
Res. 6th. That the Local Board Rates be paid when due.
Res. 7th. That Widdup’s coal carting be paid £10-11-8.
Res. 8th. That the next meeting be held on the 31st of August.
Res. 9th. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Signed, J D Robertson and John Hartley.

August 31st 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Richard Crabtree account be paid £66-18-6.
Res. 3rd. That Yates’ account for the boiler be paid £197-8-1.
Res. 4th. That there be two wagons at 8/7 [per ton] and two at 7/7 of Featherstone coal be ordered to arrive here Monday or Tuesday next at the latest.
Res. 5th. That Delaney be ordered to stop the Kilnhurst coal [Barnsley] after sending 6 wagons.
Res. 6th. That John Starkey account be paid £9-19-9. [Barrett 1887 reports him as coal merchant, Station Yard, lived at 12 Walmsgate]
Res. 7th. . That Charles Thornton’s account be paid £2-16-0.
Res. 8th. That J W Brown’s account for smith’s work [be paid] £2-9-7.
Res. 9th. That Hawley’s account be settled.
Res. 10th. That Edward Smith have £50 on account.
Res. 11th. That a vacuum gauge and indicator rods be got for the WH Mill engine and an injector. [Surprising that these weren’t part of the engine contract with BI. Vacuum gauge is to indicate how much vacuum the condenser is producing, essential for economy. Indicator rods are the gear necessary to transmit the motion of the engine via a string to the indicator used to monitor events inside the cylinders while the engine is in motion. The injector is a device using live steam to inject water into the boiler against pressure. This last normally only used when the mechanical feed pump was inadequate for some reason, quite possibly an insurance company requirement on the grounds of boiler safety.]
Res. 12th. [First entry revising Proctor Barrett tenancy at WH Mill struck out and the following substituted.]
That Res. 7 passed on July 27th 1892 be rescinded and the following resolution be substituted in its place.
That Mr Proctor Barrett’s rent for the Joiner’s Shop, old Tin Shop and Stable [WH Mill] be £41 per annum and his machinery to consist of 1 circle saw[sic] and one laithe[sic] on ground floor and 1 surfacing and thicknessing machine, 1 circle saw and 1 band saw on the upper floor. The rent to commence from August 27th 1892 the above to be subject to six months notice on either side.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

September 7th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That James Lofthouse have £5 on account of painting at CH Shed.
Res. 3rd. That Joseph Thornton’s account be paid £3-4-0.
Res. 4th. That That John Delaney’s coal account be paid when due, £53-3-11½.
Res. 5th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 6th. That Proctor Barrett make a wooden cover for the steam pipes at WH Mill between the mill and the shed. [The demolition of the old engine house at the south end of the building created a space between the original mill block and the sheds. Covering with a wooden case was to protect the insulation and reduce heat loss in the steam main for tape machines and heating.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

September 14th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That a boat load of Altham coal be ordered with Holgate Marsden to be delivered at CH Shed on Wednesday next.
Res. 3rd. That Joseph Petty’s account for boiler and pipe covering be paid amounting to £16-2-3.
Res. 4th That Edward Smith have a cheque on account value £100 and that Proctor Barrett have a cheque value £35 on account for work done at CH Shed extension.
Res. 5th. That a cheque value £5-9-3 be sent to the Royal Insurance Co for premium for WH Mill.
Res. 6th. That the director’s meeting commence in the future at 6:30pm and no mark be given after that time.
Signed, J D Robertson and John Hartley.

September 21st 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Richard Crabtree account for coal for the month of August amount £32-13-6 [be paid].
Res. 3rd. That H&J Widdup’s account for coal [carting] be paid for August. Amount £5-12-0.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 5th. That the premium for the fire insurance be paid to the Economic Fire office amounting to £3-9-6 on account of the CH Shed extension for the sum of £2000.
Res. 6th That James Lofthouse’s tender for painting the roof at WH Shed for the amount of £15 to the satisfaction of the board of directors. [Be accepted?]
Res. 7th. That the pumping engine at WH Mill be offered to Mr V Wilkinson [Vandaleur Wilkinson, Booth Bridge sawmill and bobbin works at Thornton in Craven] along with the engine bed as it now stands for the sum of £45.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

September 28th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That R W Harrison account be paid, £3-0-7½. [Usually India-rubber rings]
Res. 3rd. That J W Brown account be paid £1-2-8.
Res. 4th. That the Royd’s rent for WH Mill be paid £9-15-0.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

October 5th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That James Lofthouse's account be paid for painting. £17-3-0.
Res. 3rd. That 6 wagons of Newland slack [Normanton, West Yorkshire] be ordered with H&J Widdup at 10/2 per ton pit weight delivered CH Shed. [Pit weight denotes that the weight quoted at the pit head will be taken as the amount to be paid for.]
Res. 4th. That Windle and Bailey be allowed 30 hours abatement for Feast same as the other tenants.
Res. 5th. That Edward Smith’s tender for making drain be accepted at £53-16-1. [At CH warehouse?]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

October 12th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That 2 steam traps be ordered.
Res. 3rd. That S Cooke’s account for oil be paid.
Res. 4th. . That two casks of oil be ordered with S Cooke.
Res. 5th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for wages.
Res. 6th. That J Wiseman coal account be paid 10/-.
Res. 7th. That Delaney’s coal account for last month be paid amounting to £41-6-7½.
Res. 8th. That Widdup’s account for coal carting be paid, £2-11-10.
Res. 9th. That a boatload of coal be ordered with R Crabtree, half B Slack and half Thin Mine [name of seam] at 10/- and 10/10 respectively.
Res. 10th. That a contract be entered into with John Delaney for Monk Bretton coal for six or twelve months at 10/9 per ton.
Res. 11th. That a call be made as soon as possible for £2 per share.
Res. 12th. That Edward Watson have the spare ground in front of the boiler house at CH Shed at 10/- per annum and that he put down a fence from gate to chimney at his own expense, to commence paying rent from January 1st 1893.
Res. 13th. That William Holdsworth put up a ceiling for Windle and Bailey from the hoist to a pillar.
Res. 14th. That a boatload of limestone be ordered with R Crabtree from Skipton.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

October 19th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That two casks of oil be ordered for WH Mill one of shafting and one of cylinder oil.
Res. 3rd. That Crabtree account for coal be paid for the month of September £47-7-0.
Res. 4th. That Featherstone coal account be paid for amounting to £11-12-11.
Res. 5th. That Proctor Barrett be paid £23-17-3.
Res. 6th. That a letter of condolence be sent from this board to Mrs Banks and family and Dr Roberts attend to it.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

October 26th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That J W Brown account be paid if satisfactory £1-0-11.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 4th. That Edward Smith’s account £27-3-8 be paid.
Res. 5th. That a sheet of asbestos be ordered. [For making steam pipe gaskets]
Res. 6th. That Proctor Barrett put a ceiling up in the office before next Wednesday night.
Signed, Simon Parker and John Hartley.

November 2nd 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Burnley Ironworks account be paid £1-5-4½.
Res. 3rd. That Yates and Thom be sent for to put another rivet in the boiler at WH Mill. [Teething troubles with new boiler? Leaking rivet?]
Res. 4th. That the secretary write Gresham and Craven to send a man to consult about an injector for CH Shed boiler and Messrs Parker, Dent, Edmondson and L Holdsworth meet him. [Gresham and Craven, injector manufacturers, Manchester.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

November 9th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Gresham and Craven account be paid when they send a statement. £15-18-6.
Res. 3rd. That William Roberts and Co account be paid £12-3-2.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have a cheque for £20 for expenses.
Res. 5th. That Proctor Barrett put a door into water box room behind the boiler [I think this is the hot well where hot condensate and warm water from condenser was collected before being added to the boiler feed water. This could be very hot if dealing with condensate from steam pipes alone and could have been steaming and causing a nuisance in the boiler or engine houses.] and repair the trough which carries the water from the shed. [Condensate from heating system?]
Res. 6th. That J J Sneath’s wages be advanced 2/- per week or 28/- from week commencing on Saturday next. [Joseph James Sneath, engineer at WH Mill.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

November 16th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That by request of our tenants we start our engines in the morning and run from 8 to 12 in the morning and 1 to 4 in the afternoon and Saturday 8 to 12:30 and commence on Thursday 17th [November] 1892. [This is a significant reduction in hours and can only benefit the tenants if the Shed Co gives them an abatement. Probably bad trade but hard to understand from this evidence. Remember that weavers were paid by the piece, not the hours they worked.]
Res. 3rd. That Lancaster and Tonge be paid for steam traps, £2-12-0.
Res. 4th. That Yates and Thom account be paid for putting rivet in boiler £4-10-0. [pencil note above this entry saying ‘Stand over’.]
Res. 5th. That Standing’s account be paid for printing, £5-15-6.
Res. 6th. That Widdup’s coal account be paid, £20-7-4.
Res. 7th. That Delaney’s coal account be paid £25-14-4.
Res. 8th. That the secretary write Delaney to call at Barnoldswick when he comes over this way.
Res. 9th. That a cask of boiler composition be ordered with Thomas Rawlinson.
Res. 10th. That Proctor Barrett’s account for the completion of the CH Shed contract be paid, £9-18-6.
Res. 11th. That William Holdsworth’s account for work done be paid, £8-6-2.
Res. 12th. That indicating tackle be ordered for the engine at WH Mill and the secretary write to Burnley Ironworks to that effect and order it at once.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

November 23rd 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Royds be paid their rent for WH Mill to Stott and Son, Rochdale. £9-15-0.
Res. 3rd. That Varley account be paid £6-0-4.
Res. 4th. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 5th. That J Shepherd have £1 on account for stone breaking.
Res. 6th. That Edward Smith’s account be paid £6-18-11.
Res. 7th. That Richard Crabtree account for coals and stone be paid £76-9-10.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

November 30th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr P Brooks be deputed to see Mr Marsh at Manchester, Messrs Yates and Thom’s representative and tell him the boiler rivet is no better for leakage. [This would be at the cotton exchange.]
Res. 3rd. That James Lofthouse’s account for painting at WH Mill be paid amounting to £15-18-6.
Res. 4th. That Ellison and Fawcett quotation for old brass at 5d per lb and scrap wrought iron at 2/2 per cwt and new scrap wrought iron at 4/6 per cwt be accepted, all delivered at the station.
Res. 5th. That Proctor Barrett account be paid £7-16-11.
Res. 6th. That Proctor Barrett have the old tin shop opposite the boiler house at 6d per week as a weekly tenant. [Different tin shop?]
Res. 7th. That Gresham and Craven be requested to send another injector for WH Mill.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

December 7th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Henry Hargreaves’ account be paid amounting to £2-2-1.
Res. 3rd. That Yates and Thom be written to and tell them that the rivet in the boiler is leaking as bad as ever.
Res. 4th. That Varley quotation for old lead be accepted at 9/- per cwt.
Res. 5th. That George Andrews account for coal be paid £1-19-7. [Can’t help wondering if this is best doubles for the office fire!]
Res. 6th. That John Delaney’s coal contract be signed for six months and his account for November be paid when due £80-0-4.
Res. 7th. That Mr Atkinson’s call be paid amounting to £18 and he be requested to send a statement of his account.
Res. 8th. That John Shepherd be paid for stone-breaking at CH at the rate of 1/4 per hour.
Res. 9th. That That Simon Parker account be paid amounting to 11/-.
Res. 10th. That no one be allowed to take any ashes from either boiler house without permission from the board.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

December 14th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the interest of the £2000 on CH Shed be paid to W H Hartley amounting to £39.
Res. 3rd. That Yates and Tom account be paid for putting rivet in boiler, £4-10-0.
Res. 4th. That Gresham and Craven account be paid for the injectors at both mills, £31-17-0.
Res. 5th. That Edward Smith’s account for stone and coal carting for CH Shed [be paid] £5-3-5.
Res. 6th. That the secretary be paid £20 for wages.
Res. 7th. That the secretary have a weekly wage for four weeks at 13/5½ per week. [?]
Res. 8th. That tenders be invited for carting coals from the station to CH Shed for six months or twelve.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

December 12st 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Holgate Marsden coal account be paid, £23-7-8.
Res. 3rd. That Richard Crabtree’s coal account be paid £47-7-0.
Res. 4th. That Arthur Reeves account for glazing be paid 4/6. [Plumber, gas-fitter and tinplate worker of 1a Church Street. Looks as though he is working in conjunction with Harry Tinner.]
Res. 5th. That Richard Duckett’s tender for carting coals from the station to CH Shed for six months at 6½d per ton to commence on 1st day of January 1893 be accepted.
Res. 6th. That Edward Smith have £30 on account of making drain in Mean Laithe Flatt.
Signed, Johnson Edmondson and John Hartley.

December 28th 1892
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That William Walton account be paid amounting to £2-4-5½.
Res. 3rd. That Thomas Rawlinson account be paid for boiler composition £2-6-0.
Res. 4th. That the Alliance premium be paid £4.
Res. 5th. That the gas company account be paid, £3-18-10.
Res. 6th. That 12 water glass Gauges and 24 India rubber rings for new boiler at CH Shed [be ordered]
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett account be paid. 11/8.
Res. 8th. That Edward Smith have £28-7-8 the remainder of the account for draining the Mean Laithe Flatt.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

January 11th 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Thomas King’s account for paint be paid. 16/8½.
Res. 3rd. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Res. 4th. That William Holdsworth’s account be paid, £3-8-4.
Signed, Johnson Edmondson and John Hartley.

January 18th 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Harrison account be paid for glasses and rings, 13/6. [Water gauge glasses and sealing rings for boiler]
Res. 3rd. That William Roberts’ account be paid £5-5-4.
Res. 4th. That William Rawlinson’s account be paid £2-6-0.
Res. 5th. That Burnley Ironworks be paid £9-17-7.
Res. 6th. That Lancaster and Tonge account be paid £2-2-0.
Res. 7th. That Edward Smith and Proctor Barrett be deputed to go to Skipton to appeal against the income tax.
Res. 8th. That Richard Crabtree’s account for coal be paid £46-9-6.
Res. 9th. That John Delaney coal account be paid £73-13-11.
Res. 10th. That Ellison and Fawcett account be paid £?.
Res. 11th. That Edward Smith’s account for carting coal, iron and stone be paid. £3-19-9.
Res. 12th. That the choosing of directors to replace Brooks Banks and Simon Parker be deferred until the Annual General Meeting in June 1893.
Signed, Johnson Edmondson and John Hartley.

January 25th 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That William Sagar’s account for stones be paid £1-16-0.
Res. 3rd. That Varley’s account for glazing privies, pipes etc. [be paid] £12-3-8.
Res. 4th. That the Poor Rate and Local Rate be paid for CH Shed. Local rate £52-19-0 and Poor rate £17-13-0.
Res. 5th. That Delaney’s account for coals be paid £70-3-8.
Res. 6th. That the secretary have £20 for wages.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

Calf Hall Shed Company Limited
Barnoldswick, January 28th 1893
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on Saturday January 28th 1893 at 5:30pm pursuant to the announcement in the balance sheet issued to each shareholder. Mr Johnson Edmondson occupied the chair. The chairman read the notice convening the meeting and then called upon the secretary to read the minutes of the last General Meeting after which the chairman read the report of the directors and the balance sheet. After wich the following resolutions were passed. [No printed documents in minute book.]
Res. 1st. Proposed by Mr James Watson and seconded by Mr Thomas Baxter that the minutes of the last general meeting be confirmed and on being put to the meeting was passed.
Res. 2nd. Proposed by Joseph Hawley and seconded by George Brooks that economisers be got for the boilers at WH Mill and on being put to the meeting was passed.
Res. 3rd. Proposed by Walton Windle and seconded by Henry Wilson that a statement of the weekly expenses be given to the directors at each weekly meeting and on being put to the meeting was passed.
Res. 4th. Proposed by William Baldwin and seconded by John Edmondson that the report and balance sheet be adopted and a dividend of 2½% for the half year be paid out of the profits of Calf Hall Shed less income tax and on being put to the meeting was passed.
Res. 5th. Proposed by James Watson and seconded by Thomas Baxter that the director’s salary for the half year be £15 as usual and on being put to the meeting was passed.
Res. 6th. Proposed by Proctor Barrett and seconded by William Brooks that two directors be chosen in place of Mr Brooks Banks and Mr Simon Parker and on being put to the meeting this was passed.
Res. 7th. Proposed by Mr Fred Suthers and seconded by ? That Mr Thomas Baxter be appointed a director in place of Simon Parker.
Res. 8th. Proposed by Samuel Heap and seconded by Stephen Hartley that Greenwood Wilkinson be appointed a director in place of Mr Brooks Banks.
This concluded the business of the meeting.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

February 1st 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Dr Roberts be appointed chairman and Johnson Edmondson vice-chairman.
Res. 3rd. That the directors have a cheque for £15 in payment of their half year services.
Res. 4th. That 6 ropes be got for the stoker at CH Shed. [The stokers were driven off the lineshafting]
Res. 5th. That Messrs Lowcock’s, Green and Sykes be invited to tender for an economiser for 120 pipes or thereabouts. [WH Mill boiler. Surprising this wasn’t part of the original specification. Every ten degree Fahrenheit increase in feed water temperature improved boiler efficiency by 1%. Economisers raised the temperature from ambient to over boiling point]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

February 8th 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That George Andrews coal account be paid £6-0-2.
Res. 3rd. That the rent for Springs Dam be paid, £4-10-0. [This rent puzzled me for years. Why pay rent for an obstruction in a water course that was flowing down to CH Shed anyway? It became clear that CHSC needed control over the dam so they had a right to regulate flow in dry weather, maintain its water capacity and eventually divert other water sources on the hillside into the dam thus improving the vital supply of condenser cooling water at CH Shed.]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

February 15th 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary write to Messrs Yates and Thom at Blackburn in respect to[sic] new rivet put in the boiler at WH Mill. [This rivet is giving a lot of trouble!]
Res. 3rd. That Proctor Barrett account be paid, 3/1½.
Res. 4th. That Crabtree coal account be paid amounting to £23-13-6.
Res. 5th. That Delaney’s coal account be paid £88-17-0.
Res. 6th. That William Roberts’ account be paid £3-14-4.
Res. 7th. That S Cooke’s account be paid £17-1-4.
Res. 8th. That the secretary have £10 for wages.
Res. 9th. That Duckett coal carting account be paid £4-11-1½.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

February 22nd 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Cresswell account for packing be paid £2.
Res. 3rd. That Yates and Thom be informed of the name of the inspector who inspected the boiler. [The insurance company have evidently flagged up the defective rivet and Yates and Thom are disputing his opinion. They are on a sticky wicket because the insurance company has the power to suspend the insurance if the boiler doesn’t satisfy them.]
Res. 4th. That the secretary write to Roberts Brothers of Hadfield for a quotation for the economisers.
Res. 5th. That Edward Smith’s certificate be paid £32-17-10.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

March 1st 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That the secretary have £10 for wages.
Res. 3rd. That the boiler insurance company indicate the engines at CH Shed and WH Mill. [Indicating can flag up faults or necessary adjustments to the engine. This entry shows the absence of local expertise, in later years engineers indicate their own engines.]
Res. 4th. That the boiler insurance company be written to and asked why he [inspector] has changed his opinion about the leaky rivet.
Res. 5th. That the soil from the road be taken to the side of the dam behind WH Shed.
Res. 6th. That 12 posters be put up round the town for removing the earth from the road in Mean Laithe Flatt.
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett account be paid amounting to 12/-.
Res. 8th. That Arthur Lowcock’s tender for the economisers [WH] be accepted at 21/- per pipe allowing 2/6 per pipe for the old economisers. [This explains it, they were evidently using the original Bracewell economisers and are replacing them.]
Res. 9th. That Robert Whipp be engaged for mechanic’s work when required at 9d per hour up to 9 o’clock at night and after that to have time and a half and for Sunday work to have time and a half whenever required. [Barrett directory 1896 reports Robert Whipp as ‘mechanic, East View’]
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

March 8th 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to supervise the taking down of the [old] economisers and let the job by tender as soon as possible.
Res. 3rd. That Mr Atkinson be requested to attend here at 2pm on Saturday afternoon to meet Dr Roberts, Greenwood Wilkinson, John Horsfield, Thomas Baxter, Johnson Edmondson and Thomas Dent to arrange about the economisers and the rest of the directors if possible.
Res. 4th. That James Layfield and Son, Burnley boiler maker, be asked to come to put a new rivet in the boiler at WH Mill. [Bear in mind that every time a new rivet is put in the boiler it has to be emptied and cooled down. It takes a minimum of 5 tons of coal to get back up to temperature and pressure.]
Res. 5th. That the tenders for Mean Laithe Flatt road be deferred until Saturday next.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

March 15th 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Richard Duckett coal [carting] account be paid £3-17-3.
Res. 3rd. That Richard Crabtree coal account be paid £47-7-0. [Strange how this sum recurs so often, I have no explanation.]
Res. 4th. That Delaney be asked to meet Dr Roberts, Greenwood Wilkinson, Johnson Edmondson, Thomas Dent and the secretary and write to him to that effect.
Res. 5th. That Mr George Proctor of Bank House be the secretary of this company at the rate of £30 per annum. [This is a significant entry. George Proctor lived at Bank House in Barlick and had many interests in the district. He was senior partner of Proctor and Proctor of Grimshaw Street Burnley, accountants who were noted for acting as Secretary for many other shed companies and mills. They were noted for their knowledge and expertise in this field and this is the start of an association with CHSC which will last for the life of the company. Equally important, though he isn’t mentioned as yet, a man called Edward ‘Teddy’ Wood was a colleague of George Proctor who, as well as being an accountant, was noted throughout the district as an expert on anything to do with the engines, boilers and other plant used. We shall see that this was to prove very important to the CHSC and eventually solved the question of local expertise in these matters because of his close friendship with a local engineer called John Albert Pickles.]
Res. 6th. That the company find all bricks and tackle for propping and the contractors find mortar for the erecting of the economisers.
Res. 7th. That Proctor Barrett’s tender for removing the earth be accepted at 1/3 per cubic yard.
Signed, J D Roberts and John Hartley.

March 22nd 1893
Res. 1st. Minutes as read.
Res. 2nd. That Harrison’s bill be paid £1-15-7.
Res. 3rd. That Bennis account be paid 5/6.
Res. 4th. That the engineer’s report and bill be paid £3.
Res. 5th. That the old boiler [WH] be quoted to Mr Porthouse at £110 instead of £120.
Res. 6th. That there be a director’s meeting on Friday night at 6:30pm to consider the taking out of the economiser walls.
Res. 7th. That the flues at both places be cleaned out at the Easter holiday.
Res. 8th. That the boiler flues be cleaned at WH Mill every six months.
Res. 9th. That the boiler flues at CH Shed be cleaned out every four months, viz. Easter, Feast and Christmas.
Res. 10th. That the engineer and fireman be paid for over time.

Special meeting March 24th 1893
Res. 11th. That the old boiler at WH Mill, No 3, be sold for £100 cash down before it be moved and Mr Brooks offer it at that price.
[No signature and from here on the handwriting changes. Looks like the exit of John Hartley and a change of style in minute taking. Almost certainly George Proctor has taken over. Worth noting that from now on he takes a far greater role in the management and policies of the directors even if this is not always obvious from the minutes.]

29th March 1893
Present: Dr Roberts, chair. G Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, Leonard Holdsworth, Thomas Dent, Thomas Baxter, Johnson Edmondson, William Perry, Edward Smith, Proctor Barrett, W P Brooks, John Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the resignation of Mr John Hartley as secretary of the company be accepted.
Res. That Mr George Proctor of 6 Grimshaw Street Burnley be and is hereby appointed Secretary of the company at the salary of £30 per annum from this date.
Res. That the offer of £100 for boiler and fittings made by S Mason of 8 Livesey Street, Manchester be accepted.
Res. That the following accounts be paid: Massey and John Layfield, £2-2-6. J W Brown, 17/-
Res. That the new boiler at CH Shed be insured for £200 in the Scottish Boiler insurance and Engine Inspection Co. Ltd.
Res. That Edward Smith’s tender of £16 for executing the whole of the work required in connection with the erection of the new economisers [be accepted], He providing mortar and the company providing bricks.
J D Roberts [Signature]

April 13th 1893
Dr Roberts, chair, G Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, Leonard Holdsworth, Thomas Dent, Thomas Baxter, Johnson Edmondson, William Perry, Edward Smith, W P Brooks, John Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read a letter from the Craven Bank Skipton requesting them to make a payment of £7,000 in respect of the CH account.
Res. That he [Secretary] be instructed to endeavour to procure a mortgage of £7,000 on the CH property.
Res. That the following accounts be paid: Scottish Boiler Insurance, £4-0-3. John Delaney coal, £50-12-10, Richard Crabtree coal, £41-17-8.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to procure order books for the two mills and diaries for the engineers. [George is straightening procedures up!]
Res. That Mr Richard Kendal be accepted as tenant of Mean Laithe Flatt at an annual rent of £7-1-8 from the 2nd of February last and that he be informed of the acceptance.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to invite tenders for the carrying of coal from Coates Wharf to WH and CH from the following persons. William Bracewell, farmer. John Widdup, coal agent. J&W Widdup, coal agent. Richard Duckett, carter.
Res. That a further call of £2 a share be made upon the unpaid up shares and that the call be paid to the credit of the co’s account at the Craven Bank, Barnoldswick on Thursday 18th day of May.
Res. That the secretary order 1 cask cylinder oil and one of engine oil from S Cooke and Son. 1 cask boiler composition from Thomas Rawlinson. 12 asbestos rings from R H Harrison and Co, Blackburn. (6 off 8x11 and 6 off 10x13) [These are almost certainly packings for boiler manholes]
J D Roberts.

April 26th 1893
Dr Roberts, chair. G Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, Leonard Holdsworth, Thomas Dent, Thomas Baxter, Johnson Edmondson, William Perry, Edward Smith, W P Brooks, John Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res. That we try B Slack [best slack?] at CH Shed for one month and that R Duckett be employed to cart the same at 11d per ton.
Res. The following accounts to be paid: Secretary for wages £24-16-8. Barlick Gas Co, £1-10-3. John Delaney £50-12-0.
Res. That the managing director at WH Mill be instructed to repair the drains.
Res. That the secretary obtain a fusible plug for the WH Boiler. [This was a device fitted into the crown of each boiler furnace which, if the water level fell, melted and allowed steam and water into the furnace to put the fire out. An essential safety device required by all insurance companies.]
Res. That he also obtain from Messrs R Harrison and Co 6 india rubber rings 5x3x3/16 to be sent to CH. [Air pump rubbers]
Res. That the Common Seal of the company be affixed to an agreement between the company and Mr Edward Smith, contractor of Barnoldswick for the sale to the latter of a plot of land containing ? Square yards, part of the Mean Laithe Flatt estate for the sum of £? less 10%.
J D Roberts.

May 10th 1893
Dr Roberts, chair. G Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, Leonard Holdsworth, Thomas Dent, Thomas Baxter, Johnson Edmondson, William Perry, Edward Smith, W P Brooks, John Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the acknowledgement of 5/- for the privilege of pipes and drains be paid to Mr J Duckworth on behalf of the executors of E A Nuttall’s Royds.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be authorised to get an estimate for the cementing of the gable end of CH warehouse.
Res. That the following accounts be paid: R Crabtree coal, £23-9-8. J Rawlinson, £2-6-6. Scottish Boiler Insurance Co, 17/6. Richard Duckett, carting, £5-6-2. John Delaney, 360-10-9. Edward Smith, £34. John Wroe[I suspect this should be Wraw], damage to land, £1-10-0.
Res. That the engineer’s wages at CH Shed be increased to 32/- per week and the fireman to 22/- per week.
Res. That The engineer’s wages at WH Mill be increased to 32/- per week and the fireman’s 20/- per week. This wage to cover all overtime whatever and the engineers and firemen to keep the engines, boilers, shafting and gearing thoroughly clean to the satisfaction of the directors.
Res. That the ashes be charged at 3d per load.
J D Roberts.

June 14th 1893
Dr Roberts chair. Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Edmondson, Perry and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Johnson and Holdsworth be a committee to visit WH engine house and report on the grievances mentioned by the engineer.
Res. The following to be paid: Secretary for wages, £49-7-7. Thomas Rawlinson, £4-12-0. R Crabtree, £46-19-4. Henry Hargreaves, £7-10-0.
Res. That the transfer of three shares from Mr Walton Windle to Mr George Hamer be registered and that a new share certificate under the Common Seal of the co be issued in respect of the same.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to write to Messrs Heap and Thornton and request them to complete their contract within 14 days and if not done the company to do it and charge the cost against the contractor.
Res. That Mr Petty's tender for 3½d per square foot for covering economisers and allowance of 5/- for old material be accepted.
Johnson Edmondson.

June 28th 1893
Mr Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Perry, Smith, Barrett and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the tender of Heap and Thornton to cement gable end of warehouse at CH for £6-5-0 be accepted.
Res. That accounts be paid: James Bulcock, 4/-. W B White, £2-11-6. John Delaney, £34-19-0. Harrison a/c, 19/-. E Bennis and Co, £7-9-0. Cresswell Sons, £5-17-0. J P Petty, £4-13-0. Proctor Barrett, £3-1-0.
Res. That Messrs J Nuttall be instructed to repair engine house roof and Mr Brook’s shed at WH.
Res. That the committee appointed at the last meeting to inspect the engine house (with Mr Wilkinson added) be requested to go though the alterations suggested by the engineer and report the probable cost of same to the next meeting.
Res. That we test Delaney coal for one month.
J D Roberts.

July 10th 1893
Dr Roberts chair. W Holdsworth, Len. Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Edmondson, Perry, Smith, Barrett and W P Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the chairman, vice-chairman and Mr Dent be a committee to deal with the load question. [Sounds like load on CH engine]
Res. That R Crabtree coal account be paid £46-19-11.
Res. That the secretary write Mr W H Hartley as to his reasons[?] for supplying abstracts of title for Mean Laithe Flatt.
J D Roberts.

July 19th 1893
Dr Roberts chair. W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Edmondson, Perry, Barrett and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr John Widdup of Barnoldswick be engaged as carter to cart the coal from the station to CH Shed @7d per ton and 1/- per ton for coal carted from Coates Wharf, the contract be for one year from the 1st day of August next.
Res. That the following accounts be paid: Exors for Hargreaves, £58-13-0. [Exors of Colonel Hargreaves was the estate which owned large areas of coal rights and mines in the Burnley area. I think this is synonymous with 'Altham Coal'. ]
R Duckett, £11-5-9. Proctor Barrett, £8-3-9. Heap and Thornton, £50. Lowcock and Sons, £50.
Res. That Mr James Nutter be allowed to erect a wood stable in the vacant land he holds for us as a hen run subject to a monthly tenancy. [I love the idea that a prominent manufacturer found time to run a few hens for eggs at CH Shed]
Res. That Edward Smith be allowed to tip dirt at dam side [WH?] at 2d per cart load.
Res. That Edward Smith be informed that after the 1st day of August the price for turning his mortar mill be 1/- per hour. [Driven from shafting at WH Mill]
Res. That Messrs Dent, Edmondson, Wilkinson and Holdsworth attend to the matters relating to Sneath’s letter and get tenders in for the next meeting of the directors. [WH engineer]
J D Roberts.

August 3rd 1893
Dr Roberts chair. W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Edmondson, Perry and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Atkinson [Architect of Colne.] be instructed to value the unsold portion of land on Mean Laithe Flatt and give a certificate so the proper value of the land be recorded in the company’s books.
J D Roberts.

August 16th 1893
Dr Roberts chair. Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Edmondson, Smith, Barrett and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That we take 2¼% depreciation off the mills of the company for the half year ending June 30th 1893 and that we leave the question of depreciation of the property to December 31st of December 1892 with the shareholders at the General Meeting. [The hand of George Proctor? This affects the income tax assessment and has been neglected.]
Res. That having had Mr Atkinson’s report that the value of the unsold portion of land on Mean Laithe Flatt estate is £800 we put the value at £600. [Again, has an effect on tax liability]
Res. That the General Meeting of shareholders be held on the 2nd day of September at 5:30pm in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms.
Res. That accounts be paid: Secretary for wages, £50-4-5. E A Coates, £9.
No signature.

September 2nd 1893
Johnson Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Edmondson, Smith and Dr Roberts.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid. Richard Crabtree, £?. Local Board, £52-19-0. J Wilson Green, £17-13-0. Schabatt[sic] Brothers £3-4-0. Delaney, £100. Richard Duckett, £5-9-4.
No signature.

September 2nd 1893.
Half yearly general meeting. Seven Stars Assembly Rooms.
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet and report be adopted.
Res. That the election of directors to replace the retiring directors be by ballot. The following were nominated and balloted for: Dr Roberts 25. William Perry, 21. H Wilson, 23. William Holdsworth 24. Clark, 16. T Dent, 24.
Following declared elected: Dr Roberts, William Holdsworth, T Dent and H Wilson.
Res. That the director’s remuneration be £15 for their services during the last half year.
Res. That Mr Ed. Foden be appointed auditor for the ensuing year at a salary of £3-3-0.
J D Roberts.

September 2nd 1893
Dr Roberts chair. Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Smith and Edmondson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: [Same list as previous 2 September list[?] except that Wilson Green, Poor rate, £19-13-0 is added and R Crabtree, £?.
No signature.

September 13th 1893
Dr Roberts in chair. Dent, Edmondson, Baxter, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, Barrett, Horsfield, Smith, Henry Wilson and W P Brooks. Resolved that Dr Roberts be chairman for the ensuing year and J Edmondson vice chairman.
Minutes as read.
Res. That following be paid: J Hartley, £8-1-6. R Crabtree, £44-8-6. Edward Smith £1-0-9. Director’s fees, £15. Secretary’s salary £7-10-0. Exors of W Roundell, 5/-. [This last is rent to Gledstone estate for water rights in Eastwood Bottoms behind WH Mill.]
Res. That the offer of Mr Landless, Nelson, to set back the buildings adjoining the Craven Bank Estate be not entertained. [I suspect that this entry is very significant. George Proctor has flagged up that WH Mill is still the property of the Craven Bank. It may well be that this is one of the reasons why he has been brought in as secretary. I have seen no conveyance for WH Mill as yet and it appears that the Bank has been quite clever, they have allowed CHSC to spend money on the bank’s property at no risk. It may be that this neglected situation is about to change. There is however a problem, if the land hasn’t yet been conveyed, how can CHSC raise money on Mortgages? I think we are missing something here, perhaps the Bank still owns land adjacent to WH Mill unsold in the 1887 sale?]
Res. That the matters referred to in the engineer’s letter be left with Mr Dent and Mr Edmondson.
J D Roberts.

September 27th 1893
Dr Roberts chair. Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, dent, Baxter, Barrett, Edmondson, Smith, Horsfield, Brooks and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Secretary for wages, £40-7-9. P Barrett, £4-14-0. L Holland, £2-17-0. J M Lee, £3-7-6. John Widdup, £59-1-3.
Res. That the chairman and secretary be instructed to interview Messrs Brooks and Pilkington with a view to inducing them to take the remaining space at WH Mill.
Res. That Edward Smith be allowed to tip at damside at 2d per load.
Res. That Messrs Wilson and Horsfield be appointed to inspect the land occupied by Proctor Barrett and say what compensation should be allowed for tipping purposes.
Res. That we get 100 tons of coal. [There was serious disruption in coal supplies caused by the mine-owner’s lock-out of the miners during wage disputes in 1893. The Yorkshire coal fields were badly affected. This could be the reason for this entry.]
J D Roberts.

October 11th 1893
J D Roberts chair. Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Edmondson, Barrett, W P Brooks and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the tip at Dam Head be stopped from this date. [I’m missing something here. Damside and Damhead are names associated with the Corn Mill Dam and I can’t see a connection with CHSC. The Damhead estate was part of the lands sold off by the Craven Bank in 1887. It’s worth mentioning that the 1887 sale was at the behest of the receiver for the Chancery Court but I suspect that as major creditors the Craven Bank became, in effect, the owners of Butts, WH and perhaps other assets and that the CHSC dealings are directly with them.]
Res. That the shareholders who have paid up their shares be paid 4% on the calls being paid up in advance.
Res. That we offer 12 weeks time for gaiting up of looms to Messrs Pilkington and Brooks from the first delivery of looms if they will take up the vacant space. [An abatement in rent to allow the firm to get up and running. ‘Gaiting looms’ is the process of getting a loom to the stage where cloth can be woven.]
Res. That Messrs Edmondson and Dent be authorised to alter the feed pipes to the boiler at WH Mill.
Res. That tenders be obtained for erecting a wood passage between Windle and Bailey’s shed and the warehouse.
Res. That a call of £2 per share be made upon the unpaid-up shares.
J D Roberts.

October 25th 1893
Dr Roberts chair. Barrett, Dent, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Edmondson, Brooks and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J W Brown, 18/9. Economic Fire Office, £3.
Res. That Layfield and Son be instructed to plate [repair by patching] the No 2 boiler at WH as per the insurance company’s instructions.
The secretary reported that Pilkington and Brooks had accepted the offer made to them in respect of looms.
Johnson Edmondson.

November 8th 1893
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Barrett, Wilson and Smith.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts paid: Secretary for wages, £33-6-1½. James Lofthouse £1-3-8½. Thomas Rawlinson £4-11-6. Scottish Boiler Insurance Co, £1-15-0. Stott and Son, £9-14-2. Arthur Laycock £25 on account. John Widdup, £239-8-1.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to John Delaney in respect to his account for coal supplied during August asking for a corrected account as per coal actually received.
Res. That both flues of boilers at WH Mill be repaired as suggested by M & J Layfield and that the secretary be instructed to give them the order to proceed at once.
Res. That Messrs Dent and Johnson together with Mr W H Atkinson meet on Thursday and decide on the amount of space to be allotted to Mr W Brooks and also Mr A Pilkington. [Evidently two separate concerns.]
Res. That the letting of the work for the above alterations be left with Messrs. Atkinson, Dent and Johnson.
J D Roberts

November 22nd 1893
J D Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Horsfied, Baxter, Wilson, Smith and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Samuel Cooke and Co, £38-8-0. W&J Baldwin, 18/-.
Res. That the common Seal of the Company be affixed to a conveyance of a plot of land for building purposes containing 1230 square yards upon Mean Laithe Flatt Estate from the company to Mr Edward Smith for the sum of £249-1-6 in the presence of the chairman (Dr J D Roberts) the vice chairman (Johnson Edmondson) and of George Proctor their secretary who were authorised to sign the conveyance.
Res. That the Chairman, vice chairman, G Wilkinson, Edward Smith, Thomas Dent, Proctor Barrett and W Holdsworth be a committee to meet Mr Landless regarding the diversion of Wellhouse Road.
Res. That the secretary write to Messrs Layfield and ask what they will give for the engine, old pipes and the two brass valves.
J D Roberts.

December 6th 1893
Dr Roberts chair. Smith, Barrett, Dent, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That that the whole of the correspondence which has passed between the company and M & J Landless relating to the diversion of Wellhouse Road be placed on the table at our next meeting.
Res. Accounts paid: Delaney, £100 on account. G Proctor, wages, £26-0-3. James Baldwin, £9-10-0. M & J Layfield, £7-19-0. W Hough and Co, 1/9. Barlick Gas Co, 2/3. W J Varley, 7/4. C Brooks and Son, 2/11. J Nutter and Sons, 6/1.
Res. That the secretary write to both engineers to the effect that no workmen be engaged upon any work required to be done for the company without first obtaining the sanction of the managing director.
Res. That a cheque be made in favour of Mr A Pilkington on account of loan, £360.
Res. That a boat load of coal be ordered from H Marsden at 9/9 per ton delivered at Coates.
Res. That a boat load of thin seam coal be ordered from R Crabtree, 10/2 per ton delivered at Wellhouse.
Res. That Mr Widdup cart the Marsden coal from Coates [wharf] to CH.
Res. That from the present until further notice ashes to be disposed of without charge.
J D Roberts.

December 20th 1893
Dr Roberts chair. Smith, Edmondson, Dent, Barrett, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, W Holdsworth and L Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W H Hartley, £38-16-8 interest. R W Harrison and Co £2-9-0. Proctor Barrett £5-19-10. Craven Bank £804-2-6 interest on £7,000. [I've re-checked this last entry and this is what is in the book. Seems like a lot of interest to me!]
Res. That the secretary write to Mr Landless to the effect that the company do not think it advisable to sanction the diversion of Wellhouse Road.
No signature.

January 3rd 1894
Johnson Edmondson chair. Smith, Dent, Barrett, Brooks, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Dent and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That a trial cask of oil be ordered from Messrs Schabatt of Nelson for CH.
Res. That no interest be charged to Edward Smith on account of purchase money for land sold.
Res. That the secretary write to Messrs Layfield asking them to repair the leaky patch lately added by them and also to write to Mr Pickles re. Warehouse space.
Res. That the transfer of two shares, 283 and 284 held by Mr Johnson Carr to Mr John Pickup be registered in the books of the company and that a new scrip be made out in favour of Mr Pickup impressed with the Co Seal.
Res. That the insurance of CH extension not being taken up by the Economic Fire Office be placed with Mr William Perry of the Alliance Insurance Company at the rate of 4/- per cent.
Res. That Mr Edward Smiths offer of 1/9 each for old oil casks be accepted.
Res. Accounts be paid: J W Brown, £1. J M Lee, £2-18-0. Joseph Standing, £2-11-0. Richard Crabtree, £8-1-0. S Cooke and Co, £12-10-0. W Perry (Alliance Insurance Co.) £4. Ed Smith, £2. John Widdup, £291. John Delaney, £84-11-6. George Proctor £25-14-9 for wages.
No signature.

January 17th 1894
Johnson Edmondson chair. Smith, Dent, Barrett, Brooks, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary arrange with Mr Atkinson at an early date to have an interview with the directors with a view of coming to a settlement of the account he has with the company. [I see this as GP taking further steps to get a straight edge in the company management. Reading between the lines we see a reorganisation of the administration of the CHSC.]
Mr Brooks reported that he had put in 14 new looms on the 8th of January 1894.
Res. Accounts be paid: R Crabtree £92-8-0. J Widdup £20-16-0. R C Reeve £1-3-11. Barlick Gas £2-9-11. Local Board £66-7-0. H Marsden £67-9-6. Thomas Smith £38-2-3. W Roberts and Co £2-16-0.
Res. That the transfer of two shares from Sarah Heugham to John Heugham and the transfer of two shares from Andrew Heugham to John Heugham be duly registered and new scrips issued under the seal of the company in respect of the same.
Res. That the secretary instruct Messrs Layfield to make an examination of the boiler at WH Mill.
Res. That the General Meeting be held on the 27th of February 1894 at the Seven Stars AR at 7pm.
No signature.

Half yearly general meeting of shareholders.
Feb 2nd 1894 Seven Stars AR.
Dr Roberts in the chair.
Minutes of last half year meeting read and confirmed.
Res. That the balance sheet, report and auditors as read be adopted.
Res. That directors be paid £15 for last half year’s services.
Res. That the Seal of the Co be applied to the register of transfers.
Res. That the directors be instructed to consider whether it is advisable to extend the shed at WH Mill and if they are of that opinion to take steps to do the same at their own convenience.
J D Roberts. [No printed matter in minute book.]

Director’s meeting 2nd February 1984
Dr Roberts chair.
Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield, Wilson, Wilkinson, Barrett, Smith, Barrett and L Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the Seal of the Co be affixed to a conveyance of 2,150 yards of land, part of the CH Estate from the company to Mr Richard Kendal and that the seal be affixed in the presence of Dr Roberts and Proctor Barrett and countersigned by the secretary.
Res. That accounts be paid: Director’s half year salary £15. Secretary for wages £22-19-4. Secretary’s salary for half year £15.
Res. That the Seal of the Co be affixed to Mr John Pickup’s certificate in respect of two shares now held by him and transferred from Mr Johnson Carr. Fully paid.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to allow tenants for three hours stoppage. [Which shed?]
J D Roberts.

Feb 21st 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Brooks, Wilkinson and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: S Cooke and co £3-16-9. E Bennis and co £5/-. Cresswell and Son £3-18-0. Reddaway and Co £2-3-0. J Rawlinson £4-9-0. Burghope and Strange £6-2-6. Ed Smith £1-9-4. Johnson Edmondson 6/11. Thos Nuttall 13/4. H Marsden £67-11-0. Richard Crabtree £70-9-0. T King £4-2-0. William Perry £4. Midland Railway Co 10/3.
Res. That the transfer of two fully paid up shares from M E Sanderson to Samuel Heap and numbered 601 and 602 and the transfer of one fully paid up share from M E Sanderson to Spencer Thornton numbered 603 be registered in the books of the company and share certificates in respect of the same be impressed with the Seal of the Company and issued to the respective owners.
Res. That (Letters of administration having been provided to Elizabeth Fawcett and presented to the company for inspection) the share number 289 now standing in the name of Hannah Fawcett be transmitted to Elizabeth Fawcett and placed on the register of the company and that a share certificate in respect of the same be impressed with the Seal of the Co and made in favour of Elizabeth Fawcett. [This is the necessary statutory statement and in future I shall omit the details and record only the transfers]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to effect an insurance on WH Mill to the amount of £2500. [Note, no instruction as to who with. George Proctor has a free hand and it's worth noting that Proctor and Proctor were insurance brokers.]
Res. That the Common Seal of the Co be affixed to an agreement made between the company and Proctor Barrett for the sale to the latter of 707 square yards of land, part of the Mean Laithe Flatt estate, for the sum of £114-14-6.
Res. That the Common Seal of the Co be affixed etc. agreement between CHSC and Proctor Barrett for sale to him of 1279 square yards of Mean Laithe Flatt land for £270.
Res. That the company’s architect prepare two plans and estimates for the extensions to WH Mill.
Signed. Johnson Edmondson.

March 7th 1894
Johnson Edmondson chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J W Green, Poor Rate £22-2-6. W H Atkinson £80. George Proctor for wages £28-13-11.
Res. That the instruction in the last meeting re the preparation of two plans be rescinded.
Res. That the secretary obtain the best terms he can for Monk Bretton coal from John Delaney and that a boat load be ordered to WH.
Res. That a further call of £1 per share be made upon the uncalled capital of the company and that the same be paid to the credit of the Co’s banking account at the Craven Bank, Barnoldswick on or before the 19th April 1984.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr Pickup of Burnley [Ironworks] whether in his opinion the engine and boilers at WH Mill are capable of turning 400 additional looms. [Note that the extension is for the standard number, 400. It looks as though they have realised that before loading the engine any further they had better make sure it can cope, hence the rescinding of the order for plans for the extension. A wise move!]
Signed. J D Roberts.

March 21st 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Barrett, Dent, Baxter, Wilson, Horsfield, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Brooks and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary write to the tenants respecting the damage to ceilings and that we shall feel obliged if they will discontinue the practice and also asking that the damage be repaired.
Res. That we obtain Mr Matthew Watson’s terms for his opinion or otherwise of additional engine power at WH Mill and also ask the arrangement of looms etc. on the land available and the probable cost of such an arrangement. [A Matthew Watson gave oral evidence at the Chancery Court hearing in Wakefield that resulted in Elizabeth Bracewell getting her money out of Bracewell and Sons which broke the firm. He may have been an expert witness on the value of the assets]
Res. That we allow Proctor Barrett £1 from his account for damage to land and that there will be no further allowance for such damage.
Johnson Edmondson.

April 4th 1894
Johnson Edmondson chair. Dent, Barrett, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Wilkinson and Smith.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G Proctor £23-0-1. H Marsden £67-11-0.
Res. That four trucks be ordered with John Widdup of Pope and Pearson [coal] delivered at CH at 10/10 per ton also four trucks of Exors of Colonel Hargreaves’ at 10/2 per ton.
Res. That an extra-ordinary meeting of shareholders be held at Seven Stars AR on Friday 13th April to authorise the directors to borrow further sums of money not exceeding in the whole £20,000. [Measured against average earnings this equates to £10million in today’s terms.]
Res. That Mr Lofthouse repair the warehouse roof at CH.
Res. That we accept the offer of Mr Barrett for 12 months supply of ashes at 4d per load. [CHSC are selling]
Res. That we accept the offer of Edward Smith for 12 months supply of ashes at 6d per load.
Res. That we charge Garibaldi Pickles 5/- per annum for right of way over Wellhouse Road. [WH Rd was a private road, Garibaldi Pickles was a common carrier in Barlick.]
Res. That transfer of one fully paid up share (No.183) from W B Barrett to William Hargreaves be registered etc.
No signature.

Extra Ordinary general Meeting
April 13th 1894
Dr Roberts in chair.
Res. That “In accordance with article 88 of the company’s Articles of Association the directors be authorised to borrow any sum or sums of money not exceeding in the whole £20,000 at such time, with or without such security and in such manner and on such terms as the directors think advisable”.
Signed, J D Roberts.
[ A significant change of gear in the management of the CHSC. They now have carte blanche. It is significant that attached to this entry is a printed form to be used by anyone wishing to lend more than £20 to the company at 4½% interest on one month’s notice. This was a slightly lower rate of interest than commercial loans but we shall see how successful the appeal was over the years. The mechanism seems to have been that ordinary workers saw a cachet in being creditors of the mills in which they worked and it was quite extraordinary how much was lent to the CHSC by this route.]

Special meeting of directors
April 25th 1894
Johnson Edmondson chair. William Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Smith, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson, L Holdsworth and Dent.
Res. That we make a contract with John Delaney for 12 months supply of Monk Bretton Screened Peanuts delivered to Barlick station at 10/2 per ton.
Res. That Mr W H Atkinson attend on Monday April 30th to make an estimate of the extension. [WH]
Res. That the Common Seal of the company be attached to a mortgage of £2,000 from Messrs James Crabtree, Edward Southworth to Messrs. J W Thompson, W Thompson and William Pemberton and also to a further charge for an additional £5,000 (Making a total of £7,000) from the said J W Thompson, W Thompson and William Pemberton and that the Common Seal be affixed to the said transfer and further charge in the presence of Johnson Edmondson and Thomas Dent and countersigned by the secretary.
No signature.

May 3rd 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Barrett, Wilson Baxter, Smith, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Wilkinson and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res. That a circular letter be sent to the shareholders inviting them to make loans to the company subject to one month’s notice.
Res. That William Roberts be asked to indicate the engines at CH Shed and also take the levels of the lineshaft.
Res. That the secretary be asked to get a tender for stokers.
Res. That the chairman, Proctor Barrett and Edward Smith interview Mr George Robinson [Craven Bank Skipton] respecting an overdraft in the event of extending the shed.
Res. Accounts be paid: Barlick Gas £2-2-0. J Widdup £29-11-0. John Delaney £25-12-0. T Bracewell 12/-.
No signature.

May 23rd 1894
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Baxter, Smith, Horsfield, L Holdsworth and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res That the secretary write Mr Layfield about the state of No. 2 boiler.
Res. That Messrs Brooks’ letter respecting the removal of steam and gas pipes to [his] new office be left with Messrs Edmondson and Dent.
Res. That Mr John Widdup be requested to weigh all wagons emptied after 8am. [I suspect this was the time the public weighbridge at the railway station opened.]
Johnson Edmondson.

June 6th 1894
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Barrett, Baxter, Wilson, Horsfield, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That we accept loans to the Co at 4½% as follows;
Mark Hacking £50. John Starkey Myers £60.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments.
Res. That John Delaney’s account for May be paid £59-2-0.
No signature.

June 20th 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Barrett, Baxter, Wilson, Horsfield, Brooks, L Holdsworth and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Richard Crabtree coal £46-11-0. Thomas Rawlinson compo £2-8-0. Craven Bank interest £140. M & J Layfield boiler repair 18/7. John Widdup £19-11-9. Johnson Edmondson incidental 14/6. George Proctor wages £22-8-10. George Proctor insurance £5-11-6.
Loan applications at 4½%: Albion Hargreaves £100. James Ratcliffe £25. Thomas Baxter Senior £50. Greenwood Wilkinson £30. [List follows of loans Seal Attached.]
Res. That the secretary write to all shareholders who have paid up their shares requesting them to return their receipts so that scrips may be issued to them.
It was reported to the meeting that Edward Watson, engineer at CH Shed, had been away from his work since Easter owing to sickness and it was resolved that the secretary write to him in a friendly manner informing him that the board were anxious to know when he expected to be able to return to his duties.
Johnson Edmondson.

July 17th 1894
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, Dent, Horsfield, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Barrett, Baxter, Brooks and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be recommended to the shareholders for adoption.
Res. That we recommend a dividend of 2% for the half year ending June 30th 1894.
Res. That the half yearly general meeting be held at the Seven Stars AR on Friday 3rd of August at 7pm.
Res. That accounts be paid: Richard Crabtree £26-5-10. M & J Layfield £1-3-0. Samuel Cooke £19. John Widdup 4-14-8. John Delaney £81-2-6. Burnley Ironworks £8-6-0. G Proctor half year salary £15.
Res. That the chairman and L Holdsworth meet the directors of the Long Ing Company with regard to holidays and report at the next director’s meeting.
Res. That Garibaldi Pickles be charged £1 for the use of Wellhouse Road until December 31st 1894.
Res. That we offer E Bennis and Co £60 for one new stoker and putting improvements on present stoker.
Res. That the transfer of 8 fully paid up shares from William Hargreaves of Earby to Mr John Pickup, Barnoldswick registered etc.
Res. That the Seal be affixed to Proctor Barrett’s share certificates.
Res. Seal be affixed to promissory notes for the loans mentioned previously.
[In different hand}
Res. That the Common Seal of the Company be affixed to a conveyance of a plot of land, part of the Mean Laithe Flatt estate containing 709 square yards from the company to Proctor Barrett for the sum of £114-14-6. Ditto for 179 square yards for £270.
Res that the Seal of the Company be affixed to following fully paid up share certificates.
[Followed by list of individual shareholders with number of shares held. Largest shareholder with 16 shares is Thomas Dent.]

Half yearly meeting of shareholders
Seven Stars AR August 3rd 1894
Dr Roberts in the chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That balance sheet and report be adopted.
Res. That dividend of 2% be paid for half year to June 30th 1894.
Res. That directors have £15 for half year.
The following were nominated as directors and received the votes recorded. J Edmondson 30. George Wilkinson 26. Proctor Barrett 19. J Horsfield 25. James Watson 7. Robert Clarke 8. The four retiring directors were re-elected.
Res. That Edward Foden be reappointed Auditor at a salary of £3-3-0.
Res. That the Common Seal be affixed to the register of share transfers.
J D Roberts.

Director’s meeting August 3rd 1894
Dr Roberts in chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, Brooks, Barrett, Dent L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
The secretary having received a communication from the tenants for an allowance for stoppage during the Barlick holidays, Res. That he write to them saying that the company will make an allowance of 15 hours rent in respect of the holidays to those tenants who stop a week or more.
J D Roberts.

August 22nd 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Brooks, Wilson, Baxter. Horsfield, L Holdsworth and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: R Crabtree £46-11-8. Local Board £67-1-6 tax £5-2-0. Ed Bennis 9/6. Burghope and Strange £2. James Cooper 10/10. Ed Foden £3-3-0. James Thompson and Co £1-6-8. John Delaney £75-12-0. George Proctor £52-12-0.
Res. That the matter of damage by troughing repairs to drain[?] be left with Messrs Edmondson and Dent.
Res. That we allow Proctor Barrett 15/- for further abstract of title for the last two plots.
Res. That no interest be allowed to P Barrett from the land account seeing he had use of the money.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to C Brooks and Sons as to their claim of £10 for damage by rain and say that the repairs will be executed without delay.
Res. That Messrs Roberts and Co be instructed to attend at Calf Hall to repair low pressure valve rod and cotters and see to the blow off cock [boiler].
Res. That Thrippleton's [Barrett Directory 1887, cab proprietors, Skipton Road, Barlick.] be allowed to place the wagonette in the thoroughfare at WH Mill to be removed when required by the company at a rental of 1/- ?.
Res. That the managing directors report as to the cost of opening out the gateway as suggested by Proctor Barrett.
Res. That Messrs Ellison put in a new clow at CH Shed. [The clow was the sluice gate and dam that retained the condenser water in the course of the Calf Hall Beck under the shed. More load on engine so greater capacity needed in the condenser pond?]
Res. That the application of David Woffenden to lend £20 to the company be accepted. Promissory note executed and Seal affixed.
Res. That William Hartley Cowgill’s application for three shares in the company having been considered, three fully paid up shares be allotted to him. Share certificates, Seal etc.
The secretary read the statement of receipts and payments from July 2nd to August 22nd 1894 inclusive.
J D Roberts.

September 5th 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield, Smith, Barrett, Brooks, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That £2 be allowed from R Kendal’s rent for land railed off by Proctor Barrett and that the rent of land to him in the future be £2-10-0 per annum.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to see Messrs B & M Holden re. Wellhouse extension.
Res. That Johnson Edmondson shall be the managing director for six months June 30th to December 1894 and to receive 3/- a week for extra services rendered.
Johnson Edmondson.

September 19th 1894
Johnson Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Smith, Wilkinson, Baxter, Horsfield, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Wilson and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: R Crabtree £44-13-0. W Hough 7/-. John Delaney £43-5-0. George Proctor £27-5-0. S Cooke £13-6-0. James Duckworth 5/-. J Baldwin 11/-. Exors of Roundell estate 5/-. H Hargreaves 3/7.
Res That we have quotations from Mr R Clarke and Mr George Proctor for insurance of £3000 on CH Shed.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments.
Res. That the tender of Mr Proctor Barrett for making the road into field at WH Mill be accepted at £4.
J D Roberts.

October 3rd 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Brooks, Barrett, L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter and W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to secure insurance on CH Shed for £3000 at 4/- per cent (Less 5/- commission) in the Sun Office.
The secretary read a letter from the engineer at WH requesting that the steam and water pipes be covered also that the dam be examined and that he found two boilers to work quite as economically as one and for permission to try the Kingfisher system free.
Res. That Mr Petty of Colne be instructed to cover the pipes and that Proctor Barrett inspct the dam leakage and report next meeting.
Res. That Mr Sneath be allowed to use two boilers at his discretion and also to use the Kingfisher lubricant. [Cylinder oil, engineers were always looking for the best. The matter of the boilers is interesting. On the face of it one boiler is more efficient than two because you have half the heat loss but if a single boiler is very hard-fired it becomes inefficient and using two at a lower rate could be more economical. As a general rule a boiler was always assumed to be most efficient when running at 75%.]
Res. That the work previously given to Messrs Edison Fawcett be given to Mr Ellison on condition that he completes in a fortnight.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr Delaney complaining about the very inferior quality of coal supplied to CH Shed.
Mr Walter Bracewell attended with the object of obtaining information as to when extensions would be completed and also the company’s terms. Whether the company would be in a position to assist him to the extent of £6 per loom for 100 looms costing £10 each at the makers. [I smell a rat here, I don’t think the cost of new plain looms was as high as that. He could be stretching the truth a little.]
Res. That tenders be got by J Edmondson for the under-drawing of machinery at WH Mill and that the matter be left with the managing director.
Res. That the wrought ironwork for sliding door to Edward Smith be 6/-.
Res. That all coal delivered to CH Shed be weighed at the station and that an account of each days delivery totalled weekly and monthly.
J D Roberts

October 17th 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Brooks, Wilson, Baxter, Dent, Horsfield and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Rawlinson £2-6-0. G Proctor £22-3-9. [Noticeable that since GP took over the wages and expenses are being charged exactly and not as an imprest account. Tighter control.] D Moseley and Sons 18/4. Delaney £65-11-0. J Widdup £16-14-0. W Roberts and Co £6-11-0. S Cooke and Co £6-16-9. A G Reeves £1-1-6. Crabtree £44-13-0. W Norcross 15/-. J Edmondson 11-6.
Res. That we confirm the course taken by the chairman in writing Mr Walter Bracewell to the effect that the company cannot see their way at present to find him room and power and finance him to the extent he required. [Evidently he wasn't impressed either.]
Res. That the letting of work for under drawing the ceiling be left with the managing director.
Res. That Mr Robert Whipp be charged 3/6 for old drums.
Res. That no further sales of iron pipe be made until the completion of extensions at WH Mill.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments.
Johnson Edmondson.

[There is a previous entry of a special meeting on October 24th but no business noted.]

October 31st 1894
J Edmondson chair. Brooks, Smith, Barrett, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, L Holdsworth, Horsfield and Dent.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the rent of land to Ed Watson be 15/- a year one year to be due November 1st 1894.
Res. That the next meeting of directors be held at 7pm instead of 6:30.
Res. That the question of price of land be deferred until the next meeting and that the secretary write in the meantime to Mr Atkinson asking for his opinion as to the best means of disposing of Mean Laithe at a fair market price.
Res. That a special meeting be held on Wednesday evening next at 6pm to go into the question of WH extensions.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr Atkinson and ask him to attend the special meeting and lay before the board plans of the two schemes proposed.
J D Roberts.

November 7th 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Brooks, Edmondson, Smith, Dent, Barrett, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res. That we do not at this time accept any offers for land on Mean Laithe Flatt and that Mr Atkinson write to the applicant to this effect.
Res. That we sell the land by auction at the Seven Stars on Tuesday evening November 20th 1894 and that Mr Atkinson and Mr Edmondson arrange with Matthew Rawlinson [Barrett directory 1896 records him as auctioneer and furniture dealer at 8 Church Street, Barnoldswick] as to the terms of the sale.
Res. That we at once proceed with the extension adjoining WH Road and that we utilise as far as possible the old materials from the mill. [Demolition of redundant engine house and associated buildings]
Res. That Mr Atkinson obtain tenders for the additions to the [WH] engine. [They are going to need more power. Remember that the original BI engine was laid out as a double tandem but only one side installed.]
The secretary informed the meeting of the result of an interview he had had with Mr Holden. Mr Holden offered to take room and power for 410 or 420 looms at the same terms as present with 6 months allowance for gaiting up. He would like however to have the whole of the front warehouse.
Mr Joseph Windle attended before the directors and offered to take room and power in the extension at WH Mill for about 400 looms at 39/- per loom per annum if the company would provide sufficient warehouse room and allow him twelve weeks for gaiting up; this the directors promised to do. [A buoyant demand for room and power which is driving CHSC forwards]
Johnson Edmondson

November 14th 1894
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Barrett, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Brooks, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: James Cooper 19/-. Delaney £74-17-0. Ed Bennis and Co £67-10-0. Local Board 5/2. Heap Thornton £16-14-0. George Proctor £22-0-6. Ed Smith £3-2-0.
Res. That Mr Atkinson take particulars of land at Calf Hall and arrange for it to be put up at auction on Wednesday Nov 24th along with Mean Laithe plots.
Res. That the secretary order two truckloads of St John’s best slack at 7/2 per ton at Barlick Station for WH Mill.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to arrange with Messrs Edmondson and Tidswell to meet the directors at their next meeting to go into the matter of terms for looms at WH Mill.
Res. That an account be sent to Butts Mill Co for 2off 3 drum supplied Jan 29th 1894, 1cwt 16lbs, 6/- the lot. [Loom driving pulleys?] and that the 2 drums, 91lbs to Ed Smith be charged 4/- the lot.
Mr Albion Hargreaves notice for repayment of loan of £100 having been read. Res. That it be accepted and the amount, with interest, be repaid.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments and reported that the weight of coal carted to CH Shed (as per weigh tickets) for the three weeks ending November 10th 1894 [was] 35tons 4cwt per week.
J D Roberts.

November 28th 1894
J D Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, Wilkinson, Baxter, Brooks, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Horsfield and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Mr W H Atkinson architect attended with plans of extensions at WH Mill.
Res. That the building be erected by day work under supervision of a Clerk of Works with the exception of taking off old slate, slating the building and plasterer’s work. [Lessons have been learned during the erection of the new shed at CH.]
Res. That we advertise for a clerk of works.
Res. That the sanction of the board be given to the transfer of six shares from Simon Parker to Sandy Harmer and new certificates be sealed etc.
Mr W H Atkinson’s report of the sale of two plots off Mean Laithe (viz. Lots 2&3) by auction to W Holdsworth and Proctor Barrett and Lot 4 of the land at Calf Hall to Standing and Son for the total sum of £366-13-0 less expenses of sale (£3-8-5) and enclosing cheques value £33-1-7 being balance of deposit less expenses; having been read [it was] resolved we accept the same.
Mr Johnson Carr attended the meeting and requested permission to lend the company £500 at 4½% at one month’s notice. [Interesting how the lender is portrayed as a supplicant. This says something about the regard in which the board held themselves.]
Res. That we accept his offer and that he be requested to pay the amount to the credit of the company in the Craven Bank. Promissory note and seal etc.
Messrs Tidswell and Edmondson made application for 200 l0ooms at WH Mill and inspected the plans of the same and requested the option for a further 200 looms at the SE end of the shed.
Res. That we accept their application and that the terms of tenancy be 39/- per loom with twelve weeks allowed for gaiting up and option for a further 200 looms and tape adjoining the present shed. [A dedicated tape was only economic with 400 looms. Weaver’s beams could be bought in ready prepared if necessary, often prepared by other tenants in the same mill if they ran a tape. This sometimes caused trouble with the directors as the rent for a tape machine was predicated on serving a certain number of looms.]
J D Roberts.

December 12th 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, Dent, Wilkinson, Smith, W Holdsworth, L Holdsworth, Baxter, Brooks, Wilson and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary write to Mr Atkinson pressing him to proceed with getting tenders in without delay and to advertise for a clerk of works in the local papers.
Res. That accounts be paid: Crabtree £44-13-0. Midland Railway 7/8. Rawlinson £2-6-0. George Proctor £21-19-9. J M Lee £16-2-0. John Delaney £83-7-0.
Res. That the application of Stephen Hartley of 2 Westgate Barnoldswick to lend £50 to the company at 4½% be accepted and that he be requested to pay the same to the credit of the company’s account.
Res. That we sanction the transfer of two shares 193 and 536 from J H Fawcett to Ann Elizabeth Fawcett. Certificate seal etc.
Res. Sanction of one share (no. 612) transferred from Thomas Windle to Henry Holdsworth. Cert and seal etc.
The secretary read the statement of receipts and payments for the last four weeks.
J D Roberts.

[Two special meetings noted for December 21st and January 2nd 1895. Attendance lists for both but no business specified.

December 27th 1894
Dr Roberts chair. Smith, Horsfield, Edmondson, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Dent, Barrett, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Exors of W Thompson, Principal £300 and interest of £166-5-0. Craven Bank Ltd £140. Sundry loan-holders at 4½%. George Proctor Sun Insurance Office less 5/- allowance £5-15-0. William Perry, Alliance Insurance Co £8. Johnson Edmondson 26 week’s manager @ 3/-, £3-18-0.
Res. That no cylinder oil but Cooke’s be purchased.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to engage a man to take down shafting and pulleys.
Mr Atkinson attended with tenders for engine [WH] from six firms including Burnley Ironworks Co. Res. That he be instructed to write to Burnley Ironworks Co asking them to reconsider their tender for the engine (£1025).
Res. That the applications for position of clerk of works be reduced to five.
Res. That seal be affixed to promissory note to Stephen Hartley for £50.
Johnson Edmondson.

January 9th 1895
Edmondson chair. Brooks, Dent, Barrett, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, Wilkinson, Smith and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the sale of land at CH to Standing and Son be proceeded with.
Res. That the balance sheet as drawn up by the secretary be adopted subject to audit and we recommend a dividend of 2½% for the half year.
Res. That the secretary arrange with Messrs Windle and Bailey for the loan to be paid off and the rent run in arrears. [This indicates a policy we shall see much of. The CHSC bending over backwards to support tenants, not as philanthropy but because it makes good business sense to keep the shed full to capacity and looms working. Eventually we will see how practical this policy was and what happened when it was eventually abandoned in the 1930s.]
Res. That J H Parker be engaged as Clerk of Works at 35/- per week subject to 14 days notice on either side. [Tighter control again of the building project and costs.]
Res. That we obtain a One Ton derrick crane from John Smith, Keighley for £18. The chain to be 24ft longer than usual.
Res. That we approve the specification drawn up by the architect for the slating and plastering of the warehouse providing he includes the cleaning and washing of the ends of the warehouse by the plasterers.
Res. That the contract with the Burnley Ironworks Co of £935 be accepted on condition that payment in respect of the engine be as follows: One third on delivery of the principal parts, one third when the engine has been set to work and one third three months afterwards. They undertaking to complete the engine and be ready for running on the 1st of May 1895. [Four months for a big job. Impressive. However, they were to realise that a big mistake had been made when the first half of the engine was installed. They put it next to the window side of the engine house which was where the other parts had to come in. Far better if the first side had been on the RH side of the flywheel. I don’t think this is ever mentioned in the minutes, I know about it from other research. Evidence of Newton Pickles in the LTP.]
Res. That accounts be paid: Crabtree £67. T Smith general rate[?] £67-1-0. John Widdup £13-6-10. A G Reeve £4-6-0. Delaney £66-19-0. George Proctor £24-11-9. T Smith [?] £45-12-9 [Poor rate?]
Res. That the half-yearly general meeting be held at the Seven Stars AR on Friday the 25th January 1895 at 7pm.
Res. That the walling of the shed extension be let by the yard and measured from the footings.
Res, That Mr Atkinson ask for prices of flags for the shed extension from different firms. [The floors of sheds were invariably Rossendale Flags at this time.]
Res. That the rent of land at the end of Mr Nutter’s warehouse at CH be halfpenny per yard.
J D Roberts.

January 23rd 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Barrett, Smith, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Brooks Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that he had arranged with Messrs Windle and Bailey for their rent to run in arrears and the loan be repaid.
The following applications for loans to the company having been made it is resolved that they be accepted and promissory notes issued with Co Seal. Dr Roberts, £500. Johnson Edmondson £100. John Horsfield £100. [Nice to see the directors putting their money into the CHSC.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write Mr Atkinson asking him to make out specifications including shafting, troughings, standards and fixings the contractor to state the price for each section also for the total. [More to this than meets the eye. By this time enough weaving sheds had been erected for a standard design to emerge because the requirements were always the same. Cast iron pillars [standards] supported cast iron troughing between the typical saw tooth, half glazed and half slated ranges of the roof. The troughing doubled as a structural member, a girder running the length of the roof. The pillars incorporated brackets [fixings] for the cross shaft bearings. This was the standard ‘girder shed’ with regular standard sized bays [sections] and could be quoted for very accurately. This standardisation came in handy in later years for demolition contractors estimating what a building was worth in terms of scrap. All they had to do was count the bays and do a simple multiplication because they knew exactly what weight of metal was in each one.]
Res. That Proctor Barrett’s tender of 2/5d per yard of walling as specification be accepted. He to lend the Co the mortar mill, man and utensils, the company to find power and materials [Ashes and lime] for grinding. The Co to pay 1/- per hour for such a loan. [It’s as well to note at this point that the site of the new extension is on river bottom silt and there is going to be a lot of subsidence of walls as the work proceeds and for years afterwards. The same problem was recognised 20 years later when Henry Brown and Sons built a foundry on the same ground.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr Atkinson re the sale of [old] shafting to Fawcett for £100. [CHSC are evidently demolishing old style weaving space as part of the new build. They are going to have standardised shafting.]
J D Roberts.

Half yearly meeting.
25th January 1895
Dr Roberts in the chair.
Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and report adopted.
Dividend of 5% per annum be paid on the half year profits.
Director’s remuneration for half year be £15.
Common Seal of Co be affixed to the Register of transferred shares.
J D Roberts.

February 6th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Brooks, Smith and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Ironworks £4-10-0. P Barrett £1-12-6. W Roberts and Co ?. Local Board £2-4-8. James Lofthouse £1-6-0. Crabtree £44-13-0. Rawlinson £2-7-0. George Proctor £21-16-0.
Res that the application of B Windle to lend the Co £100 be accepted. Note, seal etc.
Res. That the application of W Perry for six shares in the Co be approved and that the same be allotted to him. Certificates and seal etc.
Res, That the secretary obtain the price of Arley and Thin Mine seam coal ex Townley Pits [Burnley] direct and delivered at Coates Wharf.
The secretary read the statement of payments and receipts from January 1st to February 6th 1895 showing that payments exceeded receipts by £640.
J D Roberts.

February 20th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Smith, Horsfield, Brooks, Dent, Barrett, Wilson, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That sanction be given to the transfer of two shares from George Watson to Proctor Barrett. Certificate and seal etc.
Res. That Jonathan Peel’s application for three shares be allowed. Certificate and seal etc.
Res. That Joseph Windle be allowed us of the Penny Room for storage until the warehouse is ready for him. [The main entrance to the old WH Mill was on the SW corner of the mill and consisted of a large thoroughfare closed by an iron gate with a smaller entrance door on the left hand side. This was popularly known as the ‘Penny Hole’ because when the main gate was shut latecomers had to go in by the small door and were fined one penny for doing so. There was an office on the left of the passage behind this door and this was known as the ‘Penny Room’.]
Res. That we accept Proctor Barrett’s price for finding his own mortar for walling at 6½d per yard. [I’ve always thought that Proctor Barrett was a smart cookie. He was a good man for CHSC but reading between the lines one gets the impression that he had to be watched very carefully!]
Mr Richard Crabtree attended before the directors with regard to the price of coal. Viz. 9/4 per ton, thin Mine, at WH Mill.
J D Roberts.

March 6th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Brooks, Smith, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J W Brown 17/6. John Smith £18. Delaney £168. W H Atkinson £9-16-0. R Crabtree £37-9-0. Johnson Edmondson £2-17-1. George Proctor £21-19-7.
Res. That the application of W Knowles to lend the Co £150 at 4½% be accepted. Note and seal etc.
Res. That the clerk of works make up his time book on Thursday night and forward particulars to the secretary, he to send cash on Saturday morning. [Tight control again. This means that GP knows the week’s tally the day before the director’s meeting.]
Res. That we accept the loan of £2000 at 4% as brought forward by Johnson Edmondson if lender will accept note under seal of the Co.
Monthly statement of payments and receipts read by secretary. Receipts over payments of £286-4-7.
J D Roberts.

March 13th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Wilson, Brooks, Baxter, Barrett, W Holdsworth and Edmondson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That providing Heap and Thornton refuse to sign for slating that Messrs Nuttall’s tender for slating be accepted with the plastering.
Prices as per Mr Atkinson’s memo. Nuttall: Slating £83, Plastering £69-10-0. Heap and Thornton: £75 and £74-10-0.
Res. That the chairman be instructed to write Messrs Greenwood Bros. Halifax and Dent & Holt at Burnley for quotation for a circular saw-bench capable of taking a 36” saw.
Res. That the winders and loomer's [departments] in Nutter’s Shed be boarded off. The Co to find the timber and the tenant to do the work.
Res. That the clerk of works procure a spirit level. [Sounds obvious but remember that in 1895 this was high technology. The standard method used by masons for getting a level was a plumb bob and square.]
Res That the architect push on with the tenders for flagging and troughing for WH extension.
Res. That the secretary be requested to attend personally at the next meeting as we wish to consider the question of sewers, proposed by the Council to run through the Company’s land and to ascertain whether or not we should consult our solicitor. [Interesting entry. It is the first indication of something I have often wondered about, how could a man as busy as GP attend every meeting of all the companies he was responsible for. Obvious from this that he didn’t, he had a note taker and only occasionally attended personally. Further, note the word ‘council’, the Local Board became the Barnoldswick Urban District Council in late 1894. Following the start of the municipal water supply in 1892 the Local Board addressed the matter of installing a water-carriage sewage system in place of the old night-soil arrangements. This is why the matter of a new sewer has arisen at WH, BUDC are pressing on with sewer-laying.]
J D Roberts.

March 20th 1895
Dr Roberts in chair. Edmondson, Dent, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Smith, Barrett, Horsfield, Brooks and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That in future the directors meet weekly instead of fortnightly until the alterations are completed.
Res. That no old material be sold off the premises until the offers have been submitted to the directors.
Res. Accounts to be paid: J W Green £44-14-0. P Barrett £5-7-0 after examination by clerk of works.
Res. That the secretary write Messrs Layfield and ask them to repair the boiler at Wellhouse when next in Barnoldswick.
Res. That the secretary write to Mr Delaney re the quality of coal.
Mr Johnson Edmondson reported having let the slating and plastering to Mr Nuttall; slating at £83. Plastering at £60-10-0.
Res. That Mr Proctor Barrett’s offer to saw the timber required by the company for the extension at WH at 1/- per hour, he finding the the machine and sawyer, the company finding a labourer to take the wood to the machine and bring it back, all the material being the company’s [be accepted].
Res. That the secretary write the architect about the delay in getting out the flagging and ironwork specifications.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to offer the further extension at WH Mill for 160 looms at 39/- per loom and 12 week’s grace for gaiting up.
Res. That the clerk of works be empowered to get any extra men he requires.
Res. That all ashlar be sold at 9d per cubic foot and that no ashlar be quarried to dimensions except on payment of 1/- per cubic foot.
Res. That we borrow from Mr Edward Smith a bogie during extension at WH for the sum of 20/-. [Bogie is a small truck.]
Res. That the price of the four rails be more than 10/- each Mr Smith having already made the above offer.
Res. That the secretary be requested to ascertain whether the bricks, iron pipes and seating bricks [Boiler settings] sent to Earby have yet been paid for.
Res. That we offer the iron troughs from the blacksmith’s shop at 20/- each.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask Mr Atkinson to attend on Friday to consider the supply of pumping water.
Johnson Edmondson.

March 27th 1895
J Edmondson chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the railway account for demurrage be referred to John Delaney.
Res. That the sum of £30 be accepted from D Woffenden as a loan to the Co. Note and seal etc.
Res. That the transfer of 5 shares from Elizabeth Banks to Janet Mitton be sanctioned. Certificate and seal etc.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to take steps for the immediate recovery of Mr Varley’s account.
Mr W H Atkinson attended the meeting with tenders for Ironfounder’s and millwright’s work and flags. Res that the tender of Mr Fawcett of Skipton for ironfounder's and millwright’s work at £64 be accepted on condition that the ironfounder’s work is completed in 7 weeks from the time of signing the agreement and millwright’s work before June 30th 1895. The usual penalty clause to be inserted in the agreement.
Res. That the tender of Mr Clayton to supply flags to specification at 2/11 per yard be accepted and that a sample truck be ordered and left in the siding until the completion of the order. [Clever move, this sample truck will be the reference point for judging the quality of subsequent truck loads.]
Res. That a sample truck of Haslingden stone be ordered from J Peel and M Hardman [two separate suppliers] at 3/5 per square yard as per specification by Mr Atkinson. (Hack faced) [Haslingden and Bacup were the main sources for Rossendale flags.]
Res. That Mr Proctor Barrett’s tender for extra piece of walling above the height of the shed and touching the chimney at 1/- per yard on top of the price of ordinary walling be accepted.
Res. That Mr Bailey be requested to attend the next meeting of directors in order to arrange terms for looms at WH.
Res. That Mr Smith and the architect be instructed to report on the sample trucks of flags.
Res. That we advertise in the Craven Herald and Craven Pioneer this week for one waller and one banker hand. [Banker hand is a mason who dresses walling stone to a fair face as necessary.]
Res. That Mr L Holdsworth see after procuring hammer for drilling.
Res. That Petty, pipe coverers be charged 10/- per annum for use of the yard for his material from 1st January 1895. The material to be at his own risk.
No signature.

April 3rd 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilson, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Barrett and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: V Wilkinson £1. W Norcross £4-4-0. W B Dick and Co £3-8-6. Ed Smith £2-7-0. Ward and Co £1-14-0. G Proctor wages £63-1-11½ Insurance £5-3-6.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments, £87-17-8½ [in favour of] payments.
Res. That the four rails be sold to Ed Smith for 10/- each. (Paid)
Res. That Mr J Edmondson be instructed to write to Delaney asking him to send us sufficient coal to see us over the stoppage at the pit.
Res. That we do not accept the offer to take 38/- for looms and that we offer them at 39/- per loom the number to be calculated on the usual space occupied per loom with twelve weeks for gaiting up. [Some looms were broader and took up more space. Standard was usually 40” reed space loom.]
Mr Bailey attended to arrange terms. Adjourned till the next meeting.
No signature.

April 11th 1895
J Edmondson chair. Brooks, Horsfield, Smith, Dent, Baxter, Wilson, Barrett, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary write to Mr Pickup [Burnley Ironworks] as to the engine bed not being ready to pull in as arranged, at the Easter Holidays.
Res. That the secretary see Mr Slater.
Res. That the clerk of works offer Thomas Brown 6½d per hour for work at WH extension.
Res. That we obtain a tender for carting flags the price to be per ton.
Res. That we order Yorkshire flags from J Clayton, Cullingworth and Rossendales from Peel at Bacup. [Yorkshire flags were bedded gritstone flags for passages etc. Rossendales were non-bedded, planed, heavier flags for weaving sheds.]
Res. That the window bottoms [cills] from the top storey measuring 3 feet and upwards be sold to Edward Smith at 9d per cubic foot.
Res. That Mr Pickover be engaged as watchman at 3½d per hour.
No signature.

April 17th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, Dent, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Barrett, Brooks, Smith, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the leading of flags from station to WH at 8d per ton be let to Mr Hardy.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain the price of tooled stone ridging at Catlow Quarry. [Nelson]
Res. That the men drilling in the engine house [for engine holding down bolts. Very deep holes to bottom of engine beds.] be paid 2/6 per day when six of them are working. When three only are working 2/- per day to be paid to them for allowance. [Probably on top of wage as an incentive payment. Very hard work. Probably two strikers and one drill holder to each hole.]
Res. That the moveable scaffold be repaired and cost charged to Mr Fawcett, his men having broken it.
Johnson Edmondson.

April 24th 1895
Johnson Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Horsfield, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Barrett, Brooks, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the timber from mill [WH?] be sold by public auction on Saturday 4th May by Matthew Rawlinson.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be instructed to repair the scaffold.
Res. That the secretary write to the Burnley Ironworks Co to say that the engine at WH will not stop except from Saturday noon till Monday morning until Friday night 31st of May and will commence again on Monday 4th of June and that they must make their arrangements for fixing the engine accordingly. [Not sure what the problem is here, it could be simply connecting the new side to the existing engine but it could also be because of problems of access for bringing in components because they had to be brought in over the existing engine.]
Res. That we procure a rope for turning ten looms in Pickles’ shed.
Res. That Messrs Edmondson and Dent be the deputation to see Bailey. [A tenant in trouble.]
Res. That Proctor Barrett assist in arranging lots for sale on 4th of May.
Res. That the shoddy [sub-standard] stones in front of lodge be sold to Proctor Barrett at 1/10 per yard. [Lodge is another term for ‘dam’ but also a name given to the time-keeper’s office at the mill entrance. Take your pick. Certainly WH Mill.]
J D Roberts.

May 1st 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, Baxter, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: S Cooke £21-9-0. Crabtree £50-2-0. John Dixon 14/-. John Widdup 20-14-0. Henry Smith £1-3-0. Delaney £80-6-0. D Moseley and Sons £3-5-0. George Proctor wages £22-19-6. Rawlinson £2-9-0. WH wages £76-0-3. Proctor Barrett £40. Brooks and Son £1-12-0. JW Brown £4-6-2 after signature by clerk of works.
The secretary read the monthly statement of payments and receipts.
Res. That Messrs J Edmondson, P Barrett and Ed Smith form a committee to see the clerk of works as to the large number of labourers he is employing seeing that all pulling down is finished.
Res. That the ridging [roof] be sold at 3/- per yard. If selected the price to be 3/6 per yard.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain tenders for the supply of coal to the company.
Res. That the coves[?] from the blacksmith’s shop be sold at 4/- per cwt.
Res. That the end of Windle's shed be built of rubble. [As opposed to dressed stone. This could be because the possibility of another extension using the gable end is possible.]
Res. That the engineer at WH help to prepare pumping engine for Burnley.
Res. That Messrs Edmondson, Smith, Barrett and Holdsworth see Mr Hawley and sell him such lumber as he requires.
Res. That Messrs Smith, Holdsworth, Barrett, Brooks and Edmondson form a deputation to reply to the deputation from BUDC and the road and that they be empowered to treat with the Council providing that not more than £50 be given to the Council if they take over the road as a Public Highway in its present condition.
J D Roberts.

May 8th 1895
Johnson Edmondson chair. Barrett, Smith, Horsfield, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the ashlar in yard at front of mill be offered to Mr Crabtree at 7½d per cubic foot. Accepted.
Res. That Royd’s ground rent of £9-13-4 be paid.
Res. Mr Lambert be engaged as clerk of works until Mr Parker’s return.
Res. That we do not entertain the offer of Messrs Slater for room and power at WH Mill. Viz. At 38/- their offer.
Res. That instructions be given to Mr Sneath to forward parts of pump for dam to Burnley for repair. [Water at Wellhouse, a perennial subject. One of the main sources of water for WH over the years was from a sump in the course of the Bowker Drain in Eastwood Bottoms to the NE of the mill. The land belonged to Roundell’s Gledstone Estate and this is the origin of the regular rent paid to them. The pump in question was sited near the dam and drew water out of the sump 24 hours a day and was essential to the running of the mill.]
Messrs Lancaster and Nutter waited upon the board as a deputation from BUDC asking for permission to use Wellhouse Road during stoppage of the main road in consequence of sewers being laid. Offering to pay the company a reasonable sum for the privilege and for damage to the road. Resolved that the matter be taken into consideration at our next meeting.
Res. That the large ashlar be offered at 8d per cubic foot and that the secretary write to Mr John Crabtree, Ewood Court, Mytholmroyd quoting the price.
Res. That we offer to James Slater, Castle View, the short troughing at 1/6 per linear yard. [James was a grocer and tea dealer but was also connected with the textile trade, Slaters ran Clough Mill.]
Res. That the architect be requested to obtain tenders for flagging the extension.
Johnson Edmondson.

May 15th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, Horsfield, Brooks, L Holdsworth, W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That we approve the sale to Mr Varley, agent for Roundell Esq, engine for £35, Roof ribs in mill bottom at 1¾d per foot, Lots of 25 spars each, 6/- each. A discount of 2½% be allowed on engine.
Res. That we approve and adopt the terms come to with BUDC by the deputation appointed at the last meeting to wait upon the council as to the taking over of Wellhouse Road and converting the same to a public highway at once and taking it over in its present condition. The company to pay all groundwork, to put in another grate to take off surface water and conduct same into reservoir, to channel the side of the road adjoining the company’s shed extension now being proceeded with, to open out the road into Skipton Road and fence off the company’s land in a line with the rails at present fencing in the company’s property and to pay the council £30 towards the cost of putting the road in proper repair. [A good move, gets Wellhouse Road off the CHSC’s back.]
Res. That the same deputation further wait upon the council as to the flagging adjoining extension mentioned in Mr Lancaster’s letter from the council.
Res. That the quotation of Proctor Barrett to supply top lights at 2d per superficial foot to have them ready when required be accepted.
Res. That the quotation of Mr S Burgess to do the flagging, i.e. Dressing and laying 3” flags at 9½d per superficial yard be accepted.
Res. That the transfer of one share from W Dixon to W S Wait be registered and sealed.
Res. That A Hardy be paid £2 on account of carting flags and that he be seen by Mr L Holdsworth as to his completing the contract. That Mr Brooks agreement to complete at 9½d be accepted if Mr Hardy will not go on.
Res. That the common seal of the Co be attached to a conveyance of a plot of land, part of the Mean Laithe Flatt, containing 783 square yards from the company to P Barrett for £141-19-3.
Res. That ditto 733½ square yards to L Holdsworth £134-13-9. In presence of etc.
Res. That ditto 707 square yards of CH Estate to Joseph Standing for £90. Registered, sealed etc.
Res That the joiners work until next Saturday and finish odd jobs in warehouse and that the architect get out specifications and invite tenders for roofing, lining, troughs etc. in shed. [WH]
Res. That Messrs Baxter, Wilkinson, Smith, Barrett, Dr Roberts, L&W Holdsworth, Edmondson and Dent see the clerk of works and that the architect be wired to attend.
Res. That the beam ends be sold to Ed Smith at 1/- per foot.
Res. That the stones at the gate opposite the gas works be sold to Proctor Barrett for 1/- per load.
Johnson Edmondson.

May 22nd 1895
J Edmondson in chair. Dent, Smith, Horsfield, W&L Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and Mr Atkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the tender of S Baldwin, Burnley to supply the hoist at WH Mill at £57 be accepted.
Res. That the tender of Joe W Lee to supply and fix woodwork at WH Mill as per specification for the sum of £70-2-3½ be accepted.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be asked to send two wallers from Colne.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to W Stanworth’s to send his man to repair slates on the roof of the WH warehouse.
Res. That we accept John Widdup’s tender for Arley Slack from the Exors of Colonel Hargreaves delivered at Calf Hall Shed at 9/6 per ton for six trucks.
Res. That we order six trucks of Peanuts, Allerton Bywater, Castleford at 7/2 Barnoldswick Station.
Res. That we write Mr Slater asking him if he will accept our terms viz. 160 looms and warehouse room for same at 39/- without preparation for sizing.
J D Roberts.

May 30th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, Smith, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Delaney £64-12-0. Joseph Clayton £18-8-0. Crabtree £43-2-0. J Peel £23-16-0. J Bulcock 15/6. M Hardman £7-6-0. J Baldwin 12/-. P Barrett £3. D Moseley and Sons £1-13-11. A Hardy 10/-. George Proctor £102-14-7.
Secretary read the monthly statement of payments and receipts.
Res. That sanction be given to the transfer of 4 shares from J W Smith to Thomas Dent. Cert and seal etc.
Res. That the clerk of works be paid up to the time he works and no further and that Johnson Edmondson see to the matter of paying him.
Res. That Mr Jackson of Keighley be allowed to remove the two lathe beds at WH Mill bought by him in the sale of the premises in 1889 on payment of £6-10-0 as rent and on condition they are removed within a fortnight of this date.
Res. That we approve the purchase of one boat load of best slack from Richard Crabtree until the arrival of the coal from Exors of C Hargreaves.
Res. That the flashing of the extension be done with new lead. [As opposed to using lead flashing recovered during the demolition.]
Res. That the clerk of works from Colne be paymaster.
Res. That the slaters on warehouse at WH be allowed 2/- at the end of the week. [A tip on top of wage?]
Res. That W Holdsworth and Ed Smith look after pointing and plastering under roof at WH warehouse. [This is clashing the joints between slates up from below to stop rain and snow blowing under them.]
Res. That we charge the the last two buyers of the plots at Mean Laithe and the plot at CH two months interest at 5% per annum.
Johnson Edmondson.

June 5th 1895
Johnson Edmondson chair. L Holdsworth, Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, Wilson, Smith and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Resolved that we offer the pine beams to James Shaw at ½ per running foot.
Res. That we write to Mr W B White at Colne to come and see the yellow pine beams and to make an offer.
Res. That we look up the windows and put those that are suitable into Windle’s warehouse.
Res. That we instruct the architect to invite tenders for glazing the windows in the warehouse at WH extension, say per pane.
Res. That Joe Lee be charged 4d per hour for working the circular saw from the shaft in the warehouse.
Johnson Edmondson.

June 12th 1895
Johnson Edmondson chair. W&L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Smith, Dent, Brooks, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson. Minutes as read.
Res. That as many of the directors as possible meet Mr Atkinson and explain the requirements of BUDC and ask his opinion of work to be done by tender.
Res. That we obtain tenders for yellow pine beams.
Res. That the transfer of eight shares from the Exors of B Harrison to William Clark be sanctioned. Seal and cert etc.
Res. That six trucks of coal be purchased from Haigh Moor Colliery Co and one boat from R Crabtree, unscreened Thin Mine.
Res. That we sell Ed Smith 10ft laths at 2d each and log of wood to William Horsfield 2d.
Res. That William Bailey be allowed to store new looms in the empty Blow Room. [A blow room was a hangover from spinning and no longer needed.]
Johnson Edmondson

June 19th 1895
Johnson Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, L&W Holdsworth and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
The Barnoldswick Co-operative Society having applied for a plot of land on which to erect a slaughterhouse. Resolved that the secretary be instructed to write them to the effect that we cannot entertain their application owing to the danger which would arise to the company’s reservoirs by the accumulation of rats. [The Co-op eventually built on land near the Corn Mill.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write Mr Atkinson asking him to press forward the whole of the contractors but especially Fawcett and Nuttall.
Res. That we charge Mr Shaw 3/7 per yard for flags supplied to him.
Johnson Edmondson.

June 27th 1895
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Barrett, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid. Exors W Thompson ?. Burghope and Strange £2-19-6. Interest £159-2-6, principal £200, total £359-2-6. C Brooks and Son £2-6-6. M J Layfield £1-17-6. Craven Bank interest £140-0-0. Midland Railway Co 7/3. Interest on loans £2015, £41-12-7. George Proctor wages £69-1-11. Crabtree £62-15-0. Joseph Clayton £30-19-10. John Delaney £73. J Edmondson £11-3-8. James Wright 15/-. Joe M Lee £30. P Barrett £119-11-7. Henry Hargreaves £4-3-0.
Res That the tender of W J Varley to glaze the shed extension for the sum of £48-10-0 and re-glaze the old windows in the warehouse at 2/9 per dozen be accepted.
The secretary read the monthly statement of payments and receipts.
Res. That the floor and roof beams be sold to the highest bidder viz. Proctor Barrett at 8d per foot, rotten ends not to be measured.
Res That we offer to James Shaw the beam borrowed at 1/- per foot and that we reduce the one bought to 1/- provided he accept the borrowed one.
Res. That Messrs Barrett, W Holdsworth, Dent, Baxter and others look up the windows on Windle’s warehouse and make arrangements for making them good.
Res. That Mr Joseph Ball’s tender to re-point and repair the [WH] chimney for 4/- per square yard and to re-fix a new conductor on same be accepted.
Res. That Messrs Edmondson, Baxter and L Holdsworth see Messrs Nuttall with instructions that if they do not at once push on with the slating they be empowered to let the work to somebody else and charge Messrs Nuttall with the expense.
Johnson Edmondson.

July 8th 1895
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Brooks, W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Barrett, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the architect be instructed to write to Mr Welbury of Kendal approving of the No 1 plan for arrangement of Wellhouse Road.
Res. That the plastering and painting of walls in the warehouse at WH be let by tender.
Res. That boarding and under-drawing be done where necessary in Windle’s portion of the extension [WH] and that Messrs. Dent, Dickinson, Barrett and J Edmondson form a committee to superintend the same.
Res. That notice be given to Henry Whitaker that unless poultry be removed we shall summon him for trespass.
Res. That tenders be got for ashes.
Res. That J Edmondson and T Baxter wait upon Mr Fawcett at Skipton as to delivery of millwright work.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be paid £40 on account.
J D Roberts.

July 10th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Brooks, Smith, Barrett, Wilson, Baxter and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Ed Smith’s tender for ashes from CH and WH for next twelve months at ½d per load be accepted. [Apart from the CHSC work we should remember that this was a period of rapid expansion in the built environment and ashes were a valuable constituent of lime/ash mortar.]
Res. That Brown the mechanic be paid 30/- per week mill hours.
Res. That we approve the sale to W B White of 47 windows at 4/6 each. [This gives an idea of the scale of demolition of redundant buildings at WH]
J D Roberts.

July 17th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res That the balance sheet as submitted be recommended to shareholders and that we recommend a dividend of 5% per annum for the half year.
Res. That the general meeting be held at the Seven Stars AR on Friday 21st of July at 7pm.
Res. That the seal of the company be affixed to the agreement made between the BUDC and the company for the taking over of Wellhouse Road on the company paying £30 and other conditions mentioned in the agreement.
Res. That a committee consisting of the chairman, vice chairman and Mr Brooks make enquiries as to the rent paid by Mr Proctor Barrett being a reasonable one.
J D Roberts.

July 24th 1895
Dr Roberts in chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Brooks, Horsfield, Barrett, Baxter, Wilson, L&W Holdsworth and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid. Ellison and Co £24. James Standing £1-6-0. J Thompson and Co £2-2-0. W Stanworth £23-10-0. W Fawcett £1-10-0. C Brooks and Son £1-15-11. BUDC 4/3. J W Brown 15/-. P Barrett £5-19-0. R Crabtree £19-13-0. J Peel £57-9-0. J Widdup £71. Burnley Ironworks £5-5-0. Joseph Clayton £6-2-0. S Cooke and Co £13-19-0. George Proctor (wages) £45-10-5. Henry Hargreaves £9-19-0. Burgess £20.
Res. That the chairman and Messrs Dent and Wilkinson form a committee to meet the person who has applied for room and power for about 200 looms on Saturday and obtain the terms and conditions upon which he is willing to take the same.
Res. That the tender to fix ceiling boards ½“ thick in Windle’s warehouse at 9 3/8d per square yard by J M Lee be accepted.
The committee appointed to go into the matter of P Barrett’s tenancy reported having visited several places working under similar conditions. Resolved that the matter be left until the next meeting.
Resolved that P Barrett be allowed the old lime on the Throstle Mill floor for cleaning up the same. [The throstle mill was a section of the multi-storey section of WH Mill formerly used for the process of throstle spinning, a fore-runner of more modern technologies.]
Res. That the hopper at CH be repaired.
J D Roberts.

Half-yearly meeting of shareholders
July 26th, 1895. 7pm.
Dr Roberts in the chair.
Minutes of last general meeting as read.
Res. That the balance sheet and auditor’s report as read be adopted.
Res. That a dividend of 5% per annum be paid for the half year ending June 30th 1895.
Res. That the common seal be affixed to the register of share transfers.
Res. That the following directors be re-elected: Brooks, Smith, Baxter and L Holdsworth.
Res. That the director’s remuneration be at the rate of £30 per annum.
Res. That Mr Ed Foden of Burnley be re-elected auditor for the company at £3-3-0 per annum.
No signature.

July 31st 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Brooks and Wilson.
Res That Dr Roberts be chairman and Johnson Edmondson vie-chair.
Minutes as read.
The committee appointed to look into the matter of Proctor Barrett’s tenancy reported having visited Burnley and gave particulars of room and power by joiners etc. there.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to give Proctor Barrett notice to terminate his tenancy of the joiner’s shop etc. which will terminate in February 1986.
Res. That Sanction be given to the transfer of 26 shares from Henry Edmondson (executor of Brooks Banks’ estate) To H Banks (8), E Metcalfe (12), E Brooks Banks (6). Certificates, seal etc.
Res. That the seal of the company be affixed to the agreement with BUDC.[WH Road]
Res. That the seal of the co be affixed to promissory note in favour of Henry Wilson for a loan of £25 to the company.
Res. That accounts be paid: Transfer to Dividend Account £390-1-0. Director’s fees £15. Secretary’s salary £15. BUDC £30. Joe M Lee £40.
Res. That the engineer be allowed for cleaning out well at CH Shed 10/-. cistern 5/- and at Wellhouse, cistern at 7/6.
J D Roberts.

August 7th 1895
T Dent chair. H&L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Barrett, Baxter, Wilkinson, Smith, Brooks and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Wilkinson, Smith, L&W Holdsworth and P Barrett look up the piping for gas and steam pipes with Thomas Brown and if Brown is competent they arrange with the architect for him to fix same in Windle’s warehouse.
Res. That we allow an extra 2/6 for cleaning out cistern. [WH?]
Res. That Messrs Nuttall be paid £70 on account.
Res. That we allow J Windle the corner in warehouse at right angles from door and windows for an office.
J D Roberts.

August 14th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, Brooks, Horsfield, Baxter, L&W Holdsworth, Henry Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That all the windows in the bottom of warehouse be glazed.
Res. That the privies at WH Mill be repaired and put in order by Tom Brown and that any further repairs be done by the tenant.
Res. That a clause be inserted in the agreement between J Windle of WH and the company as to occupation of the room in the Mechanic’s Shop as an office to the effect that whenever the company require the same he shall deliver up possession forthwith.
The representative of Mr Joseph Ball of Oldham, chimney repairer, waited on the board requesting payment of his account for pointing and sundry work at WH Chimney amounting to £122-1-3 when it was explained to him that the board were very much dissatisfied with the manner in which the work had been done, he having fixed ladders to the chimney and reported work in hand on the day on which he received instructions to inspect. He also commenced work before receiving orders and the work when finished was not to the satisfaction of the directors. The price charged was exorbitant. He was informed that his account could not be paid until the architect had certified the amount.
Johnson Edmondson.

August 21st 1895
Present: Edmondson, Smith, Dent, Barrett, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Skipton Union Poor Rate £39-16-8. J R Atkinson £21-9-0. A G Reeve £1-9-0. General rate £47-0-0. George Proctor £92-12-2. C Brooks and Son £4-11-8. Ed Smith £21-10-0. T Rawlinson £4-7-0. Henry Hargreaves £5-13-0. Sam Thompson 17/-. J Edmondson £6. D G Cresswell and Son 12/-. J Widdup £64-16-0. Thomas Hart £1-2-0. P Barrett £4-10-0.
Res. That we accept Benjamin Windle's notice for repayment of loan of £100 one month from this date.
Res. That the common seal of the company be attached to the notice to terminate Proctor Barrett’s tenancy on the 27th day of February 1895 [sic. Should be 1896] in the presence of J Edmondson, Henry Wilson and the secretary.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write a strong letter to Mr Fawcett re. Delay in finishing the shafting.
Res. That Edward Smith provide one ton of cement at 45/- delivered at WH with sufficient sand to use with same.
Res. That the architect obtain tenders for driving ropes fixed complete in engine house, shed and warehouse in Windle’s portion. [The engine was obviously only provided with enough ropes for the drive from one side when originally installed. Full complement was 16 x 2” ropes.]
Res. That Messrs Nuttall point and make the troughings, also repair ridging on Joiner’s and Tinner’s shop.
JD Roberts.

September 4th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Barrett and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res that the following be paid according to architect’s certificates: Burnley Ironworks £300. Nuttall £40. other accounts paid: R Crabtree £39-6-0. J Peel £19. T Smith £27-10-0 rate for WH.
Res. That our architect be instructed to inform the Burnley Ironworks Co that they [directors] cannot see their way to allow the Metallic Packings to be charged as an extra as the specification by the BI Co stated clearly that it [the new side] “be exactly like the one working now and made by us” and “the stuffing boxes to be fitted with US Metallic Packings” “General construction and dimensions of all parts throughout shall be made to sample of present one”.
Res. That all coals be weighed that are supplied to CH Shed from September 9th and weigh notes left with the engineer.
Res. That a window in Pilkington’s warehouse be exchanged for one that will turn water.
J Windle now having possession of warehouse and shed resolved that he be responsible for any damage to windows etc.
Res. That Pickover cease to be employed as watchman at the end of the week.
Res. That Mr Atkinson prepare specifications for painting inside Windle’s shed.
Res. That transfer of two shares from Thomas Windle to A King be allowed, sealed and registered.
Johnson Edmondson.

September 11th 1895
Johnson Edmondson chair. Dent, Barrett, Brooks, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the architect obtain tenders for the pointing of the engine house at WH.
Res. That the tender of J Lofthouse to paint the shed at WH for the sum of £15-5-0 be accepted.
Res. That the secretary make an appointment for two directors, the architect and the secretary to meet Mr J Ball the chimney repairer in reference to his account.
Res. That the letting of work required in flagging and channelling in Wellhouse Road be left with the architect and as many directors as can make it convenient to meet on Saturday morning.
Johnson Edmondson.

September 18th 1895
Johnson Edmondson chair. Dent, Barrett, Brooks, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Smith and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That one range of 2” wrought iron pipes [Steam heating] be put round rooms in warehouse and that Mr Atkinson procure the same.
Res. That the shed be heated by the old cast iron pipes and 70ft of wrought iron at the inlet end, if not sufficient of cast. [Cast iron piping for steam heating was old technology and these pipes date from 1854. Surprising decision dictated by cost no doubt.]
Res. That we accept the tender of Hanson Scott and Co for new ropes for engine, warehouse (WH extension) and one for Calf Hall, of £37 as specified by the architect.
Res. That a cheque be paid to Joseph Ball of Oldham for £120 in respect of chimney repairs. [A reduction of only £2 after all that trouble!]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to J Fawcett of Skipton to the effect that on and after Monday next the penalty and other clauses relating to non-completion of work will be enforced and carried into completion without further notice. And also that our architect has instructions to purchase whatever may be required and engage men to fix the same, the expense of which will be placed against the amount of his contract.
Res. That weighing of coal be discontinued and that a wagon be occasionally weighed by Mr Edmondson.
J Edmondson.

September 25th 1895
J Edmondson chair. Smith, Horsfield, Brooks, Dent, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Lancaster and Tonge £10. J Widdup £49. J W Brown £1-1-6. Joe M Lee £23-19-0.
Johnson Edmondson.

October 2nd 1895
Johnson Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Barrett, Brooks, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the thoroughfare and all below pin rail in shed be whitewashed.
Res. That the pavement in the thoroughfare be taken up and raised so that they can get into warehouse. [Levels and pushing trucks?]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to meet the directors to take into consideration the shed extension as soon as possible. [An additional one?]
J D Roberts.

October 9th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Brooks, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That CH Shed roof ridging and slates be repaired by W Norcross and that the chairman be appointed to attend to the same.
Res. That tenders be obtained for the painting of the shed roof at Calf Hall with two coats of good paint.
Res. That Mr Barrett have the Joiner’s shop and yard at £25 per annum (without power) he to pay all rates. (same yard)
Res. That we offer the power for turning the machinery in the Joiner’s Shop at £65 per annum and that we let the same for terms of six months as previously. [This is the old bobbin mill later referred to as the laundry.]
J D Roberts.

October 16th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W B Dick £4-17-6. J R Atkinson £20-11-0. R Crabtree £39-6-0. George Proctor £43-0-3. F Stockdale £1-19-0. J Edmondson £4-0-3. S Cooke and Co £20-18-0. W J Varley £1-2-0. C Brooks and Son £1-14-0.
The secretary read the monthly statement of payments and receipts.
Res. That Our secretary endeavour to obtain permission from our Mortgagees of CH Shed to repay £1500 in order that the rate of interest may then be reduced to 4½%.
Res. That the further consideration of Mr Barrett’s rent be left until next week.
Res. That the late W Pickover’s widow be paid 16/8, amount of wages, to end of last week.
Johnson Edmondson.

October 23rd 1895
J Edmondson in chair. Dent, Smith, Barrett, Brooks, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the selection of firebeater in the place of William Pickover deceased [Was he doubling as firebeater and watchman at WH?] be left to Mr Edmondson and Mr Dent together with the engine tenter and that they be empowered to engage one and pay him 22/- per week.
Res. That in the event of a strike taking place at any of the tenants of the sheds they be allowed half rent in respect of those looms stopped by strike action and particulars of looms stopped be taken each morning. [During late 1895 there was agitation in Barlick against under-payment of weavers and Long Ing Shed was the first out. By March 1896 1200 weavers were out on strike. This was a troubled time with strike-breakers brought in by the manufacturers and levels of police brutality leading to a complaint by BUDC to the Home Office. The strike failed.]
Res. That the secretary be authorised to offer Proctor Barrett a five year lease for his space at a rent of £90 per annum including power, the company paying all rates. Or, as an alternative, of room only at £35 per annum he providing his own power and paying rates.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to invite tenders for heating the warehouse in J Windle's portion by 2” pipes and that our men proceed with putting steam pipes into the shed. Res. That Mr Edmondson proceed to Colne at once to instruct the architect to do the work.
Res. That we should build up the door in Windle’s shed opposite the space between Brook’s shed and the warehouse with a 9” wall and that Ed Smith do the work.
Johnson Edmondson.

October 30th 1895
J Edmondson in chair. Dent, Smith, Brooks, Barrett, Wilson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Horsfield and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: P Barrett £74-7-0. John Widdup £66-15-0. H Hargreaves £1-16-6. W J Varley £73-5-0. Stott and Son £9-13-4. J Thompson and Co 17/-. W H Atkinson £40. ? Burgess £4-10-0.
Res. That we approve the transfer of 12 shares from Joseph Waddington Deceased to Ellen Waddington.
Res. That we sanction the transfer of four shares from Emily Metcalfe to Sandy Harmer. Cert and seal etc.
Res. That J J Sneath’s [engineer at WH] application for extra time in connection with the extension be deferred until completion when he be paid a lump sum.
Res. That J Windle be allowed to put a tea warming tray in the thoroughfare and steam pipes in his office if he pays for it. [Tea-brewing equipment, a steam heated water boiler, was a common feature in sheds. At Bancroft 1920 onwards the weavers paid 1d per week for using it and I once worked out that the boiler produced a profit for the management.]
Res. That the windows near the steam pipe in the old warehouse be glazed.
Res. That the architect be instructed to include brass trays for engine in specification for wheel covers. [Looks as though this is without the BI contract and within to tinsmith’s contract for wheel covers on the lineshaft in the shed. The wheel covers prevented grease being flung off the gears and damaging warps by staining.]
Res. That J Edmondson and Leonard Holdsworth select 9 windows for sale to P Barrett for 4/6 each.
Res. That the sale of timber at WH be on the 9th of November and that M Rawlinson be the auctioneer.
Johnson Edmondson.

November 6th 1895
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Barrett, Smith, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the tender of P Watson and Co be accepted to the dishes and wheel guards in the extension and engine house at WH for the sum of £22-18-6.
Res. That J J Smith be paid for 4½hrs overtime. That John Knowles be paid up and stopped tomorrow. That J Windle and W Bailey date their 12 weeks grace for gaiting looms from 28th October.
Res. That Mr Pickup of Burnley Ironworks be written to the effect that all loss sustained by non-completion of the engine (i.e. For looms stopped due to lack of power) will be charged against his company’s account.
Res. That the extra woodwork in WH extension be painted with two coats of paint by Lofthouse.
J Edmondson.

November 13th 1895
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Barrett, Smith, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the transfer of six shares from Stephen Hartley deceased to John Hartley (Administrator) be registered.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write the lessor of Springs Dam as to the decreased supply of water and requesting the same to be at once attended to. [Puzzling entry as I know of no way water could be held or diverted at Springs, it is on a natural water course. May be to do with maintenance of drains from Dark Hill side which fed Springs Dam.]
Res. That we purchase a sample cask of boiler composition from Cresswell and Son for Calf Hall. [Boiler water treatment was not the exact science it developed into in later years. Different manufacturers had different formulas and finding the best one was a matter of trial and experiment.]
Res. That the 12 weeks grace for rent of looms in extension be charged to J Windle as the shafting is ready for running. The managing director reported shafting running as follows (in addition to 192 looms transferred from the old shed) October 28th 1895 90 looms. Nov 11th 112 looms. Nov 25th 209 looms. [Last figure must be an estimate]
Res. That P Barrett be allowed to have space adjoining the shed at ½d per yard per year to be given up when required.
Res That we offer P Barrett the Joiner’s Shop and premises for the sum of £80 [per annum] he to pay his own rates or apportionment of same. Mortar Mill at 9d per hour.
J Edmondson.

November 20th 1895
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, Barrett, Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the work of covering steam pipes be given to Petty of Colne and woodwork for the same to be done by Proctor Barrett.
Res. That sanction be given to transfer six shares from John Hartley to Richard Hartley (2), Mary Alice Hartley (2), Alfred Hartley (2). Cert seal etc.
Res. That the loan now standing to the credit of Stephen Hartley deceased be credited to John Hartley the administrator of his estate.
Res. That accounts be paid: R Crabtree £39-6-0. John Widdup £81-17-0.
J Edmondson.

November 27th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Res. That William Fawcett’s tender for 9” X 4” red deal beams, bosses, hangers, slider bolts, brasses and oil cups be accepted in the sum of £18-12-0 to be fixed in J Windle’s shed. [All components for installing cross shafts in the shed.]
Res. That Joseph Sneath [WH engineer] be requested to attend next Tuesday at 7:30pm.
Res. That G&J Nuttall be paid £42-10-0 as per architect’s certificate.
J Edmondson.

December 3rd 1895
J Edmondson chair. Smith, Dent, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Barrett, Baxter and Wilson.
Minute as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: James Bulcock £1-13-0. Ed Smith £14-3-7. W Hough and Co 5/6. Burnley Ironworks £310. N&J Baldwin 6/-. Mr Fawcett £250. Sam Baldwin £7. R Crabtree £60-17-0. D G Cresswell and Son £3-17-0. John Widdup £65-11-0. T Rawlinson £2-7-6. C Brooks and Son 5/10. Sam Greenwood £4-13-0. John Dixon 10/4. D Moseley and Sons £1-19-0. Proctor Barrett £8-19-8. S Cooke and Co £10-17-0. George Proctor £77-7-3. Craven Bank £140. E W Thompson £454-7-6 (Interest and repayment of £300). Interest to sundry shareholders £45-16-0.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to give one month’s notice to repay loan of £500 to Johnson Carr.
Res. That a promissory note under seal be prepared for William and Sarah Baxter for a loan of £100 made 8th of July last.
The secretary read the statement of receipts and payments Oct 19th to December 3rd 1895.
A letter having been received from BUDC requesting the company to carry causeway to gateway it is
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply saying that the company have done more than was required of them as per the agreement entered into with the council and they cannot reasonably be expected to do more. [This is in connection with the BUDC adopting Wellhouse Road.]
Mr J Sneath, the engineer at Wellhouse attended before the meeting with regard to his conduct in striking the carter with his shovel and seriously injuring him.
Res. That in future he be requested to follow the instructions of the company viz.
To assist the carter to unload and to assist in shovelling up the coal to his requirements. To see to the office being ready for the meeting of Directors as usual and as nearly as possible to run his engines to time. He was also informed that the directors could not pass over another occurrence of this description. [I love this entry! The engineer was master of all he surveyed and shovelling coal into the bunker wouldn’t go down well. We aren’t sure he has a replacement for Pickover at this time. As regards time he might have an excuse, Post Office Time ran about four minutes later than Railway Time and since he almost certainly got time checks from the Manchester Man (representative on the Cotton Exchange) who used Railway Time it’s quite easy to see how he could be accused of starting the engine early.]
Res. That Mr Barrett makes a barrow for the boiler house.
Res. That we charge P Barrett 10/- for use of the derrick.
Res. That we make an allowance of £5 to William Clegg for work done in connection with the new engine at WH. [Sounds as though the new side is running, BI were paid the second instalment due when it started.]
J D Roberts.

December 18th 1895
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Notice to quit premises at WH shed in June 1896 was received from W P Brooks.
Res. That we do not offer room for dressing frames to John Slater and Sons. [Different branches of the Slater family had a history of using fibre other than cotton going back before 1860 and the dressing frames in question sound like wool processing. CHSC were sticking rigidly to their business model, providing room and power for cotton manufacture.]
Res. That Mr Sneath, WH engineer, be paid £2-10-0 overtime in connection with the new engine.
Res. That the Letters of Administration of the estate of the late William Pickover granted to Sarah Pickover be registered in the books of the company.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to confirm our last offer of room and power to Proctor Barrett.
J D Roberts.

January 2nd 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That we sanction the transfer of two shares from Thomas Windle, one to Joseph Windle and one to Benjamin Windle. Cert and seal etc.
Proctor Barrett having requested the board to allow him to have the Joiner’s Shop and power at our terms but with a month’s notice to terminate tenancy at any time. Res. That we do not let the premises on these terms but that we adhere to the terms and conditions already made to him. [Good old PB! Always looking for a bit of an advantage!]
Res. That Ed Smith see Mr Hartley and purchase up to 20 tons of limestone.
J D Roberts.

January 15th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Barrett, Smith, Horsfield, Wilkinson, W&L Holdsworth, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Ed Foden £3-3-0. G&J Nuttall £40-11-0. J Smith £71-14-0. Joseph Petty £7-4-0. Lancaster and Tonge £2-1-0. John Edmondson £8-1-0. Hartley and Pilgrim £8-18-6. J W Brown £1-18-0. D G Cresswell and Son £4-12-0. W Holdsworth 18/-. W Berry insurance £8. John Widdup 78-3-0. Hanson Scott and Co £37. R Crabtree £59-19-0. W Varley and Sons 59-16-0. James Bulcock 16/6. C Brooks and Sons 5/10. Heap and Thornton £1-6-0. W&J Baldwin 4/8. George Proctor, wages £49-12-0.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted (for half years ending Dec 31st 1895)
Res. That we recommend for payment of dividend for the half year ending December 31st 1895 at the rate of 5% per annum.
Res. That the general meeting be held on Friday the 24th January at 7pm in the Seven Stars AR.
Res. That the transfer of two shares from R Bailey to B Brown and two shares from D Parker to B Brown be registered and sealed.
Application having been made for a plot of land, part of Mean Laithe Flatt. Res. That we offer the same at 4/6 per yard. The company to find room to tip, he to take off sod and replace. [Levelling the site?]
Res. That we accept Proctor Barrett’s offer to sell stable fittings at a valuation and that W Holdsworth and Ed Smith make a valuation for the company.
Res. That Mr Proctor Barrett be requested to remove the stable and hen cotes erected and used by him and others on the land at the end of WH Mill at his earliest opportunity.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to give notice to loan holders that the company is willing to allow loans to remain at 4% but if required they will repay any loan holders who wish to be repaid.

Half year general meeting
January 24th 1896
Dr Roberts in the chair.
Minutes of last general meeting as read.
Balance sheet and report adopted.
Dividend at 5% per annum for the half year.
Common Seal affixed to Transfer Register.
Res. That the share list of the Co be closed but that directors have power to re-open it after giving seven days notice to shareholders.
[No printed report in minute book]

Feb 12th 1895
J Edmondson chair. Smith, Dent, Brooks, W&L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: John Widdup £88-3-0. T Smith [?] £45-12-9. Joe M Lee 3-4-0. S Cooke and Co £11. R Crabtree £66-13-0. George Proctor 25-5-1. Cresswell and Son 3-2-0. P Barrett £5-5-9.
Res. That share transfers be certified and sealed. George Brooks and Edwin Briggs (exors of John Brooks) Share numbers 385-390 to G Wilkinson. 394/395 to Alfred King. 391-393 to John Hartley. 396 to John Broughton.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain insurance on WH extension and warehouse, £2000 on warehouse and £500 on shed.
Res. That Messrs Horsfield, Edmondson and Brooks be deputed to wait upon BUDC with reference to insufficient fire hydrants commanding the company’s premises.
Res. That the steps to the engine house at CH Shed be turned. Ed Smith to do mason’s work and Varley’s the pipe work. [‘Turning’ steps usually means turning them over to present a new wearing surface when they are worn. Surprising that they need this after seven years. Bad stone? Clog irons wearing them? Bit of a puzzle unless it means something different like re-orienting the existing flight.]
Res. That the stone for the saw bench be sold to P Barrett at 9d per cubic foot and that the floor be made good.
Res. That P Barrett be charged half the cost of glazing the Joiner’s Shop and the work be done by Varley.
Res. That P Barrett be allowed to leave steps in Joiner’s Shop as they are now fixed.
J Edmondson.

February 26th 1896
J Edmondson chair. Smith, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Dent, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson and Dr Roberts.
Minutes as read.
Res. That A Pilkington and other tenants be allowed the use of hosepipe on condition that they keep the same in good condition and use every care with it.
Res. That Midgley Barrett be allowed use of room for 1/- per week on weekly tenancy.
Res. Share transfers: 3 shares from Smith Horsfield to Elizabeth Robinson. Reg and sealed.
Res. That Mrs E A Coates be paid £4-10-0 and that the secretary write to her again re the water. [Springs Dam]
Res. That G Proctor be paid £15, half year’s salary.
Res. That P Barrett be charged £5 for the use of land adjoining workshops and sundry other privileges.
Res. That Ed Smith repair the ceiling in Pilkington’s and Brooks’ privy door.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be allowed loan of Company’s crabs. [Crabs are usually a scissor-like attachment for a crane when lifting stone blocks. As the weight comes on the lift the crab bites into small depressions on the block enabling it to be lifted.]
Res. That Ed Smith repair the hoist at CH Shed.
J D Roberts.

March 11th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Smith, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Dent, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson, Barrett and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Crabtree £39-6-0. Burghope and Strange £1-10-0. John Widdup £70-11-7. J Hart £1-12-9. J Rawlinson £2-5-0. James Bulcock 4/6. G Proctor £22-5-8.
Res. That the ceiling repairs at WH be left to J Edmondson and W P Brooks.
Res. That The stables at WH be let to W Brooks at 1/- per week and H&B Whitaker at 1/- per week. Brooks to have preference in letting the stables as long as he is a servant of the company and Whitaker to be on a weekly basis. Tenants to have their own manure. [We tend to forget that in 1896 horse transport was universal and manufacturers who came to work on horseback or by carriage needed somewhere to stable their horse during working hours.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to prepare specifications for the painting of the whole of the outside work at WH Mill.
J D Roberts.

March 25th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Smith, Brooks, Barrett, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Horsfield, Dent and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Edmondson and Brooks reported that the ceiling had been repaired.
Res. That all windows down to (old) engine house at WH be glazed (but not including the engine house) and that Varley’s do the work at present price. [To avoid confusion. In the original WH Mill there were two beam engine houses (Tall and relatively narrow) in the front multi-storey range of buildings used for warehousing and spinning. The one at the end of the range closest to Wellhouse Road was demolished, the one embedded in the centre of the range was not. This engine house is the one referred to. It had large arched windows on the east side facing the shed and this is not included in the glazing.]
Resolved that Mr Edmondson see Norcross and re-engage him to point windows by day work when required.
Res. That Mr Atkinson forward specifications for painting as read and described and asking contractors to tender before 8th of April. The work to be completed before June 30th.
The secretary reported on the terms on which our tenants had room and power. The tenancy was in all cases yearly.
Res. That the joiner’s shop be let to our own tenants on condition that they leave them in the same state of repair.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be allowed to remove the two drums [for belt drive of machinery] on shaft in Joiner’s Shop. [PB vacating the shop after all?]
Res. That our engineers be instructed not to sell oil. [Possibly the used oil from cranks etc. collected in trays on the engine and perhaps used by tenants for loom oiling.]
Res. That Ed Smith and W Holdsworth see Lambert as to payment for services rendered.
J D Roberts.

April 8th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Barrett, Horsfield, L&W Wilkinson Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: S Cooke and Co £17-14-6. Joseph Petty £3. D G Cressell and Son £6-2-0. Ed Smith £12-2-0. Crabtree £59-0-0. George Proctor £23-0-6.
Res. That Mr Petty’s tender for £54 for painting WH Mill be accepted, work to be done to specification.
J Edmondson.

April 22nd 1896
J Edmondson chair. Horsfield, Brooks, W&L Holdsworth, Barrett, Wison, Baxter Wilkinson and Dent.
The minutes as read.
Res. That the boiler at WH Mill at present uninsured be insured for £200 with the Scottish Society.
Res. That J Widdup’s account for £78-15-0 and R Windle insurance £4-17-6. And that the gas account being excessive for the engine house at WH be deferred.
Res. That all coal delivered at CH be weighed and an account kept by the engineer.
Res. Transfer of shares: 10 from Eli Hey to T Eastwood (6), H Holdsworth (2), John Eastwood (1) and Arthur Eastwood (1). Reg and sealed.
Res. That we hold our meetings fortnightly on Tuesday at 7pm.
Res. That we pay the accounts at the last meeting in each month.
J D Roberts.

May 5th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Wilkinson, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the seal of the company be affixed to an agreement for the sale of a plot of land, part of the Mean Laithe Estate, containing 1276 square yards for the sum of £287-2-0 to Thomas Dent and William Holdsworth the purchase money to be paid on or before June 17th 1896 after which date interest at the rate of 5% per annum to be paid half yearly on the 1st of January and 1st of July in each year until the payment of the purchase money. Sealed etc.
Res. That the Abstract of Title for the above plot be prepared by Hartley and Pilgrim the co’s solicitors.
Res. That the secretary be instructed again to write to Mrs Coates re the small supply of water from Springs Dam requesting her attention without further delay.
Res. That W J Varley’s account for £10-17-6 and the UDC gas bill, £3-1-0 be paid.
Application was made for 100 looms at the end of Windle’s portion of WH Mill.
J D Roberts.

May 19th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Smith, Dent, Wilson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Crabtree £58-19-0. G Proctor £34-12-1. John Widdup £67-1-0.
Res. That W Holdsworth be instructed to cord the ventilators at CH Shed. [The shutters guarding the ventilators were opened and closed by picture cord.]
J D Roberts.

June 2nd 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Smith, Wilkinson, Wilson, Horsfield and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That a steam whistle be got for CH Shed and the secretary be instructed to get prices for same. [To warn workers that it was close to starting time. Many workers didn’t have clocks or watches. In the early mills a bell was used.]
Res. That the cistern at WH Mill be lettered “Wellhouse Mills. Calf Hall Shed Company Limited” if the cost does not exceed 10/-.
Res. That Mr Ed Smith be instructed to examine and repair the shed walls at Calf Hall.
Res. That the weights be removed from ventilators at CH and extra cord supplied and that William Holdsworth be instructed to do the work. [Instead of being moved one way and by a weight the other they are to be given a cord for each operation. These shutters were a simple wooden slide and could stick.]
Res. That the engineer and fireman be paid 6d per hour (ten hours each) for cleaning out offices etc.
J D Roberts.

June 16th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read with the exception of item 2 on the lettering of the cistern which is rescinded.
Res. That the cistern at WH Mill be lettered as specified before, by Richard Petty for a sum not exceeding £1.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to order a 3” whistle list price 54/6 less 30% from Isaac Storey and Sons [of Manchester, manufacturers of steam specialities.] for CH Shed.
Res. That Ed Smith be ordered to repair walls and [lead] flashing at CH Shed as explained to the directors.
Res. That a few windows be opened at Calf Hall Shed in Messrs S Pickles portion of the shed and that Mr W Holdsworth be instructed to do the work. [I suspect this was taking the glass out of windows that couldn’t normally be opened. It’s June and evidently hot.]
J D Roberts.

June 30th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson, L&W Holdsworth, Smith and Dent.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Craven Bank £140. E Slater 12/6. Trustees of W Thompson £147-5-0. M&J Layfield £10-4-6. Sundry shareholders, interest on loans £30-16-0. Burghope and Strange £1-7-0. Hough and Co 8/4. George Proctor wages £37-3-6. W Norcross £8-6-0. Crabtree £58-19-0. J Lofthouse £19-6-0. John Widdup £61. J Edmondson £5-2-6. P Watson and Co £20.
Res. That Mr Ellison of Skipton be engaged to erect pillars to support the broken beams in all three bays of Windle’s portion of the shed. [Defects in construction at WH ?]
Res. That Mr Ed Smith be instructed to clean out well at WH Mill.
Res. That J Edmondson be paid £3 extra for services rendered during the strike. [Not directly CHSC business but the weaver’s strike broke in mid 1896 when they returned to work without gaining any advance on wages. Perhaps coordination of response with other manufacturers and shed companies.]
J D Roberts.

July 14th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, W&L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Smith, Barrett, Dent, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That subject to audit the balance sheet as read be approved and submitted to the shareholders.
Res. That we recommend 5% annual dividend.
Res. That general meeting be held in Seven Stars AR on Friday 24th July at 7pm.
Retiring directors are Roberts, Dent, W Holdsworth and H Wilson.
Res. That the application by James Ratcliffe for repayment of loan of £25 be accepted and a cheque paid in.
J D Roberts.

Half year general meeting.
24th July 1896
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes of last general meeting as read.
Res. Balance sheet and auditors report adopted.
Res. Dividend of 5% per annum be paid on last half year ending June 30th.
Res. That retiring directors be re-elected.
Res. Directors remuneration be £30 per annum.
Res. That Ed Foden, Burnley be re-elected auditor at £4 per annum.
Res. That Common Seal be affixed to the register of share transfers.
J D Roberts.

August 4th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, W&L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Smith, Barrett, Dent, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: BUDC gas 14/7. Thomas Rawlinson £2-7-0. Crabtree £58-19-0. John Widdup £63-14-6. George Proctor wages £28-6-0.
Res. Dr Roberts be chairman and Johnson Edmondson vice chairman for following year.
Res, That an allowance of 18hours be made to all the tenants of the Co for the holidays as last year. [This always puzzles me because one would expect a full week’s rebate to be paid.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to the tenants informing them that in future no allowance will be made for looms stopped owing to sickness of weavers but only in the case of weavers actually left. [With the end of the strike some normality will have returned and the tramp weavers (itinerant weavers) will be available again for empty looms. The tramp weavers used to wait in the warehouse each morning and be given any looms which had no weaver at starting time.]
J Edmondson.

August 12th 1896
J Edmondson chair. Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Dent, Barrett, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That J Horsfield make arrangements with the engineer at CH Shed to turn the water from Dark Hill Well into Springs Dam every night during the drought. [Dark Hill Well lies to the north of Springs Dam at a higher level. The water from this source flows naturally down towards Fernbank and doesn’t feed Springs Dam. At some time in the past provision had been made to divert overflow water down to Springs Dam, the brick cistern still exists in 2010. There is an old valve there laid on the ground. I assume that William Bracewell initially installed this feeder but what isn’t clear is whether there was ever any permission from the holders of the rights to Dark Hill Well water to allow diversion to Springs. This matter isn’t going to go away.]
Res. That Richard Petty’s tender for painting CH Shed for £41 be accepted.
Res. That Mr Richard Crabtree be allowed 6d per ton for coal supplied by rail to WH Mill until the canal is workable. [Drought has closed the summit level of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.]
J Edmondson.

August 18th 1896
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Wilkinson and Baxter,
Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to the tenants of the company asking them to see to the sweeping of beams generally inside the premises, the company to clean the shafting. [Cotton fly settled in the roof of the shed was a fire hazard as it was extremely flammable.]
Res. That repayment of the loan of £150 be made to Jonathan Peel.
Res. That transfer of two shares from Emily Metcalfe to William Clarke be registered and sealed.
Res. That Messrs Horsfield, Smith, W Holdsworth and Barrett be deputed to see Mr Cowgill of Springs Farm conveying to him a letter from Mrs Coates (Landlord) instructing him to allow the company to lay a drain to their own satisfaction from Dark Hill Well to Springs Dam.
Res. That Mrs Coates account for half year’s rent of Springs Dam be paid, £4-10-0.
J Edmondson.

September 2nd 1896
J Edmondson in chair. Dent, Smith, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Brooks, Wikinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J W Green £31-17-4. W J Varley £2-1-0. Thomas Smith £104-17-4. D G Cresswell £4-5-0. J Storey and Sons £1-17-0. James Bulcock 18/-. R Crabtree £51-14-0. R Petty £16. E Bennis and Co 6/-. J Widdup £80-10-0. S Cooke and Co £17-19-0. George Proctor £24-15-0.
Res. That board meetings be held on Wednesday at 6:30pm starting 9th September.
Secretary read the monthly statement of payments and receipts.
Transfer of shares. One share from Ed Smith to Mr Baldwin. Cert seal etc.
Res. That meetings be held fortnightly at 6:30pm.
Res. That tenders be invited for covering Pickles’ tape room with white deal. Edmondson, Dent, Greenwood and L Holdsworth to decide how much should be done. [Lots of steam about, wood lining cut down on condensation. Most likely under-drawing the roof.]
Res. That we compensate John Raw for damage to meadow. [Dark Hill drain?]
Res. That That Mr Edmondson be empowered to sell shooting gallery. [Intriguing! WH?]
No signature.

September 9th 1896
Mr Edmondson chair. Dent, Barrett, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Ed Smith’s tender for boarding in Pickles’ tape room CH at 1/3 per yard be accepted.
Res. That the worst part of the dyke commencing from the new pipe line to Springs Dam be opened out. [There is a track between the cistern at Dark Hill Well and I assume that the draw-off is piped under the track as far as the dyke (ditch) that carries natural drainage from the hillside to Springs Dam. Water supplies for condenser cooling water were very important especially in summer. This is why, once the obvious natural water sites were occupied, later mill-building was always next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, a reliable source of water. The first mill to use this facility in Barlick was Nuttall’s new mill at Coates Bridge in 1865. The driver for this early decision was the fact that he had been prevented from running Old Coates Mill because William Bracewell manipulated the water supply. He learned his lesson early!]
Res. That Proctor Barrett be requested to supply a wood trough 4ftx1ft6”x11” and that it be fixed near Dark Hill Well for the use of Mr Cowgill’s cattle. [Evidently a quid pro quo for the use of the water.]
J Edmondson [but followed by further resolutions, presumably from the same meeting.]
Res. That Messrs Horsfield, Edmondson and Wilson see John Widdup and arrange to check coal.
Res. That Mr Norcross look at the shed roofs at CH and WH and report on what can be done to make them waterproof.
Res. That one row of ventilators be taken off Pickles’ portion [CH?] and that Norcross do the work.
Res. That Varley’s be instructed to repair the steam pipes from boiler to Windle's place. [WH]

September 23rd 1896
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Joseph Thompson and Co 9/4. John Widdup £44-17-0. D G Cresswell and Son £6-7-0. J W Brown £3-15-0. G Proctor insurance £11-5-0, wages £21-7-1.
Secretary read monthly statement of payments and receipts.
The secretary read a letter received from BUDC asking for particulars of machinery stopped and allowances made to tenants since the commencement of the strike in order that BUDC might take into consideration the same in making plans for some proportionate allowance on the General District Rate.
The total allowance to the end of July was £188-2-3. Equivalent to loss of rent on 87 looms per annum.
Res. That the ashes at CH and WH mills be sold to Proctor Barrett for twelve months at 1/4 for WH and 1/2 at CH per load.
A letter received from the tenants declining to clean beams etc. in their respective portions of the company's premises.
No signature.

October 7th 1896
T Dent chair. Brooks, L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Horsfield and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of one share from John Eastwood to Thomas Eastwood. Cert and seal etc.
The secretary reported having received an application for space for 120 looms or thereabouts and warehousing (Bradford Goods) [Almost certainly woollens.] which would require the the extension of the shed at the end of Windle's new portion and would be capable of holding 156 looms. The matter was discussed and favourably considered subject to the person applying meeting with the approval of the directors.
No signature.

October 22nd 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Smith, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Joseph Colwell £8-17-6. Richard Crabtree £68-12-0. Hartley and Baldwin 7/9. John Widdup £87-11-0. Lowcock Ltd £4-11-0. Ellison and Co £24. Burnley Ironworks £6-18-0. Wages £22-4-11. BUDC £1-14-7. P Barrett £1-10-7. P Watson and Co £2-18-6.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be empowered to settle with Mr Fawcett of Skipton for £250 pointing out to him the error of £10 in the account of the contract, about £17 items omitted to be charged and £8 odd discount making in all £35 deducted as loss sustained by the company due to non-completion of the contract to time agreed and which the company will accept in lieu of claiming for the amount per week for two or three months which Fawcett agreed should be deducted from the contract.
The secretary read the monthly statement of payments and receipts.
Res. Transfer of 2 shares from Alfred Hartley to John Hartley. Cert seal etc.
Res. That probate of the will of John Heaton deceased in favour of James Watson executor be registered in the books of the Co and endorsed on the probate.
Application was made by Mr John Widdup, coal merchant, for terms for small shed at SW corner of WH Mill for 150 to 200 looms and tape machine. Res. That the secretary write him stating terms viz. 39/- per annum per loom and £90 per annum for a tape for 400 looms, to be charged in proportion to the number of looms, that they accept his application and are prepared to treat with him.
Application was also made for space for 400 looms and warehousing by Mr B Holden of CH Shed in the old mill and warehouse adjoining the old engine house. Mr Atkinson attended with a rough sketch of the same.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be paid £220 for work in connection with the extensions at the south end for 400 looms and at the east end of shed for about 400 looms and also specifications for two new boilers. [WH. The engine is taking more steam.]
Res. That the Joiner’s Shop be let for £25 a year the tenant to undertake all internal repairs, the company to make a drain from the same.
J Edmondson.

November 4th 1896
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Smith, Barrett, Brooks, Wilkinson, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Mr Atkinson reported that he had arranged for the Joiner’s Shop to be let for laundry purposes at an annual rent of £27 without power and steam except such pipes which are now fixed for warming. The rent to commence on Jan 1st next, the tenant to do all internal repairs and the company to lay a drain from the premises. [This was to be a long term arrangement. The tenant was Barrett (no direct connection with Proctor that I am aware of) and later became the Barnoldswick Steam Laundry. They were in the premises until some time in the inter-war period when they built new premises at the junction of West Close Road and Gisburn Street. There is a theory that the local name for the district ‘China Town’ originated from the establishment of the laundry.]
Res. That the tenants be allowed for stoppage of looms to the 16th of October now that the strike is at an end.
The secretary read a letter from R Driver (late Hird’s secretary) applying for space for 100 to 150 looms 44” reed-space.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to inform Mr Driver that we accept his application.
Res. That the watchman employed by the tenants be allowed the use of the office and fire during the coming winter. [Night watchmen weren’t usual in weaving sheds but it must be remembered that these were troubled times and during the strike there had been instances of sabotage of sheds by strikers with a grievance. The most usual was warp-stabbing, a very quick and effective way of stopping production temporarily. Thirty years on in the More Looms disputed police slept in some engine houses overnight for the same reason. We tend to think that security is a modern phenomenon, not so.]
Res. That Messrs Varley be instructed to re-arrange the gas pipes in the engine house at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Barrett be instructed to board under trapdoors for J Windle at WH Mill.
Res That Ed Smith supply a new ladder for CH Shed.
Res. That Mr Barrett be instructed to supply a new coal barrow for WH Mill.
Res. Transfer of six shares from Ed Smith to William Perry. Cert and seal etc. These being the whole of the shares of Mr Smith he informed the board that it would therefore be necessary for him to retire from the directorate. [Qualification for director was by ownership of shares.]
Res. That the extension of the east end of WH Mills for about 388 looms as per plan submitted by Mr Atkinson be pushed on with at once and that the architect be instructed to get out specifications for all the work required to be done. Res. That it be a girder shed.
Mr Atkinson submitted plans for the proposed extension at the SW end of WH Mill shewing two sheds, each capable of holding about 200 looms and joining up to existing premises to be arranged that they will answer for two tenants of say 150 to 200 looms each and warehousing on the ground floor. The plans also shewed that if in future the tenants were desirous of extending to the full 400 looms each, warehousing could be added on the South side.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be empowered to submit the plans to Messrs Widdup and Driver and arrange matters with them.
Res. Accounts be paid: W Fawcett £250. W H Atkinson £39-3-6. Stott and Son £9-13-4.
The secretary reported the total allowances to tenants during the strike. WH Mill £195-14-9. CH Shed £9-6-10.
J D Roberts.

November 18th 1896
Dr Roberts in chair. Edmondson, Dent, Barrett, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Baxter, L&W Holdsworth and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Mr Ed Smith took leave of the members of the board after the chairman proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be given to him for the very valuable services which he has rendered to the board during his tenure as a director and regret that he had thought fit to terminate his connection with the board. Resolution carried unanimously. Mr Smith expressed his regret that he should have to leave and that he would be pleased at any time to give them any advice they thought would be of service to the company.
Res. That the vacancy created by Mr Smith’s retirement be not filled until the general meeting in July 1987.
Res. That accounts be paid: R Crabtree £58-19-0. S Cooke and Co £22-1-0. Bennis and Co £7-1-0. J Widdup £75-16-0. W J Varley £4-4-0. Wages £22-4-0. Richard Petty £43.
Res. That the Tinner’s Shop be included with the Joiner’s Shop as let for laundry purposes at £27 per annum. [We tend to forget how important the trade of tinsmith was before the days of cheap injection-moulded plastic. There was enough tinsmith's work involved in running a mill to have a dedicated department. In 1895 this function had been taken over by tinsmiths in the town.]
Res. That the secretary write to Messrs Roberts to send an engineer to examine the low pressure cylinder at CH.
The secretary reported having received an application from John and Edwin Slater of Henry Street, Barnoldswick, for 80 looms unassisted or 100 looms the company to purchase same.
Res. That he be instructed to write Mr Slater accepting the application and state that they cannot find room for more than 80 looms and warehousing, the warehousing to be on the ground floor.
Application was made to Mr Atkinson for 300 to 700 looms and warehousing by Mr George D Penny of 17 Guildhall Street Preston.
The secretary reported having an interview with Mr B Holden when he refused to accept the warehousing provided in the old portion of the mill and requested the company to find him shed warehousing [ground floor] failing which he would withdraw his application. [I think the objection is because the space offered was in the first storey of the multi-storied portion of the old Bracewell mill.]
Res. That the secretary write Mr Penny offering to provide space for 400 looms and warehousing with room to add a further 300 subject to enquiries.
Res. That the plan of the shed with pillars roof and on lines of existing old shed divided into three portions viz. R Driver 160 looms, E&J Slater 80 looms, John Widdup 200 looms as submitted by Mr Atkinson be approved.
Mr Atkinson reported that Mr Widdup was quite satisfied with the arrangement of his portion.
The secretary read the monthly statement of payments and receipts.
J D Roberts.

December 2nd 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield, Barrett, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary’s salary be raised to £40 per annum from 30th of June last.
A letter was read from W Roberts and Sons Ltd reporting on the condition of the piston in the low pressure cylinder at CH Shed. Stated that the springs needed to be replaced by new ones as there was a gap of 3/8”. [Between the ends of the piston rings. I don’t understand this because if they are talking about new backing springs to force the rings outwards against the bore they will make the gap worse. Either the rings were badly fitted in the first place or the bore has worn considerably. I wonder if ‘springs’ is actually ‘rings’, the directors didn't necessarily fully understand the technology.]
Res. That Roberts be instructed to supply and fix new springs at Christmas and also a new foot valve casting be kept at the engine house in case of emergency. [Again, a puzzle. The foot valve referred to is almost certainly the one on the intake pipe for the condenser cooling water. Why a spare is needed escapes me.]
Res. Sale of a plot of land from the Mean Laithe Estate 1276 square yards from CHSC to Thomas Dent and William Holdsworth for £287-2-0. Conveyance signed and sealed. Res. That the interest due under the agreement be reduced from £6-3-0 to £3-1-6.
Res. That the tenant of the laundry be allowed the use of Whitaker’s stable at 1/- per week if Mr Whitaker can find another place elsewhere.
Johnson Edmondson.

Two special meetings to consider plans for the extensions at WH
December 7th and 8th 1896.

December 16th 1896
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of two shares from Ellen Smith to W H Cowgill. Cert, seal etc.
Res. That the secretary order one truck of 2” broken limestone for making road at CH and that Mr Edmondson see to them being laid after the road has been scraped.
Res. That the company supply power to the tenants of the laundry for the machines as specified in a letter received by Mr Atkinson from Messrs Summerscales of Keighley [Manufacturers of laundry machinery.] for three months and at the rate of £10 per annum.
J Edmondson.

December 19th 1896
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Horsfield and Baxter.
Res. That we engage a mechanic for taking down shafting. J Brown engaged at 7d per hour.
J Edmondson.

December 30th 1896
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Barrett, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read the statement of payments and receipts for the month.
Res. That accounts be paid: W Hough and Co 2/1. John Widdup £74-10-0. Trustees of W Thompson £147-5-0. Craven Bank Ltd £140. Repayment of loan £500. Sundry loan holders ££29-16-0 (at 4%). R Crabtree £58-19-0. J Edmondson £7-3-8. J W Green £37-9-4. W Roberts and Sons Ltd £4-2-0. Ed Smith ? J W Brown £2-2-0. D G Colwell 16/-. W Holdsworth £1-14-0. Wages £36-9-11.
Application was made by Mr Bailey for the company to extend the time of commencement of repayment of arrears of £500 and also to allow him an increase of £100.
Res. That Mr Bailey be allowed arrears grant of £600 providing he commenced repaying the same by £12 monthly instalments on 1st of March next.
J Edmondson.

January 10th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, W&L Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read the resignation of Mr Proctor Barrett dated 6th of January. Res. It be accepted.
Mr Atkinson attended with tenders for the contractors and joiners work for the new extensions at WH Mill for about 830 looms. Mr P Barrett’s tenders of £1,882 for the contractor’s work and £614-10-0 for the joiners work were the lowest. The next above being £1895-11-8 for contractor’s work by D R Atkinson of Colne and £665-5-0 for Joiners work by J M Lee. Mr Barrett was lower by £64-6-8 on both contracts.
Res. That Proctor Barrett’s tenders be accepted at the sum of £2496-10-0 for contractor’s and Joiner’s work as per specification.
Res. That the offer of 45/- per ton for all cast metal including pulleys from Messrs John Pilling and Sons Ltd be accepted. (Pilling's were loom-makers at Colne and melted a lot of CI.]
Res. Share transfer of one share from William Roberts to John Pickup accepted. Cert and seal etc.
J D Roberts.

January 19th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the [insurance] premium of £8 on CH Shed be paid.
Res. That subject to audit the balance sheet as read be adopted and presented to the shareholders.
Res. That we recommend a dividend of 5% per annum for the half year ending Dec 31st 1896.
Res. That general meeting be at Seven Stars AR on Friday 29th inst at 7pm.
Mr John Widdup asked when the extension of the south side at WH would be ready.
Res. That his letter be forwarded to Mr Atkinson with instructions to push on that particular part of the extension in order to complete them before the extension on the north side and also that he be required to give Mr Barrett sufficient information for him to commence work at once as it was reported to the meeting that Mr Barrett was waiting.
Res. That the secretary be asked to write to Mr Crabtree to complain about the smallness and dirtiness of the coal supplied to WH Mill.
J Edmondson.

Half yearly general meeting
January 29th 1897
Dr Roberts chair.
[This is the first general meeting where the printed balance sheet and report have survived. I shall not report them here but insert a consolidated list as an appendix when all the minutes are transcribed.]
Minutes of last general meeting as read.
Balance sheet and report adopted.
Dividend at 5% per annum adopted for the half year.
Register of share transfers sealed.
J Edmondson.

February 19th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Brooks, Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Tenant and Nightingale £2-2-0. C Brooks and Son 4/9. P Barrett £1-15-0. BUDC £95-11-6. W J Varley 12/7. R Crabtree £98-5-0. Ditto £58-19-0. John Widdup £72-7-0. Hartley and Pilgrim £2-2-0. S Cooke and Co £22-1-0. H Hargreaves £2-3-7. J Hart 16/3. W H Atkinson £50. Wages £34-3-11.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write Messrs Roberts and Sons of Nelson informing them that the noise previous to their repairs [Low Pressure cylinder] has not been stopped and asking them to see to the matter at once.
Res. That the share transfer fee be 1/6 per share.
The secretary read a letter from Mr J E Lister of North Street, Keighley requesting the company to make some offer as compensation for damage done to the fishing rights at Springs Dam during last summer when the dam was drained by the company's men. [Almost certainly cleaning the dam out and improving holding capacity]
Res. That the secretary inform them that the company does not admit their claim and would prefer them to state the damages done when their proposal would be brought before the directors.
Res, That the shares now transferred from W Perry be subject to the company's fee of 1/6 per share.
Res. Transfer of six shares from W Perry to Stephen Rudd (2), Margaret Rudd (2) and Jane Rudd (2) be registered. Cert and seal etc.
Res. That Ed Smith’s offer to cart scrap from WH to station at 11½d per ton be accepted.
J D Roberts.

Feb 17th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Resolved that a deputation meet Mr Broughton with the architect on Friday and arrange with him if possible to act as clerk of works for the new extensions and that if he decline to act someone else be sought.
J D Roberts.

February 24th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read a letter from J E Lister re Springs Dam damage asking for £10 in settlement of all claims. Res. That the secretary offer £5 in full settlement and without prejudice. [This is one case where the multiplier of 100x for converting money values looks suspect. £500 for a few fish looks excessive. As I have said before, conversion is not a precise science! All it can do us give us an indication of worth. You may remember the sum of £122 paid to the steeplejack for repairs to WH chimney. I consulted with friends in the trade and they said it seemed a very reasonable sum if converted to £12,200 and compared to current prices.]
Mr Atkinson attended with the tenders for ironfounder's and millwright’s work, the three lowest being:
James Fawcett £1160 and £1020. James Thompson and Co £1146 and £1148. W Roberts and Sons £1121-11-0 and £1185.
Res. That the work be given to Mr Fawcett of Skipton on condition that he will execute or secure a bond for the due performance of the work to time as specified for £250.
Res. That two boilers 30Ft x 8Ft to work at 120psi be purchased [WH] and that Mr Atkinson be instructed to obtain tenders for the same. [120psi working pressure was an accepted but conservative figure in 1897 and with hindsight the common fault of specifications for engines and boilers at this time was to under-estimate the duty that was to be imposed on the plant by the rapid expansion of the weaving industry. As we have seen with the extensions, there was a seemingly insatiable demand for capacity. Billy Brooks, who was almost 100 years old when I interviewed him in 1978 said that a loom cast about £5 fully furnished and paid for itself with the profit from weaving about three warps. This is simplistic of course but everything I have since discovered points to this being an accurate estimate of the possible profit at that time. We shall see later that this under-specification and overloading of engines led to serious problems.]
Res. That the following tenders be accepted: W Varley and Sons, plumber’s and glazier’s work, £216. G and L Nuttall, plastering, £207.
Res. That J Widdup account £85-18-0 be paid.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to notify shareholders that the directors are prepared to receive further loans at 4% interest paid half yearly and subject to one month’s notice on either side.
Res. Transfer of two shares from Thomas Hartley to John Wilkinson be registered, Cert and seal etc.
Application was made by letter from John and Henry Boocock of Barnoldswick for space for 100 to 130 looms. Res. That it be considered at the next meeting.
J Edmondson.

March 3rd 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Brooks, Baxter and Wilson.
Res. That W Holdsworth do the boarding in Pickles’ shed [CH] as per tender for £3-1-3 and also painting under cistern at CH Shed.
Res. That Mr Petty paint the covers on lineshaft at WH, one coat, under the supervision of J Edmondson.
Mr Atkinson reported that Mr Fawcett had agreed to deposit a loan to the company of £100 at 4% the promissory note to be lodged with the architect together with an authority from Mr Fawcett to Mr Atkinson to realise and deduct any penalties that may be incurred to that amount. Res. That the arrangement be confirmed.
Res. That the tender of the Oldham Boiler Works Co to supply boilers at £400 be accepted.
Res. That £100 be paid to Proctor Barrett on account of contract.
J Edmondson.

March 10th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Baxter, Horsfield, Wilson, Wilkinson and L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That iron doors be fitted to the windows in the thoroughfare at WH in order to secure the reduced rate of insurance of 2/6 % instead of 10/6 %. [My memory is that these windows were in the wall between the thoroughfare and the main body of the mill. The activities in the thoroughfare were evidently seen as high risk by the insurance company. One small point, it is never stated because I suspect it was a given but as far as I know smoking was always prohibited in the mills.]
Res. That £7-10-0 be paid to J E Lister for damages sustained at Springs Dam.
Re. Transfer of 6 shares from J W Hoyle to John Pickup be registered and sealed.
Res. That one dozen grate bars [firebars in boiler furnace] each Right Hand be ordered for CH Shed.
Res. That the seal of the Co be affixed to the following loans: G Wilkinson £20, William Clarke £50, Ann Hacking £100, Thomas Clapham £100, W S Wait £50, Henry Broughton £30.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply to Messrs John and Henry Boocock who applied for space for 100 to 130 looms that the directors regret that they are not in a position to consider their application. [Demand has outstripped supply. Watch this space!]
J D Roberts.

March 24th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson, Horsfield and Dent.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Thomas Hart 15/3. Proctor Barrett £100 on account. R Crabtree £58-19-0. J Croasdale £6-17-6. J Widdup £72-10-0. Sun Insurance £13-2-6. J W Clough £1-13-6. Royal Insurance £10-0-3. Wages £33-14-3. W Roberts and Sons £15-14-0.
Res. That transfer of ten shares from J Hey to A King. One share from Nancy Dean to Ellen McPherson be registered. Seal and cert etc.
Res That the common seal of the company be affixed to a promissory note for £200 lent to the company by William Perry.
Res. That the repairs to the drain at Dark Hill Well be carried out by Mr Colwell.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to order screened Thin Mine coal to WH Mills.
Res. That the tender of the Scottish Boiler Insurance Co for inspection during construction of the two boilers [WH] at £2-2-0 each be accepted. [It was the custom then and still applicable today that boilers under construction be inspected and certified by competent surveyors in all matters of specification and construction. This included a severe hydraulic test and the results were stamped on the boiler, usually near the top manhole, this information followed the boiler throughout its working life. If at any time a fault occurred due to defective construction the insurance co could be held responsible.]
J D Roberts.

March 17th 1897
No business noted.

March 31st 1897
J Edmondson chair. Brooks, Dent, W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter and Horsfield.
Res. That water and steam pipes be put in Pilkington and Brook’s portion of the shed at WH Mills and that Messrs Nutter be asked to accept the same.
J D Roberts.

April 7th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes of last two meetings as read.
Res. That Promissory note for the Fawcett arrangement with Atkinson be sealed and certified.
The secretary read the cash account ending April 7th 1897. Cash in hand at bank £650.
Res. That secretary be instructed to ask Messrs W Bailey and J Windle to continue repayments of loan.
Res. That the claim of Mr Duckworth for payment of £1 damage for drain cutting be not entertained. [WH]
Res. That a plot of land facing the joiner’s Shop be let to Steven Wright of Butts Top at 3d per yard provided that he build his shop near the road and that the annual rent is not less than £5. If the rent for the amount of the land that he requires amounts to less than £5 the matter be reconsidered. [The piece of land between the main mill and Skipton Road was seen as room for further expansion but as we will see later was never used. This explains why whatever Wright was building should not damage the concept of expansion and was to be near the road. This piece of land was not built on until much later and was for many years either owned or controlled by the national Showman’s Association and was used by visiting fairs. At the date of this minute it was grassland.]
Res. That the fence wall abutting on Wellhouse Road and John Duckworth’s pasture be repaired.
Res. That the secretary be requested to obtain from BUDC the following particulars as to mains and hydrants for fire purposes at CH and WH viz.: The number of hydrants. Their present position and an approximate date when the fixing of same will be completed.
Res. That the following deductions be made from the quarter’s rent account of the laundry on account of steam supplied by the company at the rate of £40 per annum. Jan 1st to 18th, no steam required. £2. Allowance in addition £3, owing to the business not yet being established.
J D Roberts.

April 14th 1897
J Edmondson chair. L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Brooks, Baxter, Horsfield, Dent and W Holdsworth.
Res. That we let Stephen Wright 400 yards of land at 3d per yard per year in the yard in front of the joiner’s shop, his building to be placed near the highway. The rent to be paid quarterly subject to six months notice on either side to be given on the first day of any month. The wall to be replaced and all made good at the termination of tenancy.
Res. That Mr Edmondson ask Mr Smith to repair the wall in Duckworth’s pasture.
Res That Joseph Windle be approached in respect of the steam being turned off from the warming pan. [Most likely the Size Beck in the tape room where size was boiled for the tape machine. A notorious consumer of steam and always the firebeater’s biggest problem.]
J D Roberts.

April 21st 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Horsfield and Dent.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: S Cooke and Co £28-15-0. Cresswell and Co £13-13-0. R Crabtree £58-19-0. Wages “24-6-0. J W Brown £1-6-3. Proctor Barrett £200. W Roberts and Sons £2-7-6. James Croasdale £5-10-0. John Dixon £1-2-3. Proctor Barrett £12-13-6.
Res. That Mr John Duckworth’s claim of 20/- for damage caused by drain cutters be paid.
Res. Loans. W Sellars £25. Stephen Rudd £200. Cert and seal etc.
The secretary read a letter from Thomas Cowgill of Springs claiming £5 for damage to his cob [small horse] owing to it having fallen into the company’s drain at Springs Dam during the repairs. Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply to same denying the company’s liability.
A letter was read from C Brooks and Son in answer to the application of the secretary for payment of the last six month’s rent saying that the rent had been withheld to cover themselves for any damage they might sustain by reason of the company’s alterations at WH Mills and complaining that at the last extension in 1895-96 they sustained considerable damage.
As the directors are of the opinion that no considerable damage was done during the 1895-96 extensions and that all the damage claimed by them was claimed and discharged and also that the consideration of any damage that might be done during the present extensions is premature.
Res. That the matter be not considered and that the secretary be instructed to ask Messrs Brooks and Son to remit the amount of rent now due and also to inform them that they cannot consider any change in the tenancy until the whole of the rent due to the date of transfer be paid.
J D Roberts.

April 28th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilson, Wilkinson, W Holdsworth and Baxter.
Mr Atkinson stated the difficulty he had with Messrs Fawcett in the delay caused by not sending the required troughing and pillars.
Res. That a letter of censure be sent to Mr Fawcett asking him to attend to the same at once. Mr Atkinson wrote accordingly.
Res. That the tender of O Whitaker for slating be accepted at £874-17-0.
Res. That mechanical stokers be applied to the new boilers at WH.
Res. That two steel girders be fixed under the boiler house roof and the pillars removed.
Res. That one stone pillar and two stone arches be taken out of the front of the boiler house and two steel girders be substituted and that Ed Smith be requested to carry out the work.
Res. That Messrs Boocock Brothers be accepted as tenants in place of William Brooks without one month’s gaiting as requested.
J D Roberts.

May 5th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Horsfield, Edmondson, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Stott and Son, ground rent £9-13-4. D Garlic Gas account £2-14-6.
A letter was received from W Bailey stating that owing to the bad state of trade he could not make a payment on the rent account and asking that two of the directors should wait on him.
Res. that the chairman, Mr Edmondson and the secretary be appointed to wait on him.
Res. That the loan of £100 from Dr Roberts be accepted.
Res That Messrs T Dent, W&L Holdsworth, Wilkinson and Edmondson be appointed to wait on Mr J Windle with reference to his request that a weft shed be built at the end of the shed and that they report to the next meeting.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to order a new 3” Blow-off valve from Hopkinson’s at Huddersfield. [Boiler blow down valve or safety valve?]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr Fawcett with reference to the very slow progress of the work he has on hand at WH Mill.
J D Roberts.

May 12th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Horsfield and Dent.
Mr Atkinson explained the working of the Bennis patent stoker, self-cleaner and compressed air furnace also the Cannel furnace. [Cannel is a term used for inferior grades of coal]
Res. That one machine stoker and compressed air furnace be fixed to the WH boiler.
J D Roberts.

[End of first volume of minutes.]
MINUTE BOOK 2
Commences May 19th 1897

Calf Hall Shed Company Ltd.
Wellhouse Mills and Calf Hall Shed, Barnoldswick.
Directors as of June 30th 1896.
Chairman J D Roberts MD
Vice chairman Johnson Edmondson
Thomas Dent
Greenwood Wilkinson
William P Brooks
Leonard Holdsworth
William Holdsworth
John Horsfield
Thomas Baxter
Henry Wilson

Secretary George Proctor FCA
3 Grimshaw Street Burnley

Registered under the Companies Acts 1862 to 1886
Registered on the 3rd of January 1889
Registered office, Wellhouse Mills, Barnoldswick.
Solicitor, W H Hartley, Colne. (Hartley and Pilgrim, Colne.)


May 19th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Crabtree £64-14-0. Wages £22-14-0. John Widdup £154-15-0. J Colwell 12/-. Burghope and Strange £1-6-0 [I think this is the rent paid to the Roundell Estate for the right to take water from Eastwood Bottoms behind WH Mills which was their property.] W Fawcett £2. E Bennis and Co £6-9-0. James Croasdale £5-10-0. Ed Smith £10. J Duckworth £1-5-0.
A letter was received from Thomas Cowgill stating that he did not know the date when damage was done to his cob at Springs Dam.
Res. Promissory note for Dr Roberts for a loan of £100. Cert and seal etc.
The secretary read the cash account April 5th to May 19th 1897.
Res. That the application of Richard Sellars of Rose Cottage, Foulridge who is not a shareholder of the company to lend £250 at 4% be accepted.
J Edmondson.

26th May 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Horsfield and Dent.
The letter dated May 24th 1897 from the Butts Mill Co having been read, in reference to the water supply at Butts Mill after use at CH Shed (being too hot). Res. That it be laid on the table until next week. [This is evidence of a very important factor in the siting of urban mills on common watercourses. In the water-powered industry there was no objection to a succession of mills on a watercourse because the mill above didn’t diminish the flow of water available, the efficiency of a mill was decided by location not proximity to another wheel. The steam powered industry was different and this entry is important because it is direct evidence of what was to become a major problem. Butts Mill was the first mill in the town to hit this problem and surprising enough, I don’t think the problem had been recognised, there is certainly no evidence of any objection when CH Shed was proposed and erected. The problem is that unlike a water mill, a steam mill does not deliver the same quality of water back into the watercourse, it has raised the temperature. The efficiency of a steam engine is greatly enhanced by the availability of cold water to cool the jet condenser in the engine exhaust thus giving a vacuum on the back end of the engine which in effect increases the available pressure gradient in the engine. A reasonable vacuum was 25” of mercury equivalent to more than 10psi which is in effect free power. This was Watt’s great contribution to the steam engine. Any rise in condenser water temperature at the intake to the engine erodes this advantage and this is what Butts is experiencing. There is direct evidence in later years of mills protecting the availability of cold water for their engines by opposing development of other mills above them, usually by control of the riparian rights. The classic example is Bancroft Shed built up to 1920 where the siting of the mill on the same watercourse above Clough Mill which controlled the water rights on Gillians Beck was only allowed because there was a family liaison by marriage and even then on condition that a by-pass be installed round the Bancroft lodge and on demand from Clough in hot weather, the available water was diverted round the lodge giving Clough the advantage. In later mills this was the reason why they were sited on the side of the canal which in effect became the lodge or condenser pond for the engine and was virtually inexhaustible.]
Res. That Mr Barrett be instructed to fence off the meadow to the south of WH Mill occupied by him at as small an expense as possible.
Res. That Mr Barrett be employed to prepare for and set the new boilers on condition that he gets a competent bricklayer to do the work and that he find the necessary materials viz. Firebrick, fireclay, seating blocks and flue covers. [Boiler settings are complicated erections using special bricks and methods. The proportions and quality of construction of the flues is crucial to the efficient and economical operation of the boiler. From my own experience of setting Lancashire boilers I know that this operation was seldom properly understood and it paid to get the most experienced workmen possible.]
J Edmondson.

June 2nd 1897
Mr Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That architect’s certificates, William Fawcett £350 and Proctor Barrett £150 be paid.
Res that Promissory note for Richard Sellars for loan of £250 be cert and sealed etc.
Res. That D Woffenden’s notice to repay £50 loan be accepted.
A deputation of the tenants of the company attended and requested the company to allow them half rent if they decided to stop during the whole of Whit Week. Res. That they be allowed 28 hours from the rent account to cover the whole of the holidays of the year.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply to Butts Mill Co that we are doing our best to help them re the water.
J D Roberts.

June 16th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
The letter dated June 16th from Ed Smith was read giving five days notice to open the drain in Long Ing meadow [Eastwood Bottoms] which is flooded, in consequence it was resolved that Proctor Barrett, the tenant of the land, be requested to remedy the defect.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask BUDC to discontinue the turning of sewage from the houses in Hill Street, East Hill Street and Earl Street on to the company’s land adjoining the dams. [I live on East Hill Street and the obvious surface route from these streets downhill is in the direction of Eastwood Bottoms. I assume that this was a temporary course adopted to service the houses while new sewers were laid.]
Res. That the stable at WH Mills lately occupied by C Brooks and Sons be let to Henry Ellis at the rate of 1/- per horse per week on a weekly tenancy without the privilege of being allowed to sub-let.
Res. That Messrs L Holdsworth, Brooks, Dent, Wilkinson and W Holdsworth form a deputation to meet Mr Atkinson tomorrow afternoon at four o’clock re. Messrs Nuttall’s plasterers having not yet commenced work.
Res. That Mr Blakey of the Craven Bank Ltd be appointed auditor in the place of Mr Ed Foden deceased.
Res. That interest on loans for the half year ending 30th June be paid.
Res. That Mr Croasdale’s account be paid £6-17-6.
J Edmondson.

June 23rd 1897
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Horsfield and Dent.
Minutes as read.
Res. That £200 be paid to Proctor Barrett on account of work done.
Res. That Messrs Dent and Horsfield see Proctor Barrett about opening the drain in his pasture.
J Edmondson.

June 30th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes of last two meetings read and confirmed.
Secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments.
A letter was read received from BUDC stating that the alleged nuisance should have their attention. [The matter of the sewage is not a big one in the context of the CHSC’s affairs but gives us good evidence of the problems raised by installing the water-carriage sewage system in the town. It was evidently seen as quite acceptable to allow raw sewage to flow away naturally onto lower land. We can’t say exactly where the effluent came to the surface but we are certain that its final destination was onto farm land. In some ways this was quite normal as we have evidence that night soil collected from pail toilets was routinely spread on farm land by the contractors.]
Res. That Wrought iron be 4/- cwt to Proctor Barrett and scrap plate 2/6 per cwt to Ed Smith.
Res. That the tenants be requested to pay stable rents to the chairman monthly.
Res. That accounts be paid: S Cooke and Co £10-15-0. Exors J Cooper £1-1-0. J Widdup £108-6-0. Wages £36-12-3. R Crabtree £106-6-0. Craven Bank £140. W Roberts and Sons 8/6. Exors W Thompson £135-7-6. J W Clough 4/-. W Fawcett £300. Cresswell and Co £2-8-6. J W Brown £1-3-6. J Hopkinson and Co £4-7-6. J Edmondson £4-17-6.
J Edmondson.

July 7th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Horsfield, Baxter, Dent and Brooks.
Res. That P Barrett’s attention be drawn to the urgent necessity of completing the flagging in the new shed [so] that Mr Widdup be able to bring his new looms in and that Messrs Roberts, Horsfield and Dent wait upon Mr Barrett this evening.
Res. That Mr Edmondson sell the ? Iron and cove in the blacksmith’s shop to J W Brown for the best price he can get.
J Edmondson.

July 14th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Brooks Dent, Horsfield L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes of the last two meetings read.
Res. That P Barrett be paid £100 on architect’s certificate and Mr Atkinson £50 on account of commission.
The secretary read the balance sheet for the half year ending 30th of June. Res. That it be adopted and presented to the shareholders.
Res. That the dividend for half year be at the rate of 5% per annum.
Res. That general meeting be held in the Seven Stars Assembly Rooms on Friday 23rd of July at 7pm.
Res. That promissory note for £80 as a loan from J Edmondson be cert sealed etc.
Res, That Proctor Barrett be allowed a reduction of ground rent in proportion to the amount of land taken up for building purposes.
J Edmondson.

July 23rd 1897. Half yearly general meeting
[Printed balance sheet attached]
Johnson Edmondson chair.
Minutes read and confirmed.
Res. Balance sheet, director’s and auditor’s report accepted as read.
Res. Dividend of 5% per annum for the half year ending 30th June 1897 adopted.
Directors elected: Johnson Edmondson, John Horsfield, G Wilkinson. Admiral King and William Perry elected as new directors. [Admiral King wasn’t a naval man. This local family had a tradition of imposing forenames to match the surname, one son was called Royal!]
Res. That director’s remuneration be £30 per annum.
Res. That Charles Blakey of Skipton be appointed auditor at a fee of £4 per annum.
Res. Common Seal of the company affixed to share register.
J D Roberts.

August 4th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Inland Revenue £8-6-8. P Barrett £200. James Bulcock 5/6. O Whitaker £250. Ed Smith £7-13-6. W H Atkinson £7-19-11. BUDC £99-4-6. Richard Petty 14/6. Burnley Ironworks Co £4-3-0. Midland Railway £1-7-11.
The secretary read the monthly account of receipts and payments.
A letter was read received from Mr W Hewitt stating that of the Tithe Rent on Mean Laithe Flatt had been completed.
Res. That the tenant of the laundry be allowed one week’s charge of steam and power caused by stoppage.
Res. Transfer of one share from Emily Metcalfe to W Clark be sanctioned. Cert seal etc.
A letter dated July 17th from BUDC was read stating that Mr Bracewell had a large tank for sewage into which it had run for thirty years and that if the tank were regularly cleaned out no cause of complaint could be made. Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply stating that the tank was not on their land and to inform the council that the company would enter a claim for damages if the nuisance was not immediately abated. [We have an entirely different view of human waste today. When I interviewed Billy Brooks in 1978 he was almost 100 years old and he told me a story about an unfortunate man who took a short cut across a field and fell into Bracewell's cess pit. Billy and his mates thought this was hilarious and gave him the by-name 'Shitten Swimmer'. I doubt if the reaction would be the same today.]
Res. That £40 be accepted as a loan from Henry Parkin at 4%. Cert seal etc.
A letter dated July 29th received from J E Lister, solicitor of Keighley was read in which he claimed £5 damages and costs for a horse belonging to Mr Cowgill of Springs Farm, Barnoldswick. Res. That the secretary reply denying liability and informing him that the company would defend any action his client thought proper to take.
A letter dated August 4th received from Proctor Barrett was read in which he requested a further reduction in rent of land for levelling tip etc. and asking that the company should claim from the council for damage in place of himself. He also requested (per Mr Edmondson) the company to allow him the privilege of giving notice to terminate his tenancy as of the 2nd of August.
Res. That Mr Barrett’s notice to terminate the tenancy be accepted as if same had been received on the 2nd of August.
Johnson Edmondson.

August 11th 1897
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson, King, Perry, Brooks, Horsfield and Dent.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the clerk of works’ wages be paid.
Res. That the St John’s Ambulance Association be allowed to form their march in WH Mill Yard.
Res. That Mr Petty’s estimate to cover the boiler and large steam pipes at 3½d per [square] foot and small pipes at 4d per foot be accepted.
Res. That the cistern [?] be cleaned out by our own men. [Is this what was described as Bracewell’s sewage tank? I wonder if the tank was a hangover from Bracewell’s ownership of WH? Perhaps more likely that it refers to the cast iron water tank for boiler feed water on the old mill roof.]
Res. That Messrs Roberts, Edmondson and Brooks confer with the Craven Bank in respect of the overdraft.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be appointed as stoker at 20/- per week. [WH?]
J Edmondson.

August 16th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Dent, Wilkinson, Wilson, King, Horsfield and Baxter.
Res. That the tenants of the company be allowed 18 hours stoppage during holidays and whilst repairs are being carried on providing they all accept the offer.
Res. That quotations be obtained for coal for hoppers at WH Mills.
Res. That the running of the shed wall with cement be done by Proctor Barrett. [rendering?]
J Edmondson.

August 18th 1897
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, King, Baxter, Horsfield and Dent.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Edmondson and Horsfield wait upon Messrs Pickles with reference to terms for stoppages offered to tenants at the last meeting.
Res. That R Crabtree be requested to supply one boat load of coal to WH, one half unscreened and the other Best Slack.
Res. That Messrs Varley and Sons be paid £100 on account and that their tender of 60% off list for steam and water pipes and fitting at WH extensions be accepted. Also that they be requested to fit gas pipes utilising all the old pipe at present on the premises. [The large discount mentioned seems to be a peculiarity of the pipe fitting industry as I know that discounts of this magnitude still exist for large users.]
Res. That Mrs Coates account of £4-10-0 for rent of Springs Dam be paid.
J D Roberts.

September 1st 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Horsfield L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: James Bulcock 2/2. J Edmondson £4-17-0. BUDC 6/7. J Widdup £71-18-0. J W Green £37-16-0. P Barrett £100. J Stockdale 19/6.
Res That notices with respect to the throwing of waste or other materials into the closets [water] which might injure the tipplers be printed on tin [for permanency] and affixed in the closets at WH Mill. [This is an interesting one. It’s a clash between the ethos of the manufacturers and that of the CHSC. At this time weavers were very tightly controlled as to how much waste yarn they generated. All waste had to be taken into the warehouse and inspected by the clothlookers to determine whether it was legitimate waste like yarn package ends or culpable waste like stabbed cops which were a sign of bad work by the weaver. Persistent production of avoidable waste could eventually lead to a weaver being dismissed so they developed strategies for disposing of the waste. Ernie Roberts once told me that in his weaving days he used to go into work thin and go out fat because he stuffed stabbed cops in his shirt and took them home to burn on the fire. Another way to get rid of waste was to throw it in the water closets and of course this led to blockages which were the responsibility of the CHSC and not the manufacturers whose policies generated the problem. I had similar problems at Bancroft Shed, not with waste but with the advent of paper knickers! We also know from this entry that the closets were tippler toilets which were flushed by waste water, one wonders where this came from in the mill.]
Res, That Mr Chadwick be requested to clean the clock at WH. [Probably the timepiece in the engine house.]
Res. That new pipes be fixed to the cistern at WH where broken.
Res. That we accept £100 as a loan from John Horsfield at 4%.
Res. That the firemen [stokers] be paid 7/6 for cleaning out the cistern. [I think this must be the cistern on the boiler house and not the old sewage tank.]
Res. That Arley Slack be supplied to WH Mills until the second boiler is coupled up. [This is better coal, the Arley seam was noted as being very high quality. They must be struggling to run the mill on one boiler.]
Res. That the workmen who applied for time and a half be referred to Mr Proctor Barrett their employer.
The secretary read the quotations for coal for WH Mill, delivered at the mill. R Crabtree, Best Slack 8/3 per ton. John Widdup, Acton Hall washed beans 9/7. Exors of Colonel Hargreaves, Arley slack 9/6. H Marsden Altham Nuts 8/11.
J Edmondson.

September 8th 1897
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Horsfield, King, Dent, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That Messrs Edmondson, Brooks, L Holdsworth and Wilkinson form a committee to report on the CH boilers. [I am intrigued by the use of the plural ‘boilers’. This could be an error. As far as I know CH was running one boiler, the original, and it was being pressed hard. On reflection I think I am at fault, there were two boilers.]
Res. That we ask BUDC to move the lamp post a little nearer the south end of WH Mills and a little further from the causeway.
Res. That the ridging [WH?] be sold at not less than 2/3 per yard.
Res, That Messrs Crowther and Atkinson be paid 15/- and J Sneath 20/- for services rendered during the feast. [Engine house staff. Maintenance at WH while the mill was closed for holidays]
Res. That Mr Croasdale be paid £6-17-6 for wages and contract.
J Edmondson.

September 15th 1897
J Edmondson chair. L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, dent, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson and King.
Minutes of last two meetings as read.
The letter received from J E Lister of Keighley re. Damage to Cowgill’s horse and dated September 10th was read. The letter stated that Mr Cowgill would sell the horse on Friday next by public auction and that the difference between the cost of the horse and the price realised would be added to the costs incurred and would form the basis for his claim. Res. That the letter be laid on the table.
Res. That the secretary be asked to request Mr R Driver to point out the position of drums [for loom driving belts] in his portion at WH Mill. [The company were responsible for positioning the drums to suit his looms but the responsibility for indicating their position was the tenants.]
Res. Promissory note for a loan of £100 from John Horsfield cert sealed etc.
Res. Transfer of one share from Fred Eastwood of Manchester to Maria Pickles, Mitchell Terrace Barnoldswick. Cert and seal etc.
Res. That Alfred Hawley be asked to examine the leakage at CH Shed. [boiler?]
Res. That the secretary be requested to ask Mr Widdup to keep up the quality of the coal now being supplied to CH Shed.
Res. That the following architect’s certificates be paid: Mr Fawcett £500. Heap and Thornton £70. P Barrett £100.
Res. That R Whipp be asked to grind the valves of the boilers at CH Shed. [Plural again, I’ve forgotten something. Grinding valves refers to grinding the seats in on plug cock valves, feed and stop valves but most likely old-fashioned blow-down valves. A more expensive job than it sounds because to get the plugs out of the cocks the boilers had to be empty, a big loss of heat. Minimum of 5 tons of coal per boiler to get them back into steam.]
The secretary read the report of the Scottish Boiler insurance Co on the state of the company’s boilers. [This is the beauty of having independent inspection by experts who have an interest in maintaining the boiler in peak condition for safety and efficiency] The report stated that on all the boilers large accumulations of scale had been made through neglect and also that several parts of the boilers were corroded and required attention. Res. That the report be sent to the engineers requesting them at the same time, to remedy the defects and keep the scale for inspection.
[I find it difficult to be objective about scale in boilers because when I was in charge of them the science of feed-water treatment was well understood. A chemical analysis of the raw feed water gave a good indication of what additives were needed for a particular boiler and a treatment was supplied specifically for this boiler which contained the necessary chemicals to inhibit the deleterious elements and render the scale soft so that it would not collect on the plates but fall as sediment into the boiler bottom where it could be removed by judicious blow-down while the boiler was at rest. The engineers in 1897 didn’t have this level of sophistication available to them but even so, there were things that could be done to avoid the accumulation of scale which, apart from damaging efficiency by inhibiting heat transfer from the furnaces to the water could be dangerous if they insulated the tubes to such an extent that the water couldn’t cool them and they reached a temperature where they were so weakened they could collapse. Some feed waters are actively corrosive. The surface waters in Barlick are slightly acidic because they originate on the peat moors above the town, this could explain the corrosion. Acid conditions waste the plates and can result in premature failure. The engineers and the company are on a learning curve!]
Res. That a cask of composition be purchased from the British Economic Boiler Co at Bolton. [This is the only remedy they had in the matter of boiler water treatment. Try different manufacturer’s composition until they found one that suited the water.]
Res. That a tender be invited for WH and CH ashes for twelve months. [Ashes and clinker are a valuable raw material for making building mortar.]
J Edmondson.

September 29th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, Wilkinson, Perry and King.
Minutes of last two meetings read.
Res. Accounts be paid: R Crabtree £40-18-0. Oldham Boiler Co £600. [WH. Quote was £400 and for two boilers?] J Widdup £61-8-0. S Wright 16/-. G Proctor £85-17-6. A Hawley £48-8-1 and Oldham Boiler Works Co £14-16-2 [These two payments bracketed together and marked ‘subject to architect's certificate.]. J W Brown £7-12-0.
Res. Promissory note for loan of £100 from Stephen Rudd. Cert seal etc.
Res. That a deputation consisting of J Wilkinson, L Holdsworth and Brooks wait upon J Nutter and Sons with reference to their claim for £1-9-0 alleged damage to cloth by our men.
Res. That Messrs King, Edmondson, Horsfield, Wilson and Baxter form a deputation to see to complaints by J Windle of a leaky skylight.
The secretary read the monthly statement of payments and receipts.
A Letter was read from the Exors of Colonel Hargreaves in which they promised to maintain the quality of coal being delivered to Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That a special meeting be held on Saturday afternoon next at 2pm.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to request the attendance of Mr Atkinson and Mr P Barrett on Saturday next to go into the question of delay in completing the contract.
Thomas Dent.

September 22nd 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Wilson, Wilkinson, King, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Dent, Brooks, Perry and Baxter.
Res. That Ed Smith be requested to repair wall at CH Shed.
Res. That we ask the BUDC to carry gas to the new shed. [WH extension lighting]
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to send Mr W Clegg to indicate and overhaul the engine at CH Shed [Significant that BI are called to a Roberts’ engine.] and that Messrs Roberts, Brooks, Edmondson and Wilkinson form a deputation to meet him.
Res. That three notices be obtained for the [water] closets as per sample. [Waste problem?]
Res. That the company allow Messrs Slater Brothers [Clough Shed] the use of windows and wood.
Res. That the plastering in the new shed be stopped until the architect has seen it.
Res. That Mr John Widdup’s grace be reckoned to have commenced on September 20th.
Res. That Dr Roberts see Proctor Barrett with regard to the delay in his contract.
J Edmondson.

October 2nd 1897
Special meeting. J Edmondson chair. Roberts, Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson and King.
Mr Atkinson the architect was also present and he submitted an account received from Proctor Barrett for work done and material supplied in partially setting one boiler at WH Mill amounting to £88. The difference between this account and the account sent in by A Hawley [There is more than one Hawley. I know there is a large contractor based in Colne at this time, variously reported as Matthew and R&G Hawley. However, I also have a reference in Barrett’s directory for 1902 of an Alfred Hawley, contractor of New Laithe, Barnoldswick and it appears that it is the latter. The initial ‘A’ is unmistakeable.] of £54 for finishing the setting and also for setting another boiler [WH now has three boilers] was, in the opinion of the directors, so great that they could not accept the account from P Barrett. Res. That the account be rejected. [Boiler setting was specialised work and it’s not surprising that a confident contractor like Proctor Barrett has been caught out.]
Thomas Dent.

October 6th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson, King and Perry.
Mr Widdup’s letter was read re. the ventilation in Sizing Room. Res. That two square doors and one window (opening) be supplied and fixed under the supervision of the architect.
Res. That £200 be paid to P Barrett on architect’s certificate.
Res. That Messrs Atkinson, the clerk of works and Mr P Barrett compare their time-sheets for comparison[sic] and that they meet as soon as possible when the chairman and vice-chairman are also present.
Res. That drip tins be procured and fixed to shafts in Nutter’s portion of the CH shed. [It was the responsibility of the CHSC to lubricate the shafting in the shed and black oil drips contaminating cloth was a common occurrence. Eventually a system of fat pads and special greases was used for the bearings on the cross-shafts which were the usual source of complaints. In earlier sheds where oil was used each bearing had a drip-catcher under the bearing.]
Res. That Mr Norcross be requested to mastic the skylights in Windle’s portion of WH Mill. [These skylights were probably CI and not wood and mastic putty (a mixture of fine sand and boiled linseed oil was used for glazing because ordinary linseed and whiting putty set hard and was dislodged by expansion and contraction of the metal frames.) This putty, or a variation thereof, is still sold as ‘metal casement putty’.]
J Edmondson.

October 13th 1897
T Dent chair. After reading minutes Dr Roberts. Edmondson, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson and King.
Minutes as read.
Mr W H Atkinson presented Mr Barrett’s amended account shewing deductions amounting to £13.
Res. That the boiler setting account be now paid together with accounts for all extra work, day work and materials supplied other than the contract done to this date amounting to £151-3-9.
Res That £50 be accepted as a loan from Mr T Baxter. Cert seal etc.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to P Barrett and inform him that he must complete his contracts at WH Mill without further delay.
J Edmondson.

October 20th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Horsfield, Brooks, Dent, Baxter, Perry and King.
Res. That the sizing room in J Widdup’s part of the shed be ventilated and that Mr W Holdsworth be requested to lift one window frame a short distance as an experiment.
The report of the Burnley Ironworks Co on the engine and boilers at CH Shed was read in which it was stated that the total horse power was 306 and the friction load [Energy lost in shafting etc.] 80ihp. Coal consumption for all purposes (Arley Slack at 9/7 per ton delivered at shed) 402lbs per hp/hr. This consumption was considered to be very excessive. [Valuable information here because BI had wide experience of other plants and no inhibitions about telling the truth because it wasn’t one of their installations.] They suggest that the grate bars be shortened on all four furnaces from 6ft to 5ft. The [indicator] diagrams were considered in order and the working of the engine satisfactory. They recommend the adoption of a larger High Pressure cylinder (+1½”) with Corliss gear in order to cut off [steam admission] earlier and to reduce friction. The friction diagrams were not considered to be excessive. They also recommend that US Metallic Packings be fitted to the HP cylinder and further, that one boiler be used for the engine and one for tapes and warming. [Useful entry for us. We are sure now that they have two Lancashire boilers. The modernising of the engine by changing the slide valve HP for a Corliss cylinder is good advice as the Corliss gear allows proper expansive working by early cut-off of steam admission which is far more economical. The recommendation about using the boilers independently is interesting. An engine is most efficient and therefore most economical when it is supplied with steam at constant pressure. The steaming of a boiler for tape-sizing and heat involves quite major fluctuations in demand, normally a good firebeater can accommodate this but splitting the use of the boilers makes it easier to achieve this for the engine.]
Mr Edmondson reported that the architect desired the board to give him instructions with regard to the very unsatisfactory laying of the flags by Proctor Barrett seeing he had not carried out the wishes of the architect.
Res. That the architect be instructed to give Mr Barrett three day’s notice in which to begin the completion of the flagging in the new portion to his satisfaction; failing his compliance with this notice that the architect be empowered to put the work in other hands for the completion.
Some discussion arose with reference to the lending of the company’s property for use either on or off the premises and it was Resolved that all property be lent by one person and that Johnson Edmondson be the person appointed.
Res. That the secretary be requested to ask Messrs Bennis for a quotation for reducing the firebars at CH Shed from 6ft to 5ft. [The reason for shortening the fire bars is to make the furnace more efficient by concentrating the available draught on a smaller area of grate. There is also the secondary consideration that these are self-cleaning bars and operate in such a way as to gradually ‘walk’ the fire to the back of the grate where the ashes and clinker fall into the ash-pit. If the bars are too long there is an area at the back of the fire where there is only a thin area of fire and a large proportion of ash and clinker. This offers less resistance to the air and so the draught goes through the thin portion of the fire and cools down the flue gases. I know the problem well because I had it at Bancroft with Bennis stokers but in that instance caused by short fires due to light load.]
J Edmondson.

October 27th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent Horsfield, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Perry and King.
The minutes of the last three meetings were read and confirmed.
Res. That accounts be paid: British Anti Incrustation Co £3-10-6. S Cooke and Co £31-1-0. R Crabtree £21-11-0. Insurance £11-5-0. James Bulcock 10/6. Wages £26-4-0. S Greenwood £1-13-0. J Widdup £102-5-0. Oldham Boiler Co £6-7-0. J W Brown £1-7-0. J W Clough £12-7-0. W Holdsworth £3-15-0. Ed Smith £11-7-0. A Hawley £40-14-0.
Mr W Holdsworth produced a sketch of the ventilator for J Widdup portion. Res. That it be approved and fixed.
Res. Transfer of eight shares from Henry Banks: 4 to Jane Rudd, 2 to Stephen Rudd and 2 to Margaret Rudd be cert, sealed etc.
A quotation was read from E Bennis for replacing the 6ft fire bars at CH with 5ft bars for the sum of £25 for four furnaces, man’s time, fares and allowances extra.
Res That Messrs Wilkinson and Barrett be allowed the use of the stable for one horse at 1/- per week to be paid monthly.
Res. That stable tenants and J Wright be requested to pay their rents monthly.
Res. That if Whipp cannot repair the blow-off valve, Brown of Earby be asked to do it. [This is a very significant entry. This is Henry Brown engineer of Earby who at this time only did small repairs like the valve. This was the start of an association between Henry and his successors with the company which lasted until its dissolution.]
Res. That the boilerman be requested to clean the wheel covers.
J Edmondson.

November 3rd 1897
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, King, Horsfield, Brooks, Baxter, Perry and Dent.
Res. That Alf Hawley be asked to re-lay the office floor.
Res. That Heap and Thornton be paid £50 and P Barrett £250 on account of contract as certified.
Res. That Mr Atkinson’s decision with respect to the re-laying of flags by P Barrett be confirmed and that Mr P Barrett be allowed four weeks in which to finish the work to the satisfaction of the architect.
J Edmondson.

November 10th 1897
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, King, Baxter, Horsfield, Brooks and Dent.
Minutes of last two meetings as read.
Res. That Messrs. Royd’s ground rent £9-13-4 [WH] and O Whitaker’s certificate for £200 be paid.
Res. That the secretary be requested to ask Messrs Bennis as to fire bars at CH Shed being fitted on the new principle of three sections and what would be the extra cost.
Res. That Mr J Sneath the engine man at WH Mill be appointed to collect all ground rents and stable rents and that the secretary supply him with a list of tenants.
Res. That Messrs Nutter be allowed to erect a pigsty at CH provided it is built of brick, concreted and that receptacles for the manure are provided.
Res. That Messrs Slater Brothers be informed that the 12 weeks grace for looms will commence on Monday 15th of November and Mr Driver that his grace will commence on Monday 13th of December.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to advertise the old boiler for sale in the Manchester Guardian and the Yorkshire Post.
J. Edmondson.

November 17th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, King, Baxter, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilson, Dent, Perry and L&W Holdsworth.
Res. That Messrs Bennis and Co’s tender to change all firebars on four furnaces at CH Shed for £25 be accepted.
Res. That Messrs W Varley and Co be paid £100 on account of plumber’s contract as per architect’s certificate.
Rees. That alterations be made at the Laundry without addition being made to the rent.
J Edmondson.

November 24th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, King, Horsfield, Baxter, Brooks, Dent, W Holdsworth, Wilson and Perry.
Minutes of last two meetings passed as read.
Res. Accounts be paid. Gas 16/-. J Widdup £61-13-10.
Res. That one barrel of cylinder oil @ 1/10 per gallon be ordered from Brierfield on approval.
Res. That the reserve price for boiler be £50.
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to fix two doors to the WCs in the extension at WH Mill and that if tubes will not fit tins be got. [I suspect that 'tubes' means 'tubs' and they were evidently larger that tins. These were pail toilets that needed emptying frequently.]
Res. That a manifold letter book be ordered. [I think this was a letter book with alternate layers of transparent paper. The letters were written with a ‘copying ink’ pencil, in which the blue ‘lead’ was a solid ink soluble in water. While the letter was still attached to the book a piece of damp blotting paper was placed above the transparent sheet, the book closed and put in a ‘letter press’ for a while, often overnight. This was a cast iron frame with a platen that could be forced down with a screw. When the book was taken out a copy of what was written in the letter is transferred as a mirror image to the back side of the transparent paper and can be read from the front. This was the fore-runner of carbon paper.]
Res. That B Whitaker be requested to pay arrears of stable rent.
Res. That Mr N Brooks be accepted as tenant after Mr Whitaker has left.
Res. That the office stove be repaired.
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be requested to take down old pin rails and fix new ones. [I’m still not sure what pin rails are! All I can think of is the old fashioned picture rail which took specially shaped hooks for hanging pictures. Difficult to imagine why these would be needed in the mill.]
J Edmondson.

December 1st 1897
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Perry, Dent, L&W Holdsworth and Brooks.
Res. That Mr Crabtree’s account of £64-14-0 be paid and J Croasdale’s account £6-17-6 also.
Res. That Mr Croasdale be given a month’s notice.
Res. That we do not supply water to laundry tenants.
Res. That Mr Hawley fix a stone heading in front of boiler to fix door.
Res. That Mr Lee be requested to fit doors and windows in boiler house.
Res. That no fire escapes be sold.
Res. That Mr Hawley be requested to do the work in the Laundry with the exception of concreting.
Res. That the office be papered and painted.
Res. That we ask R Clarke, Petty, Lofthouse, Willan and J Bailey to tender for the work.
J Edmondson.

December 8th 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, W&L Holdsworth, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson, King, Wilkinson and Perry.
Minutes of last two meetings as read.
Res. That Mr Fawcett be paid £300 as per certificate and Proctor Barrett £200 but the cheque to be retained until he has completed the flagging in the extension to the satisfaction of the architect.
Res. That transfer of three shares from L Eastwood and one from A Eastwood to Louisa Eastwood and one share from Emily Metcalfe to W Perry be cert sealed etc.
Res. That a loan from W S Wait of £50 be repaid on the 22nd of December.
Res. That Messrs Eastwood and Wilkinson be requested to abate the smoke from their laundry stove. [They must be the predecessors to Barrett's Steam Laundry.]
Res. That the tender of J Willan to decorate and paper office for £1-6-0 be accepted provided he supply a better paper.
Res. That BUDC be requested to abate the nuisance caused by refuse etc. being washed from Wellhouse Road onto the company’s private property. [The main gate into the mill yard from WH Road was on a slope and this problem persisted for years.]
Res. That one boat of Thin Mine coal be ordered to WH Mill.
J Edmondson.

December 15th 1897
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Brooks, King, Horsfield and Wilson.
Res. That the resolution passed on the 1st December with respect to the stone pillar in the boiler house be rescinded and that Mr Atkinson be requested to prepare a sketch of covering in the coal at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Driver be requested to give the directors some definite information regarding the tenancy at WH Mill seeing that his term of grace commenced on the 12th of December.
Res. That a patent lubricator be fixed to the Low Pressure cylinder at CH by the Burnley Ironworks Co. [Again this is significant. BI are acting as maintenance engineers on the Roberts engine. This flags up two things, evident lack of satisfaction with the service from Roberts at Nelson and the fact that there is no local source for this level of expertise. This vacuum will eventually be filled.]
J Edmondson.

December 22nd 1897
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes of last two meetings read and approved.
Res. That accounts be paid: Craven Bank £140. J Edmondson £7-8-6. Exors of J Thompson principal £300 and interest of £135-7-6. Joseph Petty £34-3-0. W Fawcett £4-4-0. Interest on loans £56-12-0. R Crabtree £62-4-0. W H Atkinson £63-15-6. Richard Petty £1. A Whitaker £185-13-10. Wages £54-1-0. J Widdup £71-2-0. J Croasdale £5-10-0. Norris and Son £9-10-0.
The secretary read the correspondence which had passed between him and Mr L Mitchell of Bolton with reference to the sale of the old boiler, in which Mr Mitchell, through his solicitor, pressed for delivery of the boiler or, in lieu thereof, £25 damages, and threatened to issue a writ.
Res. That any action taken by Mr Mitchell be defended.
Res. That Mr Mitchell’s solicitors, Messrs Bulshaw and Challinor, be informed that Messrs Harley and Pilgrim of Colne will accept notice of any writ they may issue.
Mr H Marsden quoted Great Harwood nuts at 8/5 at Barlick station.
Res. That the secretary ask Mr R Driver to sign an agreement as to the space taken by him at WH for 160 looms seeing that no reply has been given by him to the notice that his term of grace commenced on 12th December, although he had intimated to Mr Atkinson that he was going on with the space.
Res. That Messrs Heap and Thornton’s tender to do all whitewashing and sundry plastering as described by the architect, for the sum of £38, be accepted and that their tender of 3/- per square yard for concreting in the engine house be also accepted providing they buy their own stone. The company to provide stone if necessary at 1/6 per load.
Res. That Best Slack Coal per J Widdup be supplied to CH Shed. Mr Edmondson intimated that the price would be 7/3 [per ton] at the station.
Res. That the architect’s plan for covering in the coal shed be approved and that he obtain tenders for its erection.
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to fix rails along the dam side to protect the weavers. [WH?]
Res. That Mr Edmondson see to the pipes for the tipplers. [Water closets]
J Edmondson.

December 29th 1897
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Brooks, Perry and Dent.
Res. That Messrs Norcross and Hawley’s accounts be checked before payment and that Mr Hawley be requested to furnish particulars.
J Edmondson.

January 5th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Wilson, Baxter, King and Perry.
Minutes of the last two meetings read and approved.
The secretary reported that Mr R Driver had signed an agreement to take 160 looms at WH, full rent to commence on 7th March 1898 and the tenancy to be a yearly one.
The architect brought before the board 7 quotations for one hoist. The four lowest being T Parkinson, Blackburn £50. Joe Thompson £55. S Baldwin £57. Dent and Holt £58.
Res. That the order be given to T Parkinson at £50.
Res. That one worm wheel be ordered for CH Shed.
The secretary gave full particulars of the insurance on the company’s property viz.
On CH Shed, old portion £4,900 and on extension £2100.
Alliance Co on £4000, premium £15. Sun Insurance on £3000, premium £11-5-0.
On WH Mills, £5000 on sheds and £3000 on warehouse.
Royal Insurance on £2,500, premium £10-0-3. Sun Insurance on £2,500, premium 13-2-6.
The premium on the Alliance Ins Co was due on the 25th Ult. [February]
Res. That it be paid provided that the company undertake to make a rebate of premium from the date iron doors were fixed to their satisfaction.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be paid £200 on account of contracts.
J Edmondson.

January 12th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Wilson, Baxter, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet as read for the half year ended 31st December 1987 be adopted subject to audit.
Res. That the “Costs of negotiating mortgage” now shewn as an asset be written off against the Profit and Loss account.
Res. That the general meeting of shareholders be held on the 28th of January at the Seven Stars AR at 7pm.
Res. That we recommend a dividend for the half year at the rate of 5% per annum.
Res. That Mr Alf Pilkington be allowed 1/6 stoppage of looms for ½ an hour.
The secretary gave further information about the iron doors and fire insurance.
Res. That Heap and Thornton’s tender for concreting be accepted on condition that he pays £1 for stone.
Res. That Messrs King, W Holdsworth and W P Brooks be deputed to wait upon BUDC and request them to carry water to the front of CH Shed. [One wonders what the source of potable water was at the time, from the beck or more probably a rain water tank?]
J Edmondson.

January 19th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, Horsfield, Perry, Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks and King.
Res. That Messrs Henry Hargreaves, James Kerrigan and Barraclough be asked to tender for tin oil drippers. [Tin trays to catch the drips from bearings.]
Res. That the engineer at WH be requested to see that nothing leaves the premises without the knowledge of Mr Edmondson or the managing director. [The engine house commanded a view of the yard and entrance.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to ask Mr Brown of Earby [Barrett directory for 1886 notes Henry Brown as machinist and blacksmith, Albion Street, Earby.] and someone from Colne to tender for the boiler house shed.
J Edmondson.

January 26th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, King and Perry.
Minutes of the last two meetings as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: S Cooke and Co £18, Burghope and Strange £1-12-6. J Hart £1-18-6. T Willan £1-6-0. Henry Brown 10/6. Ed Smith £3-3-6. A Hawley £7-8-0. Towers Singleton 12/6. J W Brown £2-7-6. John Dixon 12/3. W Norcross £30-10-0. Ed Bennis 9/6. Burnley Ironworks £150. James Bulcock 11/6. Mr Bannister £3-17-0. W Varley and Sons £150. R Crabtree £81-5-0. Oldham Boiler Co £200. John Widdup £75-13-0. Wages £35-6-11. District rate £99-4-6. D E Garlic £2-13-0. Inland revenue £62-0-1.
L Mitchell of Bolton made application for £5 for out of pocket expenses in connection with the boiler.
Res. That he be paid nothing seeing that his men left Bolton after the offer to sell to them had been withdrawn and also that he had not accepted the secretary’s first offer to pay them.
Res. That Mr Barraclough’s tender for the supply of oil drippers to CH Shed at 1/2 per dozen be accepted and that 100 of each of the two patterns be ordered. [From the quantity ordered, these are for fitting under the cross-shaft bearings in the weaving shed.]
The following tenders for coal shed at WH Mill were received. Henry Brown £28-3-6. J Thompson £29. J W Brown £28. Croasdale, Colne £30.
Res. That J W Brown’s tender be accepted.
J Edmondson.

Half yearly general meeting
January 28th 1898
[No printed sheet attached]
Dr Roberts in chair.
Minutes of last general meeting read and approved.
Res. That balance sheet, director’s report and Auditor’s report be accepted.
Res. That dividend of 5% per annum for half year ending 31st December 1897 be approved.
Res. That Seal be applied to the register of share transfers.
J D Roberts.

February 9th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, King and Perry.
Minutes as read.
Res. Promissory note for loan of £500 by E A Banks be cert sealed etc.
Res. That transfer of 4 shares from George Taylor and Thomas Thompson to M A Broughton. Cert seal etc.
Res. That Burnley Ironworks be asked to send Mr Clegg to inspect the piston of the High Pressure cylinder at CH Shed.
Res. That the footballing, cricket etc. now carried on in front of WH shed be put a stop to. Mr Baxter promised to endeavour to stop it.
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to open 2 or 3 windows in Widdup’s taping room to improve the ventilation.
A written application was made by James Nutter and Sons, B&M Holden and S Pickles and Sons (CH Shed) and Messrs A Pilkington, Joseph Windle, W Bailey, and Boocock Brothers (WH Mill) tenants of the company for a re-adjustment of the rent for Room and Power on the grounds that the present price (39/- per loom per annum and £90 for a tape for 400 looms) is in excess of that paid at Earby, Foulridge and Barnoldswick and asking that the directors receive a deputation from them.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply saying that after very careful consideration the directors could not see their way to make any reduction from the present price.
The secretary stated that the price of best slack delivered at one of the Nelson mills was 6/8 per ton and the rent of looms 38/- per annum (average in Nelson for a modern shed). Best slack delivered at Barlick Railway station is 7/3 per ton and at the shed 7/10, a difference of 1/2 per ton. This additional cost of coal amounts to 2/- per loom per annum so that from the company’s standpoint the rent at Barlick is 39/- minus 2/- which is 37/- per loom as against 38/- per loom.
As to tapes, the average in Nelson is £85. Taking 3 tons of coal per tape per week at 1/2 per ton increased cost of coal the additional cost would be £9-2-0 per annum so that the company is only charging, as compared with coal cost at Nelson, £80-18-0 per tape.
S Pickles rent of tape £90 for 416 looms = comparative price of £77-8-9.
J Nutter £90 for 414 looms = £77-17-1.
B&M Holden £90 for 414 looms ditto.
[George Proctor is using his wide experience, doing his homework and presenting a good case. The irony of this application by the manufacturers is that they saw no problem in applying what was known as the ‘Local Disadvantage’ rule to weaver’s wages on the grounds that as they were at the end of the railway line and an outlier of the main weaving districts their profits were less. One law for the rich and another for the poor...]
J Edmondson.

February 16th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That a deputation consisting of Messrs. Roberts, Horsfield, Dent and the secretary meet a deputation from the Long Ing Shed Co with regard to the application by the tenants to the company for a reduction in rent. [It made sense for the shed companies to avoid competition and in later years they formed an association of Room and Power providers.]
Res. That 3 dozen stoppers for oil bottles be ordered. [These oil bottles were a simple but effective way of lubricating large slow rotation bearings usually on critical points in the shafting. They were a glass globe with a narrow neck. When filled with oil they were plugged with a wooden stopper with a hole through it. The plug was cone shaped on both ends, one end fitted the bottle, the other a simple hole in the cap of the bearing to be oiled. A loose fitting metal rod was inserted in the hole and when inverted and inserted in the hole on the bearing the metal rod dropped till it touched the shaft and if properly sized, oil only flowed when the shaft rotated and jiggled the rod. The bottles could be easily checked for level being glass and different sizes of globe were used for different bearings. They could easily last a week.]
J Edmondson.

February 26th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: John Widdup £67-6-0. R Crabtree £86-5-0. Ed Bennis and Co £28-7-0. Heap and Thornton £50. Eliz. Coates £4-10-0. Wages £26-11-3.
Res. Transfer of one share from Emily Metcalfe to W Perry, nine shares from Sandy Harmer to Slater Dugdale and three shares from Sandy Harmer to John Crook be cert sealed etc.
The secretary read the cash account from Jan 1st to date.
The secretary reported with reference to the tenant’s application that he had let during the last year 1100 looms on yearly tenancy at 39/- per loom per annum for 40” reed space looms and £90 per tape. 560 looms at 38/6 for 40” reed space and £95 for tape on a ten year lease. 1200 looms at 38/- per annum on a seven year lease. Room and Power in Earby is 38/-. [GP is drawing on his experience of acting for other shed companies.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to make a sketch of the proposed driving wheels at CH Shed and obtain tenders for the same.
Res. That space for 400 looms be advertised in two Skipton papers.
J Edmondson

March 2nd 1898
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Brooks, Perry, Wilson and Dent.
Res. That a water main be laid at the front of CH Shed for fire purposes.
Res. That Messrs. Wilkinson, Holdsworth and Edmondson be deputed to see the fire brigade.
Res, That the deputation of Dr Roberts, Edmondson and Dent meet the deputation from Long Ing Shed on Wednesday the 9th of March.
Res. That Messrs. W Holdsworth, Dent and Baxter request the laundry proprietors to abate the smoke nuisance.
Res, That Inspector Hardisty be authorised to stop football playing at WH Mill and that Messrs. Horsfield and Brooks be deputed to wait on him.
Res. That one barrel of cylinder oil be ordered for each mill from J Ashworth and Co at 1/11 per gallon. [The search for the perfect cylinder oil continues! Like boiler composition, lubrication was not an exact science and selection was by trial and error. In the 1980s when I was faced with the problem of obtaining a cylinder oil for the engines at Ellenroad I approached Total oil, agreed a specification and they produced a new, modern formulation which was different than any cylinder oil I had ever seen but was very effective. I always remember an old engineer telling me that there were only two sorts of oil, thick and thin. This was the state of knowledge of some steam engineers as late as the 1970s. Cylinder oil was judged on how thick it was. From 1960 on, Walker’s Century Oils supplied all oils for the NCB winding engines and were probably the industry standard at that time for properly formulated cylinder oil which was much thinner than the mainstream but very effective. I used their oil at Bancroft Shed and was entirely satisfied.]
J Edmondson.

March 9th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Brooks, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes of last two meetings read and approved.
Res. That the secretary write to Messrs. Norris and Son informing them that the reducing valve still fails to work and ordering them to replace it. [There were usually two pressure reduction valves in the system. One to reduce the pressure supplied to the tape departments as they could function quite efficiently on approximately 40psi and this cut down on wasteful consumption when boiling size. The large copper drying drums on the tapes were very fragile and only needed perhaps as little as 3psi to operate efficiently. The reduction valve for this was part of the tape-sizing machine and it’s doubtful whether this is the one referred to.]
A letter was read from Messrs. Cooper Brothers [Loom manufacturers] stating that Messrs. Horsfield and Greenwood of Barnoldswick had been making enquiries as to the cost of looms but required financial aid.
Res. That Messrs. Cooper be requested to ask Messrs. Horsfield and Greenwood to communicate with the company.
The secretary reported the result of the interviews between the deputations appointed by the company and by the Long Ing Shed Co and presided over by Dr Roberts at which the application of the tenants of the two companies for a reduction in rent charges was considered and the following resolutions were unanimously adopted. [If you’re getting the impression that there is a concert party here you are right. The Barnoldswick Manufacturer’s Association was formed shortly before this time and they were quite obviously acting in concert as were the two shed companies.]
Res. That no reduction be made in the rent as at present charged.
Res. That a letter be sent to each of the company’s tenants as follows:
My directors have considered your application of the 4th ult asking for a reduction of the rent charged for Room and Power and they direct me to state that although not averse to meeting you, they fail to see that any good would come of it as they cannot see their way to make any reduction in the annual payment for rent. They have not come to this decision hurriedly but have made enquiries in all the districts named in your communication as to rents paid and they are satisfied that you are under no disadvantage. They wish me to point out that although in one or two instances rents may be less than those charged in Barnoldswick, the extra cost of working the mills in Barnoldswick more than counter-balances the extra money received for rent, also that mills built in country districts cost more than those built in a town.
I may say that although the CHSC Ltd has been in existence for nine years, the shareholders have not received 5% on their money from the commencement. I think this is ample proof that they are not receiving handsome profits at the expense of their tenants.
I remain Gentlemen, Yours faithfully, George Proctor, Secretary.
[What we have here is a cloud no bigger than a man’s hand. Even though the company’s case is, on the face of it fair, the essential fact is that tenants were never easy in their minds when they saw shareholders making regular profit out of their rents working in an industry open to wide trade fluctuations. This was to become more acute as the CHSC became very successful and the big problem for the tenants was that because of the dilution of share ownership though partiple inheritance the obvious route of buying company shares up and participating in the profits was closed to them. In the end it was this fundamental problem which drove many of the more successful tenants to build their own mills and free themselves from what they saw as the tyranny of the shed companies. It’s worth noting that although they protested, the profits which financed the later mills came from their years working as tenants under the Room and Power system.]
J Edmondson.

March 14th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson King, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Dent, Brooks and Baxter.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be appointed fireman at CH Shed at a wage of 22/- per week.
Res. That Mr Shackleton be appointed oiler at 20/- per week. [CH?]
J Edmondson.

March 16th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, Perry, King, Horsfield, Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Wilson and Baxter.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to obtain tenders for laying a water main at the front of CH Shed as far as the partition wall between Holden’s and Nutter’s portion. [I suspect that BUDC had laid the main in the street and this was a branch for the company’s premises along what became Mill Street.]
Res. That Messrs Varley be requested to connect the pipes for warming tins in Nutter’s shed providing that Nutters find the copper pipe. [No obvious need for these. I suspect they might be for weavers to warm their food.]
J Edmondson.

March 23rd 1898
J Edmondson chair. Dent, Brooks, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes of the last three meetings read and approved.
Res. That accounts be paid. W Barraclough £1. M&J Layfield 5/-. W D Baldwin 6/8. T Rawlinson £2-6-6. James Bulcock £1-5-0. R Crabtree £67-3-0. J Widdup £76-7-0. Wages £27-11-3. Sun Ins co £13-2-6.
The secretary read the monthly cash account.
Res. That the two new boilers at WH Mill be insured with the Scottish Ins Co for £200 each. [3 boilers at WH in total.]
A letter received from Messrs. Greenwood and Horsfield was read in which they applied for space for 260 looms and a tape in the old mill bottom. The secretary also reported that they only had £800 capital and that they desired the company to assist them in purchase of machinery.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to inform them that they will consider the application but requesting them to endeavour to put more capital in the business. [This is a good example, no matter what transpires, of the value of the shed companies role in making the threshold of entry into the industry as low as possible for new entries. As long as the company could see buoyant trade conditions and had the available capital this was a low risk investment. The CHSC would get interest on the loans made, rent from the looms and if the worst came to the worst would end up as owners of the machinery making it possible to encourage another entrant.]
The secretary reported that the balances due from Messrs. J Windle and W Bailey to date were £776 and £975 [respectively].
Res. That Messrs, T Baxter and J Edmondson be requested to inspect the iron doors for[?] Windle’s part of the shed and report to the next meeting.
J Edmondson.

March 30th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, Wilson, Perry, King,Brooks, Horsfield, Dent, Baxter and L&W Holdsworth.
Res. That Messrs King and Baxter cover the opening in the thoroughfare [WH] by way of experiment for insurance purposes. [Into the mill?]
Res. That the CH tenants be requested to state the dates and hours on which the 3½hrs stoppages deducted by them from the rent occurred.
Res. That the rent for Room and Power be not reduced.
Res. That before granting an interview to the company’s tenants the Long Ing Shed Co be consulted.
Res. That if the Long Ing Co grant their tenants an interview we appoint Messrs. Roberts, L Holdsworth, J Edmondson, T Dent, the secretary and the architect a deputation to meet our tenants.
Res, That Mr Fawcett be paid £400 on account of contract.
Res. That the hoist bracket be plated. [A common method of repairing a cracked iron casting was to bolt a strengthening plate onto it.]
J Edmondson.

April 5th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilson, Baxter, King and Perry.
Minutes of last two meetings read and approved.
A letter was read, received from the Craven Bank, asking for some arrangement be made as to the overdraft on the current account which amounts to £4,127-3-4.
Res. That the arrangement with the bank be left to the secretary.
A letter was received from B&M Holden in which they stated that the half day was made up of 4hrs and ½ an hour.
Res. That the secretary be asked to write them.
Res. That the transfer of eight shares from Joseph Hawley to Mrs Ibbotson (4), Mary Jane Ibbotson (2) and Barrett Hargreaves (2) be registered cert seal etc.
Res. That the transfer of eight shares from Mr M Hawley to Miss Jane Higson of Newton, Clitheroe be registered cert seal etc.
The following letter from Mr R Driver with regard to his tenancy was read.
April 4th 1898.
Gentlemen, through circumstances over which I have no control I am very reluctantly obliged to ask if you will release me of any agreement with you re loom space at WH Shed. My legal advisers have recommended me to write you and state that I do not wish to shirk any responsibility but to be honourable with the whole matter and trust that you will deal accordingly as gentlemen. I am, yours respectfully, R Driver.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply that as there was no proposal contained in his letter for our consideration we could not come to any decision.
Res. That a further sum of £100 be paid to Mr Fawcett of Skipton on account of wheelwright’s work. [The ‘driving wheels’ at CH?]
J Edmondson.

April 13th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Wilkinson, Wilson, Perry, King, Horsfield, Brooks, Dent, L&W Holdsworth and Baxter.
Res. That a boat of Altham Nuts @ 8/11 per ton be ordered with H Marsden.
Res. That Mr Widdup be asked to stock up to 50 tons of coal at CH Shed.
Res. That Mr Atkinson obtain tenders for old iron.
Res. That J Ellis cart refuse from boiler house at WH Mill.
J Edmondson.

April 14th 1898
Special meeting.
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Wilkinson, Dent, W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Wilson, Baxter, Brooks, King and Perry.
The secretary read a letter from Mr R Driver dated April 12th stating that as he was wishful to be clear of the whole thing at once his advisers recommend him to ask us to state the least cash we will accept from him.
The secretary reported that in addition to the 12 weeks grace already expired 6 weeks rent would be due from Mr Driver on the 16th of April, the total rent for the whole 18 weeks was £108 and the probable saving of coal £25.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr Driver offering to accept, without prejudice, the sum of £156 being being the amount of six months rent providing that the offer be accepted by him on or before Monday the 26th of April.
Res. That the tender of Messrs. Ellison of Skipton to fix Bevil Wheels [‘Bevil’ was the archaic form of Bevel.] at CH Shed for the amount of £4-15-0 be accepted.
Res. That the tender of J W Brown of Barnoldswick for the supply and laying of 110 yards of 3” water main and fittings in front of CH Shed warehouse for the sum of £22-1-0 be accepted.
J Edmondson.

April 20th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Perry, King, Horsfield, Brooks Dent and Baxter.
Res. That Shackleton’s (fireman) wages be increased to 21/-.
Res. That Mr Isaac Miller’s tender for old iron at 42/6 per cwt be accepted.
Res. That Messrs Heap and Thornton be paid £60 on account on Architect’s certificate.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be empowered to make the best bargain possible with Mr Ellison of Skipton for the centrifugal pump.
J Edmondson.

April 27th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Brooks, Wilkinson, Horsfield L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, King and Perry.
Minutes of the last four meetings read and approved.
Res. That accounts be paid: J Ashworth and Co £7-12-0. J W Clough £7-1-0. S Cooke and Co £20-17-0. J W Brown £12-4-0. J Widdup £74-2-0. Royal Ins Co £10-0-3. A Hawley £17-3-1. Wages £34-3-0.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments.
The deputation appointed to meet the tenants reported that the meeting took place on the 22nd of April and lasted two hours (8-10pm) and that the tenants gave no evidence that they were suffering any hardship in respect of their rent. The tenants left the deputation asking that the company give the question of a reduction their full consideration. [My italics. I have always liked this understated implicit rebuke by George. He was right of course. It was the profits made under the shed companies which paid for the new mills that were being built between now and 1920.]
The secretary reported having an interview with Mr G Robinson of the Craven Bank at Skipton as to the present overdraft of about £4000 on the General account when it was agreed that the account should be allowed to remain in its present condition. [One wonders how many of these interviews GP had with GR over the years. They must have built up a good relationship and one suspects that GP would massage this by always giving GR an accurate estimate of the risks involved. Once more he has earned his corn.]
Res. That Mr W P Brooks notice to give up the stable in a week be accepted.
The secretary reported that the analysis of the two samples of oil shewed that the oil at present in use was worth 1d a gallon more than the sample oil from Messrs. Ashworth and Company.
A letter was read received from R Driver in which he offered to pay £100 to be released from his contract to take space for 160 looms at WH Mill.
J Edmondson.

May 4th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilkinson, Wilson, Horsfield, King, Perry and Dent.
Res. That Mr Atkinson's day wage be divided between Ed Watson, Sneath, Shackleton and Crowther.
Res. That Messrs. W Holdsworth, Dent, Roberts, Brooks, Wilson and King pay a visit to the CH Shed engine tomorrow at 12 o’clock.
Resolved that a ladder with oak staves be supplied to the oiler by W Holdsworth.
J Edmondson.

May 11th 1898
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Dent, Wilkinson, Horsfield, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson Perry and King.
Minutes of last two meetings as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Messrs. Stott and Son £9-13-4. P Barrett £250 on account of contract.
Two letters addressed to the secretary from Mr R Driver dated 4th and 10th of May respectively in which he agreed to pay £100 as follows: £60 due from the Mill Company Ltd (Shed company running Victoria Mill at Earby] to himself on the 15th of May and £40 out of money due from the same company in the following month, being read it was resolved that the method of payment be accepted provided that Mr Driver gives his authority to the Mill Company to pay the amounts to this company. [Guess who was acting as secretary to the Mill company? That's right, George Proctor.]
Res. That the loans of £200 from A King and £50 from Alice Lancaster at 4% be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the tenants of the laundry be requested to couple their fan to their own engine.
Res. That the meetings of the directors be held at 7pm instead of 6-30pm as hitherto.
J Edmondson.

May 18th 1898
J Edmondson chair. Baxter, Wilkinson, Wilson, Horsfield, King, Perry, Brooks, W Holdswoth and Dent.
Res, That Messrs. Edmondson and Dent wait upon Messrs. Widdup and Slater as to whether they are willing or desirous of taking the space adjoining their portion.
Res. That a letter received from the tenants of the company requesting that the question of the reduction of rent charges be given further consideration be left over until next week.
J Edmondson.

May 25th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Wilkinson, W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Brooks, Wildon, Baxter, Perry and King.
Minutes of the last two meetings read and confirmed.
Res. That Accounts be paid: Ed Smith 12/1. J Dixon 7/6. J Marsden £20-10-2. Burghope and Strange £1-6-3. Economic Boiler Co £3-15-0. Gas £1-11-6. Lancaster and Tonge £2-2-0. J W Hargreaves 5/4. J W Clough £3-9-1. Burnley Ironworks £100. R Crabtree £84-8-0. Wages £28-1-2. J Widdup £94-8-3. J W Brown £41-13-0. Ellison and Son 15/-.
The secretary read the monthly cash account April 26th to May 25th. Shewing receipts over payments £442-5-10.
The secretary reported that Mr Driver had made a payment of £60 on account of the £100 agreed to be accepted from him by the company.
Letter from BUDC read. States that Mr Duckworth had no claim against the company for making a connection to the main sewer running through his land unless the connection was made after entering his land. Res. That Mr Edmondson see Mr Duckworth and if possible obtain a reduction in the amount charged.
The letter dated 13th of May received from the tenants asking for further consideration to be given to the question of reducing rents having been read and considered. Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply to each of the tenants that the company could not see their way to grant any reduction of rent and mentioning that the price of coal was likely to go up and also that local rates were steadily increasing.
Res. Transfer of four shares from A King to R Hodgson be registered. Cert seal etc.
Res. That a loan of £100 be accepted from A King @ 4%. Cert seal etc.
Res. That Crowther’s wages be increased by 2/- per week.
Res. That new wheels be fixed in Windle’s shed by Mr Fawcett at the earliest opportunity. [Pair of bevels on lineshaft?]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to get a wooden shed built over the new pump at the end of WH Shed. [I think this pump was used to draw water out of the well in Eastwood Bottoms where the Bowker Drain could be tapped to top up the reservoir. If not it must have been forcing water from the lodges up into the cistern on the mill roof.]
Res. That Heap and Thornton be instructed to fit two skylights in the boiler house at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Bailey be requested to put a stop to the damage being done to his shed roof and at the door opening into the extension.
J D Roberts.

June 1st 1898
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Dent, Wilkinson, Horsfield, King, Wilson and Perry.
Res. That Mr Fawcett be written to regarding the wheels in Windle’s shed.
Res. That Mr Atkinson’s (fireman at CH) application for an advance in his wages be not entertained.
Res. That enquiries be made as to the cost of driving looms in Pickles’ shed by gearing in place of ropes. [Many tenants were suspicious of rope driving as against gears because they suspected they were losing out on power because of slippage. Gear driving was positive. In the case of properly installed rope drives this was mistaken. What they lost in slippage was more than made up by increased loom efficiency because ropes gave a smoother drive. Hence the almost universal change over to rope drive on main engines.]
Res. That John Raw be instructed to clear away rubbish out of well. [In Eastwood Bottoms, he was the tenant of the land.]
J D Roberts.

June 8th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King and Perry.
Minutes of last two meetings as read.
Mr Edmondson reported that Mr Duckworth had agreed to accept 1/- per annum for the privilege of a connection to the drain in his meadow.
Mr Atkinson wired that Ellison’s estimate for the work in Pickles’ shed was £20-7-6.
Res. That the work be done but that Mr Atkinson be requested to obtain further information before letting the work.
A letter from J Windle having been read, complaining of the leakage of windows and asking for the Mechanic’s shop it was resolved that the matter be further considered.
The secretary read a copy of the letter to be sent to tenants in reply to their application.
Res. That it be approved.
The secretary reported with reference to the application by Messrs. Dewhurst for space for 80 to 100 looms. That he had had two interviews with them and that they had ultimately agreed to take the whole of the space for 160 looms lately in the tenancy of R Driver providing the company would advance £700 on the machinery and retain the whole of the plant in the company’s name under a Hire Purchase agreement to pay the amount advanced with interest of 5% thereon for a period of seven years. [Driver’s looms and machinery were evidently left as part of the settlement with the company and the benefit is being realised in income from hire purchase of the machinery and the filling up of the shed. The last thing the company wanted was odd spaces for a few looms here and there as they were dead space.]
J D Roberts.

June 15th 1898
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Horsfield, King, Wilson, Brooks and Dent.
Res. That a portion of the store room adjoining the office be let to Mr Windle providing he gives up a portion of the second floor. [Here’s an example of the CHSC taking advantage of any opportunity to rationalise the use of space in the mill by the tenants. This had two effects, it maximised use of the available space and made it easier to let the space if a tenant should leave. With the benefit of hindsight it also has the advantage of not encumbering the old Bracewell Mechanic’s Shop by piecemeal letting. I don’t know whether they had clear plans at this point but this facility was to become vitally important, not only for CHSC but Barlick as a whole.]
Res. That the scaffold at Springs Dam be repaired by Mr W Holdsworth using wood from WH Mill.
Res. That W Holdsworth be asked to open up a few of the windows in the shed as occupied by Messrs. Dewhurst and Elsworth.
Res. That Mr Ellison’s tender of £20-7-6 to convert the rope drive to gearing in Pickles’ shed be accepted.
Res. That Mr Baxter be requested to make enquiries about the man whose name had been mentioned to him as a likely fireman. [Interesting that this personal approach was used instead of general advertisement. It shows how close the directors were to the local community and signifies that they wanted to get the best man possible. Even though it was a low wage, the firebeater could make a lot of difference to coal consumption by how well he did his job and coal was the company’s biggest single expense.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to prepare specifications for painting Dewhurst’s shed and that Messrs. Lofthouse, Petty, Willan, Bailey and Clark be asked to tender.
J D Roberts.

June 20th 1898
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, King, Brooks, Horsfield, Dent and Wilson.
Res. That the new oiler’s wages be 21/- per week.
Res. That we advertise for a fireman at CH Shed, applicants to be asked to state wage required and to apply not later than Friday night next at 6pm to Dr Roberts and that Mr Standing print ? and placard them in Barnoldswick, Earby and Kelbrook.
Res. That a spare wheel be ordered if it be found all the cross-shafts were of the same length. [This is a bevel and I suspect that what was actually meant was the diameter of the cross-shafts rather than the length which shouldn’t have been a factor.]
J D Roberts.

June 29th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilson, Baxter, Perry and King.
Minutes of last three meetings read and approved.
Res. That accounts be paid: Interest on loans for half year £66-17-6. Exors W Thompson, interest, £130-15-0. Craven Bank interest £140. R Crabtree £61-8-0. J Widdup £70-2-11. Wages £26-10-2. J Edmondson £7-6-10. J W Brown £3-2-9. J Singleton 8/9.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments.
Res. That the amount deducted by the tenants at CH Shed for the half day (Said be them to have been stopped during December 1897) be allowed and that the secretary write them stating that in future all allowances must be agreed before deduction.
Res. That the specification for painting at WH Mill be approved.
J D Roberts.

July 6th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilson, Baxter, Perry, King and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet as read for the half year ending June 30th 1898 be adopted subject to the secretary’s suggestion as to the manner in which the receipt of the sum of £100 from Rhodes Driver should be shown and also subject to audit.
Res. That we recommend the shareholders to approve a dividend for the half year at the rate of 5% per annum.
Res that the General Meeting be held on Friday 22nd July in the Seven Stars AR at 7pm.
The retiring directors are L Holdsworth, W P Brooks and Baxter and after King and Perry had drawn lots as to who should take the place of Ed Smith (resigned) that Mr King also should be a retiring director.
Res. That a loan of £20 from Mr Henry Parkin be accepted.
Res. That the tender of J Lofthouse to paint a proportion of the inside of WH Mill for the sum of £31 as per specification be accepted.
Res. That Mr Bailey’s tender to paint a proportion of the outside of WH Mill as per specification for the sum of £110 be accepted.
J D Roberts.

July 20th 1898
J Edmondson chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Dent and Brooks.
Received. The four lowest tenders for the erection of an additional warehouse for H Slater and Sons and sweepings room storage for the other tenants be accepted. Viz.
Alfred Hawley for mason’s work £17-14-6.
Waite and Lambert joinery £7-15-0.
Heap and Thornton slaters £3.
Arthur Reeves plumber £2-19-0.
Res. That John Widdup be allowed to extend his sweeping room at his own expense. [Remember that a separate room for dirty sweepings was considered essential by the insurance companies because of the danger of spontaneous combustion caused by oil contamination, much of it vegetable oil like linseed.]
Res. That Proctor Barrett be paid £237-18-9.
Res. That the architect be requested to ask Mr Fawcett to send a more competent man to fix the drums in Dewhurst's shed.
Res. That the stone ridging be sold at not less than 2/6 per linear yard.
J D Roberts.

July 22nd 1898
Dr Roberts chair. J Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Brooks, Dent, Wilson, Baxter, King and Perry.
Minutes of last meeting and those of 6th July read and approved.
Res. That accounts be paid: R Crabtree £64-14-0. C Blakey £2. John Widdup £52-3-0. Director's fees £15. G Proctor £20.
J D Roberts.

Half year general meeting
July 22nd 1898
Dr Roberts chair.
Secretary read notice convening meeting and minutes of the last general meeting which were confirmed.
Res. Balance sheet, director’s report and auditors report adopted as read.
Res. That a 5% per annum dividend for the half year be declared. Approved.
Res. That four retiring directors be re-elected. L Holdsworth, Brooks, Baxter and King. Approved.
Res. Directors remuneration at £30 be approved.
Res. That C Blakey be re-elected auditor at £4 per annum. Approved.
Res. Common Seal be applied to share transfer register. Approved.
Res. That the engine houses of the company at CH and WH be decorated.
No signature and no printed balance sheet.

August 3rd 1898
Dr Roberts, Edmondson, Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilson, Baxter, L Holdsworth, King, Perry and Wilkinson.
Res. That Dr Roberts be chairman for the ensuing year and T Dent be the vice-chairman.
Minutes of last two meetings read and confirmed.
Res. That loan of £20 from Henry Parkin be cert seal etc.
A letter dated 28th July from the Barnoldswick Manufacturer’s Association asking for the usual allowance of rent for the holidays having been made[sic].
Res. That 18 hrs be allowed as before. [Notable that the tenants are communicating via the Association. No doubt this also applied to other mills like Long Ing, with tenants on room and power. It should be noted that H Slater and Sons at Clough Shed had a long record of allowing very small tenants to take room and power, often with as little as six looms. Many of the major manufacturers in the town started like this. Bracewell was unique in that he never (to my knowledge) allowed tenants. From his track record he would regard them as possible future competitors.]
Res That the next supply of Cylinder Oil be obtained from Price’s Patent Candle Co @ 1/6 per gallon. [The search for the perfect cylinder oil continues!]
A Letter dated 27th of July from the Butts Mill Co complaining of the high temperature of the water leaving CH Shed.
Res. That the secretary write them to say that the CHSC will give them all the assistance they can. [The old insoluble problem.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to apply to the 8 persons/boys who had been caught breaking windows at WH Mill of ?/- each for damage done.
J D Roberts.

August 10th 1898
J D Roberts chair. Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Brooks and Perry.
Res. That the architect be requested to attend to the alteration in Pickles’ shed during the holidays [also] the fixing of drums in Dewhurst’s shed and the shaft in Windle’s shed.
J D Roberts.

August 17th 1898
T Dent chair. Edmondson, Brooks, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes of last two meetings read and confirmed.
Res. That Messrs Cooper Brothers [Looms] be paid £250 and Messrs. Howard and Bullough [Accrington, tape machine] £53-8-0 on account of machinery supplied to the company and now being used by Messrs. Dugdale, Dewhurst and Ellsworth.
Res. That Messrs. Varley and Sons be paid £120 as per architect’s certificate.
Res. Transfer of two shares from W Tillotson to Mary Heap, the transfer of one share from S Pickover to Mary Heap and one share from Emily Metcalfe to Jane Rudd all be approved. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Mr Ellison be requested to attend and inspect the expansion coupling in WH Mill bottom. [Summer weather means that the coupling could be working at full extent. Problems with expansion could crop up many years after installation if temperatures rose high enough. In the hot summer of 1976 I had to cut two inches off three cross shafts in Bancroft Shed because they had expanded enough to start digging into the wall. They hadn’t done this in the previous 56 years.]
Res. That the engineer be empowered to order repairs to the Metallic Packing and the Corliss valve gear. [Which shed?]
Res, That the lightning conductor and the coping of CH Shed chimney be repaired and that Mr Atkinson of Colne [Steeplejack] be requested to examine the same and make a report to Messrs Edmondson and Dent as to the probable cost and that Edmondson and Dent be empowered to accept his tenders and authorise the work to be done.
J D Roberts.

August 31st 1898
T Dent chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Mr Edmondson reported that Mr Ellison had fitted a new expansion coupling in the old mill bottom and that the shafting in Mr J Windle’s portion had been ‘lined up’.
A letter from Messrs. Dugdale, Dewhurst and Elsworth having been read in which they requested a further week’s grace it is Res. That the secretary be instructed to write and inform them that the grace will expire on the 29th of October and that full rent will commence on the 31st of October next.
A quotation from Mr Atkinson of Colne [steeplejack] undertaking to repair the conductor on the CH chimney with a new piece of copper and to fix an iron hoop round the coping (the Co to supply the hoop) for the sum of £3, having been read it is Res. That his quotation be accepted and that the secretary write to him instructing him to proceed with the work.
The insurance company’s report on the condition of the company’s boilers was read from which it appeared that they were all in good order with the exception of the old one at WH Mill, now out of use.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to draw a draft of an agreement for a five year lease of the Laundry (formerly a joiner’s shop) and Tin Shop in favour of Messrs. Wilkinson and Barrett at the annual rent of £27 net.
Res. That accounts be paid: R Crabtree £62-16-8. J W Brown £6-10-6. S Cooke and Co £21-18-0. Ashworth and Co £3-10-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £3-14-0. J Dixon 12/6. T Rawlinson £4-13-0. J W Clough £5-19-0. S Greenwood £1-9-0. Wages £73-9-11. British Incrustation Co £3-8-0 [boiler composition]. Skipton Union [Poor Rate] £42-9-4. W Holdsworth £25-12-8. BUDC gas £15/4. J Lancaster ? 15/-. Harling and Todd £45-10-0 [Textile machinery manufacturers]. J Widdup £58-4-0.
Res. That the managing director see that WH engine house and boiler house doors have strong locks put on them and that they are kept locked.
Res. That the scaffolding used by Mr E Smith and P Barrett be purchased.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be asked to report on the ventilation of the engine house at CH Shed.
Res. That Mr W Atkinson, chimney repairer, be instructed to make some repairs to WH Mill chimney.
[No signature]

September 14th 1898
T Dent chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read the account of monthly payments and receipts from 1st August to 14th of September shewing a balance if £1109[?] payments over receipts.
Res. That loan of £100 from J Baxter be accepted. Seal cert etc.
The secretary read a draft agreement of a lease of the Laundry to Wilkinson and Barrett at a rent of £27 per annum for a term of five years from 1st of January 1898.
Res. That it be approved and submitted to the tenant for approval.
A claim was received from S Pickles and Son for one piece of cloth damaged by rain from the roof valued 19/6.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to BUDC requesting them to fix the [fire] hydrants to the water main laid by the Company in front of the CH Shed warehouse.
Res. That the recommendation of the architect to fix a large ventilator to the roof of CH Shed engine house be adopted and that he be instructed to order the same and see to it being fixed.
Res. That the offer of Mr Atkinson to lend the Company a Pulsometer to pump the sludge out of the well at WH Mill be accepted. [Eastwood Bottoms.]
The architect attended with tenders for wheel guards at CH Shed and WH Mill. The quotations were as follows:
Robert Chester £20-2-0.
L Fryer and Son £20-17-0.
J Watson and Co £21-16-3.
Res. That the tender of Mr Robert Chester be accepted.
Res. That the payment of £300 to Messrs Cooper Brothers [Loom manufacturers] on the 2nd inst. be approved.
Res. That we buy from John Widdup his stock of limestone at 2/- per ton delivered.
[no signature]

September 21st 1898
T Dent chair. Horsfield, Edmondson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: R Crabtree £63-15-0. W Varley and Sons £11-16-0. William Atkinson [steeplejack] £2-16-0. J Widdup £51-5-0. General District Rate £122-3-9. United Metallic Packing Co 10/6. M Hoyle 7/6. J W Brown £1-19-2.
Res. That a new strap [driving belt] be bought for Holden’s tape room.
Res. That Messrs. Dugdale be informed that they will be expected to pay for any work done to their orders.
Res. That Mr Atkinson’s attention [be drawn] to the bad condition of the water closets at WH Mill.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to inform Messrs. Pickles and Son with respect to the damaged cloth that the roof had been made good and to request them in future to give us immediate notice of any defects.
Res. That George H Watson be appointed oiler at WH Mill.
Mr Edmondson reported that he had ordered one wagon of coals from Waterloo Oil (Brooks Pickup’s) each @ 7/8, 8/5, 9/11 per ton average of 8/8 for three wagons.
Res. That one boat of Altham coal be ordered at 8/11 per ton and that the supply of Altham coal be continued until further orders.
Res. That the loan of £100 from T Baxter be seal cert etc.
Res. That the pipes from the boiler house to the tapes at CH Shed be covered with non-conducting cement and that Mr Petty of Colne be instructed to do the work. [We are so used to the economies of insulation these days that it comes as a surprise when we realise that this wasn’t as obvious at the end of the 19th century.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask BUDC to fix [fire] hydrants to the main at the front of CH Shed.
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be asked to attend to the conveyance of water from Mr Bailey’s tape. [Condensate?]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be written to in respect of the pumping scheme.
[No signature]

October 5th 1898
T Dent chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Perry, King and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Cooper Brothers be paid £300 on account. [looms]
Res. That the following share transfers be sealed cert etc.
A King to James Horsfield 4. A King to John Hartley 1. R Clark to William Clark 5.
Res. That the Common Seal of the Company be affixed to a lease of the Laundry at WH Mill for five years to Messrs. Wilkinson and Barrett at the annual rent of £27.
Res. That loans of £20 each from Henry Parker and J Edmondson be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. That an extra pair of Spurr wheels be got and kept for emergency (Windle’s portion).
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be instructed to fix the woodwork round the tipplers to Mr Atkinson’s instructions. [WH water closets?]
Res. That Messrs. Holdsworth and Brooks be requested to see Mr Garlic, manager [BUDC water department] with reference to stand pipes at CH Shed. [Fire Hydrants]
[No signature]

October 19th 1898
T Dent chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Brooks, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Barratt Woodson and Co 14/6. Wages £46-15-0. J W Clough 19/-. Sun Insurance Co £11-5-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £1-3-6. Heap and Thornton £80-8-0. S Cooke and Co £17-5-0. G Lofthouse and Son £31-13-0. R Crabtree £27-17-0. J Bailey £13-16-3. H Marsden £39-8-0. Waite and Lambert £7-15-0. J Widdup £72-2-0. W Holdsworth £3-6-10.
The secretary reported that the price of Arley and Altham slack had been raised 5d per ton.
The secretary read quotations for oil filters. [It became common practice in engine houses to filter and recycle used oil from bearings on the engine.]
Res. That the application for space for 240 to 250 looms, the company to find £900 be considered on Saturday afternoon and that Mr Duckworth of David Street, Barrowford, be asked to attend.
The secretary read the monthly statement of receipts and payments and reported that the balance owed by Mr Bailey on the 30th September amounted to £1000 and the amount owed by Mr Windle was £900.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to them and request them to commence monthly payments to us of £12 to £15 on the 1st of November next. [Surprising that a choice of payments was made.]
[No signature]

October 22nd 1898
T Dent chair. Horsfield, Wilkinson, Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, King and Edmondson.
The application for space for 240 to 250 looms having been discussed, Mr Duckworth being present it is:
Res. That the application be not entertained, the capital at their disposal being insufficient. [Good evidence. We talk about the ‘Railway Mania’ and the ‘Canal Mania’. It’s evident that there was a small mania going on in the weaving industry in 1898. The man Duckworth was flying a kite and hoping to get started using CHSC capital. The directors were not risk averse but this proposal was a bridge too far.]
Res. That a Wells’ Patent No. 3 Waste oil filter with an extra set of two pads be ordered.
Res. That Mr William Norcross be requested to repair the slates on the top of the mill.
Res. That worms be ordered for the hoppers at CH Shed. [These will be augers for the coal hoist to the stoker hoppers.
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be requested to fix the ventilator at CH Engine house.
[No signature]

November 2nd 1898
T Dent chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Brooks, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and King.
Minutes of last two meetings read and approved.
Res. That transfer of two shares from Mark Hacking to Ann Hacking be cert seal etc.
A letter from W Bailey asking the company not to press him for repayments on principal account and promising not to increase the present amount was read and approved.
Res. That the secretary be requested to inform Messrs. Dugdale, Dewhurst and Elsworth that the directors would allow them the stoppage of 32 looms for 30 hours during September and that the company has paid the sum of £3-6-10 for work done at their request.
Res. That J T Smith be requested to clean out the channel in front of CH Warehouse.
Res. That Mr Atkinson get in tenders for setting [paving with stone setts] the road the width of the gate, from the gateway to the flue at WH Mill.
[No signature.]

Nov 16th 1898
T Dent chair. W&L Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King, Wilson, Wilkinson and Edmondson.
Res. That 5” pipes be got for carrying water from the warehouses at CH Shed. [drain pipes for the new drain serving the warehouse?]
Res. That W Holdsworth, Dent, Edmondson, Wilkinson and L Holdsworth be deputed to see the work done.
Res. That Mr Varley be asked to do the work.
Res. That Mr Norcross be instructed to clean out the troughs [roof] at CH Shed.
[No signature.]

November 30th 1898
T Dent chair. Edmondson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Wilson, Brooks, Baxter and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of two shares from Richard Hartley to Joseph Petty. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that he had obtained a reduction in the assessment of the company’s premises. [Rateable value] CH from £1300 to £950 gross, £715 net and the same for WH Mill.
A quotation for a boiler incrustation tank and pump from W Cowell @ £8 was read and laid upon the table. [A tank for mixing feed water composition and injecting into the boiler against pressure.]
A letter from the clerk to the BUDC was read stating that the question of nuisance in Wellhouse Road had been handed to the Road Committee.
The secretary reported that the indicator diagrams at WH Mill show that the valves require adjusting.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to indicate [the engines] at WH Mill and CH Shed and make any adjustments that may be necessary. [Again it's worth noting that indicating and valve setting should really have been within the competence of the mill engineers. Failing that, a local engine specialist.]
A letter was read from the fireman at CH Shed giving notice to leave the company’s employ. [Shackleton]
Res. That accounts be paid: A Lowcock Ltd £6-5-1. Bulcock 3/-. H Marsden £74-14-0. E J Arnold and Son £1-2-6. Economic boiler Co £3-17-0. Cooper Brothers £36-5-0 [order for looms completed.]. Burghope and Strange £1-8-6. Wages £37-4-5. E Bennis and Co 18/-. J Widdup £67-15-0. W Fawcett £3-16-0. J W Brown £6-15-11. W S Dougall £3-9-0.
Res. That we advertise in Briggs’ and Standing’s weeklies for a fireman in place of Shackleton at CH Shed.
Res. That the engineer at WH Mill asked what he will clean the flues at each time three times a year and the engineer at CH Shed each time for four times per annum.
Res. That we meet next Wednesday at 7pm.
Res. That invoices be sent to Butts Mill Co for thirteen corner stones at 1/6 each. To Mr Barrett for pipes sold at 3/- and that we offer an iron roller to J W Brown for 4/-.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be paid £50 on account of architect’s commission.
[No signature]

December 7th 1898
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Edmondson, Wilkinson, Wilson, King, Horsfield, Brooks, Perry and Baxter.
Res. That William Henry Feather be appointed fireman at CH for 22/- per week.
Res. That the boiler flues and economiser at WH be cleaned out three times per annum and same at CH four times per annum. That we pay at WH 10/- each time for economisers and 16/- for boiler flues and at CH 50/- for both.
[No signature]

December 14th 1898
T Dent chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Brooks, King, Horsfield and Baxter.
Minutes of the last two meetings read and approved.
Res. That accounts be paid: Alliance Assurance Co £15. Mark Hacking loan interest £51. Alfred Hawley £18-3-11.
Res. That the quotation of W Rose and Co to supply two copper standpipes with gunmetal revolving heads having double patent outlets and suitable for all hydrants at 58/- each be accepted. The old stand pipes to be allowed for at the rate of 4½d per lb.
The secretary gave a detailed report of the terms of Messrs. Dugdale and Dewhurst’s[sic] lease shewing how the monthly rent of £36-8-6 was arrived at.
Res. That the economisers at each mill be placed under the inspection of Messrs. E Green and Son [economiser manufacturers of Wakefield] with the minimum amount for insurance.
Res. That the secretary ask Messrs Ellison and Co what they will give for the grooved pulleys. [The rope pulleys replaced by a gear drive?]
Res That the cupboard in the office at WH be sent to CH.
Res. That L Smith be engaged to repair the roads at CH and WH.
Res. That the stones at WH be broken and that W Smith be asked to do the work.
Res. That the advertisement for space to let be taken out of the Skipton papers and inserted in the Guardian for a month at three days a week.
J D Roberts.

December 19th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, King, Perry, Brooks and Horsfield.
Res. That we let Room and Power to James Moorhouse for 400 looms for ten years from 1st January 1899 on the following terms: 400 looms of 42½” slay space [same as reed space] at 39/- per loom per annum. Tape sizing machine £90 per annum for 420 looms. Tape overtime 1/- per hour. Three month’s rent to be always due and payable in advance on the 1st day of each month. The rent to commence on the 1st day of May 1899. The tenancy may be terminated on the 31st of December 1903 by Mr Moorhouse giving six month’s notice in writing. The company undertake to keep the temperature at 60 degrees in winter and to provide extra steam pipes for that purpose. If too cold after these precautions the company undertake to brick up the side windows. The company further agree to erect an office and to lime-wash the wall opposite the warehouse windows.
Res. That Messrs. Roberts, Edmondson, Wilkinson, L Holdsworth, Brooks and Baxter form a committee to attend to the various matters requiring attention.
J D Roberts.

December 27th 1898
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Edmondson, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Perry, King, Baxter and Wilkinson.
Minutes of previous meetings as read.
Res. That accounts be paid as the bank account permits: J H Pickup £7-5-0. W Norcross £4-17-0. J W Brown 10/10. John Widdup £80-3-0. West Yorkshire Pioneer £4-4-6. Sundry loan holders interest £74-10-4. Craven Herald £5-12-0. Exors of H Thompson interest £125-15-0, repayment of principal £400. H Marsden £107-16-0. E Bennis and Co 4/6. Craven Bank Ltd £140. Price’s Candle Co £6-7-0. E B Banks loan and interest £501-12-10. J W Clough 16/6. J Edmondson £6-9-6. John Riley and Sons £4-2-6. W J Varley £23-0-4.
Res. Loan of £20 from Henry Parkin cert seal etc.
Res. That the Common Seal of the Co be affixed to the agreement for a ten year lease now signed and approved to Mr James Moorhouse of Earby. [Presence of officers]
Res. That the following contracts be let subject to the work being finished in three weeks time:
Steam heating as per lease £84-10-0 W Varley and Sons.
Ceiling and offices (about 270 square yards) 10d per yard and £6, £18-7-6. W Holdsworth.
Painting (inside only) £22-10-0, Richard Petty.
J D Roberts.

January 9th 1899
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Edmondson, Horsfield, Brooks, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet and director’s report as read be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders.
Res. That the company declare an annual dividend of 5%.
Res. That general meeting be held at the Seven Stars AR at 7pm on Friday the 20th of January.
A letter was read from Messrs. Dugdale and Dewhurst [Elsworth appears to have dropped out of the partnership] requesting the company to allow them space for 32 additional looms and to provide the purchase money and that full rent should commence 12 weeks from the last delivery of looms. [It strikes me that the slower the delivery of these looms the better for the partnership. I’m sure the directors had this in mind as well.]
Res. That we let the space required and paid the money but the grace to be 12 weeks from the 1st delivery.
A letter from Messrs. Slater Brothers was read requesting the company to provide room for a warping and winding frame. [Not normally used in connection with Barlick weaving. Slaters had always been slightly different than the normal run of manufacturer. They experimented with different fibres and coloured goods.]
Res. That the secretary be requested to obtain information as to the rent payable for such Room and Power.
J D Roberts.

Half year general meeting
January 20th 1899
Dr Roberts chair.
Notice of meeting read, minutes as read. Balance sheet and dividend approved. Share register sealed. [no printed balance sheet]
J D Roberts.

January 25th 1899
Dr Roberts chair.
Dent, Edmondson, Horsfield, Brooks, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, King and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Skipton Union £63-14-0. J Widdup £71-3-0. BUDC £121-19-11. J Lancaster £58-1-1. Greenwood £3-19-0. A Lowcock Ltd £5-18-0. E Green and Sons Ltd £4. Wages £70-1-0. S Cooke and Co £24-12-6. D E Garlic Sons[?] £3-12-10. W Rose and Co £4-1-0. J Bulcock 12/-. T Singleton 11/-. Ed Smith £9. H Marsden £86-5-0. Joseph Petty on account £20. Ellison and Co £92-7-0 (subject to architect’s certificate).
Res. Transfer of 3 shares from W Windle to John and Ann Marsden seal cert etc.
Res. That loans at 4% be accepted, seal cert etc.
Henry Holdsworth £20. William & S Baxter £100. William Sellers £25. Richard Hodgson £200.
Res. That W Holdsworth, T Dent and W P Brooks form a deputation to see Hartley Slater about finding room for winding and warping frame.
Res. That W Holdsworth, T Dent and J Edmondson meet Mr Biker [Public Heath Officer, BUDC] with reference to ventilation of the privies at CH Shed.
J D Roberts.

February 1st 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth and Perry.
Res. That we offer the two rooms next to the office at Wellhouse (entered from the thoroughfare) and that the company clean them out and that Messrs. Dent and Brooks inform Mr Windle.
Res. That W Holdsworth hang a door on the entrance to the grinding room in Mr Moorhouse’s shed. [I think this is a throw-back to the Bracewell days at WH when grinding was part of the maintenance procedure for carding engines in the spinning process. No call for such a process in weaving.]
Res. That two urinals be fixed opposite the warehouse at CH Shed and that Mr Atkinson be consulted as regards the exact positions.
Res. That the urinal in Holden’s warehouse be connected with the new drain if practicable. [Mr Biker has been busy inspecting! One wonders what happens if the urinal can’t be connected and where the effluent is going at present.]
Res. That Messrs. Dent, Brooks and Holdsworth meet Mr Atkinson to let work in connection with making a drain at CH.
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to do the repairs in the Laundry [WH].
Thomas Dent.

Minutes of meetings omitted
Dec 21st 1898
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Edmondson, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That we accept A Hawley’s tender for paving front of boiler house and road from the chimney to the end of the warehouse at WH Mill at 1/9 per yard using setts in stock re-dressed and new setts 1/3. The company to find setts and ashes. The front of the warehouse to be commenced first. [Laying setts {square stone blocks} was done on a bed of flue dust or ashes and the interstices filled by running hot gas tar in the joints.]
Res. That the managing director sees to the refuse in front of Moorhouse’s warehouse being moved to slack place [hollow] near the dams and the chairman to acquaint the tenant Mr P Barrett that we are going into the field. [WH]
Thomas Dent.

January ? 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Edmondson, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That Mr Hawley be asked to submit tenders for setts to the directors.
Res. That boiler smith be ordered to repair leak in tube of No. 1 boiler.
Res. That the engineer’s suggestion that we put Sumner’s Patent Lubricators on Low Pressure engine be accepted and lubricators ordered. [LP cylinder I suspect. These were often not fitted with full lubrication as it was thought that they were lubricated sufficiently by oil carried over from the HP cylinder with the exhaust steam. This is true with modern cylinder oils manufactured to be atomised into the steam supply but in the early days the crude cylinder oils used and the methods of introducing them to the engine couldn’t be relied on to provide adequate lubrication in the carry-over steam.]
Res. That Great Harwood coal be tried for one week. [Coal from pits varied with conditions in seams and word of these variations rapidly spread through the industry. Good reports of a particular seam were followed up, as in this case, by a trial load.]
Thomas Dent.

January 12th 1899
T Dent chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Brooks, Perry and Wilkinson.
Res. That Hiram Craven be engaged as firebeater at CH Shed at 22/- per week.
Res. That Ed Smith’s tender for setts at 2/10 per yard be accepted.

January 18th 1899
T Dent in chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter and King.
Res. That we accept 37/6 per ton for the old iron at WH Shed.
T Dent.

February 6th 1899
T Dent chair. Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, Horsfield, King W Holdsworth and Perry.
Res. That Messrs Wilkinson, Dent, W Holdsworth and Brooks see the engineer about lubricators and also order a barrel of engine oil from Keighley at 2/- per gallon. [The search for the best oils continues. I suspect that the genesis for many of these trials of new oils and compounds was conversation in pubs between engine men. They tended to congregate together and exchange information, a sort of loose combination of working class aristocracy which is how they saw themselves and were regarded by other workers.]
Res. That Mr Barrett’s account for £20 be paid as per architect’s certificate.
Res. That the plans for the drains and urinals at CH Shed be approved and that Mr Atkinson invite tenders for the work.
Res. That a WC be not put in Moorhouse’s winding room and that the same deputation arrange to put up a closet and urinal for him. [Slightly confusing but I think that the general principle, where possible, was to have privies in outbuildings and not inside the main structure.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson's attention be drawn to the water tank at Wellhouse and that he push on with the cleansing of it at once. [The water supply at WH Mill was constantly on a knife edge and this is why so many resolutions are directed towards maintenance. We shall see much more on this later. It is as well to remember that when Bracewell built the mill on such a bad water site he had other sources of supply in mind, like the Corn Mill Dam.]
Res. That William Norcross and W Holdsworth repair flashings on WH Cistern.
T Dent

February 15th 1899
T Dent chair. Edmondson, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Perry, Brooks and L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes of the last four meetings as read.
Res. That the question of closets and urinals at WH Mill be left with Messrs. Edmondson, Dent and W Holdsworth.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons complaining about insufficiency of heating in the shed. [It’s that time of year again! It's worth recognising that very often lack of heating wasn't due to lack of heating pipes but the engineer of firebeater having to cut steam to the shed to keep boiler pressure up for more essential needs. When hard-pressed I often had to do this at Bancroft Shed.]
Res. That the secretary reply saying that the matter is being attended to and that a change of firemen was the cause.
Res. That Mr Barrett be paid £1-2-7 as per account.
Res. Following loans accepted, cert seal etc.
J Edmondson £30. T Baxter £150. J&E Anderson £50. Grace £50.
The secretary reported an offer to take over the Mechanic’s Shop [WH] at £25 per annum. [Watch this space, it develops into a significant part of the story of the CHSC. If you want to get ahead of the curve, go onto Lulu.com and seek out my book on Brown and Pickles, Pennine Engineers.]
Res. That Messrs. Brooks, Dr Roberts and T Dent form a deputation to see Mr Slater to see whether he will be willing to take space in Windle’s shed.
A letter was read from Mr Moorhouse complaining about delay in fixing wheel covers.
Also a letter from R Crabtree quoting 8/8 per ton for Best Slack delivered.
T Dent.

July 22nd 1899
Dr Roberts chair. Edmondson, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Perry, Brooks and Dent. Mr Atkinson also present.
Res. That a deputation be formed to meet Mr Proctor Barrett.
Res. That we agree to an arrangement suggested by the architect viz. That we accept Mr Ed Smith’s offer to make a road near the reservoirs at WH Mill at his own expense and that the company sell him 86 yards or thereabouts at 3/- per yard.
T Dent.

March 1st 1899
T Dent in chair. Edmondson, L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilkinson, Baxter, Wilson, King and Perry.
Minutes of the last two meetings as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Henry Brown 13/3. [Watch this name.] Wages £35-16-5. Price’s Candle Co £5-12-6. H Marsden £101-11-9. E Bennis 9/6. John Widdup £87-2-5. Joseph Petty £8-14-0. BUDC 6/3. J W Clough 1-1-0. P Barrett £1-2-7. J Casartelli [Instrument makers, Manchester] 10/6. T Parkinson £45. Ed Smith £35-11-6. T Petty £23-10-0. A Hawley £50. J W Brown £4-11-1.
Res. That the oil purchased from Messrs. Brooksbank and Co be returned and all oil purchased from S Cooke and Co. [The Keighley oil on trial?]
Res. That loan of £100 from A Eastwood, and loans of £25 each from S Rudd, John Rudd and Jane Rudd be sealed cert etc.
A letter was read from J Windle declining to grant the company’s application for space which they intended to sub-let to Messrs. Slater.
Res. Transfer of 3 shares from Thomas Hartley to John William Edmondson be seal cert etc.
Res. That the outside of Moorhouse’s Shed be painted and tenders invited.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to prepare specifications for the work.
Res. That the report of the deputation to Proctor Barrett be accepted. Viz. That the two year’s rent ending at the 2nd of July past be £8-16-0 for the two years with an allowance of £5-7-6 making £3-8-6 due. [You’ve got to hand it to PB, he comes across as a trier!]
Res. That Mr Barrett be liberated from the tenancy of the land at WH at once.
Res. That we advertise the land at WH to let and that no poultry be kept.
Res. That we continue the paving to the lower part entering the passage between the Laundry and the Office. [WH]
Res. That Shackleton’s wage be advanced to 24/- a week, Crowther’s to 25/- and Watson’s to 22/-. [All firebeaters?]
Res. That we bore into the pipe at the end of Moorhouse’s shed to take water from the hot well. [The hot well is a tank associated with the engine and boiler house which collects all condensate from sources where steam is used from which it is used as feed water for the boiler. The advantage is the saving of fuel by not wasting warm, pure water. In later years Johnny Pickles was a strong advocate for comprehensive condensate return systems which became standard.]
T Dent.

March 15th 1899
T Dent chair. Edmondson, Horsfield, Brooks, W Holdsworth, Perry, Baxter, Wilson, Baxter, Wilkinson and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary be requested to ask each of the tenants of the company to keep six buckets of water on each floor of their premises as a protection against fire. [No doubt at the instigation of the insurance company. Racks of hanging fire buckets used to be a common sight in factories. One notable characteristic of the standard red-painted fire bucket was that it had a domed bottom so that it couldn't be placed on the ground, this helped prevent them from being used for other purposes.]
The secretary reported that no order had been given to Mr Ellison to fix the drums for Dugdale and Dewhurst and it was resolved that Mr Ellison be wired to meet a few of the directors in the morning.
A letter from the engineer at WH requesting the directors to fix lubricators on the LP cylinders [was read].
Res. That Two lubricators with sight feeds by Sumner’s be ordered and fixed on the engines as requested. [That’s clearer. Lubricators are to be fixed on both engines. Remember that WH engine is a double tandem, two separate engines consisting of a High and Low pressure cylinder on each side of the flywheel.]
Res. That the advertisement “Land to Let” be altered and that tenders be addressed to the chairman of directors and endorsed ‘Tender for land’ and to be in his hand on or before the 21st inst.
Res. That Mr Crowther’s wage be increased to 26/- and oiler’s wages to 23/- and that those be the maximum wages. The increase to commence the first week in June next.
Res. That A Hawley make a drain from J Nutter and Sons, CH, to the main drain now being laid.
Res. That Messrs. Edmondson, Dent, Brooks Holdsworth and Wilkinson remove out of the Mechanic’s Shop all material likely to be required for mill use.
Res. That the tenancy of the Mechanic’s Shop be half-yearly and the rent to be paid monthly.
Res. That Mr Edmondson instruct the printer to say in the advertisement that the measurement of the land is 10,600 yards more or less.
T Dent.

March 8th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Baxter, Horsfield, Wilson, Wilkinson, Edmondson, W Holdsworth and King.
Res. That the secretary be requested to furnish particulars of wages paid to firemen and oilers in the district.
Res. That the chairman and managing director see the fireman and oiler at WH and inform them that their application is having attention. [Word of the increases at CH has evidently reached WH!]
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to re-fix the doors to Windle’s closets and also repair the troughings under the supervision of the managing director.
Res. That Henry Hargreaves be requested to examine the bearings at CH and see if it is practicable to arrange oil drippers. [Trays to catch drips? He is a tinsmith.]
Res. That if Messrs Slater and Sons will give £20 per annum for the Mechanic’s Shop they be accepted as tenants, if not the offer of £25 from Mr Sutcliffe be accepted. [You may wonder at the discrepancy. Slaters are a respected local firm and Sutcliffe is an unknown quantity. The directors have evidently decided a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.]
Res. That one boat of Altham coal be tested and one boat of Thin Mine Screened at 9/9 per ton and that Messrs. Brooks and Dent take the time run by each. [We get a glimpse of how the director’s assess the quality of coal, how long a certain quality lasts against another. Rule of thumb.]
Res That Mr Ed Smith be requested to clean out water tank for pumping in John Roe’s [John Wraw?] meadow. [Water at WH again.]
Res. That [boiler] composition be ordered from Messrs. Cresswell and Messrs. Wilkinson.
T Dent.

March 22nd 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson, Edmondson and W Holdsworth.
Tenders for the land lately in the occupation of Proctor Barrett having been considered and the Co-operative Society and Richard Kendall offering each £10 per annum it is:
Res. That we vote by ballot who shall have it. Result for Co-operative Society 7 votes, Kendall 3. The Co-operative Society’s tender was accepted.
Res. That Mr P Barrett be requested to clear the land recently occupied by him on or before the 25th inst.
Res, That The rent of land now let to the Co-operative Soc date from the 2nd of February and an allowance to be agreed upon deducted from the first year’s rent. [I think this was in the field between WH Mill and Skipton Road.]
Res. That Messrs. Cooper Brothers account for looms delivered at WH Mill (Dugdale and Dewhurst 32 looms) amounting to £188 be paid after Mr Edmondson is satisfied that they are all right.
Res. That Messrs, Dugdale and Dewhurst’s grace commence on the 27th inst.
Res. That the windows in Moorhouse's shed be walled up with bricks. [Heat loss again]
Res. That we invite tenders for the work, Salterforth best red bricks to be used. [The Salterforth Brick Company was William Bracewell’s old enterprise on Salterforth Lane. In truth, very low quality bricks. (Evidence of Harold Duxbury an eminent local builder.)]
Res. That we allow Mr Sneath [WH engineer] to make arrangements with the laundry proprietors for a supply of water for the cistern temporarily. [When WH Mill was first built it was called New Mill but later became Wellhouse. There was evidently a tradition of there being a well on the site. Nobody knows anything about the original well but there was a borehole in the old Bobbin Shop, now called the laundry and this must have been one of the attractions for Barrett and Wilkinson when they took the premises. The bore was put in during the Bracewell days but for some reason was never used as a source of supply for running the mill. This is another indication of the water problems at the mill. Newton Pickles told me that when his firm used the Laundry during and after WW2 the bore was still there but capped.]
Res. That Messrs Brooks and Dent see S Pickles and Sons re the [water] closets and report.
Res. That Mr H Marsden be asked to continue with the supply of Altham coal until further orders.
Res. That we sell the loose timbers at WH Mill on Saturday afternoon the 8th of April and that Mr W Holdsworth arrange allotment and the auctioneer.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to obtain tenders for the stock in the Mechanic’s Shop. [During the Bracewell years the shop was the source of all day to day maintenance and there must have been old stocks of metal etc. left in there since 1887.]
T Dent.

March 27th 1899
T Dent chair. Baxter, W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, King, Horsfield and Brooks.
Res. That we order 50 tons of Arley Slack for WH Mill and that Messrs Dent and Brooks purchase the same.
Res, That Messrs Wilkinson and Holdsworth see to the drain at Calf Hall along with the directors on the spot.
T Dent.

March 29th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Perry, Baxter, Wilson and King.
Minutes of the last meetings as read.
A letter from H Marsden was read in which he requested the company to arrange their coal supply from elsewhere.
The deputation appointed with regard to the testing of Altham Coal and Thin Mine reported as follows:
46 tons [a boatload] Altham @ 9/4 [per ton] £21-9-4.
46 tons Thin Mine @ 9/9 £22-8-6.
Altham ran the premises for 48 hours, Thin Mine for 50 hours.
The cost per 56 hour week was: Altham £25-0-10. Thin Mine £25-2-4.
Thin Mine however steamed [heated] the shed, old portion and Windle’s for 14 hours longer and Moorhouse and Widdup 4 hours longer.
[Lovely information, everything from coal costs and amounts burned to hours worked in the mills per week. Even the capacity of a Leeds and Liverpool Canal ‘Short boat’.]
Res. That the report be accepted.
Res. That accounts be paid: Greenwood £1-1-4. A Hawley £12-11-7. T Singleton 9/-. W Hough and Co 7/6. A Lowcock Ltd £4-0-1. H Marsden £86-13-0. R Hindle insurance £6. G Proctor wages £30-17-11. G Proctor insurance £13-2-6. J Edmondson £6-17-0. Burnley Ironworks £1-16-5. J Widdup £84-18-1. W Holdsworth £15-9-0. J W Brown £5-18-8.
Res. That the tenant of the Mechanic’s Shop be allowed to tender for old iron.
Res. That we pull the old windows out of Moorhouse’s shed and wall up with single brick.
Res. That William Holdsworth be requested to fix a vestibule in the closets in Pickles’ shed.
Thomas Dent.

April 5th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Horsfield, King, Wilson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter and Perry.
Also present Mr W H Atkinson, architect.
Res. That the windows in Moorhouse’s shed be walled up with stone instead of brick and that ventilators be placed in each window. [Most likely a ventilator brick.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson order one of the Worthington pumps for filling the cistern and feeding boilers. [Worthington’s, later Worthington and Simpson were one of the first makers of centrifugal pumps.]
Res. That Mr Ellison be instructed to carry [extend] shaft from Windle's shed into the Mechanic’s Shop. [WH]
Res. That Messrs Rose and Co be asked to change the two double [fire] hydrants/stand pipes for three single ones.
Res. That no tipping be allowed on land at WH and Messrs Dent and Brooks see to it.
Res. That Messrs L&W Holdsworth see about the items Mr Edmondson (deceased) had in hand.
Res. That Messrs Dent and Brooks see John Wraw [tenant of Eastwood Bottoms] as to compensation and removal of soil at the well on his land. [I think this is the draw-off point on the Bowker Drain and the soil will be what has been cleaned out of the well to keep it functioning.]
Thomas Dent

April 12th 1899
Thomas Dent chair. Brooks, Horsfield, Perry, King, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. One share transferred from J R Townson to E Robinson. Seal cert etc.
Mr Atkinson accepted the offer of £20 for the old iron.
Mr Brooks reported gross proceeds of sale of timber£5-16-0, expenses £1-10-5, net £4-5-7.
Res. That the secretary stop the order for the boiler pump as the injector will probably answer. [Bad decision in my opinion. The injector uses live steam to force water into the boiler against steam pressure. A mechanical pump driven from the shafting while the engine is running is a more economical way of feeding the boiler. The main advantage of the injector is that in the days before electrically driven pumps water could be fed to the boiler while the engine was stopped. The only time this decision would make sense is if the new pump was steam driven.]
Res. That the engineer at WH be supplied with a new block rope. [For lifting blocks?]
Res. That one dozen lubricators for solid lubricant be ordered to sample for WH Mill. [These will almost certainly be grease stauffers, like ordinary grease cups but with a spring-loaded piston which slowly forced the grease into the bearing.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to order about 30 grate bars. [firebars for boiler furnaces]
Res. That Mr Ed Smith fix stone under foder[?]
Res. That the cask of oil from Brooksbank (WH) be used. [Evidently a partly used cask never sent back.]
The terms of letting land to the Co-operative Society were reported to be as follows: To be taken from February 2nd 1899 with an allowance of 17/6 for the first year. Notice to be given in August of any one year on a yearly tenancy, rent payable half-yearly. Rent £10 per annum. Company to take for building without notice and pay half the cost of straightening up the land in March 1899.
Res. That Mr William P Brooks be appointed managing director until the end of the half year at a salary of 3/- per week in the place of Johnson Edmondson deceased.
A letter was read from Mrs Edmondson and signed by all her children authorising the transmission of the shares lately standing in Johnson Edmondson’s name to the name of Elizabeth Edmondson (widow).
The secretary advised the directors that this was not a sufficient authority and that letters of administration must be given to the company before the transfer could take place.
Thomas Dent

April 19th 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Brooks, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson. Mr Atkinson the architect was present.
Res. That the tender of Mark Caan and Son for walling up windows in Moorhouse’s shed for £26-7-0 be accepted and that the company find ventilators via Mr Atkinson.
Res. That the painting of the outside of Moorhouse’s shed be let to Richard Petty for £13-10-0.
Res. That Ellison’s of Skipton lay 4” pipes from the reservoirs to the injector at WH using old pipes from stock. [There must have been an existing pipe but probably partly blocked after many years use.]
Res That J J Sneath’s wages be increased to 34/- per week to commence with increase to oiler and fireman.[Preserving his differential?]
Res. That the engineer allow no one to pass the engine house except on business. [Gate keeper as well!]
Res. That the roof of the grinding room and other places be slated where necessary.
Res. That John Widdup be asked to hand coal advice notes to Mr Brooks the managing director.
Res. That the price of windows not good enough to keep should be 1/6 each.
Thomas Dent.

April 26th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Horsfield, Perry, King, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes read and confirmed.
Res. That the following accounts be paid: H Marsden £105-10-0. W G Varley £19-2-7. R Crabtree £21-9-0. S Cooke and Co £31. Burnley Ironworks 8/11. John Wraw £2-10-0. E Brooksbank and Co £8-8-0. W Varley and Sons £134-18-6. Economic Boiler Co £308-0. Alfred Hawley £16-4-0. Henry Brown 4/5. Wages £27-18-9. Burghope and Strange £1-5-0. J Widdup £74-12-8.
Res. That loans of £25 each from James Rudd, Stephen Rudd and Margaret Rudd and £50 from W Perry be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the draft agreement with the Co-operative Society for letting of land produced by the secretary be approved.
A letter was read from the Royal Insurance Co re sweepings in Messrs Boocock’s and Moorhouse’s shed and another from the same company re the allowance for [installing] buckets and hose at CH Shed. [Dirty sweepings were regarded as a high fire risk due to the possibility of spontaneous combustion.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to order one double-headed hydrant for CH Shed making now three, one for each tenant.
Res. That the transfer of two shares from E Metcalfe to Henry Banks be registered. Seal cert etc.
Seal and cert of a new certificate for E Robinson in place of one lost and for which an indemnity has been executed by her.
Res. That W Holdsworth be instructed to repair the floor in the laundry.
Thomas Dent.

May 3rd 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That the Mechanics shop be swept out and whitewashed twice by William Norcross or if he cannot do it soon the managing director to engage someone.
Res. That we wall up before the water closets as suggested by the factory Inspector and that Mark Caan do the work.
Res. That we meet at Butts Top tomorrow at 6:30pm to [walk up and] inspect Spring Lodge.
Res. That the engineer at WH be asked to work the pump [From the well in Eastwood Bottoms to the dams.] for an hour each day.
Res. That W Holdsworth put ventilators into Moorhouse’s Shed as shewn.
Thomas Dent.

May 10th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That ground rent £9-13-4 due to Stott and Son and the account for water from Wilkinson and Barrett £4-1-6 be paid.
Res. That the secretary be instructed and authorised to execute on behalf of the company the agreement for the lease of land at WH. [To the Co-op.]
The secretary read the cash account from April 1st to May 10th shewing receipts in excess of payments £473-6-10 and reported the balances owing by Windle and W Bailey.
Quotations for coal were read and it was decided that we continue to obtain our supply as at present.
Res. That new brackets be made for the air pump [part of the condenser on the engine] at WH be made by the new mechanic. [This will be Sutcliffe who has recently taken over the Mechanic's Shop at WH]
Res. That W Holdsworth be instructed to fix a gate for the Co-op Soc.
Res. That the four closets at WH be divided into two waste places, one for Boocock and one for Pilkington.
Thomas Dent.

May 17th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and W Holdsworth.
Res. That W P Brooks take Mr Atkinson to see Springs Dam and afterwards to see Mrs Coates and arrange for, or get a report for a new lease and that W Holdsworth accompany them and try to obtain the fishing rights. [Indicative of how important control of the water from Springs was to CH Shed. Reading between the lines the intention is to tighten control via a new lease and the fishing rights in friendly hands.]
Thomas Dent.

May 31st 1899
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res that accounts be paid: Exors of Johnson Edmondson £8-17-6. A Lowcock £8-6-11. S Greenwood £12-7-0. G Sumner £8-11-0. H Marsden £106-18-0. W Rose and Co £2-16-6. Cresswell and Co £4-4-0. Barlick gas £2-13-8. John Widdup £69-4-0. J W Brown £1-13-11. Wages £35-3-6. Alfred Hawley £30. J Hart 11/3. R Chester £23-16-7.
Res. That loans of £50 each from Jack Rudd, Stephen Rudd and Margaret Rudd be cert sealed etc.
The Springs Dam lease for ten years having run out it is Resolved that the chairman and W Holdsworth be appointed to attend, along with Mr Atkinson, on Mrs Coates of Skipton re renewing of the same and with respect to repairing the dam.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr H Marsden to complain about the poor quality of coal now being supplied.
Res. That Messrs King and W Holdsworth be deputed to wait upon the mechanic [Sutcliffe] re the smoke nuisance complained of by J Windle.
Signed by both J D Roberts and T Dent.

June 7th 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Wilson, Wilkinson and Baxter.
Res. That W Holdsworth be deputed to see Mr Colwell or other person re the water for CH.
Res. That L Holdsworth and G Wilkinson be appointed managing directors for the company pro tem.
Res. That Mr Sneath’s application for advance in wages to 36/- be put on the table.
Res. That W Holdsworth be instructed to supply a plank to improve the storage of water at CH Shed. [The draw-off point for water for the boiler and condenser at CH Shed was in the pond in the culvert under the shed created by the small weir and clow in the beck near the front of the mill. I suspect the plank is to be fixed on top of the weir to increase the depth of water in the culvert.]
[Initialled in pencil, ‘TD’. What seems to be a continuation of these minutes follows a page later after the minutes for the 14th.]
Res. That the matter of the smoke nuisance from the Mechanic's Shop be deposed for 14 days.
A from Messrs S Pickles and Sons was read in which they complained about the closet roofs being in such bad condition as to allow anyone to get in or out of the shed without trouble.
Res. That they be barred over. [It might be easier to understand this entry if we recognise that the privies were not hygienic and to put it bluntly, smelled awful. One of the common features of design was plenty of ventilation either via the roof or by large cast iron grills forming part of the wall. A secondary consideration was that as they were not heated in any way and outside the main structure they were very cold, especially in winter, and discouraged loitering!]
Res, That J J Sneath’s wage be advanced to 36/- per week.
Res. Loan of £20 from Eliza Mary Parkin be accepted seal cert etc.
Res. That mechanics work at CH Shed be let to the mechanic at WH. [Sutcliffe has a good opportunity here to fill the gap the CHSC has had in its services since the inception of the company. We shall see what he makes of it.]
Res. That allowances be made to the tenants for stoppages as follows: Tenants at CH Shed 2 hours on 8th of June. J Moorhouse [WH,stoppage of] 20 looms for two days June 8th and 9th. [When the extension shaft into the Mechanic’s Shop was being coupled up?]
Signed by both J D Roberts and T Dent.

June 14th 1899
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, L Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield and Perry.
Res. That the rent for the Mechanic’s Shop commence on the 1st of July next.
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to fix a letter box in the [office?] window.
J D Roberts.

June 21st 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield and Perry.
Res. That the secretary be requested to examine the economiser during the August holidays. [I suspect this means to see that it is done! I can’t see GP crawling into the flues.]
Res. That all coal delivered at WH and CH be weighed for a week.
Res. That an extra pump valve be ordered.
Res. That 9 gallons each of cylinder oil at 1/6 and engine oil at 1/9 [per gallon] be ordered from Meredith Roberts and Co. [The search for the perfect oil continues!]
Res. That Messrs L Holdsworth and G Wilkinson see Mr Petty about getting clay for the Springs Dam. [This refers to ‘puddle’, a mixture of clay and sand that has been ‘pugged’ to mix it well so that it becomes homogeneous and therefore waterproof. Puddle was the standard method of lining canals and reservoirs to render them leak proof.]
Thomas Dent.

June 28th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £107-7-0. Craven Bank Ltd £140. E Bennis and Co £1-1-0. Exors of W Thompson £118-10-0. Cooper Brothers £12-5-1. J Widdup £75-10-0. J W Clough £7-13-11. W Holdsworth £36-0-8. Skipton Union [Poor Rate] £72-2-0. Interest on loans £78-14-2. [At 4% per annum, assuming this is for half year this represents loans of approx. £3,900.]
Res. That loan of £50 from Jane Rudd be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Messrs Dent and Brooks be deputed to ascertain the height of the partition required in the shed occupied by Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst.
The arrangement made with Mrs Coates, lessor of the Springs Dam, was reported to the meeting as follows: Mrs Coates agrees to consent to a new lease of the Dam including the fishing rights at the annual rent of £10. The company agreeing to spend £45 in cleaning out the dam and repairing the banks, of which amount Mrs Coates agrees to contribute £20.
Res. That the coal at CH be tested for one week with the bars moving.
[Once again I have to read between the lines from experience. One of the features of the Bennis automatic stoker was self-cleaning firebars. As coal burns it produces ash and clinker (fused ash) which gradually builds to the point where it obstructs air flow through the grate bars in the furnace and impedes air flow into the firebed with a consequent loss of efficiency. In a furnace with fixed bars this has to be addressed by frequent fire-cleaning by opening the firebox door, shifting half the fire over to the other side and physically raking the clinker and ash out into a barrow placed below the firehole door. The clean half of the grate is then covered with burning coal and a small amount of coal scattered over it manually so that when the firehole door is closed the fire recovers. (Opening the firehole door destroys the efficiency of the furnace because the combustion air rushes in through the door instead of from below the bars.) Once the fire has recovered the other half of the bars is cleaned in the same way. Both furnaces on a Lancashire boiler have to be done. This process drastically lowers the efficiency of the boiler and reduces steam generation. A serious matter not only in cost but maintaining pressure.
The Bennis shovel stoker automatically sprinkles coal on the firebed and at the same time, the firebars move independently of each other driven by cams at the front of the boiler. By carefully arranging the order in which they move the effect is to continuously ‘walk’ the fire towards the back of the furnace. If the speed of this movement is correctly adjusted, as the firebed reaches the end of the bars the coal is totally consumed and what falls in the ashpit behind the bars is clinker and ash. The ashpit is closed off by a door to maintain air flow through the bars and this is only opened when it is time to clean the ashpit out. With good coal this will be about twice a day. By obviating the frequent manual cleaning this makes the boiler more efficient.
We saw a couple of meetings ago that the company ordered 30 new firebars. What I think has happened is that as the firebars have deteriorated they have warped and been impossible to drive mechanically so in effect the furnace has become a normal fixed bar furnace. If the new bars have been fitted and automatic cleaning restored it would appear the directors are doing the test to give them some idea of what saving they are getting from the self-cleaning bars. The surprise to me is how fast these bars are burning out. I suppose that in my days bars were better designed and we understood the combustion process better. One thing is certain, our bars lasted much longer, I never bought a firebar all the time I ran the Bennis coking stokers at Bancroft Shed.]
Thomas Dent.

July 12th 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Perry, Brooks, King, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That a partition be erected in Dugdale and Dewhurst’s shed as required by them and that W Holdsworth do the work at an advance of 1d per foot on the price of the last lot.
Res. That W H Atkinson’s account of £35 be paid.
Res. That all the tenants be allowed 18hrs [rebate of] rent during the holidays.
Res. That steam pipes at WH be covered with composition. [CHSC is learning the value of insulation in improving efficiency and economy.]
Res. That the balance sheet as read (for the year to 1st of June) be adopted subject to audit and submitted to the shareholders at the general meeting on June 28th at the Seven Stars AR.
Res. Transfer of two shares from B Hargreaves and two from Joseph Petty to George Proctor and 4 shares from C J Turner to Mrs S Proctor be registered. Seal cert etc. [George Proctor pops up frequently as a stake holder in various properties in the area. He was an astute man making investments in many different enterprises.]
Res. £30 loan accepted from Henry Holdsworth. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the boiler composition [feed water treatment] be ordered from the Boiler Anti-Incrustation Co.
Thomas Dent.

July 28th 1899
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Wilson, Perry, King.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Wages £68-10-11. BUDC [Town rates] £150-4-2. Diamond Oils £2-11-0. S Cooke and Co £23-6-0. Meredith Roberts £1-19-0. Wilkinson and Barrett 9/-. J W Clough £7-10-0. James Bulcock £2-4-0. H Marsden £107-16-0. Henry Hargreaves £11-9-0. John Widdup £59-1-0.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

General meeting
July 28th 1899
[Printed balance sheet and report attached. There is a list of members qualified to act as directors, no definition of how many shares were needed to qualify. The majority are from Barlick. Here are those who aren’t. Watson Knowles, Nelson. John Heugham, Skipton. John Kidd, Brierfield. Thomas Smith, Burnley. Benjamin Brown, Barrowford. Albion Hargreaves, Silsden. Stephen Rudd, Slaidburn. William H Cowgill, Earby. Richard Lowcock, Salford. C J Turner, Didsbury, Manchester. Edward Aldersley, Thornton. W H Atkinson, Colne. William Tidswell, Nelson. Hartley Singleton, Colne.
Death Of Johnson Edmondson reported.
£399-17-1 reported as net profit for the half year. Balance standing to the credit of the Company is £1024-8-1.]
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Resolutions.
Balance sheet/report adopted. Dividend of 5% per annum adopted. Four retiring directors re-elected with the addition of Proctor Barrett to replace Johnson Edmondson. Director’s remuneration £30 per annum. C Blakey retained as auditor at £4 per annum. Share transfer book cert seal etc.
Signed J D Roberts.

Director’s meeting same day.
Dr Roberts re-elected chairman and T Dent as vice chairman.
Present: Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, King, Perry, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter and Proctor Barrett.
Signed Thomas Dent.

August 9th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, Perry, King, Wilkinson and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. Gas account 10/1½ be paid.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Brooks and W Holdsworth form a committee to carry out the work required to be done to the closets etc.
Res. Loans accepted seal cert etc.
John Duckworth £300. John Horsfield £100. Thomas Clapham £120. W F Suthers £100. John and Betty Edmondson £25.
Res. That Messrs Layfield be instructed to caulk the boilers at WH where required. [‘Caulking’ was the process of upsetting the edges of plates, rivet heads etc. with a caulking iron (like a blunt chisel) to seal water leaks.]
Res. That Mr Brooks see to repairs to air pump rocking shaft.
Res. That new grate bars be ordered for CH Shed.
Thomas Dent.

August 11th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and King.
Res. That Proctor Barrett puddle the dam at CH Shed as instructed.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be consulted as to overhauling engine [CH] and the adoption of United States Metallic Packings. [Note that they haven’t gone back to the maker, William Roberts of Phoenix Foundry, Nelson. They were still in business but evidently not favoured. Note also that there is still no local engineer capable of taking on a task like this.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to attend and give his advice as to the best way to clean out the Springs Dam.
Thomas Dent.

August 16th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be requested to fill up leakages with quicklime on Saturday next under the supervision of W H Atkinson. [Probably the caul at CH Shed. Puzzling. I suspect that the reference to quicklime is a hydraulic cement that will set under water and this is a repair to the small weir in the culvert without draining valuable water away. Remember it is high summer and water will be in short supply. If there is no water for the condenser intake the mill cannot run.]
Res. That US Metallic Packings be put on the high and low pressure piston rods at CH after the rods have been skimmed by Burnley Ironworks Co as suggested by Mr Pickup. [Mr Pickup was the BI Co. manager and the immediate problem seems to have been excessive leakage of the piston rod glands on the cylinders. This is indicative of poor maintenance, the old stuffing boxes have been neglected and instead of being re-packed with new tallow soaked or graphite-asbestos packings they have just been tightened down hard and the old hard packing has scored the rods. The US Metallic packings will cure the fault but need to have a perfectly smooth surface to act on. In order to attain this goal the engine cylinders have to be opened up, the pistons and rods drawn out, the pistons removed from the rods and the rods taken to Burnley to be skimmed down to a perfect finish on the large lathes at the shop. Once refurbished they can be measured accurately and the individual metallic packings obtained from Bradford. In addition the old gland boxes have to be machined off the covers and new fixtures created to accept the metallic packings. This was a big job.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to renew the lease of Springs Dam including the fishing rights.
Res. That Proctor Barrett and William Holdsworth employ a gang of men to clean out Springs Dam.
Res. That W Holdsworth see to sending barrows, planks and other tackle to Springs Dam and also see to the same being returned to Proctor Barrett and WH Mill.
Res. That we offer scrap at 55/- [per ton] delivered by railway to Burnley Ironworks Co.
Res. That Mr Sutcliffe [mechanic in WH Mechanic's Shop] be asked to look at the old hoist in Moorhouse’s warehouse and that a report of the cost of taking down and the value of the old metal be presented to the next meeting.
Res. That Messrs Heap and Thornton be asked to plaster the windows walled up in Moorhouse’s shed during Feast Week.
Thomas Dent.

August 23rd 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Horsfield, Perry, King, Wilson, Baxter, L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £85-6-8. Barlick Co-op 10/6. J Widdup £65-10-0. E Bennis and Co £1-3-0. Lonsdale Brothers £3-3-4. Economic Boiler Co £3-15-0. J Sutcliffe £4-17-4. Wages £21-6-11. M Caan and Son £57-7-4.
Res. That £1000 be borrowed from a person mentioned by Mr Horsfield [4% per annum].
Res. That the secretary be asked to obtain advice re. The turning off of water from Springs Dam when the Butts Mill is running. [Butts is on the same beck and any disruption of supply due to cleaning will affect them. However, they do not own the riparian rights, an oversight on Billycock’s part when he built the mill.]
Res. That the crankpin lubricators left on approval by F R Putz be tested for one month at WH mill. [The lubrication of the crank pins on the engines was a knotty problem because when the engine is running they are in constant motion describing a circle. The universal cure in later years was the banjo oiler which supplied oil constantly by centrifugal force but this hadn’t been devised yet. I think these are the lubricators described to me by Newton Pickles who once had a problem when one failed while he was running the WH engine in later years. Basically they supplied a constant supply of grease to the pins via a system of pipes with a hinged connection to absorb the motion. The drive was provided by the motion of the engine via a ratchet mechanism. You may wonder why the engine manufacturers hadn’t incorporated an efficient lubricator in the design. I have often wondered whether, in matters of lubrication, the manufacturers were a bit lax because accelerated wear meant more work for them. Particularly noticeable on LP cylinders. This omission opened the way for a thriving service industry manufacturing various lubrication devices and it was from this source that the innovations eventually came.]
Res. That the leaky places at CH call [sic. Should be caul and refers to the small weir in the beck at the end of the culvert under the mill which maintained the condenser pond.] be filled up with cement by P Barrett.
Thomas Dent.

September 6th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That income tax of £5-17-6 on Moorhouse’s portion be paid. [Puzzling nowadays but there used to be a tax on the assumed income from property called Schedule 'A', I think these are now redundant and the tax assessed in a different way.]
Res. That Messrs Harley and Pilgrim [solicitors at Colne] be consulted re the renewal of the Springs Dam lease and that the secretary be authorised to spend not more than £1-1-0 for the same. [One guinea. Professional fees were often charged in guineas.]
The Insurance Company reports on boilers at both places were read together with a report from Messrs. E Green and Son on the economisers at CH. [Economiser manufacturers of Wakefield and often favoured as surveyors of economisers by the insurance companies.] They were handed forward to the engineers for perusal.
Res. That two thermometers and cups be ordered for the economisers, one for each mill. [Looks like an insurance company recommendation. [Special high temperature thermometers sitting in mercury filled cups (to improve conductivity) inserted into the delivery pipe (hot side) of the economiser became standard and were essential for efficient management of the system of doors (dampers) in the flues to achieve and maintain safe maximum temperatures of feed water for the boiler. Remember that the economisers were a heat transfer device to extract heat from waste flue gases to heat the feed water.]
Res. That the clock in Moorhouse’s portion be boarded in and the hoist backed [by wooden boarding?] by W Holdsworth. [All weaving sheds had clocks maintained by the company. Accurate time-keeping of engine running was not only desirable for the tenants but for the workers as well. Any suggestion of ‘time-cribbing’, starting early and finishing late, was regarded as a serious matter by the weavers and their union.]
Res. That Mr Sutcliffe, mechanic, be engaged to clean out the well under the supervision of Mr Barrett. [WH]
Res. That old scrap be sold to Layfield @ 55/- pert ton. Old [fire]bars @20/-. [Old burned fire bars were the lowest quality of heavy metal scrap.]
Res. That Mr Barrett and W Holdsworth be authorised to inspect the work at Springs Dam and to stop work or otherwise as may be necessary.
Res. That the Exors of Colonel Hargreaves be requested to give the company a continuous supply of Arley coal at CH Shed. [Very good grade of coal. Local tradition was that coal from this seam was used in the royal palaces.]
Res, That Mr Sutcliffe be instructed to fit up gas pendants in Dewhurst’s shed. [A nice connection building up here. It is to be hoped he looks after it.]
Res. That holes in the wall at CH be walled up. [Almost certainly gaps in perimeter dry-stone wall.]
Res. That the wall at the end of the shed at CH be pointed and cemented by Messrs Heap and Thornton. [Shed wall.]
Res. That Messrs Varley be requested to flash the waste places and fix troughs to the same at WH Mill. [Lead flashing to prevent water ingress. Moisture in dirty sweeps was the chief cause of spontaneous combustion. The dryer they were kept the better.]
Thomas Dent.

September 13th 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That we accept our engineer’s reports for allowances for stoppages at WH Mill in August and September, 8¾hrs. [I don’t know what the average stoppage time was in these times, all I can say is that it was unheard of when I was engine-tenting but of course by then we understood engines and boilers much better and I had the benefit of the best advice possible from the man who taught me all I know about the job, Newton Pickles.]
Res. That Mr Holdsworth and Mr Sutcliffe mechanic, arrange to cover S Pickles’ and Sons closets with the rail in stock and if not practicable to get new rails. [? There are frequent references to 'rail' and I suspect that it refers to iron bars.]
Res. That the blower be fixed at WH.
Res. That the rose in the well be left unprotected as at the present. [This ‘rose’ will be the bulbous CI filter on the end of the intake pipe in the well in Eastwood Bottoms. Designed to prevent detritus being drawn into the pump, it would have to be cleaned frequently. Any secondary protection would have to be cleaned as well so not much to be gained.]
Res. That we offer Dugdale and Dewhurst the place opposite the engine house for a tape room.
Res. That we offer Ellis and the Laundry firm 10/- to be expended on flooring the stable.
Res. That the pipes from the reservoirs to the engine house be covered with flags by Mr Proctor Barrett. [The new 4” main. Covering the pipe track with flags will make access for inspection and repair easier.]
Res. That W Holdsworth fix a box of good wood to the clow at Springs Dam. [Protection against interference for the hand wheel operating the clow? (Sluice Gate).]
Thomas Dent.

September 20th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, King, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £102-4-8. W J Varley £1-12-3. Cresswell’s Asbestos Co £4-12-3. John Widdup £44-17-0. W P Brooks £4-4-0. M&J Layfield £38-17-3. Wages £37-1-1. T Bracewell £7-5-1. J Colwell £7-7-0.
Res. Loans be sealed cert etc. Elizabeth Mary Parkin £20. Margaret Rudd £25. Jane Rudd £25.
The secretary read a letter from the Independent Order of the Golden Fleece at Skipton offering to lend the company £1000 at 4% interest less tax repayable at three months notice from either party. [I like this one. The Order of the Golden Fleece was one of the many Friendly Societies which sprang up after the Combination Acts outlawed trade unions. They functioned as sick clubs, lent money for building and house purchases and many of them later metamorphosed into modern building societies. The fact that they could offer to invest on this scale indicates how successful they were.]
Res. That the offer of Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst to repay the amount advanced by the company for machinery be accepted. [After a slow start this partnership has evidently made enough profit to establish themselves. Indicative of the profits to be made from weaving at this time.]
Res. That the secretary be requested to ask Mrs Coates if she will dispose of her interest in Springs Dam and if so upon what terms. [Tightening the grip on the water resource. Far safer if the company owns the dam.]
Letters were read from Mr Sneath re stoppages [WH]. From S Pickles and Sons and B&M Holden re raining in at CH Shed. From E Green and Son reporting on the economisers at WH.
Res. That Messrs Heap and Thornton be instructed to point and clear out troughings at Boocock’s [shed].
Res. That T Bracewell be engaged to finish Springs Dam. [I think he was a neighbouring farmer.]
Res. That Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth be asked to examine the roof at CH and see as to whether Mr King’s suggestion to fix condensing troughs is a practical one. [I think this was a scheme to distribute water from the condenser hot well through troughs on the roof to cool it. You can see how important water was at both mills and in addition, though not mentioned, Butts are probably still complaining about the high temperature of the water coming down to them. In many ways an insoluble problem but perhaps the CHSC wanted to be seen to be making an effort.]
Thomas Dent.

September 27th 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield and Brooks.
Res. That Mr Shackleton be instructed to clear out the bonnets and troughing around the shed and warehouse. [‘Bonnets’ were the hoppers at the end of the troughs connecting them to the down pipes.]
Res. That Mr P Barrett be requested to examine and clear out the drain under the boiler house at CH Shed.
Thomas Dent.

October 4th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read the cash account for the month ending 30th September 1899.
Res. Loan of £20 from J Eastwood be sealed cert etc.
Res. That Messrs W Holdsworth and W P Brooks be deputed to see Mr Moorhouse re taping for others. [If a tenant’s tape was running to capacity and his neighbour had some spare capacity it was easy to get warps taped by him. The problem as far as the company was concerned was that rent for a tenant’s tape was charged on the number of looms it serviced. At this time it was £90 for a tape servicing 400 looms. If a tenant had less than this number but taped for another manufacturer he was in effect doing this rent free unless the company stepped in and adjusted the rent. This is what is happening here.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain tenders for from 500 to 1000 condensing troughs 4ft 10” X 3” for Calf Hall Shed.
The secretary reported that the balance due from Mr Windle on the 30th ult. was £983-15-7 and Mr W Bailey £943-6-6.
Notice of the rise of 5d per ton for Lancashire coal and 6d per ton for Yorkshire was read.
Thomas Dent.

October 11th 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett and Perry.
Res. That Mr Sutcliffe be instructed to put the pumping engine in order.
Res. That two notices to persons guilty of throwing stones on the shed be fixed on the mill.
Res. That Messrs Heap and Thornton be instructed to cement [Render] the end of Windle's shed.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to BUDC in respect of the sediment lodging on the shed side of Wellhouse Road. [Remember that this is not a tarmac road and the natural slope tended to encourage capping stone worn off by traffic to collect at the low side, next to the shed wall.]
Thomas Dent.

October 18th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: M&J Layfield £38-17-3. S Greenwood 12/5. H Marsden £91-2-4½. S Cooke and Son £33-11-5. J W Clough £4-13-3. E Green and Son £3-5-0. Proctor and Proctor £48-19-2½. [These minutes are in a different hand and I think this is the item usually noted as wages. Interesting that the name of GP’s firm is used.] E Bennis and Co £1-3-0. F R Putz £10-19-9. [The crank pin lubricators must have been approved. Newton Pickles told me that at one point in later years one of the hinged joints in the grease pipe seized up. The lubricator was torn off the bed and thrown through the roof of the engine house. They were both replaced by banjo oilers.] J Bulcock £1-6-0. R A Petty £15-6-0. J Sutcliffe £2-15-4. W P Brooks £1-3-2.
Res. That Messrs T Dent and W P Brooks be requested to see BUDC re the state of Wellhouse Road.
Res. Loans of £25 from William P Sellars and £1000 from the IO of the Golden Fleece be seal cert etc.
Res. Transfer of two shares from W Henry Smith to G Proctor seal cert etc.
Res. Following loans accepted: John Pickup £250. [Manager at Burnley Ironworks?] W Perry £150 and A King £100.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to the Acton Hall Colliery Co for price of washed peas and washed beans.
Res. That the secretary be empowered to receive £6000 at 3½% per annum from James Slater of Park Road.
Res. That W H Atkinson be requested to give a rough sketch and estimate of the cost of a one storey building for the tape for Dugdale and Dewhurst.
Res. That the secretary’s action in notifying tenants indebted to the company that interest would be charged at 1% over Bank Rate with a minimum of 5% be approved and that the matter be left in his hands.
Res. That Mr Moorhouse be charged 5/- per set for taping sets for our own tenants. [A set could be up to ten weaver’s warps so this isn’t excessive.]
Thomas Dent.

October 25th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Res. That the three trucks of Arley coal be stored at WH Mill. [I consulted with a friend of mine who is an old railwayman and a trusted adviser. He says that until post-WW2 the capacity of a standard truck was 13 tons and after WW2 was slightly larger at 16 tons.]
Res. That J Widdup’s account for £78-4-10 be paid.
Res. That J Horsfield, W Holdsworth and P Barrett be deputed to look to the watercourse at Long Ing. [There were two watercourses flowing through Long Ing into Eastwood Bottoms. One was the Bowker Drain, the other was a lesser drainage flow Crow Nest Syke. I have never come across Crow Nest Syke being used to supplement the water supply at WH Mill but of course this doesn’t discount the possibility. The Bowker Drain was crucial to WH as it fed the well in Eastwood Bottoms. Its course was along the canal bank, under Long Ing Shed and forward to the well, all of this piped underground. There are access points into the drain, one on the Salterforth side of Long Ing canal bridge and one immediately behind Long Ing Shed next to Eastwood Bottoms. It sounds as though a deficiency in flow in the drain has suggested either a blockage or leak in the drain. Yet another indication of the knife-edge water situation at WH Mill.]
Res. That manufacturers be requested to take all waste paper to the steam boilers to be burnt. [Apart from the calorific value of this, I remember when I was running Bancroft Shed that local businesses and solicitors used to bring confidential papers to be burnt, this was done when we were burning the fires off at night prior to banking the fires. There are occasional references at this time to complaints about tenants burning rubbish outside their premises.]
Thomas Dent.

November 1st 1899
T Dent chair. Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Loans be cert seal etc. John Pickup £250. A King £100. W Perry £150.
Res. That a charge of 5/- per set be made to J Moorhouse for all sets taped since commencement and in future. [Not clear whether this replaces the standard £90 per year rent or if it applies only to export taping. Almost certainly the latter.]
Res. Loan of £100 from Sarah Baxter be accepted. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers requesting the company to supply space for about 200 looms.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply that the directors [regret] their inability to add further load to the engine. [Note that the limiting factor is the engine and not space for further expansion. I think this is WH Mill. There is evidently still a demand for capacity and the company will have taken note. There will be a response eventually.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to purchase 100 tons of coal for WH Mill from Pope and Pearson, Normanton or failing them, any other pit where the quantity can be obtained.]
Thomas Dent.

November 8th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Res. That P Barrett puts a flag to stop water flowing into Widdup’s privy.
Res. That Holgate Marsden be asked to bring Altham coal and slack at Coates [wharf] to WH Mill and to say what is the price. The supply to be stopped until we hear from Pope and Pearson. [Confusing but my reading is that Marsden has a stock at Coates Wharf and the company wants a price to compare to any response from Normanton before they commit to buy.]
Res. That we fit up the Millwright’s shop [Mechanic’s Shop at WH?] with gas piping and also take steam to a pan in Pickles’ [portion, CH?]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be asked to finish the arrangement made with the company and Ed Smith about way-leave onto his land.
Res. That Mr Proctor write to Mr Fawcett of Skipton and ascertain from Mr Atkinson when he can arrange a meeting at WH Mill for settling up.
Thomas Dent.

November 15th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, King, Horsfield, Baxter, Perry, Wilson, Wilkinson and L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Pope and Pearson be requested to give a regular supply of best slack until further orders.
Res. Four shares from Exors of W Baldwin to Polly Turner be seal cert etc.
The secretary read the insurance company reports on the condition of boilers.
Res. That the whistle at WH Mill be blown only at the request of the manufacturers.
Res. That two sanitary pails be ordered for Widdup’s portion. [Sounds as though these privies were still operating on the bucket system and not tipplers connected direct to the sewer.]
Mr Slater attended before the directors with a request to find their firm space for 30 additional looms.
Res. That Mr Longridge of the Vulcan Boiler Insurance Co be engaged to examine and report on the plant at WH and CH and that before engagement the secretary be instructed to get particulars of their charges. [Vulcan Insurance were a very well regarded insurance company and in this case the company appear to be turning to them for an independent assessment of the engines and boilers. Probably driven by the fact that the engines at both mills were struggling to cope with the load. Remember that many extra looms have been imposed on both of them.]
Res. That grease and waste be ordered from the Diamond Oil and Grease Company. [The word ‘waste’ is the clue here. This refers to ‘shafting waste’ which was a mixture of grease and wool waste used for packing bronze cross-shaft bearings in weaving sheds. It had the advantage that the waste retained the oil in the grease and there was less danger of drips of black oil contaminating cloth. The usual method of packing the bearings was to put a pad of high temperature grease (‘hot neck’) on top of the waste pad so that if lubrication failed and the bearing got hot the ‘hot neck’ melted supplying the bearing with additional oil. This was the standard for cross shaft bearings until the end of the industry.]
Thomas Dent.

November 22nd 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and L Horsfield[?].
Res. That Dr Roberts and W P Brooks be a deputation to Messrs Pope and Pearson and to the representatives of other pits and that P Barrett take Dr Robert’s place if he cannot go. [J D Roberts was a practising GP in Barlick and must have been a busy man!]
Res. That W Holdsworth be instructed to fit condensing troughs at CH Shed.
Res. That someone be engaged to make the road at CH Shed.
Thomas Dent.

December 6th 1899
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Perry, Horsfield, Barrett and Brooks.
Res. That we ask John Delaney to send quotations for Monks Bretton, Roundwood and other slacks. [I don’t know of any specific problems in the coal fields but the company appear to be putting a lot of effort into obtaining coal supplies.]
Res. That Messrs Brooks, Barrett and Perry interview James Slater about his mortgage to the company and to see if he will pay for the mortgage deeds.
Res. That the Common Seal of the Company be affixed to the mortgage deed between the company of the one part and James Slater of the other part (now produced by the secretary) to secure the repayment to Mr Slater of the sum of £5000, lent by him to the company and interest thereon to be at the rate of 3¾% per annum less an allowance of ¼% for tax.
Res. That the seal of the company be also affixed to the Memorial of the above deed to be registered at Wakefield.
Thomas Dent.

December 13th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson, Wilkinson and L&W Holdsworth.
Res. That a can of yarn [shaft waste] be ordered from the Diamond Oil and Grease Co.
Res. That Mr Sutcliffe be instructed to alter the clack in the well at WH, Mr Ellison having failed to attend. [Water supplies for the reservoirs at WH again! The ‘clack’ referred to is the non return valve above the rose on the intake which ensures that when the pump up at the mill isn’t working the pipe remains full of water and can therefore be restarted without priming the pump. It was essential that this clack, usually a bronze mushroom valve with a rubber face or in older installations a simple rubber flap which would only allow flow one way was kept watertight. CHSC are using Sutcliffe as resident engineer and millwright.]
Res. That new blocks be ordered from and fitted by the US Metallic Packing Co at WH Mill. [These blocks are the bronze inserts lined with white metal which form the seal in the packing. They shouldn’t have worn so quickly, not unknown for them to remain efficient for twenty years or more. This was why they were so popular. Perhaps the rods are in bad condition.]
Res. That the two gates opposite the gasworks [WH Mill, on Skipton Road] be walled up and that the walls on each side of the gates at CH Shed be repaired by P Barrett.
Thomas Dent.

November 29th 1899
Dr Roberts chair. Brooks, Dent, Barrett, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W Easton 10/-. H Marsden £113-2-6. J Widdup £133-12-10. P Barrett £13-13-5. T Bracewell £9-16-6. Wages £52-15-9. J W Clough £2-14-0. W Holdsworth £23-7-9. T Rawlinson £2-5-9.
Res. That 50 tons of each of the following quality of coals be ordered from Holgate Marsden: Rough slack @9/3 [per ton]. Bower’s best slack @9/6. Rothwell Haigh @ 9/3.
Res. That the chairman and secretary form a deputation to wait on the Colliery Company mentioned by the chairman.
Res. That the two spare pulleys be returned to Parkinson and that he be paid £2-10-0.
Res. That Mr Ellison of Skipton be instructed to alter the clack in the well at WH as recommended by the architect, Mr Atkinson.
Res. That Mr Atkinson invite tenders for scrap iron from Burnley Ironworks, Ellison and Rushworth. [George Rushworth of Colne was an engineer and scrap merchant and one of the main shareholders in the Long Ing Shed Co.]
Res. That the matter of the loan from James Slater be allowed to stand over for a fortnight.
Res. That the chairman be requested to ascertain the Craven Bank’s terms for transacting the company’s business.
J D Roberts and T Dent.

December 20th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £39-11-0. J Widdup £144-3-0. Pope and Pearson £47-8-0. T Parkinson £8-10-0. Alliance Assurance Co £14-5-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £51-2-5. [This could be the metallic packings. It was quite usual for an engineer to measure up, order the packings and fit them so this would be the price for the whole job. I suspect that the engine-makers got a better price from the manufacturers.]
Interest on loans and mortgages due on the 31st inst. [No amount.]
Res. Loans from Thomas Eastwood £20 and S A Hargreaves £100, both at 4%. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported the amounts owed by W Bailey and J Windle on the 4th inst to be £808-16-8 and £800 respectively.
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be instructed to cut boarding to allow ropes to run freely and to repair flooring in Bailey’s and Pilkington’s warehouses. [Cotton driving ropes stretch as they wear and if the driven side is at the top (wrong way round but sometimes unavoidable) the slack side at the bottom sags and if the aperture was too tightly dimensioned when new the ropes could start to rub at the bottom.]
Res. That gaps in the wall at WH Mill be walled up straight.
The secretary reported the consumption of coal at CH Shed for November to be 33 tons 14cwt and 3quarters per week. [28lbs under 33.75 tons]
Thomas Dent

December 27th 1899
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Horsfield, King, Wilson, Wilkinson, L&W Holdsworth and Baxter.
Res. That John Widdup be asked to stop delivering Acton Hall Slack.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Brooks and Barrett see after coal.
Thomas Dent.

January 3rd 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, Perry, King, Baxter, Wilson, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth and Wilkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Loans of £25 each from M Rudd, J Rudd and J&B Edmondson be seal cert etc.
Res. That £400 loan be repaid to Mr W Perry on the 26th inst.
Res. That Mr Crossland of the Vulcan Insurance Co be engaged to make a thorough examination of the engine, boilers and gearing at WH Mill for the sum of £7-7-0.
Res. That sieves be put in the oilers on the piston rods at WH Mill. [Sounds as though they suspect that oil contamination may have worn the rods and caused premature failure of the packings. WH has been a building site for two years at least and there was probably quite a lot of dust in the air. Steam engines and dust are bad stable mates.]
Res. That the secretary obtain Mrs Coates agreement to share the cost of repairs at Springs Dam.
Res. That the lease of Springs Dam be completed on the same basis as the last one with the addition of the fishing rights.
Res. That the balance sheet for the half year ending 31st December be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders meeting on 26th January at the Seven Stars AR.
Res. That we recommend an annual dividend of 5% for the half year.
Res. That W P Brooks be requested to sell by auction the firewood fencing round the Wheelwright’s Shop lately occupied by S Wright. [Blacksmith and wheelwright of Barlick. I think he moved to premises on Albert Road where the Majestic stands now.]
Res. That the stuff belonging to the company at Springs Dam be brought away by Proctor Barrett.
Thomas Dent.

January 6th 1900
T Dent chair. Wilson, Horsfield, Brooks and Barrett.
Res. That Mr John Widdup be asked to meet the board on Wednesday night to consider the question of coal supply, there not being a full board present.
Thomas Dent.

January 10th 1900
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilkinson, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That Burnley Ironworks be asked to send Mr Clegg to examine the piston rods on the engine at WH Mill and that Mr Sneath’s letter be enclosed.
Res. That Messrs Ellison of Skipton be asked to examine the rope drive in Windle’s shed with a view to the adoption of gearing.
Thomas Dent.

January 17th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of shares: Barrett Hargreaves and W B Duckworth to Adam Hargreaves (1). William Hargreaves (1). R Hargreaves (1). And two shares from Thomas Broughton to E A Knowles. Seal cert etc.
Res. Loan of £400 from A King be repaid on the 19th of January.
Res. That the US Metallic Co be asked to send a man to examine the packings at WH Mill.
Res. That a spare driving wheel for 3 ½” shaft be ordered from Messrs Ellison and Co.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to the colliery proprietors mentioned on a list given, all of whom are at Wigan and ask for the price of coal delivered at Barlick.
Thomas Dent.

January 26th 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Brooks, Barrett, Perry, King, Baxter, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield and Dent.
Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that all the pit owners in Wigan were sold forward and could not therefore supply the company. [There must be some disruption to coal supplies.]
Res. That the chairman and secretary form a deputation to the Exors of Colonel Hargreaves and to Acton Hall re the supply of coal.
Res. That the manufacturers be asked to meet the directors with a view to an advance of rents consequent on the high price of coal. (16/- at Calf Hall) [This is a massive increase from approx 10/- per ton a few weeks previously.]
Res. That Dr Roberts, P Barrett, T Dent, W Holdsworth and W Perry be requested to meet the manufacturers at the Seven Stars Hotel on Friday night the 2nd of February at 7pm.
J D Roberts and T Dent.

General meeting
January 26th 1900
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. Balance sheet, report and dividend approved. Share transfer book sealed.

January 31st 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, Perry, King, Baxter, L&W Holdsworth and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Diamond Oil and Grease Company £4-110. Green and Son £4. S Cooke and Co £25-17-0. E Bennis and Son 4/-. BUDC Commercial rate £161-9-2. Lancaster 15/6. William Scott £11. Richard Petty 8/6. James Bulcock 11/-. Henry Brown £1-8-6. Inland Rev. £60-7-8. J W Green £64-11-8. P Barrett £5-3-4. Henry Hargreaves £1-3-6. W P Brooks £1-19-0. John Widdup £214-8-0. T Rawlinson £2-17-0. W Norcross £10-15-0. J W Brown 9/-. Smith and Smith £19-15-6. Wages £71-5-11.
Res. Loans accepted cert seal etc. Margaret and Jane Rudd, £25 each.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to order 90 left hand and 90 right hand condenser troughs.
Res. That the laundry proprietors be allowed to make a place for the delivery of coke.
Res. That stones be put on the road at Widdup’s entrance.
Res. That the foot plates at CH be lowered by Mr Barrett. [?]
Thomas Dent.

February 7th 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Horsfield, Perry, Barrett, Wilson, Baxter, W Holdsworth, Dent and King.
No business recorded.
Signed J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

February 14th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That loans at 4% be accepted. £50 each from Margaret and Jane Rudd. Seal cert etc.
The secretary read a letter from Mrs Coates in which she agreed to pay £20 towards the cost of repairs at Springs Dam.
The report on the engine and shafting at WH Mill from the Vulcan Insurance Co was read and it appears that the present load on the engine is 776hp, that the branch steam pipe on the No. 1 engine from the HP to the LP cylinder is damaged. That the general strength of the engine is below new engines but it will suffice for a boiler pressure of 125psi. That the top course of foundation stones is not very steady in some places. The shafting throughout is deficient in strength. The additional load of 100 to 150hp will entail an increase in shear force greater than in proportion to the increase in load. The present load is sufficient for two boilers. A new boiler should be purchased 8ft X 30ft placed near the existing boilers but further forward to allow an increase in the number of economiser pipes to not less than 250 to 300 pipes (120 at present). As between placing additional looms on the SE side of the shed and on the N side of the shed, if placed on the SE side the second motion shaft should be lifted and carried forward so that the present extreme end of the shaft should remain the extreme end and that a length of full diameter should be placed at the beginning of the shed which now holds 1641 looms. The space which is partly occupied by stables could be served by continuing each of the shafts in the shed (mill bottom) which now contains 396 looms. In either case, these shafts would be loaded beyond the point that we consider to be desirable in new work but, as we indicated above, we would not recommend any general increase in strengths.
[Not surprising news in a plant that has been extended so much on a piecemeal basis without the benefit of expert advice. The directors have some thinking to do! The real problem as we have noted before is that there is no local source of heavy engineering capacity with intimate knowledge of the plant to give reliable advice. There is also the question of the competence of the mill engineer. It will be some years before this problem is put to rest.]
Signed J&L Crossland[?] and Thomas Dent.

February 21st 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and W Holdsworth.
Res. That the directors meet at CH Shed on Saturday afternoon to report on the plates in front of the boiler and also to examine the steam gauge furniture. [These are the ‘foot plates’ mentioned earlier. There is a cavity at the front of the boiler for access to the side flue doors and the blow-down valve and piping. This is usually covered by removable iron chequer plates. The ‘steam gauge furniture’ could be the pressure gauge or the water level gauges.]
Res. That the scrapers on the economisers at CH Shed be examined and repaired. [The cast iron tubes of the economiser tend to pick up flue dust which reduces heat transmission to the feed water circulating inside them. To avoid this there is a system of close fitting mechanical scrapers, one on each tube, driven from the engine shafting which slowly move up and down the tube dislodging any surface dust. They are light cast iron construction and subject to periodic breakage which lessens their efficiency.]
Res. That we pay Shackleton’s account for cleaning troughs and working overtime less the amount he received when sick.
Res. That the engineer at WH be requested to see that the oiler does not use grease in such large quantities as to allow of it being thrown onto looms and cloth. [This will be fat on the bevel gears on the main lineshaft in the shed. The old problem of cloth contamination by lubricant. Theoretically the wheel guards should stop this happening.]
Thomas Dent.

February 28th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J Delaney £36-12-5. T Hart 17/9. T Rawlinson £2-15-6. Joseph Sutcliffe £16-0-4 [mechanic]. J W Clough £1-11-11. J Widdup £274-10-4.
Res. Loan of £400 from J Duckworth seal cert etc.
The secretary read the communications with the Altham Colliery Company with regard to continuing the supply of coal to WH Mill and in which they informed the directors that they could do nothing at present but would give us a supply immediately their output improved. The secretary also read notice from the mechanic to give up tenancy of the Mechanic’s Shop. [This last item is significant and the next resolution has a bearing on what happens. Keep your eye on this, it is very significant for the management of the CHSC’s plant in the future.]
Res. That Henry Brown of Earby be instructed to supply and fix one set of water gauge fittings and to repair the old ones. [This will be CH Shed boiler. They have a problem in that they want to keep the boiler running and so have to purchase a spare set of water gauges to keep them in production. A relatively small item like this could stop the mill. Note that Henry Brown of Earby is asked to do the job and not Sutcliffe. I know I’m teasing you but here’s a clue. Henry Brown’s uncle, John Duxbury of Crook Carr Farm in Barlick was a shareholder in the CHSC, he has a quiet word with Henry and tips him off that the Mechanic’s Shop at WH Mill is coming vacant shortly. Read on!]
Res. That the plates in front of the boiler at CH Shed be lowered and the grate bars shortened by one and a half bricks by Proctor Barrett.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to the Long Ing Shed Company Ltd and the Craven Bank with regard to the proposed increase in rent and that the same deputation as before meet them.
Res. That we buy one cask of grease @ 13/- per cwt from Mr James Edmondson.
Thomas Dent

March 7th 1900
T Dent chair. W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That we pay Holgate Marsden 6d per ton for carting Altham coals from Coates Wharf.
Res. That we write the secretary acquainting him with the result of the interview with the Long Ing Shed Co and asking him to be prepared with particulars as to the legal notice to be given.
Thomas Dent.

March 14th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Barrett and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the rent of all the company’s looms be increased 2/- per loom from the 1st of April next.
Res. That Dr Roberts (failing him W P Brooks) P Barrett and the secretary form a deputation to meet the directors of the Butts Mill Company at the Craven Bank, Skipton, on Friday next and that they be authorised to inform them as to the rise of 2/- and to ascertain if they are prepared to follow us in this increase.
Res. That the same deputation previously appointed, together with the secretary, be instructed to meet the directors of the Long Ing Shed Co on Tuesday night to inform them of our decision as to the increase in rents.
Res. That a meeting of the directors be held on Tuesday night next at 7pm to receive the report of the deputation.
Res. That Mr W P Brooks be authorised to see Mr Garlic and to appoint one of the gas[?] men to the position of stoker at CH Shed.
Res. That the Mechanic’s Shop be offered to Henry Brown of Earby at the same rent as the present tenant, £25 per annum. [This will become a permanent association. Henry Brown and his successors will be in the WH Shop until it is demolished in 1988. For more of the story see my book ‘Brown and Pickles. Pennine Engineers’ available on Lulu.com.]
The secretary gave a full report as to the legal notice required to be given to the tenants of the company to terminate their tenancies in order to obtain an increase in the rent which in every case was six month’s notice to terminate on the day of the year on which the tenancy commenced. A full list of the tenants of the co shewing the date on which each entered into possession and the date on which rent commenced was also placed on the table.
Thomas Dent.

March 20th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, King, Horsfield, Wilson, Baxter, Barrett and W Holdsworth.
Res. That Mr Sutcliffe leaves the Mechanic’s Shop and that it be let to Mr Henry Brown of Earby and at the same rent.
Res. That Mr Shackleton’s place at CH Shed [stoker] be filled by Watson from WH Mill and that Watson’s place be taken by Charnley.
It was reported that the land at Calf Hall sold by the company in about 1894 had been bought for £90.
Res. That Mr O Leake be instructed to act for the company in conveying the same.
The deputation appointed to wait on the Craven Bank reported that all the tenants at Butts Mill held leases of 7 or 10 years and that 4 or more years had yet to run. The leases did not contain a coal clause. [A serious problem for the Butts Mill Co, they did not take knowledgeable advise when writing the leases. ‘Coal clauses’ were a mechanism for making sure that rents could be adjusted consequent on coal price increases, coal was the major expense. The same legal mechanism was included in standard yarn and cloth contracts transacted on the Manchester Cotton Exchange. These covered other costs such as wages as well. The effect was to inject automatic stability into trading and allowed companies to trade with confidence at very narrow and competitive profit margins. Fine when there was plenty of demand but in the end it proved to be an Achilles’ heel for the industry in the terminal decline after 1920.]
[The question of contracts, like any other legal matter, is complicated. Here is the position I arrived at after reading the subject up. All contracts were based on the Sale of Goods Act 1893. There were standard contracts agreed by conferences of trade associations and Stephen Pickles told me that the contracts used on the Manchester Exchange were variants of these standards. Many firms used their own versions but all contained clauses dealing with strike, lockout, breakdown, fire or other unavoidable occurrence, this last clause was often, but not always, interpreted as allowing coal and labour clauses. The overall aim was, as far as possible, to minimise risk.]
The deputation appointed to meet the directors of the Long Ing Shed Co reported that they [the Long Ing Co] were quite willing to advance rents 2/- per loom per annum from 1st of April next.
[The inability of the Butts Mill Co to act in concert with the other two companies was no big problem because they were no threat. In fact they were not trading profitably with consequences we shall see later.]
Thomas Dent.

March 28th 1900
T Dent chair. Horsfield, Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, King, Baxter, Wilson and Perry.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Pope and Pearson’s slack be ordered for CH Shed.
A Letter was read from the Cotton Manufacturer’s Association [Barlick manufacturers, they are increasingly acting for the tenants in any dispute.] stating they could not meet tonight owing to the absence of two or three of the principal tenants.
Res. That we approve the suggestion of the secretary with reference to the increase of rents, that each tenant be written to and offered an increase of 2/- per annum per loom and that the matter be left in his hands. [GP smells a rat here in the dilatory behaviour of the Manufacturer’s Association. He isn’t falling for any stalling tactics. Legally, because of the way the leases are written, the company can terminate them and offer new terms. This is what he is going to do.]
Res. That the Metallic Packing [on the engine] at WH Mill be repaired at Easter by the Burnley Ironworks Co.
Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst made a further application for a tape room.
Res. That as it is impracticable to build adjoining their portion of the shed we offer them the building opposite the boiler house.
Res. That we write to Messrs Garratt and Co, Moorgate Street [?] for particulars of [a] colliery they have for disposal. [The coal situation must be critical if the CHSC is considering buying a pit.]
Res. That accounts be paid: Charlesworth and Wilson £9. W P Brooks £3-3-0. Wages £56-4-2. Insurance £83-13-9. W Scott £3-7-6. J Widdup £313. W J Varley £9-5-0.
Thomas Dent.

March 30th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, Horsfield, King, L&W Holdsworth and Baxter.
Res. That we approve the letter drawn by the secretary, it to be sent to each tenant with reference to increasing rents. [Clear inference that the company isn’t interested in any advances collectively via the association. They aren’t in the business of discussion or negotiation beyond what is polite and inside the bounds of normal management practice. George Proctor is key to this, he has seen it all before in other companies he manages. A very valuable asset.]
[No Signature.]

April 4th 1900
T Dent chair. Wilson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett and Brooks.
Res. That the managing director be instructed to ask Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst which of the company’s tenants have taped sets of beams for them. [Charges for export taping aren’t working on a voluntary basis.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to give the tenants a copy of one of the leases.
Res. That we extend the time for accepting a reply to our letter of the 31st of March to the tenants be extended to Wednesday next the 11th of April 1900.
Res. That the rent of the Mechanic’s Shop to Henry Brown be £25 and £2 per inch for a belt broader that 4” (He to provide new belts) and 9d per hour for the donkey engine. [We’re talking about power for Brown’s machinery here. The normal drive during working hours was from the engine via shafting and the width of the belt governs the amount of power that can be transmitted. The donkey engine is a small independent steam engine used to drive the shafting when the engine was stopped. It ran using steam from the company’s boilers, hence the charge for each hour of use. Bear in mind that there was no public electricity supply until the 1930s.]
Thomas Dent.

April 11th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Perry.
Minutes as read.
Res. That one wagon of coal at 12/9 [per ton] be purchased as a sample by Mr Brooks.
Res. That the Mechanic’s Shop be let to Mr Henry Brown of Earby for a term of five years with the option of leaving at the end of 12 months. [We need to recognise that at this point Brown’s were blacksmiths, general engineers and millwrights and had no pretensions to being capable of either engine diagnosis or heavy repair. They were well-established in Earby doing work for the mills there and had a very good reputation in the trade.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to draw up an agreement for the same.
A letter signed by all the tenants requesting the directors to meet them was read when it was
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply informing them that in answer to their request the directors would meet them in the office on Thursday night next at 7pm.
Res. That the ordinary meeting of the board be held at 6:30pm on Thursday next.
Res. That the offer of the Scottish Boiler Insurance Co to increase the amount assured on the company’s boilers for the same premium be accepted.
Thomas Dent.

April 19th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
A letter from Mr Henry Brown of Earby agreeing to the terms but requesting a lease of ten years with the option of leaving in either one or five years was read when it was
Res. That a ten year lease be not granted but that a five year lease be granted with the option of leaving at the end of one year and an undertaking that if the Company did not require the premises for their own purposes he should be given the preference of another five years lease.
Res. That a cheque for £81 be drawn in favour of Messrs Charlesworth and Wilson, balance of purchase money for the land at Calf Hall.
Res. Share certificate be registered for shares in favour of John Sellars (son of Tom Sellars). Seal cert etc.
Res. That four trucks of coal at 12/9 per ton be ordered from John W Widdup.
The secretary reported having written to eight collieries in Yorkshire and that replies have been received that they were fully sold. [Demand for coal is exceeding supply evidently and this is what is driving the price up by approximately 3/- per ton on purchases six months ago.]
The tenants of the company appeared before the directors with the request that the directors should meet them in regard of their demand for an increase of 2/- per loom per annum from 1st April 1900 and a six months tenancy from that date. After a long discussion the tenants agreed to pay an additional rent of 1/6 per loom per annum the tenancies to remain as at present. The directors could not see their way to accept this offer and it was
Res. That the offer to the tenants contained in the letter from the secretary of March 29th be withdrawn and that each tenant be notified of the same.
Thomas Dent.

April 23rd 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, Barrett, King, Wilson, Baxter, Perry and L&W Holdsworth.
Proposed by Dr Roberts, seconded by T Dent and Resolved that the Common Seal of the Company be affixed to a notice dated April 23rd now presented by the secretary in duplicate [be sent] to each of the tenants of the company giving them six months notice to quit on the 31st of October 1900 and that the notices be served on the tenants on Wednesday next the 25th of April.
[No messing about! This is a simple power struggle. The directors have taken the nuclear option of notice to quit. The arguments are over, this is a valid legal process and the ball is now firmly in the tenant’s court. Consider their position, they need room and power to continue in business and what would they do with their machinery and stocks if they decide to quit?]
Thomas Dent.

May 8th 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King and Perry.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: R Hindle insurance £6. S Cooke and Co £23-17-0. James Bullock 18/6. John Widdup £330-10-2. E Brooksbank and Co £2-6-0. W Holdsworth £9-11-7. T Hart 17/9. Vulcan Boiler Insurance Co £7-7-0. Henry Brown £6-14-3. Joseph Sutcliffe 11/1. US Metallic Packing Co £1-7-6. Oliver Leate £2-10-0. J E Southern and Co £24-12-3.
Res. That the common seal of the co be affixed to the indenture of conveyance dated April 25th 1900 transferring a plot of land containing 707 square yards at Calf Hall Shed from the Craven Bank, Joseph Standing and Samuel Slater (trustee under a deed of ? of Joseph Standing) to the CHSC for the sum of £90 in the presence of two directors and the secretary.
Res. That the terms already offered to Mr Henry Brown be adhered to. [Henry must still be pushing for the ten year lease. Opening a branch in Barlick is a big investment for him and he is looking for as much security as possible.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to give Joseph Standing notice to quit the land above referred to.
Res. That Mr Henry Brown be requested to inspect the pair of wheels and the gear reported to be unsafe and remedy the defects. [Henry starts his career as the CHSC engineer and millwright based in the WH shop. This is the start of a long association.]
Res. That we advertise 707 square yards of land at CH to be let by tender and subject to three month’s notice to quit.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

May16th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the account for ground rent £9-13-4 and gas account £2-14-2 be paid.
Res. That an allowance at the rate of half rent be paid to Henry Brown mechanic providing that the stoppage exceeds 24 consecutive hours.
Res. That the chairman and managing director be a deputation to meet Mr Robinson at Skipton [manager of the Craven Bank] along with Mr Widdup.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ascertain if Messrs Pope Pearson are willing to grant a contract for the supply of coal and on what terms. [There was a great deal of unrest nationally in the coal industry and the CHSC are looking for ways of ensuring continuity of supply.]
Thomas Dent.

May 30th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King, Perry and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Ed Smith £9-2-0. J W Clough £1-9-4. J Wright 6/-. T Bracewell £2-15-0. H H Woodruff £29-17-0. J Widdup £339. G Proctor wages £65-8-0. Ellison and Co £119-7-7. [A large amount. I wonder whether this for rectifying the deficiencies in the shafting at WH Mill reported by the Vulcan Insurance surveyor?]
A letter was read from Pope Pearson regretting their inability to supply coal.
Res. Loan accepted from Henry Holdsworth £20. Seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent

June 13th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That H Marsden’s account for coal be paid, £53-2-0.
Res. That common seal be affixed to the lease for Springs Dam for ten years and the option of a further ten years from February 2nd 1901 at an annual rent of £10 including fishing rights.
Res. That Mr J Duckworth’s application for repayment of loan of £50 be granted and the amount paid on June 30th 1900.
Res. That the cylinder and engine oil be purchased direct from the factor and that if carriage be paid by the sender one ton be ordered and if by the purchaser two tons be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

June 27th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, Perry, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson L&W Holdsworth.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W P Brooks £2-5-6. S Cooke and Co £15-10-11. Diamond Oil Co £5-1-4. John Widdup £139-17-6. Midland Railway Co £1-10-6. P Barrett £4-15-4. J W Widdup £29-8-0. Wages £31-14-4. T Rawlinson £4-11-6. Cheques paid for loans and interest. J W Clough £2-18-10.
Res. That loan of £20 be accepted from E M Parkin seal cert etc.
A letter dated June 19th 1900 was read from E Green and Son respecting damper.
Res. That attention be given to it by Mr Brooks and Henry Brown. [Greens have noted a problem with an economiser damper during their inspection and are recommending it be repaired.]
Thomas Dent.

July 4th 1900
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, King, Horsfield, Baxter, Brooks Perry and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Henry Hargreaves be instructed to put a bottom in the cistern at WH Mill and provide a top with a key. [I suspect this is the well for the Bowker Drain in Eastwood Bottoms]
Res. That Mr Ed Smith be requested to send Jefferson or some other experienced man to repair the puddling in the embankment [of the dam] at WH Mill. [A leakage. Conservation of water again.]
Thomas Dent.

July 11th 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Horsfield Brooks, Barrett, Perry, King L&W Holdsworth, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. Seal and cert of promissory notes in favour of Jane Rudd, £28-14-4 and J B Edmondson £30. Seal and cert of the Springs Dam lease. Seal and cert on lease of Mechanic's Shop to H Brown at £25 per annum for 5 years.
Res. That the director’s action in offering the whole of our consumption of coal to the Altham Colliery Co for five years providing the price be as to the Long Ing Shed Co and subject to the same variation in price both as to amount and time as the Exors of Colonel Hargreaves’ Arley slack be approved. [Smart move, they have ensured a supply and at the same price as their major competitor for provision of space in Barlick. This lifts the threat of competition based on coal prices.]
Balance sheet for the half year ending June 30th showing profit of £37-7-0 was read and approved.
Res. That in consequence of the low profit and the high price of coal [Remember the loom rent increase hasn’t kicked in yet] we recommend no dividend for the half year. General meeting to be held in the Seven Stars AR at 7pm on July 27th 1900.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

July 19th 1900
T Dent chair. Horsfield, Brooks, Barrett, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, King and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
A letter was read from the US Metallic Packing Co in which they offered to repair the packings on the engine at WH Mill with new blocks and improved sliding plates for the sum of £14-16-0, men’s time and expenses extra.
Res. That they be instructed through Burnley Ironworks to proceed with the work and complete during the holiday. [Another indication of the lack of local expertise. In effect BI are acting as consulting engineers and supervisors. From the evidence of the USMP Co records this was a very common way of handling these matters.]
Thomas Dent.

July 25th 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Perry, King, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J Bulcock 19/-. J W Widdup £27-7-5. H Brown 7/5. W J Varley 7/8. J Widdup £135-9-9. Burnley Ironworks 15/3½. BUDC commercial rate £161-9-2.
Res. Transfer of shares. Four shares from Ada Slater to Joseph Slater and Five from L Robinson to L Broughton also a promissory note for a loan of £100 from A King. All seal cert etc.
Res. That Henry Wilson and John Horsfield be deputed to see Widdup’s tape room as to excessive heat and report thereon.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

General shareholder’s meeting
July 27th 1900
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That Balance sheet and report be adopted.
Res. That three of the retiring directors be re-elected, Horsfield, Barrett and Perry. Joseph Slater elected as new director. [Joe Slater of Clough Mill married to Billycock’s daughter Ada and living in Newfield Edge. A very successful manufacturer and just the sort of experience needed by the board.]
Res. Director’s remuneration be £30per annum. C Blakey re-appointed auditor at £4 per annum. Register of share transfers sealed.
[No mention of dividend in the minutes but in the report they break the news that profits this half year are £37-7-0 compared with £580-9-0 the previous half year. The amount paid for coal is £743-10-11 in excess of the corresponding half year in 1899.]
Res. That the action of the directors in giving the tenants notice to increase loom rent in consequence of the advance in the price of coal be approved and that they take such steps as they think necessary to enforce their demands.
J D Roberts.

August 8th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, Slater, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King and Wilson.
Res. That Mr John Widdup be asked to contract for supply of coal at 15/5 per ton for 50 tons a week until June 30th 1901.
Res. That Mr W P Brooks see the engineer at Foulridge who is agent for Hemsworth coal and ascertain prices.
Res. That Mr H Brown be requested to inspect the boilers at CH and WH to supply dimensions and also to order four protective plates[?] for WH.
Res. That Varley’s put in the window at the Mechanic’s Shop.
Res. That we order a wheel cover from Chester's at Colne for the new wheels in Dugdale and Dewhurst.
Res. That we order six more trucks of Holliday slack, two trucks to be delivered weekly.
Res. That we order six trucks of Roundwood Screened slack at 13/7 from John Delaney.
Res. Dr Roberts re-elected chairman and Thomas Dent as vice-chair. W P Brooks as managing director.
Res. That Parkinson’s account of £31-14-5 be paid.
Thomas Dent.

August 15th 1900
T Dent chair. Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: R S Windle £11-10-0. J W Green £77-10-0. H Marsden £101-0-6.
Res. Seal and cert for five shares in favour of L Robinson and A Broughton [new shares? Five each?] and promissory notes for M Rudd, £15-10-0 and E M Parkin £20.
Res. That the contract with John Widdup for the supply of 50 tons per week of Pope Pearson coals at 15/8 delivered at CH Shed or WH Mill to the 31st of December subject to strike clauses etc. be signed by T Dent, W Perry and the secretary. [First mention of strike clauses to protect the coal merchant. More evidence of insecurity and unrest in the mining industry.]
The secretary reported a further advance of 10d per ton in Altham and Burnley coal from this date.
Thomas Dent.

August 22nd 1900
T Dent chair. Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Ed Smith’s account for £3-2-0 be paid.
Res. That three labourer’s be engaged during the holidays to assist Burnley Ironworks with the repairs to the [WH] engine. [Cheaper than BI providing labour.]
Thomas Dent.

September 5th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs W Holdsworth and Barrett be deputed to supervise the cleaning out of the well at WH Mill. [Eastwood Bottoms?]
Res. That the heavy key for WH engine be purchased. [Not sure what this is. It suggests a key or stake (Both devices for locking a part to a shaft) but this would be made to fit by the engineers not bought off the shelf. 'Key' was often used for what we would call a spanner and on balance I suspect that this is what is being ordered. The biggest nuts in the engine house were those in the engine bad holding down bolts.]
Res. That Mr Parkinson be instructed to stop the supply of coal.
Res. That the labourer’s employed during the holidays be paid 6½d per hour.
The report of the Boiler Insurance Co on the Calf Hall Shed boilers from which it appeared they were much cleaner and in better condition. [I think this refers to internal scale, the insurance co would not be concerned with external cleanliness.]
Res. That one of the bells in the storeroom be sold for 3/6.
Thomas Dent.

September 19th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of three shares from Alan Barrett and William Hargreaves to W B Duckworth registered, seal cert etc.
The secretary read a letter from the US Metallic Packing Co in which they offered to allow £1-1-10 off the charge of £2-1-10 for duplex packings at CH Shed when it was Resolved that the balance of £1 be paid.
Res. That the next delivery of boiler composition for WH Mill be from the Crawshawbooth Chemical Co. [The search for the best compo goes on!]
Res. That the usual allowance of rent for 18hrs extra stoppage during the holidays be granted to the tenants. [I have always wondered why only 18 hrs was allowed for a week’s stoppage. The word ‘extra’ might give us a clue, perhaps it is a concession on top of the stoppage allowance in the lease?]
Res. Loan accepted of £100 from John Broughton. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the engineers be instructed to apply to the managing director before any engineer or mechanic is brought onto the premises except in case of emergency.
Res. Accounts be paid: John Delaney £36-9-5. H Marsden £45-10-0. J W Clough £7-12-0. H Hardy £4-1-9. William Parkinson £38-14-7. T Rawlinson £7-3-0. Wages £98-6-0. J W Brown £1-2-6. John Widdup £226-3-2. Henry Brown 7/5. Foulridge NS[?] £4-12-9. W P Brooks £1-16-6.
Thomas Dent.

September 26th 1900
T Dent chair. Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King and Wilson.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to clean out the corner of the dam at WH Mill.
Thomas Dent.

October 3rd 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Slater.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst’s claim for 2/9 for the stoppage of 32 looms for 6 hours be allowed. [This is probably the stoppage of one cross shaft for repairs to the bevel on the main lineshaft and 6 hours figures because this would be Saturday morning and it would be weekend work, disconnect on Friday night and have it ready for work again as normal on Monday morning.]
Res. That the thoroughfare be whitewashed where neglected by Mr Windle.
Res. That the ashes corner at WH Mill be used for the storage of coal and the ashes tipped in the mill yard. [More room for precautionary coal stocks.]
Res. That Messrs Holdsworth and Barrett be deputed to see to the altering of the level of the pipe from the Dyke to the well at WH Mill. [This is evidence of improving the diversion of water from the Crow Nest Syke which ran through Eastwood Bottoms to supplement the water in the well from the Bowker Drain. This surface drain would be carrying any water that had leaked from the Bowker Drain further up the valley towards Salterforth. The use of the word altering suggests that they were improving a previous arrangement.]
A deputation from the Barlick Co-op waited upon the board with the request that we give them all the assistance possible in preventing trespass on the land rented by the company to them.
Res. That the old rails in the mill yard be used to rail off the land at that part adjoining the dam.
Some discussion took place as to the best course to adopt to enforce an increase in rent from the tenants whose tenancies expire on the 1st of November next.
Res. That Mr Proctor be asked to meet the directors as early as convenient to settle the steps to be taken.
The secretary read the monthly cash account.
Two letters re smoke were read from the BUDC. [The UDC had a statutory duty to monitor and correct any excessive emission of smoke from mill chimneys. This came under the general heading of a ‘nuisance’, hence the colloquial term for the health inspector still in use when I was running Bancroft Shed, ‘the Nuisance Man’.]
J D Roberts.

October 19th 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Perry, Barrett, King, Baxter, Wilson, L&W Holdsworth.
Res. That we approve the notice claiming double value from each of the tenants of the company (except J Moorhouse) and the letter to accompany the same as drawn up by Messrs Smith, Smith of Burnley be sent to each of them in a registered letter.
[Two sample letters are attached, in this case to Joseph Windle and Sons at Wellhouse. No indication of which was used. The gist is that as they appear to have made no preparations to move or made any agreement with CHSC as regards the new rent scale, on termination of their notice they will be charged double rent for their loom space until they either vacate or agree to the rent.]
J D Roberts.

October 17th 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and J Slater.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £141-16-0. Sun Insurance Co £10-2-6.
Res. That the loan and interest of £253-9-3 be repaid to the executors of Margaret Rudd.
Res. Transfer of 12 shares from J Clarkson to Mary E Shepherd and Dixon Shepherd (of Silsden) be registered.
The secretary reported that he had entered into a provisional contract, subject to ratification by the meeting, with the Altham Colliery Co for the supply of coal for WH Mill for a period of five years. The price to be 12/4 per ton until the end of March next with a rise or fall per ton during this period as made by the Exors of Colonel Hargreaves for the best Arley Slack at Burnley. It was also arranged that should the Altham Colliery Co renew their contract with the Long Ing Shed Co at the end of March next [year] the coal supplied to the CHSC should be at the same rate. The Altham Colliery Co not to be compelled to deliver more than four boats a month [Approx. 185 tons] until the 31st of March next, after that date 60 tons per week.
Res. That the foregoing arrangement be ratified and a contract embodying the same to be entered into with the Altham Colliery Co.
Res. That the letter dated 17th October as drafted by the secretary in which the terms of renewal for all the tenants of the company on the 31st October are set out be approved and sent to Mr S Pickles as representative of the tenants.
The terms are that the present rent of 39/- per loom per annum should be raised to 43/7. For each increase or decrease of 6d per ton in the price of coal the rent should vary by 6d per loom per annum. The tenancies to be yearly ones from the 31st of October terminable by either party giving the other six months notice in writing at the end of any month in any year. [I checked the increase of 6d per loom for 6d in coal price because in previous leases this was 5d. 6d is the figure clearly noted in the minutes.]
J D Roberts.

October 25th 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, L Holdsworth, Wilson, King, Perry, Barrett, Brooks and Horsfield.
Res. That Henry Brown be engaged to rearrange the steam pipes in Dugdale and Dewhurst’s shed and warehouse also to make a connection for warming the Mechanic’s Shop and that if practicable repair the steam trap in Boocock’s warehouse and also to give particulars of a steam box which he advises the company to use. [Henry is already making suggestions as to the running of the shed. I suspect that the ‘steam box’ referred to is a point for collecting condensate from the heating system to the feed water for the boiler. The advantages of this practice are that it is hot, already purified by distillation and heat losses from this source are a major source of inefficiency.]
J D Roberts. [With a faint pencilled notation “Meet tenants”.]

October 31st 1900
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Perry, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and John Slater.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Gas 4/7. W Hough and Co 7/6. W Varley £1-6-0. Dixon Brothers 6/10 [This is Dixon Brothers at Burnley who were scrap merchants and dealers in all sorts of second-hand plant associated with mills. This could be Henry Brown using his connections to obtain what he needs for maintenance of the CHSC mills. Henry had a good connection and was well-regarded in Burnley.] H Brown £8-5-9. R Chester £1-2-6. J Widdup £148-10-0. S Cooke and Co £4-13-0. Burghope and Strange £1-2-6. Wages £43-2-0. Stott and Son £9-10-0.
Res. Transfer of four shares from Dr Robert Anderson to George Proctor be approved, seal cert etc.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the agreement with the Altham Colliery Co as referred to in the Minutes for the 17th of October.
Res. That one ½” steam trap as quoted by H Brown be ordered.
The secretary reported that he had taken Counsel’s opinion on the position of the tenants with regard to the tenants and that he was ready to act upon it if the tenants did not sign the new agreement. (The agreements, which were with all the tenants save Moorhouse provide for six months tenancy and notice may be given at the end of any month. Rent 43/6 with present price of coal (13/9) with a sliding scale of 6d in rent for each 5d in the price of coal. [Adjusted from the October 17th proposal which was 6d per ton] Tapes £90 and all other arrangements be as before. [Quite surprising that tape rent is unchanged, they are a major steam user and it isn’t logical to increase the price of loom rent with the justification of coal price without applying the same rate of increase to the tapes. Directors softening the blow and constructing a bargaining point? We have always to take into account the possibility of mistakes in transcription.]
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

November 7th 1900
T Dent chair. Wilson, Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Perry, Horsfield and King.
Res. That Calf Foot Lane [Usual name is Calf Hall Lane, the access road to farms on the north side of CH Shed. But I suspect this actually refers to what we now call Calf Hall Road.] be scraped and repaired and that P Barrett be asked to send Mr Pickover to do the work.
That W H Atkinson be asked to complete the agreement made between the company and Mr Ed Smith relating to land and Valley Road at once. [Valley road is the continuation of Wellhouse Road from the end of WH Mill towards Long Ing. Not a made road at this time.]
Thomas Dent.

November 14th 1900
T Dent. Horsfield, Brooks, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, King, Baxter, Wilson and Barrett.
A letter was received from Dugdale and Dewhurst asking the company to reconsider their application for a tape.
Res. That the secretary be asked to see Dugdale and Dewhurst and J Widdup and Sons with a view of trying to get them to enter into partnership as far as taping is concerned and that it be suggested to them that a joint tape-room be built outside Mr Widdup’s shed in such a way that both partners would be able to use it without either trespassing on the other’s premises.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be invited to attend the next meeting with the object of arranging a better supply of water to the boilers at WH Mill. [More evidence of the constant pre-occupation with water at the mill. This isn’t going to go away. One of the problems was that from other evidence I have found the flow in the Bowker Drain was not constant. One thing that could be on their minds is that much of the water it carried was leakage from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The directors no doubt knew this and if drought conditions drained the summit level through Barlick or the canal company improved the canal, the water resource of the Bowker Drain could suffer. This was born out in the 1950s when extensive improvements were made to the canal and Mr Stanley Fisher, engineer at Moss Shed (1903) reported that the Bowker Drain “wasn’t the resource it used to be”. Evidence of Walt Fisher of Henry Brown Sons and Pickles who was Mr Fisher’s son.]
Thomas Dent.

November 21st 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Slater.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: A Hawley £5-13-8. BUDC 5/3. H Marsden £173-5-4. J Dixon 4/6. W Berry £25-6-8. Burnley Ironworks £27-19-7. Union Oil Co £2-19-6. Wages £21-17-0. J Widdup £163-11-2.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be authorised to see the two second-hand pumps advertised for sale at Leeds and to purchase either of them or any other pump that he thinks will satisfy the company's requirements.
Mr James Nutter (Nutter and Sons) attended and explained that he could not agree with the terms laid down for the new tenancies, that he would not sign the agreement now in his possession (and as signed by all the other tenants). He wished the directors to understand that if they ‘liked’[sic] they could send in the account for the advanced rate and he would pay it but if the account was sent in at the old rate (39/-) he would take it that he had to leave at the end of the term. [Hard to understand. Am I missing something here or is it a flaw in the minute-taking. It would seem that all the other tenants have capitulated and accepted the new terms. James Nutter was a smart operator and if this entry is correct he’s beaten me! Worth bearing in mind that the CHSC isn’t operating in a vacuum. Two large new sheds are gestating, Moss in 1903 and Bankfield in 1905.]
Res. That Messrs Nutter and Sons’ rent account be sent in at the new rate.
Thomas Dent.

November 28th 1900
T Dent chair. Horsfield, Brooks, Perry, King, Baxter, Wilson and L Holdsworth.
Res. That Mr Brown, Millwright, be instructed to order one bar and guard as recommended by the economiser inspector to work the scrapers now stopped at WH Mill.
Res. That samples of Messrs Cooke’s and Mr W Berry’s oils be analysed and a report on their lubricating qualities be obtained as soon as possible.
Thomas Dent.

December 5th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst attended with reference to their application for tape accommodation. The secretary reported that Mr John Widdup had declined to entertain partnership with them for taping only. The directors pointed out to them that they could not see their way to supply steam for two tapes so distant from the boilers and to serve only 400 looms. Res. That the chairman, P Barrett and W P Brooks be a deputation to accompany Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst to wait again on Mr Widdup. [An interesting one. Apart from steam for heating via relatively small bore piping in which any heat lost from the ranges was contributing to the objective of heating the premises and was therefore not a waste, larger steam mains capable of serving a tape and a donkey engine were a different story. These mains were kept as short as possible and well-insulated, any extensions were expensive and a potential source of inefficiency. It is the avoidance of this expense and waste which is driving this discussion.]
Mr Atkinson attended with reference to boiler feed at WH Mill and the settlement with Ed Smith.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to supply and fix one extra feed pump on the No. 2 engine at WH Mill as explained by Mr Atkinson. [It was common practice at this time to incorporate the boiler feed pump on the engine. This could only work when the engine was running. Sounds as though the new side put in hasn't got a feed pump which is surprising because it was supposed to be a duplicate of the original side. It's always good to have an independent feed pump, this was achieved by using injectors or a steam driven feed pump. Very often the Weir pump. The problem wasn't completely solved until the advent of electrically driven pumps which were effective when the engine was stopped and steam supply failed.]
The agreement with Mr Ed Smith providing for the exchange by the company of 275 square yards of land on the north side of WH Mills for 198 2/3 square yards leaving a balance of [approx] 76 square yards to be paid for at the rate of 3/- per square yard, in order to make the proposed street of Mr Ed Smith’s from the corner of Valley Street[sic] on the corner of Valley Street and the company’s property; the consideration to be that Ed Smith will keep the these streets in good repair. If not kept in good repair the right of way granted to Ed Smith is at once withdrawn.
Res. That the agreement as drawn be approved.
Res. That the question of repairing the broken casting on the LP cylinder [WH] be left in the hands of Mr Atkinson and Mr Pickup. [Manager at Burnley Ironworks.]
Thomas Dent.

December 12th 1900
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, Barrett, Horsfield, Brooks, King and Perry.
Res. That we carry out the Factory Inspector’s suggestions viz. Closets in front of the laundry to have painted on one ‘Gentlemen’ and on the other ‘Ladies’ [WH]. That the door of one be repaired. That Henry Brown fixes the rail (where the new lubricator was put) at the side of the engine again. [CH]
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth put a new door on the store room side of the boiler house at CH Shed.
Res. That 30 firebars be ordered from Cooper Brothers at Burnley. [Ironfounders and loom makers. Evidently cheaper to get them to cast new bars to pattern than buy them from Bennis and Son the stoker manufacturers.]
Thomas Dent.

December 19th 1900
T Dent chair. Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res that accounts be paid: Poor Rate £75-8-0. Wages £3-2-9. Henry Brown £5-7-0. Smith and Smith [solicitors] £24-11-0. H Marsden £144-3-0. John Widdup £85-11-0. W P Brooks £2-0-5. W H Holdsworth £1-7-0. J W Clough £1-1-0. Heap and Thornton £22-7-10.
Res. That Interest cheques be paid.
It was reported to the meeting that Mr John Widdup had agreed to tape for Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst and it was therefore unnecessary to consider a further tape.
The secretary read the cash account for the month.
Res. That W Crowther, fireman at Wellhouse be informed that the directors cannot admit the principle of paying wages during absence through sickness. [It was 1911 before the National Insurance Act was passed which gave workers rights to free medical treatment and 10/- per week sick pay.]
Res. Transfer of 4 shares from James Edmondson to Rebecca Ann Banks. Seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent.

December 26th 1900
T Dent chair. L Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Brooks, Perry, Horsfield and Barrett.
Res. That the shed door in Pilkington’s warehouse be made to open outwards instead of inwards and that the boiler house door also be repaired.
Res. That Mr H Marsden’s men be given 2/- each as a Christmas present. [These will be the carters servicing the mills. About 10% of their wage, a tidy bonus.]
Res. That Messrs B&EM Holden’s doors in the warehouse be repaired.
Thomas Dent.

January 2nd 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Brooks, Perry, Horsfield and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of 8 shares from Miss Jane Higston to William Perry approved. Seal cert etc.
Res. That balance sheet for the half year ended 31st December 1900 be adopted subject to audit.
Res. General meeting to be held at Seven Stars AR at 7pm on Friday January 25th 1901.
Res. That a loan of £100 be accepted from Mr S Dean. Seal cert etc.
Res. That a dividend of 5% per annum be recommended for the half year.
Thomas Dent.

January 16th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That a promissory note be executed for Mr S Dean for £100 providing the money has been paid into the bank.
Res. Transfer of 8 shares from Sarah Turner to Emily Turner be registered. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the copies of the agreements with the tenants dated 31st October and November 1st 1900.
Res. Loan of £100 be accepted from William Baxter. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the insurance premium of £14-5-0 be paid to William Perry.
Res. That one cask of engine oil be supplied by S Cooke to WH Mill.
Res. That the chairman, vice-chairman, P Barrett and W Holdsworth form a committee to enquire into the cause of the fire in Pilkington’s tape room.
Thomas Dent.

General meeting
January 25th 1901
[Printed balance sheet reports net profit after tax of £463-1-9 for the half year.]
Thomas Dent chair.
Res. Balance sheet and dividend at 5% per annum adopted. Register of share transfers sealed. The action of the directors in increasing the rent of the sheds and the means adopted for enforcing the same were approved. [It's worth noting and keeping a close eye on how the CHSC managed the relationship with tenants over the years. What started as a commercial transaction based on agreement metamorphosed over the years into leases and eventually repairing leases. The basis of these changes was that they had a sounder legal basis in property law as a leaseholder than as plain landlord. I have little doubt that George Proctor saw this trend in the other R&P companies he managed and brought CHSC into line.]
Thomas Dent.

January 25th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That in consequence of an erroneous impression amongst our tenants that the directors promised a reduction in rent from the 31st of December last, the rent from the 1st of January 1901 will be 42/6 per loom per annum with a proviso that should the average price of coal burned during the present half year be less that 12/11 per ton delivered, the same will be allowed on the rent account for June next in accordance with the agreement entered into between the tenants and the company on October 31st last. This arrangement not to be in any way treated as a variation of the said agreement. [Communication problems are not just a modern phenomenon!]
Thomas Dent.

January 30th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, Baxter, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, King, Wilson and Perry.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: E Green and Son £4. H Marsden £147-5-0. BUDC [Commercial Rate] £148-6-8. J Widdup £89-17-0. Inland Rev. £107-16-8. W J Varley £1-2-6. Burnley Ironworks 7/3. H Hargreaves 16/-. Henry Brown £14-10-0 [Note how much better Henry is doing than Sutcliffe. He is becoming very useful to the CHSC and evidently has their confidence.] Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £6-13-0. P Barrett £6-2-0. Cooper Bros £1-18-0. Wages £47-9-0. W H Holdsworth £1-14-0.
Res. That promissory notes be issued for loans of £100 from W&S Baxter and £40 From J&B Edmondson. Seal cert etc.
Res. Transfer of 6 shares from William Tidswell to George Proctor be registered. Seal cert etc. [George is an astute business man, he is demonstrating confidence in the CHSC.]
The secretary read a letter from Boocock Bros with regard to the fire in the tape room.
Res. That they be requested not to use nor permit the use of naked lights.
The tenants attended appeared before the meeting with reference to a letter sent to them on Saturday last (in which the directors proposed to reduce the rent to 42/6) and requesting the directors to make a permanent concession from January 1st in the rent in consequence of the contract for the dear coal now being used at CH Shed not having run out as they stated they were lead to believe.
It was pointed out to them that had this dear coal been used in December as they desired, the average price of coal would have gone up accordingly and the rent would have followed under the sliding scale now in force and that therefore the increase in rent which would have been charged in December is simply postponed to January and February.
[Confusing. As I noted earlier the original proposal was 43/6 but appeared in the new agreement as 42/6. I can’t make sense of the entry but doubtless the Co and the tenants did!]
Res. That Mr Scrivener be appointed oiler at WH Mill and he be requested to come and see the place.
Thomas Dent.

February 6th 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That the price of cleaning flues at WH be 20/- as at CH and 4/- per boiler be allowed for washing. [This was emptying the boiler, opening it up and washing loose scale into the bottom where it could be shovelled out. Worth mentioning that I have never had a boiler washed out. Proper water treatment ensures that any scale loosened by the chemicals drops to the front end of the boiler bottom and is ejected by blowing the boiler down each morning while it is at rest and under pressure. Three times a year, Easter, Summer and Christmas the flues were cleaned, the boiler blown down and entered and any excessive scale chipped off by hammer and shovelled out of the bottom mud-hole. There is no mention of scaling the boilers, perhaps washing was seen as sufficient.]
Res. That a pair of wheels be ordered from the Burnley Ironworks Co. for line and cross-shaft in Dugdale and Dewhurst's place. [Something wrong here with the original installation. A pair of bevels on the lineshaft should last the life of the mill.]
Thomas Dent.

February 13th 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett, Perry and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. Loan of £50 from Thomas Baxter Jnr. be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the flooring in Nutter’s warehouse be repaired by W Holdsworth.
A letter was read from J Windle and Son complaining that their shed was insufficiently warmed.
Res. That the managing director be instructed to authorise the engineer to arrange for someone to be at the shed to put steam through by 4am each morning and that they be paid for the extra time. [Common practice to ensure shed was warm at start-up. At Bancroft my firebeater and I decided each afternoon what time we needed steam in the shed and who was going to do it. We took turns. In very cold weather it could be at midnight.]
Three gentlemen from Blackburn attended and requested the use of the old Tin Shop for a foundry. The directors however thought that there would be some danger to the engine from dust and they thought a light building in the yard would be more suitable. No resolution was come to. [Remember the matter of wear on the piston rods possibly caused by dust from the building operations? I may have been close to the mark and the directors have not forgotten it.]
Thomas Dent

February 20th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, Horsfield, King, Wilson and Perry.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr George Watson be instructed to take Mr Sneath's place at WH [Engine tenter] during Mr Sneath’s absence through illness.
Thomas Dent.

February 27th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and Perry.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Gas account £2-15-3. J Widdup £122-14-0. H Marsden £169-11-4. Wages £30-8-6.
Res. Loan of £130 accepted form Emily Dean. Seal cert etc.
With reference to Mr Sneath having paid an extra man to attend the [WH] engine during his absence through illness and also taken his own wage, it is:
Res. That the engineer’s wage only be paid and that if an extra man is required and engaged by the engineer he must be paid by the engineer out of his wages. [An interesting glimpse of the laxity of employment law in 1901. Think of the complexities that would surround this matter today.]
Res. That the engineers’ attention be drawn to the excessive consumption of gas during the last quarter.
Res. That no further loans be accepted and that the bank be informed of this resolution.
Thomas Dent.

March 6th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
The secretary reported having received a letter dated February 28th 1901 signed by the tenants of the company in which they stated that they had decided to pay rent at the rate of 41/- per loom. (Although agreements were signed October 31st 1900 for rent on a sliding scale. See minutes.)
Res. That the secretary be authorised to demand the payment of rent in full and failing payment he be authorised to sign distress warrants for the rent. [A distress warrant is a legal instrument which authorises the company to enforce payment of a debt by seizure of the debtor’s goods.]
Res. That Messrs Boocock be requested to plug up the steam pipes and be informed that if they neglect to do it the company will do it at their expense. [Not clear but I suspect that Boocock’s have been tapping live steam into the atmosphere of the shed to artificially raise the humidity. This could aid the weaving of certain difficult grades of cotton fibre. On a wider front, this practice was the subject of much argument and eventual legislation.]
Thomas Dent.

March 13th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read the correspondence which had passed between the tenants and the company since the last meeting. From which it appeared that several of the tenants had sent cheques for January’s rent at 41/- and that the secretary had returned them and that Mr Pilkington afterwards returned the rent in full (42/6). That the tenants had seen him on ‘change [This at the Manchester Royal Exchange where many of the major players in the industry met daily for trading and other purposes.] and requested that he should submit to the directors their claim to have the rent reduced on the basis that the coal price being at 12/4 per ton. They being under the impression that the dear coal (15/8 per ton) should have been used by December 31st.
Res. That the price of coal forming the basis of the agreement entered into be taken at 12/4 per ton for the months of January and February thus reducing the rent to 41/- for that period. [A sensible decision to back down on what looks like a teething problem in the implementation of the new sliding scales.]
The secretary reported that he, as liquidator of Whitaker’s Ltd of Nelson, had for sale 227 46” looms and preparation machinery and that Mr Moorhouse of WH Mill was favourable to purchasing them providing accommodation could be found for them by May 16th and have them turning by June 13th in the proposed extension adjoining his present shed and the company would find the money for purchase. Mr Atkinson attended and explained that the engines were capable of turning the extra load, that a new [extra] boiler would be required before next winter, that the extension would hold about 220 40” looms, that the probable cost excluding the new boiler would be £1500 and that it could be covered in the existing time and turning provided as required. It was:
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to prepare plans of the proposed extension and to obtain the necessary tenders by Wednesday next. [You’ve got to admire them, they are not messing about!]
Res. That the extension be let to Mr Moorhouse on the following terms: for 227 46” looms at a rent of 43/6 when the price of coal was 13/9 per ton with a sliding scale similar to the agreements entered into by the other tenants (46” looms to be allowed on account of their being no warehouse to erect), the tenancy to terminate at the same time as the present lease, the premises to be ready to receive looms on May 16th and the turning to be available on the 13th of June 1901. [Followed by pencil note: ‘3 months grace period from the date on which the shaft first turns round.’]
Res, That the company do purchase from the liquidator of W Whitaker and Sons Ltd 227 46” looms, requisite winding, beaming, taping and preparation machinery and that they be sold to Mr Moorhouse under a hire purchase agreement at the purchase price with 5% interest.
[Note that G Proctor, wearing a different hat as a partner in Proctor and Proctor of Burnley has been the catalyst for this deal. Once again the advantage of having him as administrative manager is clear. Bear in mind that as far as I know he was, at this time, performing the same function for the Long Ing Shed Co and the Big Mill Co in Earby. It says much for his reputation for probity that he was able to act across the industry like this and be a stable guiding influence.]
Res. That if the necessity of purchase of coal for CH Shed should arise, Mr Brooks be authorised to try two wagons of Rothwell High slack from H Marsden.
Thomas Dent.

March 21st 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Wilson, King and Mr Atkinson the architect.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Henry Brown be instructed to repair the economisers at CH Shed.
The secretary read the reports on the economisers after which they were passed forward to the Engineer. [From the capital letter used I assume this is the mill engineer. A small point but it indicates the process of management they used. Brown authorised to to the work, the engineer kept in the loop because he is finally responsible for the management of the plant.]
Res. That Mr Henry Brown be instructed to line up the whole of the cross shafts at CH Shed. [A big job. You may wonder why they need lining-up. The most probable reason is settlement of the structure since the shed was built and the shafts originally erected. Any misalignment puts the bearings out of line, increases friction and apart from accelerated wear this is a waste of energy. Good practice.]
Res. That a three stalled stable be provided at the end of the Tin Shop [WH] and that they be let for 1/3 per stall per week. [Horse transport is still king!]
A letter was read from Mr J Sneath asking for an increase of 2/- per week. It was laid on the table.
Mr Atkinson opened nine tenders for Mason’s and Joiner’s work for the extension at the NE corner of WH Mill. The lowest tenders were from R W Armstrong for mason’s work £560 and Waite and Lambert for joiner’s work £190.
Res. That their tenders be accepted.
Thomas Dent.

March 25th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson, John Slater and Mr Atkinson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Diamond Oil Co £15-4-4. J W Clough £1-1-10. H Marsden £180-2-0. Insurance £23-13-9. Wages £29-1-0. W P Brooks £2-17-5.
Mr Atkinson opened 12 tenders for Ironfounders, Millwrights, Slaters, Plasterers and Plumbers work when it was:
Res. That the following tenders be accepted:
Ironfounders and millwrights work, W Roberts and Son, Nelson. £675-0-0.
Slaters work (Westmorland) O Whitaker, Burnley £195. [Best grade of slate.]
Plasterers, Heap and Thornton £49.
Plumbers, W Varley £84-10-0.
Mr Atkinson however to offer terms to Roberts of £650 but with powers to settle.
Res. That the tenants of the stables be offered a portion of the old Tin Shop for 1/6 per week, they to remove the old fittings and put up a division between the portion to be used by Sneath the engineer and to put them in tenantable conditions for themselves.
Thomas Dent.

April 3rd 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Wilson and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That £26-12-3 be accepted from Jane Rudd on the loan account. [I suspect the strange sums from this source are re-invested interest payments.]
Res. That £25 be repaid to Mrs E A Jackson as requested.
Res. Transfer of one share from L Robinson and another to E Robinson be seal cert etc.
Correspondence and complaints were laid before the directors from Messrs Holdne and Pickles with reference to the insufficient heating at CH Shed.
Mr Brooks reported that a night watchman had been appointed to keep steam round both places on a cold night. [One of the characteristics of a banked Lancashire boiler is that they have a big reserve of water and steam and could be used for heating the shed without any necessity to fire the boiler. If pressure dropped he could fire the boiler with more coal without needing to put any more feed water in.]
Res. That the secretary be requested to inform Messrs Holden and Pickles of the arrangement.
Res. That the wages of firemen and oilers be increased 2/- at WH and CH and that 5/- each be allowed to Crowther and Scrivener for absence through sickness.
Res. That Messrs Boocock be informed that if the jets are not removed by Monday the 15th of April the company will remove them and charge them with the cost. [The use of the word ‘jets’ confirms my suspicion that they are steaming the shed to raise the humidity.]
Res. That the chains [operating the scrapers] on WH economiser be shortened.
Thomas Dent.

April 10th 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Barrett, Perry, Brooks and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Letter quoting prices of coal were read from Mr John Widdup, and Mr John Delaney.
Res. That consideration of these be left over until next week.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to remove the beams at the end of the WH engine house into the thoroughfare.
Thomas Dent.
[Pencil note: ‘Wages to state what overtime is for’.]

April 17th 1901.
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Midland Railway Co £1-11-9. W Berry £22-18-3. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £3-9-0. W Emmott 5/1. S Cooke £3-3-4. R Hindle insurance £6. Wages £30-19-6.
Res. That Mr Brooks be authorised to order a wheel guard and drip dish for WH.
Res. That Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst’s letter asking if the company would provide them with room for a tape be replied to saying that the directors regret that they cannot see their way to do this for them at present.
Res. Transfer of 3 shares from George Haines to J Walton to be cert seal etc.
Thomas Dent.

April 24th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That a test be made of Altham coal and Rothwell Haigh coal at CH Shed and that the chairman, Mr Brooks and Mr Baxter be deputed to make it.
Thomas Dent.

May 1st 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That £100 be paid to R W Armstrong on account of mason’s work.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to meet the directors on Friday night with regard to putting in hand the [new] boiler and [extra] economisers required at WH Mill.
The secretary reported that the Liquidator of W Whitaker and Sons Ltd of Nelson required the company to commence removal of the looms within ten days of this date.
Thomas Dent.

May 3rd 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, King, Horsfield, Perry, Barrett and Brooks. Mr Atkinson in attendance.
Res. That Mr Atkinson obtain tenders for one new boiler for WH to work at the same pressure and to be the same size as No. 1 and No. 2 boilers.
Res. That Mr Atkinson ascertain in what space there is for economisers and that he gets a quotation for the number required. Also that he looks at the firebar system working at Salterforth and reports on them to the directors.
Thomas Dent.

May 8th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Barrett, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
A report was read on the coal tested.
Res. That Mr H Marsden be urged to supply Altham coal to both places.
Res. That the letter from J J Sneath applying for an increase in wages be laid upon the table.
In response to the advertisement for an oiler etc. at WH Mill the following applied:
J R Shackleton, William Walker, Thomas Waite and L Carroll.
Res. That J R Shackleton be appointed.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to forward his report on the stoker and grate bars as early as possible.
Res. That Henry Brown box the gearing in Moorhouse’s and also rivet the two boiler fronts.
Thomas Dent.

May 15th 1901
T Dent chair. Wilson, King, Horsfield, W Holdsworth, Perry, Barrett, Brooks and Baxter.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to call a meeting of directors immediately he is in receipt of the tenders for the boiler and that the tender be for a boiler without firebars.
Res. That a small pipe be carried from the caul at CH to Mr Wright’s meadow into a tub provided by the company. That a tap be fixed near the caul and Mr Wright be asked to pay an acknowledgement of 6d per year.
The secretary read the cash account from April 1st to date.
Res. That accounts be paid: BUDC gas £2-13-4. G Proctor, liquidator of W Whitaker and Sons Ltd, for 227 looms and preparation machinery £1581-10-0.
Thomas Dent.

May 22nd 1901
T Dent chair. Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, W Holdsworth, Barrett, perry Brooks and Mr Atkinson.
Res. That the tender of the Oldham Boiler Co to supply a boiler 30ft X 7ft 6” for £435 be accepted provided that they can guarantee to seat it on the 27th of August next.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to obtain tenders for Whitaker’s Patent water bars and Proctor’s mechanical stoker. [Proctors of Burnley. Firebars were a perennial problem and much ingenuity went into designing bars which would give better draught and run cooler. In the end plain, fish-bellied cast iron bars with steam injection from below became the standard for Lancashire boilers.]
Res. That cheques be paid on Mr Atkinson’s certificates to W Armstrong £150 and W Roberts £300.
Thomas Dent.

May 23rd 1901
J Horsfield chair. Perry, W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, Barrett, Brooks, King, Dent and Mr Atkinson.
Mr Atkinson reported that the Oldham Boiler Company could not deliver on time and so it was resolved that the order be transferred to Spurr Inman and Co of Wakefield and that Mr Atkinson be empowered to place the order elsewhere if they could not deliver as required.
Res. That the 96 [extra] economiser pipes be installed near the end of the present economiser at WH.
Thomas Dent.

May 29th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: A Lowcock £2-13-0. J W Clough £2-13-8. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £9-3-6. E Bennis 9/2. Burnley Ironworks £31-8-1. H Marsden £274-17-0. John Raw £1. E A Jackson loan interest £127-7-3.
Res. That Mr James Proctor’s tender of £51 less 7½% fixed complete be accepted for three boilers.
Res. That the men be insured against accident for £500. [The Workman’s Compensation Act was passed in 1897. It strengthened existing legislation and concentrated employer’s minds on compensation for accident. The insurance companies responded by making policies available to protect the liability. This took time and I think that what we are seeing here is the effect of the new legislation percolating down to individual companies.]
The secretary read the report on the economisers and a letter from the Craven Bank authorising an overdraft of £3000 for one year.
Thomas Dent.

June 5th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Res. That three sets of Whitaker’s (Accrington) Patent fire bars at £25 net per boiler be affixed to the three boilers at Wellhouse.
Res. That no hoardings [advertising] be fixed to the wall at WH Mill.
Res. That Goodbrand and Co be asked if their economiser will work satisfactorily if connected to Lowcock’s.
Thomas Dent.

June 12th 1901
T dent chair. Brooks, Perry Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield King, Baxter and Wilson. Mr Atkinson attended.
The following quotations for economisers were considered: Goodbrand and Co £110-8-0. (At Stalybridge station including man to supervise erection.) A Lowcock and Co delivered and fixed complete. E Green and Son £134-8-0 ditto.
Res. That the order be placed with Lowcock provided that they will undertake to deliver and fix during the August holidays.
Thomas Dent.

June 19th 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That payment be made on architect’s certificate to W Roberts and Sons £250 and W Armstrong £200.
Res. That Messrs Roberts be instructed to place the drums in Moorhouse’s place to his position. [Belt drums on cross-shafts for new looms.]
Res. That Burnley Ironworks Co be asked to send Mr Clegg to indicate the engines.
Res. That Mr P Barrett be requested to send a bricklayer to Wellhouse boiler on Sunday morning.
Thomas Dent.

June 26th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the Laundry floor be repaired by Mr W Holdsworth.
Res. That the grace for Mr Moorhouse’s 227 looms be calculated from July 1st next.
Res. That a leather [driving] strap 2 ½” wide for driving Mr Moorhouse’s warehouse be ordered from W S Greenwood at Colne.
Res. Accounts be paid: E Bennis and Co £4-17-6. Wages £78. J W Green £75-8-0. J Bulcock 9/6. S Cooke and Co £5-9-0. Exors of W Thompson £100 interest. P Barrett £6-4-0. James Slater £87-10-0. F R Putz 2/3. Sundry loan holders £136-14-1. Exors James Cooper 18/6. H Marsden £738-8-0. W P Brooks £3-3-9. Henry Hargreaves 9/7. W H Holdsworth £1-0-1.
Thomas Dent.

July 2nd 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That Henry Brown be requested to report how the extra power required in Moorhouse’s shed can be transmitted. [Henry acting where previously an outside engineer would be brought in. Significant that this expertise is growing in Barlick.]
Res. That Hancock be engaged to assist stoker bar fixers on Saturday the 4th.
Res. That labourers be paid 6d per hour for assisting above.
Res. That W Holdsworth be instructed to repair Windle’s hoist.
Res. That oil be forwarded per Leeds and Liverpool Canal. [Cost of carriage. Non time sensitive delivery?]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be urged to have all in residence for coupling new boiler and economiser.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to fix brickwork for boiler this weekend.
Thomas Dent.

July 10th 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett, Perry and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet as read for the half year ending June 30th be adopted subject to audit and submitted to the shareholders on Friday the 26th of July at 7pm in the Seven Stars AR.
Res. That a dividend of 5% per annum for the half year be recommended.
A Letter was read from Mr Moorhouse asking the directors to erect the small shed next to his extension for his plaiting machine. [A plaiting machine took cloth from the roller from the loom, passed it over a table for inspection, measured the length and folded it ready for tying into a bale ready for transport.]
Res. Loans be accepted at 4% from Henry Wilson £165, E M Parkin £20, Greenwood Wilkinson £50. Seal cert etc.
Res. That cheques be signed; Wait and Lambert £160 and W J Varley £70 as per architect’s certificate.
The secretary reported that the rents charged to the tenants were at the rate of 41/3 3/5d [Difficult to transcribe this, it is 41/- plus three and three fifths of a penny] per loom per annum from 1st of April last, the same as the Long Ing Shed Co Ltd.
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be asked to repair the floor in Windle’s warehouse.
Res. That we get an engineer's thermometer for testing the water. [This was for the economiser temperature. I still have Newton's economiser thermometer, it reads from 20 – 600 degrees Fahrenheit. At 125psi boiling point of water is approximately 350F, outside the range of normal thermometers. This was used to check that the maximum use was made of the hot waste furnace gas in the economiser and therefore the highest efficiency.]
Thomas Dent.

July 17th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King, Wilson and Mr Atkinson.
Res. That we engage another man as assistant fireman at WH Mill. [3 boilers now.}
Res. That we ask the council for the use of their water at CH Shed.
Res. That in consequence of the shortage of water Mr Atkinson be asked to make arrangements at CH for pumping the hot water over the shed roof. [The old problem of water temperature in the condenser pond rising during hot weather and reduced flow. This looks like primarily a CH problem, no mention of Butts Mill complaining. The tin water troughs mentioned earlier are a puzzle. I don’t think they are connected with this initiative. It was a common practice to recirculate the warm water from the condenser via troughs and in some cases (but not in Barlick) by fountains back into the condenser pond, the idea being to expose it to the air which was cooler than the water. At CH it could have been a tin trough in the culvert feeding the warm water back upstream so it mixed with the cooler water and hopefully lost some heat on the way. We used a system like this at Bancroft Shed. It looks as though the idea under discussion is to pump the hot water over the roof to expose it to the air and cool it. One big problem, the grey slates on the roof are a very efficient heat collector in direct sunlight and can become too hot to touch in sunny weather. We shall see whether the company gets any advantage. Much later in the transcription I began to realise that the most likely explanation was that they were pumping the water into a trough which ran across the ridges of the roof and delivered the hot water into the beck at the back of the mill so that it lost heat in the relatively cool culvert under the mill.]
Thomas Dent.

July 26th 1901
T Dent. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, King and Wilson. Mr Atkinson attended.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read a letter from Mr Fawcett asking for payment of his account.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to engage persons to set the brickwork for the boilers at WH Mill during the building.
Res, That Mr Atkinson be requested so submit a sketch of the shed required by Mr Moorhouse.
Res. That accounts be paid: BUDC £157-1-8. Midland Railway Co £1-15-0. H Easton 9/4. H Marsden £196-17-0. Midland R Co 16/6. Henry Brown, £21-12-0.
J D Roberts.

General meeting
July 26th 1901
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Balance sheet and report approved. Dividend at 5% per annum. Retiring directors re-elected. Director’s remuneration at £30 per annum. Mr C Blakey re-elected as auditor at £4 per annum. Register of share transfers sealed. The rate of dividend to be paid in January next be left to the auditors.
[Attached printed balance sheet reports net profit after tax of £648-4-10 and a disposable balance of £1585-17-7½.]
J D Roberts.

July 31st 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Res. That Mr Barrett be instructed to clean the well at WH Mill.
Res. That Waterworth at WH Mill be paid 23/- per week.
Res. That Dr Roberts be chairman of the directors, Mr Dent vice-chairman and Mr Brooks the managing director.
Res. That the cracked pipe on WH engine be inspected and CH engine be indicated.
J D Roberts.

August 7th 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, King Barrett, Brooks, Baxter and Horsfield.
Res. That the hot well etc. for [condenser] cooling water at CH Shed be made a finished job. That the foot valve be fixed, that the slate be repaired and that the [clow operating] wheel be thrown out of gear.
Res. That the plan presented by Mr Atkinson for Moorhouse’s warehouse be approved.
J D Roberts.

August 14th 1901
T Dent chair. Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, King and Baxter.
Res. Loans to be seal cert etc. J&B Edmondson £20. Clarke £150. J Peel £100.
Res. Transfer of one share from Ellen McPherson to Susan Pickles be seal cert etc.
Res. That W Holdsworth and T Dent form a deputation to wait on the tenants at WH and ask if they are agreeable that the tape boiler should be blown off on Wednesday night to allow of it being drawn out to make room for a new boiler. [Interesting. It looks as though they have been using one of the old boilers to service the tapes (and perhaps some heating as well). This would make sense as the tape steam doesn’t need to exceed about 40psi (a reducing valve is fitted for this steam main in normal circumstances) and one of the old boilers would be perfectly serviceable and relieve the load on the other two. Its time has come! Newton told me that in the 1930s when a high pressure boiler was installed at CH Shed the old lower pressure boiler was used in this way to service heating and process steam.]
Res. That the architect should employ either Messrs Layfield or Mr J R Atkinson’s men to take out the old boiler and that he obtain tenders for the gas and steam pipes at WH Mill.
The Burnley Ironworks report on the engines at CH and WH was read.
J D Roberts.

August 21st 1901
T Dent chair. L&W Holdsworth, King, Baxter, Wilson, Horsfield, Barrett, Slater and the architect.
Res. That W J Varley’s tender to fix gas and steam pipes at WH Mill at a discount of 57½% for gas and 52½% steam, Birmingham List, be accepted. [This system of high list prices and big discounts is still used in the pipe and fitting supply trade to this day.]
Res. That the chairman be requested to check the time during the alterations at WH and that he be authorised to sign the time notes etc.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £246-10-0. Burnley Ironworks 9/8. J W Clough £4-4-0. James Proctor £94-7-0. Gas 8/-. Wages £71-15-2. P Barrett CH £18-5-7. WH £9-10-0. W H Atkinson £40. J J Whitaker £50. Henry Brown £27-8-0.
The secretary read the account of payments and receipts from July to date.
J D Roberts.

September 4th 1901
Dr Roberts chair. Brooks, Dent, Perry, Barrett, Wilson, L&W Holdsworth, King, Baxter and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Reports were read on the boilers at CH and WH from the Scottish Boiler Insurance Co.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to obtain tenders for the stonework and woodwork (and slating and plastering work if required) for the warehouse of Mr Moorhouse. The tender to be placed before the meeting of directors on Wednesday the 11th of September.
Thomas Dent and J D Roberts.

September 11th 1901
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Brooks Barrett and the architect.
The following tenders for Moorhouse’s warehouse were accepted:
Lambert Robinson mason £74-19-0.
J R Broughton joiner £26-15-0.
Heap and Thornton slates £41-10-0. Ditto plastering £10.
W J Varley plumber and glazier £20-15-0.
Res. That Joseph Petty of Colne be instructed to cover the new boiler and steam pipes. [Insulation]
Res. That R W Armstrong be paid £100 on architect’s certificate.
Res. That Thomas Waite be appointed oiler at WH Mill.
Res. That fittings on the old boiler be taken off.
Res. That the [old] boiler be advertised for sale in the Yorkshire Post and the Manchester Guardian.
Thomas Dent and J D Roberts.

September 18th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Thomas Dent £5-10-4. W Roberts and Sons £110-11-7. P Barrett £100. R W Armstrong £100. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-7-0. J J Whitaker £25. G Proctor £39-16-8. Spurr Inman and Co £415. Woks £5-18-6. A Lowcock Ltd £120. H Marsden £176-9-0. D Whitaker £70-18-0. W H Atkinson £25-5-3. Heap and Thornton £49-13-0. Whitefield Co £24-10-6.
Res. Loans accepted seal cert etc. Adam Eastwood £100. Jane Rudd £18-1-9.
Diagrams from the engines taken by the Burnley Ironworks showing 900ihp at WH were placed on the table. [This is a heavy overload on the engine under its present boiler pressure, they have reached the limit. Any further load is going to necessitate a rethink.]
Res. That the outside of both sheds be painted and the inside of both engine houses be decorated and Mr Atkinson be requested to draw out specifications.
Res. That a further turning wheel be ordered from the Burnley Ironworks Co Ltd.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be authorised to offer Messrs William Roberts and Sons their account in full less £7-15-0, the extra charge for piecing the old and new shafts, instead of penalties.
A letter from Mr Sneath was read in which he gave particulars for overtime worked in August and September and asking the directors to consider payment for same.
Res. That Mr Brooks be requested to see him with regard to arriving at a settlement.
Thomas Dent

September 25th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Perry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
A letter received from the tenants at CH was read requesting 25 hours allowance for stoppages.
Res. That 22 hours be allowed, the extra three hours being for inconvenience and not slow running. [‘Slow running’ is interesting. Under normal conditions this is an indication of an overloaded engine and boiler and usually occurred in the early part of the day before the bearings in the shafting had warmed up and started to run freely. Towards the end of its time, Stanley Fisher reported at Moss Shed that on a cold morning, with full boiler pressure, the engine didn't reach its correct running speed until after over an hour of running. Very common in overloaded engines running at the limit. Something as insignificant as the viscosity of the oil in the bearings could tip demand over the limit.]
Res. That the repairs needed to the joists in Holden’s warehouse be done by W Holdsworth.
Res. That Sneath and the firemen at WH attend the meeting to be held next Wednesday to explain their claims for overtime during the holidays.
Res. That the letter received from the BUDC as to the extra fire hose lie on the table for consideration.
Thomas Dent

October 2nd 1901
Dr Roberts chair. All directors present.
The engineer and firemen at WH attended and explained the account for overtime sent in and agreed to accept the following:
Sneath 98 hours @ 6d, £2-9-0. Shackleton, 100, £2-10-0. Crowther, 91, £2-5-6. Waterworth, 79, £1-19-6.
Res. That the men be paid the above time at 6d per hour.
Res. That the three days allowance be granted to WH tenants for stoppage during the putting in of the new boiler.
Res. That the price of the old boiler and fittings be £70.
Res. That the [hot] well from which water is pumped over the shed [CH] be completed immediately, that P Barrett does the work. Also that Mr Spencer Thornton repair the engine house slates at CH and that new pipes be used to replace those carrying water to J Wright’s yard at WH.
J D Roberts.

October 9th 1901
T Dent chair. Slater, Wilson, L&W Holdsworth, Baxter, King, Horsfield, Barrett, Perry and Brooks.
Res. That we allow A Pilkington for stoppage of 20 looms.
Res. That the offer of Mr Stringer of Blackburn, £70 for old boiler and fittings, be accepted.
J D Roberts.

October 16th 1901
T Dent chair. Roberts, Brooks, Baxter, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, King, Perry and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the accounts from the tenants in CH Shed for gas used during the lining of the shafts be paid. [Tenants had their own gas meters and the shed lights were being used for a job which was CHSC responsibility.]
The reports on the economisers in both sheds by E Green and Sons dated October 11th were read.
Thomas Dent.

October 23rd 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Parry, Barrett, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Res. That if there are not sufficient iron pipes for blow down connections at WH we make out with sanitary pipes. [Contaminated water blown down from the boiler was often piped back to the condenser pond where the scale settled out with the natural suspended matter in the raw water. Not a big problem in normal cases.]
Mr Moorhouse be asked to agree to the fastening up of doors next to the engine house and also to separating [closets] in extension as follows, 10 for females to be entered as now and [plus one] with urinal for males with a new entrance. [The proportions of the division give an indication of the predominance of women weavers.]
Res. That we leave the painting [of] the outsides and warehouses until next spring but that specifications be got out for the decorating of the insides of the engine houses.
Res. That windows be put in the North end and West of the engine house at CH and that the work be done by P Barrett.
Res. That the front of the boiler house at CH be paved with setts and that the following persons be asked to tender for the work; P Barrett, E Smith, Mark Caan, Lambert Robinson, James Nutter and Sons, William Sagar and W J J MacDonald.
Res. That a pair of hinge plates be ordered from Mr Proctor for hopper 8520. [Stoker coal hopper. Proctor of Burnley the stoker manufacturer.]
Res. That a meeting of directors be held at CH Shed on Friday morning the 25th for the purpose of defining the boundary where paving should terminate and also to decide on fixing windows.
Thomas Dent.

October 25th 1901
T Dent chair. King, Brooks, L Holdsworth, Wilson and Barrett.
Res. That we continue the paving to the road.
Thomas Dent.

October 30th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minute of outstanding meetings as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Proctor and Proctor wages £60-4-5. [Worth noting that the name of the accountants in Grimshaw Street, Burnley in which George Proctor was senior partner, is seeping into the mind-set of the minute-taker. This indicates the reality which is that P&P were now an important part of the administration of the CHSC. Funny thing is that I can’t identify any specific management fees in the accounts. Perhaps they took their income in commissions in some way.]
J Wraw £2-12-0. P&P insurance £10-2-6. H Marsden £233-14-4. J W Clough £5-19-0. James Proctor [stokers] £47-3-0. S Cooke and Co £13-5-3. Exors of J Cooper £1. BUDC [gas?] 14/-. W Holdsworth £15-3-0. S Greenwood 11/6. P Barrett £26-7-0. H Brown £57-17-0. [Note the increase in this business.] L Robinson £60. Stott and Sons £9-8-4. J Petty £15-8-0.
Tenders from P Barrett, Mark Caan, Lambert Robinson and Ed Smith for paving CH Shed yard from the boiler house to engine house were read.
Res. That the tender of Ed Smith to pave with seven inch setts at 4/1 per yard be accepted. [Sagar’s quarries on Tubber Hill, Barlick were famous for the quality of their paving setts. Almost certainly the source.]
The account of Mr Fawcett was produced by Mr Atkinson and discussed.
Res. That the settlement of this account be left with Mr Atkinson.
Thomas Dent.

November 6th 1901
Res. That S Pickles and Sons be requested to reduce their claim for damaged cloth owing to water coming in their roof.
Res. That Messrs Heap and Thornton be shewn Pickles’ account with a view to their allowing the amount for their men’s negligence.
Res. That a lamp be sold to W J Varley for 2/6.
Thomas Dent.

November 13th 1901.
T Dent chair. Brooks, Barrett, Perry, L&W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Cheques on architect’s certificate were passed for J R Broughton, £20. W J Varley, £20.
Res. That a cheque be paid to A King for £100 and interest on account of loan at December 30th.
A letter was read from Mr A Pilkington complaining about raining in.
Res. That the secretary explain to him that the excessive rain and storms were the cause and that any exceptional defects would be attended to.
Res. That the secretary send a Testimonial to the US Metallic Packing Co.
Res. That L Robinson be instructed not to take away any more stuff from WH until further notice.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to J Varley complaining of the unreasonable delay in completing the extension at WH.
Res. That the resolution referring to windows in the engine house at CH passed on October 23rd be varied and that the windows in the west side be fixed on the roof or as directed.
Res. That all the roof ventilators on the shed at CH which rain in be taken off and slated over and that Heap and Thornton be requested to do the work.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to BUDC with reference to the hydrants for fire purposes at WH Mill, pointing out that the one at the corner of Valley Road is 240 yards from Mr Moorhouse’s warehouse and that the one opposite the Gasworks is 40/50 yards from the entrance to the company’s yard and requesting them to consider the advisability of bringing one of them closer to the company’s premises.
Thomas Dent.

November 20th 1901
Res. That the gutters in stock at CH be tried for conveying away the water coming in over the windows in the Mechanic’s Shop. [WH]
Thomas Dent.

November 27th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Baxter, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, King, Perry and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: George Proctor wages £34-13-1. J W Clough 6/4. Union Oil Co £2-19-10. Spurr Inman and Co £1-5-0. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-17-3. J Sellars £50-18-3. Holgate Marsden £285-6-4. J&A Eastwood £101-18-4.
Res. That loan be repaid to Alice Lancaster £50 and John Arthur Eastwood £100.
A letter was read from the BUDC in reply to the company’s request for an extension of the Valley Road [water] main to the company’s entrance at WH in which they suggest boards being placed across the ridges of the shed to carry the hosepipe. As this idea was thought to be utterly impracticable it was resolved that Messrs Dent, Brooks, Barrett, W Holdsworth and King form a deputation to wait upon the council on Wednesday night next.
Res. That the amount paid for cleaning [flues?] at WH remain as before.
Res. That a new catch for the trip motion be ordered from Burnley Ironworks for WH Mill. [This is almost certainly one of the hardened steel catch plates in the valve gear on the engine.]
Res. That a new doorway be made into the privies in Moorhouse's part and that Mr P Barrett do the mason’s work and Mr W Holdsworth do the joiner’s.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be asked to complete the arrangement with Edward Smith with regard to Valley Road and to get out the tenders for painting and decorating the engine houses with all possible speed.
The secretary reported that the price of Altham coal was reduced 5d per ton from the 15th of November.
Thomas Dent.

December 4th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Baxter, Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, King, Perry and Barrett.
Res. That if we can get a pulley big enough from Long Ing Shed for running the beaming frame in Pickles’ shed, it be got.
Res. That W J Varley fix a 6” fall pipe for the cistern at WH for the purposes of cleaning it out. [This is the large metal cistern on top of the mill.]
Res. That troughing at CH be cleared of leaves and dirt.
Res. That P Barrett build a wall separating male and female closets outside Moorhouse’s warehouse.
Res. That the boiler and economiser flues be cleaned out four times a year instead of three times at present and that the rate of pay per time remain as now.
Thomas Dent.

December 11th 1901
T Dent chair. Brooks, Baxter Horsfield, L&W Holdsworth, Wilson, King, Perry and Barrett.
Minutes as read.
A telegram was read from Mr Atkinson regretting his inability to attend. [We forget that in the absence of telephones, a telegram was the fastest method of communication. My employer communicated with me in this way as late as the 1960s before I had a telephone at home.]
Res. That the gradient of the road to CH Shed be altered so that the water drains off better and that P Barrett do the work.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to inspect tipplers in Mr Moorhouse’s closets and if possible remedy the splashing.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to attend the next meeting when the following matters will be gone into:
Pointing about flashing on Moorhouse’s warehouse.
Out wall of Moorhouse’s shed.
Lambert Robinson and the refuse he has to take away.
Painting engine houses.
Ed Smith and the arrangement re Valley Road
Fawcett’s account.
The blow-off on Spurr Inman’s boiler.
General condition of Valley Road.
Thomas Dent.

December 20th 1901
Res. That John Horsfield, A King and others meet tomorrow at Moorhouse’s office at 1:30pm to confer with him about his letter.
Res. That Mr Barrett be requested to take down the door in Mr Moorhouse’s warehouse and hang it on the outside.
Res. That Mr A King and Henry Wilson examine gas pipes running over wash boarding in CH engine house and suggest how the space may be filled in.
Res. That if Lambert Robinson refuse to take away the the rubbish in front of the office at WH he be requested to bring back the stones and bricks he has taken away.
Thomas Dent.

December 24th 1901
Minutes as read.
Res. That the cistern at WH be cleaned out on the old plan, that is from the dam side of the shed.
The deputation appointed to wait upon Mr Moorhouse reported that the wall of the new warehouse had given way and that it would require re-flashing and re-pointing. [Subsidence at WH Mill, particularly to the east of the original buildings, was always a problem because the ground is deep river bottom silt. The new construction is showing this.]
Res. That Heap and Thornton do the re-pointing and Messrs Varley the flashing and that Mr Brooks keep a separate account of the costs.
Res. That W Holdsworth be instructed to fit facing boards up the window side in Moorhouse’s shed.
Res. That a further rope 48ft X 1½” be ordered for CH Shed.
Res. That 10/- be allowed boatmen and carters for Christmas. [About £50 in today's terms so it will be divided between them.]
A letter dated December 11th from BUDC requesting us to put in writing what we are prepared to do with water main for fire purposes was read.
Res. That if BUDC will continue their mains to the entrance by the gates we will carry the main forward to the chimney flue and fix two hydrants, one at the end of the main and one in the middle.
Res. Accounts be paid: W P Brooks £1-11-5. Ed Smith £32-15-0. S Cooke and Co £12-15-0. P Barrett £10-16-0. Burnley Ironworks £9-16-0. H Marsden £253-12-0. Alliance Ins Co £14-15-0.
Res. That cheques for interest on loans and mortgages be paid.
J D Roberts.

January 1st 1902
Res. That Mr Moorhouse be informed that the board cannot see its way at present to put up a ceiling in the new warehouse.
Res that the [flue] dust be tipped with the ashes.
Res. That Mr Fawcett’s account £275, loan £100 and interest £6 be paid.
Thomas Dent.

January 8th 1902
Minutes as read.
Res. That loan of £20 be accepted from J&B Edmondson. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from the BUDC re the water supply in which they stated they are willing to lay one of the mains, either a 4” main from Valley Road or a 3” one from Skipton Road and agreeing to fix a hydrant at the mill gates.
Res. That we request BUDC to lay the 4” main from Valley Road and that the company undertake to complete their work within six months of the completion of the work by the council.
Res. That balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders at 7pm on the 31st of January at the Seven Stars AR. A dividend of 5% per annum without deduction of tax be recommended to the shareholders.
The secretary read a report on the WH economisers and gave particulars of the insurance on the company’s premises which showed £5,500 [cover] on both WH and CH.
[Pencil note: ‘Director’s allowances’.]
Thomas Dent

January 15th 1902
Res. That £100 be accepted from G Perry on loan.
Res. That P Barrett continue the repairs to Calf Hall Lane to the gate entering the yard.
Res. That J Lofthouse and Sons tender for painting the engine houses at CH and WH for the sum of £12-15-0 be accepted.
Thomas Dent.

January 22nd 1902
Minutes as read.
Res. That Calf Hall Lane be swept. [At this time, what we now know as Calf Hall Road was thill called ‘Lane’]
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £92-16-6. W Roberts and Sons £52. W Berry £11-14-0. J Hart £4-15-0. Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Co £1-11-5. Income Tax £122-9-8. J Slater and Sons 3/-. Secretary’s salary £20. J W Clough £2-12-2. Cash due to secretary 31/12/01 £71-7-8. BUDC £157-1-8. Gas account £3-12-6. J Bulcock £1-8-3. E Green and Son £4.
Minutes read and confirmed.
Mr Brooks made formal application on behalf of William Brown and Ed Bailey for the space now occupied by Mr John Widdup which will probably be due to let during the coming year.
Res. That Mrs Coates account, £5, be paid. [Springs Dam rent]
Thomas Dent.

General meeting
January 31st 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read. Balance sheet, report and dividend approved. Share transfer register sealed.
[Printed balance sheet reported profit for half-year as £457-8-3½ and disposable balance of £1661-17-0. Dividend explained as being free of tax but shareholders could obtain a refund from the Surveyor of Taxes on the evidence of the dividend warrant if required. Deducting the tax at source became standard for dividend payments.]
Signed J D Roberts.

February 12th 1902
Minutes as read. Res. That Waite and Lambert’s account £18-6-7 be paid and that common seal of the co be fixed to a promissory note for £100 in favour of Mrs Clara Perry.
Applications were made for the space now occupied by Mr Widdup as follows:
Mr William Perry, Messrs J&H Edmondson and W Edmondson, Henry Ellis and W Dewhurst, Dugdale and Dewhurst, Myers and Sneath, Slater Brothers and Brown and Bailey. [A good indication of the strength of the trade. This demand will drive the building of extensions and new sheds.]
The secretary read a letter from the Craven Bank in which they agreed to allow the company an overdraft of £4000.
Res. That guards be fixed to bevil [old word for ‘bevel’] wheels at CH as pointed out by the Inspector of Factories and that the secretary obtain particulars of the cost of the guards for gauge glasses on the boiler. [Boiler practice and legislation was improving and guards protecting staff from flying glass should a water gauge tube blow under full boiler pressure had become mandatory.]
Thomas Dent.

February 19th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That Holgate Marsden has instructions to keep the supply of coal for WH and CH separate so that we may know exactly what each place burns.
Res. That safety shields for gauge glasses on the front of boilers be ordered from Hopkinsons. [Hopkinsons Ltd, Britannia Works, Huddersfield were the pre-eminent manufacturers of valves and all types of boiler fittings. They eventually produced and improved water gauge which apart from being fully shielded also had internal ball valves which immediately cut the gauge off from the boiler should the water glass shatter under load.]
Res. That William Holdsworth repair the floor in Nutter’s winding room.
Valley Road. The condition of Valley Road was considered and it was decided that Mr Atkinson be written to requesting him to meet Mr Smith at the next director’s meeting.
Messrs James Nutter and William Bailey waited upon the directors as a deputation from the Manufacturers to confer about the hours now run less than when the agreements were entered into for a 56 hour week. It was decided to ascertain what was being done at Butts Mill, Victoria Mill at Earby and at Foulridge with respect to the shorter time run on Saturday. [The Factory Act of 1874 had reduced permissible hours in mills to 56½ hrs. The Factory and Workshops Act of 1901 reduced the hours to 55½, the saving of one hour being made by finishing work at noon on Saturdays.]
Mr Nutter asked what was meant by ‘interest charged’ on the monthly statements sent to the manufacturers. [A disarming question. I suspect he knows full well that it is for late payment.]
Thomas Dent.

February 26th 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That we accede to the manufacturer’s request that at WH and CH the running time to be changed from the Railway time to the Post office time. [I love this one! We are used to having easily accessible time checks. In 1901 the determination of accurate time was different. The key factor which allowed time checks to what was supposed to be a national standard was the invention of the telegraph and the base time was that as calculated at Greenwich Observatory in London. However, there was a problem. The first organisations that took advantage of the new technology of telegraphs and accurate time were the railways who needed standard time for their timetables. Theoretically every station clock in the kingdom was checked daily and adjusted to Greenwich time. Later the Post Office adopted the telegraph and also took advantage of accurate time checks to adjust the public clock in all the main post offices. However, over time a problem arose which I do not have an explanation for, a discrepancy arose between Railway time and Post Office time, the post office clocks were running approximately four minutes slower that that on the station. Every manufacturer had a ‘Manchester Man’, their representative on the ‘change and he travelled by train. He set his watch by Railway time and it became routine for the engineer to set the engine house and shed clocks according the the Manchester Man’s watch. The workers set their timepieces by the public clock at the post office and so as far as they were concerned the engine was starting four minutes early. True it stopped four minutes earlier but it was the starting time that was sensitive. This is the fascinating story behind what appears to be a niggling request by the tenants.]
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to fix Legget’s openers to the roof lights at CH Shed engine house. [As I understand it these are the geared window openers for remote windows operated by a long endless cord driving a worm wheel via a small pulley on the opener.]
Res. That the secretary ask the Craven Bank to state their lowest rate of interest and their terms for carrying on the company’s account. [Here we see the hand of GP. I often wonder how much time he spent with the manager of the Craven Bank at Skipton discussing the affairs of the many companies he acted for. I suspect that he has a good reason for recommending this course of action. Has an alternative bank become a possibility? Are we seeing the end of the Craven Bank’s monopoly?]
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £221-10-10. L Robinson £15-13-5. P Barrett £16-4-3. J Hart £4-16-8½. W J Varley £79-16-10. Wages £69-11-2. J R Broughton £8-15-0. S Greenwood £4-8-11. W J Varley £8-3-5.
Thomas Dent.

March 5th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr Brown be requested to give a quotation for the fixing of cast iron troughs alongside of WH Shed to convey the roof and tape water to the reservoir. [Water conservation at WH again. Some of the rainwater must have been running to waste. The ‘tape water’ referred to is the condensate from the ventilator fans on the tapes, condensate from the drying cylinders and also from the donkey engine exhaust.]
Thomas Dent.

March 12th 1902
T Dent chair. [The minute takers seem to have stopped naming attendees at the meetings. Not dereliction of duty by the transcriptionist!]
Minutes as read.
A claim was put in by Mr Moorhouse for demurrage. Two boats, 2 horses and four men waiting at Coates Wharf with looms for 3 days @ £2 per day. [Good information here. We know that the looms from Burnley are being delivered by canal, the manpower needed and the cost per day of the resource. The wait was probably due to waiting for the contractors to clear space in the new shed.]
Res. That the chairman and Mr Brooks be deputed to wait upon Mr Moorhouse and to ascertain the very lowest figure that he is prepared to settle for. [Note that they are not arguing about the delay. Remember that they stated a specific date for the commencement of the shed.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to explain to Mr Nutter that the charge for interest had arisen due to the payments of rents being in arrears. [Quite!]
Res. That the question of allowing the tenants for the early stoppage on Saturdays be deferred for a fortnight.
The secretary reported that the terms of the Craven Bank were, and always had been, 5% interest and 2/6 per £100 commission and that Mr Blakey the manager could not see his way to making any reduction.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to apply to the London City and Midland Bank for their terms for carrying on the company’s account.
Thomas Dent.

March 19th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be requested to repair the floor in Windle's tape room at WH.
Res. That Henry Brown be requested to repair the broken gutter in Nutter's shed at CH.
Res. That Messrs Dent, King and Wilson be requested to examine the ceiling boarding off the second motion at CH Shed and report to the next meeting.
Res. That Mr Moorhouse's claim of £6 for demurrage of boats be allowed and it be deducted from next month's rent account.
Res. That Mr J J Whitaker be requested to make an offer for the old boiler front.
Thomas Dent.

March 26th 1902
J D Roberts chair.
The secretary read the correspondence relating to the change of the banking account to the London City and Midland Bank from which it appeared they were not willing to carry on the company's account and grant an overdraft of £3000 to £4000 without security.
Letters were read from Messrs Nutter and Holden in which they stated that they fully expected the directors to make an allowance for the one hour extra stoppage per week which commenced on Jan 1st last.
Res. That no allowance be made to the tenants on account of this extra stoppage. (As by the terms of the leases the company is bound only to run statutory hours not exceeding 56.)
Res. That accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £281-8-0. James Bulcock £1-8-3. J W Clough £9-0-5. W P Brooks £2-17-7. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £3-8-8. Wages £36-18-0. Royal Ins Co £10-11-3. P Barrett £12-17-5. Sun Insurance Co £13-2-6. Heap and Thornton £51-10-0.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

April 2nd 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr Stringer's charges, 30/- for the steam gauge and syphon taken from the old boiler sold to him be approved.
Res. That Mr Holdsworth be requested to repair the ceiling in the tape room and the floor in the winding room in Holden's shed at CH.
Res. Loan of £20 from Mr Walter Dewhurst be accepted seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent.

April 9th 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
A Letter was read from S Pickles and Sons requesting the directors to brick up the second motion shaft in order to prevent an occurrence which have[sic] taken place in that portion of the shed. [An accident involving the shaft?]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Mr Atkinson urging him to complete the fixing of the steel shield suggested at the last meeting.
Res. That Messrs Windle's claim of 10/2 for broken glass caused by cement falling from the top of the warehouse be allowed.
The secretary read letters from Messrs Nutters and Dugdale and Dewhurst in which it was stated that the rent for the one hour's stoppage from the amount payable and cheques for the reduced rent only had been sent. Copies of letters in reply were also read. [Confusing. My reading is that they are deducting the hour from their payments.]
A letter was read from Mr Holgate Marsden in which he stated that he had reduced the price of coal to the Long Ing Shed Co to[by?] 8d per ton for the year's contract from the 1st of April and offered the same price to us providing we allowed the sliding scale following on the Burnley prices to remain in abeyance for that period.
Res. That Mr Marsden's offer be accepted.
Res. That loan of £30 from Henry Holdsworth be accepted seal cert etc.
Res. Transfer of 1 share from S Dean to T Proctor be sanctioned, seal cert etc.
The secretary read the cash account showing receipts from February 1st to date as £1019-7-3 more than payments.
Res. That the application for use of the mill yard for one day be not granted. [No explanation but I wonder if it was for the Whit Walks procession to form up?]
The secretary read and explained the proposed lease to Mr James Moorhouse of 227 looms and preparation machinery for seven years from January 1st last. [Note that this isn't a hire purchase agreement but a lease. This was to become more common and of course lowered the threshold of entry into manufacturing for budding entrepreneurs.]
Res. That it be approved and submitted to Mr Moorhouse.
Thomas Dent.

[I allow myself a plaintive little whinge here. The next minute-taker uses far bolder ink and makes my job so much easier!]

April 16th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That the steam box in Nutter's winding room be examined and if necessary repaired by Mr Brown. [I can't offer an explanation. No steam used in winding process that I am aware of. Most likely it is part of the system of steam mains for heating.]
Res. That in reply to the letter from Mr Moorhouse the chairman, Holdsworth, Baxter and Brooks see him in the morning respecting the ventilation in the tape room and report to the next meeting.
Res. That William Holdsworth take down the wood guard for the second motion driving wheel when replaced by a sheet iron guard. [In the engine house. The second motion pulley was the large pulley driven by the ropes from the flywheel transmitting power to the second motion shaft which was the first section of the lineshaft into the mill. This must be the wheel at CH Shed as the second motion at WH was too large to box in.]
Res, That a trough be placed under the ventilator in CH engine house by Mr Mudd of Colne.
The secretary read the correspondence from the tenants re the reduction of rent for one hour stoppage on Saturday and it was resolved that his action in replying to the tenants that the directors could not see their way to make any reduction be approved.
Thomas Dent.

April 23rd 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: James Proctor 6/-. J Lofthouse and Son £13-6-0. Wages £37-12-0.
Res. That a Blackman ventilator be fixed in Mr Moorhouse's tape room, the cost not exceed £10. providing Mr Moorhouse will pay half.
Res. That one dozen drip tins as sample be ordered at 8/- a dozen. [Worth noting for future researchers that pricing small items by the dozen (12) was universal practice.]
Res. Transfer of 8 shares from J Heugham to George Proctor and of 4 shares from M E & D Shepherd to M Rishworth be approved. Seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent.

April 30th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: Henry Brown £34-7-0. Ed Smith 7/11. S Cooke and Co £8-6-6. James Wright 6/-.
Res. That for the purposes of ventilating the tape room Mr Moorhouse be allowed to select a fan seeing he has agreed to pay half the cost.
The assistant fireman at WH having given notice to leave our employ it was resolved that an advertisement for a successor be put in the Advertiser asking the applicants to state wage required. [Note that in the days before statutory rates of pay for certain jobs the onus was placed on the applicant.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to attend the next meeting to give his advice re troughing for cooling water at CH.
Res. That Henry Brown be requested to repair fall pipe in Windle's shed and the trough conveying hot water from WH boilers to the reservoirs. [This will be blow-down water.]
Thomas Dent.

May 7th 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Gas £3-6-7. Scottish Boiler Insurance Co £6-5-0. Scott and Sons £9-8-4.
The secretary read the correspondence which had taken place between himself and James Nutter and Sons with regard to the allowance for the one hour stoppage. Mr Nutter having sent a cheque on account and the secretary having returned the same.
Applications for the position of assistant fireman at WH were read and it was resolved that William Hutchinson be engaged at 20/- per week.
Res. That the directors form a committee to examine Springs Dam tomorrow night with a view to making provision to increase its capacity during the coming summer.
Thomas Dent.

May 14th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That the stove pipe be offered to Moses Boocock for the sum of 14/-.
Res. That the partition taken down in Pickles' warehouse be used by W Holdsworth in repairing the floor in Holden's warehouse.
Res. That all stores be ordered by the directors at their meetings and that the engine drivers be ordered to mention their requirements to the managing director.
Thomas Dent

May 22nd 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J Hopkinson and Co Ltd £9-12-6. J W Clough £7-14-6. Holgate Marsden £238-9-0. George Proctor £34-0-3. James Bulcock 5/2. James Proctor 6/-. W J Varley 16/7.
Res. Transfer of 4 shares from M E Shepherd and 2 shares from E A Jackson to Thomas Proctor be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from James Nutter and Sons requesting the directors to reconsider their decision as to making allowances for the extra stoppages on Saturday. The secretary was instructed to reply that the directors had nothing to add to their previous letters.
Res. That the spare land in the yard at WH Mill be let for hen runs at ½d per yard on monthly tenancy.
Mr Atkinson read the agreement of Mr Edward Smith with regard to the transfer of land and the arrangements with regard to Valley Road etc and reported that Mr Smith had paid £11-9-8 in full settlement.
Res. That the arrangement be confirmed and approved.
Res. That the managing director be requested to obtain all the information possible with regard to the Old Well at WH Mill. [I find this item fascinating and we will come across it again later. The existence of a well is usually the trigger for the name Wellhouse but apart from vague clues I have no information as to what it refers to. My suspicion is that somewhere at the bottom of the hill down from Barlick there was an old public well, probably situated very close to Wellhouse Road on the side which is the boundary of the Wellhouse Mill curtilage. I have been told that there was a steam pump near this spot, Billy Brooks told me he remembered hearing it running and I think this was the source of the water that was pumped up to the railway station. One thing is certain, CHSC are short of water at WH and this is the beginning of a long exercise to find supplementary supplies.]
Mr Atkinson also submitted a scheme for water cooling at CH Shed.
Res. That the water from the hot well be conducted on the coping of the shed to the viaduct as suggested by Mr Atkinson and that he invite tenders for the work and for an iron trough for conducting water off the shed at WH Mill. [The only suggestion I can make is that at CH Shed, they are going to pump the water from the hot well into a trough laid across the roof of the shed to the rear of the mill where it can be dropped into the Calf Hall Beck before it enters the culvert under the mill.
Thomas Dent.

May 28th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That we ascertain whether a supply of water is still running into a well at the south end of WH sheds or not and that P Barrett excavate for pipes. [The water supply at WH was always a mystery. At the time when it was built we have contemporary evidence that people were puzzled by the choice of location because there was no obvious supply of water large enough to run it. We have noted Bracewell's strategies to assure a water supply from the Corn Mill and the Bowker Drain and I have always had a suspicion that Bracewell got the levels wrong because it seems incongruous that access to the well in Eastwood Bottoms which was the source of the Bowker Drain resource was not under his control, he had to rent the right of access from the Roundell Estate, I suspect that the occasional payments to Burghope and Strange is in fact this rent. However, in the event, the supply from the Corn Mill Dam was never needed, the Bowker Drain proved to be a sufficient resource. Under CHSC ownership the mill has doubled in size and the demand on the water resource has increased accordingly. Like Bracewell, CHSC has tried the Corn Mill supply but for some reason declined it. They are now bending their minds to a possible supply on the WH site.
We need to take note of two things. There is later evidence of a borehole in the Laundry but I don't know when this was sunk, it could be later on. More intriguing is the clue in the name of the mill. When first built it was called New Mill but soon changed to Wellhouse Mill. 'Wellhouse' is a common name and always indicates an association with a water resource, often used for potable domestic supplies. The question is where was the well in 1854 which was the basis for what was evidently a local name before the mill was built?
Harold Duxbury had intimate knowledge of the mill from his days as managing director for the CHSC and he pencilled in the location of a well at the SW corner of the dam nearest the mill on my copy of the Bracewell sale documents. However, I think this is the new bore sunk by the CH company which we will encounter later. I have had verbal evidence from informants reporting what they were told by their fathers and grandfathers that there was a well at the south east corner of the WH sheds. All these reports indicate a site next to what is now Wellhouse Road at the junction with Valley Road directly opposite the small island between the two roads on the bend up towards Barlick centre. The accounts mention the sound of a pump running many hours a day and I have always assumed that this was the water source and pump mentioned as being the supply to Barlick railway station but may be wrong. I suspect that this well fell out of use after 1892 when the public supply from the new municipal waterworks on Whitemoor became available in the town. It is quite obvious that the increased demand for water at the mill and the prospect of summer and dry weather has concentrated the director's minds. They are looking for a way to supplement the water supply to the reservoirs. We are going to hear much more of this, it is a big problem.]
Thomas Dent.

June 4th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That six sets of brasses, packing and asbestos as specified by Mr Sneath to Mr Brooks be ordered.
The secretary read a letter from James Nutter and Sons re payment of rent on the 1st and 2nd.
Res. That the stores required by the engineers at the two sheds as read over be ordered.
Res. That the shed roofs of both sheds be painted by day work and that Messrs J Lofthouse be requested to give their price per hour and the price for paint. [Bit of a puzzle. This could refer to the painting of rain water goods etc. but could also refer to what became a common practice, painting the windows in the North Lights of the roof, and in some cases the slates, with whitewash to reflect sunlight and lessen heat transmitted into the weaving sheds. At Bancroft I used to paint the roof lights every year with a thin coat of whitewash at the beginning of June for this reason.]
Res. That the chairman, vice-chairman, Mr Brooks and Mr W Holdsworth together with Mr Lofthouse form a committee to inspect the roof of the sheds as to the repairs required before painting is commenced.
Res. Transfer of 19 shares from Jane Rudd to Mr Walmsley be approved. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the loan of £400 and interest to date be repaid to the Adminstrix of Stephen Rudd as per her notice.
Thomas Dent.

June 11th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That empty oil barrels be sold at 2/- each until further notice.
Res. That flue dust be disposed of at the time of flueing as it is not desirable to stock it. [This surprises me because in my experience and also from evidence given to me by paviors and flaggers flue dust is the best medium for bedding flags on. It is preferred because if examined closely it has sharp edges and when compacted is very stable.]
Res. That the tenants be requested to replace all broken glass and window panes before painting commences. [This reinforces my theory about the painting is a measure to reflect sunlight, if not, why does the glass need replacing? It is evidently going to be painted. There is also the intriguing question of why the tenants should be responsible for replacing what is part of the mill structure? I can understand them being liable for window panes broken carelessly by their employees (or even to get extra ventilation in hot weather.) but not roof lights which are well out of accidental harm's way.]
Res. That J Lofthouse and Son be engaged to paint the whole of the shed roof with two coats of white paint the work and materials be at quoted price and to paint all doors and windows of the warehouse at the same time according to instructions and to send in a weekly or fortnightly statement of hours worked. [I can't help thinking that it is a mistake to use a permanent coating on the roof. This renders the north light windows opaque which cuts down on light transmission as well as heat. This is why we used thin whitewash which had weathered off by the following winter. The reason for this is that in winter you need all the light you can get through the roof lights to cut down on the need for artificial light. I have a suspicion, from the low bills paid for gas in the company accounts, that tenants had individual gas meters and paid their own lighting costs. In this case CHSC wouldn't regard low light in darker weather as their problem.]
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to repair all the woodwork on the shed roof.
Res. That Mr Brown be asked to suggest a method of pumping water from the well at WH in order to test the supply. [Proctor Barrett has evidently found the well and cleared it. Before any more is spent on it the directors want to test its capability by ascertaining the flow.]
Thomas Dent.

June 18th 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J W Green £81-5-0. W P Brooks £4-14-4. G Proctor £33-12-11. W Holdsworth £5-5-0.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to borrow an injector or pump to test the capacity of the Old Well adjoining Mr Widdup's shed.
Res. That one cask of composition [boiler] be ordered from Crawshawbooth.
Res. That the accounts for ashes be sent out each month. [Ashes were an essential element for grinding ash/lime mortar which was the standard used for brick laying and masonry by local builders.]
Res. Transfer of 1 share from E Hartley to A King be approved. Seal cert etc.
The secretary read a letter dated June 7th from A F Roundell enclosing twelve months notice to terminate an agreement dated December 20th 1883 between C S Roundell Deceased and William Bracewell under which, the company, as successor to William Bracewell has paid and does pay the sum of 5/- per annum. This agreement refers to the water right [to the] trough in Eastwood Bottoms and other fields, the chief source of supply for the dams. [I'm wrong about Burghope and Strange. This is bad news and one is forced to wonder whether word of the CHSC search for additional water has triggered off a commercial response from the Roundell Estate.]
Thomas Dent.

June 25th 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the injector be lowered into the well near Widdup's shed to further test its supply. [Mounted at the surface the injector will only draw down by suction to about 25ft. By lowering it into the well it can draw the level down further which will tend to increase the flow from the surrounding water table into the bore. This will give a maximum flow in the short-term but in order to ascertain the size of the resource in the water table a much longer test will be required.]
Res. That the gate into the yard at CH be taken off and P Barrett be requested to dig near the culvert to find the leakage of water.
Thomas Dent.

July 2nd 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Mr P Barrett reported that the culvert at CH is leaking under the wall of the shed.
Res. That a loan of £40 be accepted from W L Dewhurst. Seal cert etc.
Mr Lofthouse's time sheet for painting the shed was presented and the account for materials was examined.
Mr Sneath reported that the Old Well near Widdup's shed filled at the rate of 5” per hour which is equivalent to about eighty gallons per hour. [Bad news, this is useful but nowhere near what is required.]
Mr Slater attended on behalf of himself and Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst and requested that they should have the preference of the space about to be vacated by Messrs J Widdup and Sons, that the company should give the usual grace, and remove the ceilings, drums and gas pendants. [These will need re-spacing for the new layout.]
Res. That they be allowed to have the space if Mr Widdup vacated it and that the co allow them 12 weeks grace for 200 looms, take down the ceilings and put one ceiling up but that all other work be done at the expense of the tenant. The position of the tape machine to remain as at present.
Res. That a new length of steam pipe be fitted to the tape machine in Mr Bailey's warehouse.
Res. That the secretary be requested to confer with Mr Atkinson of Colne with regard to the water right at WH Mill and as to the possibility of the co purchasing the plot of land from Mr Roundell which contains the well.
Thomas Dent.

July 16th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That the well at CH Shed be cleaned out. [Not sure what this refers to, possibly the condenser pond in the culvert under the mill.]
Res. Transfer of 4 shares from Mr James Horsfield to Admiral King. Seal cert etc. [This is not a naval man but a family which tended to give impressive first names to their male children.]
Res. That old iron be not sold.
Res. That one barrel of boiler composition be ordered.
Res. That Mr Proctor Barrett be instructed to fix the plates and ties to the wall of the new shed at WH Mill. [I suspect that these are tie-bars being installed to stabilise the wall. As noted previously, WH was built on unstable bearing ground.]
Thomas Dent.

July 25th 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: BUDC £169-5-3. H Brown £23-14-7½. Marsden Holgate[sic] £207-12-4. S Cooke and Co £3-4-0. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-9-7. Burnley Ironworks Co £3-1-4. J W Clough £5-19-9. F R Putz £1-15-0 [struck out]. Cash Balance due to secretary £71-7-8. E A Coates £5 (half year rent on Springs Dam to August 2nd).
Res. Transfer of 4 shares from Thomas Smith to Edward Wood approved. Seal cert etc. [I think this is Teddy Wood of Proctor and Proctor and he will become an important figure in the CHSC in his role as engineering advisor and director.]
Res. That loans of £300 each from the chairman and John Pickup [Manager at Burnley Ironworks] be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent.

July 9th 1902
[I have no explanation for the date.]
T Dent chair.
Res. That the old well near Widdup's shed be covered up.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to dig in front of his houses for the old well near the first site supposed to be the feeder for the well mentioned above and that Mr Horsfield endeavour to locate its position. [Has Proctor Barrett built on side of WH Road opposite the SE corner of the shed?]
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to examine the engines at WH Mill and do any necessary repairs during the holidays.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders on Friday 25th of July at 7pm in the Seven Stars AR.
Thomas Dent.

General meeting
July 25th 1902
[Printed balance sheet reports net profit after tax for the half year is £795-14-0½ and disposable balance of £2052-11-0½.]
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. Balance sheet and report accepted. Dividend at 5% per annum for half year ending June 30th last adopted. For retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration to be £40 per annum. C Blakey re-elected as auditor at £4 per annum. Register of share transfers sealed.
J D Roberts.

July 30th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That Dr Roberts be chairman, T Dent vice-chair and W P Brooks managing director for the ensuing year.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be invited to attend the next meeting for a consultation about the supply of water to WH Mill.
Res. That the three men who have cleaned out the well at Calf Hall be paid 6½d per hour.
Res. That the cistern at CH be cleaned out. [The metal cistern on top of the boiler house.]
Res. That tenders for cast iron gutters be invited from local firms.

August 6th 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of 2 shares from James Ratcliffe to George Proctor be confirmed. Seal cert etc.
Res. That a loan of £150 be accepted from Misses Grace and E A Anderson. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Mr Joseph Sneath engineer at WH requesting an advance of wages from 36/- to 38/-.
Res. That the application be laid on the table. And that W Holdsworth and A King form a deputation to interview Mr Sneath on the matter.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

August 13th 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That P Barrett repair the wall at the end of the archway at CH Shed and point the shed at the same place and that Heap and Thornton be requested to point the roof at WH shed at places to be pointed out to them.
Res. Transfer of 1 share from J W Brown to A King be registered, seal cert etc.
Res. That two new shovel arms [part of stoker] be ordered from E Bennis for stoker at CH Shed.
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to arrange with J Windle and Sons respecting the windows broken on their shed roof.
Res. That Thomas Brooks tender for 60 yards of 12”X7” gutters ¼” thick at 5/3 per yard be accepted. [This is heavy cast iron gutter. For the roof trough at CH mentioned previously for aiding the cooling of the waste water?]
Res. That Hutchinson' wage be increased 3/- per week from the first week in September [Oiler at WH set on at 20/- per week.]
Res. That the secretary be asked to bring the Burnley Ironworks report on the engine at WH to the next meeting.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

August 20th 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Proctor Barrett £15-11-0. W J Varley £6-12-6. Holgate Marsden £234-17-0. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-2-6.
The secretary gave particulars of the rent owing by each of the tenants of the company from which it appeared that the sum of £1797-3-6 was owing to the company at this date.
Res. That the inside of the new shed at WH be painted by Mr Lofthouse on the same [terms] as the other parts of the shed.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to do the necessary repairs at WH Mill and to commence work on Saturday morning next.
Res. Transfer of 1 share from J W Brown to A King be registered. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the secretary be requested to write to Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst asking them, if they are not satisfied with our offer of the space about to be vacated by Messrs Widdup, to meet the board of directors and talk the matter over.
Res. That 2/6 be given to the engineer at Mount Pleasant for the loan of the injector.
Thomas Dent.

September 3rd 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the india rubber rings required by the engineer at WH be ordered.
The boiler reports for both sheds were read from which it appeared that the boilers were in a very good condition.
It was reported to the meeting that Messrs Boocock Brothers, tenants at WH had decided to move their looms to Long Ing Shed when space at that shed was at liberty by the removal of the tenants to the new shed now in the course of erection near Long Ing Shed. [This was the new Moss Shed, opened 1903, and I suspect that this where Widdups were going as well. The Widdup Brothers were part of the consortium building the new shed.]
The secretary was requested to press BUDC to lay the water mains for fire purposes as promised at the beginning of the year.
Thomas Dent.

September 10th 1902
T Dent chair. Mr Atkinson also attended.
Res. That the allowance of 18 hours for holidays be granted to the tenants as previously.
Res. That Messrs Boocock Brothers be allowed to place two looms in their warehouse and that the rent start from the 8th of September.
Res. That Mr Henry Brown be requested to fix a blow-ff valve at the cold end of the economiser at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to ascertain terms on which the plot of land on which our well is situated can be purchased from Mr Roundell. [Note that they refer to 'our well'.]
Res. That Messrs Dent, Wilkinson, King and Brooks meet at CH tomorrow to decide whether or not the cistern should be painted and to instruct Messrs Lofthouse.
Res. That the application from Mr William Perry for the space about to be vacated by Messrs Boocock Brothers be deferred to our next meeting.
Thomas Dent.

September 17th 1902.
T Dent chair.
Res. That accounts should be paid: William Berry £10-17-0. T W Hargreaves 12/3. F R petty £3-10-0. G Proctor (wages) £40-8-6½. Holgate Marsden £132-2-8. W P Brooks 15/3. W Holdsworth £24-6-6.
A letter was read from the BUDC stating that the question of water pipes for fire purposes was receiving their attention.
Res. That the 2/6 charged by the engineer for attendance during the holidays be dis-allowed, the sanction of the managing director not having been first obtained.
Res. Transfer of 1 share from G Harley to A King be registered. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Messrs S Pickles and Sons requesting the company to place skylights in the roof of their shed.
The secretary was instructed to inform them that the advantage to be gained from them would be very small and the disadvantage of rain coming through them would be very great.
Res. That the ceiling over Mr Moorhouse's tape be boarded by William Holdsworth.
Res. That the steam pipes at CH Shed be covered with composition by the firm at present working in the town.
Thomas Dent.

September 24th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That the steam pipe conveying steam to Pickles' tape at CH be re-covered where previously covered.
Res. That we remove the drums and refix the partition on Slater Brothers and Dugdale and Dewhurst taking the space of Widdups and that we also give financial assistance to Dugdale and Dewhurst for 70 new looms.
Res. That nothing be done at the moment regarding the paving of the front of the boiler house at CH Shed.
Res. That our work-people at WH take away all the accumulated rubbish behind the boiler house at WH.
Res. That Mr P Barrett opens out the places where leakage is suspected at the WH reservoirs.
Res. That we meet on Saturday afternoon at 1 o'clock to consider the water supply and other business, the roll to be called. [Evidently a three-line whip!]
Thomas Dent.

September 27th 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That we bore to a depth of 100 feet for water on the land south of the reservoirs. [This is the well at the SW corner of the dams that Harold Duxbury marked on the map in my copy of the 1887 sale document.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson employ a well-sinker to do the work.
Res. That Mr Barrett clean out the sand and repair the wall corner of the lodge now uncovered by water.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

October 1st 1902
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
A letter was read from BUDC reporting the intention of the council to borrow money to lay down water mains in several parts of the town and informing us that no time would be lost in putting the work in hand.
Res. One share for Admiral King be seal cert etc.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons asking for a garret and skylight in the winding room top.
Res. That it, together with steam pipe covering be deferred until the next director's meeting. Mr Brooks to obtain particulars for that date.
Res. That the 2/6 dis-allowed on September 17th be allowed and paid to Mr Sneath.
A letter was read from Mr Delaney offering best Haigh Moor Coal at 8/6 per ton. [A remarkably low price.]
Res. That the offer be laid upon the table.
Res. That the engine house gas meter be exchanged if it entails no cost to the CHSC.
Res. That the directors meet Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst and Slater Brothers on Saturday October 4th at 12:30, the roll to be called.
The secretary read the reports of Messrs E Green and Son on the economisers at WH and CH.
Thomas Dent.

October 3rd 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That we continue to bore for water by lowering the existing well at the south corner of WH Mill. [Confusing. It appears that they are going to bore down the existing well. Change of mind? Second option?]
The terms on which Mr Chapman of Salford would let his boring plant or contract to sink for water were read and it was resolved that we hire from him the necessary plant for boring as under and that Mr Atkinson treat for the same.
Plant £9. Foreman ½ per hour. Blacksmith 11d per hour. [The blacksmith is a skilled man to maintain the boring bits.]
Res. That Thomas Brooks [plumber] be instructed to fix the troughing for carrying water from the shed roof at WH providing he can commence the work forthwith.
Thomas Dent.

October 4th 1902
T Dent chair.
Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst and Slater Brothers were present and agreed to have the tape removed from its present position to a place to be agreed upon, the company to take steam thereto.
Mr John Boocock from Boocock Brothers also attended and stated that in all probability they would before long remove their looms to Long Ing Shed.
Thomas Dent.

October 8th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That the roll be marked by figures and not be strokes as hitherto.
Res. That Mr Proctor be requested to write to each applicant for Boocock's space asking them what financial help they will require and to what amount if any.
Res. That two labourers be engaged to help Mr Chapman with the well sinking.
Res. That the windows in the west end of the Tinner's Shop be painted.
Thomas Dent.

October 15th 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That no director be marked present after the roll has been called.
The secretary read the cash account from August 6th to date showing an excess of receipots over payments of £888-17-10. Approved.
The following persons applied for the space to let at WH Mill at present occupied by Boocock Brothers.
Bailey and Roberts. 10 Park Road, Barnoldswick.
J Wright and Co, Cow Pasture farm, Barlick.
Smith Horsfield, farmer, Barlick.
JH and HW Edmondson, 16 Town Head, Barlick.
William Perry, Eaton Bank, Barlick.
Myers and Sneath, Park Road Barlick.
Financial assistance was required by Mr William Perry and all the applicants wished to have 12 weeks grace for gaiting up with the exception of James Wright and Co who would accept 8 weeks grace, (equivalent to £35).
The voting was conducted by ballot, the person receiving the least number of votes being struck out at each round.
The result was that Messrs R Bailey and C W Robert's application was accepted.
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be requested to repair the floor in Bailey's warehouse and Moorhouse's shed top and that Heap and Thornton repair the roof.
Res. That P Barrett make the shelters for the well borers.
Res. That Alfred Wolfenden be allowed to take fish from the lodges until the 29th of October.
J D Roberts.

October 22nd 1902
Dr Roberts in chair.
Res. That the new gutters at WH be painted inside and out and at the back by Lofthouse. [CI gutters are very durable but fail first at the back because moisture tends to hang on longer there.]
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to cart the sand taken from the WH lodges where directed.
Res. That the brick engine house at WH be offered to Mr Moorhouse as a stable at 9d per week. Alterations and fittings to be made and put in by Mr Moorhouse. [Not one of the main engine houses but a building that is left over from the Bracewell occupation. Perhaps a pump house?]
J D Roberts.

October 29th 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: George Proctor £54-4-2. J W Clough 17/1. H Marsden £191-4-9. Lonsdale Brothers £5-18-3. Burnley Ironworks £3-16-0. Burghope and Strange £6-13-9. Roundell 5/- [rent for well in Eastwood Bottoms is still being paid even though there has been no mention of the ultimatum.] P Barrett £16-3-3.
Res. That the chairman, W P Brooks and T Dent form a deputation to see Messrs S Pickles and Sons re skylights, that they have authority to do the works if skylights will meet their requirements.
It was reported to the meeting that oil had been taken from the engine house at WH.
Res. That the matter be enquired into as no amounts for same had been received.
Res. Transfer of one share from W S Waite to W H Atkinson be registered. Seal cert etc.
The secretary produced a preliminary agreement between [the company] and Bailey and Roberts for taking the space at present occupied by Boocock Brothers.
Res. That the stores set out in Mr Sneath's letter be ordered.
Some conversation took place regarding making an extension at CH Shed. The matter was however left over for further consideration. [Worth noting that the directors are aware of the buoyant demand for space even though Moss Shed is building and other sheds are projected. There is pressure for expansion.]
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

November 5th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That thick glass be slated into the roof of S Pickles and Sons warehouse. [Inserting thick glass in place of slates in a slated roof was a quick but inferior way of letting light in. Quite common but only in low status construction.]
Res. That all the steps, collars etc. [These are all brass bearing components] belonging to the company shall be removed from under the stairs in Mr Moorhouse's warehouse in order that he may have full use of his premises.
Res. That the sheet iron trough from Bailey's tape be repaired by Mr Brooks the plumber and that a new solid wood trough for Bailey be supplied by W Holdsworth.
Res. That the application of the fireman for overtime spent for the well borers be considered when the time spent has been ascertained. [Evidently the boring rig is driven by a steam engine and pressure has to be maintained.]
Thomas Dent.

November 12th 1902.
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the account of J Lofthouse and Son for painting the whole of the company's premises, £129-10-0, be paid.
A letter was read from Mr Moorhouse complaining that the wall of his shed had given way again.
Res. That the wall be pointed by Heap and Thornton. [More subsidence at WH. Re-pointing the wall doesn't seem to be a comprehensive response. I suspect the directors know they have a fundamental problem and taking the least expensive course to keep the tenant happy.]
Res. That the wheel grease, brushes etc. required by the engineers be ordered.
It was reported to the meeting that Messrs Chapman had bored 14ft 6” in the last fortnight and were at present passing through limestone rock.
Res. That four gallons of Whale Oil be ordered for tempering the boring tools. [Whale oil was the favoured medium for tempering steel by heating and quenching. It was not as efficient a coolant as water, gave a slower quench and better results. My father told me it was used in large quantities at Armstrong's at Trafford Park for tempering naval gun barrels. Interesting that the CHSC is supplying it to Chapman.]
Res. That Mr W H Atkinson be requested to survey the plot of land at CH Shed with a view to an extension being erected there and that he obtain particulars of cost and submit the same to the directors as early as possible.
Thomas Dent.

November 19th 1902
T Dent chair.
Res. That the windows and pipes in Windle's water closets be repaired by Mr Barrett.
Res. That J Widdup and Sons be allowed to place two looms in their warehouse, they to pay the cost of fixing drums and rent to commence on the 24th of this month.
Res. That a boiler feed valve be supplied to the boiler at WH by Henry Brown.
Res. That a straw band be wrapped round the exposed [temporary] piping to the boring plant. [Thick straw rope wrapped round the pipe as temporary but effective insulation against heat loss. This plant is a long way from the boiler house and any reduction in heat loss increases efficiency and economy. Surprising it has taken so long to recognise this.]
Res. That BUDC be requested to meet a deputation of directors consisting of the chairman, Barrett and Brooks with reference to the bad condition and re repair of Valley Road.
Thomas Dent.

November 26th 1902
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £242-19-10. T Brooks £23-15-4. G Proctor £45-5-8. W Holdsworth £5-9-6.
Res. That Mr W Holdsworth be requested to supply a small wood staging to level up the flags in Holden's place at CH.
A letter was read from Messrs Widdup and Sons in which they stated that they had not taped any sets of beams for outside firms from March 19th to October 31st 1902.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to them and ask if they had taped any sets for looms other than their own. [Smart! He has spotted the possible ambiguity 'outside'. This could mean outside the mill.]
Res. Loan of £300 be accepted from Mr Thomas Clapham. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to report on the condition of the engine at CH Shed and as to whether it would be capable of turning an extra load of 266 looms. [This is the proposed extension. Worth noting that this process of pushing engines beyond their original design limit will eventually result in serious problems.]
Res. That Messrs Nutter be informed that when we excavate the soil at CH and require it to be removed they shall have it.
It was reported that the boring had now reached a depth of 76ft from the surface or 56ft from the bottom of the well and that they were at present passing through very soft limestone. [This reference 'from the bottom of the well' bothers me because it would seem that they are boring into the old well location mentioned earlier. If my evidence is correct, this is a different location than the well marked on the plan for me by Harold Duxbury which we can take to be accurate. The only alternative I can think of is that there was another old well at the SW corner of the reservoir nearest the sheds. No doubt all will become clear!]
The secretary reported that Mr Atkinson's estimate of the cost for the extension at CH for 266 looms was £2,700, the level of the shed being the same as the present shed. If however the level should be four feet above the present shed the saving would be £200 although the driving would have to be re-arranged.
J D Roberts.

December 3rd 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Mr Atkinson attended with sketches of the proposed extension at CH Shed. He advised the directors to keep the level as the present shed although the cost would be £200 more as he pointed out it would be less trouble in dividing the space on a change of tenancy. [The directors were aware of the desirability of aiming for the ideal size, 400 looms, and would no doubt have this in mind. Many years later I interviewed Victor Hedges, late senior partner at Proctor and Proctor and he told me that I was correct in thinking that this was the most economical unit from both the manufacturer's and the shed company's point of view. He had seen the relative profitability of this scale of divisor compared with the smaller units.] After some discussion on the matter it was:
Res. That we extend the CH Shed subject to the report of the Burnley Ironworks Company on the condition and strength of the engine being sufficient to drive the extra weight and that the sketches submitted by the architect showing the level of the shed floor be the same as the present shed and the warehouse the same level as the loading stage would strike the street be approved.
Res. That Messrs Nutter and Sons' application for this extension be accepted provided they sign an agreement to take the space on the same terms as the other tenants of the company and the space already allotted to them.
Res. That Mr Moorhouse be allowed to fit a Blackman Fan and that we supply a drum for the same. [Driving pulley off the tape room shafting.]
Res. That small ashes be kept separate from the rest and sold at 1/3 per load.
It was reported that the boring had reached a depth of 90ft from the surface or 70ft from the bottom of the well and that the borers were at present passing through very hard limestone.
An account was read from Messrs Chapman amounting to £127-3-11 for boring from the 13th of October to November 29th. (7 weeks)
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

December 10th 1902
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of 2 shares from Thomas Pickover to W C Pickover be registered. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Charles Thornton, solicitor, giving notice on behalf of John Duckworth's executors for repayment of loan of £700 in one month from the 9th of December.
Res. That the amount be repaid.
A letter was read from J Nutter and Sons in which they thanked the directors for offering them the extension at CH Shed but declining the same on the grounds that 'the new looms are coming out'. (the Northrop). [This is a reference to the improved and more efficient Northrop loom which was a significant advance in technology but in fact never supplanted the plain Lancashire loom in the type of weaving in Barlick. Nutters were still using the old looms when they eventually declined manufacturing late in the century.]
Res. That the question of extending CH Shed be deferred until the next meeting.
The report and estimate of the Burnley Ironworks Co on the engine at CH Shed was read, from which it appears that the engine is strong enough to turn 266 additional looms but that a larger high pressure cylinder would be required, the low pressure cylinder should be bored out and a larger piston fitted. The engine would then be heavily loaded but they suggested speeding it up 10rpm by increasing the size of the second motion pulley. [To keep the shaft speed constant.]
The tender for the new cylinder, boring the LP cylinder and fitting a new piston would be £330 and [plus?] old material and labour. The probable cost of the new second motion pulley would be £100. The diagrams enclosed with the report showed the [present] horse power to be 460.54.
An application for the space at CH Shed was read from Thomas Edmondson.
The well borers were reported to be 96ft from the surface and still passing through very hard limestone.
Res. That the secretary request Messrs Chapman to make a report with regard to testing the well and to ask for an explanation of the slow progress being made.
A Letter was read from Mr James Moorhouse complaining that the small shed adjoining the engine house needed more steam pipes. [Cold weather and the old warming question.]

December 17th 1902.
T Dent chair.
Res. That Chapman be requested to test the supply at the bore hole.
Res. That we accept the loan of £100 or £200 from Luke Suthers.
Res. That a barrel of composition be ordered for WH.
Res. That the broken teeth in the driving wheel of Windle's hoist be pegged by Mr Henry Brown. ['Pegging' was the standard method of repairing broken teeth in a CI gear wheel. Holes were drilled and steel pegs driven in which, after shaping, served as a crude replacement gear tooth.] Proctor Barrett to cover the pulley wheel where water enters Widdup's tape room.
Res. That the ventilators be taken off Pickles' shed roof and that the openings be slated and underdrawn by Heap and Thornton.
Res. That some arrangement be made for carrying [away] the water that enters Nutter's shed and that a new drum be fixed to drive the beaming frames in Holden's warehouse.
Res. That the next meeting be held on the 23rd.
Thomas Dent.

December 23rd 1902
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J W Green £81-5-0. Union Oil Co £2-15-0. W&J Baldwin 8/5. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £3-5-0. E Bennis Co 9/9. J W Clough £4-1-0. H Marsden £236-12-6. W P Brooks £1-11-9. Midland Railway Co 13/2.
Res. Loan of £50 from Elizabeth Clark. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the proposed extension at the rear of CH Shed be deferred for a while.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

December 31st 1902
T Dent chair.
Messrs Green and Sons reports on the economisers were read and they suggest that at WH Mill a tank should be fixed to take the blow-off water.
Res. That Mr Sneath be asked to suggest a size and position for the tank. [No doubt to conserve pre-treated and warm water for return to the boiler.]
Res. That Henry Brown be requested to repair the broken gutter at Nutter's shed.
Res. That the coal supply to both sheds be weighed for one week.
Res. That a Christmas present of 10/- be given to boatmen and carters. [Each?]
Thomas Dent

January 7th 1903
T Dent chair.
Res. Loan of £50 from Greenwood Wilkinson be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. Transfer of 19 shares from John Walmsley to George Proctor be registered. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the balance sheet for the half year ending December 31st be approved subject to audit.
Res. That dividend at the rate of 5% per annum be recommended.
The secretary read a letter from Mr James Slater giving six months notice to the company to repay the mortgage of £5000 and interest, now charged on WH Mill.
Notice was also received from Emily Dean for repayment of a loan of £130 and interest in one month from the 27th of December 1902.
Res. That the amounts be paid when due.
Res. That the repairs to the road at CH be done by Mr Shuttleworth.
Res. That the Co-operative Co be asked to state what compensation they require for damage to land rented from the company during well-sinking. That W P Brooks and T Dent be deputed to see the manager.
Res. That the secretary write to Chapman complaining of the slow progress being made with the well boring and suggesting that the company should not be charged for stoppage due to the absence of tools which should be on the premises.
With reference to the absence of the fireman at CH from his work for one month it was resolved that the usual wages be paid and the amount divided amongst the men at WH who did the work during his absence.
The secretary reported that the coal consumption during the half year was 2,238 tons or 89½ tons per week which was the equivalent of 39.2 looms per ton per week. [This suggests 3,508 looms which I think is too high. 2238 divided by 26 weeks is 86 tons per week. Not convinced by these figures.]
Thomas Dent.

January 14th 1903
Res. That sufficient steam be put through Moorhouse's new shed so the temperature will be 50F at 6am. [Statutory minimum at starting time.]
Res. That from the 1st of January coal delivered at CH Shed be calculated at 26cwt a load. [These were two wheeled horse-drawn tipping carts.]
Res. That two shovels and two strong brackets be ordered from Bulcock's [Barlick ironmonger] for WH Mill and two Weed Brooms from Mr Perry, Barnoldswick.
Thomas Dent.

January 23rd 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That we purchase from the Butts Mill Company Ltd the Butts Mill and Ouzledale Mill for £19,000. This consideration to include all loose effects with the exception of new stores and coal.
[The CHSC now have both the old Bracewell Mills. Butts was built in 1846. Ouzledale Mill is not a weaving shed, it is an old water mill higher up the clough from Clough Mill. In its early days it was a water-powered bobbin and saw mill but at this time is an iron foundry powered by a gas engine. It is unclear why Bracewell bought the Ouzledale Estate in the first place, most probably because he had designs on the water resource which he was never able to realise because Slaters at Clough Mill own the riparian rights up on to the moor.]
No Signature.

General meeting
January 23rd 1903 at Seven Stars
[Printed balance sheet reports net profit for half year as £686-1-1 and disposable balance of £2333-12-1½ after tax.]
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Balance sheet accepted. Dividend at 5% per annum accepted. Register of share transfers sealed.
Res. That the action of the directors in purchasing Butts and Ouzledale Mills from the Butts Mill Co Ltd be and is hereby approved.
J D Roberts.

January 28th 1903
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Ironworks 4/3. Henry Brown 17/-. BUDC £2-8-3. Henry Brown £13-6-8. BUDC 3/10. Inland Revenue £131-4-7. Francis and Co 19/6. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £6-3-0. BUDC £58-150 and £110-10-5. E Bennis and Co 9/9. J R Atkinson 6/-. James Bulcock 9/2. H Marsden £239-1-7. Cash balance, wages and secretary's salary £78-11-8. P Barrett £3-18-0.
The secretary read a letter from John Widdup and Sons dated 24th January in which they gave six month's notice from the 31st of January to terminate their tenancy at WH Mills. [The move to their new Moss Shed at Long Ing.]
Res. Loans of £116 form Luke Suthers and £200 from Nanny Atkinson accepted. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that well boring had reached 109ft from the surface.
Res. That John Horsfield be requested to see the Co-operative Society with regard to their charge of £2-6-4 for inconvenience cause by well boring on land taken from them by the company. [This suggests to me that we are talking about the site marked by Harold Duxbury but I am still not certain.]
Res. That Messrs Pickles be allowed to have a drum fixed at CH for two extra looms.
Res. That Messrs Hartley and Pilgrim be instructed to act on behalf of CHSC in the conveyance of Butts Mill to the company.
Res. That with the approach of the shareholder's meeting the Articles of Association of the company be altered as follows:
That the following Article be inserted after article 6: 6a. The company may, by special resolution, subdivide, of by ordinary resolution, consolidate shares or any of them.
Ditto after Article 30: The directors may from time to time make such calls as they may think fit upon the Members in respect of all moneys unpaid on the shares held by them respectively and not by the conditions of allotment hereof made payable at fixed times, and each member shall pay pay the amount of every call so made on him to the persons and at the times and places appointed by the directors. A call may be made payable by instalments.
Article 34 to be cancelled.
That in Article 42 the figure '500' shall be substituted for the figure '20'. [Number of shares to qualify as director?]
That the following article shall be substituted for Article 56: On a show of hands, every member present in person shall have one vote and in a poll every member present of by proxy shall have one vote for every share held by them.
That in Article 66, the words the words 'one hundred' shall be substituted for the words 'four'.
That the following article be inserted after Article 83: 83a. The directors may vote the managing director(s) such remuneration as they deem expedient.
That the following article shall replace Article 88 (7): The directors may, from time to time, at their discretion, raise or borrow or secure the payment of any sum or sums of money for the purposes of the company.
That the share capital of the company be sub-divided into £1 shares.
That the capital of the company be increased to £25,000.
That 8,100 shares of £1 each be offered to members on the following terms: In proportion to their present share holding. 10/- to be paid on application. 10/- to be paid on allotment. The allotment to remain over until March 11th. That the directors be authorised to dispose of the shares not taken up on such offer as they consider expedient in the interest of the company.
That the directors be authorised to call in the certificates of shares and to issue new certificates.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to call the necessary Extraordinary General Meetings of shareholders for the purpose of obtaining their sanction to the above mentioned matters. To issue the circular letter (the draft of which is hereby approved) to members including the form of application for shares.
Thomas Dent.

Extra ordinary general meeting
January 4th 1903 in the Seven Stars AR.
Dr Roberts chair.
[Changes to Articles of Association detailed and approved.]
Signed J D Roberts.

February 11th 1903
Minutes of all outstanding meetings as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Charles Chapman and Sons £146-12-0. William Berry £10-11-0.
Res. Loans of £100 each from Alfred Horsfield and John Horsfield eb accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. Transfer of 1 share from William Perry to J R Townson registered. Seal cert etc.
A notice was received from Clara Perry to repay loan of £100.
Res. That it be repaid.
Notices were also read from Henry Holdsworth for £50, T Baxter for £100 and Henry Wilson for £100.
A letter was read from the Barnoldswick Co-operative Society reducing their claim for damage to land from £2-6-4 to £1-15-0.
Res. That it be allowed at that amount.
It was reported that the boring had reached a total depth of 118ft.
Thomas Dent.

February 18th 1903
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs S Pickles and Sons be allowed to have the stable at Butts Mill and that Messrs Dent, Holdsworth and Brooks be deputed to fix the rent.
Res. Loans accepted, seal cert etc. C Parker £100. M E Waddington £40.
Thomas Dent.

Extra ordinary general meeting
February 20th 1903 at 6:30pm in Seven Stars AR
Dr Roberts chair.
Meeting confirmed the resolutions carried at the extraordinary general meeting of February 4th as Special Resolutions.
[In addition the following resolutions were passed.]
Res. That in accordance with the power conferred by article 6 the directors be authorised to increase the capital of the company by the creation of 5000 new shares of £1 each.
Res. That in accordance with article 7 the directors be authorised to offer, in the first instance, to the members of the company 8,100 shares in proportion to the number of shares held by them. [The rest of the resolution reiterates the original resolution.]
[I Have not transcribed the whole of the details. If any legal eagle researching the company wants all the details they must go back to the original minutes. My reading of these changes is that with the expansion of the CHSC activities triggered by the purchase of Butts Mill the directors are shifting the company up a gear to give them more scope for managing what is now a very significant holding.]
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

Directors meeting
February 20th 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. Loan of £180 from John Waterworth accepted. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the [well] boring had reached a depth of 123ft from the surface and that they were still passing through very hard limestone.
Res. That the time of testing of the supply of water from the boring-hole at WH Mill be left in the discretion of W P Brooks, Proctor Barrett and T Dent. [Not a lot of point testing the flow while they are in impermeable strata. They have a tiger by the tail and will have to continue boring until they have broken through this layer before testing. Either that or abandon the well.]
Notice was received from John Pickup to repay£150 of [his] loan account.
Res. That we borrow off and from the Burnley Building Society (The mortgage of £5000 to John Slater having been repaid) the sum of £10,000 on mortgage of the company's WH Mill at 4¼% per annum less tax the preliminary survey fee to be £5-5-0 and a further £5-5-0 fee if the mrtgage be accepted.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

February 25th 1903
T Dent chair.
Res. That we rent a stable at Butts to S Pickles and Sons at a rent of 1/6 per week and that Proctor Barrett make the necessary alterations.
Boocock Brothers sent a letter giving six months notice to remove from WH Mill.
Res. That a barrel of shafting oil be sent from WH to Butts Mill.
Res. That a cask of wheel grease be ordered from Cresswell's at Bradford for Butts Mill.
Res. That £60 each be paid to Walter Dewhurst and Mrs Dewhurst from their loan accounts.
Res. That a load of Wheel Stones be ordered from Edward Smith for Calf Hall Lane, 18” X 8”. [I've never come across this descriptive name before. It was common practice to lay dressed stone blocks in a narrow roadway where the wheels always ran in the same track. This made a more durable surface and prevented ruts forming in the surface.]
Res. That Henry Brown fix a 2 1/8” shaft to be used as a counter [shaft] for Dugdale and Dewhurst and that he supply the drums the company has to find. [A countershaft is an auxiliary shaft driven off the main shafting by gears or ropes to give a power source in a position which would otherwise be too remote from the main driving shaft.]
Res. That Proctor Barrett take the levels from the economiser well at WH to the front of the boiler house with a view of ascertaining if we can drain them in that way. [This is from the tank installed to collect the water blow down from the economisers and the intention I think is to get the water back to the hot well as it is already treated and warm. A valuable commodity if you are seeking economy.]
Res. That we ask Mr William Bailey if it will be agreeable for the company to take steam through his shed to Dugdale and Dewhurst's tape.
Thomas Dent

March 4th 1903.
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: G Proctor, cash balance £125-6-4½. J R Atkinson 7/6. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-15-0. H Marsden £292-15-0.
A letter was read from the Craven Manufacturing Company [Butts] with reference to the water closets.
Res. That it be returned to the tenants. [Not clear why. Perhaps the new tenants have to realise that they have to approach the CHSC directors in a different way than when dealing with the former Butts Mill Co. There is of course always the fact that until the conveyance is signed the CHSC aren't responsible.]
Notice having been received from the following persons:
Res. That the following amounts be repaid: Henry Holdsworth £100-14-2. J Edmondson £45. [This entry repeated, mistake?] T Baxter Senior £100-14-2.
Res. Loan of £50 be accepted from W F Suthers. Seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent.

Extra ordinary meeting
March 11th 1903 in Seven Stars AR at 7pm.
Dr Roberts chair.
Notice calling the meeting having been read it was unanimously resolved:
That the following resolution which was passed at the Extraordinary meeting of February 20th be confirmed as a Special Resolution.
“That each of the present £25 shares be converted to 25 fully paid up One Pound shares”. [This explains the alteration in the director's share qualification.]
J D Roberts

March 11th 1903
Director's meeting
Dr Roberts chair.
Res, That the Common Seal of the Company be affixed to the transfer of mortgage of WH Mill to the Burnley Building Society and to the memorial for registration in respect of the same.
Res. That the transfer fees charged by the company be at the rate of 1d per share with a minimum charge of 6d.
Res. That loans of £200 each by Edna Windle and Sarah Turner Windle be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. That two casks of cylinder oil and one cask of engine oil be ordered from Messrs Brooksbank for Butts Mill.
J D Roberts.

[It may be useful to append research on Butts Mill done by my friend Geoff Shackleton.

The main driving engines for the spinning mill were a pair of large beam
engines.
The new boilers from Sandbeds [Keighley] were delivered in March 1862 (ref Keighley
News)
In 1885 there were three steam engines. The large double beam engines for
the spinning mill, a pair of horizontal engines reported as having
stopped a large portion of the mill due to a 'countershaft failure' and a
McNaughted beam engine of 150ihp that drove a sizeable pair of double
diagonal ram pumps. It was this latter engine that was auctioned in 1890.
I can't fathom what the ram pumps were for, unless it was for a large
water extraction from a well. That sort of engine only seemed to exist
for water supplies to dye-works and the like so I am confused. The ram
pumps were made by William Bracewell in 1872 which is probably the date of
the beam engine too because the engine and pumps were a sort of integral
design.
In August 1888 the mill closed due to the chancery proceedings and
Billycock's' executors then tried to sell the mill. It was reported as
let to Messrs Eastwood and Bradley in October 1889 and in February 1890 it
was reported that the spinning mill was being pulled down. In May 1891
the mill was reported as being converted to a weaving shed and that
Messrs. Eastwood and Maudsley were about to move their looms from Long
Ing Shed to Butts.
In April 1895 it was reported that tenants had been found for the 'two new
sheds at Butts Mill'. (These seem to have been built where the spinning
mill stood.)
In May 1897 'the engine broke down stopping all 2000 looms'. (Now which
engine is that? Not the Musgrave because.........lots of other types of
breakdowns followed and ......)
June 1899 'A new engine is being put in at Butts Weaving Shed
Barnoldswick. Some alterations in the shafting have have been found
necessary and consequently the whole of the 2000 looms have been stopped'.
(This I think must be the Musgrave.)
July 1899 'Butts Mill with 1700 looms. The new engine has arrived and
got into position. Last Thursday morning week the place was restarted.
( This even sounds like a second hand engine was being delivered.)
December 1899 'Butts Mill has passed into the hands of Thomas Hodgkinson
who for many years was manager and secretary of Butts Mill Company.'
September 1900 'Messrs. S. Pickles have taken over the business at Butts
Mill which is understood will be conducted co-jointly with their business
at Calf Hall Shed'.
Regarding the Musgrave engine, there is a Burnley Ironworks record of
supplying a High Pressure Corliss cylinder to the Calf Hall Shed Company,
Butts Mill in 1921 which was 26ins. dia. and 6ft. stroke which proves the
stroke. Unfortunately there were around 24 6ft. stroke cross-compound
engines by Musgrave. Half went abroad so that leaves about 12 to track
down! All these engines were made between 1880 and 1889. Most were
stated to be 50 or 54rpm but the one with the largest cylinders seems to
be the only one stated as 40rpm and I think that Butts ran at 38rpm. If
this was the engine then the cylinders were 32” + 56” and the air pump was 39 ”
x 32”.

Subsequent research has strengthened the opinion that the Musgrave engine was second-hand when installed at Butts in 1899. This engine was used until the mill eventually closed and was always a source of trouble. Far too heavy, badly designed and ran too slow. It was described by Newton Pickles as a “wastrel”. He and his father worked on it and knew it well.]

March 14th 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Mr Parkinson, a former employee of the Butts Mill Co pointed out to the directors the position of the drains. [They have to get acquainted with their new mill and experience like this is very useful.]
Res. That the window in Horsfield's winding room and the warehouse door in Bradley's portion of the shed [Butts] be repaired by William Holdsworth.
J D Roberts.

March 18th 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J R Atkinson 13/6. Chapman and Sons £66-14-9. Southern and Fullalove £40-15-0. J Delaney £94-17-0. Henry Brown £8-3-0. E Eastwood £5-12-4. C Blakey £4-2-6.
Res. That the secretary give three days notice to John Sagar and Read Brothers to pay their accounts for ashes.
The secretary gave full particulars of the rents payable by all the tenants at Butts Mill.
A letter was read from John Wilson [tenant] of Butts Mill with reference to making the shed doors open as required by the Inspector. [Factory Inspector? Backlog of essential repairs?]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply that the matter is having their [the director's] consideration.
Res. That 7552 of the shares in the company at £1 each be allotted to the several persons in that behalf named in the application and allotment sheets submitted to this meeting so that each allottee shall receive an allotment of the number of shares set opposite his name and that notice of each allotment shall be given to each allottee.
Res. That 508 shares still unapplied for be offered to the shareholders of the company who have applied for additional capital and to the transferees who have sold their allotments in proportion to their holdings.
[A good result for the CHSC. There has been a good take-up of the new shares, a sign of confidence in the shareholders and indicative of the general state of trade.]
Res. That Messrs Chapman (the well borers) and Mr Atkinson be requested to meet the directors with reference to the boring.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

March 25th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Messrs Chapman and Sons in which they offered to reduce the price of hire by 20% or to contract for the next fifty feet at £3-15-0 per foot, we to provide steam. They also gave a price for a deep borehole pumping engine fixed and set to work to raise about 5,000 gallons an hour from a depth of 250ft at £265.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to see Messrs Chapman with a view to obtaining a larger deduction from the present terms. [As I remarked before, the directors are in unknown territory here. You'd think that after the hard rock band there was every chance that the bore would break into better ground in which case the price of £3-15-0 per foot could look very expensive. Alternatively they can take the gamble of carrying on at the hourly rate. Their problem is that they are dealing with an unknown and I don't really understand what basis there is for even discussing the size of any pump when the bore has yet to be proven. I say this because if it had, why are they still entertaining going even deeper? No doubt all will become clear.]
Res. That a 2” steam tap [valve] and a steam trap [a device for unloading condensed water from a steam main but not allowing live steam to escape.] for Dugdale and Dewhurst's tape be ordered from Henry Brown.
The secretary reported that Mr John Wilson's tenancy at Butts Mill would terminate on the 31st of March and that he had proposed the following terms for the continuation of the tenancy: The tenancy of the shed which is capable of holding 404 40” looms but in which he has placed 436 looms at an average width [reed space] of 34” be as follows; 40/- per loom for 404 looms and 20/- for 32 looms. £90 per annum per 400 looms for his tape. Other conditions of the tenancy be as the CH and WH tenants.
Res. That the terms be approved and submitted to Mr Wilson for his acceptance.
It was reported that the boring had reached a depth of 160ft from the surface and they were now making progress at about 4ft per day. [Sounds as though they are into better ground. Things are looking up!]
Thomas Dent.

April 1st 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Royal Insurance Co £14-16-9. Sun Insurance Office £17-10-0. R Hindle £6-5-0. W P Brooks £3-19-5.
Mr John Wilson of Butts Mill having requested the directors to reduce the price of 4 looms which are badly situated from 40/- to 20/-:
Res. That the rent be based as follows: 400 looms at 40/- and 36 looms at 20/-.
Res. That £2,000 be accepted from Mr Edmund Halstead on loan at the usual terms: 4% per annum subject to one month notice. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that Messrs Chapman could not see their way to quote a lower price than that presented to the last meeting.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain further information with regard to the cost of pumping the present bore hole or boring a smaller hole and that he should confer with Mr Atkinson of Colne on the matter. [Chapman is on a good wicket. Why should he agree to a lower price when he has the directors in a cleft stick?]
J D Roberts.

April 8th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Letters were read from Mr John Wilson of Butts Mill requesting the directors to reconsider their decision as to the price for the tape.
Res. That the previous arrangement be adhered to.
Res. That the basis of rent for the Butts Mill tenants be as follows:
40/- per loom for the number of looms the shed is capabler of holding on a 40” basis and 20/- for each loom more than the capacity on the above basis. £90 per annum for the tape per 400 looms (actual) in the shed with a sliding scale of 6d per loom for each 5d per ton in the price of coal. That the secretary be instructed to write to all of the tenants (Except those having leases.) [It looks as though the Butts Mill Co has let some of the space on a different basis than CHSC practice.] informing them of the resolution and asking them if they are agreeable and will comply with the same.
It was reported that boring had reached 189ft from the surface.
Res. That the present boring operations be stopped and that the secretary instruct Messrs Chapman to take away their boring plant at once and that the vice chairman, the managing director and W Holdsworth form a deputation to see to the quick removal of the plant. The cost of the boring from the 26th of March was £492-14-2 exclusive of steam. [If we use the conservative multiplier of 100x this is at least £50,000 in today's values. A considerable sum.]
Res. That a cheque be drawn for 30/- to the credit of C Blakey for Workman's Compensation at the rate of 10/- per £100 on £300 [cover] for workmen at Butts Mill.
Res. That 28lbs of rope composition be ordered for CH Shed.
J D Roberts.

April 15th 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
The secretary read letters from several firms giving particulars of pumps for testing the water supply from the borehole. A quotation was read from Mr Thomas Matthews of Pendleton [Near Manchester] offering the loan of a pump capable of lifting from five to eight thousand gallons of water per hour from 100/120ft deep for 20/- per day of ten hours we to pay the men's time, wages and lodgings during erection. [Perhaps worth noting for non-technical researchers that we aren't talking about modern electrically driven submersible pumps. This pump will be the standard type of force pump used in deep mines and wells. A suction pump will not do because it is limited to a maximum lift of 25ft, the limit of possibility using atmospheric pressure. Such a pump uses a force pump and clack box [non-return valve] and is driven mechanically by a rod from the surface. This rod is actuated either by an independent steam engine or from shafting connected to the main engine. This is a serious piece of engineering and erection. Further, we have seen no mention of the diameter of the bore. We have a contemporary example in the deep bore sunk at Whitemoor to supplement the output from the original well. This was about 14” diameter, some of the cores still survive in Letcliffe Park. This would be the minimum necessary to accommodate the pump, the rods and the riser pipe from the pump. We are safe in assuming that the bore at WH is at least this size. It later transpires that the pump is steam driven but this diameter bore would still be the minimum required.]
Res. That the secretary be requested to ascertain whether the pump is driven by steam or by power and when satisfied that the test can be made with little preparation to instruct Mr Matthews to make the test.
The secretary reported that the quantity of water now being pumped into the dams from the well in John Wraw's meadows [Tenant of Roundell land in Eastwood Bottoms] was from four to five thousand gallons per hour.
Res. That Proctor Barrett to open the drain in the meadow on the south side of WH and pipe the water down to the well above the present bore hole. [Confusing. This is spare land at the south side of WH Mill and alongside Wellhouse Road. Why not pipe it directly into the dams? Is 'the well above the present bore hole the 'Old well'?]
Res. That we advertise for an engineer at Butts Mills.
Res. That Mr Moorhouse's drum and the company's drum be valued by Henry Brown and that there be no exchange of Mr Moorhouse's is the more valuable.
The managing director reported that the settlement of the flags in Pickles' portion [CH] was due to subsidence of the soil and not to the giving way of the girders over the beck. [The culvert conveying Calf Hall Beck ran under the shed.]
J D Roberts.

April 22nd 1903
J D Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Mr T Matthews advising the directors that the test engineers always advocated a ten day night and day test for bore holes. As the pump was driven by steam it was considered advisable to make a thorough test.
Several applications for the post of engine-man at Butts Mill when it was resolved that the names of Edward Watson, G H Watson and A Hogarth be put to the vote.
Res. That Ed Watson be not appointed to the position and that A Hogarth's application to fill the position at 38/- per week be accepted.
Res. That one cask of compound for WH Mill and packings for Butts be ordered.
Res. That 548 shares in the capital of the company of £1 each be allotted to the several persons in that behalf named in the application and allotment sheets submitted to this meeting so that each allottee shall receive an allotment of the number of shares opposite his name and that notice of each allotment be given to the respective allottees.
J D Roberts.

April 29th 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: E Green and Sons £4. Burnley Building Society £32-12-6. Cresswell Asbestos Co £3-2-2. S Cooke and Co £3-14-3. S Greenwood £4-13-0. J R Atkinson 6/-. E Brooksbank and Co £12-0-6. C Chapman and Sons £117-19-2. P Barrett £14-19-6½. BUDC £6-12-8½. H Marsden £187-10-4. G Proctor £146-17-7. Midland Railway Co £8-19-9.
Res. That the transfer fees on the transfer of shares from William Perry to himself and Mrs Perry be remitted.
It was reported that Mr Matthew's pump had arrived and was being fixed on the bore hole.
Res. That the supply of coal to Butts Mill would run out on the 30th of April.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask Mr Delaney for his best terms to continue the supply.
The secretary presented a plan of Ouzledale Mill sent by the solicitors to the vendors of Butts Mill and reported that, after a survey of the land by one or two directors, the plan was found not to include the large dam which was most essential to the purchase. [Indeed! The dam at Ouzledale had the same water resource as Clough Mill and even though the riparian rights were owned by the Slaters at Clough, the facility of water power at Ouzledale was the right of the mill. A surprising omission, no doubt all will become clear.]
Res. That the vendors of the premises be asked to have a proper survey made and a large scale map be attached to the Conveyance of the property.
Res. That Dugdale and Dewhurst's tape rent start on the 27th of April. [WH]
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

May 6th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That until the new scrips be issued, the company's fees of 1d per share from joint to separate names or separate to joint names, be remitted.
A letter was read from John Delaney quoting 11/6 per ton for South Bretton Steam Nuts delivered at Barnoldswick station from May 1st to April 30th 1904.
Res. That the letter be laid on the table.
Res. That a new belt 13 yards by 4” be ordered for Nutter's tape at CH.
Res. That the floor be repaired by W Holdsworth and the roof by Heap and Thornton in the Craven Manufacturing Company's premises at Butts Mill.
Res. That the co fix new glass to the skylights at Nutters WH[?]
Res. That 32 yards of ½” economiser rope [For driving the scrapers from the shafting] be ordered for CH Shed and one No. 7 long-handled shovel and two mill buckets for WH. [This will be a firing shovel. Shovel sizes were traditionally described by numbers from 1-12.]
The committee appointed to value the desks at Butts Mill reported that there were two desks 6ft long with mahogany tops and fronts and that in their opinion the value was £4-10-0 each.
Res. That they be sold for £8-10-0 to whoever will give the price.
A letter was read from Peter Heaton giving notice that he was leaving the employ of the company on the 30th of May.
Thomas Dent.

May 13th 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That the transfer of the new shares be sanctioned.
Res. That Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst be allowed to have a donkey engine [for tape driving when main engine was stopped] on condition that the exhaust steam is turned outwards, through the wall and over the dam. [So that the condensate in the exhaust drops in the dam.]
Res. That the engine men at each of the mills be instructed to examine all the donkey engines and report on the condition of each. [It was in the company's interest to have the tenants keep them in good condition to minimise steam usage. This wasn't a priority for the tenant.]
Res. That four casks of oil for Butts Mill and a cask of engine oil for WH be ordered and that Mr Joseph Petty be instructed to cover the steam pipe to Dugdale Dewhurst's tape.
Res. That accounts be paid: W J Varley £2-2-6. H Brown £31-8-0.
It was reported to the meeting [that Matthew's men had] commenced to pump from the bore hole, the pump being 120ft down from the surface and 60ft from the bottom [of the bore] and it was advisable to continue the pumping for at least a week longer.
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

May 19th 1903
T Dent chair.
It was reported that the pump at the bore hole had ceased to lift although the well was full. Mr Matthew's expert of Manchester attended and informed the directors that in his opinion there was sufficient water for our purposes. Viz. Fully 4000 gallons per hour and quoted prices for pumps capable of lifting this amount of water.
Res. That he be instructed to take up the pipes, remove the present pump, ascertain the largest pump that could be put down within 10 or 15ft from the bottom (6” or 7”) and give a definite quotation for a pump driven by power from the shed fixed complete, we putting in the foundation and bringing power to the top of the well.
Res. That the offer of Mr Proctor of £4 for the table at Butts be accepted.
Thomas Dent.

May 18th 1903 [sic]
T dent chair.
The pump at WH having ceased to lift water it was resolved that Mr Matthews of Pendleton Manchester be requested to meet the directors.
Thomas Dent.

May 28th 1903
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: J Delaney £241-17-0. James Bulcock 19/8 [One No. 7 shovel and two buckets?] J Eastwood £5. Heap and Thornton £39-10-0. G Proctor wages £67-3-5. Henry Brown £33-5-0. J R Atkinson 12/-.
A letter was read from Dugdale and Dewhurst requesting the directors to allow them three month's grace for the tape sizing machine.
Res. That as the tape had been running for looms that are already gaited the request be not considered.
A report on the condition of the donkey engines at WH Mill was read.
Res. That we write to each of the tenants excepting Messrs Widdup calling their attention to the facts there set out.
Res. That the pulsometer [pump] be sent back to J R Atkinson.
Res. That in the case of transfer from separate to joint names or joint to separate names in the case of husband and wife only the company charge be 1/- for the certificate.
Res. That Mr Proctor be allowed to take the rack and desk at Butts Mill at such a price as he thinks reasonable.
Thomas Dent.

June 3rd 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
A letter was read from the Craven Manufacturing Company [Note. The Craven Man. Co was started in 1900 at Butts Mill by Stephen Pickles and his brother. It was a separate entity to S Pickles and Sons at CH Shed.] which stated that their arrangement with the Butts Mill Co was to pay the rent three months after it became due and that they had paid a shilling per loom per week less than the Long Ing Shed Co whose rate at the present time was 37/7 1/5d per loom per annum.
Res. That the Craven Man Co be informed of the terms of the resolution passed on April 8th last with reference to the price for room and power at Butts Mill. And that the secretary be instructed to take such steps as were necessary to enforce the arrangement by giving notice to terminate the tenancy if necessary.
Res. That Mr Proctor's offer of £4-5-0 for the desk and rack in Butts Mill Office be accepted.
Res. That a new steam trap be ordered for the main steam line at Butts Mill.
The engineers at Butts Mill and CH Shed reported that the donkey engines of their places were in fair condition. [Worth noting that the engine tenters in Barlick were a close-knit lot and drank in the same pub. They swapped news and information and very little went on in the mills that they weren't aware of.]
As the tenancy of the water rights in Eastwood Bottoms would terminate at the end of this week it was resolved that Mr Proctor Barrett and the secretary be requested to see the Agent of the Roundell Estate with a view to the extension of the tenancy and that the settlement and terms be left in their hands. [Not surprising in view of there being no clear resolution of the problems with the new borehole. The option of the Corn Mill water from BUDC is still available but one wonders why, when they tried it before, they didn't carry on with it. I think that the director's plan was to ensure the water supply at WH Mill by means that were under their complete control. Until this happens they are hostages to fortune. Consider how much the supply from the Bowker Drain was worth to them.]
Res. That the Midland Railway account of £4-7-4 be paid.
Res. That prices be obtained for the scrap at Butts Mill.
Res. That the transfer of 191 shares from B Windle to B&E Windle be registered. Seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent.

June 10th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That loan of £20 from Mrs W C Dewhurst be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Letters were read from Anthony Carr and the Craven Manufacturing Co with reference to their tenancies at Butts Mill.
Quotations for old metal were received from Messrs White and Pilling. [Ironfounders and loom manufacturers of Colne.]
The secretary was requested to obtain information as to whether the prices [quoted for scrap] were delivered at Barnoldswick or Colne.
Res. That the goods required by the engineer at WH Mill be ordered but only ¼ gross of laces. [A gross was 12 dozen,144. These will be the leather laces almost universally used for jointing leather belts at this time, later supplanted by patent metal fastenings.]
The deputation appointed to see Mr C S Roundell's agent reported that they had agreed a yearly tenancy (commencing June 7th) of the water rights for £10 per annum.
Res That the agreement which was read referring to this water right be approved and sealed. [Relief all round I should imagine!]
The secretary produced a Conveyance and assignment of the freehold and Leasehold premises known as Butts Mill and the freehold premises known as Ouzledale Saw Mill Estate, both situate in Barnoldswick, conveying the properties from the Butts Mill Co and their mortgagees (The Craven Bank, Skipton.] to CHSC Ltd.
The conveyance having been considered it was resolved that the common seal of the company be affixed thereto. Usual witnesses to this.
Res, That the common seal of the co be affixed to the form of Memorial of Deed referring to the same property. [This was the notification which was required to be lodged with the courts at Wakefield. Barnoldswick was administered from the West Riding.]
Res. That the hoist in the Craven Mn Co portion of Butts mill be repaired by W Holdsworth.
Res. That the secretary's salary be increased to £100 per annum and that Mr Wood be paid an honorarium of £5-5-0 for extra work involved in the purchase of Butts Mill. [I'm not sure but this might be Edward Wood, a colleague of George Proctor. If so we will meet him again as he was the engineering expert.]
Res. That the tables in the office at WH Mill be offered to Mr Moorhouse at 30/- and 18/- respectively providing that the directors move to the office at Butts Mill. [Butts was nearer the centre of the town and more convenient for meetings.]
Thomas Dent.

June 17th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: E Brooksbank and Co £15-15-8. John Wilson £1-14-2. S Greenwood £2-5-0. J W Green £120-5-0. BUDC water 10/-. H Marsden £204-8-0. J Hart 16/7. Wages £58-12-1. James Cooper 7/6. J Delaney £132-11-0. Henry Banks £8-13-1. Henry Brown £1-13-0. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-10-0. J E Whitaker £3-6-6.
Res. That Mr T Matthews be asked to meet the board on Wednesday with regard to the bore hole.
Res. That Messrs Dent and Holt be instructed to fit a new middle gate to the hoist in Bailey's warehouse and a bottom gate to the hoist in Bradley Brothers WH.
A letter was read from the secretary conveying his thanks to the directors for granting him an increase of salary and a letter from the Craven Manufacturing Co asking for corrected rent accounts on the basis of the Long Ing Shed Co, Barlick.
Mr Brooks reported that from the top of the borehole to 85ft down the hole was 3ft 6” out of plumb and from 85ft to 170ft down 3ft out.
The secretary reported that the total amount owing to the bank (after purchasing Butts Mill) was about £4,000.
J D Roberts.

June 24th 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W P Brooks £6-16-6. C Blakey £40-7-0. S Eastwood £5-7-0.
The secretary read the correspondence with ref to the Craven Manufacturing Co's tenancy at Butts Mill and gave particulars of the coal consumption at CH Shed, WH Mill and Butts Mill.
In the case of Butts Mill, for the four months ending May 31st the cost was 15/2 per loom per annum with Monk Bretton coal at 11/6 per ton with 6d for carriage.
In the case of running WH Mill and CH Shed together the cost was13/1 per loom per annum with Altham coal at an average price of 11/1 per ton delivered in the boiler houses.
Res. That Altham coal be used at Butts Mill and that the secretary obtain information from Holgate Marsden with ref to carting. [These figures bear out what Johnny and Newton Pickles always contended about the Musgrave engine at Butts. It was a big, heavily built, slow running wastrel and a mistake.]
Tenders for ashes and [flue] dust at Butts Mill were considered.
Res. That Proctor Barrett tender of £5 per annum be accepted, the place to be cleared every week.
Mr Matthews of Manchester attended with ref to the borehole and he quoted, for one of his patent 6” pumps placed 100ft below the surface, £145 for the first 50 ft and 24/- for every foot additional, delivered and fixed on our foundation. He explained that because the bore was 3ft 6” out of plumb it was impossible to put a pump at a greater depth than 100ft. [The pump rods would be rubbing against the wall of the bore and would be a cause of endless trouble.]
J D Roberts and Thomas Dent.

July 1st 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Hartley and Pilgrim for professional services for completing the purchase of Butts Mill and the Ouzledale Estate and stamp duty thereon £154-14-0. Midland Railway Co for carriage £2.
The secretary reported re Anthony Carr's tenancy [Butts] that he had 2 1/5 yards per loom. [From later entries it appears that this is warehouse room per loom.]
Res. That the allowance made to him be £2-12-0 per annum.
The tenants application for an allowance during stoppage for bad trade was considered.
Res. That the saving in coal effected by the stoppage of the engine in any of the company's mills be allowed to the tenants of that mill or mills in proportion to the number of looms possessed by each tenant provided that this allowance shall not be granted to any tenant of the company who has not agreed to the terms fixed by the directors. [Clever stuff! An incentive to the rogue tenants to stop quibbling over new terms and fall into line. Note that the amount of the reduction is in the control of the directors. The general principle behind this is important in view of future developments. There are two main components of cost in running a mill, the day to day running costs like energy, wages and maintenance and the fixed costs like rates, ground rent and heating for maintenance. The first can be related to the number of looms, the second remain the same regardless of the number of looms but can be allocated on a loom basis. Where this principle becomes important is when there is a reduction in the number of looms from maximum capacity, the amount of fixed costs allocated per loom rises as the number of looms falls. Bear this in mind when mills begin to be run at reduced capacity towards the end of the industry.]
Messrs Slater Brothers attended before the board with reference to the building of a warehouse and office at the end of their shed. [WH]
Res. That the question of moving drums and steam pipes in Pickles' shed at CH be left in the hands of the chairman, Mr Perry, Mr Brooks and W Holdsworth.
The secretary reported that Holgate Marsden's prices for carting coal from Coates Wharf were as follows:
WH Mill 5d per ton. Butts Mill 8d per ton. CH Shed 9d per ton. [Approx. 1 ton 6cwt per load so per load: WH 6½d. Butts 10½d. CH 1/-.]
Res. That the whole of the coal carted to Butts in the first week be weighed.
Thomas Dent.

July 8th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Thomas Matthews well testing £66-13-0. Burnley Building Soc interest £106-5-0. BUDC general rate (CH £58-15-0. WH £110-10-5. Butts £80) £249-5-5. Repayment of loan and interest to Exors of Jane Rudd £349-11-7.
The committee appointed to see Pickles reported that they had agreed to move drums if Pickles and Sons would move the steam pipes.
Res. That the cistern (1), Well (2), Arches and caul (3) be cleaned out at [CH] and that the following amounts be paid respectively: (1) 10/-. (2) 20/-. (3) 40/-. and that the times of cleaning out be left for future consideration.
Res. That the insurance on Butts Mill, at present £12,000 be re-approved.
Res. That Eastwood's rent for the stable at Butts for one horse be 1/- per week and for two, 2/-. Commencing July 13th 1903.
Reports on the economisers at CH and WH were read.
Thomas Dent.

July 15th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That H Marsden's account of £203-6-0 be paid.
The secretary gave particulars of Horsfield Brother's warehouse room at Butts Mill showing that they had 2.12 yards per loom and that to provide them with 2.5 yards per loom (on account og inconvenience) would cost £4-1-3 per annum.
Res. That this amount to be allowed from the [annual] rent paid by them.
Res. That the next supply of composition [boiler water] ordered for CH should be purchased from the Anti-Incrustation Co of Bolton.
Res. That flags in Bradley's, Holden's and Pickles' sheds be repaired by Mr Barrett and that an automatic flushing cistern be fixed by Mr Barrett in J Wilson's warehouse. [water closets?]
Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst attended before the directors and requested that offices should be built outside their shed as they were short of warehouse room. It was pointed out to them that they had increased their number of looms voluntarily and had also fixed a tape and that the directors could not place any further load on the engine. The directors feel that no buildings outside the present shed should be erected. [Difficult to see how an office would place more load on the engine, perhaps there is something that isn't mentioned. On a general principle the directors would be against any outbuildings which might interfere with further building on the site.]
Res. That Proctor Barrett be requested to cover up the bore-hole [With the use of the Eastwood Bottoms well assured under the new agreement with the Roundell Estate the pressure for the independent supply from the bore hole is no longer there and the directors have evidently decided that there is no need at present for further expense on the bore. I can imagine them justifying the expense as an insurance policy for the future if ever circumstances change.] and that Messrs Ellison and Co be requested to overhaul the shafting and report on the piston at Butts Mill and get a tender for the work. [I wonder why Ellison's [of Skipton] have been given this task. Perhaps they have been associated with maintenance of the Musgrave engine under the Butts Mill Co and understand the problem from experience. For instance, they may have stripped the piston out at some point for inspection. No point repeating such a major task if it can be avoided.]
[No signature]

July 21st 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be approved subject to audit etc.
Res. That a dividend of 5% per annum be paid on the whole of the capital of the co including the new capital, for the half year ending June 30th last.
Res. That an extra ordinary meeting of the CHSC be called for July 31st for the purpose of altering the Articles of Association in order that the qualification to act as director should be increased to £200.
Res. That the question of the tenancy of the Craven Manufacturing Co be left with the secretary.
The secretary gave full particulars of the re-apportionment of the insurance on Butts Mill to £7000 from £12000.
Res. That an insurance of £2000 be placed on one year's rent of the warehouse at Butts Mill.
Res. That Messrs Ellison and Co's tender of £103 for the alteration of belt-driving to wheel gear driving at Butts Mill be accepted provided they guarantee the work for six weeks after completion. [All the information I have about the Musgrave engine is that it was a gear drive to the second motion shaft. This is a big job and it seems as though this is a big belt drive somewhere in the power transmission train where a change in shaft level is accommodated by this belt drive.]
J D Roberts.

July 29th 1903
T dent chair.
Res. That the Slater Brother's application for the company to whitewash the accommodation about to be occupied by them be not entertained. [WH?]
Res. That the fishing rights for Springs Dam be advertised.
Res. That Joseph Sneath [engineer] be allowed to have a plot of land at WH Mill, the terms to be arranged by Messrs Dent and Brooks.
Res. That W Crowther be paid overtime for making steam for the well borers.
Res. Loan of £20 accepted from J&B Edmondson. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Mr B Uttley's opinion as to the adoption of Metallic Packings on Butts Mill engine be obtained.
Res. That the Low Pressure piston at CH be bored out and a new piston fitted.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to build a wall and fill in a space of 3ft 6” from the Ouzledale House in place of the present bridge [over the original leat to the water wheel from the dam, now redundant as water power isn't being used.] and fix a hand rail.
[No signature]

July 31st 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: T Dent £20. C Blakey £2. G Proctor £50. S Cooke and Co £3-2-0. G Proctor cash balance £35-5-1. [George appears to be running an Imprest Account for wages etc. This is an account in his name or that of his company Proctor and Proctor from which he disburses moneys and accounts for them to the board upon which accounting they top up the account to a previously agreed level. I ran such an account with the Ellenroad Trust for years and it was a very efficient way of allowing a trusted servant to take action in financial matters.] Cresswell Asbestos Co £10-1-10. Burnley Ironworks Co 4/4. J W Clough 7/-. W Hough and Co 2/3. Francis and Co 1/8. Midland Railway Co £2-3-6. James Bulcock 18/-. James Petty £14-11-0. J Delaney £63-7-0. BUDC ½. James proctor Ltd 16/6. W J Varley £3-1-0.
Res. That the fixing of Metallic Packings to the engine at Butts be deferred for six months.
J D Roberts.

General meeting in Seven Stars AR
July 31st 1903. 7pm
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes of last general meeting as read.
Res. Balance sheet and report adopted. Dividend of 5% per annum adopted. Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration fixed at £40 per annum. C Blakey re-appointed as auditor at an increased rate of £5 per annum. Register of share transfers sealed.
J D Roberts.

Extraordinary meeting same date and venue.
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That the Articles of Association be altered: That in Article 66 the words “two hundred” shall be substituted for the words “one hundred”. [Number of shares need for qualification to be a director.]
J D Roberts.

August 12th 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Perry, Barrett, Horsfield, King, Baxter, Wilson and W Holdsworth.
Res. That Dr Roberts be appointed chairman and Thomas Dent as vice chair for the ensuing year.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £332. R Lowcock £1-1-0.
Res. Loan of £10 from J&B Edmondson be accepted. Seal cert etc.
Letters were read from the Anti-Incrustation Co with reference to the boiler composition for CH, from the Vulcan Insurance Co with ref to inspection of the boilers at Butts Mill and from The Craven Unity Golden Fleece on the question of the security of the loan of £1000 or repayment of same.
Res. That the amount be repaid on receipt of notice as in the terms of the promissory note, namely three months.
Res. That the amended specification for insurance at Butts Mill as read by the secretary be approved.
Res. That fire bricks and fireclay be ordered for Butts Mill from Holgate Marsden.
Res. That the tender from M Lawson of 10/- per annum for the fishing rights at Springs Dam be accepted and that the terms of the agreement be submitted to the meeting next week.
An application from Mr Brooks was read for an increase in salary to 7/- per week.
Res. That the engineer be instructed to make all communications direct to the secretary or the directors [managing?] and the tenants be requested to address their communications to the secretary and that Mr Brooks' salary be allowed to remain as at present. [Getting Butts into line with CHSC business practice no doubt.]
Res. That the large pulley at CH Shed used for turning the cooling apparatus be knocked out of order.
J D Roberts.

August 19th 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Wilson, Baxter, King, Holdsworth, Perry and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the cheque for wages due to the secretary be paid £137-4-2.
Res. That the agreement between Mr Lawson and the Co for the fishing rights at Springs Dam for 10/- per annum as read be drawn up and signed.
Res. That J W Brown be again written [to] applying for rent due and that he be told it has to be paid each month.
Res. That the Diamond Oil Co's traveller be asked to attend before the directors on September 2nd with ref to oil cups and lubricators. No expenses to be paid.
A letter was read from Mr William Hutchinson resigning his position at WH Mill.
Res. That it be accepted and that no man be appointed in his place.
Res. That Bradley's shed wall and coping should be repaired by Proctor Barrett under the instructions of Mr W P Brooks.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be instructed to take out the wall of the economisers to enable a new section to be fixed and replace the wall finding bricks and mortar. And put in a drain to the economiser well as instructed by the engineer. At WH Mill.
Res. That the Anti-Incrustation Co be asked to send a cask of composition.
Res. That Messrs W B White and Sons be instructed to keep all the scrap sent to them including the grate bars. [Sounds as though burnt fire bars have been included in scrap sent to Whites. Not welcome material for a firm that relies on quality of castings for their looms.]


[This is the end of the transcription of Minute Book 2. Stanley Challenger Graham. 23rd January 2011.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY MINUTE BOOKS.

Minute book number 3. September 1903 to July 1906

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. Start date January 24th 2011. All entries inside [] are SCG additions and explanations.]

First page:

Calf Hall Shed Company Limited.
Wellhouse Mills, Calf Hall Shed and Butts Mill Barnoldswick.

Directors as of August 31st 1903:
Chairman, J D Roberts MD.
Vice chairman Tomas Dent.
W P Brooks, Proctor Barrett, Leonard Holdsworth, Henry Wilson, William Holdsworth, James Slater, James Horsfield, William Perry, Thomas Baxter, A King.
Secretary: George Proctor FCA, 3 Grimshaw Street, Burnley.

Under the companies Acts 1862 to 1886.
Registered January 3rd 1889. Registered Office Wellhouse Mills, Barnoldswick in the County of Yorkshire.
[They've just bought Butts Mill and moved the office there. No doubt not yet registered as such.]

Solicitors: Hartley and Pilgrim, Colne.
Director's meeting
September 2nd 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Barrett, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Dent and Holt £10-5-9. [Thomas Dent the director of CHSC was a baker noted in Barrett Directory of 1887 as at 5 Albion Terrace (Park Road) Barnoldswick. There is a Thomas Dent, contractor of 51 Hibson Road Nelson (Slater's directory of 1895) who was active in Barlick at about this time. I think that Dent and Holt is the latter.] S Eastwood £3-9-6. J Delaney £13-14-10. H Marsden £215-8-0. W Holdsworth £28-7-6. A Ltd £7-10-0. Midland Railway Co £1-2-10.
Letters were read from the engineer at WH re the gutters etc. From J Windle and Sons complaining of the nuisance caused by Henry Brown allowing smoke to enter the thoroughfare. From B and EM Holden re further flagging repairs in their shed. From Sun Insurance Co complaining that Butts Mill is not as clean as it should be [fire risk]. From Messrs E Green and Son giving reports on the economisers at CH and WH. From the insurance co reporting on the boilers at WH. And from the engineer requiring stores.
Res. That the goods mentioned by the engineer should be ordered.
The representative of the Diamond Grease Co attended with ref to using their lubricants at Butts Mill. [Greases for shafting bearings.]
Res. That one keg of grease and one of yarn [shafting yarn, a mixture of wool shoddy and grease] be ordered [from Diamond] for Butts Mill and one keg of yarn for WH Mill.
Res. That the broken flags pointed out to Mr Sneath in the premises occupied by Messrs Boocock Brothers be repaired by Proctor Barrett.
Res. That a copy of the letter from the insurance co [re cleanliness] be sent to each of the tenants of Butts Mill.
Res. That the Craven Manufacturing Co and Messrs B and EM Holden [both at Butts] be requested to render an account of the number of sets taped for looms other than those they pay rent to the company [for].
Res. That W Haines' (oiler at Butts) wage be increased to 26/- per week, no extra for overtime.
Res. That the directors meet at Messrs Slater's shed at WH tomorrow, Thursday, at 6:30pm relative to a new ceiling.
John Riddiough, fireman at Butts attended asking for some relief in time.
Res. That Mr Hogarth the engineer [At Butts] be requested to attend the next meeting to give his opinion as to what should be done in his case.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to fix a fall pipe in front of Bradley Brothers' loading place at Butts.
J D Roberts.

September 9th 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Horsfield, King, Brooks, Wilson, Baxter, Perry and Slater.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance of the fire insurance premium owing to the Norwich Union Fire office, £4-8-3 be paid.
Letters were read from Anthony Carr applying for extension at CH and complaining of oil dropping; From J J Sneath stating that Hutchinson requests an extension to his stable; From B & EM Holden giving the number of [export] sets taped, viz. Two; From the Scottish Boiler Insurance Co reporting on CH boilers and from Edward Watson asking for overtime during the re-fixing of drums.
Res. That A Carr be informed that the directors have not yet decided to extend at CH.
Res. That Hutchinson be allowed to alter his stable at his own cost and that he pay 9d per week for the extra stall.
Res. That Holden's be not charged for the two sets of Beams taped at CH.
Res. That the engineer and fireman at CH [Edward Watson engineer] be allowed 7d per hour for 10 hours overtime.
Res. Transfer of 100 shares from W P Brooks to Luke Suthers be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res, That W Holdsworth be requested to repair the window in Boocock's shed.
The secretary read the cash account from July 1st to August 31st.
Res. That a re-apportionment of CH and WH Mills for the purposes of insurance be approved.
Res. That the loan due to Luke Suthers be repaid.
Res. That John Riddiough be required to work overtime as the other men.
J D Roberts.

September 16th 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Perry, Barrett, W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Letters were read from the engineer at WH [J J Sneath] asking on behalf of Tom Wane for an increase of wage from 23/- to 25/-; From the Ocean Accident Insurance Co giving an ordinary report on the three boilers at Butts Mill; From the BUDC surveyor complaining of insufficient closet accommodation in Dugdale and Dewhurst's shed and from Edward Watson re old rope etc.
Res. That Thomas Wane's wages be increased to 25/- with the understanding that no overtime will be paid for and that the engineer at WH make arrangements for his men to attend to the heating of all three sheds during the severe weather and without extra pay. [This is a big ask for the firebeaters and demonstrates how much control the directors had over their men. I suppose they would argue that they were actually overpaid in summer and winter duties balanced this out.]
Res, That W Holdsworth and Proctor Barrett be requested to look into the question of closet accommodation at WH Mill referred to by the surveyor and that the attention of the surveyor be drawn to the water entering Dugdale and Dewhurst's shed from the top drain in Wellhouse Road.
Res. That two sheets of glass at CH be sold for 1/- each and that the old ropes at CH be disposed of at ¾d per lb. [There was a demand for old rope for picking into oakum for caulking wooden ships. Much of this for the Navy was done in prisons as hard labour.]
Res. That the office lately used by the directors at WH be advertised to let.
Res. That the iron safe in John Wilson's office be removed by W Holdsworth to the offices of the company. [Now at Butts of course.]
J D Roberts.

September 23rd 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Perry, Baxter, W Holdsworth, Horsfield, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for wages amounting to £83-7-9.
Letters were read from the Ocean Accident Insurance Co with reference to the boiler certificate; from J Windle and Sons asking for the use of the office at WH in exchange for the office they now occupy; From H Brown and Sons offering 1/- per week for the same office provided we allowed the steam pipe to be connected [heating] and from the engineer at Butts mill asking for certain stores.
The committee appointed to examine the closet accommodation reported that two further closets could be provided at little cost.
Res. That the tender for the office at WH be not accepted. That the stores required by the engineers be ordered. That Proctor Barrett be required to provide a cast iron trough for Butts Mill and that the work he has in hand be brought to completion with the least possible delay and expenditure.
Res. That the engineer at WH be asked what wage his son expects to receive for his services. [Engine tenting ran in families by nepotism. There was no recognised training or qualification apart from experience. J J Sneath is giving his son John a leg up.]
The secretary reported that William Haines, the oiler at Butts Mill was seriously injured when setting on the barring engine on September 18th and that the Factory Inspector, the certifying surgeon and the insurance company had all been informed. [The barring engine was a small auxiliary engine used for slowly turning the main engine and mill shafting to ensure that condensate was expelled from the main engine cylinders and that the bearings on the shafting had been moved and any overnight stiction (the tendency of bearings to resist movement because of the viscosity of the oil. A serious matter in winter) overcome so as to reduce load on the main engine when starting.]
J D Roberts.

September 30th 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, W Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Barrett, Wilson, Slater, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Diamond Lubricating Co £22-1-0. J Wilson $3-0-4. J Rigby and Sons £1-4-3. E Brooksbank and Co £15-12-0. J W Clough £17-13-0.
Res. Loan of £20 from Mrs W C Dewhurst accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the transfer of shares from W P Brooks and Enos Robinson be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Letters were read from J J Sneath with ref to ropes, shafting etc. From J Windle and Sons re the office at WH Mill and from Albert Hogarth asking for stores.
Res. That the shafts in Bailey and Roberts' shed at WH be lengthened and turned by Henry Brown, that the wheels mentioned by Mr Sneath be boarded in by W Holdsworth. That a new rope be obtained and that Messrs Gott of Nelson be asked to send a man to splice and tighten the ropes at WH.
Res That Holgate Marsden be requested to cart the rubbish from Butts Mill and that 260 caps for the solid lubricant be ordered for Butts Mill. [Sounds like caps for the bearing boxes on the cross shafts in the shed to stop airborne 'dawn' [Cotton fibres] settling on the grease.]
J D Roberts.

October 7th 1903.
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Horsfield, Perry, W Holdsworth, Barrett, King, Baxter, Wilson and Brooks.
Minutes as read.
It was resolved:
That Mr H Marsden's account for coal be paid £358-19-2.
That £1000 loan and interest due to the Craven Unity Lodge be repaid December 31st 1903 as requested.
That the barring engine at Butts be fenced off by H Brown and the engineer. [Accident protection after the event.]
That share cert for John Noke[?] be seal cert etc.
That Messrs B & EM Holden be allowed to have the cupboard on which the safe they have purchased from the company stood.
That J Windle and Sons be allowed to have the office at WH for 1/6 per week without steam.
That H Marsden's coal carts be drawn over the scale occasionally without notice. [Checking weights. There was a lot of trust involved in assessing weight of coal.]
That P Barrett be requested to repair the drain in Horsfield Brother's shed and one at WH.
That W Haines' wages be paid in full for four weeks from the accident and afterwards as allowed by the Insurance Co, viz. ½ wages and 13/- per week. That Nutter and Sons be allowed to erect a wood building opposite their warehouse.
That troughs at CH be cleaned out.
Thomas Dent.

October 14th 1903
T Dent chair. Brooks, Horsfield, Perry, W Horsfield, Barrett, King, Baxter, Wilson.
Minutes as read.
It was resolved:
That The secretary be instructed to reply to a letter to S Turner complaining of damage by flood to property adjoining the beck at Butts.
That the pipes and valves required to warm the twisting room at Butts be ordered. [Twisting was a process in warp preparation for the looms after taping.]
That the table at WH be sold to H Brown for 15/-.
That Heap and Thornton be requested to repair the roof at Ouzledale.
That the path along the small dam-side at Ouzledale be filled in with ashes.
That the damage to the drain on the public road at Ouzledale be repaired by Proctor Barrett.
J D Roberts.

October 21st 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Barrett, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
It was resolved:
That P Barrett be requested to fix down spouts at Ouzledale and that old pipes be used where possible.
That W Holdsworth be requested to complete the wood covering in Moorhouse's warehouse.
That the stores required by Hogarth and Sneath [Butts and WH] namely pipes, valves and oil be ordered.
That consideration of the alteration to Wilson's shed door be left over.
That W Haines be paid full wages this week seeing that he returned to work Tuesday last.
That the extra man at WH be dispensed with and that Wells be sent in his place with the understanding that he should spend half a day at Butts occasionally as required.
J D Roberts.

October 28th 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Holdsworth, Horsfield, Baxter, Barrett, Wilson, Perry and King.
Minutes as read.
It was resolved:
That accounts be paid: James Bulcock £1-3-9. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-5-0. ? and Sons £1-8-3. J Lumb and Sons 10/2. T M Duché and Sons £14-7-0. Mr Horsfield gas £1-15-0. J W Clough £4-1-0. Burghope and Strange £4-19-6. Proctor Barrett £20-15-0. Wages £73-6-5.
That the account of J Moorhouse for two pieces of cloth 28/- spoiled by oil and rain be left with the secretary.
That the secretary be instructed to write to Messrs Ellison of Skipton with reference to vibration in the shaft recently erected at Butts.
That Messrs Dent and Brooks examine the raining in at the entrance to Bradley's shed.
That the three-legs lent by Mr Proctor Barrett and broken while in the company's possession be repaired. [Three-legs, sometimes called sheer-legs are a heavy tripod used with a block and tackle attached to the apex for effecting a heavy lift. What I call a sky-hook!]
The secretary gave particulars of the tenant's looms at Butts Mill, the total being 1,926.
J D Roberts.

November 4th 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Horsfield, Perry, Barrett, King, Baxter and Wilson.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Midland Railway £1-8-1. Stott and Son £14-6-3. C W Thompson £10. M Watson £15-15-0.
It was resolved:
That Messrs Ellison be requested to defer their visit re shafting at Butts Mill.
That the lamps on the road to Bradley's shed at Butts mill be lit each morning during winter.
That Heap and Thornton be instructed to repair Bradley's shed roof.
That Messrs A Carr, Horsfield's and Bradley be informed that the drains leading from their [water] closets were choked with waste and cops. [The old problem of weavers disposing of waste for which they were liable to be fined.]
That the secretary be instructed to acknowledge receipt of the Surveyor's letter re the surface drain at Wellhouse Road and to inform the surveyor that they [the company?] are taking steps which they hope will remedy the dampness in the shed occupied by Anthony Carr at Butts Mill.
That £30 of the loan by G & ME Anderson be repaid as requested. [Notice that the Andersons were using CHSC as a savings bank. A very common attitude to loans to the company which raises the question of whether the banks accepted small amounts on deposit and what interest they paid.]
That Proctor Barrett send a labourer to repair Calf Hall Lane.
J D Roberts.

November 12th 1903
Dr Roberts chair. Dent, Brooks, Wilson, Baxter, King, Barrett, Holdsworth, Perry and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
It was resolved:
That H Marsden coal account £286-17-0 be paid.
That the road at CH be swept by P Barrett's man.
That the stores required by the engineers be ordered.
That 4/- be paid to Hogarth engineer at Butts and his assistant Haines for cleaning out the drains from the water closets at Bradley's [shed] Butts.
That Hogarth examine the boilers at Butts when next cleaned out and if he thinks a drain can be made to take water from the economisers and boiler beds a man be engaged to do the work. [Water in the beds was a serious matter and had implications for accelerated attrition of boiler and settings as well as fuel economy.]
Thomas Dent.

November 18th 1903
T Dent chair. Brooks, Wilson, Baxter, King, Barrett, Holdsworth, Perry and Horsfield.
Minutes as read.
It was resolved:
That additional steam pipes be fixed in Slater Brother's (WH) twisting and dressing room [warp preparation] and that the chairman and managing director be requested to consult with Mr Sneath the engineer as to the best way of doing the work.
That the stores required by the engineers be ordered including one coil of economiser rope [driving] and a few chisels for Butts Mill.
That Mr Holdsworth be requested to repair the hoist in Moorhouse's warehouse.
J D Roberts.

November 25th 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
The following accounts were examined[?]: P Barrett £21-1-0. W Holdsworth £8-10-5. Henry Brown £10-6-2. J Varley £22-15-8.
Resolved:
That Ellison of Skipton be instructed to remove the wheel from the shafting in Bradley's shed.
That W Holdsworth be requested to repair the large door leading into Bradley's works, windows in William Bailey's and Joseph Windle's tape room at WH.
That one wagon load of one inch road metal [stone] be ordered from P W Spencer, Thornton in Craven. [Thornton Rock limestone quarry]
That the secretary be requested to order steam pipe and fittings for Slater Brother's dressing room.
That P Barrett be requested to supply a set pan for Ouzledale Cottage. [This was a CI pan for heating water for domestic purposes. Often called a 'copper' even though made out of cast iron.]
That W J Varley be requested to give details of the 240 hours at 10d per hour for [work on] wheel covers at Butts Mill.
That Bradley Brothers be informed that their recommendations will be attended to.
That Mr Wood be asked to bring a deed plan of Ouzledale or a copy for the next meeting.
That the watercourse bank at Ouzledale be repaired with random [stone].
J D Roberts.

December 2nd 1903
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: James Bulcock £2. James Gott and Sons 17/-. BUDC; weighing 6/4 [Use of weighbridge at gasworks?] and water 10/-. P Barrett £21-1-0. W Holdsworth £8-10-0. Burnley Ironworks £55-0-4. Henry Brown £30-3-0. William Perry £10-12-3. W J Varley £22-15-8. Proctor and Proctor, wages £70-12-0 and insurance £58-12-0. H Marsden £308-7-1.
Letters were read from: James Moorhouse complaining of the severe cold on Monday mornings. [Always the worst day for heating after the weekend break.] From W J Varley explaining the item on time spent on wheel covers. From J J Sneath requesting a contribution to the widow of the man named Jeffries of Salterforth [reason?], a larger supply of feed water to the boilers and reporting that a set of wheel covers had dropped down and had been caught in the gearing thus requiring a new set of covers.
Resolved:
That the Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to attend to the feed to the boilers.
That a contribution of £2-2-0 be made to Mrs Jeffries.
That the wheel covers be repaired by W J Varley and that Mr Sneath be asked to give his personal supervision in future in order to prevent a re-occurrence.
The secretary gave a list showing the amount owing by each of the tenants of the company from which it appeared that the amount owing was over £3,000 and that the monthly rent was nearly £1,000.
The secretary produced a plan of Ouzledale property and it was found on reference thereto that the tunnel from the caul to the stream was not under our land and that therefore we were not liable for its repair. [This is undoubtedly true of the section under the road but it must mean that the Director's view is that the garden on the left of the entrance to the mill from Longfield Lane was not part of the Ouzledale Estate. Surprising, is there a flaw in the deeds? On reflection this may refer to the caul that fed the leat to the waterwheel which is at the topside of the mill. As the waterwheel is no longer in use this is not a big problem.]
Res.
That new springs and doors be ordered for the stokers at Butts Mill, a snifting valve for the boiler pump [a small spring loaded valve that could be opened to allow air to escape from the water in the pump, this would improve the pump efficiency and allow it to be primed before starting.], waste for solid lubricant [Shafting yarn] and two rubber pump valves. [Non return flap valves]
That the samples of solid lubricant [grease] and waste [shaft yarn] supplied by C Brooksbank and Co be tested alongside the present Diamond Grease Co's solid lubricant.
That the chairman, vice chairman, Baxter, Brooks and Proctor Barrett be deputed to see the BUDC surveyor re Wellhouse and Valley Roads and that they be instructed to say that the company is willing to make [good] that portion of Valley Road which belongs to us as the surveyor suggests provided that the BUDC and other owners will make their share.
Thomas Dent.

December 9th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Letters were read from Mr Sneath exonerating the oiler from any blame with respect to the damaged wheel covers. [My reading is that Varley's are trying to evade responsibility for damage to the covers due to bad fitting and have tried to blame the oiler for disturbing them while he was oiling the lineshaft or greasing the bevel gearing.] Mr Thomas Wane wrote thanking the directors for their contribution to Mrs Jeffries.
The secretary gave particulars of the account for rent due from Messrs Bailey and Robert's, successors to Boocock Brothers showing the rent due for three months to November 30th as £106-19-3 less 12 week's grace £98-14-6. The account was approved.
Res. That the stores ordered by the engineers be ordered.
That the cash account as read by the secretary for the period August 1st 1903 to November 30th 1903 be approved.
Mr Brooks reported that Dugdale and Dewhurst were taping for Slater Brothers and John Slater and Sons Ltd.
The secretary reported that he had taken the measurement of the warehouse occupied by the Craven Manufacturing Co at Butts Mill and that there were about 1550 yards for 685 looms being 2.263 yards per loom. To provide 2.5 yards per loom will require an addition of 162½ yards to the present warehouse which, at a cost of £1 per yard would mean an annual cost to the company of £6-10-0 per annum.
It was resolved that taking into account the very inconvenient arrangements of the rooms and the quantity of gas needed to light them, that the rent from January 1st next be the same as the other tenants but with an allowance of 1/- per loom for these inconveniences.
Res. That Albert Hogarth be instructed to get stays for wheel covers; that files be ordered by Mr Wood; that 3 pairs doors and ? Oil be ordered from Brooksbank's.
Thomas Dent.

December 16th 1903
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Insurance £15-14-6. W H Atkinson £85-5-0. John Dixon £13.
Res.
That the secretary be instructed to ask Mr Atkinson to state how he stands with the company at the present date.
That the Burnley Ironworks Co be asked to erect a new 3 ¼” ram pump at WH Mills in place of the present 2 ½” pump. [Feed water supply to the boilers. The original pump isn't man enough for the increased load. This is almost certainly a pump driven by the engine motion.]
That the request of Alfred Pilkington to have his tenancy transferred to his son R G Pilkington be acceded to.
That the wall and flashing in Windle's shed be repaired when the weather permits.
That the rent account for the additional looms placed in WH Mill by Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst and Messrs Slater produced by the secretary be approved and that Dugdale and Dewhurst be charged for all extra taping done by them.
Thomas Dent.

December 13rd 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the sum of £300 be accepted as a loan from Francis Clark and that from January 1st next all loans accepted be subject to three months notice by either party.
Letters were read from John Delaney; The Baptist Chapel Trustees; Alfred Pilkington and reports on the boilers at Butts Mills.
Res.
That the £5 due to the Chapel Trustees for the rent of the dam at Butts Mill be paid. [This reference to a 'dam' at Butts is confusing because the mill never had a reservoir or dam in the conventional sense. However, like CH Shed the beck was culverted under the mill and the level raised by a caul or weir under the mill to give a condenser pond. From Parrock, on the south side of the mill and before the beck went under the mill a short length ran through land belonging to the Trustees of the Baptist Chapel. This clearly shown on the plan with the 1887 sale document, the 1892 25” OS map and exists to this day. If the water level was raised in the beck by the weir under the mill it would back up into the stretch of the Calf Hall Beck in the Chapel land and could possibly be seen as a 'dam'. Further, marked on the 1887 document but not shown on the 1892 OS map is a branch off the open part of the beck into something on the chapel land, possibly a balancing pond to give more capacity to the volume of the beck and the pond under the mill. (Only the entrance to this is shown on the 1887 document.) Any raising of the level in the beck in chapel land could be seen as an encroachment apart from any balancing pond and so I think this payment is for this encroachment. As for why this is the first time this matter has appeared in the accounts, research in other areas has produced evidence that there was considerable confusion over land ownership in this area and it may be that this sudden realisation by the Trustees that they were owed money is something to do with pressure on the funding of the chapel. Harold Duxbury told me years later that there were pieces of land on this side of Butts that had indeterminate ownership as late as 1980 but one imagines that encroached land over the years had conferred new status on it similar to squatter's rights, whatever. As far as this entry is concerned I think we are safe in regarding it as rent on the portion of the beck on the surface in the chapel land. It is marked as property of the Baptist Chapel's Trustees on the 1887 plan. The existence of this balance pond has other implications for make-up water from Gillians Beck but we will come to this later.]
That J Wills be instructed to sweep the lane at CH.
That a new set boiler be ordered by Proctor Barrett for the Ouzledale Property.
That the payment of interest [on loans] for the half-year to December 30th 1903 as read by the secretary be approved.
Thomas Dent.

December 30th 1903
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: G Proctor wages £59-4-2. James Cooper £1-4-0. Diamond Lub. Co £6-12-0. J W Clough £9-8-6. E Brooksbank and Co £2-8-6. Burnley Ironworks 10/-. W Hough and Co 13/3. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-14-6. C Blakey £1-14-1. P Barrett £14-18-0.
Res. That the secretary be requested to inform E Bennis and Co that we consider their account to be excessive.
Mr Henry Brown offered to supply grease boxes for Wilson's Shed at 8d each.
Res. That he be asked to supply a sample box.
Res. That a Christmas present of 10/- be given to Holgate Marsden's carters.
With reference to the tenancy of the Craven Manufacturing Company which will terminate on the 31st of December 1903, the secretary reported that he had informed them of the basis upon which the tenancy could be renewed. Viz. 40/- per loom per annum and £90 per 400 looms for the tape with an allowance of £ 34-5-0 for inconvenient warehousing. They however requested the Company to allow them a deduction of 4 4/5d per loom on account of the fall of 4d per ton in the price of coal in April last. It was eventually arranged that the allowance asked for should be granted provided that the allowance for warehousing be reduced to £30 per annum.
Res. That seeing that the tenants at WH and CH shed pay 39/7 1/5d per loom that this be the basis for Butts Mill from the 1st of January 1904 and that the arrangement made by the secretary with the Craven Manufacturing Co be approved.
Thomas Dent.

January 6th 1904
Res. That J Horsfield, Dent and Brooks look at the ventilating fan in Horsfield's tape room and report to the next meeting how it should be fixed also that they look at the engine with a view to fitting an additional pump. [Butts?]
Res. That Henry Brown's tender for fixing grease boxes for lubricating the shafts in Wilson's shed be accepted. [This involved replacing the existing bearing caps with caps incorporating a box with a lid to hold a grease pad on top of the bearing. This became standard practice for cross-shaft bearings.]
Res. That the boy Pickover be sent a letter requiring him to come before the directors to apologise for doing damage at Ouzledale.
Thomas Dent.

January 13th 1904
T Dent in chair.
Minutes as read.
Resolved:
That accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £362-3-0. Ellison and Co £103-9-0.
That loans be accepted, £40 from D Woffenden and £300 from F&C Clark. Seal cert etc.
That Balance sheet be accepted subject to audit and presented to shareholders on Friday January 24th 1904 at 7pm in Seven Stars AR. Half year dividend of 5% per annum recommended.
That an Extraordinary General meeting be held at the same time to pass the following resolution:
That the Articles of Association be altered: That in Article 66 the wording “two hundred” shall be substituted for “one hundred”.
That the oil and grease required at WH be ordered.
That the erection of the auxiliary pump at Butts Mill be left in the hands of Mr Wood and the engineer. [I think this is definitely Edward (Teddy) Wood entering the field as engineering expert for Proctor and Proctor. He will loom large in the future and seems to have been a good man, certainly highly regarded by the engineers he worked with. One of his major attributes was to trust favoured engineers and eventually this was to lead to an efficient source of expertise in Barlick.]
The secretary read the correspondence that had passed between him and the Craven Manufacturing Co with ref to the settlement of terms for a continuation of their tenancy. The tenant requests that the rate for the tape machine should stay as before, namely £90 for 420 looms.
Res. That the price already fixed be adhered to.
A letter was read from Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst in which they requested a further allowance of grace for the 84 additional looms at WH on the grounds that they did not obtain possession until the 14th of August 1903 instead of the 1st of August.
Res That the chairman and Mr Brooks be requested to see them.
Res. That one bag of cement be got from P Barrett for Butts Mill.
J D Roberts.

January 20th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Messrs Dent and Brooks reported that they had informed Dugdale and Dewhurst that they must arrange the question of grace with Slater Brothers.
Res. That George Watson at CH who had given notice to leave the company's employ be allowed to continue with the Co.
Res. That Horsfield Brothers [Butts] be informed that the directors are of the opinion that their tape trunk [the wooden structure which conveyed steam and damp air from the drying drums to the atmosphere] is the cause of the present unsatisfactory state of the tape room and that they be requested to erect a new one and that the co are providing a source of cold water.
Res. That W Holdsworth be requested to cover the steam pipes conveying steam to Bradley and Horsfield's tapes and passing over the Craven Manufacturing Co's shed.
Thomas Dent.

January 29th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: James Bulcock £8-6-4. J W Green, rates £120-5-0. BUDC £255-14-3. W Holdsworth £1=15-11. E Bennis and Co £2-10-6. Midland Railway Co £1-6-8. Inland Revenue £178-13-4. T M Duckett and Sons £22-7-6. P Barrett £18-7-10.
Thomas Dent.

Half yearly shareholder's meeting
January 29th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
[Printed balance sheet and report inserted in minute book reports net profit for half year after providing £800 for depreciation is £952-2-3, disposable balance of £3,104-13-3.]
Minutes as read.
Resolved:
Balance sheet adopted. Dividend approved. Charge for a copy of Articles of Association be 1/-.
J D Roberts.

Extraordinary general meeting
Resolved unanimously that article 66 be altered with the effect of increasing the director's qualification form 100 shares to two hundred.
Thomas Dent.

February 3rd 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Wages be paid to secretary £67-15-2.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to warn John Pickover of Ivy Terrace. Manchester Road, Barlick re damage to walls at Ouzledale.
Res. That W Holdsworth be instructed to paint woodwork round the safe and fix cupboard doors in Wilson's office.
Thomas Dent.

February 10th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That the stores required at WH be ordered.
That tenders be invited from Varley, Barrett, Smith, Brooks and Brown for an ½” ? Water supply to Council standard from certain points to the tipplers as pointed out by Mr Hogarth, engineer at Butts. [Tippler toilets require an adequate supply of water (usually waste water in the domestic situation) in order to function properly. No waste water in a weaving shed or warehouse and so a supplementary supply is needed to avoid a nuisance.]
That W Holdsworth be requested to repair the ceiling between the Craven Manufacturing Co's shed and Horsfield Brothers.
That Metallic Packings and the Extraordinary General Meeting be considered next week.
Thomas Dent.

February 17th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That H Marsden's account £511-14-0 be paid.
That loan of £30 from Henry Wilson be seal cert etc.
That tenders for metallic packings on Butts engine be invited from Burnley Ironworks, Musgrave Co [Bolton] and W Roberts and Sons.
That E Smith's tender of £6-8-0 for ? Water pipes at Butts Mill be accepted.
That H Marsden's men be allowed 2/- for extra work.
That a man be sent to clean the road in front of Dugdale and Dewhurst's warehouse.
That Hutchinson's application for a hay loft be not entertained.
The secretary reported that the donkey engine [tape-driving] in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse was their property having been purchased from the Butts Mill Co at the commencement of their tenancy.
Thomas Dent.

February 24th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That Burnley Ironworks be requested to report on the LP piston etc at Butts.
That the tabling [coping stones?] and troughing at WH Mill be pointed and windows put in by Heap and Thornton.
That the firebars, shovels etc required at WH be ordered.
That the spare hanger at Butts be fixed to steady shaft as explained my Mr Brooks.
Thomas Dent.

Extraordinary general meeting
February 24th 1904 at Seven Stars.
T Dent chair.
Minutes of last extraordinary general meeting as read.
Res. That in Article 66 the words “two hundred” shall be substituted for “one hundred”.
[There must be some procedural matter here. I have no explanation.]
Thomas Dent.

March 2nd 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Anti-Incrustation Co £7-9-7. Henry Brown £10-6-0. W J Varley £2-4-0. Wages £53-4-7. H Marsden £311-17-0.
That Mr Ellison of Skipton be requested to attend at Butts Mill on Saturday to arrange for the [change of the] large belt drive in the boiler house to gearing. [This will be the conversion to gearing mentioned earlier and is not the main drive on the engine which was geared when installed.]
That oil barrels be sold at 3/2 for cyl oil and 3/7 for engine oil.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

March 9th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Rs.
That two new 2” x 100ft or 108ft ropes be ordered from Thomas Hart for WH engine.
That the stone ridging goes to Heap and Thornton at 2/6 per yard.
That the plan provided by Messrs Ellison for conversion of belt to gear drive at Butts and showing upright and cross shafts to clutch be approved and that a tender be obtained.
The Burnley Ironworks reported on the Butts Mill engine stating that the cost of Universal Metallic packings to the HP and LP rods to be £51-10-0 fixed. That the LP cylinder bore was worn 1/8” and the piston ¼”, that the valves were leaking and in bad condition and recommending that the Co have the cylinder bored and new piston rings and valves fitted at a total cost inclusive of metallic packings to both engines of £152. The question of doing the work was adjourned for Mr Wood to report to the next meeting after an interview with Mr Metcalfe of Burnley Ironworks Co.
Mr John Sagar of Salterforth quoted for Exors [of Colonel Hargreaves] coal but it was decided not to change the supply. [Sagar's were quarry operators at Salterforth and evidently trying to get into the coal trade.]
Thomas Dent.

March 16th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that the price of Altham coal would be reduced 3d per ton from April 1st bringing the price to 10/3 at Coates Wharf.
Quotations were read from Messrs Ellison and Co and James Proctor Ltd.
Res. That the tender of Ellison and Co for conversion of belt to gear driving and two mortice wheels [bevels] at Butts Mill for £41 be accepted
Res. That the tender of James proctor for altering one of the stokers at Butts Mill to their latest pattern for £15 delivered and fixed complete, the CHSC to supply labour assistance, be accepted.
Res. That the question of repairs to the Butts Mill engine be deferred another week.
Res. That Mr A Shaw of the Universal Metallic Packing Co be requested to attend.
Thomas Dent.

March 23rd 1904
Minutes as read.
Res. That all waste required by the engineer at CH be purchased from the tenants. [This is 'soft waste', that is waste yarn which has not been sized. This is used for engine cleaning, soaking up waste oil on the engine and is burned on the boiler fires after use. We always kept a drum of oil-soaked waste about for boiler fire lighting after a shut-down. Useful stuff!]
Mr A Shaw of the Universal Metallic Packing Co attended and explained the principle of his packings by exhibiting a model.
Res. That his packings be adopted for the Butts Mill engine. [Good salesmanship!]
Res. That the repairs to Butts Mill engine be considered on April 7th.
J D Roberts.

March 30th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
A was read from James Proctor Ltd offering to fix moving bars at Butts Mill for £21 per boiler [two furnaces on each] The question was deferred for further consideration.
Res.
That William Bailey's hoist at WH be repaired by W Holdsworth.
That accounts be paid: E Bennis and Co 8/-. J W Clough £3-12-0. S Smith £7-9-6. W Emmott £5-5-0. Union Oil Co £3-5-0. Burnley Ironworks £20. E Brooksbank and Co £14-11-3. J J Whitaker £1-5-0. W P Brooks £1.
The secretary read reports of ordinary inspection of boilers at Butts Mill.
J D Roberts.

April 6th 1904
Minutes as read.
Res.
That a fall pipe be fixed to the trough at Bradley Brothers by Proctor Barrett and that he be required to carry the overflow water in Slater Brother's warehouse to the drain.
That Messrs Dent, Barrett, Holdsworth and Brooks form a committee to examine the skylights in Windle's shed and to order what is required to put them in order.
That Mr L Robinson be requested to fix a wooden trough and fall pipes at Ouzledale.
J D Roberts.

April 13th 1904.
J D Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £339-16-0. F W Spencer £1-6-0.
That the bars of the boiler at Butts (with Proctor's latest stoker) be reduced from 6ft to 4ft 10½” by bricking up.
That Messrs Slater, Brooks and Dent form a committee to examine the driving wheel and spur wheel of the engine at Butts Mill as to their condition. [This was a long-standing fault on the Musgrave engine. The jack wheel on the flywheel and the spur gear on the second motion shaft never meshed properly and the drive was always noisy and suffered from vibration. This vibration caused segments of the jack wheel to come loose and exacerbate the problem. Evidence of Newton Pickles who maintained the engine for years with his father and suffered these problems until the mill closed.]
That the LP cylinder on Butts Mill engine be bored and fitted with a new piston and that the valve boxes be bored and fitted with new valves. [This is Teddy Wood going further than Burnley Ironworks and specifying a more expensive but far better job. This repair proved effective for 25 years. Evidence of N Pickles again on the same job 25 years later.]
That metallic packings be fitted to both HP and LP cylinders and that tenders for all the work be invited from William Roberts and Sons, the Musgrave Company and Burnley Ironworks.
The fireman having left at CH Shed and T Wills from WH having taken his place it was necessary to appoint a fireman at WH.
Res. That the wage to commence be 21/- per week. Several candidates appeared before the board and it was unanimously resolved that J O'Neill be appointed.
Res. That the men at Butts Mill be allowed 15/- for overtime working during the erection of the new drive for the tape room.
Res. That the secretary arrange for the insurance of the workmen at Butts Mill.
The secretary was prepared with information as to the rateable value of the Company's premises but it was resolved that seeing that Butts Mill is rated at a low rate the figure be not read out. [!!]
The secretary stated however that the increase in rates of 8d in the pound would mean 4d per loom per annum to the CHSC.
J D Roberts.

April 20th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Ellison of Skipton be requested to chip the cogs in the flywheel [jack wheel actually] of the Butts Mill engine. [Being cast iron, it was possible to chisel off any high spots on the teeth of the gear in an attempt to quieten the gear by improving the mating of the teeth. However, this is a very complicated subject. I don't intend to go into the technicalities but will quote Newton Pickles on this subject: “You can't chip to pitch”. Briefly this means that if there is a fundamental mistake in the original casting of the gear segments resulting in a discrepancy in the Pitch Circle Diameter of the casting it can't be rectified by chipping, only alleviated and the problem will re-occur. Basically this was the problem with the gears on the Musgrave engine.]
Res. That Anthony Hutchinson's rent for stable at WH be reduced to 1/- per week whilst only one horse is kept. The CHSC reserving the right to let the stall not used.
Res. That Bradley Brothers be allowed to put another loom in their shed.
Res. That the firebars at CH be reduced to 5ft in length.
J D Roberts.

April 27th 1904
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: BUDC £7-11-0. S Baldwin £8-17-8. Wages £52-17-7. W Holdsworth £6-18-1. L ? account £1-5-6. P Barrett £7-16-7.
Res. That £100 be repaid to W&J Cooke and £100 accepted from H Roche. Seal cert etc.
Tenders by Burnley Ironworks Co and W Roberts and Sons for the repairs at Butts were opened. The prices were £152 and £200-15-0 and old materials[respectively].
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks tender be accepted.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to our engineers informing them that CHSC will not be responsible for the consequences of them using waste which the board has not purchased. [?]
Res. That Mr Brooks be instructed to inform the engineers that they must take their instructions as to speed from the board and that all enquiries respecting same must be made to the secretary. [This is a bad ruling in my opinion. In a weaving shed the day to day atmospheric conditions govern how tight the leather driving belts are and hence the speed of the looms, how the yarn is behaving in the loom and hence the amount of down-time for the weavers because of broken ends etc. At Bancroft Shed I used a very experienced ex-tackler who wove near the lineshaft as adviser and every day I checked with him as to the right speed to run at. The adjustments were small but the overall effect was to raise the average wage of the weavers by 30/- a week on a total wage of about £35. The evidence for this was information given to me by Jim Pollard the weaving manager. I was a very popular man!]
J D Roberts.

May 4th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the question of asking the tenants to pay the new education rate be deferred. [Under the 1902 Education Act the old local Education Boards were abolished and replaced by Local Education Authorities with powers to organise funding, employ teachers and allocate school places. I think this the change referred to by the 8d per pound rate rise already mentioned.]
That two gross of cleaning rags at 12/- per gross be ordered from Messrs Brooksbank and Co and that they be requested to collect and clean them from time to time. [This may be a Teddy Wood recommendation. He would have seen accidents caused by the loose ends of a bunch of cotton waste being caught in a gear or driving rope with dangerous consequences. In 1945 this simple accident destroyed the Bishop House engine at Burnley (Evidence of Newton Pickles). Interesting that Brooksbank's also offered a cleaning service. In later days this was a common practice and the company providing the rags had an income from the sale of oil reclaimed when cleaning them.]
That a week's test be made of coal delivered at Butts Mill by weighing all deliveries.
That the flooring in Wilson's warehouse at Butts be repaired by W Holdsworth and also the floor at CH.
That transfer of 200 shares from N J Cooke to W Roche and Cook be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That a new barrow be ordered for CH from Proctor Barrett, the ? To be of hardwood.
That a letter be sent by the chairman to the family of the late Greenwood Wilkinson, for many years a director of the CHSC expressing the regret of the board at his demise and the high esteem in which he was held by his colleagues.
J D Roberts.

May 11th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Stott and Sons for rent £14-6-3. H Marsden £368-15-0.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to each tenant of the CHSC asking if it is agreeable to them that the Co should charge them with the increase in Local Rates over last year's amount. The increase having been brought about chiefly by the increase in the education rate.
The results of the list of coal consumption at Butts Mill was as follows: 45 tons 9cwts per week @ 10/11 per ton delivered (Altham Nuts) for 1926 looms (all weight being on) giving 42 looms per ton per week.
Res. That two further stokers be brought up to date at Butts at a cost of £15-10-0 by James Proctor of Burnley.
J D Roberts.

May 18th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the loan of £100 plus interest from Elizabeth Ann Smith be repaid.
Res. That one dozen water gauge glasses be ordered for CH and ½ a dozen weed brooms for Butts.
Res. That Henry Brown be asked to give a price for 61 large solid lubricant boxes for Butts.
Res. That the letter indited by the secretary in answer to a letter from B&M Holden (in reply to letter sent by the secretary asking them if they are willing to pay the education rate) be sent to them.
J D Roberts.

May 25th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Accounts be paid: H Marsden £3-17-9. J W Clough £4-2-6. J Riley and Sons £2-18-11. F R Putz 4/6. Wages £52-3-5.
That the loans standing in the names of Elizabeth Ann Smith £100 and interest and John Pickup (part) £200 with interest be repaid.
That Hogarth and Haines at Butts be allowed £2-10-0 for 70 hours each overtime fixing solid lubricant boxes. [As supplied by Henry Brown for the cross shaft bearings, this could only be done when the mill was stopped. Henry had an interest in the foundry at Ouzledale and perhaps this was where the castings came from.]
That the secretary be requested to write to the CHSC tenants giving them a further opportunity (they having declined by letter) to agree to his suggestion made in the letter of May 12th with reference to payment by them of the increase in rates. Failing agreement that he be instructed to take steps to give 6 months notice to each tenant who declines to agree and to terminate the present tenancy with a view to readjustment of the terms of the tenancy. [Evidently no clause tying rates to loom rent. I think we shall see this rectified!]
That Mr Edward Lovick, late of Long Ing Shed be appointed oiler at Butts at 26/- per week in place of Haines.
That stores required at Butts Mill be ordered.
J D Roberts.

June 1st 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that no reply had been received from the tenants re the increase in rates.
Res.
That new doors be ordered for the stokers at Butts.
That wheel guards be fixed to gearing to tape room at Butts by Mudd of Colne, that the shaft be boxed off by W Holdsworth and that Henry Brown's tender to supply special grease boxes at 10d each be accepted. [This was perhaps regularising the order which had already been fulfilled.]
The secretary reported the bank overdraft to be £3,316.
J D Roberts.

June 8th 1904
Minutes as read.
Accounts be paid: Green and Son £4. H Marsden £252-4-6. R Hindle £6-5-0. Income tax £135-16-3. Bethesda Exors [rent for Butts Dam] £2-10-0. C Blakey (boiler insurance) £4-2-6.
The secretary read a letter sent to the tenants on May 26th re rates.
Thomas Dent.

June 15th 1904
T Dent chair.
Res. That a screw key [screwdriver], ½ a gross of laces and packing for WH be ordered.
That Henry Brown be instructed to plate a broken trough over J Nutter and Sons' shed and Mr Holdsworth fix a bar to the ceiling in Horsfield Brothers' premises. [The standard repair for a broken casting was to bolt a wrought iron plate over the crack.]
Thomas Dent

June 22nd 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Transfer of 461 shares from Exors of G Wilkinson to E M Dewhurst and of 25 shares from Hartley Singleton to M F Singleton be sanctioned, seal cert etc.
Loan of £150 from E M Dewhurst accepted. Seal cert etc.
That the insurance of workmen at CH Shed and WH Mill be placed with the L&Y Insurance Co.
That cheques be signed for loan and mortgage interest due on June 30th.
That the cash account January 1st to June 22nd as read be approved.
That the empty oil casks be sold to E Brooksbank and Co @ 3/6 cyl oil and 3/9 eng oil.
That the wall at CH be repaired by P Barrett.
That Ellison and Co be requested to examine and adjust the line shaft at Butts Mill.
That our own men be paid to assist O'Neill, oiler at Butts, with trough cleaning.
Thomas Dent.

June 29th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That Mr W Holdsworth be requested to examine the roof of the old shed at WH, do the necessary work and instruct his mechanic on the work he has to do.
That W B White of Colne be asked his price for Machinery Metal. ['Textile cast' was, and still is, the highest grade of cast iron scrap.]
That Ellison of Skipton be asked to plate the walls near the large wheels in the Twill[?] Shed at Butts and that a thorough job be done. [Recurring reports about vibration etc in the shafting at Butts suggest serious faults which are slowly being bottomed by the new owners. Looks as though the vibrations are damaging the walls and the plating referred to is the insertion of heavy plates on the outside of the wall under the holding nuts so that the load of the long securing bolts is spread over a larger area. In my opinion these recurring faults in the shafting and gearing at Butts are, in part. Due to vibration transmitted through the drive from the defective gearing on the engine.]
That Craven Manufacturing be consulted about the trough requiring staying and that Mr Ellison be instructed to do the work.
That a new drumstick be ordered for WH engine. [No idea what this means, sorry!]
That W Holdsworth complete the glazing and joiner's work in connection with the plated trough over Nutter and Sons shed at CH.
That Heap and Thornton be instructed to repair the ridges and slates at Butts Mill.
That an advertisement be inserted in the Advertiser for the sale of ashes at Butts Mill.
Thomas Dent.

July 6th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That accounts be paid: S Smith 7/3. BUDC £249-5-5. Brooksbank's £12-12-5 [From 1912 Manchester Royal Exchange Directory: E Brooksbank and Co. Station Oil Works Keighley and Trafford Park Oil Works, Manchester. Oil refiners and solid lubricant manufacturers.] Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-15-0. W Hough and Son 4/1. J W Clough £2-0-7. Poor Rate £160-6-9. S Binns and Co 7/-. Burnley Ironworks 15/10. James Bulcock £8-6-6. G Proctor £47-1-11. Heap and Thornton £23-18-8. T Hart £14-6-6. Wages £91-15-11.
That the tender by P Barrett of £7-15-0 for ashes at Butts Mill be accepted. (L Robinson £6-10-0, F Harrison £7-5-0.)
That the arches [culvert] and cistern at Butts be cleaned out and that the men be allowed 10/- for the cistern and £1-10-0 for the arches.
That the back set of bars in each of the three boilers at Butts be shortened to two feet and the back plate brought forward.
That the 22” drum sold to E Standing be ¾d per ? And that all goods sold be weighed in future.
That Tom Brown, Clough Mill be requested to repair the trough over Anthony Carr's shed at Butts.
The secretary reported that the balance owing by W Bailey and J Windle and sons were today £276-7-0 and £726-18-6 respectively.
Thomas Dent.

July 13th 1904.
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That the engine and cylinder oils for Butts and the stoker castings for CH be ordered.
That the well and cistern at CH be cleaned out and that the men be allowed to try the chain pump if they can borrow one. [Not certain but sounds like a variation of a 'rag pump' in which the water and sludge is moved by drawing a chain or such with rag balls on through a tube. A pump like this could deal with sludge and mud. This makes sense.]
That the ashes at CH and WH be advertised for sale by tender. The premises to be kept clear of ashes and flue dust.
That the tender of W B White [loom makers of Colne] for old metal at 50/- per ton be accepted.
That the balance sheet for the half year ending June 30th last be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders on July 29th at Seven Stars AR and that a dividend of 5% per annum free of income tax be recommended.
The secretary reported that the ashes for the last six months at CH Shed and WH Mill realised at the rate of £6-5-0 and £9-1-0 per annum respectively.
J D Roberts.

July 20th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That firebars and fittings for Whitaker's [patent] fire bars at WH be ordered.
That P Barrett be requested to do the mason's work at Butts for repairs during the holidays.
That the blowers be not used except in a serious case after the mills are stopped at night. [Sorry, no idea what this is.]
That the coal to Butts next week be weighed.
J D Roberts.

July 29th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Tenders for one year's ashes and flue dust at CH and WH were received and read: L Robinson £5 and £7 respectively, one only to be accepted [both mills too much quantity?]. From P Barrett £6-6-0 and 10-10-0.
Res. That P Barrett's tender be accepted from August 1st 1904.
That the loan from G&MB Anderson be repaid as requested.
That transfer of 153 shares from L Robinson and A Broughton to Ada W Slater and Minnie Slater and of 114 shares from James Walton to T Baxter be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The following cheques be drawn: G Proctor salary £50. Dividend account £607-10-0. C Blakey audit fee £2-10-0. Mrs E A Coates [Springs Dam rent] £5. T Dent director's fees £20.
Thomas Dent.

General shareholder's meeting
July 29th 1904
[Printed balance sheet reports half year net profit after allowing £800 for depreciation is £970-12-0 and that the disposable balance is £3,467-15-3.]
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. Balance sheet adopted. Dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration at £40 per annum approved. C Blakey re-elected as auditor at £5 per annum.
That the directors make enquiries as to the charges for a Chartered Accountant for auditing the books of the Company.
That the Register of share transfers be sealed.
J D Roberts.

August 3rd 1904
Res. That Dr Roberts be chairman, T Dent be vice-chair, W P Brooks as Managing director.
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Anthony Carr requesting the directors to make connections to his warehouse for the erection of a tape.
Res.
That Messrs Dent, Brooks and Slater be appointed a committee to meet Mr Carr with a view to inducing him to make arrangements to have his taping done by Horsfield Brothers.
Ut was reported that Mr Moorhouse at WH Mill had made arrangements to change a number of his looms and he requested certain repairs to the flags and an allowance for stoppages.
Res. That the change be allowed, the flags repaired where necessary but any allowance for stoppage of looms during the change be considered after the change is effected.
That Holdsworth and Barrett be instructed to board off the wheels at WH Mill.
That accounts be paid: Henry Brown £40. Holgate Marsden £350-8-0. Burnley Building Soc £200. W Holdsworth £8-5-0. A Easton 12/7.
That oil and composition required for CH and WH be ordered.
The secretary read reports on the external examination of the boilers at Butts Mill from which it appeared they were in satisfactory order.
Thomas Dent.

August 10th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the repairs required to the brickwork of the boilers at CH and WH during the holidays be left in the hands of Mr Proctor Barrett and that repairs to windows and Pilkington's hoist at WH be left to Mr Holdsworth.
Thomas Dent

August 17th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the room over the Tin Shop at WH Mill be offered to Mr A Ingham of Darwen and that the secretary be instructed to ask him to meet us on the spot.
Thomas Dent.

August 31st 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That accounts be paid: E Bennis and Co 18/-. J Moorhouse 10/-. J J Whitaker £2-12-6. Wages £64-18-9. Brooksbank and Co £16-4-6. Midland Railway £1-18-11. J M Duché and Sons £230706.
That the goods required fro Butts Mill be ordered.
That a man be set on at WH to take the place of O'Neill while he is assisting at Butts in Riddiough's absence and that Sneath's son or George Sherwood be given the first chance.
That Messrs Dent and Brooks ascertain what would be a reasonable amount to allow the men at Butts for time spent doing repairs.
That flags and wheel-boarding at Butts be attended to by Mr Barrett.
That the boiler reports as read be sent to the engineers at CH and WH, the WH boilers being badly seated. [Defects in the brick settings.]
Thomas Dent.

September 7th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That accounts be paid: H Marsden £224-18-0. J W Varley £43-2-3.
That the oil and tallow required at WH be ordered. [It may be that the engines at WH are fitted with old-fashioned tallow cups on the cylinders which were a fitting that could be loaded with tallow and the heat gradually melted it allowing it into the bore while the engine is running.]
That the two broken wheels be sold to W B White. [scrap]
That payment of £1 each to workmen at Butts for repairs be approved.
The secretary made enquiries as to whether Dugdale and Dewhurst had done any export taping and whether Horsfield Brothers would tape for Anthony Carr at Butts.
The reports on the boilers at Butts be passed forward to the engineer.
Messrs Dent, Slater and Brooks get particulars from W Emmott as to how he arrives at 150 hrs time charged in his account.
All loose tools, tackle, planks, blocks, keys [spanners], drills etc belonging to the company be stamped with the initials CHSC and numbered.
Only one key be kept for the store room at Butts Mill and that it be in the engineer's charge.
J D Roberts.

September 14th 1904
T dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That William Emmott be asked to provide further particulars of his account.
That repairs to the roofs of the boiler house and warehouse at WH be attended to.
That waste be purchased for the engineer in place of cloths.
That the stores required be purchased.
That the letters from Anthony Carr applying for the Bradley Brothers space at Butts when it becomes vacant and from Horsfield Brothers applying for Nutter and Sons' space at CH (In consequence of the new sheds these two tenants are thinking of erecting) be acknowledged. [These two new sheds are the first build at Bankfield Shed opened in 1905 in which Bradley Brothers had 880 looms and James Nutter and Sons 900 looms. All under one roof and reputed to be the biggest weaving shed in the world at the time. Nutter's interest in the Craven Manufacturing Co carried on at Butts Mill. Despite all their complaints and protests the manufacturers were making a good profit and investing it in their own space. This situation carried on until 1914 by which time another large shed had been built as an addition to Bankfield, opened in 1910. Barnoldswick is booming and remember that housing and services were being built at the same time all based on profits made in the sheds.]
The secretary reported that Horsfield Brothers had not paid the company for taping done for A Carr since July last year.
A loan of £200 be accepted from John Hall. Seal cert etc.
J D Roberts.

September 21st 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks examine the pipes carrying water to the tipplers [water closets] in Bradley Brothers and report to the next meeting.
Res. That Henry Brown be engaged to caulk leaky rivets in the boiler at CH Shed.
J D Roberts.

September 28th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
Accounts be paid: Anti-Incrustation Co £6-4-0. Bennett and Co 7/-. J W Clough £12-3-0. A Lowcock 3/-. Charles Blakey £35-5-3. James Mudd £4. W P Brooks 14/3. P Barrett £38-14-0. William Perry £14-3-6.
That no allowance be made to Mr Pilkington at WH for the half hour stoppages deducted from his account.
That transfer of 25 shares from Hartley Singleton to Martin Wood be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary read the reports on the economisers at CH and WH from which it appeared that they were in satisfactory order.
The secretary reported that Horsfield Brothers had agreed to pay the full price of the tape with a deduction of about 12 sets which they said Anthony Carr had obtained from other tenants of the company but they requested to be allowed to pay by the set in future.
Res. That the matters be enquired into.
Res. That the goods required by the engineers be ordered.
Res. That the chairman , Barrett, King and Holdsworth be deputed to inspect Bradley Brother's closets which the BUDC surveyor requires to be cleaned, ventilated and flushed.
Res. That the scrap brass at WH be sold to Henry Brown. That the gate at WH be repaired. That the shafting in all the mills be swept. That the managing director be instructed to arrange with the engineers for the work to be done.
J D Roberts.

October 5th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That Holgate Marsden's account be paid £271-2-0.
Res. Transfer of 50 shares from Greenwood Hartley to Martin Wood be registered. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the plan produced by Proctor Barrett for the alterations of the closets in Bradley's warehouse by opening out windows over the field be approved and submitted to the BUDC surveyor.
A letter was read from John Wilson offering to pay the Education Rate and asking the board to accept him as a new tenant on these conditions.
Res. That the matter stand over for further consideration.
Thomas Dent.

October 14th 1904
T Dent chair.
Minutes as read.
Res. That the interest due to the Burnley Building Soc amounting to £104-19-9 for the quarter ending the 30th of September last be paid.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be requested to see Mr Bennett the BUDC surveyor with reference to objections to the plan deposited with the council for alterations to the closets at Butts Mill.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to supply one truck of ½” broken limestone for all the mills. [About 12 tons]
Res. That the water at Springs Dam be let off at a suitable time. [This allowed a lot of silt to escape from the dam increasing its effective capacity. Best done in conditions of high flow so that the maximum amount of silt was washed out and recovery time was quick. Exactly the strategy I used to employ at Bancroft Shed to get rid of excess silt.]
J D Roberts.

October 20th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minutes as read.
Res.
That wages amounting to £40-8-3 be paid.
That cyl and eng oil for Butts be ordered.
That P Barrett be requested to send a plasterer to repairs in Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse.
That solid lubricant be applied to the neck [bearing] which Mr Moorhouse complains drops oil on the cloth.
That Messrs Dent, Brooks and King attend at Butts Mill with regard to Anthony Carr's complaint that someone takes off the hoist strap at 6am, breakfast time and noon. [?]
That Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth together with the above named directors form a committee to visit the hoist at Bailey and Robert's at WH with a view to improving the light in order to prevent a recurrence of the accident as reported to the board.
A letter was read from Dugdale and Dewhurst acknowledging that they had taped nine sets of beams from My 27th to September 30th 1904.
A letter from Horsfield Brothers re. The rent of tape was read. The secretary was instructed to demand payment in accordance with the account sent in.
Bradley Brothers complained that rain came in through several spaces in the shed roof.
J D Roberts.

October 26th 1904
Dr Roberts chair.
Minute as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J W Brown £3-6-1. Ellison and Co £111-16-5. E Bennis and Co 12/-. W J Varley £1-13-5. Henry Brown £13-18-3. P Barrett £13-9-3. G Proctor 19/6. Heap and Thornton £8-5-1.
The secretary read letters from H Edmondson and from John H Edmondson and A W Edmondson. The former for Nutter and Sons space and the latter for 200 loom places.
Res. Loan accepted from Jane Pickles £400 and Ellen Pickles £350. Seal cert etc.
The secretary read the clauses in Bradley Brother's lease referring to window glass.
Res. That it was decided not to accede to Bradley's request to replace broken squares as had been the case with the Butts Mill Co.
Res. That the secretary write to BUDC with regard to the water supply in case of fire at WH Mill.
That floors be repaired at Nutters and Pickles, CH and WH [respectively].
J D Roberts.

November 2nd 1904
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res.
That half year's ground rent due to Royd's amounting to £14-5-0 and one year's rent of well amounting to £10 due to the Gledstone Estate and 10/- due to W P Brooks be paid.
That Messrs Barrett, Wilson Dent and King form a committee to visit the whole of the company's properties and report on the necessity for fire escapes and whether the stock of stair cases and landings is sufficient to do the work required.
A letter was read from A Lowcock solicitors agreeing to allow the company to open out windows at Butts on payment of the cost of agreement for same.
Res. That the secretary enquire into the amount paid for window rights and report to the next meeting.
That the requirements of the engineers be ordered.
The question of the terms upon which the tenants of the company should be allowed to continue from January 1st next was discussed and it was resolved that the following clauses amongst others should be inserted into the agreements.
1. That steam power be supplied during the hours allowed by statute relating to labour in factories not exceeding 55 hours per week (excepting during the annual holidays).
2. That the rents be payable monthly on the first day of each calendar month in respect of which it has been accrued.
3. Six Months rent shall be due and payable in advance if demanded at any particular time.
4. That in case of any breakdown or other injury to the engine, boiler or shafting supplying or communicating power necessitating suspension of such power for more than five consecutive working hours then in such case and so often as the same happens a deduction from the rent in full [be allowed], but no allowance shall be made for a shorter stoppage than five consecutive hours.
5. That in the event of a general strike, bad trade or lock-out and the engine at any of the mills be completely stopped, allowance shall be made of the saving in coal only.
6. That the notice to terminate a tenancy shall be six months and shall terminate on the 30th of June or the 31st of December in each year.
7. That the usual clauses referring to repairs to window glass and interior of the shed be included.
J D Roberts.

November 11th 1904
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £320-9-7. Half year's rent for Butts Dam [Bethesda Trustees] £2-10-0.
The committee appointed at the last meeting reported that fire escapes were required in Bailey and Roberts and W Bailey's at WH. At Nutter's CH and that the company had two escapes that would answer.
Res. That Proctor Barrett erect the two escapes and fix a rope near the window at CH and also build bridges in fire holes [boiler furnaces] at Butts. [The 'bridge' in a furnace was the firebrick lining immediately inside the fire hole which protected the ironwork of the door frame casting from the heat of the fire. Called a bridge because at was arched over the top of the door.]
That a £20 loan be accepted from Henry Wilson. Seal cert etc.
That repairs to woodwork at Butts be done by W Holdsworth.
That the rent of the company's premises after the 31st of December next be as follows. Viz: 41/- per loom per annum with coal at 10/3 per ton at the wharf or station with an increase or decrease as the case may be of 6d [per loom] for such 5d per ton in the price of coal. That any increase in the total rates on the premises from the present time be paid by the tenants (by increase in rent) and that any reduction in the total rates be allowed to the tenants, in proportion to their looms and that no allowance be made for the holidays.
That the secretary be instructed to inform the deputation appointed by the tenants.
J D Roberts.

November 16th 1904
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary read a letter from James Wright and Co of Cow Pasture [Farm] applying for room and power for 200 to 400 looms in Nutter's or Bradley's [space].
Res. It be acknowledged.
That Proctor Barrett and W Holdsworth be requested to examine the wood beams in the Craven Manufacturing Co's premises which are rotting and repair them as they think best.
That Mr Tom Brown be instructed to caulk joints of troughs at Butts Mill.
That Mr Brooks be instructed to arrange for the engineers to put steam through the sheds so that they will be reasonably warm by 6am. [What's 'reasonable'?]
That Mr Barrett rebuild partition walls in the boilers at WH. [This wall is in the down-take at the back of the boiler dividing the streams of flue gas before they enter the sole flue. They are intended to avoid explosions in the down-take when 'green' smoke from one flue meets incandescent gas from the other flue. The consequent explosions have negligible affect when in the sole flue.]
That escape valve and air-pump step be ordered and ? as required at WH.
Thomas Dent.

November 23rd 1904
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that he had communicated with tenants re the new tenancy agreements and they had agreed to the following clauses:
1. Rent 41/- per loom per annum. Sliding scale of 6d for 5d for coal.
2. Sliding scale for rates.
3. Rent to be paid on the first day of the month after it has accrued.
4. No allowance for holidays
But they objected to “no allowance to be made for breakdown”, “allowance of coal saved in case of strike, bad trade or lockout” and “termination of notice on 39th June or 31st December in any year by six months notice” and they requested that we should give them 55F [minimum temperature] in sheds.
Res. That allowance be made as hitherto for breakdowns, strikes etc. That notices be as before and that the temperature requested be inserted in the agreements. [After a struggle we have another significant adjustment in the tenancy agreements.]
J D Roberts.

November 30th 1904
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Wood order 2 x ½” steam taps for Butts. [Significant entry. As far as I can remember this is the first time we've seen evidence of Teddy Wood of Proctor and Proctor acting as engineering consultant in an executive capacity. Very significant for the future.]
That O'Neill remain another week at Butts to assist Riddiough as fireman.
That a steam pipe at Butts and one at WH be covered with such material as we have.
That the two fire escapes be got ready for P Barrett to erect them at WH.
J D Roberts.

December 7th 1904
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res.
That accounts be paid: W Roberts and Sons 4/8. Crawshawbooth Chemical Co £5-13-1. J W Clough £2-4-3. F R Putz 17/-. Cresswell Asbestos Co £1-13-5. C Brooksbank and Co £17-1-4. Burnley Ironworks Co £222-18-0. [A large account. This is the rebore, new piston and valves in the LP cylinder at Butts and fitting of Metallic Packings on both HP and LP rods recommended by Teddy Woods and approved at the April 13th meeting.] BUDC 14/-. Wages £107-18-7. H Marsden £343-15-0. W Holdsworth £6-17-11. A Lowcock £1-1-0.
That one 4” single [thickness] leather belt 66ft long be ordered for WH.
That Messrs Smith and Smith, solicitors, of Burnley be instructed to prepare the necessary agreements for carrying out the agreements with the tenants. [I can't be certain but I would lay a small bet that this is the firm used by Proctor and Proctor for drawing similar agreements up for other shed companies. They will be able to spot flaws in the drafting of these specialist agreements. Good strategy and one more evidence of the sense in employing P&P as admin advisers.]
That the secretary obtain signatures to the agreements before the 31st of December.
A letter was read from Mr Richard Lowcock withdrawing his consent to the company opening out windows at Butts Mill.
Res. That the secretary be requested to write to him asking whether he would be willing to sell the corner piece of land.
Letters applying for space were read from Watson Brothers of Church Street for 200 looms and from Anthony Carr withdrawing his application for Bradley Brother's space but applying for space for another 70 looms.
Res. That the letters be placed with the other applications.
Mr Anthony Carr also wrote asking the directors to reconsider their decision with regard to the tape.
Res. That the secretary write informing him that re-arrangements were being made in response to his request and asking him to wait until they are completed.
A letter was read from Bradley Brothers in which they informed the directors that in consequence of their removal to the new shed they had started to erect [Bankfield Shed No. 1] they would terminate their tenancy on the 1st of December next [1905?] being the date of termination of their lease.
Res. That the letter be acknowledged and that the directors would proceed to let the premises from that date.
The meeting was informed that Messrs Horsfield Brothers at Butts Mill are using sprays to humidify their premises and that they were connected to the heating pipes.
Res. That the secretary be requested to write them to discontinue their use and that the managing director should arrange for them to be taken out.
J D Roberts.

December 14th 1904
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Resolved:
1. That Poor Rate of £160-6-9 be paid. [Skipton Union Workhouse]
2. The secretary read the report of the external examination of the three boilers at Butts Mill from which it appeared they were in satisfactory condition.
3. That W Holdsworth be instructed to repair the floor leading to Wilson's hoist in Butts Mill.
4. That the exhausts from heating pipes and tapes in Bradley's premises be re-arranged and that S Smith, plumber, be instructed to do the work with the assistance of the engineer.
5. That Proctor Barrett be instructed to cart away the sweepings in the channels [gutters] at Butts Mill.
Thomas Dent.

December 21st 1904
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Resolved:
1. That the paving opposite Dugdale and Dewhurst's warehouse at WH be done. The deputation appointed reported that about 156 square yards was required. Mr Barrett gave a rough estimate of £32.
2. That the fittings required for the stokers at CH be ordered from E Bennis of Bolton.
3. That Messrs King, Dent, Brooks and Slater examine the arrangements for carrying water to the tipplers at Butts and report.
Thomas Dent.

December 28th 1904
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res:
That accounts be paid: L Robinson 16/11. S Smith 13/5. S Greenwood £3-14-3. C Blakey insurance £1-14-1. Cresswell Asbestos Co £1-15-5. Wages £39-17-0. J W Brown £3-5-9. Interest on loans and mortgages as per list.
That a loan of £2,000 from Mr Edmund Halstead be accepted. Seal cert etc.
That a 1½” water supply be fixed from the boiler pump at Butts to Messrs Horsfield's and Bradley's warehouse closets and for fire purposes and that the work be done by tender after inspection by Messrs Dent, Brooks, King and Barrett. [Killing two birds with one stone. Solving the water supply problem for the flushing of tippler toilets and giving a fire-fighting resource at the same time.]
That a price be obtained for 6” setts at so much per yard. Mr Barrett undertook to provide a sketch of the proposed arrangement.
That 12 casks of oil and one of white grease be ordered from S Cooke and Sons.
Thomas Dent.

January 4th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The Coates Manufacturing Company applied for space for 400 looms. Thomas Baxter for 200 and The Craven Manufacturing Co for 165. The secretary was instructed to acknowledge receipt.
Letters were read from the Craven Manufacturing Co re the temperature in one of their sheds and from S Pickles and Sons re plastering in their shed.
Res. That Messrs King, Brooks and Dent be requested to report on steam pipes at Butts and that plastering required at CH and WH be done by Heap and Thornton and that new windows at WH be fixed by Mr Crewe.
That the Common Seal of the Company be attached to the 14 new tenancy agreements from January 1st in the presence of the chairman, vice-chairman and secretary.
That the following plumbers be requested to tender for the provision of a 1½” pipe range to closets at the west end of Butts Mill. Mr Hogarth to show the route and explain what is required. P Barrett, W J Varley, W P Brooks, S Smith.
Thomas Dent.

January 11th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Resolved:
1. That Holgate Marsden's account be paid, £337-3-0.
2. That Nutter and Sons be asked to fix a date on which they intended leaving CH Shed. [For the new shed at Bankfield]
3. That loan of £25 from Mr Wilson be accepted. Seal cert etc.
4. That the lowest tender for pipes be accepted. Mr S Smith's tender to fix the 1½” pipe range at Butts was the lowest.
5. Transfer of 7 shares from A Kidd to W Perry be registered. Seal cert etc.
6. That the requirements of the engine men be ordered.
7. That the fixing of additional steam pipes in the Pigeon Room [?] at Butts Mill be left in the hands of Messrs Brooks, King and Dent.
8. The secretary explained the position with regard to Mr James Moorhouse's looms at WH and stated that said that the balance owing would in future be treated like a loan and that all payments on the rent account would be credited to the loan account thus allowing the rent account to run in arrears. [Smart move. The options open to the company in respect of recovery of rent arrears were far stronger than those they could apply to loans.]
9. Reports on the economisers at WH and CH were read from which it would appear that they are in fairly good working order.
10. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit, that an annual dividend of 6% per annum be recommended to the shareholders at a meeting on January 27th at Seven Stars AR at the usual time.
Thomas Dent.

January 18th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Resolved:
1. That the requirements of the engineers be ordered.
2. That the iron plate supplied to W Holdsworth be 2/3.
3. That the secretary obtain information from the applicants for space as to what grace they are prepared to accept should their application be successful.
J D Roberts.

January 27th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W Hough and Co 4/-. T Dent £20. John Lee £3-5-0. C Blakey £2-10-0. E Bennis and Co £1-7-6. G Proctor £50. Gas account £11-4-4.
Loan of £30 accepted from Henry Holdsworth. Seal cert etc.
J D Roberts.

February 1st 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res:
That 1 dozen india rubber rings 4¼” x 3” be ordered for Butts.
That J W Brown be instructed to repair the clow at Springs Dam.
That the chairman, Messrs Brooks and King see that O'Neill's wages are paid to him by Sneath during his absence from work, the custom being for those working to divide the wage between them. [An interesting point of view if they are talking about normal weekly wages.]
Thomas Dent.

February 8th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res: That the tender of William Atkinson from Colne [steeplejack] to supply and fit 15ft of new tape to the [lightning] conductor of CH chimney for £3-10-0 be accepted.
That the sketch of the grate for Springs Dam by J W Brown be approved and the work put in his hands.
Loan of £160 be accepted from A King and Son. Seal cert etc.
A Letter from S Slater was read saying that he had no inventory of Ouzledale. Mr Dent was asked to see Mrs Robinson, at one time owner of the property. [I suspect this refers to Ouzledale Cottage]
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
J D Roberts.

Half yearly General Meeting
January 27th 1905
[Printed balance sheet reports half year's profit after setting aside £800 for depreciation, was £788-5-0. Disposable balance £3,652-10-0.]
Dr Roberts Chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet adopted. Dividend of 6% per annum approved.
J D Roberts.

February 15th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Loan of £100 be repaid to Exors of John Pickup.
That Ouzledale Mill be advertised [for rent] three weeks in the Herald and Pioneer.
That the expansion key broken by the Burnley Ironworks' men be sent back for repair.
That an extra man be engaged temporarily to repair roads.
The following applications for space about to be vacated by J Nutter and Sons at CH on December 31st next and Messrs Bradley at Butts on December 1st next were read. Horsfield Brothers applied for Nutter's space and offered 2 week's grace for 268 looms and 1 month for 146 looms.
Res. That the price of a tape at CH be £90 for 400 looms.
That the applications for CH be considered first.
That Messrs J S Horsfield's application be not voted upon.
That the lowest at the first vote drops out.
That the highest at the second vote be the successful applicant.
A ballot was taken. The voting was as follows: JH & WG Edmondson 5. Horsfield Brothers 4. Coates Man. Co 2. The Coates Man. Co's bid therefore failed.
Second Ballot: Edmondson 6, Horsfield 5.
Messrs Edmondson's application was declared successful and it was resolved they be accepted as tenants of the company with no grace. Tenancy to commence January 1st 1906 immediately on termination of the Nutter tenancy.
Res. That the applications for Butts Mill be considered next week.
That Horsfield Brothers along with the Coates Man. Co be requested to state whether their applications are to stand for the space at Butts Mill.
That the plan for water mains submitted by the waterworks manager be approved so far as the main to the flue at WH but as the extension to the front of the engine house was not considered necessary it be not entertained. The secretary was requested to return the plan asking for a price for the portion approved.
J D Roberts.

February 22nd 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the A Lees application to pay £1-1-0 per annum for drawing hot water from above our caul at Butts Mill be not entertained. [Question is where was this caul. There used to be a circular structure in the middle of the road at Butts over what I have always thought was the point where the Calf Hall Beck running under the mill and the Gillians Beck coming down from Clough converged. This may also have been the site of the caul or weir holding back the water in the culvert under the mill. It would make sense.]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Applications for the Butts Mill space about to be vacated by Bradley Brothers were read as follows:
Craven Manufacturing Co, Butts, 180 to 200 looms, 6 week's grace.
Thomas Edmondson, Stockport, 400 looms, no grace.
Anthony Carr, Butts, 130 to 140 looms, 4 week's grace.
Horsfield Brothers, Butts, 400 looms, 3 week's grace.
Coates Manufacturing Co, Coates Mill, 400 looms, 6 week's grace.
J&S Horsfield, Essex Street, Barlick, 400 looms, grace stated as 'as low as anyone else'.
The secretary explained that in the event of Messrs Horsfield's space being divided between the Craven Manufacturing Co and Anthony Carr, the allowance of £6-12-3 for insufficient warehouse space would not then be made and that two extra looms could be placed where the steps to the warehouse are. This would mean a net [increase in] income of at least £10 per annum. The grace requested by Horsfield Brothers, A Carr and the Craven Man. Co amounted to £100 so that the £10 per annum would pay the interest on the amount allowed, provide a fund to repay the principle and this arrangement would satisfy the requirements of three tenants, improve the warehouse arrangement, reduce the number of tenants and place the premises on a better footing for re-letting in future.
Res. That providing A Carr and the Craven Man. Co agree to make their own alterations, add additional looms where possible and decide as to the divisions subject to our approval, the space for 400 looms be let to Messrs Horsfield Brothers and Horsfield's space be let to Anthony Carr and the Craven Manufacturing Co.
Messrs Carr and the Craven Manufacturing Co (Stephen Pickles) attended before the board and agreed to these terms. [Clever stuff, rationalising the use of space, reducing the number of tenants and getting closer to the magic figure of 400 looms per unit.]
Thomas Dent.

March 1st 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: A E Bennett and Co £8-19-6. J Gott and Sons 5/-. James Bulcock 11/-. A Brooksbank and Co £16-5-0. T M Duché and Sons £21-10-4. [Not being sure about the spelling of this name I went for a furtle and found this entry in the Manchester Royal Exchange directory for 1912: T M Duché and Sons, 14 Gartside Street Manchester. Glue, gelatine, glucose, farina, gums, starches, chrome leather etc. As CHSC don't need tape size ingredients the account is almost certainly for leather belting.] W Holdsworth £11-2-6. W Easton 4/-. H Brown £4070. J J Whitaker £8-14-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-8-0. Wages £105-3-0.
Res. That an extra iron wheel be ordered for the tape room at Butts.
The engineer at Butts [Albert Hogarth] applied for an increase in wages from 38/- to 40/- a week.
Res. That the question be deferred.
That the spare man at WH be instructed to spend two half days a week at Butts, the days to be decided by the engineers at Butts and WH.
That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
A letter was read from Thomas Edmondson of Stockport offering, if the company would extend at CH for 400 looms or less, to take the space without grace.
The correspondence with the waterworks engineer was read re supply of water to WH for fire purposes.
A letter was read from A Lowcock declining to sell the land at Butts. [If Lowcock allowed CHSC to insert windows, after 20 years they become 'rights to light' (sometimes referred to as 'Ancient Lights') and CHSC could object to any building on the land which obstructed light. Lowcock is guarding against any such restriction of his right to build on his land.]
Thomas Dent.

March 8th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That H Marsden account be paid £347-17-0.
That the stores required by the engineers at Butts and WH be ordered.
That Mr Brooks be at liberty to sell the old grate bars at 20/- per ton after selecting usable ones and oil casks at 4/2 each.
That the gearing on the clow at CH be repaired by J W Brown.
A letter was read from Messrs Wright and Co, Cow Pasture Farm applying for space at CH if the company extend and offering to take the space without grace.
Res. That the engineer's wages be advanced as follows: Albert Hogarth [Butts] and J J Sneath [WH] 2/- per week and Watson [CH] 1/- per week from April 1st next.
J D Roberts.

March 15th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That P Barrett and A King be requested to interview the BUDC with reference to the water main for fire purposes at WH Mill.
That the old fire bars be sold to William Ashworth for 21/- per ton. [Burnt iron was not good quality scrap.]
That a cask of wheelgrease be ordered from A E Bennett and Co for Butts Mill.
That Proctor Barrett be requested to make room for a further loom in Anthony Carr's shed. [One loom might be seen as a small matter but in the early days so many were squeezed in that in some cases grooves were cut in walls to allow the end of the slay to be an inch further over. There were marks like this in the shed walls at Bancroft. What this flags up is the potential profit to the manufacturer.]
J D Roberts.

March 22nd 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That insurance for boilers at Butts Mill be paid £4-2-6 and economisers at CH and WH £4.
The secretary reported that only four tenants had not paid the February rent accounts due on March 1st and that another two had reduced the balances owed by them.
Reports on the economisers (external) at CH and WH were read and passed forward to the engineers.
Mr J O'Neill asked for an increase of 2/- per week in his wages and Edward Watson [engineer at CH] for 2/- instead of 1/-. [The engineers have been comparing notes!]
Res. That the applications be not granted.
Mr P Barrett offered to make a sketch of the water mains at WH.
Res. That Messrs Slater, Dent, Brooks and King report re extra looms in Horsfield's [shed].
Res. Transfer of shares: 50 from S Petty to J W Sowerbutts, 15 from S Petty to S Barrett, 30 from S Petty to Luke Suthers and 20 from John Waterworth to Luke Suthers be registered, seal cert etc.
Res. That loans be accepted from Dr Roberts and others, seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent.

March 29th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Loan of £100 accepted from John Horsfield. Seal cert etc.
Res. That W P Brooks account for £2-15-9 and J W Brown's for £8-15-0 be paid.
Res. That the letting of the land at WH to Mr Ashley and Mr Suthers at ½d per yard be confirmed. That Mr Suthers' rent commence on April 1st 1905.
Proctor Barrett produced a plan of the water mains at WH and it was resolved that Messrs Barrett, King, Brooks and Slater be requested to fix the position of the hydrants and obtain tenders for the work.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to produce a sketch and give an estimate of cost for loading places for Dugdale and Dewhurst and Slater Brothers at WH.
Res. That Bailey and Roberts be allowed to place two looms in their warehouse at the usual rent.
That J Sneath be asked to give particulars of the pump at WH with a view to selling it. [Worth mentioning that many years later after Silentnight bought WH Mill they fond a large water pump made by Bracewell's foundry at Burnley (Later Burnley Ironworks) and donated it to the Lancashire Textile Museum at Helmshore. Could be another pump of course but worth bearing in mind.]
Thomas Dent.

April 5th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the Craven Manufacturing Co be informed that the allowances for inconvenient warehouses will, under the new agreements, be £30 per annum as before.
That a 14” split drum be ordered from Ellison and Co. [This refers to the fact that the pulley was made in two halves so it could be installed without dismantling the shafting.]
That Messrs Dent, King, Barrett and Brooks inspect the ashlar [masonry foundation] under the air pump at WH and give instructions for the necessary repairs. [The pump and condenser must be moving on the foundation. Quite a common fault with air pumps.]
That Mr Wood be asked to come earlier next week to inspect the pumping engine at WH with a view to ascertaining its value.
J D Roberts.

April 12th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
The Co-op Society asked permission to sub-let a small portion of the land rented from the company for use as a garden.
Res. That permission be given.
Mr Barrett produced plans for loading places at WH and estimated the cost at £113, paving £19 and paving the yard £25. Total £157. Mr King reported that the two tenants had offered 2% on cost as their contribution to costs.
Res. That the rent be fixed at 1/3 per week for each tenant. If the tenants agree to this the work will be considered.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked to inspect and report on the moving ashlar at WH.
That accounts be paid: H Marsden £401-8-10. Wages £90-8-2. Scottish Boiler Insurance £6-5-0.
Tenders for supplying and fixing the water main and hydrants at WH to the specification of the BUDC waterworks manager were opened. S Smith £28. T Brooks £28 and Varley £31-18-0.
Res. That T Brooks' tender be accepted.
Res. That one new [bevel] wheel be ordered for stock at Butts.
J D Roberts.

April 19th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
The boilers at Butts Mill were reported to be externally in order except for a slight leak from the blow-down cock of No. 2.
Res. Loan of £30 (balance) be accepted from Elizabeth Edmondson. Seal cert etc.
That Mr Barrett be requested to draw plans of the loading places [WH] and present them to BUDC for confirmation.
It was reported that Slater Brothers were agreeable to the charge of 1/3 per week for a loading place but Dugdale and Dewhurst declined to agree.
Res. That Burnley Ironworks be instructed to fix beams at WH to hold down the air pump ashlar.
J D Roberts.

April 26th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That 2/6 each be allowed to Ed Watson and T Wills for cleaning out shale in stream. [CH]
That the price for the pump at WH be fixed at £75.
J D Roberts.

May 3rd 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: A Horsfield £6-16-3. A E Bennett £4-6-6. J Bulcock £1-8-6. Heap and Thornton £5-11-6. Henry Brown £4-15-0. James Proctor Ltd 19/6. J Gott and Son £1-5-0. Diamond Lubricating Co £12-9-6. Anti-Incrustation Co £9-12-6.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the agreements with the tenants at Butts Mill and CH Shed produced by the secretary.
That two casks of cylinder oil be ordered for Butts Mill.
That the division of the wage of any absent workman of the company be, in future, brought before the board for decision.
J D Roberts.

May 10th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That H Marsden's account be paid £251-14-0.
That the wall on the street line at CH be rebuilt and that Henry Wilson superintend the work. [boundary dry stone wall]
That 6 casks of cylinder oil be ordered.
The secretary reported that the average cost of composition [boiler] at WH and CH for the past three years was £12-12-9 and £11-14-11 respectively and for soda ash [sodium carbonate] at Butts Mill for the past two years was £1-13-1 per annum.
J D Roberts.

May 17th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That £180 be repaid to J Waterworth as requested.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to offer the Craven Bank the sum of £6,400 for their interest in the weaving shed and premises known as Viaduct Shed at Colne, exclusive of machinery, book debts and stock subject to a ground rent of about £43 per annum. The purchase date as from December 31st last, interest of 5% on purchase price to commence on the 1st of May.
That as the secretary is not asking for any commission on the purchase of this shed he be permitted, for his own use, to accept any honorarium that the Craven Bank may give him after the completion of the purchase.
[More evidence of robust trade. The CHSC evidently feels confident it has the capacity to manage another shed in Colne and expects the net return to be more than the 5% interest on what is in effect a loan from the Craven Bank. Here again we have evidence of the involvement of George Proctor and his contacts in the trade. For a full description of Viaduct Shed see Shackleton, 'The Textile Mills of Pendle'. CHSC were to run the mill until 1919 when they sold it to one of the tenants, Thomas Hargreaves. (Note that this was during the ephemeral post war re-stocking boom. A smart move.)
There is a connection with Calf Hall Shed as Joseph Hawley built both CH and Viaduct and completed the latter in 1890. At the time CHSC bought it there were 608 looms under four tenants: Thomas Hargreaves, 250 looms. Edward Riley, 114 looms. Cowgill and Hacking, 144 looms and the Viaduct Manufacturing Co with 100 looms. The engine was a Burnley Ironworks cross compound rated at 400hp and had a rare three-flued Lancashire boiler made by Yates and Thom of Blackburn working at 120psi. There was a Green's economiser with 120 pipes.]
Res. That Heap and Thornton be instructed to point the shed wall at WH.
That the goods required by the engineer at WH be ordered.
J D Roberts.

May 24th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Richard Lowcock £1-1-0. Bethesda Chapel Trustees £2-10-0.
The secretary read a letter from the Craven Bank in which they stated that the offer to purchase Viaduct Shed for £6,400 on the terms passed by the resolution of the directors at their last meeting was accepted. [The fact that it was in the ownership of the bank suggests that there had been a charge on it held by the bank and that the original owner has liquidated.]
Res. That the question of subscribing to the Burnley Victoria Hospital and Leeds Infirmary [the old Penny Funds?] be brought before the shareholders at the next general meeting.
Res. That P Barrett be asked to draw up specifications for the two loading bays at WH Mill. That tenders be invited by advertisement, the specification to be left with the engineer at WH. Tenders to be delivered at the office by next Wednesday.
J D Roberts.

May 31st 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res.
That accounts be paid:T and H Duché and Sons £11-12-2. S Smith £1-15-0. G Anderson and Co £1-5-0. Wages £98-13-0.
The secretary read a letter from J Nutter and Sons in which they give notice to leave CH Shed on November 30th 1905.
That the secretary obtain an assurance from Messrs Edmondson that they will accept a tenancy from that date instead of December 31st.
Several tenders were received for the erection of two loading places at WH Mill.
Res. That the tender of Lambert Robinson for joiner's and glazier's work £18-8-9 and mason's work at £79-19-0 and Heap and Thornton's tender of £25-8-0 for slating, being the lowest tenders, be accepted.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to superintend the completion of the work.
Res. That the floor of Horsfield's warehouse be repaired by W Holdsworth.
Res. That the pumping engine at WH be advertised in the Manchester Guardian and the Yorkshire Post.
The secretary read a letter from the Craven Bank, Skipton, in which they agreed that the purchase price of Viaduct Shed should be placed under debit in the company's account at 5% interest.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to make the windows at WH available as exits to the fire escapes.
J D Roberts.

June 7th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Loans be accepted from A Horsfield, £100. H Broughton £80. Seal cert etc.
That P Barrett be requested to lower the rope race at Butts Mill. [Not sure what they are referring to here. Remember that the Musgrave engine drove the main shaft via gearing. This must be a subsidiary rope race somewhere in the transmission system.]
That troughs at CH Shed and Butts be repaired by J W Brown.
The secretary read a letter from Edmondson Brothers re the tenancy at CH Shed. They asked for concessions if they agreed to take the place on December 1st instead of January 1st. The secretary undertook to obtain their assurance that they would commence on December 1st.
That an advertisement be inserted in the Advertiser inviting tenders for purchase of ashes at Butts Mill for the year ending June 30th 1906.
That P Barrett be requested to make an oiler's ladder for CH Shed. [This was a short ladder sized to suit the shaft height and provided with two large hooks on the top so it could be hooked over a moving shaft to get access to bearings. Important if a hot neck (bearing) arose during running hours so that remedial attention could be given without stopping the engine.]
J D Roberts.

June 14th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque be drawn in favour of the Craven Bank for £6,441-4-1, the purchase price of Viaduct Shed and the interest thereon since May 1st 1905.
That the repairs to WH engine reported by Burnley Ironworks Co as necessary to be done be put in hand and completed during the coming holidays.
That the tender of Sandy Harmer of £9-1-0 for Butts ashes for the year ending June 30th 1906 be accepted and that the account be paid quarterly. [Remember that a multiplier of 75x to 100x can be applied to get a present day value. This gives some idea of the value of ashes to the construction industry.]
That the clow at Butts Mill be repaired at once.
That the cooling plant at CH be put in order at once.
[Summer weather, rising condenser pond temperatures.]
J D Roberts.

June 21st 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
It was reported that the tenants of the company were anxious that the BUDC provide a steam fire engine and that this company should request the BUDC to consider the matter. Further discussion of the matter was deferred until next week; the following committee being appointed to report on our fire appliances; Messrs King, Barrett, Dent and Brooks.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed in the presence of Dr Roberts and Thomas Dent and two of the directors and the secretary to the Assignment dated June 16th 1905 of two plots of land and a weaving shed and premises known as Viaduct Shed situate at Colne in the County of Lancaster from the Craven Bank Ltd to the Company for the sum of £6,400. The plots contain 152 and 6,813 square yards respectively and are subject to a yearly ground rent of 343-10-8.
That transfer of 25 shares from F H Baldwin to S Barrett be registered. Seal cert etc.
That a loan of £200 be accepted from Francis Elizabeth Clark. Seal cert etc.
It was reported to the meeting that Mr J H Edmondson of the firm Edmondson Brothers died on Monday last. [June 19th 1905]
J D Roberts.

June 27th 1905
Dr Roberts. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Ironworks ½. Brooks Pickup £30-14-0. Borough of Colne £1-7-6. S Smith and Sons £3-5-0. E Brooksbank and Co £8-6-0. P W Spencer £2-10-0. Vulcan Boiler Insurance Co £3. J W Clough £3-5-3. Cresswell's Asbestos Co £3-15-11. W P Brooks £3-18-5. Lancs and Yorks Ins Co 12/9.
Reports on the economisers at CH and WH were read from which it appeared that very satisfactory results were being obtained.
Complaint was made to the board that WH Mills had no supply of town's water and that the heating of the new shed occupied by Mr Moorhouse was deficient. [It comes as something of a shock to realise that clean water wasn't available, it makes you wonder where they got potable water from, rain water tanks?]
Res. That Messrs King, Brooks and Dent form a committee to investigate and report.
The same committee was requested to examine the ventilation at CH Shed.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to send a man to repair stabling at Butts.
That Heap and Thornton be instructed to attend to repairs of slates, pointing etc.
Res. That two casks of Cylinder oil and one of engine oil be ordered for Butts Mill and one cask of shaft oil be sent to Butts from the other mills.
J D Roberts.

July 5th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Lofthouse be requested to paint the cottage at Butts, the putty to be the best and made with linseed oil.
That Mr King examine Windle's shed roof and report on the advisability of putting in lights.
That Proctor Barrett be instructed to flash the four bays in Horsfield's and Carr's at Butts Mill. That he repair the wood fence of the field occupied by the Co-op at WH using loose timber from the building opposite. [Flashing is the use of lead sheet to protect junctions of one structure with another to render them rain-proof.]
J D Roberts.

July 19th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That G Proctor's wages be paid.
That balance sheet as read be adopted and presented to the shareholders on July 25th.
That shareholders be recommended to declare a dividend of 7½% per annum for the half year.
That the secretary's salary be raised to £120 per annum from Jan 1st 1905 in consequence of the purchase by the company of Viaduct Shed, Colne.
J D Roberts.

July 28th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Tenders for the ashes at CH and WH for the tear ending July 31st 1906 were received from F Harrison and P Barrett as follows: F Harrison, CH £7-10-0, WH £14-10-0. P Barrett CH, £7-7-0, WH £12-12-0.
Res. That Fred Harrison's tender be accepted.
J D Roberts.

General meeting, Seven Stars AR
July 28th 1905
[Printed balance sheet reports half year profit after allowing £900 for depreciation of £1,316 and a disposable balance of £4,239-10-0. One interesting entry for Viaduct Shed is that a mortar mill brings in an income of £52-18-6 a year and a [retail] shop £14-17-10.]
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes of last general meeting as read.
Res. Balance sheet adopted. Dividend of 7½% per annum approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration of £60 per annum approved.
Messrs. Richard Watson and Son, Chartered Accountants of Burnley were appointed auditors for the company at a fee of seven guineas per annum. [£7-7-0]
J D Roberts.

August 2nd 1905
Res. Dr Roberts be chairman and T Dent vice-chair. W P Brooks managing director.
Dr Roberts took the chair.
Res. That P Barrett repair the wall in Wellhouse Road and the shed wall opposite the engine house. [I suspect this is the old WH problem of subsidence.]
Res. That Crowther's wage be paid and distributed amongst those entitled.
That the old timber formerly used in the Smithy at WH be sold to Fred Preston for 20/-.
The empty oil casks be sold to E Brooksbank and Co @4/2 each.
That Anthony Carr's request for a supply of clean water be looked into.
That Gresham and Craven Ltd be asked why the injector repaired by them does not work correctly. [Steam injectors for feeding boilers against steam pressure are notoriously temperamental. This may not be the manufacturer's fault.]
That P Barrett repair and clean out the eaves and troughs at CH Shed.
That John Riddiough be asked to come before the director's next Wednesday night at 7pm and that he be told it is concerning his conduct towards Mr Hogarth and what he has been saying to the public. [Oh dear. Trouble at the engine house at Butts!]
J D Roberts.

August 9th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J A Nutter £56-16-0. Thomas Jackson £93-16-4. J Wilson Green £180-7-7. Alfred Horsfield £249-5-5. [These entries are out of the pattern and I suspect are repayments of loans and interest.] Holgate Marsden £341-2-0. Loan of £100 to Thomas Baxter be repaid.
That loans of £100 from Jonathan Peel and £50 from David Woffenden be accepted. Seal cert etc.
John Riddiough attended at the invitation of the board with reference to his statements made in public and to the engineer. He was warned not to offend in this way again. [Intriguing...]
J D Roberts.

August 16th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Henry Brown, £8-7-6. James Bulcock £3-3-0. J W Varley £1-1-6. Burnley Ironworks £16-5-0. M&J Layfield £1-14-0. Colledge Roy and Co £3-13-0. J Gott and Sons 11/8. R Brotherton 16/-. J Casartelli and Sons 13/-. J J Whitaker £4-7-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-6-0. S Smith 4/6. J Thompson and Co £6-9-0. Brooksbank and Co £9-5-8. Gresham and Craven 14/-. E A Coates £5.
Res. That the managing director instruct the engineer at CH Shed to send down more water from Springs Dam in consequence of the very high temperature of the water at Butts Mill. [In earlier years the water temperature from CH hadn't been a CHSC problem but as they now own Butts one suspects that they are taking more notice.]
Mr Brooks reported that the Inspector of Factories had requested immediate attention to the water closets at Butts Mill.
Res. That Mr Lowcock be asked when in Barnoldswick to meet a deputation of the board with reference to the purchase of a plot of land.
That the requirements of the engineers at CH and WH be ordered.
J D Roberts.

August 23rd 1905
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That the receipt of a letter from Mr Bennett, surveyor to BUDC re closet accommodation at Butts Mill be acknowledged.
That W Holdsworth be requested to repair Messrs Moorhouse's and Windle's warehouse floors.
That P Barrett be requested to board up the wheel race in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse and over the well at CH Shed.
That a letter be sent to Holgate Marsden asking him to send all Altham coal by rail. [Almost certainly low water in the canal.]
J D Roberts.

September 6th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: T M Duché and Son £20-16-6. E Bennis and Co 12/-. John Lee £5-18-0. Ellison and Co £11-17-0. J A Nutter 12/6. W B White and Son £16-11-10. Brooks and Pickup £27-5-0. F R Putz £1-14-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-9-0. Hartley and Pilgrim [no entry]. Smith and Smith £28-0-7.
The chairman read a letter received by him from Mr Lowcock of Manchester asking for particulars of land required by the company and he was asked to reply that the company wished to acquire land to improve the yard and the weaver's approach to Butts Mill.
Res. That Bailey and Roberts be requested to pay half the cost of the drum placed in their warehouse at their request.
The secretary read the reports on the boilers at all the mills from which it appeared that the scale at CH was ¼” thick, WH ¼” to 3/16” and at Butts ¾”. [All seriously scaled up, Butts figure is serious. The standard at Bancroft when I was running it was 1/16” maximum. This gives a balance between the protection the scale gives from corrosion and pitting of internal surfaces and the bad effects of damaging heat transmission. A subsidiary danger in the case of Butts is that the scale is so thick that it could insulate the furnace tube from the cooling effect of the water, and allow it's temperature to rise to a point where the tube loses structural integrity and can be crushed by boiler pressure. One more example of the lack of applied science to feed water treatment.]
That P Barrett be requested to supply a ladder for WH Mill.
That the secretary request a return from Mr Pilkington and Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst for the export taping done by them.
That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
J D Roberts.

September 13th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £191-7-0. Thomas Brooks £28-11-0.
That Mr Riddiough be allowed the holiday he asked for.
That Mr John Slater be allowed to have a plot of land at WH, 16 yards X 10 yards at the usual price.
That the repairs to the road at CH be left in the hands of Messrs. Dent, Brooks and King.
That the balance of the loan of £100 be repaid to the Exors of John Pickup.
That loan of £20 be accepted from Henry Holdsworth. Seal cert etc.
That prices be obtained for paving across the yard at WH Mill.
J D Roberts.

September 20th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
The Craven Manufacturing Co requested the company to supply larger meters in their shed and to rearrange the gas pipes ready for the changes in tenancy. [A confirmation that tenants used individual gas meters.]
Res. That they be allowed to use the existing meters but any new or larger ones must be provided by themselves. [I wonder about decisions like this. One would think that the gas meters, being part of the infrastructure provided by the company, would be CHSC responsibility. We see quite a few decision which blur this boundary. What happens if the tenant leaves and takes his meter with him?]
Tenders were opened for the paving at WH Mill entrance.
P Barrett, 6” setts laid, 3/19 per yard. 12”x 6”channels at 2/6 per yard.
John Miles, 6” setts, excavating and paving, 3/4 per yard. 12” X 6” channels 2/9 per yard.
Res. That P Barrett's tender be accepted.
That the quantity of paving to be done be considered at the next meeting after inspections by those directors who can attend on Friday at 6:15pm.
That Mr Atkinson's account be returned for correction, that he be informed of the amount of the architect's certificates and that he agrees thereto to the amount to be paid[sic].
That Messrs Dent and Brooks attend to the re-puttying of glass on the shed at CH and that Mr W Holdsworth be requested to supply a wood trough for the engineer at CH for emptying the cistern.
J D Roberts.

September 27th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Lambert Robinson £103-11-9. Ant-Incrustation Co £2-18-6. Brooks and Pickup £43-10-0. J W Clough £10-10-0. J A Nutter £1-0-5. Cresswell Asbestos Co 6/3. W Perry £14-0-6. James Gott and Sons 15/10. Burnley Building Soc £99-17-6. W Easton 8/8. S Smith and Sons £1-5-0. J Whitaker £6. Wages £134-12-9. J W Brown 18/-. P Barrett £53-3-0.
A letter was read from Mr L Robinson complaining that the architect had taken advantage of him in the measurement of paving at WH and the secretary's reply that Mr Robinson had misread the quantities.
Res. That no paving be done at the entrance to WH Mill.
That the next lot of oil for Butts cylinders be the same as the other mills.
That a cask of compo as used at WH and CH be supplied to Butts. [If you look back to May 10th there is a reference to Butts feed water treatment being much cheaper than WH and CH, straight soda ash only being used. The consequences of this 'saving' were revealed in the figures for scale thickness in the boilers. Albert Hogarth needs to rethink his opinions about 'expensive' compo.]
That W Brown be engaged to assist the engineer at Butts in taking up the slack in the engine bearings. [Sounds as though he needs guidance rather than help. He has plenty of labour to hand. Not very impressed by an engineer who can't adjust these bearings on his own. Am I being too hard on Albert?]
That the rope race at Butts be covered in by P Barrett. [Remember the engine was a gear drive. This rope race is part of the shafting layout in the mill.]
Thomas Dent.

October 4th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £300-6-0. W P Brooks 7/4. Norwich Union Ins £35-5-3.
That a flag in the caul at CH be taken up and replaced with a plank by P Barrett.
That Mr Towers Singleton be accepted as a tenant of the stables at Butts in the place of S Eastwood deceased. [Towers Singleton was a carriage proprietor based in Commercial Street, very close to Butts. There was a range of stables between the mill and Commercial Street and I'm beginning to wonder if these are the ones referred to. Only a suspicion as I have no evidence but I can't think where else they could be.]
That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks examine the steam pipes heating Wilson's warehouse and report to the next meeting.
That Mr J W Brown repair a drum in Anthony Carr's shed.
J D Roberts.

October 11th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a Lancaster [and Tonge] steam trap be ordered for Butts Mill engine.
That the valve spindles at Viaduct Shed be repaired by Burnley Ironworks Co. [Almost certainly repairs to the steam and exhaust valve spindles on the engine.]
That the rents of the two loading places. Viz. 1/3 each per week be charged as from October 1st.
J D Roberts.

October 18th 1905
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That six new closets be built at Butts Mill by P Barrett as per plan.
That Henry Brown supply a steam trap for Butts.
That goods required by engineers be ordered.
That the gas fittings taken down by Moorhouse be left in his charge.
That a wagon of road metal be supplied by Proctor Barrett.
That an honorarium for special services respecting the purchase of Viaduct Shed be given to Mr Edward Wood (Proctor and Proctor.).
J D Roberts.

October 25th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: BUDC 16/-. Brooks and Pickup £24-9-0. Brooksbank and Co £4-4-6. Ridehalgh and Co £3. Veevers and Hensman[?] £1-10-9. [Veevers is a common Colne name, uncommon in Barlick. V Shed?] Colledge Roy and Co [M/c Royal Exchange directory 1912: 'Colledge Roy and Co, Brighton and Roger Streets, Red Bank, Manchester. Oil pressers and refiners.] £7-7-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-7-0. Colne Corporation 4/10. P W Spencer £17-6-0. Burghope and Strange £1-7-0. W Holdsworth £17-11-0. Henry Brown £16-16-0. Wages £67-6-11.
That the HP valves at V Shed be re-bored and new valves fitted.
That the new tenants at Butts be charged each 1/3 of the water charges.
That 3/- per week be transferred from WH wages to Butts for assistance.
That the room at WH be offered to Mr Brown at 1/6 per week. [I'll guess at the office in the thoroughfare. Brown and his successors used this office until the mill was demolished in the 1980s.]
Thomas Dent.

November 1st 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Brooks reported that Mr Henry Brown had agreed to take the room at WH at 1/6 per week from this date.
Res. That the door at A Carr's shed at Butts be opened out and half his sliding door be made airtight [draught proof?] by Mr P Barrett, the wood to be removed to the stores.
That prices be obtained for scrap brass, iron and old blocks at WH Mill.
That loans be accepted: £30 from J&B Hall and £355 from Mrs E M Dewhurst. Seal cert etc.
That the ground rent of £14-5-0 due to Royds be paid.
The secretary reported that the price of coal at the station at Colne as used by V Shed, Best slack ? Was 8/11 per ton from today.
Res. That tenders be obtained for paving 40 yards or thereabouts inside the yard at Butts Mill.
That P Barrett be requested to cart the debris from Butts Mill to the road fronting Dugdale and Dewhurst's at WH.
That the covered thoroughfare at Butts Mill be whitewashed.
That Springs Dam be run off. [For cleaning.]
J D Roberts.

November 8th 1905
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £408-3-0. Gledstone Estate £10.
Res. That M&G Caan's tender for paving the yard at Butts Mill at 3/8½ per yard be accepted.
That the oil pump at Butts Mill be transferred to V Shed.
That a cask of cylinder oil be ordered for Butts Mill.
That the secretary be requested to arrange an interview between Mr Atkinson the architect, Mr Bennett the surveyor and a few of the directors at the junction of Wellhouse Road and Valley Road with a view to settling the ownership and repair of the road.
That Ouzledale Mill be advertised to let in the Barnoldswick paper for one or two weeks.
That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks form a deputation to visit Ouzledale to inspect the general condition of the premises.
Thomas Dent.

November 15th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a loan of £2000 at 4% subject to three month's notice be accepted from S Pickles and Sons, CH Shed.
The secretary produced the agreement and plan entered into on January 13th 1900 between Joseph Hawley [Builder and one time owner of V Shed] and Colne Corporation with regard to a storm overflow which Mr Hawley, as owner of the shed, allowed to pass through his land adjoining Colne Water on the condition that the Corporation built a new weir and diverted the storm overflow from the well for the shed.
Res. That the secretary be requested to ask the Corporation to carry out their part of the agreement. [Someone has been reading the small print!]
Res. That £1000 be repaid to the Burnley Building Society.
Thomas Dent.

November 22nd 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary be authorised to sign the three agreements with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Co for land and light at Viaduct Shed, Colne, the yearly rents of which are £3, £2 and 10/- respectively.
A letter was read from the Clerk to the BUDC requesting the board to place ashes on a portion of Wellhouse Road and Valley Road.
Res. That seeing this company has transferred its interest in Wellhouse Road to the council and that Mr Edward Smith has contracted with the company to maintain Valley Road until it is paved, that this be not done except on the request of the council and on their behalf and that the secretary draw the attention of the council to the very unsatisfactory state of Wellhouse Road which is the principal cause of the condition of Valley Road. [The company are wary of doing anything which could be construed as a voluntary agreement to keep a public road in repair.]
Reports upon the boilers at WH and CH were read.
Mr Anthony Carr requested the company to see that he has the key of Horsfield's space on December 2nd. The letter was laid on the table.
Thomas Dent.

November 29th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Ellison and Co 10/-. Burnley Ironworks £1-19-0. W J Varley £1-14-0. Joseph Thompson £1-16-0. S Smith and Sons £2-6-0. Thomas Hargreaves 9/7. Brooks and Pickup £83-11-0. Wages £86-13-7. Lofthouse and Son £18-19-4. W Holdsworth £21. P Barrett £38-17-0.
A letter was read from Richard Jones of Nelson agreeing to take Ouzledale on a six month's tenancy at £18 per annum providing the doorway and windows are repaired.
Res. That the offer be accepted and that Mr Jones be allowed £3 for repairs to doorway and glass be provided for windows. The secretary to draw an agreement reserving the control of the water to the company. [Note the clause about control of the water. The more I look at Ouzledale the more I suspect that there is some direct connection with Butts water. First there is the question of why Bracewell bought the Ouzledale Estate at a time when Butts was short of water. Second, there is a later mention of a Lea water meter in connection with Clough Mill who, as I understand it owned the riparian right back upstream to the moor (Evidence of agreement between Slaters and Clough which allowed the construction of Bancroft Shed 1914-1920.). This clause renews my suspicion that there is a diversion of water from Ouzledale Dam to Butts which I haven't found yet. No doubt all will become clear one of these days! Research is like that, sometimes you have to just be patient and wait for something to fall into your lap.]
Res. That W B White's tender of 55/- and 10/- for scrap be accepted.
Mr Anthony Carr appeared before the directors and requested them to arrange for Messrs Horsfield to start moving out on Friday morning next.
Res. That seeing Messrs Horsfield cannot possibly vacate their space within the time of their notice, viz. December 1st they be informed that provided they commence to move on the morning of Nov 30th [Thursday] and use all possible despatch the company will waive any claim on them for continuing the tenancy after the 1st of December.
Res. That S Smith be engaged to alter the gas pipes at Butts.
The secretary gave particulars of the working expenses of Coates Shed which is to be sold on December 6th 1905 which showed that the cost was over £700 (including £100 depreciation) and that the shed would hold 360 looms only. [There is a small scrap of paper inserted in the minute book for this date. It shows per annum coal costs of £320, wages £78, extras £5, water [extraction fee to L&L Canal Co] £12, Oil and grease £12, Rates £40, Insurance £10,repairs £80, depreciation £100. Total £657. Loom rents £720, tape £80, total receipts £800. Profit balance £143. [Roughly 6% I calculate] The CHSC are having a sniff at another mill! It's not mentioned but the mill was still being driven by the original 1865 beam engine and it may be that this carried some weight with the directors.]
Thomas Dent.

December 6th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That H Marsden's account of £326-16-0 be paid.
That W B White's offer of 20/- for scrap fire bars be accepted.
That the pumping engine at WH be offered at £25.
That no allowance be made to J Windle and Sons for broken windows but that they be requested to put those already repaired into proper condition.
That Mr P Barrett be requested to clear away the steps at Butts now rendered useless by the change of tenancy.
Thomas Dent.

December 13th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Bradley Brothers and J Nutter and Sons be not charged for extra taping before removal on the grounds that many of the looms were taken out before the termination of their tenancies.
Res. That the drums required at Butts be ordered from Ellison and Co.
The secretary read a report on the oil in the reservoirs at WH but it was decided to await further information before adopting any suggestion. [The cooling water taken from the condenser pond and injected into the jet condenser producing the vacuum which gave the engines their efficiency came into direct contact with the exhaust steam and was extracted from the system by the air pump and then returned to the pond for cooling. (This is why heat built up in the ponds in hot weather.) There is always a carry-over of cylinder oil in the exhaust and if there is no provision for intercepting this, or if the engineer is being too generous with cylinder lubrication, there can be a serious build-up of oil floating on the surface of the reservoir or other water source such as the canal. As lubricating technology improved in later years this carry-over was reduced and often trapped in an interceptor well where it could be collected and didn't get back to the source. This is the problem the directors are looking at. WH is always short of water and the normal action of floating oil escaping through the overflow in small quantities all the time and keeping contamination down may not be happening.]
The secretary reported that the Town Clerk of Colne had offered to pay the contract price for constructing the weir at Viaduct Shed provided they were absolved from further risk. The offer has been rejected.
Thomas Dent.

December 20th 1905
T Dent Chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the land at WH let to Luke Suthers be transferred to J J Sneath.
That stores required by Butts and WH be ordered.
That A Hogarth and E Lowcock be paid 6d per hour for 30 hours time worked at Butts Mill.
That the chairman, King and Brooks see the Craven Manufacturing Co in response to their note about gas.
That the paving at Butts be continued to the waste places by Caan and Son at prices as oer tender.
That the spare wood now stored at Butts Mill be sold to P Barrett for 20/-.
Thomas Dent.

December 27th 1905
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Thomas Hart £1-18-4. E Brooksbank and Co £4-6-11. Borough of Colne £1-1-0. Norwich Union £1-14-1. P W Spencer £3-7-9. Brooks and Pickup £29-5-9. Baptist Church £2-10-0. E Bennis and Co 13/-. [I'm almost certain that these repeated small amounts paid to Bennis are for springs on the stokers at CH, always a weak point of the Bennis shovel stoker.] J W Clough 8/11. W B White and Sons 2/6. S Smith and Sons £1-8-6. J W Brown £5-1-2. Anti-Incrustation Co £4-9-0.
A letter was read form Mr C F Cox of the Standen Estate Office complaining that CHSC, by cleaning out the Springs Dam, had done damage to the water supply at Lower Calf Hall Farm and claiming compensation for the damage done.
The secretary was instructed to reply thereto.
The agreement entered into by Mr Jones for the tenancy of Ouzledale was read and approved.
Thomas Dent.

January 3rd 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That loans of £300 from Jenkinson, £40 from A King and £500 from John and Ann Marsden @45 and 3 month's notice be accepted.
Res. That no further loans be accepted until the application has been considered by the board.
Res. That Messrs Dent, King, Brooks, Holdsworth, Barrett and Perry form a committee to investigate the question of heating the small shed occupied by Moorhouse at WH and that they be empowered to what they think necessary in the matter.
Res. That stores required by CH be ordered.
That the two tables in Edmondson's office be bought for the company in order that the office and tables, the store room and fixtures may belong entirely to the company.
Thomas Dent.

January 10th 1906
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Holdsworth, Barrett, King and Brooks form a deputation to meet Mr Cox on Monday next at 1:30pm and that Mr Wood be asked to come at 11-10[?] in the forenoon.
That John W Brown repair the trough entering Anthony Carr's shed.
That an extension of steam pipe be fixed in S Pickles and Sons, CH and J Moorhouse, WH.
J D Roberts.

January 12th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from J Moorhouse requesting the company to bring a supply of Town's water to his premises. [It shows how our attitudes have changed that it seems almost inconceivable that a workplace in the 20th century could have no clean drinking water laid on.]
Res. That the water be carried as requested.
Res. That Holgate Marsden account of £320-14-0 be paid.
Res. That balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders on January 26th. Dividend of 7½% per annum for half year recommended.
Loans from Richard Jenkinson and John & Ann Marsden be sealed, cert etc.
Res. That the accounts be presented to the shareholders in summary form including only a profit and loss account and balance sheet.
Thomas Dent.

January 17th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That loans of £100 and £50 respectively from S Robinson and another be accepted.
Res. That E Halstead be repaid £1000.
Res. That 3 casks of cylinder oil be ordered from E Brooksbank and Co for WH Mill and 6 casks of oil for CH Shed.
The secretary read a letter from the Anti-Incrustation Co on the oil in the reservoir at WH from which it appeared that it would cost £10 to nullify it. [I'm slightly puzzled by this because so long as water is drawn from below the surface no oil will be injected into the boilers as feed water, a very undesirable circumstance because it tends to burn onto the top surface of the furnace tubes insulating them and possibly leading to failure through overheating. If what is being recommended is treatment of the feed water to chemically eliminate oil this is the wrong solution. The correct option is to stop the oil getting into the reservoir in the first place.]
The secretary reported that the allowance due to Messrs Horsfield for grace was three weeks rent of the whole of the looms.
That A Carr's warehouse roof be repaired by Proctor Barrett.
Messrs Dent, King, Brooks and Barrett inspect repairs and water supply at Ouzledale.
Thomas Dent.

January 26th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Brooksbank and Co £23-2-0. J Mudd 9/10. Henry Brown £3-11-0. Poor Rate £180-7-7. S Smith £7-4-2. Lancs and Yorks Co £6-18-0. Ellison and Co £4-18-0. Green and Son £4. General Rate £244-5-5. James Cooper £1-9-2. Colledge Roy and Co £3-5-0. M%J Layfield £2-16-0. S Smith and Sons £1-5-1. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-4-6. P W Spencer £3-4-7. T M Duché and Sons £11-14-0. Brooks and Pickup £25-7-0.
That £200 be repaid to Mr J Clapham as requested.
That the question of closet accommodation for Messrs Horsfield and Carr be be left with Messrs Horsfield, Brooks and Dent.
Transfer of 300 shares from Richard Lowcock to Mr Edward Wood (168) and Mr James Horsfield (132) be registered. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported the result of the interview with Mr Cox, agent for the landlord of Lower Calf Hall Farm as to his claim for damages and threat of an injunction for pollution of the stream by filth from Springs Dam as a result of the company opening and leaving open the clow. He was satisfied as to the future if the company would undertake to give say 24 hours notice before lifting the clow and would see to it being closed a reasonable time afterwards. As to the past he promised to look into the matter but the deputation did not prejudice the company in any way.
Notices as to 12 minutes black smoke at Butts were read. [This is the council 'nuisance man' an old protagonist of mine as late as the 1970s at Bancroft. As I remember it we were allowed 10 minutes black smoke on the Ringellmann Scale for measuring smoke. 12 minutes would do it!]
Thomas Dent.

General meeting of shareholders
January 26th 1906 at Seven Stars
[Printed balance sheet reports £3328-5-10 brought forward and a total of £4595-3-10. £911-5-0 to dividend at 7½% per annum and £3683-18-10 carried forward.]
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend adopted.
J D Roberts.

January 31st 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be requested to repair the clow at Ouzledale.
That Ellison and Co be instructed to fit new wheels at Butts in place of those broken in J Wilson's shed. [Rather a lot of wheel breakages (bevel gears on lineshaft). Leaving aside fatigue cracking due to excessive vibration, which could be a problem at Butts because there are many reports of how rough the gearing was on the engine, the most usual cause of wheel breakage is reversal of drive taking play up in wheels because of uneven torque in the shaft. This can be caused either by the engine or elastic torque in the shaft causing variations in drive as the engine slows down on stopping.]
Reports on the economisers at CH and WH were read.
Thomas Dent.

February 7th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Holgate Marsden account £361-12-0 to be paid.
Loan of £140 from David Woffenden accepted.
Res. That tenders be got for carrying town's water through the premises at WH and that spare wheels be ordered for Butts Mill.
Thomas Dent.

February 14th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That stores required at WH be ordered.
That we ask Mr Thompson to provide a specification for the girders required to fix fresh water pipes to Moorhouse and others at WH.
Thomas Dent.

February 21st 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque for wages be drawn £117-8-5.
A letter was read from the Craven Manufacturing Company complaining of the ventilation in the closets in the warehouse and it was decided that further investigations should be made.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the three agreements for the tenants at Viaduct Shed as now read.
Res. That the tender of Messrs Varley for the supply of water pipes at WH be accepted. The prices being: For ¾” galvanised pipes 1/1 per yard and for ½” galvanised pipes 8d per yard including excavating and fittings.
The secretary reported with regard to Viaduct Shed that the mortar sales were increasing and that the shops were all let and that a new stack of down-pipes [rainwater fall-pipes] was required for the warehouse.
Res. That the pipes be ordered and fixed.
Thomas Dent.

February 28th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary write to BUDC, Mr Atkinson and and Mr E Smith to meet representatives of the company to consider the condition of Valley Road and Wellhouse Road near WH Mill with a view to having it put in better repair.
That J W Brown repair the roof troughing at Anthony Carr's shed.
That Horsfield Brothers be requested to put in the broken panes in A Carr's warehouse.
That Barrett, Dent, Brooks King and Holdsworth examine the hot well at WH with a view to getting the surface oil away. [Now they're talking sense. The hot water from the condenser enters the hot well before anything not needed for boiler water feed is piped back to the condenser water source, in this case the reservoirs. This is the place to trap any oil.]
Res. That Mr Caan be instructed to raise the [gate post] stone with catch at the entrance to Butts Yard and also to raise the setts which have sunk.
That P Barrett put in a drain to clear the urinal in Craven Manufacturing Co's shed.
Thomas Dent.

March 7th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: M&G Caan £86-6-0. Henry Brown 2-10-0. P Barrett £85-12-0. H Marsden £315-4-8. E Brooksbank £12-10-0. J W Cough £1-10-3. Colledge Roy and Co £7-16-0. Wildman and Co 3/10. J A Nutter 18/6. S Smith and Sons £1-10-9. P W Spencer £8-14-6. Brooks and Pickup £31. R Brotherton £7-12-0. W H Holdsworth £9-0-6. C E Cox £20.
A letter was read from Mr C E Cox referring to the damages done by the company to the water supply of Lower Calf Hall Farm and agreeing to accept £20 in full settlement of the claim.
Res. That the claim be paid.
Loan of £170 accepted from Mrs Maria Woffenden. Seal cert etc.
Thomas Dent.

March 14th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the two accounts for rates on shops at V Shed at Colne be paid. General District rate 26/8, Poor Rate 30/4.
That two dozen [oil] drippers be ordered from W J Varley for CH Shed.
That 31 yards of hemp rope and 40 yards of 5/8” cotton rope be ordered for WH from J Gott and Sons for Butts.
Thomas Dent.

March 21st 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
One week's notice given to leave the employ of the company by J O'Neill at WH.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Brooks and King be empowered to employ a man in his place and to relieve him on Saturday if convenient.
That a skylight be placed in Hackings portion at V Shed.
Thomas Dent.

March 28th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: John B Hall £30-5-9. A S Bennett and Co £4-10-6. A Horsfield 11/2. C Blakey £4-2-6. Burnley Ironworks £2-9-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. Brooks Pickup £27-2-0. Burnley Building Soc £289-5-0. Wages £89-16-2.
Res. That the Co-operative Soc be allowed to sublet part of the land at WH for gardens.
Res. That P Barrett be authorised on behalf of the company to make enquiries in his own name as to the plot of land adjoining Butts Mill known as 'The Parrock'. [My understanding is that this is the land owned by the Trustees of Bethesda Baptist Church.]
The boiler reports for CH and WH were read.
Thomas Dent.

April 4th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Henry Brown £1-9-9. W P Brooks £2-15-2. W J Varley £7-17-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway £1-10-0.
Res. That the yard wall at CH be set back from the bottom gate to the top gate after Mr Dent of Nelson has set out his street line.
Res. That a further drum of compo be ordered for Butts mill as last but on the terms of the letter dated April 3rd 1906 from the Anti-Incrustation Co, viz. No cure, no pay.
Res. That P Barrett be deputed and empowered without limit as to price but in consultation with Mr A King to buy the plot of land adjoining Butts Mill known as 'The Parrock' and containing 9,100 square yards. The meeting was informed that probably £1200 would buy it and it was considered to be cheap to the company at this price, the feeling of the board being that should a shed be built on the site by any other party than the company, the results as far as the water supply to CH and Butts Mills would be very serious. [I am confused. My understanding has always been that this land was the land to the SW of Butts Mill and owned by the Trustees of the Baptist Chapel. How could loss of this land affect the water supply to CH Shed which is upstream? Are we to understand that after sixty years of use as a mill Butts still hasn't got control of the Calf Hall Beck? Perhaps it will become clear.]
Res. That P Barrett be requested to inspect and repair the leak in the top dam at Butts. [I think this must refer to the dam we have already noted in the Parrock land for which rent is paid to the Trustees of the Baptist Church. I'm beginning to wonder, if there was a supply diverted to Butts from Ouzledale Dam, this small pond in the Parrock would be on the right route to Butts. Could this be the mystery supply?]
Thomas Dent.

April 11th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That H Marsden's account be paid £374-14-0.
Res. That the engineer at Butts Mill be allowed to arrange with tenants to supply hot water to all the hands on condition that he pays for all the water used. [Nice little earner for Albert Hogarth. Most mills had a steam heated urn that supplied boiling water for brewing up. In my days at Bancroft Shed it was a free service but up to the end of the war the management made a charge of 1d per week per weaver and I once worked out the income against coal consumption and it was the most profitable piece of equipment in the mill.]
Res. That Messrs Horsfield, Baxter and Wilson be deputed to interview the Trustees of Bethesda Chapel with reference to the sale of the Parrock. After the interview they reported that the Trustees were agreeable to receive a deputation after tenders had been opened and that they would favourably consider the company in disposing of the land.
Res. That P Barrett be asked to tender £1250 and the company tender £1300. [I'm quite surprised that they have committed the information about Proctor Barrett to the minutes. In effect they are documenting collusion between two bidders to manipulate the sale price of the land. Not very Christian!]
Res. That repairs be done to the flags in A Carr's shed by P Barrett.
That a loan of £25 be accepted from Henry Holdsworth.
That Mr Brooks be requested to deal with Mr Pickles' claim 5/2 pieces[sic] of cloth spoiled by oil.
J D Roberts.

April 18th 1906.
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque for wages amounting to £51-4-2 be paid.
That Messrs Edmondson and Co Calf Hall be accepted as as tenants in the place of and on the same terms as J E and E Nutter.
That Mr G Lees resignation be accepted and that Mr O'Neill be re-appointed oiler at Wellhouse in his place. [He didn't last long!]
That the step on the crank pin at CH be repaired by Burnley Ironworks on Saturday. [Watson has had a hot crank pin on his engine. Almost certainly caused by a moment of inattention in checking that lubricators were working properly. The step is the brass insert that forms the bearing on the crank pin.]
Res. That Messrs Barrett, Holdsworth, King and Brooks be deputed to set out the new street line at CH Shed and to engage someone to set back the wall.
Res. That Messrs Barrett, Slater, King and Dent be deputed and authorised to purchase the Parrock if it can be obtained at reasonable cost.
The meeting was informed that some person had offered 3/1 per square yard and it was therefore thought that if the company offered 3/3 per yard they would become the purchaser. [How do they know this? Do you get the feeling that CHSC have a mole on the Trustees?]
The secretary announced that the sales of mortar at V Shed for March was £12-16-0.
Thomas Dent.

April 25th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Horsfield Brothers with regard to the steam from their boiling pans [Tape size becks] damaging the roof requesting them to make the alterations necessary to carry it away.
A letter was read from the Trustees of Bethesda church confirming the purchase of the Parrock at 3/3 per square yard and giving the company the option of purchasing a cottage thereon for £120.
Thomas Dent.

May 2nd 1906
T Dent Chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Colledge Roy and Co £3-12-3. J W Clough £15-12-9. Anti-Incrustation Co £4-7-9. E Brooksbank and Co £12-10-9. T M Duché and Sons £11-10-0. John Whitaker £7-9-0. A Horsfield £10-9-11. Brooks and Pickup £29-8-3. [Brooks and Pickup are the coal merchants supplying Viaduct Shed.] Henry Jobling and Son £22-3-8. P W Spencer £10-14-0. J Gott and Sons £3-7-0. Heap and Thornton £2-10-0. J A Nutter £1-8-9. John Lee £4-7-3.
Res. That Mr Wood be requested to enquire into the excessive smoke and coal consumption at Butts Mill.
J D Roberts.

May 8th 1906
Dr Roberts. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Stott and Son £14-5-0. H Marsden £323-11-0. Richard Jones £9.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to drain the road adjoining the new gate at Calf Hall by putting in two gutters.
The secretary reported that the excessive smoke was caused by the stokers being out of adjustment, bad firing and principally by want of draught caused by some strangulation in the flues or economisers but more likely the latter, the draught being strong when the 'by' damper is opened. [Lack of combustion air caused by bad draught will cause smoke even in a perfectly good fire. They have tested the draught on the flue by opening the by-pass damper which cuts the economisers out of the circuit. The fact that there is strong draught there supports the strangulation hypothesis.]
Res. That the engineer be instructed, at the next flue cleaning, to thoroughly examine the brickwork, construction of the flues and the economiser chamber and report.
Res. That Burnley Ironworks be requested to send a man to chip the main flywheel teeth [the jack wheel] and adjust the main pedestal. [This is the gearing on the Musgrave giving trouble again.]
J D Roberts.

May 16th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Notice to repay the loan of £200 by the Exors of the late Adam Eastwood having been received.
Res. That the amount be paid on the production of Probate.
Mr Wood made a further report on the flues and economisers at Butts Mill.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to do the work as suggested.
Res. That Mr Thompson, the Water Works manager be asked to test the water meter at Butts. [for town's water]
Res. That Mr W Bailey be allowed land for a stable at WH at 1½d a yard. [Rent]
J D Roberts.

May 23rd 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Ed Watson's rent for use of the yard as a hen run at CH be now 5/- per annum. [I love the idea of the engineers having hen runs at the mills.]
Res. That the flock Dresser at V Shed be allowed to build a shop on the spare land but no power to be supplied. [This trade is dead now. A flock dresser was a man who took your old lumpy flock mattress, opened it up, and put the flock through a 'willow' which pulled the tangled lumps apart, allowed any bed bugs or dirt to drop out and re-stuffed your mattress for you with lovely soft flock.]
Res. That S Smith, plumber, be ordered to return the steam valves taken away from WH.
Res. That 4 casks of cylinder oil be ordered for WH from Manchester.
Res. That the plan of the Parrock be returned to Mr Dent at Nelson informing him that when the property is conveyed to the company they will arrange about the sewer.
Res. That Edmondson and Co be requested to cease blowing large quantities of steam through their donkey engine. [Probably when warming it ready for use.]
The three boys who pulled down the lightning conductor at WH who acknowledged playing football attended and they agreed to pay 20/- each towards the cost of a new one. [A labourer's weekly wage. Not good news for the parents!]
Thomas Dent.

May 30th 1906.
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the tender of Mr Atkinson of Colne to repair the lightning conductor at WH for £6-1-3 be accepted.
Res. That two gun-metal [bronze] blow off valves for Butts Mill be ordered at £6-5-0 each.
Res. That firebars be ordered for WH as required.
A Letter was read from Mr W Dent, surveyor, Nelson asking the company to grant permission for a sewer through the Parrock and it was resolved that the secretary be instructed to say in reply that the company had nothing to add to the statement made in their last letter. [Wait for conveyance?]
Res. That a cheque for £107-7-6 be paid for wages.
Res. That a pair of steps be bought from J Broughton for 4/6.
It was reported that Mr Crowther, fireman at WH, was leaving the employ of the company.
Res. That an advertisement for a man to take his place be put in the local papers.
Thomas Dent.

June 6th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: T M Duché and Son £12-1-2. J A Nutter 14/9. Thomas Jackson £nil. R Brotherton £3-11-6. P W Spencer £2-9-9. P Barrett £32-3-0. H Marsden £347-3-0. Proctor and Proctor £3-3-0. Henry Brown £2-15-0.
J D Roberts.

June 13th 1906
Dr Roberts. Minutes as read.
That an approximate cost be obtained for an overhead trolley for handling warps in the Craven Manufacturing Co portion. [Overhead runway to accept a trolley to which a block and tackle can be attached. Became standard in tape rooms as time went on. Lifting heavy spinner's beams by hand was not efficient.]
That brushes for Butts Mill be ordered.
Res. That the board grant payment of personal income tax in addition to salary of £120 per annum to George Proctor.
Res. That the income tax on the secretary's salary be paid by the company.
Thomas Dent

June 20th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary produced the deeds and plan relating to the Ouzledale Estate and explained that although the company had a right of passage through James Slater's land [The footpath from Forty Steps down to Walmsgate though Ouzledale Clough.] they were liable for surface damage and it was resolved that his claim of 8/6 be paid.
Res. That advertisements be placed in the local papers for tenders for ashes at Butts Mill and an assistant fireman for WH Mill.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask the Bethesda Trustees if they are willing to give an undertaking to pay any expenses that this company may be put to by engaging an architect before the date of completion.
That the stores required by WH and Butts Mills be ordered.
The secretary read a notice of an increase of 5d per ton for coal delivered at Viaduct Shed by Brooks and Pickup.
Res. That £1,000 be repaid to Edmund Halstead on account of his loan to the company.
The secretary reported that the cost of overhead trolleys varied from 4/- to 8/- per yard depending on the class of work.
J D Roberts.

June 27th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J M Crew £2-4-0. J Cowling £1-3-8. P Barrett £1-13-2. Brooks and Pickup £25-16-0. J Hopkinson £12-3-9. [This will be the gunmetal blow-down cocks for Butts boilers.] Burnley Ironworks £1-3-0. W H Atkinson £6-1-3. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-8-8. J W Brown £3-10-0. W P Brooks £1-15-9. G Proctor (wages) £72-7-3.
Res. That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
Res. That Mr Oswald, who appeared before the board, be appointed assistant fireman at WH at 21/- per week.
Loan of £50 accepted from Mr A King. Seal cert etc.
That W Holdsworth be instructed to investigate the purchase of the end house opposite the CH Shed which may be required at some future time for the purposes of constructing a road from the Parrock.
Tenders for ashes at Butts were received from P Barrett £10-2-6. Mr E Smith £11-9-0 and Mr S Harmer £15-2-0 for the year ending June 30th 1907.
Res. That S Harmer's tender be accepted.
J D Roberts.

July 4th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That H Marsden's account be paid £313-11-0.
A letter was read from the Baptist Trustees with reference to the purchase of the Parrock informing the board that the Commissioners were not prepared to authorise the sale until the purchaser undertook to pay all the expenses of the Trustees which of course included the surveyor's fee. [Later, in 1907, it becomes clear that this refers to the Charity Commissioners.]
Messrs Barrett, King and Wilson paid a visit to the Trustees during the meeting in order to ascertain the meaning of the latter clause but on their returning they explained that the item was a sum of £20 already paid to Mr Dent of Nelson.
The directors expressed the opinion that this was not the bargain and that if the company pay it, to refund the amount or alter the conditions of sale.
Res. That Mr Wilkinson of Nelson be permitted to make a trial to dissolve the scale in the boiler at Butts Mill. [Over the years various 'miracle cures' were proposed, not so much for treating the feed water but getting existing scale off the interiors of boilers. Many of these were very aggressive acid based treatments which removed the scale so efficiently that joints between the plates leaked after their use. Remember that a thin coating of scale is excellent protection for boiler plates. If the railway were commissioning a new locomotive that was to be used in a soft water district they would often first put it to work in a hard water district until it had acquired a thin coating of scale for protection. One very effective method for removing scale was to dose the boiler heavily with paraffin oil, this caused the scale to fall off but could result in subsequent leakage and the boiler surveyors hated it. I hope the directors know what they are doing! I wonder if they have consulted Teddy Wood?]
Res. That the engineer's requirements be attended to and Proctor Barrett be instructed to repair the brick work in the flues at WH.
The chairman reported H M Inspector of Factories, Mr W H Seal, had complained to him that the ventilation, especially at Butts Mill, was very bad and that the proportion of CO was over 30 degrees, the minimum being 9 degrees. [CO2?]
The secretary was requested to enquire into the cost of improving the ventilation.
The secretary reported that the Colne Sanitary Inspector requested alterations to the closet accommodation in T Hargreaves' portion of Viaduct Shed.
A sketch was produced made by the company's architect showing the alterations the cost of which was estimated by him at £7-10-0. Res. That the work be placed in his hands for completion.
J D Roberts.

July 11th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported on the estimated cost of ventilating the company's shed and advised the board to wait until the system about to be adopted in Burnley had been tested.
Res, That the cistern and well at Butts Mill be cleaned out during the holidays and that the arches [culvert under mill] be left over for the present.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask Mr Lee to replace the stones taken from the bed of the beck below Butts.
Res. That Burnley Ironworks be instructed to send a man to Butts Mill to adjust the crank pin steps [brasses]. [Not impressed, Albert Hogarth should be capable of doing this.]
Res. That Burnley Building Soc be repaid £200 and interest of £87-2-6.
That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
A letter was read from the clerk to BUDC asking for permission from the company to erect a fire alarm siren at Butts Mill. The matter was left over pending details of the arrangement.
Councillors Nutter and Slater [BUDC] with Mr Bennett the surveyor, attended with reference to a sewer to be placed through the Parrock and produced plans of the same. They requested the company's consent to the work being done. It was pointed out to them however that the company was not yet in possession and that the Baptist Trustees had declined to indemnify the company should anything be done in the matter. The deputation appeared to be fully satisfied that the CHSC would have assisted them in the matter if they had been in a position to do so.
The balance sheet for the half year ending June 30th was adopted subject to audit to be presented to the shareholders at a meeting on Monday 30th July at 7pm. A dividend of 7½% per annum for the half year to be recommended.
J D Roberts.

July 25th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the following tenders be accepted for ashes for the year ending on July 31st 1907:
P Barrett, WH, £15. Fred Harrison CH £8-10-0.
Res. That two weed brooms be ordered for WH from W Perry.
That J W Brown repair the troughing at CH.
That Dent, Holdsworth, King and Brooks see the shed roof at Craven Manufacturing Co at Butts also a suggested arrangement for putting in 6 more looms for Slater Brothers at WH and do what is needful.
Res. That we allow BUDC to fit a siren at Butts Mill with the suggestion that the makers of the siren be asked to put in the valve near the connection with the main pipe. [Sounds like a steam whistle and it was needed because the faster the volunteer fire fighters could be called out the more efficient the fire service would be.]
Res. That the secretary get out particulars of taping done for export by tenants for the last year.
J D Roberts.

[This is the end of Minute Book 3. Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham, February 2011.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY.

MINUTE BOOK 4

JULY 30TH 1906 TO JULY 13TH 1910.

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries inside square brackets [] are additional notes and explanatory comments by SCG.]

Director's meeting July 30th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Slater Brothers be allowed to place 6 looms in their shed and that Mr W Holdsworth's offer of half cost for the ceiling be accepted.
That Mr Marsden be asked to reduce the stock of coal at Coates Wharf. [This entry gives us some clues as to how the deliveries of coal were administered. I think we can deduce that Holgate Marsden charges the CHSC for coal delivered and stacked at the wharf where it is the property of CHSC. As there are no discernible charges for rent of space at Coates Wharf to anyone I think it is safe to assume that Marsden is paying for space to store coal and recovering this in the price of coal as delivered to the sheds. Remember that CHSC weren't necessarily his only customers. In later years under delivery direct to sheds from the pithead by road it was customary for each mill to keep its reserve stock on its own premises. At Bancroft we normally carried about 300 tons on stock, about ten week's supply in winter. Coal stocks were a necessary insurance against any stoppage of deliveries for any reason.]
The reports on the boilers at Butts Mill were read.
Res. That cheques be drawn for secretary's salary, Auditor's remuneration and director's fees.
Transfer of 100 shares from J Watson to C Ormerod registered. Seal cert etc.
J D Roberts.

Half year shareholder's meeting
July 30th 1906 at Seven Stars Assembly Rooms, 7:30pm.
[Printed balance sheet and report inserted in minute book records that including balance of £3863-18-10 brought forward there is a disposable balance of £4964-11-7. £911-5-0 for dividend at 7½% per annum for half year. £4053-6-7 carried forward.]
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved and adopted.
Retiring directors re-elected.
Remuneration of directors at £6 per annum approved.
Messrs Richard Watson, retiring auditors re-elected at seven guineas per annum.
Thomas Dent.

August 8th 1906
Res. That Dr Roberts be chairman, Thomas Dent vice-chair and W P Brooks be managing director.
Res. That Dugdale and Dewhurst and R G Pilkington be asked to render an account of taping.
That the question of skylights for Moorhouse's shed be re-considered in a fortnight.
That Messrs Lofthouse be instructed to paint loading places at WH and the east end of CH Shed and that Messrs King, Dent, Holdsworth and Brooks be deputed to see the work done.
That Messrs Heap and Thornton repair plaster at CH Shed and that the woodwork in Dugdale and Dewhurst's be done by W H Holdsworth.
Res. That the end house adjoining Calf Hall Shed be bought from Mr Fawcett for £240 and that he be paid £15 deposit and £5 bonus.
Res. That Mr O Leek and Messrs Charlesworth and Wood be asked the price for conveying the same.
Res. That accounts be paid: A Horsfield £429-7-3. P W Spencer £11-6-0. J A Nutter £58-13-4. S Smith and Sons £2-6-0. Brooks and Pickup £49-18-0. J Hopkinson and Co 9/9. W Easton 11/-. Burnley Ironworks £16-13-0. E Bennis and Co £1-11-0. H Marsden £277-17-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-5-10.
J D Roberts.

August 15th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the half year's rent of Springs Dam of £5 and the rates on Ouzledale of £1-11-7 be paid.
That Oliver Leak's offer to prepare the conveyance of the house at Calf Hall for £2-17-6 be accepted.
A Latter was read from the Craven Manufacturing Co drawing attention to the poor supply of gas to the twill rooms. [Twill is a particular weave of cloth using a multi-stave loom.]
Res. That Mr Hogarth investigate this and report.
The report on the boiler at CH Shed was read and it was suggested that the engineer's attention be drawn to the unsatisfactory state of the scale. [The boiler would have had its annual internal examination during the August holidays and this is when the scale was assessed by the surveyor. At Bancroft Shed in the 1970s under modern inspection regimes the rivet heads had to be chipped on the furnace tubes (where the thickest scale gathers) so that the surveyor could do an efficient hammer test of the rivets. This in a boiler with perfectly acceptable scale thickness due to efficient feed water treatment tailored to our water and weekly testing by the engineer for total dissolved solids [TDS] which is the parameter which governs scale formation. Lancashire and Cornish boilers could operate successfully with higher TDS than water tube boilers. Maximum permissible TDS under modern regulations was 1450-1700 parts per 100,000, a typical TDS figure at Bancroft using efficient feed-water treatment was an average of 230 parts per 100,000. I think that CH was way above the maximum and this was the CHSC's best site.]
The secretary read the letter sent by him to the chairman and clerk at BUDC with ref to the steam siren. [Confirmation of my suspicion that it was indeed a steam whistle.]
That Mr Holdsworth be requested to remove the ceiling from opposite Messrs Slater Brothers' premises.
That Mr Osborn be engaged to whitewash the boiler house at Butts. [One point about whitewash in boiler houses. Apart from being a good thing generally on the grounds of cleanliness and maximum light, whitewashing the walls of the boiler settings seals many small air leaks and these can have a marked effect on overall boiler economy. A good engineer or fireman made frequent inspections round the boiler using what we called a 'magic wand', a piece of half inch pipe with a hemp rope threaded through and always kept soaking in paraffin. When lit and applied around the settings while the boiler was firing the flame is sucked into any leaks in the brickwork and these are sealed with fireclay. Very good practice.]
Res. That Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth be requested to see Mr Bennett, surveyor to BUDC with a view to changing the course of the sewer from Calf Hall to Butts. [The proposed sewer in the Parrock? Could they have in mind routing it so that both mills could gain a connection more easily?]
J D Roberts.

August 22nd 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the gas meters at Butts be re-arranged as suggested by Mr Brooks.
That Messrs Ellison and Co be requested to attend at WH Mill and report on the levelling of the lineshaft and cross-shaft adjoining Moorhouse's shed. [Most likely general settlement of ground mis-aligning the shafts. Always a problem on the ground in the WH and Havre Park area.]
That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
That the charges for a tape should be based on 17,500 yards [of yarn] per set [of tapers beams. This is per beam, that is the length of the sheet of yarn in the tape] and that the secretary be instructed to inform Dugdale and Dewhurst that they [the board] prefer their tape to work for the firm's looms only.
That S Bracewell be engaged to build a breast wall at Ouzledale and that Messrs Dent, King and Brooks select the random [stone] for it.
Res. That the rent for the dwelling house at Calf Hall let to J Wills be 5/6 per week. [Note that this is a quarter of the income of say a firebeater at the mill.]
Res. That Heap and Thornton be instructed to repair W Bailey's warehouse roof.
J D Roberts.

August 29th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Ellison and Co £9-2-0. Brooks and Pickup £28. P W Spencer £10-7-0. Exors J Cooper £3-18-6. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-3-6. W Hough and Co 8/4. S Smith and Son £1-3-9. J Hopkinson and Co £6-1-9. J A Nutter 14/9. J W Clough £2-2-6. Henry Brown £8-5-0. Colledge Roy and Co £7-3-0. T Clapham £100-13-4 [Repayment of loan of £100 plus interest.]
That Mr Leak be requested to complete conveyance of the house at Calf Hall as soon as possible.
That a ventilator be fixed at Butts Mill by T Gregson of Great Harwood.
That the secretary be instructed to write to W H Seal [HM Factory Inspector] informing him of what we have decided to do in regard to the ventilation.
Thomas Dent.

September 5th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Wages £86-11-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1.
Mr Thompson's report on the arrangement of the gas pipes at Craven Manufacturing Co's shed was considered.
Re. That Messrs King, Brooks and Dent be authorised to carry out such alterations as they deem necessary to improve the present system.
The reports on the external examination of the economisers at CH Shed and WH were read.
Letters were read from O Leak stating that he had not received the Abstract of Title for the house at Calf Hall. From T Gregson stating that the ventilator should be fixed at Butts Mill this week. From W H Seal, HMFI, requesting to be informed when the ventilator is working so that he can inspect it.
Res. That Mr MacDonald be instructed to pitch [dress with broken stone] the end and back streets of the cottage at Calf Hall.
That John Riddiough's offer to whitewash the boiler house at Butts Mill be accepted.
That Messrs Slater Brothers be allowed to have a 10” drum from stock for their drill.
Res. That Mr Bennett, BUDC surveyor, be requested to empty the closets at CH Shed on Saturday afternoon in future and that attention be drawn to the railings which have sunk at Butts die to excavations for the sewer. [The closets at CH Shed must be pail toilets emptied by the 'night soil men' employed by the council. Understandably this process involved a very objectionable smell. Far better to do it when work people were not present on Saturday afternoon. Evidently at this time the Calf Hall area wasn't served by sewers and this is the purpose of the work in the Parrock. Relief is in sight!]
Res. That the fan in Horsfield's tape room be taken down and put into stock.
Res. That the caul at Ouzledale be puddled with clay from the sewerage works. [The council would use puddle on a regular basis for repairing the walls of their settling pits. The original source of the puddle (sand and clay pugged to a homogeneous consistency) was most likely the canal company who always carried a stock as the canals were made waterproof by a layer of puddled clay.]
That 5 valves be ordered from Henry Brown for CH Shed.
That thick pieces of glass be slated into the roof at the dark end of Moorhouse's shed at WH.
J D Roberts.

September 12th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: S Smith and Sons £2-16-4. R Jones £7-18-0. H Marsden £323-4-0.
Mr Atkinson architect attended and informed the board that his clerk would attend tomorrow to measure the Parrock along with Mr Dent of Nelson and that the various points mentioned to him by the directors would have his attention.
Letters were read from A Carr requesting that the gas pipes in his tape room be re-fixed. From George Rushworth of Colne asking if the company was disposed to sell the rough stone at Viaduct Shed. [George Rushworth was an engineer and scrap dealer and had a piece of land adjacent to Viaduct Shed so he was interested in the stone because it was close to his land. In later years Rushworth's declined engineering (they never had much success in the field according to the evidence of Newton Pickles re their repairs at Long Ing Shed when they were major shareholders.) and became one of the major firms in the area scrapping redundant mills as the trade contracted. They had a very large pile of scrapped looms on the land in question, visible from the road at Primet Hill and I have been told, but have never been able to confirm definitely, that this stock of scrap was held on behalf of the government and subsidised by them, as part of the UK strategic reserve of raw materials. In 1955 the Queen visited Colne and Rushworth's put a large union jack on top of the heap of scrapped looms. In view of public feeling about mill closures at the time this was seen as either insensitive or a direct message to the government.] From Mr O Leak stating that the Abstract relating to the cottage at Calf Hall and furnished by Mr Caan only started with Mr Lowcock, Mr Caan's predecessor.
Res. That Messrs Dent, King and Brook be empowered to make such alterations to the gas pipes as they may deem necessary.
Res. That the rough stone at Viaduct Shed be not sold.
That Mr Leak be requested to obtain a Title going much further back than the one proposed. [Surprising that a more complete title was not readily available because the house in question wouldn't be much older that Calf Hall Shed. I'd estimate about 1870.]
That Mr Brooks be requested to see that a better supply of water was sent down from Springs Dam when required by the engineer at Butts Mill. [The old condenser water temperature problem. What is being asked here is that when more water is required to lower the temperature in the beck someone is sent immediately to Springs to open the clow a crack so as to let down not only the current flow in the beck but a supplement from water that has gathered overnight in the dam. Obviously this also entails the clow being closed at or just before the end of the day's running so that the stock can build up again. This has implications for water users on the beck below Springs when the clow is closed and flow ceases until the overflow point is reached again.]
That Mr Seal, HMFI, be informed that the ventilator at Butts is now fixed.
That the secretary draw the attention of the surveyor [BUDC] to the sewer emptying into the dam at Butts and to the depositing of large pieces of diseased meat in the beck at Butts. [Town becks had been used for centuries for waste disposal and old habits die hard.]
That the engineer at Viaduct Shed be allowed use of the land abutting on the mill providing he fence it off. [Another hen pen?]
J D Roberts.

September 19th 1906
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Mr O Leak informing the board that the solicitors to the vendors would not furnish an older version of the abstract unless 25/- be paid for it. [It would appear that at least one profession has not changed much over the years!]
Res. That the title first offered be accepted and that the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance from Mark Caan to the company of the house at Calf Hall.
Mr Ellison's report on the main shaft and the cross shaft at WH Mills was read.
Res. That they be instructed to thoroughly investigate the cause of the heating of one of the bearings and to do such work as they deem necessary to put it in order and that Henry Brown be instructed to line-up the cross shaft.
That W Holdsworth be instructed to make wood racks for the [storage of spare] gutters at Butts Mill.
Thomas Dent.

September 26th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: E Taylor £14-5-0. Brooks and Pickup £21-18-0. W Perry £14-3-6. J Sagar £1-13-9. W P Brooks £5-5-4. J Gott and Sons £1-3-0. W Cowell 7/6. P W Spencer £3-9-6. S Smith and Sons £2-3-11. Anti-Incrustation Co £4-10-6. Exors of J Cooper 15/-. J J Whitaker £20-2-0. Proctor and Proctor (insurance) £56-4-0. O Leak £2-17-6.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain information as to whether the ground rents payable to Captain Royd's are for sale and the lowest at which they can be obtained.
That the engineer at Butts Mill be paid for alterations to gas and steam pipes in Anthony Carr's warehouse.
That the engineers of the company be instructed to run their engines to time in accordance with the requirements of the Factory Acts.
That Mr Brooks be instructed to engage Mr Walker as fireman at WH on trial.
That Mr Barrett be requested to build a further manhole in the soil pipe at WH Mill.
Transfer of 153 shares from Mrs Eastwood to William Perry be registered. Seal cert etc.
The report on the external examination of the boilers at Butts Mill was read from which it appeared they were in satisfactory order.
Mr O Leak, solicitor, attended with the conveyance of the house at Calf Hall and explained that the company had right of way over the street at the south end of the row of cottages also the north end and back street but that the land forming the street at the north end was not included in the purchase. [Not necessarily pertinent but Harold Duxbury once told me that the provenance of all the land between Calf Hall and the Seven Stars was very murky even though this was essentially the Parrock bought by the CHSC. He said that Briggs and Duxbury were still collecting rents for garages at the top end near the beck but had no idea where they should be forwarded to. This was over thirty years ago and I suspect that rights will now have been established in law by uninterrupted occupation.]
Thomas Dent.

October 3rd 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Dividend account £911-5-0. C Blakey £35-5-3. P&P wages £64-5-0. W Holdsworth £6-15-0. Insurance £30-13-0.
Res. That the oiler's wage at WH be increased 1/- to 26/- per week.
That the engineer's requirements at WH be attended to.
That loans be accepted from A King and J Hall.
Thomas Dent.

October 10th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £200-13-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Mr Bennett's attention be yet again drawn to the condition of the entrance to Butts Mill.
That Messrs Dent, Barrett, King and Holdsworth examine and report on the proposed urinal at WH Mill.
Thomas Dent.

October 10th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res, that Mr J Crew be instructed to repair the windows broken by the company's servants on S Pickles and Sons' roof.
That Messrs Dent, Brooks and King arrange with Edmondson and Co as to the proportion they should pay towards the repair of their windows.
That P Barrett be instructed to build a urinal in the thoroughfare at WH.
That W Holdsworth be instructed to repair the windows in A Carr's shed.
Res. That the turning on of the water to the well at WH be entrusted to Thomas Waine.
Thomas Dent.

October 24th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The deputation who waited on Edmondson and Co reported that they had agreed to pay half the cost of repairs on account of the bad condition when they took the shed.
That the pumping engine at WH be sold to Mr Duckworth of Barrowford for £20-5-0, they to have the use of the engine house for twelve months. [Not sure what to make of this. We've noted before that this pump seemed to have its own small house. Why should a man from Barrowford have a use for it?]
Res. That grate bars be sold to S Dugdale @ 25/- per ton at Barnoldswick station. [They to pay carriage onwards.]
Res. That the repairs to the roof at Windle's portion of WH Mill be left with the chair, Managing director and Mr King.
Thomas Dent.

October 31st 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: P&P £67-11-7. J Bulcock 6/4. British Kremnos Co £8-8-0 [The British Kremnos Co of Bolton. Chemical manufacturers, specialist in economiser and boiler cleaning, reservoirs cleaned without stoppage of works. (M/c Royal Exchange directory for 1912)] J Gott and Son £6-3-0. J Pollard £1-16-3. Burnley Ironworks £10. R Baldwin £1-4-11. J R Atkinson £12-15-0. J Sagar 9/-. Anti-Incrustation Co £5-17-0. J G Tate £10. Brooks and Pickup £25-16-0. W B White 3/-. George Spencer £7-1-0. S Greenwood and Sons £3-14-0. J W Brown £6-10-0. W J Varley £7-13-0. W J J MacDonald £4-2-0. Heap and Thornton £11-10-0. J W Clough £20. E Brooksbank £19-9-6. J A Nutter 7/-. Wildman and Co 4/5. Henry Jobling and Son £22-3-8.
The following correspondence was read: From the Baptist Chapel Trustees stating that the agreement for the Parrock was in course of preparation. From the Craven Manufacturing Co complaining that the rain came in in five places at Butts Mill. From Mr Seal HMFI approving of the method of ventilation proposed to be adopted at Butts Mill. Reports on the economisers at WH and Butts Mills.
Res. That 3 fans be ordered with Mr Gregson of Great Harwood to be fixed in the Craven Manufacturing Co's portion at Butts Mill.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to provide and fix a new door for tipplers and to fix a lock thereto.
Res. That Holgate Marsden be asked to deliver the coal at WH Mill more regularly and as requested by the fireman.
The secretary produced a notice from the Borough of Colne with regard to fire escapes for Viaduct Shed to which a plan was attached showing the work that had to be done. He reported that he had met the borough surveyor and town clerk on the premises during the afternoon and had recommended a much simpler scheme to which they had given their approval.
Res. That the secretary obtain tenders for the work.
The secretary also reported that the corporation of Colne were willing to pay the company £44 if the company would complete the contract made some years ago between Joseph Hawley and the corporation with reference to the re-building of a weir at Viaduct Shed. The secretary was instructed to obtain tenders for the work. The question of the vacant land at Viaduct was discussed and it was thought advisable to put it on the market.
Thomas Dent.

November 7th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the engineers requirements be attended to.
That Mr Brooks be requested to inspect the boilers and steam pipes with respect to covering and report to the next meeting.
Mr Barrett reported that he and others had had an interview on the site at Parrock with Mr Leak solicitor on behalf of the Trustees of the Baptist Chapel and Mr Dent surveyor of Nelson and that the trustees were imposing conditions which were not a part of the bargain when the company purchased the land. The principal being:
1. The company to remove a wall and place it in line.
2. To take down the cottage.
3. To give easement for light.
4. To accept a 21ft entrance instead of a 36ft street.
5. To give up the right of way through the ginnel. [Ginnel is a dialect word for alley way.]
6. To grant easement for getting out [emptying] ash pit.
7. To pay Mr Dent's expenses £21-14-0 which was incurred before the company commenced any negotiations and which may already have been paid by the Baptist Trustees.
After some discussion it was decided to allow the matter to rest until the agreement had been presented to us for approval.
Thomas Dent.

November 14th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Holgate Marsden's account be paid £344-6-1.
That Mr Petty of Colne repair [insulation] the steam pipes at WH and Butts Mills where necessary.
It was reported that after the last meeting of directors a deputation of the Baptist Trustees had waited upon the board when it was mutually agreed that the conditions mentioned in the minutes of November 7th, with the exception of Mr Dent's expenses be withdrawn. The trustees also agreed with the directors to hand over any sums received by them from the BUDC as compensation for laying a sewer through the Parrock.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be attended to.
Thomas Dent.

November 21st 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Replying to a letter from A Carr asking for ventilation into his tape room it was resolved that he be asked to fix a modern trunk. [The wooden or sheet metal ducting from the top of the tape machine to the ventilation outlet so that steam from the drying drums went direct to the outside.]
Res. That Lofthouse and Son be requested to give a tender for painting the engine house at WH and that Heap and Thornton whitewash the boiler house.
Res. That P Barrett repair the tippler covers at WH and also J Wilson's drain at Butts. Mr Holdsworth to repair the ventilators for the Craven Manufacturing Co at Butts. J W Brown to repair the hoist in Edmondson's at CH Shed.
That a keg of rope composition be ordered from Hart's at Blackburn for CH. [A mixture of tallow and graphite used for dressing driving ropes.]
That Petty cover the steam pipes at CH Shed.
Res. That Stephen Robinson be repaid his loan of £100 with interest on Wednesday next.
Mr Slater reported a conversation he had had with JJ Sneath about his conduct towards the fireman and oiler. [WH Mill. Engineers were often noted for their temper. Newton Pickles and I had a discussion about this once and Newton reckoned that a lot of engineers were under stress because they didn't fully understand their engines and were in a constant state of fear with good reason, they were dealing with major forces which, if not handled properly and with respect, could be very dangerous. I speak from experience, it can be quite interesting running an engine with a strange noise and balancing possible danger against the loss to the company of shutting the engine down, perhaps for something quite minor.]
Thomas Dent.

November 28th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: P&P £61-19-5. Union Oil Co £3-13-6. Borough of Colne 14/9. British Kremnos Co £7-10-6. Brooks and Pickup £30-9-0. BUDC £2-2-7. P W Spencer £7-11-0. Henry Brown £5-5-0. J Thompson and Co £3-4-0. W J Varley £2-3-0. R Baldwin £1-7-3. J W Clough £2-18-0. Repayment of loans: E C Edmondson £132-0-8. S Robinson £101-12-9.
Sate transfers approved, seal and cert etc: Annie Waite 122. William Lambert 121. Maria Pickles 30. Nina Lang 30. Sarah E Dent 30.
Res. That Messrs G Mills and Co's tender for fire escapes at Viaduct Shed of £37-10-0 be accepted and that tenders be obtained for joiner's work etc required to satisfy the Corporation of Colne.
Res. That the secretary ask Hartley and Pilgrim, Charlesworth and Wood and Smith and Smith what would be their charges for conveying the Parrock to the company.
Res. That Springs Dam be emptied after the required notice has been given.
Thomas Dent.

December 5th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from the directors of the Long Ing Shed Co asking if this company would give details of our rent charges. The secretary was instructed to give the information. [No point in refusing really and it will be useful for the two shed companies to compare notes.]
A letter was read from BUDC surveyor Mr Bennett drawing the board's attention to the unsatisfactory condition of Calf Hall Lane. [Now known as Calf Hall Road.]
Res. That Messrs King, Brooks and Dent be empowered to buy materials from BUDC and repair the same.
The secretary gave particulars of the cost of carting coal during the last ten months. [Pity the figures aren't specified!]
It was reported that Mr Atkinson of Colne had certified the figures supplied by the Baptist Trustees as being correct. That Messrs Charlesworth, Brown and Wood and Smith Smith quoted respectively £7-7-0 and £8-8-0 respectively for conveying the Parrock to the company, Hartley and Pilgrim declined to give a price.
Res. That Brown, Charlesworth and Wood[sic] be instructed to prepare the conveyance.
Res. That the tender of Lofthouse for painting and decorating the engine house at WH for £8-15-0 be accepted.
Thomas Dent.

December 12th 1906
T Dent Chair. Minutes as read. [No business minuted]

December 19th 1906
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That E Brooksbank have the empty oil casks at 3/9 each.
Res. That Messrs Dent and King examine the closets at Dugdale and Dewhurst's and if they think a wall should be built they order it to be done.
Thomas Dent.

December 26th 1906
T Dent chair.
Res. That we examine the Kremnos sent by the Anti-Incrustation Co and report to the next meeting.
That the engineers instruct their firemen to come in early while the present cold spell continues and that we pay them for the extra work.
That the coal carters be given a Christmas Box of 10/-.
That cylinder oil and engine oil be ordered from Liverpool for CH and WH.
That Mr Wood be reminded that the company wish to have a statement of rents and other income in detail for the year. [Is this for Viaduct Shed? Is Teddy Wood in charge there? See next meeting.]
Thomas Dent.

January 2nd 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J Lofthouse and Son £9-11-0. W J Varley £1-14-0. W P Brooks £2-0-2. Anti-Incrustation Co £4-9-6. C Blakey 14/6. J W Brown £1-15-6. Joseph Petty £11-4-0. Burnley Ironworks £39. Burnley Building Soc £283-9-2. Payment of interest on loans be confirmed.
Res. That Mr Wood be authorised to re-let the space about to be vacated at Viaduct Shed to the existing tenants on the same terms as hitherto providing the change is carried out without cost to the company. [This entry seems to confirm that Teddy Woods is acting as manager of V shed on behalf of the company.]
The secretary produced the correspondence which had passed between their solicitors and the solicitors of the Baptist Trustees with reference to the purchase of the Parrock and suggested that particulars of the disputed account of Mr William Dent be obtained and that a joint letter be sent by the two solicitors to the Charity Commissioners in order to settle the dispute.
Thomas Dent.

January 9th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Richard Jones £10. H Marsden £302-9-0.
Res. That the balance sheet etc be approved subject to audit and presented to the shareholders on January 24th. Dividend of 10% per annum for the half year be recommended.
A letter was read from Holgate Marsden notifying an increase in the price of Altham Nuts of 10d per ton from January 1st.
Res. That Robert Smith be allowed to put upon the land he takes at WH a wooden building to be used as a stable and that for this portion the rent be 2d per yard. [Per week]
Res. That some belting be ordered for the ventilators in Craven Manufacturing Co's shed. [Evidently the fans are driven by belt from the shafting.]
Thomas Dent

January 16th 1907
T Dent chair.
Res. That Albert Hogarth loan of £50 and Henry Holdsworth's of £25 be accepted on usual terms.
Res. That engineer's requirements be ordered.
That J W Brown fix flanges to the ends of the economiser pipes at CH Shed and that the insurance company be informed of the accident. [The economisers worked at boiler pressure and there has evidently been a failure in the pipework. A serious matter.]
Thomas Dent.

January 25th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Mr Leak in reference to the Parrock.
Res. That Messrs Brown, Charlesworth and Wood be instructed to inform Mr Leak that the company will leave the matter of the £20 surveyor's fees entirely in their hands.
Res. That loan of £25 from Henry Holdsworth be seal cert etc.
Res. Accounts be paid: R Watson and Sons £3-18-9. Bethesda Trustees £2-10-0. [The Parrock has not yet been conveyed evidently and the rent for the dam is still in force.]
Thomas Dent.

Half year shareholder's meeting
January 25th 1907. Seven Stars Hotel
[Printed balance sheet reports that including £4053-6-7 brought forward the disposable net profit is £5372-15-10. £1215 to be paid as dividend for half year at 10% per annum. £4175-15-10 to be carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, auditor's report and recommended dividend adopted.
J D Roberts.

January 30th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the complaint by the Craven Manufacturing Co as to want of steam be enquired into and the deficiency if any be remedied.
That Messrs Dent, Brooks and King enquire into J Windle's (WH) complaint as to insufficient heat.
That the secretary make enquiries into the position as regards insurance of WH seeing as Henry Brown's mechanic's shop in in a portion of the warehouse.
That Mr Barrett be requested to make the necessary alterations at WH boiler house and that a good job be made of it.
That Mr Barrett be requested to repair the floor and ceilings in Pilkington's and Bailey's at WH and the shed floor in the Craven Manufacturing Co's shed at Butts and that W Holdsworth repair the floor in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse.
Thomas Dent.

February 6th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J Pickles £401-16-6 [loan?]. E Pickles £351-12-0 [Same?]. T Gregson £20. E Brooksbank £13-2-5. H Marsden £392-6-0. James Proctor Ltd £1-2-6. A Horsfield £8-1-10. British Kremnos £9-2-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-12-0. J W Brown £4-7-0. J A Nutter £1-8-9. W Easton 4/8. James Bulcock 9/4. Colledge Roy and Co £8. J W Clough £12-1-6. T M Duché £21-18-8.
Res. That the brickwork of the flues and boilers at SH Shed be repaired.
[No signature]

February 13th 1907
T Dent chair. Present: Horsfield, Holdsworth, Perry, Barrett, King, Baxter, Wilson and Brooks.
Res. That the company ascertain if Edmondson and Co at CH bought the water meter from J Nutter and Sons.
That we look at Dugdale and Dewhurst's with a view to putting in fresh water for steam, also Slater Brothers. [No idea what this means. Potable water for a steam boiler for brewing tea?]
That we look into the question of property tax. [This may be a consequence of the proposed Limited Partnerships Act of 1907]
That one dozen scavenger's brooms [hard sweeping brushes] be ordered from Hartley and Co.
Mr Lumb from Brown, Charlesworth and Wood attended to say that they had arranged with Mr Leak [solicitor to the Baptist Trustees.] to put a clause into the agreement for the Parrock that the Bethesda Trustees waive any claim for air and light.
Thomas Dent.

February 20th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Banks £6. W ? Ellis £25-17-0. E A Coates £5 [Springs Dam]. E Green and Son £4. A Horsfield £450-5-9 [loan repayment?]. Brooks and Pickup £25-13-0. T A Landless £1-7-8. P W Spencer £3-11-3. Proctor and Proctor [wages and expenses] £117-4-0. R Baldwin £1-5-8. Colledge Roy and Co £3-12-0.
Res. That water for drinking purposes be carried to Slater Brothers and Dugdale and Dewhurst's at WH.
Res. That tenders be invited from: W J Varley, E Smith, Lindley and W Brooks.
Res. That the action of the secretary in charging the tenants at Viaduct Shed on a 40” [loom reed space] basis and thus increasing the number of looms for rent by 19 be approved.
That a pair of chain blocks [lifting tackle] be purchased for Viaduct Shed.
That stores be ordered for the engineers.
Thomas Dent.

February 27th 1907
T Dent chair.
Brown, Charlesworth and Wood reported that there was no written conveyance to the Bethesda Trustees of that portion of the Parrock which abuts Calf Hall Lane.
Res. That they be instructed to procure a good Legal Title by affidavit or otherwise. [We may be looking at the basis for the problems with Title that Harold Duxbury told me about.]
Res. That W J Varley's tender for supplying water pipes to Slater Brothers' and Dugdale and Dewhurst's for the sum of £5-10-0 be accepted.
That the rent for 6 extra looms put in by Slater Brothers commence on March 1st 1907.
Thomas Dent.

March 6th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Brooks be requested to examine the ceiling between Slater Brothers and Dugdale and Dewhurst's at WH.
That Springs Dam be closed until next winter and that Mr Brooks give notice as usual. [I suspect that this means that since the water shortage in summer 1906 the clow has been left open to ensure maximum flow in the Calf Hall Beck and that it has been left open in the wetter weather to allow the beck to scour its own bed in the dam thus avoiding the problems of polluting the beck and keeping the dam as clean as possible. The clow is now being closed and until the reserve builds up to the spill way there will be reduced flow in the beck. This will not last long in spring weather.]
Res. That Mr Wood be authorised to make terms with Mr Widdup with reference to his tenancy of that Paddock. [A holding in the Parrock.]
Mr Jones of Ouzledale attended and requested that the directors should advance money to enable him to purchase a gas engine, the present water wheel being insufficient for more than a 7 or 8cwt blow. [Lots of information here! '7 or 8cwt blow' refers to one charge in a cupola furnace, the standard furnace for an ironfounder melting scrap iron for castings. The furnace was charged with scrap metal and coke and blown by an air supply powered in this case by the waterwheel. So, we know Richard Jones was an ironfounder, we know he is running a furnace at Ouzledale (built outside in the yard on the wall facing the yard and discharging into a casting floor inside the mill. We have a picture.). We know its approximate size and that the waterwheel isn't powerful enough for a full charge, it can only power a 7 or 8cwt blow. (The bigger the charge, the more power needed to force air through it.) We also know that there is a gas supply either at or very near the mill, otherwise he would not be proposing to supplement the power with a gas engine. You may wonder why I am so interested in early evidence that the mill was a foundry. The foundry at Ouzledale was to become increasingly important as it was the only one in the town. It was the progenitor of a larger foundry run by Henry Brown and Sons at Havre Park and also the modern Ouzledale Foundry on a site at Long Ing, still in production and a major employer in modern Barnoldswick. So, we will keep a close eye on developments on this site!]
Res. That the company advance the money at 6% provided that Mr Richard Jones enters into a five year lease within which time the engine must be paid for and that in addition to the present rent he should pay the rates and taxes assessed on the property and keep it in repair. [CHSC has an ulterior motive in attempting to foster a viable foundry on the site. Cast iron technology figured largely in plant and machinery in this era and it was a definite advantage to have a local foundry which could quickly cast spare parts for maintenance and repair if needed. We shall see more overt evidence of this later.]
Thomas Dent.

March 13th 1907
T Dent chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: Bethesda Trustees £1674-16-8. Oliver Leak £15-15-0.
That old rubber [almost certainly old non-return valves from the air pumps] be sold, 7d for best and 3½d for composition.
That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks interview John W Widdup and get his terms for vacating the Parrock.
Res. That W H Atkinson [architect] be asked to look over the Parrock and afterwards attend next week's meeting.
Thomas Dent.

March 20th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The deputation appointed to interview J W Widdup with reference to his tenancy of the Paddock [Parrock] reported that he was willing to accept £5 and the right to pasture the land until the company required him to terminate his tenancy.
Res. That as this arrangement could be inconvenient for the company Messrs King, Brooks and Dent should offer him a lump sum to terminate his tenancy on March 31st.
A letter was read from the engineer at Viaduct Shed stating that he had received notice to quit [his residence] and that there were no houses to let in Colne and requesting the company to purchase a house in Khyber Street for him at a cost of £180.
The directors considered that this was a reasonable sum and it was resolved that Mr Wood be instructed to purchase the same from the Craven Bank. [A good indication of the value of a competent engineer who knows his plant to the company.]
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance and memorial dated March 16th for the purchase from the Trustees of the Baptist Chapel of the paddock [Parrock] adjoining Butts Mill and containing 10,612 square yards for the sum of £1834-9-0.
Thomas Dent.

April 17th 1907
Thomas Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Lancs& Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. Lancs and Yorks [railway?] Acc [Accrington?] £1-5-6. Burnley Building Soc £280-19-2. Colne Corporation 14/9. Brooks and Pickup £25-14-0. R Baldwin £1-13-0. James Cooper 9/5. Colne Corporation £7-17-6. P W Spencer £3. J J Whitaker £8-1-6. E Brooksbank £7-6-6. W Hough and Co £1. J Gott and Sons £2-18-6. W J Varley £1-12-0. Diamond Lubricating Co £11-19-0. Hartley and Co £1-17-0. Scottish Boiler Insurance Co £6-5-0. J W Brown £3-10-8. Proctor and Proctor £62-1-6. J Nutter £1-10-0. James Wright £1-2-0. R Jones 17/8.
The secretary was requested to obtain particulars of the Economiser insurance.
Res. That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of Ellen Waddington to the beneficiaries be sanctioned.
Mr Atkinson of Colne attended and produced four plans relating to the Paddock [Parrock] three of which were for the erection of a weaving shed and one to utilise the land for cottage property. The plan number 3 showing a shed capable of holding 1300 looms with its warehouse abutting on Butts Mill property appeared to meet with the greatest approval, the other plans showing only 1200 looms.
Res. That a General Meeting be called as early as convenient “To consider the question of developing the Parrock recently purchased by the company”.
Thomas Dent.

April 24th 1907
Dr Roberts chair.
Res. That the Parrock be lent to a committee arranging a horse show on Saturday May 11th 1907.
That a cask of wheel grease and 6 dozen white belt laces be ordered for CH.
That Mr Proctor be specially written [to] requesting him to attend the general meeting of shareholders on Monday next to report as to the advisability of building a shed in the Parrock. Also Mr Atkinson, he to give a report.
Thomas Dent.

April 29th 1907
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the agreement assigning number 6 Shed Street Colne from the Craven Bank Limited in liquidation. The purchase price being £160 and the ground rent 16/6 per annum.
The secretary read a letter from HM Factory Inspector at Bradford in which he strongly approved of the system of ventilation adopted in the Craven Manufacturing Co's premises at Butts Mill and requesting that the same system be adopted in the other sheds giving priority to the worst cases: John Wilson, Butts. B & EM Holden at CH Shed. S Pickles and Sons CH. J Windle and Sons, WH. Anthony Carr, Butts.
A letter was read from B & EM Holden complaining that the ventilation of their tape room etc was bad.
Res. That the managing director be requested to inspect and report.
The secretary read a letter from Green and Sons [Wakefield. Economiser manufacturers.] in which they stated that under clause 4 of their policy they have nothing to do with the accident that occurred to the economisers at CH Shed.
Considerable discussion took place with regard to the position to be taken up by the directors at the extraordinary meeting which would follow this meeting to consider how best to use the plot of land known as the Parrock but no resolution was passed.
Res. That Messrs Moorhouse be requested to fill the empty loom space at WH Mill, 16 to 20 looms.
Thomas Dent.

Extraordinary meeting, Seven Stars Hotel
April 29th 1907.
The business being to consider the development of the Parrock, recently purchased by the company.
Dr Roberts presided and there were present other[sic] 52 members of the company. The chairman expressed a desire that the shareholders should do nothing to jeopardise the position of the company.
Consideration of the question was opened.
Mr Brooks was of the opinion that by erecting a weaving shed on the site based on the plans of the architect at a cost of £17 per loom the shareholders would obtain a return of 5% on their capital.
The secretary pointed out that Mr Brooks had under-estimated the expenditure by £200 based on the actual expenditure at CH Shed and that only £400 depreciation had been taken instead of £552-10-0 and that had he taken the correct expenditure and depreciation at the proper rate of 2½% he would have shown a net return of 3¼% only.
The secretary also pointed out that the additional cost of materials, both to the company and to the respective tenants, and the small return on capital made the scheme impractical. The company, he said, was already the largest room and power company in England but it was owing £25,000 on loans and mortgages and that a better investment would be provided for shareholders to buy off these loans than in erecting a new weaving shed.
He estimated that the value of the present shares to be 30/- each and was of the opinion that it was unfair to the shareholders to put them in the position of either having to put up new shares required to erect the new shed or to sell their options at a sacrifice.
After considerable discussion by the shareholders it was resolved that seeing it is not advisable at the present time to erect a weaving shed on the plot of land known as the Parrock, the question of erecting a shed thereon be deferred for the present.
[What strikes me is that nobody has mentioned the extra power needed for the new shed. The Musgrave engine and its associated plant is probably loaded to capacity already. Despite being a big engine it runs slowly and has a suspect gear drive to the shaft. There is also the question of boiler and economiser capacity. 1300 extra looms and the transmission would demand at least another 700hp and the cost and repercussions of taking this out of the existing plant would have been a significant additional cost. Of course it may be that this was raised but not minuted. If it wasn't, it is a surprising omission.]
Thomas Dent.

May 8th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W J Varley £6. J A Nutter £1-12-1. Heap and Thornton £11-10-0. G Mills and Co £37-10-0. J Lee £4-1-0. J A Nutter £1-14-1. Anti-Incrustation Co £4-8-9. Thomas Gregson £15. P W Spencer £5-16-6. Burnley Ironworks £44-7-0. R Baldwin £1-4-0. J W Clough £1-18-9. Brooks and Pickup £28-17-0. A Horsfield £5-6-2. Holgate Marsden £328-9-0.
The secretary reported that Mr Moorhouse had promised to fill up the vacant space in his shed immediately he could obtain delivery after the price of looms became normal. [Interesting light on how good trade was being taken advantage of by the loom manufacturers. The market is operating!]
Res, That Windle and Sons and J Wilson have four ventilators each put in their sheds on the same principal as the Craven Manufacturing Co. [Fans driven off the shafting.]
Res. That Varley and Co be instructed to glaze the windows at the CH engine house. [Lots of broken windows. More than I would have expected. Vandalism?]
Application has been made for a licence to fish in Springs Dam.
Res. That no licences be issued.
Res. That the price to be paid per horse per week for grazing the Parrock be 5/- for not more than three horses.
Thomas Dent.

May 15th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That three sky lights and that the unfinished bay be boarded in tape room for B & EM Holden at CH Shed. [Garbled entry.]
Res. That further information be got with regard to the Parrock Estate tenancies.
Res. That one barrel each of cylinder and engine oil be ordered for Butts Mill.
Res. That consideration of loans be left until the next meeting.
Res. That Messrs Barrett and King see Mark Caan and Son about the end house in Calf Hall Lane.
Thomas Dent

May 22nd 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the dwelling house [at the] top end of [the] block on Calf Hall Lane be bought from M&G Caan for the sum of £275 and that a deposit of £270 be paid. [Error? Seems to be a large deposit.]
Res. That Riddiough be allowed leave of absence providing he find a suitable substitute. [We keep getting clues about the laxity of employment law in these days.]
Res. That we take out the fan in Horsfield's tape room and take it to Dugdale and Dewhurst's for them to fix in their tape room.
Res. That P Barrett fence off the Great from the Little Parrock.
Res. That Messrs Dent and Brooks prosecute the trespassers in the Parrock.
Thomas Dent.

May 29th 1907
T Dent in chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: George H Baldwin £1-8-4. Corporation of Colne 13/9. P W Spencer £6-16-3. Brooks and Pickup £33-1-0. A E Bennett and Co £4-18-10. James W Clough £4-15-0. E Bennis and Co 19/6. W H Ellis 2/5.
Res. That goods required by the engineers be ordered.
The secretary read a letter from the clerk to the BUDC informing the company that they could only remove trade refuse at our expense.
A letter was read from the Bethesda Baptist Church in which they stated in reply to our request for a contribution towards the expenses incurred in connection with the Parrock that they could not see their way to make any further allowance than the two sums of £5 each and that the [Charity] Commissioners would not give them sanction to do so.
The secretary gave particulars of the sale of mortar at Viaduct Shed and the cost of making the same for the four months ended April 30th last from which it appeared that after paying all outgoings and allowing £5 as an estimate for repairs there was a sum of £10-2-0 available for for the cost of turning [power from the shafting] and that this was equal to 5¼d per hour for the hours run by the mortar mill.
Res. That Messrs Brown, Wood and Charlesworth be instructed to act on behalf of the company [in the] conveyance of the house in Calf Hall Lane recently purchased from Caan and Sons.
Res. Loans be accepted from Mrs Thornton £100 and Thomas Dent £200. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Mr Brooks be authorised to let land in the Parrock for hen runs at ½d per yard [per week] but that no hen runs be wider than 7 yards the tenancies to be subject to our use of the land for building purposes when required.
Thomas Dent.

May 29th 1907
David Eckroyd having applied for the first vacancy as firemen:
Res. That if he would accept he be engaged for WH, failing him, the position of fireman be advertised.
[No signature]

June 5th 1907
T Dent chair.
Res. That T Bryden be appointed foreman at WH.
That P Barrett present his plan of dwelling house in Calf Hall Lane to Brown, Charlesworth and Wood.
That W Holdsworth repair the windows on W Bailey's shed roof, Henry Brown the gutter and J W Brown the clow at Butts.
That Henry Brown quote for fixing an oil pump on the lineshaft at WH.
That J W Widdup remove all his goods and chattels from the Parrock.
[No signature]

June 12th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that the Viaduct Manufacturing Company had given notice to vacate [their space] at Viaduct Shed and that the space was being apportioned amongst the existing tenants.
The reports on the boilers at Butts Mill was read.
Res. That the draft conveyance of the house on Calf Hall Lane recently purchased from Messrs Caan be approved subject to the clause relating to the building of the wall be taken out.
Res. That the ashes at Butts be advertised for sale.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Brooks and King see to the recovering of the well at CH Shed.
That 8 casks of cylinder oil and 4 of engine oil be ordered from Manchester.
Res. That the land in the Parrock occupied by Mr Widdup and Mr Singleton be 3d per yard per annum and on monthly tenancies.
[No signature]

June 19th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Proctor Barrett's tender for the ashes at Butts Mill during the year July 1st 1907 to June 30th 1908 at £9-10-0 be accepted.
That James Gott and Sons of Nelson splice the driving rope in WH engine house. [Tightening up a slack rope?]
Res. That W Holdsworth fix a new door to the clow at Butts
That J W Widdup be allowed another week to decide whether he accepts the company's terms of 3d per yard for a portion of the Parrock or removes.
That Thomas Robinson be asked to rent the portion of his garden in front of his dwelling in Walmsgate Yard. [Probably an old encroachment on the Parrock land.]
That Garibaldi Pickles be accepted as the tenant of the Parrock from June 22nd at 10/- per week for pasturage. [Garibaldi Pickles was a local common carrier.]
[No signature]

June 26th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That J W Widdup and Towers Singleton's rent of land at Parrock commences from June 27th. [Towers Singleton was a carriage proprietor of Commercial Street and the Parrock would be handy for his horses.]
Res. That Isaac Levi, Paul Bryden, William Park, James Parkinson and Mr Dean have one month's notice to quite their garden plots and that they be informed that the company will let to them at 3d per square yard per annum under a new tenancy. [These names are all known by me to have been occupants of the first houses on the right as you drop down Lamb Hill into Walmsgate. Their back gardens must have been encroaching on Parrock land and the effect of CHSC surveying it accurately before buying from the Chapel Trustees has evidently uncovered what could be anomalies going back over many years. The ground covered by these gardens is part of the land that Harold Duxbury pointed out to me years later as being of uncertain ownership. The present houses still enjoy the use of these gardens.]
That Mr Wood look up the agreements for ashpits with Mrs Hudson, C J Turner and Henry Waite. [Same problem again, I think these are the three houses on the corner of Lamb Hill round to the Seven Stars Yard.]
Res. That Henry Brown fix a ram pump on the heavy bearings at WH. [I think this refers to the heaviest part of the line shaft inside the mill. The 'ram pump' referred to will be a small oscillating cylinder pump immersed in a reservoir, driven by a light rope drive from the shaft and pumping oil up onto the bearings from where it ran back via a system of small gutters and pipes back into the reservoir. A similar arrangement is used on steam engines to circulate oil through the main pedestal bearing carrying the weight of the flywheel and the second motion shaft bearings. One pump for each large bearing.]
Res. That we advertise the dwelling house recently bought in Calf Hall Lane to sell. [If you remember, the reason why the house was bought was because the plot it stood on prevented any substantial entrance way into the Parrock and any subsequent weaving shed. My guess is that the sale of the house will not include any ownership of this access land which CHSC will retain.]
That the engineer's requirements are ordered.
That Ellison's of Skipton be asked to inspect the ashlar under the air pump at WH.
That fall pipes at WH and the roof at CH Shed be repaired.

July 3rd 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary presented the balance sheet for the half year ending June 30th last. Resolved that it be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders on July 18th.
A dividend of 10% per annum to be recommended for the half year.
Loans from Thomas Dent and Mr W Berry seal cert etc.
The manufacturers of Barnoldswick having decided to run short time for about two weeks the tenants of the company applied for some remission of rent for the time they are stopped. [One of the peculiarities of the cotton industry is the cyclical nature of the trade and it seems that there has been a downturn so from the manufacturers point of view it makes sense to stop weaving and allow stocks of cloth to be sold.]
Res. That as the stoppage was due to bad trade the tenants be allowed rent at the rate of 10/- per loom per year and that this allowance should not include the stoppage for the holidays. [The allowance would be pro rata to the hours stopped.]

July 10th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Ellison and Co fasten the loose ashlar under the air pump at WH.
Res. That Mr Wood write to the surveyor of BUDC to the effect that the company are prepared to pave their portion of Calf Hall Road if the other owners will pave theirs.
That the letter from C J Turner be sent on to Mr Proctor for him to bring it up at the next meeting.
That the CH shed roof be painted by J L Lofthouse when the time is favourable. [Whitewashing to reflect heat. Should have been done a month earlier!]
That the boiler bridges [brickwork in furnaces] and shed floor at Butts be repaired by Proctor Barrett during the holidays.
That Mr J J Shaw fix a wheel cover in Moorhouse's shed for 22/6.
That W Holdsworth repair the floor at WH.
J D Roberts.

July 18th 1907
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of the house in Calf Hall Lane from M&G Caan and that a cheque be signed for the purchase price.
Res. That Mr Brooks be authorised to sign on behalf of the company, the agreement with Holgate Marsden for rent of a portion of Coates warehouse at 10/- per month. [I suspect this is actually space on the canal wharf at Coates Bridge.]
Res. That Proctor Barrett be instructed to repair Calf Hall Lane by putting on about half a dozen loads of macadam to be obtained from the council if possible. ['Macadam' is pigeon egg sized road stone.]
Res. That the tender of Fred Harrison for ashes be accepted, both for the year ending July 31st 1908: CH, £9-10-0. WH, £13-15-0.
J D Roberts.

Half year shareholder's meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 18th 1907, 7pm
[Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book states: £4157-15-10 brought forward. Total disposable £5534-7-9. £1215 allocated for dividend. £4319-7-9 carried forward.]
Dr Roberts chair.
Balance sheet and dividend adopted. Retiring directors re-elected. Remuneration of £60 per annum for directors approved. Retiring auditors, Messrs R Watson and Son re-elected at £7-7-0 per annum.
J D Roberts.

July 31st 1907
Res. That Dr Roberts be chairman, T Dent vice chair and W P Brooks managing director for the ensuing year.
Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: R Lowcock, E H Coates, H Bulcock, P W Spencer, J Thompson and Co, Exors of James Cooper, James Mudd, Ant-Incrustation Co, Gott and Sons, John Proctor and J W Clough.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to repair the road from Calf Hall Lane to the warehouse front. [This is the road up the south side of CH Shed. Now named Mill Street.]
The meeting was informed that BUDC and others had tapped the gas and water mains from Walmsgate to CH Shed. [Installed at the CHSC expense.]
The secretary was instructed to write to BUDC and notify them that under the circumstances we would expect them to refund the company for the cost of the mains.
Res. That the fire bars at CH Shed be bricked at the back. [This could be the brick half wall in the furnace tube behind the end of the firebars which formed the back end of the ash pit.]
The reports upon the boilers of the company were read and considered and passed forward to the engineers for their attention.
The question of reducing the oil in the dams at WH was considered, the boiler insurance company reporting that it was damaging the plates of the boilers. [Cause of overheating of the furnace tubes as noted previously.]
Mr Wood promised to attend at WH on Wednesday next at 1:30pm to meet all of the directors who could attend to consider the matter.
Res. That Mr Brooks engage a man to clean out the lodge at WH. [The reservoirs.]
The secretary was requested to remind BUDC that they had not yet carried out their promise to pave Valley Road.
The tenancies of the gardens forming part of the Parrock being somewhat uncertain it was resolved that the secretary be instructed to take such action as he thought necessary to terminate them at the earliest possible opportunity. [If there are no agreements there are no dates for their end. They are giving this little problem to George to sort out for them!]
Thomas Dent.

August 7th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Alfred Marsden and Holgate Marsden. [No amounts specified]
Res. That Messrs Brooks, Dent and King form a committee to report on the closet accommodation at CH Shed which the BUDC inspector deems insufficient. [Note how the 1906 Factory Act is spurring on inspection and improvement.]
Res. That a 7” centrifugal pump be ordered for WH Mill. [Not sure what the 7” refers to but if it is bore size this is a serious pump, more probably the diameter of the impeller.]
That 100ft of 1½” leather belting be ordered for [driving] the ventilators [fans] in Windle's shed.
The secretary reported that notices had been served on the tenants of the gardens on the Parrock and that he had informed BUDC that we expect them to refund the cost of the gas and water mains at Calf Hall.
J D Roberts.

August 14th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That we advertise the dwelling house in Calf Hall Road to let. [Interesting that it's being described as Calf Hall Road and not Lane]
Res. That Messrs Dent, King and Barrett examine and prepare a sketch of new closet accommodation at CH Shed. [The new sewer is installed in the Parrock now, will they go for connection?]
Res. That Henry Edmondson be allowed the rails and posts fencing the Little Parrock for his land at Calf Hall.
Res. That W Holdsworth repair the clow and the hoist at Butts.
Res. That P Barrett repairs eaves troughs and fall pipes at CH and WH.
Res. That a lubricator be fixed to the fan in Dugdale and Dewhurst's and that the oiler and company attend to it.
Thomas Dent.

August 21st 1907
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Gwynne's Ltd £25-13-0 [Gwynne's in Cardiff had been making centrifugal pumps since 1849. From the price, this is a fair size pump.] A Horsfield £1-4-2. Brooksbank's and Co £34-10-0. J Phelps 2/11. Brown, Charlesworth and Wood £22-8-11. Wages £119-7-10.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be met.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to inform the BUDC surveyor that the question of the conveniences at CH is receiving the attention of the directors.
J D Roberts.

August 25th 1907
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
The tenants at CH Shed having complained about the unsatisfactory condition of Calf Hall Lane it was resolved that a curb [kerb] be put in the road co-extensive with the Parrock and that a footpath be made.
Res. That tenders be obtained for this date.
Res. That Henry Brown fixes the centrifugal pump at WH Mill.
Res. That the tippler in John Wilson's closet be repaired.
[No signature]

September 4th 1907
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That BUDC be informed that the directors cannot entertain their proposal to alter the levels of their roads at Wellhouse but that they will agree to the question being settled by our architect, W H Atkinson, and their surveyor.
Res. That Mr Harrison's tender for curbing[sic] and making causeway in Calf Hall Lane for the sum of £6-12-0 be accepted and that Mr King settle the price with Mr Harrison for carting clay etc. into the Parrock.
Res. That Messrs King and Dent interview Mr Pilkington with reference to repairs of the hoist and slates.
Res. That Mr H Brown be instructed to supply the counter-shaft [most likely the drive to the new pump] at WH.
Res. That Messrs king and Dent be deputed to see to the erection of a notice board in the Parrock.
[No signature]

September 11th 1907
T Dent chair.
Res. That P Barrett repair closets at WH, clean out the dam and level the floors in Slater Brothers also the necessary repairs at Butts.
Res that J W Brown in John Wilson's shed[sic]. [The tippler?]
Res. That tenders be invited for railing off the dam at WH.
Res. That so many as can attend meet Henry Brown and arrange to have the pump for conveying water into the cooling dam during the holidays. [Looks as though the new pump is for lifting water from the well in Eastwood Bottoms.]
James Parkinson made an application to exchange land in the Parrock for some in the yard behind houses in Calf Hall Lane which the directors could not entertain.
An offer was made of 3/- per yard for the Little Parrock. The directors resolved that the price should be 5/- per yard.
Thomas Dent.

September 18th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1. British Kremnos £9-16-0. Brooks and Pickup £30-2-0. P W Spencer £2-13-0. GH and E Baldwin £1-6-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £4-4-0. A Marsden £13-10-9. J W Clough 13/8. H Marsden £258-1-0. J Cooper 18/-. Proctor and Proctor £61-12-3.
Loan of £250 from Mrs Woffenden accepted. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the well and cistern at Butts be cleaned out.
Res. That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks be deputed to interview Holgate Marsden with ref to the unsatisfactory supply of coal to CH Shed and for the agreed allowance for inferior coal supplied during the last half year.
Res. That the painting of Viaduct Shed be left in the hands of Mr Wood.
Res. That the lads who were caught trespassing on WH Dams and banks be requested to attend before the directors on Wednesday next at 7pm.
[No signature]

September 25th 1907
Dr Roberts chair. Minutes as read.
A Letter was received from Fred Harrison offering 5/- per yard for a portion of the Little Parrock.
Res. That we adhere to one person's offer of 5/- per yard for the whole plot. [If what is on the ground today is any guide, the whole of the Parrock eventually went for house building. This looks like the start of the process.]
Res. That seeing that BUDC are using the gas and water mains put in Calf Hall Road by the company we suggest that they ought, in all fairness, pay one half the original cost.
That the tenders for fencing off WH dams be left over until next week.
Thomas Dent.

October 2nd 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £276-12-10. Ed Taylor £14-5-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. C Blakey £35-5-3. Proctor and Proctor £86-17-0. W Perry £14-3-6. GH and E Baldwin 18/6. James Gott £4-12-0. J J Whitaker £10-15-6. J J Shaw £1-5-0. J W Brown £2-3-0. P W Spencer £3-8-6. E Bennis £1-13-0. Joseph Shaw £6-16-0. Sam Greenwood £3-3-6. Brooksbank £3-13-0. Ellison and Co £8. Thomas Dent £200 [loan repayment?]
Res. That the tender of J W Brown to supply and fix iron rails at WH [dams] be accepted.
A number of boys who had trespassed at WH appeared before the directors. They were warned that should they be found (within the next six months) on the company's premises they would be summonsed without further notice.
Mr Fred Harrison, contractor, attended and offered 5/- per yard for the Little Parrock, the boundary to be as purchased by the company except that a line be drawn parallel with the gable end of the company's cottage and 6 yards there-from. Mr Harrison agreeing to make a footpath as agreed in the contract which is now annulled by the sale.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to draw up an agreement and that Mr Atkinson, architect, be instructed to set out the land.
The secretary presented a statement of the allowances made by the company to the tenants at Butts Mill on account of stoppages for bad trade. He also reported that Mr Jones, the tenant of Ouzledale Cottage had declined to pay the rent due.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to take such steps as he may think proper to obtain the payment.
Loan of £100 be accepted from A King Seal cert etc. Notice received from T Dent to repay a portion of his loan to the company £200.
Res. That the amount be paid.
[No signature]

October 9th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks examine the fan in Dugdale and Dewhurst's tape room and report to the next meeting.
Res. That W Holdsworth repair shed windows, Slater Brothers closet door and fix a screen in Dugdale and Dewhurst's winding room.
Res. That Heap and Thornton repair the slates at WH. That Gresham and Craven repair the injector. That new steps [bearings] for the air pump be ordered from Henry Brown and also a the bow-off pipe fixed to No. 3 boiler.
Res. That fishing in Springs Dam and WH reservoirs is not allowed.
Res. That a notice board warning trespassers be put up in the Parrock.
That the following form a deputation to meet Mr Barlow on Saturday, Messrs Slater, Dent, King and Horsfield.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be asked to measure, and Mr Wood to complete the agreement re Little Parrock as soon as possible.
That Lofthouse and Son prime the outside of doors in houses in Calf Hall Road.
[No signature]

October 15th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for wages, £65-2-8.
The secretary presented a statement showing the amount of the allowance made to the tenants at CH and WH during the 80 hours stoppage; £17-7-10 and 49-16-3 respectively.
A Letter was read from Mr Thompson, the gas manager stating that BUDC had agreed to pay the company £10 for the right to use the gas and water pipes on Calf Hall Lane and to keep them in repair and when it becomes necessary to replace them the old pipes to become the property of the company.
Res. That the offer be accepted.
The deputation appointed to meet Mr Marsden re the allowance for excessive cost of coal at CH Shed for the half year ended June 30th reported that the case had been laid before the manager of the Altham Colliery Co to the effect that CHSC had lost £60 owing to their inability to supply Altham coal. The colliery manager offered the company £25 towards the loss.
Res. That the offer be accepted.
The secretary submitted a draft agreement for the sale of the Little Parrock to Mr Fred Harrison at 5/- per yard for 807 square yards.
Res. That the clause relating to paving half the street by Mr Harrison be deleted and the other portions of the agreement be approved.
Res. That the requirements of the engineers be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

October 23rd 1907
T Dent chair.
Res. That Heap and Thornton fix a new roof above the water closets and W Holdsworth a ceiling at the Craven Manufacturer's [portion] at Butts Mill.
That a brick shed be built for the centrifugal pump at WH and that Dent, Holdsworth and Barrett give instructions.
That P Barrett build a water closet for the females employed [at] S Pickles and Sons' warehouse at CH Shed, the roof to be of concrete.
That Henry Brown supply an iron pipe with a 9” flange for the blow-off to No. 3 boiler at WH. [A 9” flange at that time would be for a 4” outside diameter pipe, the correct size for a standard Lancashire boiler.]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Mr Fred Harrison having informed the directors that the clauses in the agreement for purchase of Little Parrock were not as he had understood, it was resolved that he attend the next meeting and have the agreement explained to him by Mr Wood.
That Books and King see Mr Bennett and request him to put that part of Calf Hall Road in repair where the drains have been interfered with.
That a wagon of 2” road metal be ordered from Mr P W Spencer.
That the glazier at Butts be sold to Henry Brown for 40/-. [Glazier? Don't understand this. Brazier?]
Thomas dent.

October 31st 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: A Horsfield £1-5-2. J A Nutter 7/-. GH and E Baldwin £1-0-10. Brooks and Pickup £28-1-0. P W Spencer £3.7-10. Exors of J Cooper £13-12-0. Thomas Gregson £40. John Varley £16-15-4. Samuel Cooke and Co £3-0-8. James Proctor Ltd 4/-. Joseph Phelps 10/-.
Res. That the secretary ask BUDC for a reply re the paving of Valley Road.
Res. That Messrs King, Dent and Brooks be authorised to investigate the claim of 30/- by Mr James Moorhouse for a piece of damaged cloth.
The secretary explained certain objections which Mr Fred Harrison raised to the agreement for the purchase of a portion of the Parrock and it was resolved that the date for completion to be the last Wednesday in the year.
Res. That a pair of wheels be ordered for Anthony Carr's warehouse and a set of firebars for WH Mill.
The secretary reported that Mr Jones had paid the 18 months arrears of rent of Ouzledale Cottage together with 6/8 for solicitor's charges. Also that E Bennis and Co had agreed to allow 15% off list prices for repairs to the stokers at CH Shed.
Thomas Dent.

November 6th 1907
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs Slater, Dent, King and Brooks examine the entrance to Ouzledale Foundry and order the necessary repairs.
That W Holdsworth fix doors on Moorhouse's waste places.
That Henry Brown levels the troughs over Moorhouse's new shed.
That Fred Harrison be requested to put the curb stones in on Calf Hall Road.
That BUDC be asked to remove the rubbish from the mill.
That Sam Bracewell be engaged to build a wall at Calf Hall.
Thomas Dent.

November 13th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That steel girders be fixed over the lintel of the door at Ouzledale.
That the secretary be requested to write to J Moorhouse about the slurry deposited by tapes on roof. [This will be carry over of size in the trunking from the size becks when boiling them.]
That boiler reports for Butts and WH as read be accepted.
That the secretary be empowered to purchase the 'Niagara' pump on sale by Messrs Read and Sons and ascertain the price of the boiler.
That blow-off valve at WH be repaired.
That stables at Butts be let to Towers Singleton on condition that they be not sublet.
That the application for a bath to [in?] house in Calf Hall Road be not granted. [Did all the directors have baths?]
That the secretary ask permission of the insurance company to raise the [boiler] pressure at WH Mill from 130psi to 135psi. [By this time the engine at Wellhouse is hard-pressed driving well over 2000 looms. Even a small increase of 5psi will help. This problem isn't going to go away.]
Thomas Dent.

November 20th 1907
T Dent chair.
Res. That providing C Harrison's price for girders is satisfactory he fixes two at Ouzledale Foundry.
That a new lock be fixed to the new water closet at CH.
That Mr Wood be reminded that the limit of pressure on WH boilers is 130psi as endorsed on the insurance policy.
That someone be engaged to cart refuse from the mills.
(Has Thomas Mills paid all his rent to date?)
[No signature]

November 27th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Wages £84-14-5. P Barrett £44-7-0. J W Brown £11-5-0. W Holdsworth £13-6-0. P W Spencer £4-9-0. H P Hartley £20-10-0. James Bulcock 3/2. Brooks and Pickup £33-9-0. S Greenwood and Sons £4-12-6. GH and E Baldwin £1-4-2. Heap and Thornton £10-2-0. Yates and Thom £2-12-0. H Hartley 2/3. H Brown £12-10-3. J Wilson £1-1-7. Ridehalgh and Co £11. E Brooksbank £7-15-0. J S Prince £6. J W Clough £2-16-6. J Phelps £1. J R Atkinson £10-8-6.
The secretary to order an new injector same type as the last for WH Mill.
That E Bennis be asked to send a man to repair stokers.
That P Barrett be requested to send accounts in monthly.
That the safety valves at WH Mill be set at 134psi the insurance company having granted an increase to 135psi.
A letter was read from BUDC agreeing to Mr Bennett the surveyor meeting Mr W H Atkinson our architect on the Valley Road site re levels.
Thomas Dent.

December 4th 1907
T Dent chair.
Res. That our men at Butts Mill close the big doors.
Loan of £50 accepted from Albert Hogarth.
That Henry Brown slows the centrifugal pump at WH by fixing a larger pulley on it.
That W Holdsworth repairs the floor in Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse and Heap and Thornton the roof.
[No signature]

December 11th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Colne Corporation 18/-. Alfred Marsden £17-17-4. H Marsden £382-7-9.
The secretary reported gross profit and sales of mortar at Viaduct from July to October 31st to be £11-19-1.
Reports on the economisers at CH and WH were read.
Res. That no further repairs be carried out at Ouzledale, the property having been brought into a disreputable state of repair by Jones the tenant.
That 10 casks of oil be ordered.
The secretary read the report by the Vulcan Insurance Co on the engine at Viaduct and produced diagrams showing 225ihp.
Thomas Dent.

December 18th 1907
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary was requested to see Messrs Edmondson and Co and ask them to discontinue use of their donkey engine when the main engine is running.
Res. That 2 casks of cylinder oil be ordered for WH.
Res. That the window to be put in the stable at Butts be put in now.
Thomas Dent.

January 1st 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Loan of £25 accepted from Henry Holdsworth. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons requesting repayment of £2000 loan.
Res. That £1000 be repaid at once.
Res. That accounts be paid: C Blakey 14/6. E Brooksbank £7-2-0. Proctor and Proctor £1-15-0. T Hargreaves 6/8. G H Baldwin £1-7-0. J S Prince 17/-. J Gott and Sons £2-18-6. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-3-9. P W Spencer 17/-. Brooks and Pickup £36-12-0. Edmondson and Co 19/9. M Duché and Sons £20-10-0. Fletcher Brothers £3-3-0. Henry Brown £33-19-0. Proctor and Proctor £92-18-0. S Pickles and Sons £1000. J W Brown £2-2-0.
Res. That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
Res. That W B Barrett have the stable at WH at 2/3 per week.
[No signature]

January 8th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That balance sheet be adopted subject to audit and presented to shareholders on Friday 24th of January at Seven Stars Hotel. 7pm.
That a dividend of 10% per annum for the half year be recommended.
That a spare wheel be ordered for WH.
Thomas Dent.

January 15th 1908
T Dent chair.
Res. That a larger pulley be fitted to the centrifugal pump at WH. [They haven't got the speed right yet!]
That a plot of land for a stable at WH be let to W H Wilkinson @ 2d per yard and that the whole of the plots be re-arranged to suit the new conditions.
That a Lancaster steam trap be ordered for Edmondson and Co's tape.
That an estimate for putting new steam pipes through the office at Butts be got.
That Mr Thompson be asked to examine the water meter at Butts and give an idea of its value. [What water meter? Keep an eye on this, it might get interesting.]
That J W Brown fix a padlock on the gate at WH and caulk a trough over Anthony Carr's shed.
Thomas Dent.

Half year shareholder's meeting
January 24th 1908. Seven Stars.
[Printed balance sheet and report inserted in minute book reports £4319-7-9 brought forward. Total for appropriation is £5,670-4-4. £1215 for distribution as dividend. £4455-4-4 carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet etc adopted. Dividend of 10% for half year ended December 31st 1907 adopted.
Thomas Dent.

January 29th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Heap and Thornton repair the shed roofs at WH.
That W H Wilkinson have a portion of the land now rented to Mr William Bailey.
That fireclay be got for the boiler repairs at WH.
That on no account must the waste places at Butts be used as stables. [You can't park your horse outside all day in winter!]
Thomas Dent.

February 4th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: E Green and Son £4. H Brown £7-8-0. J Lee £3-9-3. Union Oil Co £4-1-0. J W Clough £4-3-0. E Bennis 7/8. Gresham Craven Ltd £12-3-9. E Brooksbank and Co £21-17-10. J Petty £7. J Parkinson 10/2. G H Baldwin £1-5-7. W B White 8/9. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-3-6. Brooks and Pickup £31-10-10. M Hanslip[sic] 10/6. Poor Rate £222-4-1. General District Rate £250-4-2. A Horsfield £5-4-5. Hartley and Pilgrim £2-15-9. E A Coates £5.
Loans accepted form Henry Holdsworth £20 and Albert Hogarth £50. Seal cert etc.
That water meter at Butts be offered to J Wilson for 15/-.
The secretary reported that Henry Brown's tenancy was completed on July 31st 1905 under a five year's lease from July 31st 1900. [An oversight?]
The secretary was instructed to take such steps as he should be advised to terminate all the tenancies of the Parrock with the least possible delay.
Thomas Dent.

February 12th 1908
T Dent chair.
Res. That Bryden, the fireman at WH, drive the engine during Sneath's illness.
Res. That we let the Parrock in allotments at ½d per yard per annum subject to three months notice to quit and we advertise in the Advertiser.
Res. That we allow BUDC to connect their top [surface] water drain in Wellhouse Road at a rent.
Thomas Dent.

February 19th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That The packings required at CH be ordered.
That a brass step [bearing] for the boiler pump at Butts be supplied by H Brown. [Recognise that H Brown would make a wooden pattern, most likely get it cast by Jones at Ouzledale Foundry, machine the casting to size and fit it. These bearings were not mass-produced when new and had to be individually made. Hence the job description of 'fitter'.]
That W S Bracewell rebuild the wall at Ouzledale as requested by the BUDC surveyor and that his attention be drawn to the fact.
That part of the wall is the property of the Craven Bank.
That Messrs Brooks, King, Horsfield and others be deputed to superintend the question of altering drains in Mr Moorhouse's portion of WH and that P Barrett does the work.
That W Holdsworth be requested to replace troughing on CH engine house.
That the secretary be requested to obtain the statutory declaration of some person having knowledge of the fact that the Bethesda Chapel Trustees were in full receipt of all income from the Little Parrock for at least twenty years, Messrs Wilson, solicitors, having requested this as part of the title to the land agreed to be purchased by W F Harrison. [More evidence supporting what Harold Duxbury told me about the dubious title to this land.]
That Mrs Hudson and Mr Dean, tenants of garden plots and other easements on the Parrock be notified now that their notices have expired, that the future rent will be 3d per yard, that the company is prepared to sell on this basis and that unless they agree to pay this rent of purchase the land the company will fence it and re-take possession.
Thomas Dent.

February 26th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to clean out the well at WH Mill and repair the roads at WH and CH.
That W Holdsworth repair the shed windows at WH.
Thomas Dent.

March 4th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Proctor and Proctor £119-3-1. Colne Corporation £1-0-6. G H Baldwin £1-12-6. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. Ocean Accident and Guarantee Insurance £4-2-6. J W Clough 15/-. E Green and Sons £43-18-0. Brooks and Pickup £44-1-0. H Hartley and Co £1. W J J MacDonald £1-19-0. W W Atkins £1-5-0.
The secretary reported with reference to the Parrock that Mr Henry Ellis was prepared to make the declaration required by the purchaser, Mr F Harrison.
The secretary reported that the tenants of the Parrock had been notified that the rent of the land now occupied by them as gardens would in future be 3d per yard and that the company was prepared to sell on this basis.
Thomas Dent.

March 11th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That we let Mr W Baxter a site for a stable at WH, the rent to be 2d per square yard per annum.
That a sub committee composed of Messrs Dent, Brooks, King and Horsfield be appointed to arrange the price for making bridges for boilers. [I am assuming that these 'bridges' are part of the brickwork in the furnaces but of course I could be mistaken and they might be gantries across the boiler tops for access. It may become clear.]
That Mr Wood write to Mr Dewhurst urging him to pay the rent for his stable.
Thomas Dent.

March 18th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That W Holdsworth fix a rain water trough and fall pipe to the cottage at Butts Mill.
That tenders be invited for painting J Barlow's and T Wills houses in Calf Hall Road inside and outside, [outside] to be oak-grained, rain water troughs and fall pipes medium drab. [As far as I can make out 'drab' referred to an olive or brown shade of paint.]
Mr Joseph Slater approached Mrs Hudson's agent with a view to selling land behind her houses in Walmsgate.
That P Barrett secures in position a decayed beam in the Laundry. [WH]
That various repairs required at CH engine be done.
That the engineer's requirements at Butts be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

March 25th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Bryden's requirements be ordered. 60ft of 2” belting, 3 dozen laces and one dozen belt bolts [Metal fastenings for jointing belts. Remember that Bryden is the fireman in charge of WH engine while J J Sneath is off work ill.]
The report form the BUDC sanitary inspector was read.
That P Barrett fix a fall pipe opposite the stables at Butts Mill.
Mr James Horsfield attended the meeting on behalf of Mr C J Turner of Greengate Mills, Salford, to ascertain what price the directors wanted for land abutting his property at Town Bridge. [Town Bridge is the local name for the culvert under Walmsgate carrying the beck from Clough. I think this refers to the land between Hudson's Buildings at the top of Lamb Hill (owner Mr Dean I think) and the block of property between there and the Baptist Chapel which are evidently owned by Mrs Hudson. This small piece of land has a very old cottage property on it, perhaps the one referred to in the original purchase of the Parrock.]
Thomas Dent.

April 1st 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Lofthouse and Sons' tender of £8 for painting and decorating the inside and outside of the two cottages in Calf Hall Road be accepted. [The intriguing thing is how does the company become liable for this work if not by ownership, or at least, tenants of the houses. There has been no mention of them in the minutes. It was very common for mills to own cottage property near their premises so that essential staff like engineers and firemen could live near their work.]
Res. That accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £74-7-6. Edward Taylor £14-5-0. P Barrett £41-10-0. William H Holdsworth £10-5-0. G H Baldwin £1-8-4. Brooks and Brooks [Possibly coal for Viaduct?] £37-16-0. James Mudd 3/-. John S Prince 7/9. E Green and Sons 10/6. J R Atkinson £2-16-7. J W Brown £3-4-0. Henry Brown £12-13-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. British Kremnos Co £9-5-0. J W Cough £3-4-3. Ellison and Co £6-11-0. R Hindle £6-5-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £6-12-0.
Mr Baxter reported that the overtime of the firemen at the various mills before 5am through last winter was: CH 20 hours. Butts 40 hours. WH 113 hours. [Firing for warming sheds. Surprisingly low figures in my experience.]
Thomas Dent.

April 8th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
An application was received to rent the mechanic's shop at Butts Mill.
Res. That as it is useful to the company it be not let.
That W Holdsworth repair closet door in the Craven Manufacturing Co's twill shed and the revolving shutters at CH. Also Holden's winding room floor.
That P Barrett cement the remainder of the closets at Butts Mill, fix a cover over J Wilson's Women's closet and re-pave setts.
That 1 drum of Diamond Co's B lubricant [?] be ordered for WH and one dozen shovels for the CH stokers. [These will not be hand shovels but the paddle in the stoker which sprinkled the coal on the fire. They wore quickly from the constant abrasion.]
Thomas Dent.

April 15th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The death of our esteemed Chairman Dr J D Roberts having taken place since the last meeting it was decided that the company should be represented at the funeral by as many members of the board as could conveniently attend. The secretary is requested to convey to the family the sympathy of the members and express the esteem and regard in which he was held by them.
Res. That accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £1-7-4. Colne Corporation £1-16-10. W P Brooks £1-1-2. Proctor and Proctor £131-12-8.
Res. That the opening in J Wilson's shed be covered with corrugated sheets. [Wind damage?]
That Mr Sneath be requested to give oversight at WH. [He must be recuperating and they want him to keep an eye on his fireman Bryden who is running the engine.]
Thomas Dent.

April 22nd 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the hot neck on CH engine be treated with white lead and failing that being a cure Burnley Ironworks be instructed to examine it. [This is a hot bearing, most likely the pedestal bearing supporting the flywheel shaft. If a brass or bronze bearing starts heating for any reason, inadequate lubrication, bad adjustment or overloading being common causes, it expands and rapidly worsens the situation by being too tight on the shaft. In these conditions the surface of the bearing starts to break up due to very localised melting and unless something is done immediately will seize and fail completely. The most usual first response is to turn a cold water hose in it and sometimes this can enable the engine to carry on running but probably hot because the bearing surfaces have been damaged. One secondary action is to introduce a very soft abrasive such as 'Victory Powder' which is essentially powdered rotten brick into the bearing. This smooths down the ragged faces of the damage and in a big slow speed bearing can affect a cure at the expense of some accelerated wear. White lead is an even softer abrasive and has the added advantage that lead is itself a lubricant. Less savage than Victory powder and in a mild case can be a cure. As we will see later, the underlying cause is that the engine is hard pressed having had extra load put on it beyond its design performance.]
Res. That Mr Wood be requested to write to the BUDC stating that with reference to the closets in CH Shed the company will [do the work suggested] providing the council put a sewer up the front of the warehouses and supply water free of cost. [There is now a mains sewer in Calf Hall Road due to the connection through the Parrock and as I suspected, CHSC is after a connection. I don't know all the regulations but suspect that BUDC were under a statutory duty to supply a connection and in the case of industrial promises this might include free water for them. CHSC is trying it on anyway! The road up the front of the warehouses where this sewer is to be laid is now known as Mill Street.]
Thomas Dent.

April 29th 1908
T Dent. Minutes as read.
The secretary read letters from Brown, Charlesworth and Wood, solicitors to the late Dr Roberts conveying the Executor's acknowledgement to the officials of the company for their services at the funeral and also from J H Roberts expressing those of the family for the kind message sent to them by the board.
A Letter was read from BUDC asking under what obligations it was placed to repair Calf Hall Lane. [I suspect they mean what is now Calf Hall Road. In modern terms Calf Hall Lane refers to the lane up the far side of the mill to the farms at Calf Hall proper.]
Res. That the hoist in Messrs Bailey and Roberts warehouse be made safe as required by the factory inspector.
It was reported that the engineer at WH had refused to give steam to the tenants on several occasions and to supply steam immediately on request and that the secretary write to him to this effect and to Messrs Moorhouse and Windle informing them of this decision. [It isn't as simple as this. On a cold winter's morning with a heavy loom load, heating full on and perhaps tapes not only running but boiling their size becks up it could well be that total demand is beyond the capacity of the boilers. The only thing to do in this case is to shut steam off to the heating, I have had to do this many times. This is not simply a matter of the engineer being difficult even though he is being blamed.]
It was reported that the flywheel [the jack wheel gear on the flywheel actually. Butts engine.] needed chipping and it was resolved that Ellison's of Skipton be instructed to put the work in hand. [The defective gearing on the Musgrave engine again.]
Res. That the engineers requirements be attended to.
With reference to the Parrock and the land abutting onto the property at Walmsgate, it was resolved that Messrs Dent, Brooks, King, Barrett, Slater and Holdsworth meet on the site and arrange with the tenants or owners the boundary of the land the company has to let or sell.
Complaints having been made about the very unsatisfactory state of the company's premises it was resolved that the whole of the company's premises in Barnoldswick be cement pointed and that two men be engaged to do the work and that an advertisement be put in the local paper.
Thomas Dent.

May 6th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That P Barrett's offer to supply Robson's Cement at 40/- per ton be accepted.
That it be ascertained where suitable sand for mixing with cement can be obtained. [It looks as though sand/cement is to be used for the re-pointing.]
That the policy for the economiser insurance be brought to a director's meeting.
That the urinal at the men's closets at S Pickles CH be put in order.
That Tom Coulthurst be appointed slater and plasterer for the company at the rate of 8d per hour and 6d per hour for his labourer. [Pointing contract?]
That W Holdsworth put Edmondson's hoist right and that Coulthurst attends to the roof. [I'm always trying to read between the lines! This sounds like bad news for Heap and Thornton. A rift in the lute? Anything to do with the death of Dr Roberts?]
That we offer the unlet portion of Parrock to Edward Waite for £5 to February 1909 for sheep only.
That an application for a motor garage be not entertained. [Early, but here is the first inkling of the advent of motor transport.]
That H Marsden's account be paid £393-10-0.
Thomas Dent.

May 13th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That gas account be paid for Barnoldswick £4-11-0.
Messrs. Windle complained that the thoroughfare at WH was useless to him due to it being blocked by Henry Brown mechanic.
Res. That the secretary inform Mr Brown that the machinery etc be removed immediately.
The secretary read the report by the Engine Insurance Company on the Viaduct engine.
Thomas Dent.

May 14th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That P Barrett connect S Pickles and Sons closets at CH to the main sewer.
Thomas Dent.

May 20th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Wood write to BUDC in reply to S Pickles and Sons' letter requesting them to do something about putting Calf Hall Road in better repair.
That we let John Cant the previously unlet portion of the Parrock until February 2nd 1909 for the sum of £3-15-0.
That the fishing on Springs Dam be let by tender and an advertisement to appear in the Advertiser this week.
That S Gott and Son of Nelson splice a driving rope at WH engine house.
That Mr Wood press for payment for ashes by Fred Harrison also that the agreement for sale of of Little Parrock be brought to the next meeting. [Teddy Wood seems to have taken over much of George Proctor's role at CHSC.]
Res. That J W Brown stays [I think this should be stakes. The large keys which locked the wheels on the shaft are called stakes.] the wheels that are loose in Anthony Carr's shed.
Thomas Dent.

May 27th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts paid since the last meeting as read be confirmed.
A Letter was read from C J Turner re the Parrock in which he states that he has no conveniences on the land but that his tenants had. He also expressed his opinion that his right of light would interfere with the company dealing with their land and that he was a willing seller at a reasonable price.
The secretary reported that Fred Harrison had not completed the arrangement entered into with regard to a portion of the Parrock and that he was seriously in arrears with the payment for ashes supplied by the company.
The secretary was instructed to take such steps as he deemed necessary to enforce payment.
Tenders for the fishing rights in Springs Dam from Dr Hatfield £2 and W Whitaker £1-2-6 were opened.
Res. That Dr Hatfield's tender be accepted subject to the company's full use of the water and on condition that the rights be not sub-let.
Thomas Dent.

June 3rd 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the paving [at the] front of Moorhouse's warehouse be relaid by P Barrett also a length of new be done as shown.
That W Holdsworth fix a length of eaves trough at Ouzledale and that [our] own plasterers repair the kitchen ceiling.
That two trestles be bought from E Clark and five bags of cement ordered from P Barrett and 1 load of lime from Mr Spencer at Lothersdale. [Curious that so much lime is ordered from P W Spencer at Lothersdale when there were kilns in Barlick. The limestone for road mending is more easily explained because he also ran Thornton Rock Quarry and had a direct connection to the railway by a tramway down from the quarry to Thornton Station, making it easy to send trucks of stone to Barlick, probably more accessible that similar stone from quarries in Barlick.]
That Norman Barrett be engaged to make a rough sketch of land required by C J Turner and others.
Thomas Dent.

June 10th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That P Barrett account be paid £1-13-0.
That Henry Brown be given notice to quit the Mechanic's Shop at Wellhouse. [I think this is a technicality in connection with the expired lease. Issuing notice to quit triggers negotiations for a new lease.]
The secretary reported that BUDC had agreed to pave Calf Hall Road and requested the company to see to its temporary repair. [This is adoption of the road by the BUDC.]
Thomas Dent.

June 17th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the well at WH that supplied water to the boilers be made watertight by pointing and concreting. [I don't think this is the well in Eastwood Bottoms, more likely an intermediate cistern nearer the boiler house. Perhaps the hot well?]
Res. That we look out for a pump for cleaning out the well at Butts Mill. [I think this is the condenser pond in the culvert beneath the mill.
Res. That accounts be paid: Colne Corporation £1-0-6. Brooks and Brooks [Viaduct coal?] £25-7-0. Proctor and Proctor £3. Alfred Marsden[?] £406-17-0. Ernest Harrison £2-14-0. T Lister and Co 16/-. Heap and Thornton £11-4-0. Diamond Grease Co £5-17-7. Duché and Co £29-17-6. E Brooksbank and Co £29-17-6. Joseph Petty 18/-. G H Baldwin 16/11. James Mudd 2/10.
Res. That P Barrett's tender of £5 for the ashes made at Butts Mill for the ensuing year be accepted.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

June 24th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a belt be ordered for Edmondson and Co's tape room, 36ft long and 4” wide.
That P Barrett removes rubbish from Butts Mill.
That William Holdsworth repair Bailey and Roberts and Edmondson and Co's hoists.
That Gott and Sons of Nelson splice and insert a length of hemp rope to J Wilson's hoist.
That a perforated zinc pane be fixed in the Mechanic's Shop by W J Varley. [Usually for ventilation]
That the closets at WH be overhauled and repaired as necessary.
That the title deeds of Ouzledale be examined with the object of finding out to whom the boundary wall on the North side belongs.
That Mr Wood provide the board with a copy of the revised Articles of Association.
Thomas Dent.

July 1st 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: John Sagar £1-4-0. G H Baldwin £1-4-9. Brooks and Brooks £29-8-0. E A Foulds £1-6-0. P W Spencer £9-9-0. James Gott and Son £2-18-0. J W Clough £3-3-0. W P Brooks £30-6-3. J W Brown £2-6-8. W J Varley £1-14-0. Wages £76-4-2. W Perry £2-16-0.
Res. That 2 barrels of Cylinder oil, 2 of engine oil and 1 of wheel grease and 3 dozen gauge rings [the rubber sealing rings for water gauge glasses on the boiler] be ordered for Butts.
One dozen gauge rings and one drum of boiler composition for CH.
5 tons of 3/8” limestone with dust to WH. [roadbed material]
Res That Richard Sellars be repaid his loan of £250 with interest.
Res. That consideration of a loan from J Hall and purchase of a pump be left over.
Thomas Dent.

July 8th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: A Marsden £177-0-6. H Marsden £177-0-6. [Curious, I have no explanation.] W Holdsworth £14-16-0.
A letter was received from Mr Jones giving six months notice to quit his tenancy of Ouzledale Foundry and Cottage on December 31st next.
Res. That the notice be accepted provided Mr Jones reinstate the property and leaves it in the same condition in which he found it.
A letter was read from Messrs Horsfield complaining that they had over twenty looms with paper covering the beams in consequence of oil dropping from the shafting. The managing director was requested to see the engineer on the matter.
A letter was read from Mr J Nutter on behalf of the Barnoldswick Manufacturer's Association requesting the company to allow the tenants one full week's rent in case they stopped for an extra week after the present holidays on account of bad trade.
Res. That the tenants be offered an allowance at the rate of 15/- per loom per annum should they decide to stop during the week following the usual holidays.
The secretary presented the accounts for the half year ended on June 30th. Approved subject to audit to be presented to the shareholders on July 23rd 1908. Dividend of 10% per annum for the half year recommended.
Thomas Dent.

July 15th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Horsfield, King and Brooks re-arrange the steam pipes in J Windle and Sons portion.
That W Holdsworth fix a new window in A Carr's portion and put new hinges on Craven Manufacturing Co's window.
Res. That P Barrett cart all rubbish from WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Wood write to BUDC making a claim for damage done to store rooms etc through surface water from Wellhouse Road [running into] WH Mills.
Thomas dent.

July 23rd 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That we stop the supply of coal from Holgate Marsden until further notice.
Thomas Dent.

Shareholder's meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 23rd 1908
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports £4455-4-4 brought forward, total disposable balance of £5814-16-8. Disposition: £1215-0-0 dividend, £4599-16-8 carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Balance sheet adopted. Dividend of 10% per annum approved for half year. Retiring directors re-elected. Mr Edmondson Brooks Banks elected director in place of Dr Roberts deceased. Director's remuneration be £60 per annum. R Watson and Son re-elected auditors at £7-7-0 per annum.
Thomas Dent.

August 5th 1908
Res. That T Dent be chairman, Proctor Barrett vice chair and W P Brooks managing director for the ensuing year.
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W P Brooks £23-16-7. W J Varley £2-12-0. P Barrett £8-0-4. G H Baldwin £2-1-11. J A Nutter £62-6-8. J S Prince 10/1. J Jackson £89-10-0. P W Spencer £2-11-0. A Horsfield [two payments] £250-4-2 and £201-11-8. Brooks and Brooks £26-5-0. J Lumb and Sons 12/6. Clegg Brothers 1-10-0. S Greenwood £2-2-6. H Brown £19-4-0. Burnley Ironworks £114-0-0. Ellison and Co 7/-. H Marsden £234-15-0. A Marsden £14-17-11.
Res. That the tender of Fred Harrison for the CH ashes at £5 per annum commencing on August 1st be accepted at the proportionate rate until June 30th next.
Full reports upon all the boilers at Barnoldswick were read and upon the economisers at WH and CH.
A letter was read from H Marsden stating that the price of Altham coal will be reduced 5d per ton from August 1st bringing the price to 10/11 per ton at Coates Wharf.
Res. That tenders be invited for fixing a range of steam pipes in J Windle's shed.
Res. That the board room be cleaned and renovated.
[No signature]

August 12th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the Exors of Mrs Ann Hacking be repaid the loan of £100 with interest.
That a proper examination be made of the ashlar in WH engine house [engine beds?] and a report made to the next meeting.
That 2 pails be ordered from Mrs Hargreave's in Church Street. [Tinsmiths]
That the tender of Henry Brown for fixing the steam pipe in J Windle and Sons' shed at 9d per foot be accepted. [Nice to see that H Brown appears to have resolved the problem of the tenancy after being given notice. I'm not sure whether this will show up in the minutes but one evening in 1908 Willy Brown, Henry's son, called in on John Albert Pickles at Kelbrook and offered him the job of foreman at Wellhouse Shop. At the time Johnny was working for Burnley Ironworks as a skilled machinist. He took the job and once he had found his feet he raised the game at Henry Brown and Sons and we will know when his influence is felt because Brown's will start taking on larger jobs on millwrighting and moving into engine repairs. The firm, under various guises is going to become CHSC's engineering resource, handily sited in one of their own mills.]
That a passage be built of brick with a concrete roof at J Windle's shed.
That Dugdale and Dewhurst's floor be repaired.
That Albert Hogarth fix a range of steam pipe in the board room.
[No signature]

August 19th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Ellison of Skipton be instructed to make good the ashlar under the engine at WH Mill. [Steam engines are not fixed immovably to their stone beds. A slight amount of play is necessary to allow expansion and contraction in the cast iron engine beds with changes in temperature. The only holding down bolts that are dead tight are the two at the front of each cylinder. There is therefore always a slight amount of movement allowed in the rest of the bed. Over time this wears the ashlar stones of the masonry bed and in a heavily loaded engine this is aggravated. Little doubt that this is what we are seeing here.]
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of a plot of land containing 807 square yards and forming part of the Parrock to Mr Fred Harrison for the sum of £201-15-0 in the presence of T Dent, W P Brooks, two of the directors and the secretary.
Res. That the question of interest on the purchase price which according to agreement began to rent on December 18th 1907 at 5% and to which Mr Harrison took objection be left in the hands of Mr Wood.
Res. That two sanitary pails be ordered from Mrs Hargreaves for not more than 7/- each. [Some pail toilets still in use then.]
Res. That an indicator with sufficient springs for the company's engines be ordered and that the inspection of the engine at Colne by the insurance company be discontinued. [This is an indicator for taking diagrams of the performance of steam engine cylinders. Obviously intended for use on all the engines. The springs mentioned are the calibrated spring fitted to the indicator to match the steam pressure on the engine being tested. Someone in the company is qualified to use the instrument.]
Thomas Dent.

August 26th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That two [sky] lights be put in the roof of Edmondson and Co's shed.
That Dent, King and Brooks examine the roof of Slater Brothers shed and order doing what is necessary.
That W Holdsworth supplies a new lock to Moorhouse's closet.
That 20/- be paid for cleaning out the feed well at Butts. [The deepest part of the beck behind the weir under the mill in the culvert.]
That half a dozen asbestos rings be ordered for CH. [Flange packing gaskets?]
[No signature.]

September 2nd 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W J Varley £1-5-0. J Lofthouse and Son £8. The British Kremnos Co £10-1-0. Norman Barrett 10/6. W Cooke 2/6. W W Aitken and Co £1-15-9. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1. Brooks and Brooks £26-2-0. Henry Banks 16/3. H Marsden £144-1-0. George Proctor £145-16-1. Edward Wood (re G Read and Sons) £10-10-0. Colledge Roy Co £7-13-6. Diamond Lubricating Co £2-5-6. Exors of J Cooper £3-10-6. H Hartley and Co £3-3-6.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: All from Ann Hacking. 50 to A Pollard, 25 to H Banks, 50 to J S William and 25 to J Clark. All seal cert etc.
Res. That H Marsden be requested to deliver two boats only of coal per week until further notice. [There has been some sort of shake-up in coal suppliers. Not clear what but Holgate appears to have lost his virtual monopoly.]
A letter was read from Mr J W Clough with reference to the rubber valves for Viaduct. [Almost certainly rubbers for the air pump non-return valves.]
Thomas Dent.

September 9th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That W Holdsworth examines the ladder borrowed from Clegg Brothers and if satisfactory he buys it. That James Moorhouse be charged for the plasterer and labourer 8d and 6d per hour for any work he requires them to do.
That Coulthurst make good the damage done at Ouzledale by the water tub giving way. [Is this the pen stock at the water wheel?]
That engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Sneath put a covering of asbestos on furnace doors. [On boilers? Not sure what this is about, never seen them covered.]
Thomas Dent.

September 16th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Mr W Bailey asked if his rent might be allowed to run in arrears because of bad trade.
Res. That he be allowed three months rent in arrears at 5%.
Transfer of 80 shares from J Hacking to A King sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Loan and interest of £75 be repaid to Mr Sellars.
That the use of steam under the boilers be discontinued where possible. [It was common practice to blow a small amount of steam under the firebars because it helped the clinker to break up and the bars to run cooler. Always a moot point whether the practice was economical.]
Thomas Dent.

September 23rd 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the shed doors at J Wilson's, Butts Mill, be made to open outwards by W Holdsworth.
Res. That J Slater be added to the deputation appointed to arrange the terms and conditions of letting the land to Mrs Hudson and Mr Turner.
Thomas Dent.

September 30th 1908
T dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the accounts be paid: J Brown £5-3-0. Joseph Thompson £5-3-0. C Blakey £35-5-3. P W Spencer £1-13-7. Proctor and Proctor £114-7-6. J Gott and Sons £4-5-4. W Parry £14-3-6. G H Baldwin 18/-. J Sagar and Sons 8/-. P Barrett £4-11-0. W Hough and Co 5/-. J W Clough £5-15-2. Exors of J Cooper £1-9-0. W P Brooks £23-4-9. Brooks and Brooks £22-12-0. E Taylor £14-5-0.
Res. That a schedule of the insurances effected upon the company's properties be prepared by the secretary.
That W P Brooks be requested to collect the rents of properties from the engineer. [I assume these are the stables etc.]
That the belt drive in Dugdale and Dewhurst's tape room be inspected and a gear drive substituted if possible.
That the engineer's requirements be attended to.
That old fire bars be sold to W B White and Sons Ltd, Colne, at 25/- per ton subject to R Jones offer. [Ouzledale foundry.]
Res. That the outside hoist serving the Craven Manufacturing Co at Butts be inspected with a view to it being made available to J Wilson also.
[No signature]

October 7th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That old grate bars be sold to R Jones at 25/- per ton and new ones ordered at 7/- per cwt. [Jones to cast them?]
That if necessary a new blow-off valve be ordered for Wellhouse, also eight unions for the indicator and two barrels of cylinder oil. [The frequency with which blow-ff valves are replaced suggests that they are using the old-fashioned cocks. Hopkinson's at Huddersfield were producing a much improved and more durable valve on a different principle and these eventually became universal. 'Eight unions for indicator' interests me. I think that these are the accessories permanently fixed to each cylinder to match the union nut on the indicator. Depending on the type, one or two are needed for each cylinder. WH has four cylinders and this may be for use on that engine. In total the company's engines have ten cylinders.]
That P Barrett alters the closets in J Wilson's shed as suggested by the BUDC [sanitary] inspector.
Thomas Dent.

October 14th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Burnley Building Soc £74-7-6. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. W H Atkinson £10-19-0. Proctor and Proctor (wages) £74-18-9.
The secretary reported on the fire insurance effected on all the properties of the company.
A report be Messrs Ellison was read and it was resolved that the repairs suggested to the engine at WH and the clutch at Butts Mill be put in their hands.
The question of deducting tax when paying loan interest was discussed and it was resolved that in future tax will be deducted as and from January 1st 1909.
Thomas Dent.

October 21st 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes read and confirmed.
Res. That the plasterers be reminded that we will not require them for the winter after painting Monkroyd Shed. [Bad news for the plasterers! Monkroyd Shed is the name that became common currency for the back extension at Butts Mill.]
That the roof of the passage from W Bailey's warehouse to [their] shed be made waterproof.
That the question of the Director's income tax be considered at the next meeting.
That W Holdsworth study the roof lighting in Edmondson's shed and report to the next meeting.
Res. That Mrs Hudson be requested to remove [her] closet from the Parrock.
Thomas Dent.

October 28th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: GH and E Baldwin £103-3. Brooks and Brooks £28-11-0. Colne Corporation 15/8. H Jobling and Son £22-3-0. J Lofthouse and Son £21-19-0. Proctor Barrett £6-1-8. Burnley Ironworks £12-6-6. J Gott and Son 19/9. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-5-0. J Sagar and Sons £1-8-0. Colledge Roy and Co £7-13-3.
Res. That one roof light be placed in Edmondson and Co#s shed at CH Shed.
That the £1000 loan from S Pickles and Sons be repaid as soon as possible.
That the secretary press on Mr Garibaldi Pickles for payment of his rent of £5.
That the oil required by the engineers be ordered.
The secretary produced the title deeds of the houses abutting on Calf Hall Road showing that the whole of the back street on the north side of the properties was the property of Mr Lowcock but that the company had a right of way thereon.
Res. That Mr Hogarth be paid his wages though absent for three days in consideration of having given the directors general satisfaction. [George had also loaned them money!]
[No signature]

November 4th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Hogarth re-arrange the steam pipes in J Wilson's shed. [Butts]
That a split drum be ordered for Edmondson and Co's winding room. [A split drum is a belt pulley made in two halves so that it can be fixed without dismantling the shafting.]
That when Ellison's come they shall put out of gear the centrifugal [pump] at Calf Hall. [Part of the cooling arrangements?]
That W Holdsworth repairs the laundry stairs. [WH]
That H Brown repairs the cut-off motion on CH engine. [This is part of the valve gear and definitely an engine repair. This is the first true engine repair Brown's have undertaken and I see the hand of Johnny Pickles. A new era of engine maintenance is under way in Barlick.]
That Coulthurst fix the broken fall pipes at all places.
That Horsfield's warehouse end be cement washed. [For waterproofing rubble masonry.]
That the sale of the old boiler at Butts be considered next week.
[No signature]

November 11th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Scottish Union and National Insurance Co Ltd £7-8-10. BUDC 14/8. T Lister and Co £2-10-6. P Barrett £6-18-0. W J Varley £3-5-0.
Thomas Dent.
[There then follows a seemingly discontinuous set of minutes in another hand. I'm inserting them here.]
The reports on the boilers at Butts Mill and Viaduct were read from which it appeared they were in order.
The secretary gave a statement of mortar sales at Viaduct for the last seven months which showed that after allowing for wages and materials used there was a balance of £7-13-7.
Res. That the secretary be requested to enquire into the cost of inspecting the old boiler at Butts Mill with a view to selling the same.
He also reported that Messrs Pickles and Sons had declined to accept the repayment of this loan [sic] until December 31st.
Thomas Dent.

November 18th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That two additional roof windows be put in Edmondson's shed.
That W Holdsworth repairs ventilators in Craven Manufacturing Co's shed.
That Messrs Dent, Brooks, Horsfield, King, Banks and Holdsworth arrange for the plasterers to do the work at Butts Engine house and elsewhere.
That new terms of tenancy for Henry Brown and James Moorhouse be considered at the next meeting.
That the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation Ltd thoroughly inspect the old boiler at Butts at their quoted price of one guinea.
That Mr Proctor write to BUDC about Calf Hall Road and Valley Road reminding them of their promise to do something. (Copy of the letter to be sent to the local paper.)
That Thomas Barlow's rent be reduced 6d per week to 5/9 from Saturday November 21st.
Thomas Dent.

November 25th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Gas account 14/8 paid.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £316-12-5 in credit.
A letter was read from Windle and Sons requesting the company to pay on account for repairing windows on the grounds that the vibration of the shed was the cause of the breakages.
It was resolved that the secretary be instructed to return the account as the company do not accept responsibility for such repair. [Mind you, from what we have read about the shafting at Butts he could have a point!]
The secretary reported the result of his interview with the clerk and assistant surveyor to the BUDC with reference to the state of Valley Road and Calf Hall Road.
Res. That he be requested to write to BUDC informing them that their reply would be handed forward to future complainants.
The question of Henry Brown's tenancy at WH was considered. The rent of the premises being £25 and the tenancy expiring on July 31st next. Mr Brown asked for terms on which he could continue the tenancy and it was resolved that the premises and power which he now rents for £25 per annum be in future £38 per annum on a yearly tenancy the terms and conditions being the same as at present.
The question of James Moorhouse's tenancy of the 396 looms in the Old Mill Bottom at WH, the 10 year's lease of which expires on December 31st next, was considered.
Res. That the tenancy be continued on the same terms and conditions as the other tenancy he has with the company and that the question of the lease and the capacity of the shed be left in the hands of the secretary.
Transfer of 191 shares from Mr T Baxter and 30 shares from Edwin C Edmondson be registered. Seal cert etc.
[No signature]

December 2nd 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That we fence off with un-climbable hurdles the portion of the Parrock next to the dwelling houses at Town Bridge.
That a report on the old boiler at Butts be taken at a subsequent meeting.
That every precaution be taken to satisfactorily heat the weaving sheds, the firemen to come an hour earlier when the weather is bad and to be paid every week for the extra time at the rate of 6d per hour, the times to be recorded in the [engine house] diary. [One hour extra firing seems optimistic to me from my experience. At Bancroft Shed we regularly started steaming the shed at midnight in very cold weather, particularly after the weekend break.]
That W Holdsworth under-draw with boards the iron trough in Moorhouse's tape room. [For insulation? Condensation dripping off it?]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

December 9th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Stephen Pickles and Sons' letter be considered at next meeting the lease for payment[sic].
That steam jets be fitted to the fireboxes [boiler furnaces] at WH. [Underfire steam seems to have gained approval.]
That plasterers repair the bad places in wall or roof at Butts Mill and WH Mill. [The plasterers seem to be hanging on well into the winter!]
That W Holdsworth repair J Wilson's hoist.
That new doors be fixed to Slater Brothers' water closets.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

December 16th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the letting of a portion of the Parrock to J Buller of Town Bridge at 3d per yard and the street at ½d per yard be approved. The tenancy to start on January 1st 1909.
That the small workshop lately occupied by Mr Colbert at Viaduct Shed be advertised to let.
Reports on the economisers at CH and WH were read from which it appeared that with the exception of the safety valves being over-weighted they were in order. [A sign at the boilers are being worked at maximum pressure and that the economiser safety valves had been over-weighted to stop wasteful leakage.]
That the old boiler at Butts be offered for sale.
The secretary reported the position of S Pickles and Sons as to the allowances for looms standing owing to bad trade. Messrs Pickles were unable to produce a lease and it was decided that the matter should stand over.
That half a dozen shovels be ordered for the stokers at Calf Hall. [These 'shovels' may be the paddle in the Bennis shovel stokers which sprayed the coal on the fire in the furnace, not ordinary hand shovels.]
Thomas Dent.

December 23rd 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the managing director engage a man to sweep and clear out the open drain in front of the warehouses at CH, the waste to be carted away and Mr Ed Smith to supply the broken limestone. [This will be up what is now Mill Street.]
That a Christmas box to the value of 10/- be given to H Marsden's carters delivering coal to the mills.
That a committee of those directors able to attend be appointed to look at CH and WH engine houses and report to the next meeting if it is necessary to wash them down.
That Mr A King be repaid £100 loan money.
Thomas Dent.

December 30th 1908
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Thomas Wills be engaged to steam the sheds during very bad weather through the night. [All of them? Did he have a bike? Evidently the hour extra has proved insufficient.]
That Coulthurst and Nixon wash down the CH and WH engine houses.
That W Holdsworth fix two new windows in Anthony Carr's warehouse.
That Coulthurst and Nixon put Edmondson's drain right.
Thomas Dent.

January 6th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet and report be adopted as read subject to audit and be presented to the shareholders on January 22nd at Seven Stars Hotel. Dividend of 10% per annum be recommended for the half year.
Thomas Dent.

Half yearly shareholder's meeting
January 22nd 1909
[Printed balance sheet reports £4599-16-8 brought forward, total for disposal £6137-17-11. Disposition was £1215 for dividend and £4922-17-11 carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet adopted. Dividend of 10% approved.
Thomas Dent.

January 13th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That W Holdsworth examine the roof lights on Bailey's Shed and if the raining in is caused by the company's neglect that he sees to the repairs being done.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Mr Coulthurst repair the shed roof and windows in Edmondson and Co's portion.
That Fred Harrison be engaged to lay ashes along the warehouse fronts at CH to form a causeway.
Thomas Dent.

January 27th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Letters were read from Horsfield Brothers and James Moorhouse complaining that their sheds were not sufficiently heated in the mornings.
Res. That the managing director should do everything necessary to prevent a re-occurrence of such a complaint. [A vain hope! There is nothing harder to heat than a weaving shed with a vast, poorly insulated roof. When I was running Bancroft I used to take note of the temperature readings in the shed at 30 minute intervals when steaming it first thing on a cold morning. For the first hour the temperature at the level of the thermometers on the pillars fell below what it had been when steam was put in. The heating was by two inch steam pipes at about ten feet high to avoid interference with the looms and shafting. All the heat rose to the roof forcing colder air down to working level. It wasn't until the temperature under the roof had been raised that warmer air circulated downwards. You may wonder why other methods weren't used. The problem is that any system of forcing heat downwards such as fan heaters using steam or similar tended to dry the warps and cause bad weaving. This problem was never solved in the old sheds, I had exactly the same troubles seventy years later.]
Res. That W H Atkinson be requested to visit Barlick and inspect the plans and levels for paving Valley Road and Calf Hall Road.
Res. That a wood trough be put over the slates of James Moorhouse's portion to catch the exhaust water from the tape and that the slates be repaired.
Thomas Dent.

February 3rd 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the flue [channel] for steam and water pipes running under James Moorhouse's shed be made larger and that Mr Coulthurst be instructed to employ a labourer to assist him in this work.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Banks £210-11-3. J S Prince 15/6. W Ellis £26-5-0. Union Oil Co £3. A Horsfield £452-4-2. T Lister 1/7. Proctor and Proctor £1-10-0. Ellison and Co £2-15-0. Brooks and Brooks £30-16-0. J Proctor Ltd 2/3. G H Baldwin £1-5-0. Duckett 8/3. Colledge Roy and Co £3-13-2. Bennis 7/8. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-6-6. W J Varley 9/-.
Res. That a deputation of those directors able to attend be appointed to visit Butts Mill during the week and address the problem of fixing fire escapes.
That in consequence of Thomas Barlow's house rent having been reduced 6d per week and also that a portion of the Parrock has been sold we see that the Property Tax be reduced in proportion. [When concentrating on a narrow field like the affairs of the CHSC it is easy to forget wider matters. There were great changes happening in taxation and fiscal policy to pay for the gathering arms race and in 1909 the 'Peoples Budget' attempted to redistribute wealth. All these matters have an effect on the policies of the CHSC directors and we should keep glancing sideways at these matters.]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

February 10th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the broken glass in Bailey's premises be replaced.
The question of BUDC responsibility for paving Valley Road and Calf Hall Road to the extent of the footpaths originally passing along these roads was discussed.
Res. That Messrs Brooks, King and Barrett form a deputation to the BUDC surveyor on these matters. [The first major disruption of installing services in the existing streets has been addressed by the council and now they are attending to adopting and paving roads to a reasonable standard. The BUDC surveyor must have been a busy man, remember he was also laying out new roads for the building boom in Barlick at this time.]
Res. That an acknowledgement of 3d per annum be expected from Mrs Dean for the projection of her property on the company's land in the Parrock. [The proverbial 'peppercorn rent' for the purpose of perpetuating the legal ownership of the land by the company and the prevention of the establishment of a customary or 'squatter's' right.]
Res. That the Parrock be fenced off with iron rails.
That the engineer's requirements be attended to.
That Ellison's of Skipton replace the broken wheel on the lineshaft at Butts Mill and that they put in good working order the wheels which require attention.
That the [land in] the Parrock still unlet be advertised as hen-runs at 1/2d per yard.
That W Holdsworth repair the floor in Craven Manufacturing Co's premises.
Res. That Messrs Holdsworth, Barrett, King. Brooks, Dent, Banks and Horsfield form a deputation with respect to the requirements of the BUDC for providing fire escapes and other means of egress from the buildings.
Thomas Dent.

February 17th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the ashes made at WH to June 30th 1909 be offered to Lambert Robinson for £7-10-0.
That we write to Messrs Royd's and Lowcock [lease and land owners affected] for permission to open up doors etc in connection with the erection of fire escapes.
That W Holdsworth be instructed to make doors which open outwards at Butts Mill in compliance with BUDC requirements in case of fire.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked to inspect the pedestal cap [on fly-shaft bearing] recently fixed at Butts and make the necessary adjustment. [I'll bet Johnny's fingers were itching but BI had done the original job so it was down to them to rectify it.]
That a loan of £200 from Mr and Mrs John Marsden be repaid.
That Mr Coulthurst be instructed to paint the iron railings near Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst.
Thomas Dent.

February 24th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Proctor Barrett reported on an interview with the BUDC surveyor regarding the paving of footpaths in Calf Hall Road and Valley Road. The surveyor promised to bring the matter before the council and stated that BUDC had paid in similar instances.
Transfer of 400 shares from John Kidd to J Kidd and A Kidd and 115 shares from M Addington to W Proctor be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that the bank account was overdrawn £1838-12-10.
Res. That the vacant land forming part of the Parrock be let to Roy Townson at £6 per annum, the rent to commence on March 1st and to be payable quarterly on the first day of June, September, December and March in each year, the land being between the barn [Now known as Paddock Laithe] and Walmsgate (Mr Hudson's property) not included in this portion.
The secretary reported that the repairs to the low pressure cylinder at WH Mill would require three or four days and can be done during the Easter holidays.
Res. That Henry Brown's tender of 6/8 per yard for un-climbable railing be accepted.
Thomas Dent.

March 3rd 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the leaking blow-down valve at WH be examined and if necessary a new one be got.
That a proper lamp be ordered for Butts Mill.
That firebars be ordered from Whitaker's at Accrington for WH. [Patent bars? The search for the perfect firebar is as old as the boilers themselves. An old engineer once told me that if he could find a way of using chicken wire for firebars he could save no end of coal! I know what he meant.]
Res, That Mr Wood urges Mr Pickup to remove at once the portion of the old boiler laying in Butts yard. [Being broken up for scrap in situ?]
The deputation put in [to examine the possible] overhaul of the crank steps [bearings] at Butts and the ashlar fixed for the air pump at WH reported that they had instructed the engineers to watch these and if any alteration took place to report at once.
The [question of] the extension at Calf Hall Shed was left over to be considered at the next meeting.
Thomas Dent.

March 10th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Pickup be requested to remove the old boiler from Butts Mill and to send remittance for same at once.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £300. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. Ocean Accident Insurance Co £4-2-6. G H Baldwin £1-6-3. Brooks and Brooks £31-15-0. P W Spencer £1-13-0. T M Duché and Son £22-5-11. H Brown £25-18-0. W J Varley £2-9-0. Exors of J Cooper £5-9-6.
Res. That we sell to E Brooksbank and Co the empty oil barrels at 3/4 each.
Res. That Mr Wood be requested to arrange if possible for the running of Viaduct Shed with one man. The mortar making to be abandoned and that he be empowered to offer 37/6 per week for the engineer. [Viaduct isn't a big plant and in theory, if there is no mortar making, could be run by one man but in my opinion is not desirable. Always a greater chance of accident if one man is working on his own on both boiler and engine.]
The secretary reported on rents owing by tenants of the company.
Res. That the floor of S Pickles' portion of shed be repaired by P Barrett.
Some discussion took place on the question of an extension to CH Shed and it was resolved that the secretary get an estimate of the cost from W H Atkinson, architect, Colne.
Thomas Dent.

March 17th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons and it was resolved that Messrs Dent and Brooks examine the places and report to the next meeting what should be done.
That the matter of taping for export be once more enquired into.
That Coulthurst repairs the Craven Manufacturing Co's water closet.
That the ordering of Kremnos for Butts be left over until next week and Mr Albert Hogarth be consulted as to whether it is doing a good job or not.
Through W H Wilkinson 1/1 from his rent [sic. Has he held this sum back?] for income tax paid it was resolved that this matter be further considered at the next meeting. [Looks as though the tenant of a small piece of land is trying to get the CHSC to pay the Property Tax.]
Thomas Dent.

March 24th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from HMFI requesting the company to raise the height of the gates on the hoists in S Pickles' and B&M Holden's sheds at CH.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to carry out the work.
Transfer of 100 shares from R Knowles to J Fielden and 75 from J W Myers to Henry Banks be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Letters were read, from J Moorhouse complaining about the unsatisfactory heating of his premises. From J J Sneath complaining that one of his workmen was not carrying out his instructions to attend early in the morning [WH].
Res. That Mr Sneath be authorised to discharge any workman under him in case of neglect of duty which in his opinion can only be met by this course. [Quite right too and having been in the same position, it is the only way to go. If an engineer can't rely on his firebeater he is lost.]
Res. That a committee of directors be empowered to examine and repair the shaft in the Craven Manufacturing Co's premises. [That pesky Butts shafting again!]
Res. That cheques be drawn for wages £100-9-6 and Captain Royd's [ground rent] £14-5-0.
The secretary read a letter from the architect in which he stated that the probable cost of the [proposed] extension at CH Shed for 276 loom spaces would be £2960 exclusive of alterations to the engine. [Nice to see that this consequence has been recognised. The CH engine is hard pressed as it is without extra load. There is also the question of boiler capacity.]
Thomas Dent.

March 31st 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Carol and Norcross be let a plot of land on the Parrock at 18/6 per annum from April 1st 1909.
P Barrett to repair the place from where the old boiler has been removed at Butts Mill.
That a belt be ordered from S Pickles and Sons or other manufacturers for the economisers at CH.
Res. That a deputation call on the engineer at Viaduct Shed to arrange if possible for one man to run the engine and fire the boiler.
Thomas Dent.

April 7th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: W J Brooks £8-10-11. H Marsden £496-14-6. J W Clough £21-8-0. R Hindle £6-5-0. H Brown and Sons £4-7-6. Brooks and Brooks £30-9-0. J S Prince 11/8. Colledge Roy £7-8-6. Exors of J Cooper 8/-. P W Spencer £1-16-0. G H Baldwin £2-12-0. Ellison and Co £2-5-0. J W Brown 1-15-9. S Cooke and Co £2-9-0. E Brooksbank and Co £12-0-8. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. H Hartley and Co 7/2. W J Varley 11/0. W H Holdsworth £9-1-4.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That a new brass step [bearing] be ordered for the engine at Butts.
Applications for a plot of land at Parrock were made and an offer of 3d per yard for not less than 1000 square yards.
Res. That the application be granted subject to the parties giving a ten year lease, they to have the option to terminate at the end of five years.
Res. That the floor in Edmondson's winding room be repaired.
Thomas Dent.

April 14th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a new book be ordered for J J Sneath. [Engine house diary?]
Thomas Dent.

April 21st 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for wages £61-9-5.
That the promoters of the skating rink on the Parrock be given first refusal of a further plot of land to a street line on the same terms as the first. [In later years the Alhambra Cinema was on this site. I think we are seeing the genesis of it here. It burned down in 1923.]
That the lubricators on CH engine be repaired.
That Messrs Gott of Nelson be requested to inspect Anthony Carr's hoist rope with a view to repair but if necessary to fix a new one. [These old fashioned hoists were driven from the shafting and had hemp hoist ropes.]
Thomas Dent.

April 28th 1909
T Dent Chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That P Barrett makes Holden's hoist gate as required by HMFI and also repairs the ventilators in Craven Manufacturing Co's shed.
The letter read from Lowcock's, solicitors, to be left until next week.
That a deputation look at the places where fire escapes are wanted at CH and Butts and report to the next meeting.
The deputation appointed to meet the engineer at Viaduct Shed made their report.
Res. That the engineer and fireman continue to work as before. [Mortar pan as well?]
Thomas Dent.

May 5th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £409-11-9. Colne Corporation £1-12-8. A Horsfield £5-15-11. J S Whitaker £2-1-3. Heap and Thornton 1-0-9. Burnley Ironworks £68-1-0 [The repairs to the LP cyl at WH?] Anti-Incrustation Co £6-6-0. Brooks and Brooks £31-4-0. J W Clough 14/9. Ellison and Co £4-2-0.
With reference to the erection of fire escapes at Butts Mill and CH Shed it was resolved after hearing the report of the deputation that the scheme proposed be adopted thus obviating the necessity of obtaining privileges from Mr Lowcock.
Res. That P Barrett be requested to erect the escapes at Butts Mill and CH Shed as suggested by the committee.
That the windows of A Carr's premises be repaired by P Barrett.
Letters having been read from HM Inspector of Factories re the ventilation of CH Shed it was resolved that two fans by Gregson be erected in each of the three tenancies.
The report on the boilers at WH being read ut was resolved that the repairs pointed out therein be carried out.
That the engineer's requirements be attended to.
Mr Roy Townson attended before the meeting and requested that the rent of the portion of the Parrock now occupied by him (a portion having been taken by the Skating Rink Company) be reduced it was resolved that the rent be reduced to £4 per annum.
Thomas Dent.

May 6th 1909
H Wilson chair. Minutes as read.
[Perhaps worth noting that this meeting was a special meeting and not included in the register of director's attendances for the year.]
Res. That the offer of the Palace Roller Skating Rink Company to purchase the plot of land forming part of the Parrock at 5/- per yard to be accepted on the following conditions.
That three feet be retained by this company abutting on the water course with a right of way thereon.
That all water rights of the company be retained.
That the land be measured to the centre of the street to the south and west sides.
That the purchaser erect a satisfactory fence to protect the other parts of the company's property.
Thomas Dent.

May 12th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Briggs [The forerunners of the firm of Briggs and Duxbury, joiners in Commercial Street.] be requested to fix a handrail in the dwelling house occupied by Thomas Wills.
Res. That a plot of land be let to Messrs Muff and Randall.
Res. That the floor in the Craven Manufacturing Co's shed be repaired by Proctor Barrett and that the lodge at Butts Mill be cleaned out.
Res. That a deputation be appointed to interview the CH tenants with a view to breaking out doors for exit in case of fire.
Thomas Dent.

May 19th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for wages.
That the scheme for breaking out doors at CH Shed for fire exits be approved.
A Letter was read from J R Atkinson offering £20 for the mortar mill [Viaduct] and £20 for power.
Res. That the offer be not accepted.
Mr King reported that Messrs Windle and Sons at WH had applied for further loom space suggesting that the company should erect the shed in the yard abutting their warehouse.
Res. That they be requested to send a formal application when the matter would receive the attention of the directors.
Res. That the land forming part of the Parrock opposite Mrs Dean's house be railed off.
Res. That the plan of land agreed to be sold to the Palace Roller Skating Rink Co Ltd as presented be approved.
Res. That Messrs King, Brooks and Barrett form a deputation to meet Mrs Hudson with reference to the quantity of land which may be sold to her on the terms already offered.
Thomas Dent.

May 26th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mrs Dean be let the piece of land behind her house at Town Bridge form June 1st 1909 at the rate of 6/3 per annum.
That Mr Roy Townson's rent be £4 per annum from the time he began to occupy in the Parrock.
That Proctor Barrett fix an iron door between the weaving sheds occupied by Edmondson and Co's and B& EM Holden's CH shed.
That 120ft of 1 5/8” belting be ordered for ventilators at Calf Hall.
That R Smith's land be re-arranged at WH.
That Miss Tillotson be repaid her loan of £200 with interest.
Thomas Dent.

June 2nd 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Subject to the amendment of the following resolution proposed by Mr Dent and seconded by Mr King: Viz. That the sale of a plot of land to the Palace Roller Skating Rink Co Ltd be completed as shown on the plan presented to the meeting on May 6th and not as shown on the plan presented to the meeting on May 19th.
Proposed by Mr Baxter and seconded by W Holdsworth and resolved: That this company provide a sale plan of the land in accordance with the previous resolution.
Proposed by Mr Wilson and seconded by Mr Perry that W H Atkinson be instructed to prepare the plan.
Proposed by Mr Holdsworth and seconded by Mr Baxter that this company supply the Skating Rink Co with an abstract of title thereto.
Res. That accounts be paid: J A Nutter 18/-. Holgate Marsden £380-4-0. G H Baldwin £1-4-7. Exors of James Cooper 16/4. Brooks and Brooks £29-10-0.
Thomas Dent.

June 9th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That a door be fixed communicating between Horsfield Brothers and the Craven Manufacturing Co's sheds [Butts] and one iron door be fixed for exit into Royd's field and that P Barrett be instructed to do the work.
That John Riddiough have leave of absence providing he employs a suitable substitute from June 18th to the end of the month.
That tenders be invited for the sale of ashes at each mill for the ensuing year.
That the fishing rights at Springs Dam be let by tender for the next year.
Thomas Dent.

June 16th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary read a letter from Mr Alfred Dewhurst dated June 3rd in which he stated that having purchased Springs Farm we would have to make arrangements with him for re-taking Springs Dam on or before August 2nd. It was pointed out however to the meeting that the tenancy was a yearly one and as no notice had been given to terminate the same the tenancy would continue as on the previous terms until notice be given to terminate it.
Res. That the transfer of 102 shares from W C Pickover and others to A M Tillotson be registered, Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Henry Brown offering £33 as rent of premises now occupied by him at WH Mill. The secretary was instructed to reply that the sums set out in the letter to him of November 26th 1908 are the terms on which the directors are prepared to continue the tenancy.
Res. That the Skating Rink Co be allowed to place a sign on the front of the house at Butts Mill and to reduce the size of the garden of the house by the removal of one of the stones. [?]
That the offer of Messrs Royd to grant the privilege of an exit over their land abutting the Craven Manufacturing Co at 1/- per annum be accepted. [Fire door]
That in future all subordinates be required to obtain the permission of the engineer in charge before absenting themselves from work.
Thomas Dent.

June 23rd 1909
T Dent chair. Res. That the Burnley Ironworks examine the WH engines this weekend but not to prevent the engine starting on Monday morning.
That Ellison and Co of Skipton prepare for fixing the ashlar under the WH engine during the holidays also that they examine the pair of wheels in Craven Manufacturing Co's Twill Room.
That P Barrett puts the centrifugal pump house in order. [WH?]
That the tender of P Barrett for ashes at Butts Mill, £5, for the ensuing year July 1st 1909 to June 30th 1910 be accepted.
The tender of J R Broughton of £7 for WH ashes was considered inadequate and it was resolved that they be offered to him for £8 or CH ashes for £5.
That £1 be given to J J Sneath as a gift to be divided between him and his staff at his discretion.
Thomas Dent.

July 7th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J W Brown £2-16-2. Burnley Building Soc £72-18-6. Brooks and Brooks £29-9-0. G H Baldwin £1-4-8. P W Spencer £5-2-5. James Gott and Sons £2-15-6 and £2-6-0. R J Varley £1. S Greenwood and Sons £2-1-6. W Hough and Co 12/10. Burnley Ironworks £10-14-0. British Kremnos Co £8-17-0. J S Prince £1. Holgate Marsden £295-19-0. J Bulcock £3-11-0.
Res. That Mr Henry Brown's tenancy be £40 including the small office.
That the arches and well at Butts Mill [the culvert under the shed] be cleaned out under the charge of the engineer and that he be instructed to engage suitable men to do the work.
That the flags in Holden's shed be repaired during the holidays by P Barrett.
Messrs J Windle and Sons sent in a claim for damages to six pieces of cloth amounting to £1-4-1.
Res. That the claim be not entertained.
A draft conveyance of the land sold to the Skating Rink Co was considered but owing to some misunderstanding as to the rights of way it was resolved that further consideration of the matter be left over until the next meeting when plans of the land would be submitted by the architect.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended June 30th were read. Resolved that subject to audit they be presented to the shareholders on Thursday July 22nd. A dividend of 12½% per annum for the half year was recommended.
Thomas Dent.

July 14th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr Brooks be empowered to let the plot of land [?] at 21/- per annum.
That the resolution passed on July 7th recommending a dividend of 12½% per annum be rescinded and that it should be 10% per annum.
The conveyance of the plot of land to the Skating Rink Co was presented and it was resolved that it be approved subject to alteration of the clause referring to the provision of a 36ft street by this company from Calf Hall Road to the plot of land sold.
Res. That this company undertake when called upon by the Skating Rink Co to give a point on the westerly side of the land for the construction of the 36ft street between Calf Hall Road and the land sold:- [?]
It was reported to the meeting that the wall fencing the land at WH now occupied by the Co-operative Society was repairable by Mr Edward Smith, builder.
Thomas Dent.

July 16th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That repairs to the engine cylinder at WH be deferred to some future time.
That Thomas Coulthurst be engaged for slate repairing, covering steam pipes and building bridges at Butts [Boiler furnaces?] also repairing slates at Thomas Barlow's. [house]
That a drum of composition be ordered fro CH.
Thomas Dent.

Half year shareholder's meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 22nd 1909
[Printed balance sheet reports £4922-17-11 brought forward, total disposable £6606-7-1. Disposition £1215 for dividend. £5391-7-1 carried forwards.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend adopted. Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration at £60 per annum approved. Richard Watson and Son re-appointed auditors at same remuneration as before. Register of share transfers sealed.
Thomas Dent.

July 26th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to do the work necessary to prepare for the Boiler Inspection.
Thomas Dent.

August 4th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: T Dent £30. G H Baldwin £1-2-6. Union Oil Co £2-17-5. J Thompson and Co £6-17-0. Colledge Roy and Co [oil refiners, cyl oil?] £7-11-10. Brooks and Brooks £26-15-11. Burnley Ironworks £3. Joseph Phelps 6/9. J Shaw and Son Ltd £2-10-0. W J Varley £2-10-0. T Mellor and Co £2-1-0. S Cooke and Co £3-11-6. Alfred Marsden £320-13-0. Dividend payment £1215. George Proctor £60.
Reports on the boilers and economisers were read from which it appeared that the boilers at WH were badly scaled and that with regard to the economisers at CH the bottoms of the pipes were full of sediment. [Both circumstances indicative of inadequate feed water treatment.]
Res. That the fishing rights at Springs Dam be advertised in the local paper.
A set of [indicator] diagrams from the Butts Mill engine were produced from which it appeared that the valves were in good adjustment.
Thomas Dent.

August 11th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That a length of shafting be fixed in Holden's warehouse at CH Shed. [No contractor specified but Newton Pickles once told me that the first field in which Henry Brown and Sons expanded after John Pickles became foreman was in shafting repairs, particularly in tape rooms. They started making donkey engines and had good success.]
Res. That the directors along with H Brown mechanic look up the steaming in Holden's and report on the condition to the next meeting.
That P Barrett repair the windows in Anthony Carr's warehouse, S Pickles and Sons' hoist and J Windle's hoist and windows.
That Alfred Dewhurst be paid £5 for the rent of Springs Dam.
That 8ft of 5” belting be ordered for Dugdale and Dewhurst's tape room.
That W H Atkinson and George Proctor be asked to meet the directors to consider the advisability of buying land at Calf Hall.
Thomas Dent.

August 18th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to a conveyance of a plot of land, portion of the Parrock, containing 2983 square yards from the Company to the Palace Roller Skating Company Ltd, Barnoldswick for the sum of £746-10-0 in the presence of John Horsfield, E B Banks, two directors and the secretary.
The report on the boilers at CH were read which showed considerable neglect in running the plant as the boilers were badly scaled.
Res. That H Brown's tender of £3-5-0 for the supply of shafting and fixing pulleys at CH be accepted.
That Mr Horsfield be requested to inspect the steam arrangements for the donkey engine in Edmondson's warehouse at CH Shed.
Thomas Dent.

August 25th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That empty oil barrels be sold to Brooksbank's, 21 barrels @ 3/4 each.
That Coulthurst fix two lengths of fall pipe to Slater Brothers' [premises] and repair the roof of J Windle's premises at WH Mill.
That we fix a steam trap for Edmondson's tape. Henry Brown to do the work, Mr John Horsfield to superintend.
That ten barrels of Standard cylinder oil be ordered for CH and WH. [I can't help wondering at the amount of cylinder oil being used. It seems excessive to me.]
A price of 1/6 per yard was given by Messrs Bairstow's agent for land at Calf Hall and it was resolved that W H Atkinson purchase at that price. [This must be land at the rear of CH Shed from the existing boundary to the line of Shitten Ginnel.]
Res. That P Barrett cover the bars on the doors to be used as fire exits at Butts with glass cases.
Slater Brothers having had several sets of warps taped recently by J Windle and Sons we ascertain whether an account has been sent to the office. [Export taping]
Thomas Dent.

September 1st 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: A H Dewhurst £5. Alfred Horsfield 19/6. J A Nutter 18/-. G H Baldwin £1-3-2. H Hartley and Co 18/-. Ellison's £3-12-0. T Jackson £88-18-0. J Nutter £65-11-0. A Horsfield £492-12-3.
Res. That the two passages from the warehouse to the shed connecting Bailey and Roberts and R G Pilkington's premises be rebuilt by tender on the same lines as the previous one.
Thomas Dent.

September 8th 1909
T Dent chair.
Tenders for building passages at WH Mill were opened.
Res. That Muff and Randall's tender of £24-15-0 be accepted.
Res. That if it be necessary a new window with repairs to others, also repairs to floors be executed at the Laundry.
That ventilators be painted.
That the telephone brackets be looked up with a view to seeing if the National Telephone Company are paying rent for all [those] fixed.
Thomas Dent.

September 15th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £274-18-1. Wages £93-8-1.
Thomas Dent.

September 22nd 1909
T Dent chair.
A letter was read from the BUDC relating to Butts Ginnel and it was resolved that the letter be laid on the table for a week. [The 1887 Bracewell sale document has a plan of Butts showing a clearly marked public footpath down the side of the mill between the mill and the beck. It starts at the bridge at Parrock Laithe on Calf Hall Lane and runs down to Butts emerging adjacent to the building that was until recently the Pigeon Club.]
Res. That Holgate Marsden be requested to deliver coals in quantity more satisfactory tp WH Mill.
Res. That half a sheet of Jenkins' Packing 1/8” thick be ordered fro CH Shed. [Almost certainly an asbestos based steam packing.]
Thomas Dent.

September 29th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: T M Duché £24-17-3. W P Brooks 6/3. Colledge Roy and Co £7-10-7. J W Cough £5-11-4. Exors of J Cooper £6-1-0. T Gregson £15. J Gott and Sons £4-7-6. F Parry Alliance Insurance Co £14-3-6. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-7-9. Royal Insurance Co £114-7-6. P W Spencer £3-8-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. Brooks and Brooks £19-17-0. Ed Taylor £14-2-6. Norwich Union Fire Insurance Co £35-5-3. Midland Railway Co £1-8-4. Heap and Thornton £2-15-0 [Sam and Spencer Thornton, plasterers, had their yard in Albert Road on the plot now occupied by the Majestic]. W H Atkinson £51.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to repay the loan of £1000 from the Trustees of the late Dr Roberts when requested.
The secretary was requested to examine the deeds of the Butts property with a view to ascertaining the company's liabilities to repair the ginnel.
Mr King reported that on September 25th a lorry load of beams had been carted from Windle's to Slater Brothers. [Export taping]
The secretary reported that the credit at the bank was £1255.
Thomas Dent.

October 6th 1909
Res. That a cover be fixed by Proctor Barrett to John Wilson's shed.
That Messrs Brown, Charlesworth and Wood convey the meadow at Calf Hall from Messrs Bairstow to the Company.
That P Barrett repair the Laundry floor at WH and also J Moorhouse's hoist.
That belting be ordered for Bailey and Robert's tape.
That Thomas Bracewell be engaged to cart spare grates from Springs to Butts.
Thomas Dent.

October 14th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Trustees of Dr Roberts £1000, interest £10-16-4. H Marsden £357-13-4. Burnley Building Society £272-5-0.
The secretary reported on the inspection of the deeds of Butts Mill and especially to the pathway generally known as the Ginnel. His inspection showed that the Ginnel was a diverted footpath and formed part of the company's property and that in his opinion it was repairable by the present company. [My guess is that before the mill was built c.1845 this was a direct continuation of what is now Calf Hall Lane up the side of CH Shed leading down into the town and was diverted when Bracewell bought the land and built Butts Mill.]
Res. That Messrs Brooks, King, Horsfield, Holdsworth and Dent be deputed to examine and make arrangements to put right the ceiling between Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst and Slater Brothers.
That Messrs Brooks and Duxbury replace the windows on Bailey's roof. [I think this is an error. William Arthur Duxbury (Father to Harold Duxbury) served an apprenticeship with Alfred Dodgson at Lane Ends Earby and came to Barlick as a qualified joiner and worked at Waite and Lambert, joiners of York Street. While working there he met John Briggs and in 1909 they went into partnership as Briggs and Duxbury on Commercial Street. William's father, John Duxbury, married Sarah Brown, sister to Henry Brown the father of our Henry Brown mechanic so there is a linkage between the families. Old John Duxbury was a shareholder in the CHSC and it was this uncle John that tipped Henry Brown (junior) off in 1900 that the shop at Wellhouse was available. So, I think that this entry should be Briggs and Duxbury and not Brooks.]
Mr Lumb of Messrs Brown, Charlesworth and Wood attended with the agreement for the sale of the land from Messrs Bairstow to the company. Objections were raised to clauses in the agreement relating to the fencing, the title to the land, the production of plans etc.
Transfer of shares from William Lambert to Arthur Lambert registered, seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that the trustees of the late Dr Roberts had received the £1000 loan with interest.
Thomas Dent.

October 20th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That a contract be entered into with the Altham Colliery Company for the supply of coal for one year from Jan 1st next at an increase of the present price from 11/3 to 11/8 per ton. [Worth remembering that in 1908 the Miner's Federation had voted to support the Labour Representation Committee which was the forerunner of the modern Labour Party. Bodies like the CHSC were aware of these developments and it may be that having long term contracts with the colliery owners was seen as some form of insurance against possible shortages of coal caused by strikes.]
Thomas Dent.

October 27th 1909
T Dent chair.
Some discussion took place with regard to the levels of Valley Road and the secretary was requested to ask the architect to attend at Barnoldswick and see that the agreement entered into between himself and the BUDC surveyor be carried out.
Thomas Dent.

November 3rd 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: A Jobling £21-19-9. E Bennis and Co 9/-. G E Tate £10. J A Nutter 8/7. A Horsfield £1-2-5. Brooks and Brooks £28-8-0. G H Baldwin £2-0-10. W Hough and Co £4-12-0. J W Clough £2-4-0. W S Petty £4. J Sagar and Sons 4/6. Oldham Boiler Works 13/6. E Brooksbank £18-14-0. Holgate and Marsden £408-7-0. W J Varley 2-13-0. Wages £110-10-4.
Reports on the boilers were read.
Res. That J Horsfall [Horsfield?] superintend the extension of the steam pipes at Edmondson's.
Res. That Mr Coulthurst be instructed to point the brickwork of the boilers. [Settings, not internal.]
Thomas Dent.

November 10th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Proctor Barrett be requested to repair the warehouse door in Bailey and Roberts' place and a barrow at Butts Mill. Coulthurst be instructed to fix down pipes [fall pipes?] in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse.
Thomas Dent.

November 17th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Mr Alfred Dewhurst intimating that the tenancy of Springs Dam will terminate on February 2nd 1910 and asking to be informed before November 30th if it is our intention to retake the same.
Res. That the letter be laid on the table.
Res. That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
With reference to the purchase of land at Calf Hall, Mr Lumb of Brown, Charlesworth and Wood attended with a draft agreement for the purchase from Messrs Bairstow and informed the board that Mr Vant, solicitor insisted on the company widening the Calf Hall Lane but would not grant similar undertakings on behalf of his client.
Res. That Mr Lumb be empowered to offer to the vendor that this company will widen the lane from the shed side of the plot to the most westerly side of the property erected upon the plot by either his client or ourselves.
Res That Mr Atkinson be empowered to offer 2/- per yard for land abutting on the plot mentioned in the previous resolution. [To widen the lane?]
The secretary reported a credit balance at the bank of £749.
Thomas Dent.

November 24th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That a way be made for oiling the shaft through the top of the passage in Horsfield's. That Henry Brown fix a plate on the broken rim of the flywheel at Butts engine and also grind in or replace valves to the steam pipe at CH Shed.
That someone be engaged to remove the refuse at CH Shed.
A conversation took place upon Gaskell Pilkington's tenancy at WH Mill.
Thomas Dent.

December 1st 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: National Insurance Co £7-8-10. Alfred H Dewhurst £5. J Lofthouse and Son £4-16-0. Briggs and Duxbury £2-2-0. P W Spencer £1-14-11. Brooks and Brooks £31. G A Baldwin £1-5-3. Thomas Hart £1-18-0. Muff and Randall £24-13-0. J A Nutter £1-0-6. J Sagar Sons and Co 4/6. H Brown and Sons £28-10-0. James W Clough £14-2-3. Proctor Barrett £109-11-0. Akins and Yeadon £2-2-2. H Marsden £354-7-0.
Res. That in future no work be given to any director of the company or any other person unless accounts be delivered by them on or before the first Wednesday of the month following. [Is this on account of P Barrett's large account?]
The tenants at CH requested the directors to curb [kerb] the footpath opposite the warehouse.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Brooks, Barrett and King form a committee to inspect and report before the next meeting.
The secretary read the amended terms of the agreement for the purchase of the plot of land from Messrs Bairstow.
Res. That the same be approved and that the secretary instruct Brown, Charlesworth and Wood to proceed with the agreement.
Res. That the economisers at CH be repaired.
With reference to the notice received from Mr Dewhurst, purchaser of the Springs Dam, to terminate the tenancy on Feb 2nd 1910 and requesting the company to inform him if they are willing to buy the same for the sum of £1200 or to remain as tenant at a rent of £45 per annum. The secretary reported that the lease of the dam was for a period of ten years terminating on February 2nd 1910. A further clause in the lease provides that if six months notice be given before the termination of the ten years it may be renewed for a further ten years at the same rent.
Thomas Dent.

December 8th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That a deputation including Mr John Horsfield investigate the condition of the tape room floor complained of by Mr James Moorhouse.
Res. That Holgate Marsden's account for coal be paid £354-7-0.
Res. That W H Atkinson be asked to proceed with negotiations for purchase of land from Lowcock's. [For widening the lane]
Thomas Dent

December 15th 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs BW and Sons [White?] of Colne offer of 52/6 per ton for scrap be accepted.
Thomas Dent.

December 22nd 1909
T Dent chair.
Res. That P Barrett fix a new window in the Laundry at WH if needed.
The remainder of time was taken up in an exhaustive consideration of the law relating to waterways so far as Calf Hall is concerned. [A consequence of the pressure being put on the Company by Alfred Dewhurst at Springs?]
Thomas Dent.

December 29th 1909
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: W J Varley 14/-. Brooks and Brooks £33-19-0. J W Brown £2-11-0. E Brooksbank £14-10-0. G H Baldwin £1-7-5. W P Brooks 10/8. P W Spencer £7-4-0. Proctor and Proctor £129-16-9. W H Hitchen 14/6. Interest on loans for last half year be paid.
Transfer of shares from William Lambert to Richard Webb sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the usual Christmas box be given to the coal carters.
Reports on the economisers at WH were read.
The secretary was requested to obtain prices for stocks and dies for Butts Mill. [Tools for cutting threads on pipes.]
A letter was read from the Exors of William Bailey requesting the company to forego the interest which had been charged on the overdue rent account seeing that trade was bad and they were endeavouring to pull the business together.
Res. That Mr Wood be empowered to see the tenants and arrange the matter with them.
Thomas Dent.

January 5th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the requirements of the engineers at CH and WH be attended to.
A letter was read from Mr Proctor Barrett intimating that as his business had developed into wholesale trade he would not in future be in a position to execute work for the company but would be glad to supply materials. [Could be good news for other contractors. Briggs and Duxbury?]
Res. That accounts be paid: Dividend Account £1215. Thomas Dent £30. George Proctor £60. R Watson £7-17-6.
Res. That the secretary be empowered to take such steps as he deems necessary with regard to the new valuation of the company's premises for rating purposes.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders on January 21st. Recommended dividend of 10% per annum.
Thomas Dent.

January 12th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs Horsfield, King and Holdsworth look at the stock of slates at the Wesleyan School and if they are satisfied they buy them.
That a rainwater eaves trough be fixed to the cottage at Butts.
That tenders for joiner's work time and overtime be invited for Wednesday January 26th.
That broken limestone be ordered for repairing roads.
Res. That the managing director visit Burnley tomorrow re Ouzledale.
Thomas Dent.

Half year shareholders meeting
January 21st 1910
[Printed balance sheet reports carried over £5391-7-1, disposable total of £7015-15-3. £1215 for dividend, £5800-15-3 carried over.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet adopted, dividend approved.
Thomas Dent.

January 26th 1910
Proctor Barrett chair.
Res. That Thomas Coulthurst be given 2/6 commission for purchasing slates.
That J R Broughton be engaged to do the company's joinery work at present on terms stated in his letter.
That during the cold weather the engineers be paid for extra time worked in keeping steam going through the sheds.
Res. That the managing director arrange with the auctioneers in possession of Ouzledale to do everything possible to dispose of the tenant's foundry stock. [Sounds as though Richard Jones has failed.]
Thomas Dent.

February 2nd 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That a door be fixed at Butts Mill boiler house.
That Coulthurst do the jobs requiring immediate attention.
That we board over the winding engine in J Windle and Sons. ['Engine' as winding frame?]
That the BUDC surveyor Mr Bennett be asked to give levels for a causeway at Calf Hall such as would satisfy the council to take over.
That the unlet portion of the Parrock be advertised to let.
That the engineer's requirements be got.
Thomas Dent.

February 9th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G&J Nuttall 14/9. John Lee £5-9-0. S A Hargreaves 16/-. H Hartley and Co 9/6. Alfred Horsfield £242-8-1 and £250-4-2. W Hough and Co 15/-. G H Baldwin £1-7-6. Brooks and Brooks £37-10-0. J Proctor Ltd 1/3. British Kremnos Co £8-15-0. Henderson Coal £344-12-0. Henry Brown and Sons £15-9-0. P&P wages £92-13-11. Colne Corporation 1-11-1.
The secretary reported with regard to the appeals against the new assessment by the Skipton Union [Poor Rate] that he had obtained considerable reductions and that they were awaiting the confirmation of the Assessments Committee.
Thomas Dent.

February 16th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That the conveyance of Little Meadow from Messrs Bairstow be accepted as satisfactory without requiring a Statutory Declaration as to the position.
Res. That the foundry at Ouzledale be let to William Henry Hey of Vivary Bridge, Colne on a monthly tenancy at the rate of £18 per annum and payment of the district rate.
Res. That the cottage at Ouzledale be put in repair and Messrs Dent, Holdsworth and Brooks be appointed to instruct Coulthurst in the matter, also that the cottage be advertised to let.
Res. That the new wheel for Butts be prepared without delay and that a carter from Barlick be engaged to fetch the same when necessary. [Almost certainly another broken bevel wheel and a pretty important one from the urgency.]
Res. That Messrs James Green and Sons of 181 Brunshaw Road Burnley be engaged to pave at WH. Messrs W Holdsworth and P Barrett to set out the work.
Res. That H Brown and Sons fix a Baldwin's steam valve to the boiler at CH and that Hogarth instruct Ellison's of Skipton to examine and repair wheels in the Twill Room at Butts Mill.
Thomas Dent.

February 23rd 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J H Vant [Little Meadow at CH] £454-15-0. Colne Corporation 18/-. A H Dewhurst £5. H Marsden £285-15-0.
A letter was read from the engineer at Wellhouse pointing out that the leakage from the dams was more than the present supply even though the weather was wet and the pumps were working full time.
Res. That the Ouzledale Saw Mill [foundry] be let to Mr Heys of Colne on a monthly tenancy at a rent of £18 per annum, the Poor Rate to be paid by the company.
Res. That the cottage at Ouzledale be let to Mr Atkinson at 4/9 per week.
The secretary gave a report from Burnley Ironworks Co upon the condition of the Butts Mill engine flywheel from which it appeared that one segment had two cracked teeth, that a second one had a crack through the body of it and that six of the arms of the wheel were cracked. They considered the condition of the first segment serious and ought to have immediate attention, that the second should be replaced at an early date but that the condition of the arms did not give rise to any serious consideration. The directors adjourned to the engine house and inspected the wheel in detail.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to order from the Burnley Ironworks Co three new segments and that one be prepared at the earliest possible date and fitted at Easter. The second to be fitted at the summer holidays and the third be kept in reserve for contingencies.
[Serious matters and confirmation of the inherent original faults in the gearing. The segment referred to are part of the jack wheel gear mounted on the side of the engine flywheel. This gearing has always been badly designed/fitted, hence to repeated efforts to chip the teeth to a better fit. I suspect that BI have quoted for what they think the CHSC will bear. The correct long term cure would be for a completely new jack wheel and second motion gear, in the long term this would be cheaper. Consider all the reports of vibration and broken wheels we have seen in the transmission at Butts. I suspect most of this trouble stems from vibration originating in this bad gearing on the engine being transmitted down the lineshaft.]
[No signature]

March 2nd 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr J J MacDonald be engaged to puddle round Ouzledale Dam and that Coulthurst stop the water getting into the foundry. [The last thing you need on a sand casting floor is water. When the molten metal hits it there is an explosion.]
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Res. That the cottage at Ouzledale be not papered.
Thomas Dent.

March 9th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: J R Broughton £12. W J Varley £3-14-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway £1-10-0. W H Hitchen £4-2-6. G H Baldwin £1-10-6. Brooks and Brooks £37-13-0. Diamond Lubricating Co £2-18-10. W Roberts and Son £1-5-0. Colledge Roy Co £7-10-4. W S Petty £1-2-9. W Hough and Co 5/5. Anti-Incrustation Co £11-18-9. J W Clough £7-10-6.
Transfer of 50 shares from Mrs Campbell to Mr A King registered. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the footpath [at] Ouzledale be repaired with cinders from the yard. [These 'cinders' were actually slag from the cupola furnace and can still be found in Longfield Lane.]
Res. That in future no overtime be paid to workmen except by the authority of Mr Brooks.
Res. That the Common Seal of the Company be affixed to a conveyance and memorial relating to a plot of land purchased from Mr W Bairstow in the presence of Thomas Dent, chairman, and countersigned by Proctor Barrett as vice-chairman and the secretary. The land contains about 6,700 square yards and the purchase price was £504-15-0 and is known as the Little Meadow and adjoins the present land of the company at Calf Hall.
Thomas Dent.

March 16th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That four new oil pumps be supplied and that the drain pipes from the boiler blow-off at WH be repaired.
That the requirements of the engineers be ordered.
That the tape room floor in Mr Moorhouse's warehouse be repaired.
The secretary reported on an interview he had with R G Pilkington whose rent was considerably in arrears. Mr Pilkington produced a statement showing capital of about £1000.
Res. That the company advance on three houses, which Mr Brooks valued at £630, £600 provided Mr Pilkington paid it into his banking account £500 now invested in the District Council and a further £800 to be provided by the family. [Pilkington is obviously under pressure and the actions of CHSC are self-explanatory. What intrigues me is that he has £500 invested with BUDC. This makes perfect sense of course, the council has to borrow to finance public works. This is the first hard evidence I have ever come across that they also accepted loans from ratepayers.]
Res. That the Parrock be advertised for sale. [Demand for building land in Barlick was high and must have inflated prices.]
Thomas Dent.

March 23rd 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That the fishing in Springs Dam be let to the Angling Club until February 2nd 1910 [Should be 1911?] for the sum of £2 payable on May 1st 1910.
Res. That the Little Meadow be advertised to let with a building clause.
Res. That the directors inspect the company's property to ascertain whether it is desirable to paint it and that the matter be considered again on April 18th.
Res. That only one segment be put into the flywheel [jack wheel] of the engine at Butts Mill this Easter holiday.
Thomas Dent.

March 30th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £268. E Taylor and Co £14-2-6. Brooks and Brooks £29-16-0. J S Prince 18/10. G H Baldwin £1-4-3. Lancs and Yorks Railway £1-10-0. Hanslip Brothers 3/-. Ellison and Co £5-15-0. H Brown and Sons £9-8-0. E Brooksbank £11-3-6. H Marsden £397-2-0.
The secretary reported that one of the tenants of Viaduct Shed had applied for further space suggesting that the spare land behind the shed would hold sufficient looms.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to as Mr Atkinson of Colne [architect] to prepare a plan of a one story shed to cover the land and give an estimate of the cost.
Res. That Mr Hogarth be provided with a set of chisels for wheel-chipping. [That gear again!]
Thomas Dent.

April 6th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the Little Meadow at Calf Hall be let to Mr Tom Holdsworth for £4 per annum the first half year rent to become due on August 20th 1910 and that he be allowed to take water from the caul into his yard. [There used to be a small dam at the back of CH Shed from which the water entered the culvert under the mill. At one time there was a bore-hole there as well for supplementary water but this was installed at a later date than 1910 I think.]
Thomas Dent.

April 13th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That cheques be drawn for wages £147-11-4 and repayment of loan £200.
The secretary reported that the bank account was £368 in credit.
Res. That the Parrock be let as a show ground at £4 for one week. [Another horse show?]
That the boiler insurance be transferred to the agency of Proctor and Proctor provided that they can obtain the same rates or less.
Res. That no grace be allowed for the change of tenancy at WH occasioned by the sale of R G Pilkington's plant.
That the requirements of the engineers be attended to.
The secretary reported that Mr Pilkington had instructed him to sell the plant and had given him written authority to retain all rent due to the company out of the proceeds and that offers had already been received for considerably more than the rent. [Demand is still strong for weaving space.]
Res. That the proposed extension to Viaduct Shed be proceeded with.
Res. That W H Atkinson, architect, of Colne be instructed to prepare specifications and quantities and submit the same for the approval of the Board. [Bear in mind that by this time the standard girder shed was so well understood that producing a specification was relatively easy.]
The secretary reported that Mr Edward Riley had agreed to take the new space at Viaduct in addition to the space he already has.
Thomas Dent.

April 20th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr Coulthurst be instructed to point the troughing and warehouse at Butts and WH.
That J R Broughton repair the hoist for the Craven Manufacturing Co.
That prices be obtained for fixing spikes on the shed wall at WH. [The wall abutting Wellhouse Road was quite low and it would be easy for kids to get onto the shed roof.]
Thomas Dent.

April 27th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That an additional pair of wheels be ordered from J Varley at Skipton for WH Mill.
That Messrs Ellison of Skipton overhaul the shafting at each place to ensure if the wheels are geared properly. [Adjusting the mesh of the gears.]
Thomas Dent.

May 4th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that R G Pilkington had sold his plant at WH Mill to Thomas Bracewell and others for the sum of £850 subject to the company advancing the sum of £500 on security of the looms and machinery.
Res. That we are not at present prepared to advance money to a new tenant.
Res. That Thomas Bracewell and others be accepted as tenants in the place of R G Pilkington subject to the provisions of the foregoing resolution.
Mr Lomas, from the office of W H Atkinson received instructions to include on specifications for alterations at Viaduct as follows:- The couplings for shafting in the shed to be flanged. The floorboards in the warehouse to be two thicknesses. [Not unusual practice. The lower boards were laid diagonally and the upper boards acted as a wearing surface.] The whole of the shed floor to be flagged. For lining shed walls Colne Brick picked and approved may be used.
Res. That Coulthurst repairs the water closets at CH Shed.
Thomas Dent.

May 17th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that R G Pilkington's plant had been sold and that he had received the rent of the premises up to May 31st.
Tenders were opened for the proposed extension of Viaduct Shed at Colne and after considering the same it was resolved that the following be accepted:
Excavating etc, W Townson, £1196-6-0. Carpenter's and joiners work, H Thompson, £260-7-9. Slaters work, W Stanworth and Sons, £143-0-3. Plasterer's work, Hartley Brothers, £50-10-10. Plumber's and glazier's work, J Prince, £96-18-0. Ironfounders and millwright's work, Burnley Ironworks Co £810. Fire escapes, G Mills and Co, £5. Patent glazing, Standard Patent Glazing Co, 6 3/8d per square foot. Steel Sashes, Baxendale, £21. Hoist, J Holt, £54-10-0. Ropes, W Kenyon and Sons [Dukinfield] £56. Fans, T Gregson, £42. Painter's work, Duckworth, £22-11-1½.
Thomas Dent.

May 11th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: Henry Ellis, income tax £30-17-10. Henry Banks, income tax £249-17-1. Proctor and Proctor boiler insurance £6-5-0.
Res. That H Brown and Sons connect with iron pipes the blow-off on No 2 boiler at WH with the drain.
That Henry Hey's offer of 50/- per ton for scrap iron and 25/- for old grate bars be accepted.
That Mr Atkinson be asked to send the plan of the Parrock to the directors.
That Mr Atkinson be urged to complete the purchase of the piece of land at Calf Hall from Mr Lowcock.
Thomas Dent.

May 25th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr Admiral King arrange to have hoist gates at Butts Mill made to satisfy the requirements of HMFI.
That Holden's winding room floor at Calf Hall be repaired.
That Messrs Barrett, Holdsworth and Horsfield examine the well at WH with a view to preventing leakage also to consider an arrangement for preventing oil getting into the boilers. Their report to be brought before the next meeting.
That Messrs Waterhouse and Co's shed roof be repaired.
That 18ft of 5” belting be ordered for Calf Hall.
That an offer of a loan from Mr John Hall be considered at the next meeting.
Thomas Dent.

June 1st 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £1-90. Brooks and Brooks £35-12-0. James Bulcock 5/-. R H Mather 13/10. W Brown £1-7-6. E Green and Son Ltd 10/6. James Gott and Sons £3-4-6. P W Spencer £1-15-7. J A Nutter 18/-. Joseph Phelps 4/-. James W Clough £5-13-0. Burnley Ironworks Co Ltd £75.
The secretary reported the bank account to be £376 in credit.
A considerable amount of discussion arose as the the Factory Inspector's complaint that oil was entering the boilers at WH Mill. It was eventually resolved that the water be analysed.
Res. That a loan be accepted from Mr John Hall.
Res. That the secretary write a strong letter to the engineer at CH re. The blowing off of steam on May 29th. [Oh dear, Mr Watson appears to be in trouble! Can't think what this can be about unless it's having steam too high and the noise. A boiler blowing off at high pressure sounds like a large jet taking off, at least one cat in Barlick used to leave home for two days when I blew Bancroft off.]
Res. That the transmission fee for share transfers in future be 1/- for each transaction.
Res. That Mr King be authorised to purchase a set of pipe tools [the stocks and dies referred to previously] from J W Brown for 25/-.
Res. That The secretary be asked to send a letter of condolence to Mrs Wilson of 'The Limes', Coates.
Thomas Dent.

June 8th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Holdsworth and Barrett inspect the various properties of the company and make the necessary repairs where damage has been caused by the storm.
That Half a dozen rubber rings and 50 yards of cotton [driving] rope for stokers be ordered for CH.
That the entrance to the Parrock be mended.
That W H Atkinson be written to urging him to complete the purchase of land from Lowcock at Calf Hall.
That the question of renewing the lease of Springs Dam be referred to the next meeting.
[No signature]

June 15th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That grate bars for CH be ordered from Mr W H Hey. [Ouzledale Foundry]
That the roof lights be repaired in Exors of William Bailey's and Drydale and Dewhurst's sheds.
That the well supplying water to the lodges at WH be examined and a report given to the next meeting.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
[No signature]

June 22nd 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for the boiler insurance premium for £3.
The secretary reported that the bank account was £700 in credit.
That requirements of the engineers be ordered.
That, when the Chairman and Mr Brooks decide, the well in the meadow [Eastwood Bottoms] be cleaned out under Mr Barrett's supervision.
A letter was read from Mr J W King offering to invest a few hundred pounds on loan.
Res. That no further loans be accepted until after the General Meeting.
Transfer of shares from Elizabeth Ibbotson be approved. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Brown, Charlesworth and Wood requesting the company's acceptance of Waterworth, Holdsworth and Co [struck out and Heyworth ? pencilled in] as tenants of the company from August 1st next in the place of John Wilson deceased.
Res. That they be accepted.
The secretary reported that he had instructed Mr W Atkinson of Colne to repair the chimney at Viaduct Shed at a cost of £7 and also that Mr Foulds had been engaged to remove the storage boiler [redundant boiler being used as a water tank?] at Viaduct for £7.
Mr Lomas from the office of W H Atkinson, architect, attended to explain that Mr Lowcock would not now accept 2/- per yard for the land at Calf Hall and that in all probability he would require £450.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be instructed to buy the land on the best terms he could. [I think this is land on the north side of the shed on the other side of what is now Calf Hall Lane and is intended to safeguard any future expansion. A Lowcock Esq is noted on the sale document of 1887 as owning it. With the purchase of Little Meadow CHSC has reached the limit of expansion to the west.]
Res. That the cooling plant at CH Shed be put in working order. [I think this is the pumping of water from the condenser pond behind the caul at the south side of the mill into a trough across the roof which carries it to the small dam on the north side of the shed so it is cooled by passage through the culvert beneath the shed.]
Res. That a spiked rail be fixed at WH and that a price be obtained from Brown and Sons. [Protecting shed roof?]
[No signature]

June 29th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That Walter Townson be paid £300 on his contract account at Viaduct Shed. [Extension]
That the chairman and Mr Holdsworth arrange for repairing or fixing a new kitchen range at Ouzledale Cottage.
That a stand on the Fair Ground be let to James Pickles for the sum of £1. [Is this the show on the Parrock?]
That J R Broughton's offer of £8 for ashes made at WH Mill and P Barrett's offer of £5 for Butts be accepted. It was decided that the offer for CH ashes was insufficient, be not accepted and that the ashes be sold at price per load.
That Thomas Coulthurst repair the wall in Wellhouse Road.
[No signature]

July 6th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that he had given notice to Alfred Dewhurst of our intention to take a further ten year's lease on Springs Dam from February 2nd 1911 at the old rent of £10 per annum.
The trading account and balance sheet up to June 30th 1910 was read and adopted subject to audit and it to be presented to the shareholders on July 21st.
Transfer of shares from Henry Wilson [Should be J Wilson deceased?] to Henry Wilson and Mrs M A Wilson be registered. Seal cert etc.
That Mr Coulthurst be instructed to repair the slates at WH Mill.
That goods required by the engineers be ordered.

July 13th 1910
T Dent chair.
Messrs Drydale and Dewhurst made a request to be connected by telephone or otherwise from their office to the engine house.
Res. That this matter be looked into and a report given to the next meeting.
Res. That the cleaning out of the well at WH be proceeded with and that P Barrett's offer to superintend and lend a chain pump be accepted with thanks. [The chain pump is a water pump that can deal with sludge and other solid matter.]
That S Harrison fix the oven at Ouzledale Cottage.
Res. That the advertisement 'Land in Parrock for sale' be withdrawn.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 22nd 1910. 7pm.
T Dent chair. [No printed balance sheet]
A request having been made by the Scottish Boiler Insurance's inspector that the boiler at CH Shed be stripped for examination it was resolved that George Proctor write them for particulars and the reasons thereof. [In modern terms this is a 'thorough examination' and has to be done every ten years. It includes complete strip down and inspection including a hydraulic pressure test to working pressure plus 50%. It's a big job and if repairs needed to be done could take longer that one week. I don't know when the 'Ten Year' test became mandatory but when it did companies installed a spare boiler which could be taken off-line in the non-heating season so that shutting the boiler down didn't impede the normal driving of the mill.]
Res. Balance sheet adopted. Dividend of 10% per annum plus a bonus of 6d per share approved. Retiring directors re-elected and George Proctor appointed director in place of L Holdsworth deceased. Old remuneration of £60 for secretary's salary be continued. R Watson and Son re-appointed as auditors.
A Motion was put by Mr Watson and seconded by Mr Sowerbutts that a fresh room be found for the general meeting. Put to vote and resolved that the same room at the Seven Stars be used.
[There follows a note: Cancelled. See Minute Book number 5. Signed by Edward Wood.]

[End of Minute Book 4. SCG.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY.

MINUTE BOOK 5

JULY 13TH 1910 to OCTOBER 21ST 1914

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries inside square brackets [] are additional notes and explanatory comments by SCG.]

General meeting
July 21st 1910
T Dent chair.
[No clue as to why this account replaces the one at the end of Minute Book 4. Printed balance sheet inserted reports: £5800-15-3 brought forward, total disposable profit £7431-7-6. Disposition: £1215 for 10% dividend, £607-10-0 for 6d per share bonus, £5608-11-6 carried forward.]
T Dent chair.
Balance sheet, dividend and bonus approved.
Three retiring directors re-elected. Two candidates for the vacancy created by the death of Leonard Holdsworth, George Proctor and Henry Banks. George Proctor elected.
Director's remuneration £60 approved and Richard Watson and Son re-confirmed as auditors.
Thomas Dent.

August 3rd 1910
Thomas Dent elected chair, Proctor Barrett vice-chair, W P Brooks managing director (at 6/- per week).
T Dent chair.
Res. That we advertise for a fireman to replace ? Brian at 28/- per week.
The secretary reported that Alfred Dewhurst the owner of Springs Dam had asked if CHSC were willing to give an increased rent under the new lease and give him a water right for a new house he proposed to build near the dam.
Res. Accounts be paid: J Stockdale £3-8-3. Brooks and Brooks £28-5-0. E Foulds £15. A P Cooper 14/4. J Sagar and Sons 9/-. J W Clough £19-15-0. J Phelps 3/6. J S Prince 4/10. E Brooksbank £25-15-0. P W Spencer £8-17-0. J Gott and Sons 13/6. W Hough £1-8-6. J Bulcock 16/10. J R Broughton £13-8-0.Kenyon [Dukinfield] £22-1-8.
Res. That loan of £100-7-0 by Mrs Thornton be repaid.
Loans accepted from: W Berry £50. H Wilson £95. J Bent £200. Seal cert etc.
Res. That engineer's requirements be attended to.
A latter was read from S Pickles and Sons, Calf Hall Shed, requesting that the boilers should be re-covered as the heat was unbearable in their tape room.
Res. That Mr Coulthurst be instructed to re-cover them.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the tenancy for the new extension at Viaduct Shed in favour of Mr Edward Riley.
Thomas Dent.

August 10th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That Dent, Barrett, Holdsworth and King form a deputation to meet Mr Atkinson at Viaduct Shed and decide on a better arrangement for the water closets.
That Walter Townson be paid £300 on architect's certificate.
That one barrel of wheel grease and one of composition be ordered for WH Mill.
That the directors receive a more detailed balance sheet.
Thomas Dent.

August 17th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 20 shares from S A Dent to Gladys King and 10 from S A Dent to J Edmondson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write to Alfred Dewhurst re Springs Dam stating that the board cannot reconsider the question of rent which was settled many years ago and that the question of a water right should be left over until the house has been rebuilt stating that in our opinion we had no legal right to grant the privilege. [We're looking at classic confrontation and negotiation here. I can't comment on the strength of the case as regards the rent but the last comment on water rights interests me because it sheds some light on riparian rights. Any water supply for the rebuilt house would have to be from a higher level. There is a drain carrying overflow water down from Dark Hill Well to Springs and this would be a logical source of water for the house. However, when Bracewell originally installed this pipe there was some dispute and to my knowledge there was never a clear title to the water. CHSC have improved this supply but there is still no clear evidence of title. This may be the reason why they say what they do about the water supply to the house, they are not confident that they have title.]
Res. That the tender of S Jackson for spiked railings at 2/- per yard be accepted providing he will carry out the work to the same specification supplied to Mr M E Brown. [Railings to protect roof at WH? Is M E Brown actually Henry Brown and Sons?]
That the shaft in the tape room at Butts Mill be put in working order.
A large number of applications for the post of fireman at WH were considered and it was resolved that Mr John Sneath, son of the present engineer be appointed to the position. [A handy way of the son learning about engine-tenting so he can follow in his father's footsteps. This was a very common route into a skill which had no recognised training or certification.]
Res. That Brown, Charlesworth and Wood be instructed to prepare Deeds for the purchase of the land at CH Shed from Mr Lowcock.
That as many directors as possible should visit the land at CH to decide which trees should be cut down.
Res. That Mr Stephen Parker be appointed to do all the blacksmith's work required at CH and Butts Mill.
Thomas Dent.

August 24th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That a barrel of wheel grease and one of Kremnos be ordered for Butts.
That a grate be sold to J S Riddiough for 6d.
That W J Varley fix an eaves trough and fall pipe at the side of Mr Strickland's house.
That tenders for timber at C H be considered at a subsequent meeting.
Thomas Dent.

August 31st 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £427-16-0. J Duckett and Son 7/-. Joseph A Nutter £66.
James Bulcock 14/-. Thomas Jackson £89-10-0. J R Broughton 6. G H Baldwin £1-4-9. Henry Brown and Sons £24. Brooks and Brooks £30-11-0. Colledge Roy and Co £7-8-0. P W Spencer £7-17-0. James W Cough 9/6. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-7-0. E Brooksbank and Son £11-19-0. Brooks and Brooks £1-16-0. A Horsfield £492-12-3. Union Oil Co £3-3-0. Proctor and Proctor £106-4-9.
Res. That Henry Brown be informed that no accounts will be paid in future unless rendered with full particulars, monthly.
Transfer of 100 shares from from Thomas Dent to Annie Dent and 100 from Thomas W Dent to Isabella Cartbell registered. Seal cert etc.
Loan accepted from Thomas Clapham at the usual rate of 4% less tax.
That a pair of [lifting] blocks be lent to Henry Wilson.
That Mr Alfred Dewhurst be granted the supply of water to the new house at Springs Dam provided that the expenses relating to the same be paid by him together with a yearly acknowledgement of 1/- and that he should give the company an indemnity against other riparian owners. [I think that this is permission to tap into the CHSC pipe. Note the indemnity.]
That the secretary be requested to draw the attention of BUDC to the flooded condition of WH Mill yard during heavy down-pours.
Thomas Dent.

September 7th 1910
T Dent chair.
Mr Coulthurst repair the coverings of the boilers at WH Mill and a platform of wood be erected to protect the same. [The asbestos covering of boilers was soft and wouldn't stand foot traffic. There are always occasions when the firebeater has to go on the boiler top and it was common practice to protect the insulation by wooden planks or walk ways.]
That two barrels of Brooksbank's cylinder oil be ordered for WH and 8lbs of round asbestos packing 3/8” thick be ordered for CH Shed. [This would be for packing the glands on the stems of large valves.]
An offer was made by Mr Dewhurst to sell Springs Dam and it was resolved that Mr Dewhurst be asked to state to Mr King what he wanted for it.
Res. That the refuse from the well at WH be removed.
Thomas Dent.

September 14th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: William Boothman and Sons £120. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1.
Transfer of 38 shares from Fred Eastwood to Alice Eastwood be registered. Seal cert etc.
That goods required by the engineer at WH Mill be ordered.
The secretary produced a plan and copy description of the dam at Ouzledale taken from the deeds of the property.
Res. That a shaft be fixed for the gas plant at Edmondson and Co. [Intriguing. Hardly likely to be gas production. Could they be using a gas engine instead of the steam donkey for tape driving when the main engine was stopped?]
Thomas Dent.

September 21st 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons make a new trip motion for the engine at WH Mill. [Note that H Brown gets this job when it would have been expected to be done by Burnley Ironworks who made the engine. This work was right up John Pickles' street!]
Res. That the fire apparatus be put in order in case of fire. [Fire hoses and buckets inside the mill.]
Res. That the shafting, gas pendants and steam pipes be thoroughly swept before lighting up time. [Related to the previous resolution. Lighting up time refers to the coming of darker mornings and evenings when the gas lighting would be used. The fine cotton 'dawn' that accumulated on any unswept surface was not just flammable put potentially explosive. Informants have told me that it wasn't unusual for there to be a flash-over in the ceiling of the shed when the gas was lit. Like an instantaneous flicker of flame. If the dawn had built up enough this could start a fire.]
Thomas Dent.

September 28th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Maria Woffenden £303-0-8 [repayment of loan]. W J Varley £2-16-0. Insurance cos £114-7-6. W P Brooks £18-4-11. W Proctor £61-3-6. W Hough and Co 5/-. Norwich Union £35-5-3. J Gott and Sons £2-5-0. Alliance Insurance Co £14-3-6. E Brooksbank and Co £29-11-4. W Heywood and Co £80. J W Clough 19/-. Proctor Barrett £10-2-9. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. R Jagger 8/2. Holgate Marsden £372-9-4. S Pickles and Sons 14/9.
Transfer of shares from Mrs E Windle to James Windle, M E Kelly, E M Bracewell and Minnie Windle sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That gas pipes be fixed for James Moorhouse at WH Mill and that he be allowed one month's grace for the extra looms put in the shed after the warps have been put in the looms.
Res. That the letting of the gas and steam pipes at Viaduct extension be left with the architect and Mr Wood.
Thomas Dent.

October 5th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That as many directors as possible meet at WH Mill on Friday morning to examine the crank pin of the engine which has been getting hot also to arrange for dealing with the moss and shells from the cistern to prevent them getting in the tippler pipes. [Probably snail shells.]
Res. That a recommendation be made to BUDC to fix a large grate to take the water from the road on each side of the entrance to WH Mill yard.
Res. That the Standard oil required at CH and WH be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

October 12th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: William Atkinson £7. J R Atkinson £2-1-6. Edmund Taylor £14-2-6. P W Spencer £2-16-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-5-6. G H Baldwin £1. T Remington Cobley and Co £1-6-3. Brooks and Brooks £24-12-4. T Rycroft 5/-. John S Prince £15-10-0. Corporation of Colne 4/11.
Transfer of 200 shares from William Perry to Frank Perry registered. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Mr Bamber re the oil in the dams at WH Mill.
Res. That it be postponed till a later date.
Thomas Dent.

October 19th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid as per Mr Atkinson's certificates. Stanworth £130 and Hartley Brothers £35.
Res. That A Hogarth be paid 30/6 for cleaning out the well. [Butts]
Res. That in future the sanction of the board must be given before the well is cleaned out.
That J R Broughton repair the shed roofs of Edmondson and Co and Bailey&Roberts.
That 2 barrels of cylinder oil and 2 of engine oil be ordered off Brooksbank's for Butts Mill.
Res. That W H Atkinson be requested to meet the directors with the plans and estimates prepared for the CH Shed extension.
Thomas Dent.

October 26th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £64-3-10. W H Atkinson £50.
Res. That the following matters be attended to:
Boiler front plates for Butts Mill.
Steam trap removed at WH Mill.
100 new grate bars for WH Mill.
Engine and warehouse ropes [to be] repaired at CH Shed.
The secretary reported that the architect's charges for Viaduct Shed were £80 and for Calf Hall proposed extension £140.
The secretary reported with regard to the proposed extension for 400 looms at CH Shed that the Burnley Ironworks Co had not yet prepared their report on the alterations that would be needed to the engine and shafting to enable the extra load to be turned. [Remember that the original Roberts engine is essentially as installed and already overloaded.]
Thomas Dent.

November 2nd 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Stephen Parker [blacksmith] £1-6-0. Proctor and Proctor £7-8-10. J S Prince £70. J W Clough £3-2-6. British Kremnos Co £9-4-9. T M Duché and Sons £22-14-2. E Brooksbank and Co £2-18-0. Brooks and Brooks £25-18-0. Henry Brown £4-9-0. G H Baldwin £1-0-8. P W Spencer £1-16-0. E Green and Son £3. S Jackson £5-12-0. Diamond Lubricating Co £5-9-3. W Boothman and Sons £130. J A Nutter 6/-. Joseph G Tate £10. Alfred Horfield 18/8. A Jobling £21-19-9. Colledge Roy and Co £7-8-8.
Res. That Varley be instructed to repair the windows in the winding room of Massrs Holden's warehouse.
Reports on the economisers at CH and WH were read from which it appeared that they were in good working order.
Mr Metcalfe [Manager] attended from Burnley Ironworks Co and Mr Lomas from the office of W H Atkinson with regard to the proposed extension at CH Shed. Mr Metcalfe explained that a new HP cylinder would be needed, 33 sets of wheels, alterations to the lineshafting etc. and that the whole of the works would cost £1100 of which the cylinder was £320, new wheels in the old shed £220 and wedge pedestals £140.
The alterations proposed by Mr Metcalfe were to increase the speed of the engine from 59 to 80rpm to enable the additional 400 looms to be turned by increasing the horse power from 553 to 700 and reducing the overload, at present 22%, to 17%. [Note that this is approaching double the design load and nothing is being done to strengthen other parts of the engine. A hostage to fortune?]
Mr Lomas [presented] the draft plans of the extension showing that it would contain 414 looms and that the shed level will probably be 6ft above the present shed levels. He was requested to get out the probable cost and submit this to to the next meeting of the directors.
A letter was read from Mr Dent, surveyor to Mr Lowcock with reference to the last purchase of land at Calf Hall from which at appeared that the question of apportionment of the cost of drains was not yet settled.
Thomas Dent.

November 9th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That an investigation be made of the lease of Springs Dam to ascertain who is responsible for repairs to the fences.
That Messrs Heap and Thornton be instructed to repair the roof of the shed at Edmondson and Co at CH Shed and the warehouse roof of J Windle and Sons. [Coulthurst off the scene or too big a job?]
Thomas Dent.

November 16th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for wages £119-18-1.
Mr Atkinson of Colne attended with the plans of the proposed extension at CH and an estimate of the cost which he thought would not exceed £5317 being £12-17-6 per loom. He was also of the opinion that the enlargement of the engine and the alterations to the main shafting would not exceed 32/6 per loom making a total cost of £14-10-0 per loom. Mr Atkinson recommended the board to move forward the whole of the shafting and introduce a larger size near the engine and increase the speed [of the engine] by increasing the size of the second motion pulley from 9ft 6” to about 12ft 8”. As the estimated cost of the engine and shafting alterations were not before the meeting it was decided to defer the whole question until the following week. [Not very clearly put. To make it quite clear they are increasing the speed of the engine to get more power. The lineshaft speed has to be kept the same as before so a larger second motion pulley is needed.
The secretary reported that B & EM Holden had made application for the extension and they would give an undertaking not to build a shed of their own [A new mill], in such terms as the directors might decide. [Remember that new sheds were springing up like mushrooms in Barlick at the time. The capital built up under the room and power system was looking for an outlet and in the trading conditions of the early 20th century building a new shed was a sound business proposition. This applied equally to an extension of an existing shed.]
Thomas Dent.

November 23rd 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That one barrel of boiler composition be ordered for WH.
That the engineers be instructed to maintain a satisfactory temperature in places occupied by workpeople and to book all time worked before 5am.
That the Craven Manufacturing Co's twisting room be made draught proof.
Mr Atkinson attended with the plans for the extension at CH Shed.
Res. That as soon as the land was secured the extension be proceeded with.
Thomas Dent.

November 30th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be asked to include in the quantities for the extension the cost of walling up the present windows in the gable end of Edmondson's warehouse and the insertion of wooden ventilators in the pitches of the roofs of the new warehouse.
A letter was read form Messrs Brown, Charlesworth and Wood stating that the apportioned cost of the drains relating to the land recently purchased had been agreed as £10 instead of £12.
The secretary reported that the Scottish Boiler Insurance Co had agreed to allow an increase in the pressures of the boilers at CH Shed from 100psi to 105psi. [An improvement but a cheap way of getting it. What is really needed is new boilers for 160psi and cylinders capable of accepting this pressure.]
After some discussion the question of tenants for the extension was deferred until Wednesday next.
Thomas Dent.

December 7th 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of a plot of freehold land containing 3400 square yards called Hippen Croft and abutting on the company's land at Calf Hall. The price being £450 and £10 for share of drain. In the presence of T Dent, Proctor Barrett and the secretary. Seal to be affixed also to the copy of the conveyance and the memorial. [For archiving at Wakefield.]
Res. Accounts be paid: Colne Corporation 18/-. W J Varley £3-12-0.
Res. That ten trees in the land above mentioned be sold to J Crook and Sons [Wheelwrights of Hey Farm] they being the highest bidders, £9-16-0.
Application for space provided by the extension at CH Shed for about 400 looms were received:
J G Edmondson 200 looms one month grace.
D Slater 200 looms usual terms.
Anthony Carr 400 looms 3 months on new only.
B & EM Holden 400 looms 14 days grace each loom.
T Nutter 200 looms 3 months grace.
Elsworth and Parker 200 looms 6 weeks grace.
Bailey and Roberts 400 looms no grace.
A and J Horsfield 400 looms Colne terms.
Smith Horsfield 200 looms Colne terms.
After the applications had been opened it was resolved that the space be let in one lot of 400 looms and that a vote by ballot be taken and that the two highest be re-balloted.
The voting was:
A Carr, nil. B & EM Holden 3. Bailey and Roberts 3. A and J Horsfield 5.
As there were not two to be thrown out it was resolved that the three remaining votes should be re-balloted. The result was as before. It was resolved that their be a third ballot. Result as before.
Res. That the space be let to A and J Horsfield on the same terms as the present tenants, full rent to commence three months from the gaiting of the first loom, the rent in the meantime being on the number of gaited looms each Monday morning.
Res. That a banjo lubricator be obtained for WH Mill. [The banjo lubricator was an ingenious method of lubricating crank pins continuously even when the engine was in motion. Is this a replacement or a trial installation? Bit of a puzzle because I have evidence from Newton Pickles that the original ratchet-operated grease lubricator failed while he was running the engine many years later.]
Res. That the next meeting of directors be in a fortnight.
The secretary reported that the bank account was £648 Dr. [Overdrawn?]
Thomas Dent.

December 21st 1910
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Wages £78-1-2. James South £50. J S Prince £25. Norwich Union 14/6.
Transfer of 25 shares from Exors of Mrs Roberts to Mr T S Willan registered. Seal cert etc.
The report on the external condition of the boiler at Butts was satisfactory.
Tenders were opened for the proposed extension at CH Shed and it was resolved that the following be accepted subject to each contractor agreeing to complete the work by July 1st 1911 and that the work be commenced at once:
Lowest tender WHA estimate
Contractor, Dent and Sons 1594 2018
Joiner, Feather 320 442
Ironfounder, Burnley Ironworks 582 768
Slater, P Smith 248-9-9 255
Plumber, C B Merrill 202-2-6 195
Plasterer, William Smith 100 120
Total 3046-14-3 3798
[Worth noting that the absence of well known Barlick contractors might be a reflection of the building boom in the town at the time.]
The secretary reported that the bank account was £895 overdrawn.
Res. That the broken windows in Moorhouse's warehouse are boarded up. [Vandalism springs to mind?]
Mr King proposed and Mr W Holdsworth seconded that the portion of the business relating to the letting of the proposed extension at Calf Hall Shed which was duly reported in the minutes be rescinded. The chairman put the motion to the meeting for and against when there were three for the motion and nine against. The chairman then declared that the minute stand as passed. [Lobbying by Holden's?]
Thomas Dent.

December 28th 1910
T Dent chair.
Res. That the engineer at CH be instructed to attend to the packing of joints in the steam pipe in S Pickles and Sons' shed.
Res. That Feather's amended tender of £349-4-0 instead of £320 for joiner's work at CH extension be accepted.
That Albert Edmondson's application for an allotment on land at CH be accepted at ½d per square yard subject to the usual one month's notice to quit.
That J W Brown be allowed to take down the wall for the purpose of removing his hen houses.
That Mr Wood and Mr Dewhurst peruse the Springs Dam agreement to see if the company is responsible for keeping the fencing in repair.
That Mr S Bracewell be engaged to repair the wall and road at CH.
That Messrs Crook be requested to receive the timber at Calf Hall as soon as possible.
Thomas Dent.

January 4th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: R Watson and Son £3-18-9. Thomas Dent £30. G Proctor £60. G H Baldwin £1-11-7. W Boothman and Sons £75.
Res. That accounts and balance sheet be adopted subject to audit and that a dividend of 10% be recommended.
The secretary produced the deeds of Springs Dam from which it appeared that the fencing on the south side of the property was repairable by the Lessor. [CHSC]
The meeting was informed that H Edmondson had offered £3 per annum for the half acre of land left at CH after taking off the land required for the extension.
A letter was read from BUDC which requested the directors to complete the erection of fire escapes at WH Mill. The secretary was requested to say that the matter would have attention.
The Craven Manufacturing Co wrote asking for the stable at Butts Mill. The secretary was instructed to say that they would have first refusal on any vacancy occurring.
The secretary reported that the Altham Colliery Co was prepared to continue the supply of coal to the company for the Barnoldswick sheds for a further twelve months at the present price with the understanding that should the Exors [price] of Arley Slack be increased in price the Altham coal should be increased 5d per ton as a maximum.
Res. That the contract for the year be renewed on these terms.
It was reported that Mr Moorhouse had filled the empty space in his shed by gaiting up 14 new looms the rent of which would start on January 1st 1911.
Thomas Dent.

January 11th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That John Slading's account be paid.
That T Dent and Sons be allowed to run their mortar pan from the shaft at Calf Hall, charge to be arranged.
That tenders be invited for railing off the land at CH.
That a set of quantities and tracings of the extension be held in the office at Butts Mill.
That J R Broughton fix the wire netting over the doorway to Bailey and Robert's hoist and do repairs at the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse.
That Mr Atkinson be asked to invite tenders for the shafting and to push on with the shafting and engine cylinders. [Alterations to CH engine.]
Thomas Dent.

General shareholder's meeting
January 20th 1911
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports £5608-11-6 brought forward, £7241-0-1 total. Apportioned as £1215 for dividend, £6026-0-1 carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res that the balance sheet and report for the year ending December 31st last as read be adopted. Dividend of 10% per annum approved.
[No signature]

January 20th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Tenders were opened for hoists etc.
Res. That the following be accepted:
Baldwin and Heap, hoists, £58-10-0.
W H Heywood and Co, patent glazing, 7 1/3d per foot, less 5%, 10 years guarantee.
H J and A Coulthurst, millwrights, £648.
Hope of Birmingham, steel casements, £12-19-0.
Burnley Ironworks Co:
New HP and LP cylinders, alterations to LP cylinder and new pedestals. £599.
New second motion shafting and new pedestals complete £364.
Provided they agree to work double shifts if necessary the work to be completed within ten days with a bonus of £10 per day for each day lees than ten and a penalty of £10 a day for any excess.
[See Shackleton; 'Textile Mills of Pendle' for more details of the work. A new Whitehead governor and larger second motion pulley are mentioned. Funnily enough no new LP cylinder. There is an ambiguity in the minutes in that it mentions 'alterations' to the LP cylinder. I suspect that there was no new LP cylinder but modification of the original.]
Thomas Dent.

January 25th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That no new windows be put in S Pickles and Sons' stable at Butts Mill.
That Proctor Barrett's tender for fixing complete iron rails at CH for 5/10½ per yard be accepted.
That Messrs H Brown and Sons fox the new lubricator on the engine crank shaft at WH. [The banjo lubricator on the crank pin?]
That 2/6 be paid to P Barrett for clearing rubbish from the well at WH.
That Mr Atkinson be instructed to divert the large drain at CH into the lodge outside the new shed. [This drain could be the water from the lost St Mary's Well]
Thomas Dent.

February 8th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Dividend £1215.
Res. That the following cheques be drawn in payment of the final certificates issued by the architect for the Viaduct Shed extension: Walter Townson £83-13-8. W Boothman and Son £36-7-3. Hartley Brothers £20-3-5. W Stanworth and Son £13-0-3. J Duckworth 324-10-5. James South £20-8-11. W H Heywood and Co £51-17-4. Thomas Gregson £42. William Kenyon and Sons £56. James Holt £9-12-0. George Mills and Co £5.
A letter was read from A&J Horsfield asking that side windows be put in the warehouse to be erected at Calf Hall. Laid on the table for further consideration.
The secretary presented notices from BUDC re. the street paving apportionments which, in the aggregate, amount to £180-1-11 [Adoption of Calf Hall Road?].
Res. That W H Atkinson be asked to examine the same and report.
Res. Loans be accepted from Mr Albert Hogarth and Mr and Mrs Edmondson.
That the cistern at CH be cleaned out. ['Cistern' is a portmanteau word but can generally be taken to refer to the cast iron boiler feed water tank on the roof.]
The secretary reported the bank balance £336 in credit.
Thomas Dent.

February 15th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That P Barrett be asked to inspect the entrance to the Craven Manufacturing Co's shed and order what shall be done to prevent draughts.
That Holgate Marsden's attention be drawn to the erratic way in which coals are being delivered at WH Mill.
That the requirements of the engineers be ordered.
That Mr Atkinson be interviewed by the directors on his next visit to CH extension to consider the tape room windows, painting, water pipes, sewer, top of shed, warehouse walls, fire escapes, paving and also the Viaduct Shed sewer.
That Norman M Barrett be instructed to survey the vacant land at WH Mill.
Thomas Dent.

February 22nd 1911
T Dent chair.
The reports from the boiler inspector were read and it was resolved that the steam gauges complained of be correctly set. [Calibration of the pressure gauges.]
That the land at WH be advertised for sale for the building of dwelling houses. [The remains of Mean Laithe Flatt?]
That Norman M Barrett be requested to make plans showing the suggested arrangements of streets and property.
Thomas Dent.

March 1st 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £362-13-6. J W Clough £1-1-0. Brown Charlesworth and Wood £25-15-2. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-1-0. Diamond Lubricating Co £5-12-0 and £8-18-0. G H Baldwin £1-13-8. Brooks and Brooks £50.
The secretary reported that Mr Atkinson had attended in the afternoon and had stated that the paving apportionments made by the BUDC were quite in order.
A letter was read from Messrs Horsfield with regard to the erection of conveniences outside their warehouse. The secretary explained that the matter had been put before the architect when he pointed out that no savings would be effected by adopting the suggestion of Messrs Horsfield.
A plan was put before the meeting showing the proposed extension to the width of two bays of the warehouse to provide for the extra width of the tape sizing machine proposed to be put in by the new tenant at CH. The plan had been prepared by the architect and he explained that the cost would be about £40.
Res. That the alteration be carried out provided that Messrs Horsfield are prepared to pay £2-10-0 per annum in the nature of interest.
Thomas Dent.

March 8th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That the tape room floor in Anthony Carr's portion be repaired also that certain places be made rain proof.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That John Varley of Skipton be asked to examine the pair of steel wheels and also the expansion coupling in the Twill Room of the Craven Manufacturing Company and report to the next meeting.
That the tenders for railing at CH be produced at the next meeting.
[No signature]

March 15th 1911
T Dent chair.
The secretary reported that £3 had been paid for export taping for the half year ending December 31st last. As the board were off the opinion that this did not cover the whole of the outside taping it was resolved that the secretary be instructed to write to each tenant having a tape giving them the option of adopting one of the following three suggestions:
1. The present rent to apply without any export taping.
2. The present rent with the addition of 5/- for each set taped for outsiders.
3. A rent of £114-10-0 if the tape be used indiscriminately for either the tenant's looms or outsiders during ordinary mill hours.
The secretary reported on the adjustment of the oil account at Butts Mill.
Loan of £60 accepted from Albert Hogarth. Seal cert etc.
A report was read from John Varley of Skipton with ref to the heavy pair of steel wheels at Butts Mill. [Steel as opposed to cast iron suggests that these are machine cut gears, a higher standard.]
Res. That the secretary ask him for an estimate for the work suggested.
Mr Brooks reported that the Angling Club was prepared to take a lease of Springs Dam for fishing for £2 per annum.
Res. That the Association be granted a lease at the rent suggested but that the conditions be that the company shall not be liable for compensation or any other claim for damages or otherwise.
Thomas Dent.

March 22nd 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That a pair of steel wheels be ordered for Butts Mill from W J Varley at Skipton. [Notice that these are steel and not cast iron. I suspect we are looking at a pair of spur wheels which are being used to change the level of the lineshaft in the mill.]
Res. That we let to Robinson Cryer a room at WH Mill for reed and heald-making at 3/6 per week and that the necessary alterations be made. [A specialised trade, thousands of healds and reeds were needed in the sheds.]
That Thomas Coulthurst repair the roof on Anthony Carr's portion.
That J R Broughton be instructed to repair A Carr's hoist.
Thomas Dent.

March 29th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: N Barrett [surveyor] £2-12-0. Diamond Lubricating £2. E Taylor £14-2-6. S Parker 16/6. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. J A Broughton £3-6-0. Brooks and Brooks £46-6-0. J Phelps £7-4-0. Burnley Ironworks £855-9-7 [This looks like the bill for the modifications to the Calf Hall Engine but not the shafting, see July 11th accounts paid.]. C Cook £19-10-0.
The secretary reported that several of the tenants had agreed to the suggested basis for tapes. [Export taping]
A Letter was read from A Dewhurst asking for the privilege of taking water from the company for houses at Springs Dam at the rate of 1/- per year for each house instead of 1/- per year for the present house.
A Letter was read from the Craven Manufacturing Company complaining about draughts in their shed and asking the company to erect sliding doors.
Res. That the step be levelled to alleviate the difficulty.
Mr Brooks reported that the Angling Society had accepted the terms offered [Fishing rights at Springs Dam.] and had paid £2 in advance, being from February 2nd 1911 to February 2nd 1912.
Thomas Dent.

April 5th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr Smith be allowed to get certain materials for his contract at CH Shed provided he applies to the directors and agrees as required. [Not sure of the specifics but if during excavation of the site clean sand or stone was discovered it made sense to use the resource instead of paying to cart it off the site.]
That the steam pipe and floor in Moorhouse's warehouse be repaired.
That the Water Closets at Slater Brothers be cleaned out and new cans got. [Still old-fashioned pail toilets.]
That one drum of boiler composition be ordered for WH.
That Mr Atkinson's attention be drawn to the slack way in which the extension at CH is going on.
Thomas Dent.

April 12th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for the Burnley Building Soc £62-16-3.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £2235 in debit.
It was reported that certain repairs were needed to the engine at Viaduct Shed and the probable cost was £30.
Res. That the work be put in hand.
A Letter was received from Messrs Horsfield asking permission to erect an office at CH.
Res. That the permission be granted on condition that the building be removed when required.
Res. That WH Mill be painted and that tenders be obtained for labour and materials.
Res. That if all the tenants at Butts Mill decide to stop on Saturday except Anthony Carr, the engine be not run.
Thomas Dent.

April 19th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That we accept J Bailey's tender for painting WH Mill.
Guaranteed pure white lead 26/-. Linseed oil putty 12/-. Raw Linseed oil 4/6 per gallon. The rate of labour to be 7¾d per hour. The workpeople to sign on and off with the engineer. All material must be delivered to the mill. [Day work and interesting that they are mixing their own paint. For a very good description of the pitfalls of the decorating trade see Robert Tressell's 'The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists']
Res. That we fix a window in Messrs Horsfield Brother's stable.
Res. That we allow the National Telephone Co to fix a pole at WH Mill on condition that they remove the same when called upon to do so.
That the engineer's requirements be supplied.
Thomas Dent.

April 26th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J R Atkinson £47-19-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-5-0. W J Varley 15/-. P W Spencer 2-12-9. J W Clough £28-5-0. Henry Brown and Sons £5-4-3. J A Nutter £3-5-9. Proctor and Proctor £7-5-0. J Dent and Son £300. H Hope and Sons Ltd £21-19-0. E Brooksbank and Co £21-16-0. J Thompson and Co £4-12-0. James Mudd £1-19-0. G H Baldwin £1-13-6. Brooks and Brooks £47-5-6. Burnley Ironworks Co £4-18-0. Proctor and Proctor £92-15-7. W H Ellis £1-6-6.
The secretary reported to the meeting that the bank balance was £1833 debit.
The reports upon the economisers at CH and WH were read.
The tenant at Ouzledale intimated that he had arranged to sell his business. [William Hey]
Res. That the [new] tenant be accepted provided that the rent is paid to date.
Thomas Dent.

May 3rd 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That J R Broughton repair the floors in Wilson's shed and tape room.
Res. That Messrs Slater and Barrett form a deputation to wait upon Mr Thompson the Gas manager to arrange for a supply of gas to Ouzledale. It was decided we write to the Gas Committee [BUDC] direct.
Res. That Mr Wood write to the committee stating that gas will be required for illuminating the foundry and cottage in addition to that required for power. [Funny, I thought we had already noted a gas engine at the foundry put in by Richard Jones in 1907. However at that time the water wheel was reported to be in use for blowing the cupola furnace. An old picture shows that the furnace was outside the building, against the wall, the moulding floor was obviously inside and the top storey probably a pattern shop.]
Res. That W J Varley deliver the wheels to Butts as soon as possible. [As a former mill engineer I can hear the defective gear in the shafting howling out its protest day in and day out. Not a pleasant sound and always the danger of catastrophic failure. It was amazing how much noise a badly meshed gear could make. There was one in the long lineshaft up the new sheds at Victoria Mill in Earby which was not a true right angled bevel but re-aligned the shaft slightly. This was always a noisy gear and could be heard all over the centre of Earby while the mill was running. I can remember hearing it in the 1950s and wondering how the workers put up with it.]
Res. That the engineers requirements be ordered.
Thomas Dent.

May 10th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The question of the supply of gas to the gas engine proposed to be erected at Ouzledale by the new tenant [I think the new tenant was a man called Watts] was discussed and a letter from BUDC offering to take the supply to the road leading into the foundry was read.
Res. That the company offer to fix the gas pipe from the road to the workshop providing the tenant will pay an annual sum of say 15/- to cover interest and depreciation on the cost.
The delay in the completion of the extension at CH Shed was discussed and the secretary was requested to ask the architect to attend on site when several points waiting settlement could be discussed.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1565 in debit. He also gave particulars of increasing the mortgage when it was thought advisable not to increase the amount. [Of the overdraft? Lower interest rate?]
Thomas Dent.

May 17th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That the advertisement offering land for sale in Valley Road be withdrawn.
Res. That Mr Thompson, the gas and water manager, be requested to put plates on the wall at CH Shed showing where the hydrants are.
Res. That Mr Watts pays 15/- extra per annum for the rent of Ouzledale Foundry for having gas taken to the works, the extra charge to be reduced if the water wheel is sold. [The wheel is evidently still being used for power.]
Res. That provision be made for getting water to Edmondson Brothers' water closets.
That the cistern at WH Mill be cleaned out.
That the windows taken out at CH be not sold.
Thomas Dent.

May 24th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That wages be paid to Proctor and Proctor £69-7-4.
A tender was read from Burnley Ironworks Co for lubricating boxes and a sight feed lubricator for the new engine at CH delivered and fixed for £24-18-6. [Always surprising how lubrication is an afterthought! I often suspect that the engine makers weren't too bothered by the prospect of accelerated wear, more work for them!]
Res. That the tender be accepted.
Res. That the architect be requested to put in hand at once the erection of a caul and clow on the stream at CH and that he be instructed to arrange for solid lubrication on the new extension. [Shafting bearings. I think this caul and clow is a new pond in the course of the beck before it plunged under the new extension into the culvert under the mill.]
Res. That the secretary be requested to ask BUDC for better attention to the emptying of pails [pail toilets] at WH Mill.
[No signature]

May 31st 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That a deputation wait on Mr Watts at Ouzledale Foundry with power to sell him the water shed [wheel?] at a reasonable price.
The same deputation to inspect the ventilation in J Windle's shed and make the necessary alterations.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be asked to make better ventilation in the CH extension by making windows to open on the shed roof and the warehouse roof and also to make a doorway on the est side of the shed.
William Clark gave verbal notice that he will soon require the repayment of his loan of £200.
[No signature]

June 7th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That a minute examination be made of the flywheel shaft pedestal at WH [engine] and a report be brought to the next meeting.
That a temporary lodge be made by fixing planks in the front of the viaduct [culvert?] at Calf Hall. [In the days before the extension of 1911 was demolished there was a small lodge at the back of the shed. I always wondered why this was there but am now of the view that it was part of the measures to cool the water at CH as much as possible before it was let down to Butts, it gave more capacity and water was pumped back from the lower caul at the front of the shed via a trough on the shed roof into this lodge to take advantage of the cooler conditions in the culvert under the shed. The extension is being built in summer when cooling is needed but the original lodge will have been done away with and become part of the culvert. It looks to me as though they are creating a temporary lodge above the building site of the extension by putting planks across the beck which will later become the lodge I remember. Incidentally this later lodge was the one that had a bore-hole next to it.]
Res. That we pass the plan of the clow at CH and that Mr Atkinson ask Messrs Dent and Sons to give an estimate of the cost, also ballasting [stoning] the road. [I think this is the new lodge I referred to above.]
That the walls fencing off Pickles' Hippings be repaired. [Hippings was the old name for stepping stones, long since replaced by a stone bridge. The more common local name for the whole of the path from Esp Lane to Calf Hall Lane was Shitten Ginnel.]
That the waterwheel be sold to Mr Watt of Ouzledale for £5. [Watt, the new tenant is going to rely on the gas engine for power and has bought the waterwheel for the scrap iron. It would almost certainly be a CI shaft with bosses for wooden spokes and a CI shroud ring and gear. Watt is the only ironfounder in Barlick and he makes a go of the foundry. In a year he is in partnership with Henry Brown and Sons trading as 'The Dales Ironworks'.]
That a plan of the Ouzledale Estate be produced at a subsequent meeting.
[No signature]

June 14th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Vulcan Boiler Insurance £3. W Hough and Co 5/-. Colne Corporation 18/-. J Lee £3-10-0. Brooks and Brooks £39-19-0. Colledge Roy and Co £7-17-6. J R Broughton £12-1-6. Heap and Thornton 14/-. G H Baldwin £1-9-0.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1555 debit.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to inspect and report on the fractured engine [flywheel bearing] pedestal at WH Mill. [This is a very unusual fault and one I have never encountered before. The engines are working under full load and my guess is that the fracture is due to a flaw of long standing in the casting that has propagated over the years aggravated by the increasing load. Could be an internal blow-hole formed during casting and invisible.]
Res. That six patent opening lights be obtained for the CH extension @ 30/- each.
Res. That Messrs Edmondson and Co be allowed to install a runway for beams and that the secretary should give them a letter confirming that the runway shall remain their property.
Res. That a countershaft and drum be ordered from Mr Brown for the Craven Manufacturing Co's fan. [Newton Pickles told me once that Henry Brown and Sons' first extension of their skills in the mills was in shafting, particularly for tape rooms. We are looking at the genesis of a very important resource for the town.]
Res. That Messrs Dent's tender of £35 for a concrete apron for the caul at CH be accepted.
That the engineer's requirements be obtained.
That the architect be requested to instruct the contractors to complete the [CH] extension as soon as possible.
[No signature]

June 21st 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That the following tenders for ashes be accepted to June 30th 1912:
J R Broughton, WH, £10. Ditto, CH, £7. P Barrett, Butts, £6.
Res. That the boards to be used at CH extension by George Feather at 1d per square yard reduction be accepted subject to Mr Atkinson's approval.
That Mr Atkinson be instructed to push on with Masons and ironwork.
That Dent and Sons' tender of 1/9 per square yard for pitching the road at CH be accepted.
That Mr Atkinson mark out Ouzledale [Estate] with boundary stones.

June 28th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That the company allow BUDC to lay the water and gas mains on the conditions mentioned in Mr Thompson's letter. [Ouzledale?]
That the company repair Dugdale and Dewhurst's fan. The tenants to replace the fan when a new one is required.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the troughs and slates belonging to the portions of W Bailey, the Craven Manufacturing Company and Wilson's be repaired. [Butts]
That Stephen Harrison be engaged to do the brickwork required during the holidays.
That Mr Atkinson be requested to allow the wall between Edmondson's and Horsfield's to remain unplastered and state who the walls belong to leading to St Mary's Well. [This is the wall between the CHSC land and Shitten Ginnel alongside the path from the bridge over the beck to the junction with Calf Hall Lane, the site of St Mary's Well. What interests me particularly about this entry is that from the wording it sounds as though St Mary's Well was still open and visible. I have always suspected that it was covered during earth-moving for the new extension at Calf Hall.]
That 500 firebricks be ordered from Duckett's at Burnley. [Firebricks are specialised bricks which will withstand high temperature where common red brick would fail. These will be for repairs to boiler and economiser settings, no doubt the brickwork Harrison is to repair during the holiday.]

July 5th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
That Mr Atkinson be asked to invite tenders for painting. [Extension?]
That Hart's ropes of Blackburn be used for CH. [Ropes required for the new drive from the flywheel?]
That a letter be written to Mr Atkinson asking him to meet a committee re the extension.
That cheques be drawn for George Feather £100, W Smith £15 and Proctor Barrett £10.
That Burnley Ironworks' tender for scrap iron at CH be accepted at 50/- per ton and that they be asked to remove the same as soon as possible.
That boiler composition be ordered.
That 1000 firebricks be ordered from Duckett's, Burnley. [Additional or increase of original order. Must be serious repairs.]
Transfer of 77 shares from Minnie Slater to Henry Banks sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders on July 20th. Dividend of 10% per annum recommended.
The secretary presented a scheme for increasing the capital of the company and for reducing the apparent rate of interest declared thereon, to be effected by a bonus of 25% on the capital of the company with the option on the part of the shareholders to take up the amount in the capital of the company at par.
Res. That the scheme be approved and that the shareholders be recommended to adopt the same at the shareholders meeting.

July 11th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That the Burnley firm recommended by Mr Wood for repairing mill chimneys be asked to give a price for pointing and painting [of ironwork] on Butts chimney also inspecting the lightning conductor.
Res. That the following accounts be paid: W H Atkinson £100. Charles H Merrall £80. Burnley Ironworks Co £500. [I was wrong when I assumed that the payment to BI on March 29th was for all the work. They are doing the work on the shafting during the August holiday and I think this is an interim payment for manufacturing the new shafting and second motion pulley. This explains the reference to Hart's ropes on July 5th.]
That Engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Messrs T Dent and Sons repair the floor in Edmondson's shed during the holidays.
That an iron shaft be sold to H Brown and Sons for 6/6. [Replaced by new countershaft and drum mentioned previously?]

General shareholders meeting
July 20th 1911
[Printed report and balance sheet inserted reports: £1792-12-5 added to £6026-0-1 carried forward. Total credit balance of £7818-12-6. The directors propose a bonus on dividend of 25% of the capital with the recommendation that the shareholders invest the bonus in new shares at par. The 25% bonus to be distributed separately together with application forms for new shares. To enable the allotment of additional shares the directors propose raising the nominal capital to £35,000.
Allotment of credit balance:
£1215 as 10% dividend on the half year.
£6075 as a bonus of 25%
£528-12-6 to carry forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That balance sheet and 10% per annum dividend for half year adopted.
Res. Bonus scheme as above.
Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration at £60 per annum. Richard Watson and Son re-elected as auditors at same remuneration.
Res. That the directors be and are hereby authorised to increase the nominal capital of the company to £35,000 to enable them to allot such additional shares as shall be applied for under the distribution scheme.
[Worth noting that this dividend of 35% was further evidence to the tenants that CHSC was doing very nicely thank you. This is one of the main reasons for the construction of new mills by manufacturers. As pressure came on manufacturing profits after WW1 this became a major factor and was to cause many problems with the remaining tenants and eventually led to the ditching of the old tenancy agreements in favour of leases on fixed terms.]
Thomas Dent.

July 21st 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Yeadon of Burnley be instructed to repair the boiler at Butts Mill.
That the architect be requested to push on the extension at CH to enable the tenants to erect their tape sizing machine at the earliest opportunity and that he be instructed to put in hand the new set of ropes needed for the engine. [Needed because of the change in second motion pulley size. Evidently the engine hasn't been speeded up yet and this suggests that the changes to the main lineshaft are not yet complete.]

August 2nd 1911
Res. That T Dent, P Barrett and W P Brooks be re-elected.
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
That accounts be paid: P Barrett £27-9-0. BUDC £10-18-4. Midland Railway Co £1-18-8. T M Duché and Sons £29-1-5. G H Baldwin £1-3-2. E Green and Sons 16/-. W Easton 4/10. James Proctor Ltd 1-4-0. Alfred Dewhurst £4-14-0. John Lee £4-17-6. W H Atkinson £15-5-0. Brooks and Brooks £31-12-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-18-6. James W Clough £2-12-0. S Cooke and Co £3-11-0. H Marsden £354-0-7. E Brooksbank and Co £18. Wages £30. Ironworks Co [Burnley?] £17-15-0. Ridehalgh and Co £10.
That the architect, Mr Atkinson, be asked to stake out the Ouzledale Estate.
That a committee of those at liberty be appointed to enquire as to the defects pointed out by HMFI at Butts Mill, fencing to engine and ventilation in the Twill Room.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the agreement between Edward and Pickles Riley Limited and Edward Riley for their tenancy of a portion of Viaduct Shed, Colne.
That the new section of the lineshaft at CH Shed be fitted with Diamond Grease [lubricators].
The secretary gave further particulars of the scheme for the payment of 25% bonus and of the issue of further share capital.
Res. That the shareholders be informed that the last day for accepting applications will be September 1st 1911.
Res, That Joseph Forrest's tender of £12 for pointing the brickwork and repairing the lightning conductor at Butts Mill [chimney] be accepted.
That the architect's attention be drawn to the delay in completion of the extension at CH.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £3361 debit.

August 9th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Ridehalgh £32117-6. A Horsfield £457-0-8.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to attend at CH Shed tomorrow to see if anything could not be done to make progress.

August 16th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Proctor and Proctor (wages) £122-14-9. J H Nutter 18/-. J R Broughton £15-12-0. W J Varley £2-18-0.
Res. That Mr Merrall's tender for gas and steam piping for the CH extension and Robert Clark's (of £28-2-4) for painting the extension be accepted.
Res. That Burnley Ironworks be requested to examine the wedges in the flywheel at Butts Mill when next in town. [Wedged cotters which secure the joints between the castings which make up the flywheel. Quite common for them to loosen over time especially if the wheel is subject to vibration. I think we can assume that this is the case with the Musgrave engine because of the faults in the gearing.]
That the cooling system be put in working order tomorrow and that Wills, the fireman, be authorised to attend to the flow of water from Springs Dam. [Must be hot weather.]
That a cask of Kremnos be ordered for Butts Mill.

August 23rd 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That patent lubricators be fitted to the crankshafts [Crank pins? Banjo lubricators?] and that the arrangements for fixing the same be left in the hands of Mr Wood.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be asked to make the keys secure in the flywheel arms of Butts Engine.
That the rotary pump on the engine at WH be examined and a report made to the next meeting.
That the rotary pumps taken off the engine at CH be kept for future use. [These could be the original ratchet wheel operated grease pumps favoured by Roberts at that time for lubricating crank pins.]
That George Feather be instructed to immediately hang the doors entering CH Shed extension.
That S Parker fix a rail at Butts in accordance with the instructions of HMFI. [Fencing on engine?]

August 30th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr J J Sneath adjust the steam gauges on the boilers according to the instructions in the boiler insurance company's report and failing his ability to make them right they be sent to Casartelli's at Manchester for repair.
That the railings in front of Windle's warehouse be not painted.
That one barrel of Brooksbank's cylinder oil be ordered for Calf Hall.
That Mr Atkinson be requested to meet the Burnley Ironworks Co representative with a view to making the engine at CH run more satisfactorily.
Res. That in answer to J Windle and Sons' application for Bailey and Roberts' space at WH Mr Wood write to them stating that the company have not had notice that they intend to quit.

September 6th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to fit a rotary pump on the engine at WH.
That Messrs Lonsdale be instructed to cover the new cylinder and steam pipes in CH engine room.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Messrs Dent and Co be urged to complete their work on the clow at CH as soon as possible.
That C B Merrall be paid £60 as per certificate.
That we accept a loan from Mrs Dent of Park Road.

September 13th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a new rope be ordered for WH engine from Coopers.
Res. That the fixing of gas pipes at Ouzledale Foundry be left with Mr Brooks.
Res. That the scrap iron be sold for 25/- and 45/- per ton.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the agreement with BUDC with ref to the laying and maintenance of gas and water mains at CH.

September 20th 1911
T Dent chair.
Architect's certificates were received for payments: George Feather £100. W H Heywood and Co £200. HJ and A Coulthurst £200.
Res. That they be paid.
That H Brown and Sons repair a leaking trough over the Craven Manufacturing Co's shed and also fix a lubricator in the engine house at CH.
That the defective drain in Slater Brother's portion be repaired.
That the gas and water mains at CH be put in by the BUDC.
That the Monkswell Manufacturing Co's grace for tenancy commence on October 1st 1911. [The new tenants have obviously formed a new company to run the extension and this is where it got the name of Monkswell Shed from. Not to be confused with Monkroyd Shed at Butts.]

September 26th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Robert Clark £20. Brooks and Brooks £27-1-0.
Res. That the drain at WH be repaired by P Barrett.
That Henry Brown's account be not paid until he has presented his September account.
That all repairs possible be sent to S Parker.
That the suggested repairs to Butts Mill chimney be settled by the managing director and any two other directors. [The jack has found extra work needing doing on the chimney after laddering it.]
That the secretary give Messrs Waterworth Holdsworth and Co an undertaking permitting them to remove the runway they propose to erect when they leave the premises.
The secretary reported that applications for 6094 shares as set out in the schedule had been applied for.
Res. That this number of shares be allotted to the various applicants and that share certificates be issued to them under the seal of the company.
The secretary read a report from the Burnley Ironworks Co in which they pointed out that the renewal of the [cross head] slides to the engine at Calf Hall would be £45. The matter was left over for further consideration. [Increasing the power and the speed of the Roberts engine is teasing out the weak points. This will not be the last time it happens.]

October 11th 1911
T Dent chair.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £5046 in debit.
Res. That accounts be paid: Diamond Lubricating Co £5-0-9. Holdsworth 19/-. E Brooksbank and Co £13-17-0. Heap and Thornton £3-6-0. J W Clough £1-15-6. Watts and Hargreaves £6-15-3 [ I wonder whether Watts had a partner at Ouzledale before Henry Brown?] W Hough and Co £5-18-9. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-7-0. T Bailey £137. Stephen Parker £2-16-0. J R Broughton £1-4-6.
Transfer of shares from Mr Knowles to John Hartley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That a vestibule as suggested by Proctor Barrett be erected between the warehouse and shed at the Craven Manufacturing Co's premises and that a steam trap be ordered for WH as suggested by Mr Sneath.

October 18th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr Forrest fix two new belts [bands] at 40/- each round the chimney at Butts and that he points certain parts of the stonework. [Looks as though the original contract was for pointing the brick extension on the chimney which was added by Bracewell after he bought the Ingleton Colliery and found he needed more draught to burn the inferior quality coal. In the course of doing that job Forrest has found movement in the stone shaft and recommended bands as a precaution. The pointing of the stonework will almost certainly be cracks caused by the movement. Not a serious matter as long as it is addressed, very common, especially in stone chimneys.]
That Mr Atkinson be asked to see to the hoist belt, the [donkey] engine and the millwright's work in the Monkswell tape room at CH.
That George Feather be instructed to complete the following work at CH: The hand rail, doors, round pillars etc.
That H Brown and Sons repair the engine pump at CH. [Boiler feed pump on the engine?]
That J R Broughton build the vestibule in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse and repair Wilson's hoist.
That S Parker fix the barrier to the corner at Slater Brothers.

October 25th 1911
T Dent chair.
A letter was read from Messrs Wigglesworth of Manchester and it was resolved that consideration of the same be left over until Mr Wood was present.
Res. That T and E Holdsworth cart the rubbish away from CH.
Res. That Royd's account be paid also a cheque for wages £94-15-2.
That H Brown and Sons fix a wheel in the Craven Manufacturing Co's tape room.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Messrs Henry Brown and Sons fix a new belt fork in Monkswell portion. [This is the fork used for throwing the belt on and off the fixed pulley to transfer the drive for a tape from the shafting to the donkey engine.]
That T Dent and Sons be informed that if they do not clean the gutters of rubbish at CH the company will have the work done and charge them for it.

November 1st 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J Horsfield £100. Brooks and Brooks £36-18-0. Clark £8-2-4. James Bulcock 2/3. A B Merrall £10. W G Petty £10-8-0. J R Broughton £1-4-6. [Burnley] Ironworks £81-10-0. H Brown and Sons £13-18-0. H P Cooper £15-5-0. G H Baldwin £1-5-7. Diamond Lubricating Co £2-10-6.
Res. That Mr Merrall's tender for the alterations to the water closet at B&EM Holden's warehouse at CH Shed for £13-2-6 accepted and that Ernest Harrison carry out the necessary contractor's work on day work terms.
A letter was read from Wigglesworth and Son alleging that the company had used a portion of the site of Mill Street being land belonging to Mr Richard Lowcock and which had not been sold to the company. It was explained that the company had not purchased the land but only a right of way over it as a proposed street until it was taken over by BUDC. The secretary was instructed to acknowledge the letter.
A letter was received from T Lund and Co of Bingley stating that they had disposed of the machinery and stock in the reed works at WH Mill to Mr Johnson of Clitheroe.
Res. That Mr Johnson be accepted as a tenant from November 4th.
Res. That a cheque for £100 be drawn in favour of John Horsfield on loan account.
Res. That the secretary be requested to instruct Mr Holgate Marsden to get in as large a stock of coal as possible during the next few weeks and that the supply by rail be continued until the stock has been increased to the necessary amount. [A sensible precaution. 1911 had seen violent confrontations in the South Wales coalfields culminating in the use of troops with fixed bayonets being used against protesting miners at Tonypandy. January 1912 was to see the start of the Minimum Wage strike, by March 1st there would be deadlock with almost the whole of the UK industry out on strike for six weeks until government intervention forced the miners back to work in the second week of April 1912.]
It was reported to the meeting that a fire had taken place at 7:30 this morning in the tape room in the old engine house in Moorhouse's portion of WH Mill. The top storey and roof had been burned down the probable loss to the freehold was £500 and that it was fully covered by insurance.
Res. That Mr Wood's action in appointing Matthew, Watson and Landless as valuers [Insurance assessors] on behalf of the company be approved and that Mr Atkinson be instructed to prepare specifications and tenders for repairing the damage and building a new roof on the principle of a shed roof.

November 15th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Brooks reported that stoppages during alterations [Commissioning Monkswell Shed at CH?] to be about seven days and that 9 days be allowed on rent for October to the three tenants.
Tenders were considered for slating, plumbing and joiner's work required in reinstating Moorhouse's tape room at WH Mill.
Res. That the following tenders be accepted:
P Smith Slater £18-2-4. C B Merrall plumber £21-15-0. J R Lee joiner £38-19-6.
The secretary reported the bank overdraft to be £4678.

November 22nd 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That JJ Sneath arrange for a new hose pipe to be supplied to Mr W Thompson to replace the one damaged during the recent fire at WH.
That a new spring for the drum stick on engine be ordered from Burnley Ironworks. [WH? Not sure what this is, the only thing I can think of is the motion on the engine which transmits movement of the cross-head to the indicator drum when indicating the engine.]
That 2 barrels of Brooksbank's engine oil be ordered for WH.
That Mr Atkinson instruct Burnley Ironworks to submit a scheme and estimate for driving Monkswell Shed by ropes. [Problems with the gearing adjusting the shaft level in the new extension?]
That Messrs Dent, King and Holdsworth arrange the matter of rent for allotments with Mr J Fawcett and also deal with an offer from Mr Jefferson for old water pipes.
That a letter of condolence be sent to Mr John Horsfield in his sad bereavement.
That Holgate Marsden be asked to meet the directors to discuss coal supply.

November 29th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported bank balance of £3968 debit.
Transfer of 19 shares from ? To J S Windle sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That the alteration of the contract price for joiner's work at WH quoted by J R Lee and accepted at the last meeting [November 15th actually] from £38-19-6 to £45 be accepted.
A letter from the CH tenants was read complaining of the inadequacy of the 9 day's allowance for the stoppages during the alterations to the engine and shafting for the new extension.
Res. That the allowance be increased to 12 days.
A letter was read from the Craven Manufacturing Co intimating that the meter [gas] in their proportion of the premises which belonged to the company required repairs at a cost of £3-10-0 and that a new meter would cost £5.
Res. That the tenants be informed that the company will hand the meter over to them. [Well, that gets rid of that expense!]
A further letter was read from Wigglesworth and Son with ref to trespassing on the land of Mr Lowcock at CH. The secretary was instructed to reply that the conveniences would be removed and that the matter has been taken in hand by the architect of the company.
A letter was read from BUDC pointing out that the hydrants at WH Mill were not in working order and requesting that the same to be put in order before the first proxime. [December 1st ?]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to request Mr Thompson the water manager to do the necessary repairs.
The secretary reported that the Barnoldswick Fire Brigade had sent an account to BUDC who forwarded it to us amounting to £25 for services rendered and damage to a hose at the recent fire.
The secretary reported that the letter had been sent forward to the insurance company.
It was reported that the gearing driving the extension at CH had broken down during last week and that a temporary wheel had been fixed and was driving fairly satisfactorily but Burnley Ironworks informed the company that the wheels could not be guaranteed to run more than a few days but might run much longer. [This is going to be the necessary gearing to transmit the drive to the higher level in the shed. It begs the question of who designed the drive in the first place and why BI installed a drive that must have been an obvious cause of trouble. This is what the rope driving entry was about.]
Mr Metcalfe of BI attended when their tender dated November 29th for a new rope drive for the extension for the sum of £210 delivered and fixed at the shed providing the company supply labourers, masons and joiners was accepted providing the work be complete and running by December 26th next. [Sounds as thought CHSC had specified the gear drive and were carrying the can!]

December 6th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons repair the broken trough on S Pickles and Sons' shed. [I have this mental image of Johnny Pickles keeping a close eye on what was happening at CH Shed, his last job before coming to Henry Brown's as foreman was at BI and he would know all the men involved. His fingers must have been itching but at the same time he was watching and learning.]
That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks examine the pair of wheels in Messrs Edmondson's shed reported to be badly worn and if necessary order a pair of new ones.
That E Johnson's floor in WH reed works be strengthened by a beam stay.
That Mr J M Lee be allowed the floorboards he has taken up in Moorhouse's tape room.
The final measure bills for CH extension were presented: T Dent and Sons, C B Merrall and William Smith.
Res. That T Dent and Sons be paid when the certificate is presented (less £10 retention money until the completion of the work.) That C B Merrall's account be approved and that William Smith be paid when his work is completed.
That Mr Atkinson put in hand the glazier's work on Moorhouse's tape room at WH at the earliest possible moment.
That the question of Messrs Edmondson and Co's rent be considered at the next meeting.

December 13th 1911
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Joseph Forrest £13. C B Merrall £14-7-9. W B Duckworth £6-10-6. T Dent and Sons [Worth noting again that this T Dent is nothing to do with Thomas Dent the chairman who is a baker at 17 Park Road Barnoldswick.] £475. N W Heywood and Co £60-18-0. P Barrett £15-8-1.
Res. That the foundations needed for the new drive to Monkswell Shed be carried out by E Harrison on day work terms and that Mr Atkinson obtain tenders for the ropes.
A letter was read from Thomas Nutter indicating that he had purchased from Bailey and Roberts their plant and machinery subject to the company agreeing to the continuation of the tenancy.
Res. That the company concur in the sale and that Thomas Nutter be accepted as tenant on the same terms as Bailey and Roberts.
Some discussion took place as to the rent now paid by Messrs Edmondson and Co it being contended that as they had fixed a number of dobbies to their looms the rent should be increased. ['Dobbies' was the term for a mechanism that could be added to the standard Lancashire loom enabling it to weave more complicated cloths using multiple healds.]
The secretary however pointed out that the heavy goods turned out by the firm would probably be the cause of the additional power required to turn them and it was not the custom in East Lancashire to charge extra for dobbies. [An interesting point in that the standard loom could weave anything from gauze to canvas, one of the reasons why it survived so long. The heavier the cloth the more power the loom took to drive it. To differentiate rents for a mixture of cloths would be hopelessly complicated.]
Res. That Kerbs be laid, the causeway made, the road cleaned and the material be carried away from the road in front of the warehouse at CH Shed [Mill Street I think.] and that the fire escapes be made to close against the wall by S Parker.
Res. That the levels for the road be obtained from the BUDC.
Res. That the conveniences in the road at CH Shed be removed and the ropes in the Monkswell Manufacturing Co's premises be tightened. [These can't be on the new rope drive as it isn't installed yet. There must be another rope drive associated with the shafting.]
The secretary read a letter from the Burnley Ironworks Co accepting the order of November 30th for the new drive at CH Shed and undertaking to be ready for running at 6am on December 26th provided they are not delayed in any way by other trades.

December 20th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That Heap and Thornton be engaged to whitewash and finish slating Moorhouse's tape room.
That a loom pulley be ordered for Monkswell's shed.
That Coulthurst's account for shafting work done at CH extension be paid.
Holgate Marsden's account was read and approved.
Res. That more attention be paid to the shafting at CH Shed.

December 27th 1911
T Dent chair.
Res. That a pump be fixed at CH on the new rope drive bearings for lubrication and that the drive be fenced off. [Once again, why wasn't adequate lubrication part of the original design? This raises the question of who actually designed the drive. I can't believe that an experienced firm like BI would omit such an obvious measure. Or is the fault in the original brief to them, the specification?]
Messrs James Green's tender for kerbing a foot-way at CH was submitted: Providing and laying kerbs, 3/8 per yard. Ditto for radius kerbs, 5/6. Paving with 5” setts on 22 of ashes, 5/3.
That S Demain's account for labouring be paid.
That S Demain be requested to apply for payment of his account for work done in Monkswell's shed to the firm that employed him.
That a steam separator be ordered for Monkswell's shed. [Because the steam main for the tape is so far from the boilers water will be condensing out and being carried over. The separator will do what it says, extract the condensate from the main.]
That a deputation consisting of John Horsfield and others be instructed to examine and put in order the belt drive. [Monkswell's tape?]

January 3rd 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Heap and Thornton point and repair the Monkswell Co's warehouse roof.
That C B Merrall fix the gas pipes in Moorhouse's tape room.
That Mr Wood reply to the Craven Manufacturing Co's letter re the runway in their shed.
That the work required to be done in Edmondson's portion caused through the alterations to the Monkswell's premises be now completed.
That James Green and Sons be requested to start work on the causeway at CH immediately.

January 10th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Gorge Proctor £60. R Watson and Son £3-18-9. William Proctor £81-19-11. Heap and Thornton £13-13-0. Thomas Dent £30. P Barrett £44-16-0.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to attend at CH with ref to the unfinished state of the pointing and flashing.
Res. That Mr Wood be empowered to take steps with regard to the engineer and fireman at CH with a view to giving better turning and a better temperature. [We don't know what difficulties Watson and his fireman are working under. There have been massive changes to the engine and load and these things take a while to bed in. Smooth, consistent delivery of power to the shafting is essential for trouble-free running of the looms particularly and evidently this is the 'turning' referred to. The heating is a more simple matter to understand. CH is under-boilered and regardless of the alterations, we know that heating is always a bone of contention. Apart from the extra load on the engine there is now another tape at the end of a long steam main. I don't envy the fireman his task!]
Res. That the engineer's requirements be attended to.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be accepted subject to audit, a dividend of 10% per annum be recommended and that the shareholder's meeting be on Friday 26th of January.
A loan of £100 be accepted from Miss Annie Dent.

General shareholder's meeting, Seven Stars
January 26th 1912
[No printed balance sheet]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Thomas Dent.

February 7th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. Cheques be drawn: Wages £85-8-7. Dividend £1518-14-0. Repayment of loan to ? £60.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £7369-1-5 debit.
The account of H P Cooper for ropes fixed at CH Shed was examined.
Res. That one half of the extra charge in consequence of Burnley Ironworks Co being late be agreed to and paid.
The account of the Burnley Ironworks Co for rope pulleys, main shaft, engine alterations and new drive totalling £1576 was read and it was resolved that the same be approved subject to the proper allowance provided for by the penalty clause for the extra five days stoppage from August 8th to August 14th be obtained.
Res. That E Harrison be instructed to provide and fix a girder under the donkey engine in Mr Moorhouse's warehouse.
A letter was read from the Monkswell Manufacturing Co with reference to the driving in the warehouse being slow and complaining that on Monday last the looms were running at 168 and 174 picks per minute instead of 212 and 218 respectively.
The secretary was instructed to reply stating that the directors hoped that these matters would be remedied when the new stokers had been fixed. [Looks as though the boilers are the weak link and the running problems previously mentioned are underspeed.]

February 14th 1912
T Dent chair.
Accounts paid as per architect's certificate: Burnley Ironworks £49 for WH engine. L M Lees £2-3-4 for work done to the hoist and twisting room in J Moorhouse's portion.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked if it will be safe to postpone repairs to the fractured cylinder at WH until the July holidays. [It never rains but what it pours! What we are seeing are the consequences of progressively increasing the load on the company's engines.]
That a lock be fixed to the rope drive in the Monkswell Manufacturing Co's warehouse as suggested by HMFI. [This is the other rope drive mentioned before. It will be boxed in and the lock will be to prevent accidental access. There is also the possibility that in an effort to get more speed on the shafting the manufacturer has been putting 'Grippo' on the ropes. This was a proprietary compound for use on leather belting to improve grip on the pulleys and was worse than useless on rope drives. There is also the secondary factor that until they realised that rope drives were positive and far more efficient in terms of steady turning than gears, the manufacturers preferred gear drives as they considered they guaranteed they were getting the speed they paid for. It was hard for them to understand that greasing the ropes with tallow and graphite actually improved the drive. I speak from experience at Bancroft and the evidence of a rise in the average wage of weavers by attending to the smooth turning of the shaft.]
That J Varley be instructed to put covers on the wheels in Edmondson's and Holden's warehouses. [More evidence of HMFI requiring guarding.]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Burnley Ironworks be requested to rectify the faulty shafts at CH Shed.
That C E Plummer be engaged at CH at a weekly wage of 22/6.
The question as to whether Edmondson and Co pay rent for two of the looms in their warehouse was raised.

February 21st 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks be requested to take a new set of diagrams, [both] full load and friction at CH Shed.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £7754 in debit.
Res. That E Harrison be instructed to repair the flues and brickwork pointed out by Mr Wood as faulty at CH Shed.
Transfer of 69 shares from Robert Cowgill to Samuel and Mary Crabtree sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Mr Lowcock's letter re land at Calf Hall be sent to the architect to be dealt with by him. [We have the original letter in the minute book: From Wigglesworth and Son, solicitors, Chancery Place, Booth Street, Manchester. Dated February 8th 1912. Dear Sir. Calf Hall Shed Company Ltd. With further reference to your letter of the 15th of December, we have seen Mr Lowcock on the matter and he is not willing that the fence which the company has erected enclosing the site of Mill Street adjoining the land purchased from Mr Lowcock in 1910 should remain where the company have placed it on Mr Lowcock's land, and we should be glad if you would have it set back to the actual boundary of the land sold to the Calf Hall Shed Company. Yours truly, Wigglesworth and Son. Letter addressed to George Proctor Esq., Chartered Accountant, 3 Grimshaw Street, Burnley.]
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks Co be instructed to examine the holding down bolts of the LP cylinder at CH and to key [tighten with a spanner] them up. [More consequences of increased load.]

February 28th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Dent, King, Holdsworth and Brooks meet Holgate Marsden with a view to getting a supply of coal. [Remember the miners are now out on strike and will be out for six weeks. Serious matter.]
That Mr J R Broughton make the causeway at CH good with ashes.
That Mr S Bracewell repair the wall at CH.
That Mr Sam Shaw repair the road and batter the slope of earth with stones.
That Burnley Ironworks be instructed to put in order the lineshaft in the Monkswell Manufacturing Co's premises.

March 6th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £6659-15-10 in debit.
With ref to Mr Lowcock's communication that we should vacate the half of Mill Street abutting on our new extension at CH Mr King reported that Mr Atkinson had examined the deeds and he found that the company had the right of way along Mill Street to the ginnel for a 36ft street, that the fences were not ours and that the company was not under any obligation to repair them, that Mr Lowcock would be responsible for paving one half of the street and that we were quite ready to make our half. Mr Atkinson thought that Mr Lowcock would not care to be called upon to make his half of the street.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to take up the matter direct with Mr Lowcock.
The report of the Burnley Ironworks Co on the engine at CH was read from which it appeared that the full load was 770hp and friction load 153hp being somewhat below the average. [Almost twice the designed load.]
The secretary gave a full statement of the cost of Yorkshire coal now being used at some of the mills from which it appeared that the average cost had been more than the cost of Altham Nuts:
Altham coal Average of Yorks and Altham used
September 11/8 12/2¼
October 12/1 12/5
November 12/1 12/3½
December 12/1 12/4
January 12/11 12/6½
Res. That as the agreements with the tenants provide for an increase in rent in proportion to the cost of fuel that the increased cost be charged to the tenants.
Res. Accounts be paid: T Holdsworth £3-6-0. E Harrison £55-18-0. H Marsden £527-3-0.

March 13th 1912
T Dent chair.
A letter was read from Mr John Riddiough in which he gave the company notice to leave its employ in one week's time.
Res. That we advertise for a fireman to take his place.
That we advertise for tenders for the large wood beams stocked at WH.
That C B Merrall be engaged to fit the extra length of water piping to the pump for the cistern in the Monkswell Manufacturing Co's portion.
That Mr Atkinson be requested to use his best endeavours to persuade Mr Lowcock to join with us in the paving of Mill Street.

March 20th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks see to the carrying out of the suggestions of HMFI in J Wilson's warehouse.
That T&E Holdsworth remove the rubbish from Butts Mill.
That Mr Charles Stockdale be engaged as a fireman first at Butts Mill.
That Mr Wood be instructed to write to each tenant informing them they will have to pay the difference on the increased cost of coal, if we continue to run the mills. [An ominous note but as we know, the miners are going back to work and as they have had no advance on their wages the price of coal can be expected to fall and availability to increase.]

March 27th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: T P A Coulthurst £1-7-6. James Mudd 3/-. William Thornton £11-15-0. Colledge Roy and Co £7-7-0. G H Baldwin £1-2-9. James Green and Sons £50-7-0. Brooks and Brooks £36-13-0. Heap and Thornton £24-10-0. Walter Cragg 13/5. Briggs and Duxbury 19/10. H P Cooper. £3-3-0. Henry Brown and Sons £18-8-0. E Brooksbank and Co £48-1-0. Diamond Lubricating £1-5-6. T M Duché and Sons £21-9-7. J W Clough £7-5-3. Edmondson and Co £1-10-0. James Proctor Ltd £98-0-0. [New stokers at CH Shed replacing the original Bennis stokers?] Anti-Incrustation Co £11-15-0. Proctor and Proctor £115-18-11.
The secretary reported the bank balance as £6571 in debit.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the tender of Waite and Lambert [joiners] of £10 for the burnt logs [beams] at WH be accepted.
The secretary read copies of letters dated 22nd and 26th of March which he had sent to the tenants with ref to the heavy increase in the cost of coal owing to the strike during which it was intimated that the total cost would be payable by the tenants but if they decide to stop we were prepared to allow them the saving at the normal rate. [I am confused]

April 3rd 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That H Marsden's March account for £554 be paid.
Mr Dent made application on behalf of Fred Harrison for land in the Parrock and it was resolved that Mr Dent ascertain Mr Harrison's requirements before settling the question of price.
Res. That the delivery of Altham coal in proportion to the steam pressure required for each mill be attended to by Mr Dent. [I think that this means sending the best coal to the hardest pressed boilers.]

April 10th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That the loan of £300 from John and Ann Marsden of Salterforth be repaid with interest.
That Heap and Thornton point with cement the west end of Monkswell's warehouse.
That Mr Atkinson be informed of the break in the cross-shafts in Monkswell's warehouse on the 3rd and 10th of April and that he confer with the directors on lodge, walling, pump pipes, gantry and the taking of water from the hot well back again to the lodge [the cooling system] all at CH Shed. Also the fencing off of Ouzledale Lodge.

April 17th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to proceed with the scheme for cooling the condensing water at CH Shed and to submit a plan to the directors at the earliest possible moment.
Res. That the weak shafts at CH Shed be strengthened as suggested by Mr Atkinson. [I am puzzled by the fact that no mention is made of getting the original contractors to rectify matters which seem to be due to installations not fit for purpose. Another fault in specification?]

April 24th 1912
T Dent chair.
A cheque for interest £61-12-6 be drawn for the Burnley Building Society.
That J R Broughton repair the clough [clow] at Butts Mill.
That the wall at CH Shed be repaired by John Broughton.
That a new plank be fitted at Springs Dam by J R Broughton. [The one that increases the capacity of the lodge?]
That John Sneath be engaged as engine driver at Calf Hall at a commencing wage of 36/- per week with a rise of 2/- per week after 12 months. [Good engineers were like star football players, everybody wanted them. George Henry Watson has left to run the new Westfield Shed in Barlick, he evidently liked the idea of a new engine and plant as against the hard-pressed CH plant. The engine at Westfield was a BI 600hp engine of the most modern design with two Lancashire boilers. Well on top of its job with 1320 looms. Remember John Sneath, son of J J Sneath at WH going to be his father's firebeater? JJ has evidently been training him and thinks he is fit to take over CH Shed. We shall see, not the easiest plant to run after all the extensions.]
The directors then proceeded to CH and examined the new lodge. Briggs and Duxbury were engaged to fix a new platform.]
Res. That Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth interview Mr Atkinson to make arrangements for the water from the hot well to be taken back to the lodge. [As we get more evidence it seems as though I was right about the form the 'cooling system' took. They are pumping the water up into a trough across the roof and dropping it in the top lodge so that it gets the benefit of the cooling effect of the culvert under the shed.]

May 1st 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance as £7429 in debit. [Noticeable that this overdraft is slowly rising, largely due no doubt to building activity and fuel costs. One can well imagine that the bank manager is keeping a close eye on what is going on and I am almost certain that George Proctor is keeping him up to speed and oiling the wheels of commerce.]
Res. Accounts be paid: H Barrett £8-1-2. WW Akins £5-8-0. H Barrett £19-12-8. H P Cooper £14-5-0. Proctor and Proctor £6-5-0. J Delaney Ltd £149-4-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-6-3. Brooks and Brooks 14/10. E Brooksbank and Co £15. J A Nutter £1-11-1. H Hartley and Co 9/-. Walter Cragg 14/11. H J Varley 10/7. G H Baldwin £2-1-8. British Kremnos Co £10-18-6. J W Clough £4-11-9 and £1-2-0. Holgate Marsden £623-11-0. James Proctor Ltd £2-19-4. A Jobling £21-19-9. Charles B Merrall £11-6-0.
Mr Barrett reported on the interview of the deputation appointed to meet Mr Atkinson with regard to the cooling scheme at CH Shed.
Res. That the scheme as explained be adopted.
Res. That the trip motion at WH Mill be modernised and that the cylinder be repaired during the holidays in July.
Res. That the southerly plot of land being a portion of the Parrock as shewn on the estate plan be offered to Mr Fred Harrison at 4/6 per yard, the offer to include the whole of the street abutting on the Bethesda property and the half streets on the other three sides of the plot, this price also to include the house now belonging to the company.

May 8th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That steps be taken to recover the 3 poles, 6 bars and 3 ropes lent to Thomas Coulthurst on May 1st 1911.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That we enquire of the Barnsey Shed Company [Another new shed building at Long Ing] when they will require the CH Shed fireman. [His old oppo George Henry has gone and the fireman is evidently looking for a less demanding plant and probably at an increase in wage.]
That J E Varley of Nelson be appointed firemen at WH Mill. [He must be moving to Barlick.]
That Joseph Fawcett does not pay rent for the land at Calf Hall. Means to be taken for its recovery forthwith.
That the secretary be requested to write to Messrs Gregson of Blackburn instructing them to fix the pulleys for the ventilators at CH extension at the earliest opportunity.
That Henry Brown and Sons be engaged to fix the new wheel in S Pickles and Sons' warehouse immediately on its delivery.
That the winding room floor In Thomas Nutter's warehouse be repaired, the trough cleaned out and broken joints be repaired.
It was reported that Bailey and Roberts had left several broken windows over the shed and in the warehouse.
Res. That they be seen about it.
That a deputation meet Holgate Marsden on Friday morning re a better quality of Altham coal promised to be supplied but not yet forthcoming. [Another consequence of hard-pressed plant. The CHSC need best quality coal to maintain steam raising capacity. If the plant was on top of its job this wouldn't be such a pressing matter.]
That Coopers, rope manufacturers of Burnley be engaged to shorten a driving rope in Edmondson and Co's warehouse.
That H Brown and Sons be engaged to repair a steam valve in Edmondson and Co's warehouse and to examine the wheels on the shaft at CH Shed and adjust those out of gear. [H Brown and Sons are gradually getting more important jobs. Johnny Pickles is making progress. You may think that I place too much weight on Johnny in this progress but evidence from other sources shows he was the driving force at H Brown and Sons at this time.]

May 15th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res that the secretary write to Messrs Bailey and Roberts requesting them to replace the broken panes in the shed and warehouse that they recently occupied.
That Messrs Watts and Hargreaves [Watts has taken a partner. We shall see how long he lasts.] be informed that they may erect a mechanic's shop at Ouzledale at their own expense, the rent for the foundry remaining unaltered. Messrs Dent and Brooks to give the necessary information.
That the secretary inform the Burnley Ironworks Co of the faulty condition of the new trip catch they fixed on the engine at CH Shed and that the CHSC expects them to make good the same without delay or alternatively to fix a new one. [John Sneath is having his troubles. I wonder if he's consulting with his dad at WH?]
That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to fit one of Hopkinson's blow off valves on the No. 2 boiler at CH Shed. [This will be one of the parallel slide valves which Hopkinson's introduced. They were so good that they are a standard fitment to this day on steam boilers.]
That a railing be erected on the stream at CH where the water enters the lodge.
That the damper rods at CH Shed [boiler house] be disconnected by Stephen Parker in order that each damper can be worked separately. [In later years this was standard practice]
That a cheque for wages be drawn, £126-4-7.
Res. That the question of the purchase from Mr Roundell of the land at WH on which the well is situated be considered next week. [The well giving access to the Bowker Drain water in Eastwood Bottoms behind WH Mill.]

May 22nd 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: W H Shaw £16-9-0. H Brown and Sons £15-6-0. J A Nutter £1-1-3.
The three tenants at CH Shed, Messrs S Pickles and Sons, Holden and Edmondson attended before the meeting and requested a further allowance for rent in consequence of serious losses in production from July 1911 to March 1912 caused ny alterations to the engine and extension of the premises.
After the deputation retired it was resolved that they be allowed a further four days, making sixteen days in all, or the alternative of an allowance on time lost based on the loss in the weaver's average [production] compared with any previous period the tenants may select.
The representatives from Mather and Platt attended and fully explained their sprinkler system. [The wet sprinkler system in which the system was fully charged with water and release onto a fire was by heat-sensitive sprinkler heads installed all over the premises became mandatory eventually. I think the original pressure to install came from the insurance companies who calculated premiums on risk.]

May 29th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Alfred E Dewhurst's account for the rent of Springs Dam be handed to Mr Wood for him to deal with.
Res. That we repair the wall bordering on the Clough property raising the wall to the yard level. [This is the wall on the boundary between Ouzledale Mill yard and the Clough Mill reservoir below.] Also that a floor be put in the wheel race, the whole of this work to be let to Messrs Brown and Watts, the company agreeing to pay for the building of the wall and the tenants to pay 5% interest on the cost. [This is a significant entry because it is the first mention of the new partnership at the foundry, evidently Hargreaves was short lived. The Brown is Henry Brown, he has gone into partnership with Watts and now has an interest in that most essential asset, a local foundry. Remember that iron castings were essential for any type of serious engineering work at this time. I have a record that at some point they traded as 'The Dales Ironworks'. They were the only foundry in Barnoldswick.]
That Mr Wood write to the Craven Manufacturing Company [Butts Mill] instructing them not to open the door into the field from the pigeon hole, this door having been fixed for use in fire only and requesting them to allow the key to remain unmolested in the case provided for it. [It was the custom to have the key for the door in a glass fronted case next to the door which could be broken into in case of emergency.]
Mr A Hogarth appeared before the board to explain the cause of the stoppage on Wednesday and Thursday, May 22nd and 23rd 1912. He reported that the keys on the flywheel shaft had been loose for some time and that the boilers had primed on the morning of the accident which may have caused the same. [Sorry. I have to put my engineer's hat on here. First, if the stakes [keys] fixing the flywheel solidly to the shaft were loose why hadn't they been attended to, this is a serious fault and we know that the wheel was subject to constant vibration from the less than perfect gear drive. The 'priming' he refers to is the circumstance where water gets into the steam pipe and being incompressible can have serious consequences when it gets into the cylinders on the engine. This is known as a 'slug' in the steam pipe and can be catastrophic in worst case. Then we have the question of how the water got into the steam main in the first place. The most obvious cause is bad supervision by the firebeater, one of his chief tasks is to constantly monitor water levels in the boiler and match the feed to steam production. The priming could be caused by forgetting to shut the feed pump down and pushing the water level up to the entry to the steam pipe. A more likely explanation, given what we already know about the bad condition of the boiler water (This is why it scales up so badly) is that the dirty water has reached the stage where the solids in it cause the water to froth up in the boiler and it is this froth which is being carried over. The effect would be to make the engine run very roughly and could even have opened the special safety valves on each end of the cylinder fitted to relieve dangerous pressure from priming. Whatever the explanation this is serious stuff and one wonders what the director's reactions were. If Edward Wood was present he would know all the above circumstances.]
That the well at Butts Mill be cleaned as soon as it is convenient. [Trying to get cleaner water into the boiler?]
That George Wilson be paid 2/6 for assisting the engineers.
That an agreement be considered for the tenancy at Ouzledale, whether ten or fifteen years. [This is the agreement for the new partnership of Brown and Watts.]

June 5th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That we accept Brown and Watts as tenants of Ouzledale Foundry on the following conditions: The tenancy is to be a yearly one with the option on their part to continue the same for ten years in consideration of them undertaking to erect certain premises which at the end of the lease shall be the property of the landlord, the rent to be as at present and the tenants to pay 5% on the cost of the wall and other additions to the premises now agreed between the parties.
Res. That Mr Varley be paid 11/- for work done at Wellhouse.
The secretary gave particulars of the extra cost of coal during the strike from which it appeared that the additional charge to the tenants would be about 3/9 to 4/- per loom at Calf Hall and 2/8½d per loom at Viaduct Shed.


June 12th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs A King and W Holdsworth examine the roof of Edmondson and Co's warehouse and that the necessary repairs be carried out.
That the stone out of the lodge at CH be broken and put on the road in front of the warehouse.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That John Townson's rent for the garden be not reduced.
That the burning of waste paper in the Parrock be discontinued.
That the ashes be advertised for sale for the ensuing twelve months.
That the clough [clow] at CH be kept open during this unsettled weather. [A precaution against the system being overwhelmed by a flash flood. There must be enough flow in the beck to keep the condenser pond full even with the clow open. I ran Bancroft with the clow open under these conditions, as long as the flow was still greater than the clow could release and the water topped the cill of the outfall it was a good thing to do as it carried a lot of disturbed silt out of the dam.]
The window panes to be put in the office window and that the Craven Manufacturing Co be requested to have a window in the Butts Mill yard glazed.

June 19th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Mr Atkinson attend to the fixing of the ventilator pulleys in Monkswell's shed.
That consideration of the letter re National Insurance be left over until next week. [Under Part 1 of the National Insurance Act of 1911 compulsory health insurance was provided for workers earning less than £160 per year. The scheme was contributed to by the worker who contributed fourpence, the employer who contributed threepence and the government who contributed twopence. The scheme provided sickness benefit entitlement of nine shillings per week, free medical treatment and maternity benefit of 30 shillings per week. An estimated 13 million workers came to be compulsorily covered under this scheme. Under Part 2 of the same act, which dealt with unemployment insurance, most insured workers were given seven shillings in unemployment benefit which could be claimed for up to 15 weeks a year. This scheme was also financed through the contributions of workers and government. Although only a minority of workers were insured by this scheme, it never the less covered a number of trades and industries, such as shipbuilding, which were particularly vulnerable to fluctuations in employment.
On February 17th 1912 the General Council of the Amalgamated Weavers Association decided that they should become an 'Approved Society' under the NI Act of 1911. All the districts approved except the Nelson Weavers who formed their own approved society. This department of the Amalgamated Weavers functioned unto all the approved societies were merged into the State scheme in 1948.]
That H Holland have a position [?] in the Parrock in winter for an extended period at not less that 4/- per week.
That Messrs Barrett, King and Holdsworth examine the roof of the Craven Manufacturing Co's shed and report to the next meeting.
That two window protectors be put on the cellar windows of the Craven Manufacturing Co. [Wire grills? Vandalism?]
That Messrs Barrett, King and Holdsworth examine the roof of Edmondson's warehouse. [Again?]
That Proctor and Proctor wage account be paid £80-2-3.
That W Holdsworth see W Brooks, Lane Bottom, to ascertain of he will undertake a position as fireman.

July 8th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the secretary be requested to demand payment of rents on the last day of the month it has accrued. Tenants to be informed that if payment is not made on demand 5% interest will be charged. [Cash flow.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain a full report of all export taping done by the tenants during the last six months and that he demand immediate payment of the same.
That the flues at CH Shed be cleaned out by Mr Atkinson of Colne on July 22nd. [The annual holiday has been brought forward to July, it used to be August.]

July 18th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary read a letter dated July 10th which has been sent to all tenants of the company asking for a full return of all export taping and the prompt payment of rent accounts, intimating that the interest would be charged at 5% until payment. Also a request for payment for the extra cost of coal during the strike.
A letter was also read from all the tenants of the company [No doubt a concert party organised by the Manufacturer's Association.] at what they consider to be the exorbitant charge for coal during the strike, viz. 3/8½ per loom and stating that two other room and power companies had charged only 6d for every advance of 5d in the price of coal and that they wished to be placed on the same footing. [I thought this clause was already in the tenancy agreements?]
Res. That the secretary be empowered to deal with the matter and to demand payment of the whole of the charges.
Res. That a committee comprising the chairman, vice-chairman and managing director be appointed to consider and report on the question of painting the premises of the company.
Res. That a committee consisting of Messrs Dent, Brooks, King and Holdsworth be appointed to see how far the boiler insurance company's requirements should be carried out. [It is usual for the insurance surveyor to give prior notice of what parts of the boiler he requires to be stripped for inspection before the date it is due. This can be open to negotiation.]
That Green and Sons [Wakefield] be requested to examine and report on the economisers at CH Shed.

General meeting of shareholders
Seven Stars July 18th 1912
[Printed balance sheet reports £366-8-9 brought forward, total of £1980-12-10 to be appropriated. Disposition is £1519-14-0 dividend at 10% per annum and £460-18-10 carried over.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Balance sheet and 10% dividend be adopted. Retiring directors re-elected. Directors remuneration to be £60 per annum. Richard Watson and Son re-appointed as auditors.
Thomas Dent.

July 31st 1912
Chairman, vice chairman and managing director re-elected.
T Dent Chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Hartley and Co £1-3-3. M J Varley £1-7-11. A Dewhurst £9-8-4. P%P wages £110-9-4. H Brown and Sons £24-18-7. P Barrett £3-16-5. H P Cooper £3-14-0. C B Merrall £9-12-0. W Laycock and Sons £1-16-6. J W Clough £7-8-6. P Proctor Ltd 5/6. James Mudd £3-6-3. G H Baldwin £1-3-6. Colledge Roy Co £7-6-0. Brooks and Brooks £39-11-0. Diamond Lubricating Co £6-6-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £8-18-5. Holgate Marsden £637-11-0. Burnley Building Society £61-12-6.
Res. That 9” x 3” planks be obtained for CH to enable the troughs to be cleaned out and that Brooks, King and Holdsworth obtain the same. [I think these are planks to bridge across the ridges on CH Shed roof to act as a temporary scaffold for the men cleaning the troughs conveying cooling water to the dam at the back of the new Monkswell Shed. This explains the thickness.]
Res. That Mr D McPherson's tender for painting the old part of CH Shed be accepted.
Res. That the engine house at WH Mill be washed down.
Mr Atkinson's report on the flues at the three [Barlick] Mills of the company was read from which it appeared that at WH they were in good condition. At Butts Mill some slight repairs were required. That at CH the arrangement of the flues was good but that the inlet damper to the economisers would not open within two feet of the top' He recommended that a swivel damper should be fitted. [It must be a sliding damper like the side flue dampers. Quite unusual and swivel dampers like a large butterfly valve are better and more usual.]
Res. That Mr Wood be instructed to order the same.
Res. That the boiler house at Butts Mill be whitewashed by the fireman at 6d per hour.
Reports on the economisers at CH and Butts were read from which it appeared that the condition of both was far from satisfactory with regard to scaling. [Internal scale in the tubes.]
Reports on the boilers at WH were read from which ot appeared that all the requirements of the Insurance Company had been complied with and that their condition was very satisfactory.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons complaining that one of the bevel wheels on the line shafting had 22 teeth broken and had been in this condition for several months.
The secretary reported that the wheel was ordered on May 8th and delivered on May 13th and that it was being fixed this evening. The delay was due to Mr Brown's delay in fixing.

August 7th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That the suggestions contained in the boiler reports have attention.
That the letter received from A H Dewhurst asking for an income tax receipt be answered by Mr Wood.
That the chairman and W Holdsworth arrange that a fresh fireman be appointed at WH.
That J R Broughton be urged to remove ashes out of the way at WH and that he be allowed a piece of the vacant ground temporarily for that purpose.
That Mr Wood ascertain what quantity of Altham coal Holgate Marsden can supply so that the company can get a supply to make up the deficiency.
That D McPherson does the painting and puttying of a few leaky windows at Butts Mill.
That a wire worked guard be fitted over window frame in Butts yard. [Vandals again?]
That the director's board room be thoroughly cleaned and renovated.

August 14th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £61-12-6. J A Nutter £2-18-0.
Res. That the question of coal be left with Mr Wood with full power to arrange the matter.
Res. That the Craven Manufacturing Co be allowed to re-arrange their gas pipes.
Mr Wood reported that a meeting of tenants re the extra cost for coal during the strike had arranged a small committee to investigate the accounts. It was thought that the amount would eventually be paid.
Res. That Mr Brooks be instructed to engage Midgely as fireman at CH.
That Messrs Brooks, Dent and King be authorised to revise the ground rents at WH.
That the flues at Butts Mill be cleaned out five times each year instead of three times.

August 21st 1912
T Dent chair.
After a conversation about the rate for Tape Machines consequent on the advance in coal prices it was:
Res. That further consideration be left until the next meeting, Mr Wood to be acquainted by letter of the matter.
That the wall facing the boiler houses at Butts Mill be whitewashed.
That W H Wilkinson's rent for land at WH be advanced to 42/- per annum.
That Mr C Sutcliffe be instructed to take down obstructions in Mill Street otherwise the iron railings put down by the company will be removed.
That Mr Wood be asked what has been done with Holgate Marsden about the supply of Altham coal.
The question arose of why are accounts sent to Bailey and Roberts instead of Thomas Nutter for rent of room and power at WH Mill. [Indeed! Someone hasn't realised the tenancy has changed!]

August 28th 1912
Mr T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: James W Clough £9-18-11. Ambler Hargreaves £8-2-0. Watts and Hargreaves £9-7-9 [Is this an account from the old partnership before Brown?] William Laycock and Sons 3/-. E Brooksbank and Co £6-14-0. W J Varley 17/9. H Hartley and Co 13/10. Briggs and Duxbury £4-1-0. H Brown and Sons £49-14-0. E Harrison £8-12-0. G H Baldwin £1-4-10. United States [Metallic] packings 15/4. Brooks and Brooks £41-8-0. J&H Clegg £1-1-8. J Thompson and Co £3-2-0. Diamond Lubricating Co £1-6-9. H J Cooper 9/6. Heap and Thornton £4-1-6. P&P wages £67-17-6.
The secretary reported the result of his interview with Holgate Marsden with regard toi the supply of Altham coal to the effect that Mr Marsden will endeavour to keep a continuous supply for the future.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Loan of £100 accepted from John Hall. Seal cert etc.
That the land adjacent to the skating rink be let to Messrs ? On the terms mentioned by Mr Brooks.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £6062 in debit.
Res. That two trucks of 2” metal [road stone] be ordered and put upon the road in front of CH Shed. [About 25 tons.]

September 4th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That J Barlow's rent must be paid regularly.
That the stones on the road at CH be broken and after being covered with limestone from Thornton Rock we engage the BUDC road roller to go over them. [The council bought a steam roller in 1898.]
That the apparatus for extinguishing fire be thoroughly overhauled and tested.
That as the supply of Altham coal is not satisfactory the company positively buy coal outside the Altham supply.
Res. That we consider the question of the rent of looms as far as Messrs Edmondson and Co are concerned. A question was asked as to whether dobbies paid better than plain looms. [One wonders what concern this is of CHSC, they are in the business of renting room and power not assessing the profit made by manufacturers.]
That the insurance policy be examined to see if the reed works at WH was included in the risk.
Res. That Mr Atkinson put in boundary stakes round Ouzledale dam so that the company's property can be fenced.

September 11th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That when the damper is fixed at CH boiler house, the places allowing smoke to escape from the economiser chamber be repaired. [I smell a rat. If the flues are in good condition there should be negative pressure inside the economiser caused by the pull on the chimney. The only time this could possibly be a problem is overnight when the fires are banked and the flue dampers to the chimney almost shut.]
That the question of fixing new economisers at CH Shed be considered next week. [There is pressure building to chase fuel economy. We have only to look at the accounts to see what proportion of the CHSC expenses is on coal.]
That Lonsdale Brothers of Blackburn patch the covering [insulation] on steam pipes on the WH engine cylinder.
That Messrs Dent and Barrett got to Burnley tomorrow to see Mr Bretherick of Burnley Ironworks and get to know if anything can be done during the holidays to stop the leakage from the engine cylinder chest [WH] and if possible to have the same repaired at once.
That a man be engaged to sweep the shafting in the sheds at CH.
That Ernest Harrison commence the fixing of the damper at CH Shed this year. [?]

September 18th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £6325 in debit.
Mr Barrett gave a report on the present condition of the crack in the cylinder at WH from which it appeared that Burnley Ironworks had reported that there was no immediate danger but that it should be carefully watched.
Res. Accounts be paid: Colne Corporation £135-2-0. Thomas Dent and Sons £9-2-6. Joseph Nutter £80-19-3. Lancs and Yorks Railway £1.
A letter from R S Windle suggesting a meeting to increase the price of tapes was read when it was resolved that the letter be placed on the table.

September 15th 1912
T Dent chair.
Letters were read from S Pickles and sons and B&EM Holden on the condition of the roof at CH.
Res. That Messrs Barrett and Brooks examine the same and see that it is properly repaired. [I can't help getting the impression that supervision of repairs and maintenance of the sheds is less than perfect.]
That all coals delivered to CH be weighed.
That the plan from E Green and Sons be filled in giving particulars for the propsed set of new economisers. [CH]
That Messrs Clapham Brothers account be forwarded to Mr W H Atkinson for him to certify.
That Henry Brown and Sons be urged to complete the fixing of the troughing at CH.
That Messrs Barrett and J R Broughton examine Anthony Carr's shed roof and get all necessary repairs done.
That W H Heywood and Co be asked that if, when the shed roof lights require repair, they can put in sectional patent glazing.
That a wagon of 2” limestone be ordered.
That the question of fire insurance be considered fully next week.

October 2nd 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That we order a further supply of limestone to be broken for the road at CH and that we engage the [BUDC] road roller to fix them.
That steps be taken by Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth to arrange for the stopping of draughts from the water closets getting into J Moorhouse and Sons' shed. [Stopping the smell?]
That Charles Sneath be paid 5/5 per day for firing at WH during Trayford's absence. [The Sneath clan moving again? Remember that J J Sneath is the WH engineer and his son John is running CH engine.]
That Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth consult as to whether the fireman at WH is adequately paid for his work.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That we obtain expert evidence as to what increased rent should be paid by tenants for dobbies over plain looms.

October 9th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: E Sutcliffe £5-12-6. College Roy and Co £6-18-6. Ed Taylor £9-8-4 and £4-14-2. Brooks and Brooks £33-17-0. Alliance Insurance Co £14-3-6. Lancs and Yorks Railway £1-10-0. Norwich Union (James Lea)[agent?] £35-5-3 and £27-10-6. BUDC £4-1-7. E Brooksbank and Co £36-11-4. Royal Insurance £30-13-0. Brooks and Brooks 7/6. Alliance Insurance £8-16-4. Diamond Lubricating Co £1-5-4. Sun Insurance Co £56-4-0. James W Clough £1-19-0. US Metallic Packing £1. James Pollard £1-9-0. Wilson and Thornber £1-8-0. J Hartley and Co £2-15-0. D McPherson £10. Burnley Ironworks £118-17-7. C S Merrall £4-9-0. George H Baldwin £1-0-5. British Kremnos £11-5-9. Anti-Incrustation Co £5-13-3. J R Broughton £35-10-0. Proctor and Proctor wages £98-0-3.
Loan accepted from John Horsfield of £200. Seal cert etc.
Transfer of shares from Elizabeth Watson to Ada Slater [wife of John Slater] and Hilda Slater sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A tender was read from E Green and Sons for a set of economisers of 192 pipes £290 [delivered] Barnoldswick station. E Green and Son to have the old economiser and to provide a skilled mechanic to erect the same. The CHSC to find all labourer's assistance. [CH, see minutes for 20/11/1912]
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £4873 in debit.
It was reported that the coal for CH Shed had been weighed for the last week and that the amount [burnt] was 51 tons 7cwts and 3quarters of Altham coal.
Res. That Messrs Holdsworth and Wilson attend to the letter from the BUDC surveyor as to the requirements of HMFI.

October 16th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Joseph Howarth be engaged as fireman at WH Mill.
That all coal sent to WH Mill be weighed for a week.
That the engineer's requirements be met.
That James Moorhouse and Son be allowed to make a doorway between their two sheds on condition that the same is made good when they leave.

October 23rd 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That two barrels of cylinder oil and one of engine oil be ordered fro Brooksbank's for CH Shed.
That another gas bracket be fixed for the twisters in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse.
The following questions were considered but no resolutions taken thereon:
The reason the Company has ceased to use Standard Oil.
The water supply at WH Mill.

October 30th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That the secretary reply to the letter from J Moorhouse and Co complaining of the speed of the engine at WH Mill, stating that the same shall receive attention. [It's perhaps worth noting that, apart from possible negligence on the engineer's part in setting his governor correctly, there are two main reasons for slow running. One is a deficiency in steam pressure, when a boiler plant is heavily loaded and simply can't keep pressure up, this is very much down to the skill of the firebeater. At Bancroft in winter we were often in this position but rationed steam for heating to maintain engine speed. Another circumstance, with a heavily loaded engine, and we know that WH was on its limit, is that on a cold morning the drag in the cold shafting bearings could be enough to slow the engine down until they had become warmer and freed themselves up. I have good evidence for this at other mills. Victoria Mill at Earby couldn't be turned by the engine from cold unless the shafting was turned slowly by the barring engine for 30 minutes before starting time. The engine at Moss Shed would start but the governor didn't rise off the pedestal, that is get up to full speed, until breakfast time in winter.]
That accounts be paid.
That two barrels of Brooksbank's cylinder oil and one of engine oil be ordered for Butts Mill.
Loan of £250 accepted from Elizabeth M Dewhurst. Seal cert etc.
That consideration of the coal report be left over until next week.
That an iron pipe at CH Shed be offered for sale at 3/3 per cwt to Mr E Rodwell, Surveyor the the Skipton Rural District Council.

November 6th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance £4179 in debit.
Res. That accounts be paid: A Jobling £21-19-9. J H Nutter 3/6. Holgate Marsden £23-16-0. J G Tate £10. William Proctor £70-9-10. T&C Holdsworth £4. Heap and Thornton £10-4-0. M J Varley £1-10-0.
It was reported that the consumption of Altham coal which was now 14/2 per ton was as follows:
Mill Looms Looms/ton Horse power Looms per hp
CH Shed, 51½ tons 1659 32.2 738 2 ¼
Butts, 53 tons 1930 36.4 700 2 ¾
WH Mill, 70 tons 2330 33.3 970 2 ½
[Interesting figures. Despite being regarded as a bad engine, the Musgrave at Butts is the most efficient engine. I think the crucial lesson from these figures, all other things being equal, is that the Butts transmission system is the most efficient.]
Transfer of 75 shares from Edward Wood and 20 shares from Walter Wood to the Exors of Martin Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Mr Brown, mechanic be requested to take charge of the engine at Butts Mill in the absence of Mr Hogarth but failing him that Mr Wood be asked to arrange for someone from Burnley. [No evidence but John Pickles almost certainly took on the job, he had been round engines since he was a lad helping his uncle to run Sough Bridge Mill. 'Running for sick' as it was called became stock in trade for H Brown and Sons and their successors, Henry Brown Sons and Pickles. In later years Johnny's son Newton did all these jobs and was sometimes away for months in really serious cases. The engine makers occasionally supplied tenters but tended to avoid it as they lost a lot of good fitters that way who decided they'd rather be running the engines than working night and day to repair them. Lots of evidence for this in the Lancashire Textile Project.]

November 13th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That the lamp in front of J W Horsfield's shed be lighted for the winter.
That the secretary be asked to pay D McPherson's account for painting CH Shed.
That the mechanical stoker at WH be repaired forthwith.
That J J Sneath be interviewed as to the manner in which the fireman is doing his work.
That BUDC be requested to fit a new street lamp in Mill Street at CH.
That J R Broughton puts sufficient ashes in the Parrock to make the road good providing that the cost does not exceed 6d per load.
That the street cleaners be stopped from putting slurry in WH Yard. [Remember that these are dry macadam roads and when cleaned in wet weather the sweepings were a lime slurry.]
That one drum of boiler composition be ordered for CH.

November 20th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That cheque be drawn for £7-8-10 in favour of the Scottish Union and National Insurance Co.
The reports on the external condition of the economisers at WH and CH Shed were read and found to be in order.
The secretary reported that he had arranged with C W Bailey Ltd to accept a loan of £5000 at 4% clear of tax and that the amount had been paid into the company's account bringing the position of the Craven Bank Ltd to £? in favour of the company. [Bank rate on the overdraft must have been more that 4%.]
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the promissory note for this amount repayable after three month's notice.
Res. That the secretary enquire as to a fireman.
Res. That Messrs Brooks and Barrett meet the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd with reference to their scheme for rearranging the warehouse between them and J Wilson.
Res. That the tender of E Green and Son of £295 for a set of economisers of 192 pipes for CH be accepted.

November 27th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That BUDC's account for paving, £408-1-11 be paid. [Adoption of Mill Street?]
That J J Sneath's attention be drawn to a report that overtime has been done at WH Mill.
That the present fireman [WH?] be relieved from his duties as soon as the new man is conversant with the work and place.
That we call the attention of the men at Butts Mill to a letter we have received from BUDC complaining of black smoke.
That Messrs Dent, King and Brooks attend to the complaint of the Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd and have the necessary work put in hand to prevent water coming into their warehouse and to arrange with Mr P Barrett the question of sinking a well in the Laundry. [This at WH in what was the old joiner's shop. I knew that there was a well there, evidence of Newton Pickles. By the time they were using the old laundry for heavy machinery in WW2 it had been capped.]

December 4th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Holdsworth, King and Brooks examine the wheel cover at Butts Engine House and see that the necessary work is done to protect the wheels in accordance with the HMFI letter. [This will be the shrouding of the jack wheel and second motion pinion.]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Messrs Barrett and Brooks report to the Craven Manufacturing Co the requirements of John Wilson Ltd in connection with vacating their present tape room and in the event of them not being able to arrange anything that Mr Atkinson be consulted as to what should be done to make more room in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse.
That the WH fireman be offered first choice of Thomas Wills' house. [Looks as though Wills is the departing fireman.]

December 11th 1912
T Dent chair.
Res. That Brooksbank's offer of 4/6 each for empty oil barrels be accepted.
That James Proctor, Hammerton Street, Burnley be asked their price for efficient repair of the three stokers at WH and also their price for three new ones. [Three boilers but six flues.]
That the painting of the outside of Ouzledale Cottage be left over until a more favourable time.
That a new shafting ladder be ordered from P Barrett and Son.
That the house vacated by T Wills, Calf Hall Road, be let to Thomas Midgely the fireman at Calf Hall.
That Messrs Dent, King and Barrett examine the drains in Slater Brothers at WH and report to the next meeting their scheme for dealing with the leakage.
That aquariums be ordered for lubricating the big bearings on Wellhouse Engine. [These are glass fronted reservoirs fitted on top of the flywheel pedestals and the second motion shaft bearings with two windows, the top to show the oil level in the reservoir and the lower one to give sight of the oil running into the bearings. The oil was re-circulated from troughs below the bearings back to the reservoir by small pumps driven by ropes from the shaft. Once again one wonders why they weren't fitted when the engine was installed.]

December 18th 1912
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: P W Spencer £7-8-0. P Barrett 2/-. E Newsholme 5/6. P P Brown 12/4. Diamond Lubricating Co £1-6-9. Clapham Brothers Ltd £4-12-0. BUDC 3/5. E Harrison £57-15-0. W Hough 10/4. G H Baldwin £1-10-2. F Dempsey £2. Brooks and Brooks £51-17-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-3-0. E Brooksbank and Sons £10-3-0. Henry Brown and Sons £22-3-0. Union Oil Co £4-7-3. James W Clough £16-5-0.
The secretary read a quotation from Proctor for the repairs required on the three stokers at WH Mill. The price being £24-10-0 each or £50 each for new stokers.
Res. That the stokers be repaired by Henry Brown and Sons.
A letter was read from the Sanitary Inspector drawing attention to the unsanitary conditions of the conveniences at Butts Mill.
Mr Barrett reported on the flooding of the drains in the warehouse of Slater Brothers at WH Mill and suggested that the rainwater from three or four of the troughs should be taken direct to the dam.
Res. That this be done.
Res. That we decline to allow further tipping of road sweepings at WH.
That Mr McPherson be instructed to paint the interior of the CH engine house in compliance with the requirements of HMFI.

January 1st 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That a length of hose and a stand pipe, Mather and Platt's make, be ordered through BUDC and be stored in Monkswell's shed. Mention to be made to Mr Wood before ordering the same.
That the letter from the BUDC surveyor be answered informing him that the company has sold all the ashes.
That Stephen Parker fix the iron slipper now stored in J Windle and Sons' shed at Butts for the support of the beam with a decayed end.
That 2 barrels of Brooksbank's cylinder oil be ordered for CH.
Loan of £20 accepted from Miss Gladys M King.
That 10/- be given to the carters as a Christmas box.
That the chairman be empowered to engage the fireman recommended by Mr Stockdale.
That the road filth be cleaned off and carted away.
That J R Broughton be urged to diminish the stock of ashes.
[Bear in mind that this is 1913. Much is happening outside Barnoldswick!]

January 8th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1109 credit. [Remember they borrowed £5000.]
Res. Accounts be paid: George Proctor salary £60. Wilson and Thornber £3-1-0. T Dent £30. C B Merrall £5. R Watson and Son £3-18-9. Heap and Thornton £20-5-0. Inland Revenue £295-8-4 and £37-12-9. P&P wages £127-11-6.
Loan of £20 from Gladys M King seal cert etc.
Transfer of 31 shares from Mrs M F Singleton and Marjorie Irene Singleton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That sufficient hosepipe be obtained for Edmondson and Co and Monkswell Manufacturing Co to command any part of their premises and that the same be purchased from BUDC.
Complaints were made as to the quality of Altham Nuts coal.
Res. That Mr Marsden's attention be drawn to same.
Res. That balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and presented to the shareholders on January 23rd.. Dividend of 10% per annum be recommended.
The accounts for the half year revealed a very large increase in the price of coal and after some discussion it was resolved that the secretary be requested to draft a scheme for increasing the rent payable by tenants for room and power based on an increase in the price per loom and price for tapes. To be submitted to the directors immediately after the shareholders' meeting.

January 15th 1913
T Dent chair.
Application was made by Mr Moorhouse for his tape room to be heated by steam pipes.
Res. That the company cannot see their way to do this. [Tape rooms generated their own heating.]
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.

January 23rd 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Norwich Union Fire Insurance £1-17-6. E Green and Son £4. Scottish Union and National Ins Co £1-10-0. BUDC £2-14-4. Colne Corporation 18/-. Dividend Account £1519-14-0.
The additional cost of turning and the reduced profits for the half year were discussed.
Res. That the rents as from August 1st 1913 be at the rate of 47/- per loom and £120 per annum for a tape with any additions or reductions that occur between now and that date on a sliding scale of 6d [per loom] for each 5d per ton and £3 [per tape] rise or fall of 5d in the price of coal.
Res. That the letter prepared by the secretary be sent to each of the tenants by tonight's post asking them to agree to these terms before January 28th.
Res. That in the event of any tenant not agreeing to the proposed terms they be sent notice of termination of tenancy under the common seal of the company. [No messing about!]
Transfer of 50 shares from Bracewell Petty to Jane Petty sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That the fireman at WH be paid 30/- per week.

General shareholder's meeting
January 23rd 1913 Seven Stars
[Printed balance sheet reports £460-18-10 carried forward, total disposable £1626-16-10. Disposition £1519-14-0 dividend, £107-2-10 carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend adopted.
Thomas Dent.

January 29th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £160-16-1 in debit.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Barrett £9-18-7. E Brooksbank £23-14-3. G H Baldwin £1-10-0. R Parkinson and Sons 10/-. J A Nutter £1-14-3. Inland revenue 11/8. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-4-6. Brooks and Brooks £52-10-0. James proctor Ltd £6-15-0. J R Atkinson £7-10-0. J R Broughton £23-14-0. Burnley Ironworks £1-18-11. S Parker £3-6-0. S A Hargreaves £1-1-0.
[Noticeable that Marsden's coal account has been missing for a while. Too painful to record?]
A letter was read from the Sanitary Inspector calling attention to two records at CH of 46 minutes and 24 minutes of black smoke. The secretary was asked to inform the inspector that a new class of fuel was being tested.
The correspondence with the tenants was read.
Res. That notices to terminate tenancies be not executed until all the tenants had replied.
Reported that the test of Dalton Main coal at CH was not yet complete but the figures were approximately 51 tons as against 57 of Altham, the price of Altham was 15/- delivered and Dalton 17/-.

February 5th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £365-5-11 in debit.
Res. Accounts be paid: Proctor and Proctor wages £85-19-10. Holgate Marsden £588-9-0.
The replies of the tenants to the secretary's letter of January 23rd intimating the increase of rent from August 1st were read. The tenor of which was that they were willing to pay the same rents as other tenants in the town, 46/8 per loom and £95 for a tape machine. After careful consideration:
Res. That the proposed rents be adhered to in every particular and the secretary be instructed to reply in the terms of the latter submitted to the meeting.
Res. That in future no overtime be paid for until the sanction of the board has been given.
The secretary presented the agreement made with Mr Moorhouse for the ten year lease made December 23rd 1898 from which it appeared that no mention had been made of the speed of the engine or the shafting.

February 12th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Hodkinson have notice to quit the land in the Parrock used for road scrapings.
That Waite and Lambert be pressed for payment for timber sold to them and now stored at WH.
That Mill Street be cleared of road scrapings.
Reported that the amount received in rent from the Parrock during 1912 was £30-6-5½.
Res. That Garibaldi Pickles' [local common carrier] rent be mentioned at the next meeting. He was charged from June 22nd until August 31st 1907 ten weeks at 10/- per week, £5, and he paid at various times 35/-.

February 19th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Garibaldi Pickles be informed that if he will pay 20/- of the debt for pasturing Parrock the remaining balance will be cancelled.
That Waite and Lambert be given fourteen days notice to pay for the timber bought by them and stored at WH and that it be then immediately removed.
That the exhaust steam from the trap in Edmondson's shed be conveyed to the culvert by Wilson and Thornber's. [A clear example of the waste of hot, pure water by returning it to the common supply. Eventually full condensate recovery systems returning this valuable resource to the hot well where the boiler feed water was obtained became standard. John Pickles was still having to advocate this principle after WW2. In this matter, as well as boiler water treatment the directors were very lax, probably because they didn't understand the technology.]
That new hoist ropes be fitted to W Bailey's hoist. Also that a new rope be ordered for the engine at WH. Messrs Cooper of Burnley to make the ropes.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Messrs Dent, King, Holdsworth and Banks examine the teeth in the flywheel [jack wheel] and second motion wheels at Butts Mill and report to the next meeting the condition of the same.

February 26th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Midland Railway Co £1-17-10. Colne Corporation 18/-. D McPherson £14-15-0. Ridehalgh and Co £15-12-6.
The secretary read letters of acceptance of the increased terms from Edmondson and Co and Anthony Carr. It was decided that the question of terminating the tenancies be left over until the end of March.
The deputation appointed at the last meeting to examine the gear and second motion at Butts reported that the engineer suggested that the teeth should be chipped and the deputation were not unanimous in recommending that this be done. [With the benefit of both hindsight and experience I have no hesitation in saying that it would have been far better if the directors had bitten the bullet and replaced the old gearing with machine cut steel gears. Preferably double helical. The cost of the vibration damaging other gearing in the system alone would have paid for this. They must have known that this was possible, George Proctor was secretary for the Pendle Street Room and Power Company which ran Pendle Street Mill in Nelson. When installed in 1886 the Roberts' engine had double helical cast steel gearing and gave very little trouble during a long and heavily loaded life. The CHSC priorities seemed to be different.]]
Res. That Mr Wood instruct an insurance company to make an inspection and report on the wheels at a cost not exceeding two guineas.
It was reported to the meeting that the test of Altham coal at CH was 55 tons against 51 tons of Dalton Main.
Letters were read from HMFI drawing attention to the tape room in Moorhouse's warehouse and requesting a reasonable temperature to be provided and maintained as the room was draughty and cold especially in the early morning. Also, that the cross heads on the engine at Butts should be fenced in.

March 5th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That the engineers at Butts and Calf Hall take out the pegs used when indicating off when not in use. [HMFI reducing the chance of getting caught in the machinery?]
That Heap and Thornton repair the roof of Craven Manufacturing Co's and Wilson's shed and over the bench of Mr Baxter in the Craven Twill room. Also that the skylight in Craven Manufacturing Co's tape room be glazed.
Res. That Mr A King be commissioned to sell the materials in the disused hen place at Ouzledale.
Res. That an inquiry be made into the rent received from Henry Brown and Sons.
Res. That we leave the notice requiring paving of the Parrock and Back Calf Hall Road street for further consideration.
Res. That the fire escape stocked at WH Mill be affixed to J Moorhouse's warehouse by Henry Brown and that Messrs Brooks and Holdsworth be appointed to supervise the work.
In Reply to Moorhouse's letter asking for a fixed speed at which the engine should be run, it was resolved that the speed of the engine should be kept as uniform as possible and at about the present speed.
Res. That we pay National Engine and Boiler Insurance £2-2-0.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Res. That the steam from the boiler from Butts be blown off at 11:30am each Saturday as previously arranged. [What for? It costs a minimum of 3 tons of coal every time it is done. I'm puzzled, all I can think is that they are washing the boiler out each weekend to reduce scale.]

March 12th 1913
T Dent chair.
Complaints were received from the following people.
Res. That Messrs Holdsworth and Dent examine and attend to their needs.
Dugdale and Dewhurst, condition of road.
Exors of W Bailey, condition of troughing.
B&EM Holden, condition of the floor beneath their donkey engine, Mr J J Sneath to provide a new stop valve.
That a shelf be made in the warehouse at Monkswell to hold the fire appliances. Mr J R Broughton to affix the woodwork and S Parker to supply the ironwork.
Res. That when weather permits we examine Edmondson's shed floor and the viaduct [culvert] under same. [This will be internal examination of the culvert.]
That J R Broughton repairs the winding room floor at J Wilson's.
That a cheque be drawn for wages £79-16-11.

March 19th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £639 in credit.
Transfer of 25 shares from Joshua Fielden to Robinson Knowles sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the chairman and managing director see to the pointing of the walls at Butts Mill and that the windows in Moorhouse's shed at WH be made to open as a means of escape in case of fire.
A letter was read from Mr Moorhouse [WH] requesting the board to fix the speed for the engine to enable him to alter the pulleys for his looms.
Res. That the engine be run at the same speed as hitherto, about 60rpm or as near that as is reasonably possible and that Mr Moorhouse be informed of this. [I'm puzzled again. The speed of the BI engine at WH was always reported as 72rpm. As far as I am aware it was never altered.]
Res. That a cupboard be fixed for the Monkswell fire appliances.
That P Barrett and W Holdsworth inspect the work at Ouzledale Foundry for which Messrs Dale Ironworks Co charged £20.
The secretary reported that five or six of the tenants had not assented to the increased terms.
Res. That Messrs Holdsworth and King be deputed to take particulars of the pulleys required in A Carr's shed.
The secretary reported that a letter had been received from the National Ins Co on the engine at Butts Mill from which at appeared that the crank-shaft [flywheel shaft] bearings require taking up and that the teeth in the driving wheel and pinion are worn and shouldered but if chipped and filed will be satisfactory for further service and this should be done immediately. However they do not think that under any conditions the present wheels will ever give satisfaction with regard to smooth working. They also state that the crank shaft [flywheel shaft] should be lifted to examine the bottom bearing brasses and if these are found to be worn steps should at once be taken to replace them and the bearings generally put in such condition that they can be closely adjusted to prevent the jumping and rocking of the shaft that now takes place. They feel that if this is not done there will sooner or later be a serious breakdown of the present wheels or any new ones that are fitted.
[Not a good report and it raises the question of why Albert Hogarth couldn't see the faults and report them.]

March 26th 1913
T Dent chair.
Messrs Brown and Watts attended the meeting to arrange an agreement for the tenancy of Ouzledale Ironworks. It was suggested that a twelve year lease be granted to these tenants on the present rental agreed on May 29th 1912 with the option of purchasing the whole of the estate for £600 or the estate without the lodge for £520. In the event of the tenants availing themselves of this option the company agree to advance two thirds of the purchase money.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to substitute a rope drive for the gearing at present driving the looms in Anthony Carr's shed.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Res. That in future the Dales Ironworks accounts be settled on bill nigh and not by contra with the rent.

April 2nd 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That a steam trap be obtained from stock if possible for J W Horsfield's warehouse.
Res. That the Post Office authorities be allowed to fix a bracket at CH with the usual acknowledgement. [The National Telephone Company was founded in 1881 and taken over by the Post Office in 1911.]
Messrs King and Holdsworth reported that when the donkey engine in B&EM Holden was got to work they would examine the floor underneath it.

April 9th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Wilson and Thornber £5-3-0. J W Clough £19-18-0. Edmund Taylor £14-2-6. E Brooksbank and Co £23-15-0. H P Cooper £20-3-3. Lancs and Yorks Railway £1-10-0. W Hough and Co £2-16-0. James Proctor 9/-. Thomas Lister and Co 2/2. P P Brown 18/10. J Bellingham and Sons £2-5-0. Joseph Phelps £1-5-0. G H Baldwin £2-11-7. Charles J Lord £12-5-0.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £518-3-8 in credit and that all the tenants had agreed to the new terms which come into operation on August 1st next. [The notice to quit has evidently worked.]

April 16th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That we employ Mr P P Brown to fix a bracket in Monkswell Manufacturing Co's tape room.
That Messrs Holdsworth, King and Barrett instruct J R Broughton as to the fixing of the platform for dealing with the hot water from the trough at CH Shed. [The cooling system?]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Mr James Horsfield be instructed to clear the stream at CH of branches of trees.
That the [water] closet at Craven Manufacturing be put into proper repair by Mr Albert Harrison.

April 23rd 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the engineer at CH Shed, Mr John Sneath [son of JJ at WH Mill] have his wage raised to £2 per week.
As a result of the tenants refusing to pay a share of the rent of the street it was resolved that the company's iron rails be taken up and fixed on the company's side of the street. [Mill Street at Calf Hall?]
That the spare land at WH be let to Mr Blakey at 2d per square yard per annum.
That the various condensed steam pipes at S Pickles and Sons' tape room be collected at one point and taken into the drain. [It seems that CHSC hasn't yet woken up to the fact that this hot condensate is valuable pre-treated water and it is economic to pipe it back to the hot well for boiler feed water. In later years condensate return systems were seen as essential for fuel economy.]

April 30th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1435-7-0 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: P&P wages £97-19-6. H P Cooper £4-12-6. BUDC £7-19-3 and 7/-. Ambler and Hargreaves £1-5-6. Brooks and Brooks £53-7-0. Colne Corporation £1-12-1. T M Duché and Sons £13-16-7. James W Clough £1-6-9. A Jobling £21-19-9. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-2-0. Holgate Marsden £579-8-0. James Gott and Sons 6/-.
Res. That Walter Dawson be appointed fireman at WH Mill at 28/- per week.
That should Holgate Marsden be unable to increase the stock of coal at Butts Mill within the next week or two that further supplies be ordered.
Res. That the Anti-Incrustation Co's composition be used at Butts Mill for six months.
That empty oil barrels be sold to Brooksbank's for 3/6 each and that one cask each of American Oil be sent to CH Shed and Butts Mill. [Interesting entry. I suspect that this is straight mineral oil from the emerging oil industry in America. Many oils were based on vegetable and animal oils before this became available. Castor oil was widely used and the name survives to this day in the brand name 'Castrol'.]
Res. That Mr Atkinson be requested to attend at Barnoldswick re the further space required by the Craven Manufacturing Co.
That with reference to the present use of the half street at CH Shed it was resolved that if the persons occupying the land will pay half the rent which James Horsfield intimated would be the case, the fence be allowed to remain as at present otherwise it must be carried forward to the full extent of the company's property and that the whole of the street claimed be kept open.

May 7th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That if the 24 trucks of Dalton Main coal can be emptied without siding rent [demurrage on wagons] accruing, if they be delivered at CH Shed, that this be done. [Approximately 300 tons of coal or 240 cart loads.]
The chairman reported that Mr Atkinson had inspected the Craven Manufacturing Co's premises with a view to enlarging the warehouse accommodation.
Mr Collins, Showman, who was a tenant of the Parrock fair ground for a fortnight applied for An allowance of rent in consideration of the wet weather which prevailed the whole of the time.
Res. That the next time he becomes tenant he be allowed 10/6.
Res. That next winter, any [showman] tenant wishing to stay for a longer period may, by arrangement, have a reduction from the present rent of 4/- per van per week. [Winter quarters?]
Res. That the [asbestos] cement covering of the steam pipes be boarded off so that it cannot be walked on. J R Broughton to do the work.
Res. That P P Brown fix the rails at CH as previously instructed.
Res. That the faulty steam pipes at WH be repaired. If new ones are necessary it was resolved that they be got. Henry Brown and Sons being asked to quote for the same.

May 14th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That J R Broughton erect platforms to protect [insulating] cement covering over the boilers where necessary. Mr King to supervise the work.

May 21st 1913
T Dent chair.
The secretary reported the bank balance as £1451-19-5 in credit.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to inform Mr E Sutcliffe, farmer at Calf Hall that the company propose to clear the street adjoining the property at CH Shed.
A cheque be drawn for wages £68-6-6.
Loan of £1200 from W C Dewhurst be repaid forthwith and a loan of £200 accepted from David Woffenden. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that Mr Atkinson had attended at Barnoldswick re the extra warehouse space for the Craven Manufacturing Co.
Res. That he be requested to make a rough sketch and provide estimates, excluding the Board Room, for consideration by the directors.
That Messrs King and Holdsworth be deputed to examine the ventilation of Edmondson and Co's premises.
The secretary reported that the engineer at Butts Mill had run the premises with two boilers [out of the three] with 40 tons of coal from Tuesday morning last to Saturday noon.
Res. That Mr Wood arrange with him as to running on a similar plan in future.

May 28th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the explanation to be given to Mr Proctor should be “That the engine speed has diminished owing to the heating of a crank-pin”. [Which engine?]
That Mr Proctor be requested to obtain prices for fixing new blow-off valves [I always assume that these are actually blow down valves. The relief valves on top of the boiler which released excessive pressure were always described as safety valves and gave very little trouble as they dealt with clean steam.] on the two boilers at WH Mill. The engineer, J J Sneath to provide particulars. [There are three boilers but I think one has already been fitted with the improved Hopkinson parallel slide valve in place of the old bronze plug cock. Blow down valves were subject to severe attrition due to the scale in the water.]
That we repair the floor at J Windle and Sons and Thomas Nutter's and that a new window be put in Waterworth, Holdsworth and Co's shed roof.
That Heap and Thornton fix two earthenware ventilators on Edmondson and Co's shed roof.

June 4th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That we invite tenders for the supply of ashes from the three Barlick mills for the year ending July 1st 1914.
That J R Broughton be instructed to clear all ashes away from CH and WH mills before June 30th 1913.
That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to fix new brasses to the air pump at Calf Hall.
That Mr E Wood write to E Green and Sons of Wakefield asking them to send a plan of the proposed brickwork required to be done in readiness for the installation of the economisers at CH Shed.
It was resolved that the question of “Why is Mill Street not opened?” be left until the next meeting.

June 11th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Loan of £115 accepted from W H Atkinson, architect, Colne.
Res. That in consideration of the space taken by the new drive at CH Shed the rent for the extra tape room of Monkswell Manufacturing be reduced to 25/-.
That repairs to the [boiler] safety valves at WH be carried out by H Brown and Sons where necessary.
The plans of the economiser chamber at CH Shed were presented and it was resolved that they be dispatched to the engineer and that contractors be asked to attend, take their own particulars and quote for the necessary work.
The secretary was instructed to write to Mr Sutcliffe, farmer, re the occupation of Mill Street giving him notice to quit forthwith.
Res. That one blow-off valve be purchased for WH Mill from Hopkinson. [Huddersfield]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to inform Craven Manufacturing Co that the allowance now being made by the company for insufficient warehouse space will be reduced by a sum equal to 3½%[?] on the cost of the new extension.
Res. That an aquarium lubricator be ordered from Burnley Ironworks for WH Mill. [engine]
A rough sketch was submitted by the architect for the extra warehousing at Butts Mill the cost of which was estimated to be £[no figure].

June 18th 1913.
T Dent chair.
Mr E Sutcliffe, farmer of Calf Hall attended the meeting to make an arrangement for letting Mill Street.
Res. That he pay 20/- in full satisfaction for rents received to date and for expenses incurred in placing railings on the opposite side of the street.
That Ernest Harrison does the brickwork required for fixing the new economisers at CH. Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth continue the supervision.
Res. That after receiving Craven Manufacturing Co's approval of the extension and terms Mr Wood instruct Mr Atkinson to draw up the specifications for the same.
Res. That a proper understanding be arrived at first re lights and doors.
That Ouzledale Cottage be painted white outside.
That old ropes be sold.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.

June 25th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That when E Green and Sons send their foreman to examine the broken economiser box and pipe he be consulted over the pulley supplied.
Res. That the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Co be asked to state whether a satisfactory examination of boilers can be made when two out of the three are working. [Must be Wellhouse. The answer should be yes because one of the advantages of being over-boilered during the summer months was that annual inspections could be done one boiler at a time thus taking the pressure off the holiday week.]
Res. That Mr Wood urge Mr Atkinson to press on with the specifications for the Craven Manufacturing Co extension, drawing special attention to lights and doorways and if possible to have tenders in for next week's meeting.
That A Green should be engaged as fireman at WH Mill. Should a hitch occur over holidays Stansfield be engaged.
Tenders received for ashes:
Blakey and Co, WH, £5-10-0.
J R Broughton, WH, £7.
P Barrett, Butts, £2-10-0.
J R Broughton, CH, £4-10-0.
Highest tenders accepted and that statements be sent every three months.
Loan of £115 accepted from Edith Atkinson. Seal cert etc.

July 2nd 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £522-19-0. Wilson and Thornber £6. W Cragg £1-15-0. G Proctor £60. P P Brown £2-3-0. J R Atkinson £14-8-0. T Dent £30. J W Clough 6/6. Colledge Roy £3-1-4. Wages £100-1-11. Inland Rev £2-15-7. Brooks and Brooks £48-19-0. John Delaney £168-1-0. G H Baldwin £1-7-0. J R Broughton £17-7-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £5-17-0.
Res. That the tenant of Ouzledale be charged all extra rates levied on the new property.
Res. Balance sheet adopted subject to audit and dividend of 10% per annum recommended. General meeting to be July 17th.
Res. That new pumps be ordered for the aquariums at WH.

July 9th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That when Burnley Ironworks fix the aquariums at WH they be instructed to fix oil pumps on the engine. [Puzzling, I would have expected the pumps to be part of the aquarium contract.]
That when Ernest Harrison fixes the [furnace] bridges at WH he supply the fire bricks and clay.
Res. That should the crank pin at ? [WH?] still continue to become heated whilst running we request Burnley Ironworks to examine and rectify.
That Joshua Crook and Son be requested to repair the barrow at Butts Mill.
That we order 15lbs of black hydraulic packing 1¼” square for Calf Hall. This is a graphite and oil soaked asbestos packing for a large water pump.]

General meeting at Seven Stars
July 17th 1913
[Printed balance sheet reports: £107-2-10 brought forward, total for apportionment £1519-15-9. Disposition: £1519-14-0 for dividend, 1/9 carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and reports adopted. Dividend of 10% per annum approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration £60 per annum [Must have been increased at last general meeting but not reported in the minutes.] Richard Watson and Son re-appointed as auditor.

July 16th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Dent, King and Brooks be appointed to attend to the complaint regarding the burning of paper at WH by the various tenants.
That the necessary repairs at Butts to the window in J Wilson's portion and to the ceiling in Craven Manufacturing be executed by Briggs and Duxbury.
That the requirements of the engineers be ordered.
That Dent, King and Brooks report on the condition of the Laundry windows to the next meeting. [WH]
Tenders received for extension at Butts:
Muff and Randall £252-3-0. Blakely and Co £250. Briggs and Duxbury £238-6-6. E Harrison £236-16-6.
Res. That E Harrison's tender be accepted.

July 23rd 1913
Chairman, vice-chair and managing director re-elected.
T Dent chair.
Res. That the Laundry windows needing repair be attended to at once.
That the closet about which Craven Manufacturing Co complained be repaired immediately.
That some arrangement be made between J W Widdup and Charles Merrall re the letting of land in the Parrock.
Res. That the person who ordered the pointing of the house in CH Road occupied by Alice Midgely be required to pay for the work.

August 6th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £648-1-0. Brooks and Brooks £44-18-5. Wages £97-8-11. Stephen Parker £2-5-0. Henry Brown and Sons £21-7-5. J Casartelli and Sons 5/6. J W Clough £15-4-9. Colne Corporation 18/-. E Brooksbank and Co £14-19-6. P P Brown 13/8. Diamond Lubricating £10-5-0. H Hartley and Co 17/2. BUDC £3-15-5. Alfred Dewhurst £4-14-2. J Hopkinson and Co Ltd £7-1-6. H E Holdsworth £11. G H Baldwin £1-5-0.
The secretary reported that the bank account was £614 credit and rent owing was £1710-17-7.
Res. That P Barrett and W H Holdsworth be deputed to examine the state of the woodwork at Viaduct Shed and to report whether the property needs to be painted.
Res. That in future we give all blacksmith's work to Stephen Parker.
That the engineer's attention be drawn to the untidy state of the engine and boiler houses at CH.
That new windows be put in the shed roof at Messrs Nutter's and Bailey's portions at WH Mill.
That the aquarium lubricators at WH be increased in size. [Reading between the lines, the bearings on the flywheel shaft and the second motion shaft are under pressure and heating.]
That Messrs Jones' tender of 16/4 per 116lbs [This as reported in the minutes but I can't help wondering whether it should be 112lbs, one hundredweight] of lead and Reeder's tender of 5d per pound for old brass be accepted.
That the extension to the warehouse at Butts Mill be faced with Yorkshire points. [A high grade of dressed stone.]

August 13th 1913
T Dent chair.
Applications were made by the firemen at Butts and WH for an advance in wages and it was resolved that these be considered at the next meeting of directors.
Res. That permission be given to the Co-operative Society to sub-let a portion of the land in Valley Road for the erection of an advertising hoarding.
That the report on the WH economiser be left over until the next meeting to talk over their condition with the engines.
That the engineers requirements be ordered.
That a new window be fixed in Wilson's warehouse.
That the blow-off valve on the boiler recently fixed by Brown and Sons be repaired.
That an application by Henry Wilson for a friend, to loan money to the company, be left over until Mr Wood is present at the meeting.
That Mr Atkinson be asked to consider a change from brick to stone for the Butts extension.

August 20th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That the application of J W Bradley (who appeared before the board) for extra pay during the holidays be considered at the next meeting.
Res. That the report on the economisers be left over for the present.
That the injector at WH be sent to Gresham and Craven for repairs.
That Messrs King and Brooks arrange with J W Widdup the tenancy of the land in Butts.
That George Sanderson be informed that the company have no land to let for a garage.
That Ernest Harrison repair the wall at WH, Mr King to give instructions and supervise the work.
Res. That the fireman at WH have his wage advanced to 30/- per week and the firemen at Butts to 29/-.

August 27th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That J W Bradley be paid 5/- extra for work done during the holidays.
That Messrs King and Horsfield examine roof light in Edmondson and Co's tape room and report to the next meeting what should be done to make it turn.
That coals at CH be weighed for a week.
That Barrett and Holdsworth give their report on the paintwork at Viaduct Shed.

September 3rd 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid: Wages £65-5-7. G H Baldwin £1-2-4. Holgate Marsden £488-2-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway £1. E Brooksbank £29-10-6. E Green and Son £290. J T Whitaker £2-5-0. Brooks and Brooks £39-16-0. J R Atkinson £6-9-0. H P Cooper 5/-. W Hough and Co £1-7-0. P P Brown 15/9.
Transfer of 100 shares from Joshua Fielden to Ella Knowles and 50 from James Horsfield to Mary Smith Hartley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported applications for space that may be vacated at WH by J Windle and Sons from James Moorhouse, Dugdale and Dewhurst and Mr John Sagar.

September 10th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That engineers requirements be ordered.
That scrap rubber be sold at 4½d per pound.
That the cistern at Butts be cleaned out and 10/- allowed for same.
That a new 3” valve for the economisers at WH be ordered from H Brown and Sons.
That Mr Barrett and others inspect the well at WH and decide whether it should be cleaned out.
That the secretary be instructed to pay Heap and Thornton's account.
That Mr A Dewhurst be asked if the company may cut a channel through his land so as to carry the Dark Well water away instead of allowing it to overflow as at present. [Channelling it down into Springs Dam.]
That the slates removed from the office at Butts be bought from the contractor. [The old board room is going to make room for the warehouse extension.]

September 17th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That Ernest Harrison clean the well at WH.
That Mr Horsfield inspect the leakage of steam from the pipe in B&EM Holden's warehouse at CH and that he has the necessary repairs done to remedy the same.
That the drain near Dark Hill Well be opened to see if water is wasting from it. [The drain that CHSC previously put in to collect the overflow and convey it to Springs Dam.]
That the offer from Brooksbank for empty barrels at 3/6 each be accepted.
That Heap and Thornton repair the roof of Edmondson's tape room with thick glass.
That a valve on the pipe bringing water from the cistern at Butts be repaired.
That J W Watts be instructed to see to the overflow at Ouzledale and prevent rubbish being placed in the pit. [This is the sump next to Longfield Lane into which the flow over the cill of the dam fell before going forward via a culvert under the yard into Clough Mill Dam.]

September 24th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Colne Corporation rates £216-1-3. W H Hitchen insurance £35-5-3. Proctor and Proctor insurance £83-14-6. Diamond Lubricating Co £2-10-9.
Transfer of 63 shares from Exors of John Hartley to Alfred King sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £985-5-9 in credit.

October 1st 1913
T Dent Chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Holgate Marsden's account for September be paid.
It was reported that several verbal applications for Room and Power had been received and it was resolved that in case of vacancies occurring no applications to be considered unless in writing.
Res. That Mr H Wilson be appointed to examine the gas fittings in Wilson's and also the steam trap at Horsfield's and report on their condition to the next meeting.
That P P Brown be appointed to repair the steam trap in B&EM Holden's shed.
That J R Broughton repair the doors of the economiser pit at WH Mill.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the injector valves at Butts Mill be repaired. [Not sure what they mean, feed water check valves on the boilers?]
That Ernest Harrison be urged to push on with the extension at Butts Mill and he be instructed to stop the leakage in the pipes conveying water to the hot well at CH Shed.

October 8th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Lancaster and Tonge steam trap be ordered for Horsfield's warehouse.
A letter was read from Mr Moorhouse complaining of the slow running of the engine at WH Mill.
Res. That the letter be laid upon the table.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
A letter was read from BUDC asking the company to put in repair the approach to the footbridge at Butts Mill.
Res. That Mr Wood be asked to examine the deeds to ascertain if the company was responsible for making good this public footpath.
Mr Muff of the firm of Muff and Randall attended the meeting with a view to purchasing a plot of land in the Parrock belonging to CHSC. It was arranged to have the plan of the Parrock produced at the next meeting.

October 15th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That Mr Wood see to the painting of Viaduct Shed.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £6,794-4-9 in credit. [The new rent scales have kicked in.]
It was reported that further sheds were being built in Barnoldswick and that three of our tenants, J Windle and Sons, Anthony Carr and Edmondson and Co were taking an interest therein. [These were the last new build. Only one to come, the start of Nutter's new shed at Bancroft.]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask them to say definitely within the next seven days whether the space now occupied by them will be vacated and if not, are they prepared to enter into a lease. [Reading between the lines it looks as though the directors are aware that they are living in interesting times, remember that there was war already in the Balkans. Of course they don't know that there will be world war within a year but I get the impression that they are seeking some certainties.]
The deeds of the Butts property were examined re the BUDC request to repair the footbridge. From the plan affixed to the lease it appeared that the road from the National School to the caul [on Calf Hall Road] and over the bridge was not CHSC property but is an accommodation road only. The bridge referred to is the one to the East of CHSC property and was recently repaired by BUDC.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £661-12-6. Colne Corporation 5/6. Alliance Ins Co £14-3-6. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £7. G H Baldwin £3-1-0. John Heaton £43-8-0. J W Clough 13/9. H P Cooper £5-5-4. Anti-Incrustation Co £5-17-0. J Lofthouse and Son £1. Wood and Wolfenden 18/8. Brooks and Brooks £22-5-0. BUDC £2-1-9. Wages £99-13-3. J R Broughton £11-6-0. Wilson and Thornber £4-13-0. Ernest Harrison £70-10-0. P and P Brown £1-7-4. Briggs and Duxbury £1-7-0.

October 22nd 1913
T Dent chair.
An application for room and power was read from John Sagar and it was resolved that the letter be acknowledged.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks' tender for removing troughing at Moorhouse's after the fire be examined to see whether the company had to provide the scaffolding.
That Mr Wood write to Henry Brown and Sons requesting them to cease tipping refuse opposite their works.
The question of Fire Insurance and the raising of the chimney stack at CH was discussed at some length but no resolution was passed. [Looks as though they are considering making the chimney higher to get more draught on the boilers. As a general rule, all mills were short of draught due to the conservative formulas used by architects to save expense.]

October 29th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £2-4-0. Brooks and Brooks £7-6-10. John Heaton £47-16-0. W B White and Sons 1/6. James W Clough £1. Diamond Lubricating Co £1-5-3. Gresham and Craven £1-1-0. Briggs Brothers £1-2-0. Walter Cragg 1/6. Reginald A Tatton £21-19-9.
Res. That the parapet wall on the brook side at Butts be raised.
That the new tenants be required to execute seven year leases as and from January 1st next and that the secretary endeavour to obtain leases from all the other tenants.
The reply from J Moorhouse re the vacating of their space was not considered satisfactory and the secretary was instructed to obtain a definite answer as to whether they will enter into a 7 year lease forthwith.
Further applications for space to be vacated by Edmondson and Co were read from Thomas Nutter of Wellhouse and W Bailey applied for the space that may be vacated by Thomas Nutter or that occupied by Anthony Carr.
Anthony Carr wrote to say that he was willing to accept a lease of Butts Mill for such a term as the directors may decide. Edmondson and Co wrote that they had taken space at Fernbank Shed [One of the new sheds.] and wished to be released when that shed was ready and they expected that to be in about eighteen months.
Res. That Barrett and Holdsworth be requested to inspect the flooring in Horsfield's portion and the beam in Edmondson's portion of CH Shed.

November 5th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. H Marsden's coal account be paid £619-13-0.
That the engineers requirements be ordered.
Res. That G H Lindley fix the pipes to convey steam to the extension at Butts and that he use the pipes in stock if possible.
That Messrs Wilson and King examine the keys in the flywheel at Butts Mill and report on their condition to the next meeting.
That the repairs to the fireproof door in Monkswell Manufacturing warehouse be carried out by S Parker and that he also rearrange the drum driving [the] pump.

November 12th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That J R Broughton be urged to complete the repair to the beam in Edmondson's twisting room and that they be warned not to put heavy goods in this room.
That the handrail protecting the second motion drive in Butts Mill engine house be repaired.
That the application for room and power received from M Brown and Co be placed with the other applications.
That Dales Ironworks account for putting in the foundation for the new room be considered at the next meeting when the minutes relating to same have been examined.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered after the belt in Edmondson's tape room has been examined by Messrs Dent, King and Horsfield.
That E Harrison be asked to explain the neglect of glazing, ventilation and lights in the tape room.

November 19th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J G Tate £10. P Barrett £1-10-11. Wages £84-3-7.
Res. That the new lease produced by the secretary be submitted to J Windle and Sons and Mr Anthony Carr with the request that they be executed forthwith and that the other tenants be requested to enter into similar leases.
The secretary reported that the engineer and fireman at Viaduct Shed had given notice to leave the employ of the company and that a new engineer and fireman had been appointed.
Res. That the tenants of Ouzledale Foundry, Brown and Watts, be offered the tenancy of the premises at the present rent and increased rates and 5% on the £20 expended by the company or a ten year lease at the same rent at their option. The new building erected being in any case the property of the company. [Definitely a shift towards security of tenancies. They can see a cloud on the horizon.]
That the requirements of the engineers be ordered.
That the floor in Craven Manufacturing warehouse be repaired.
That the road in Mill Street, Calf Hall, be repaired and that the skylights be slated in over the tape room in Craven Manufacturing Co's premises.
The secretary reported an application for 200 looms at WH Mill from Edward Smith, Henry Moorhouse and Edward Aldersley.

November 26th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That the Dales Ironworks Co have the option of continuing as yearly tenants or taking the foundry on a ten year lease. The account amounting to £20-16-9 for building up the back wall to floor level and putting a concrete floor in the wheel race to be paid by the company.
Messrs Lonsdale Brothers presented their account for covering steam pipes stating that they would allow a 5% discount and it was resolved to ask them to reduce their claim by 10%.
Transfer of shares held by William Clark deceased to the legatees sanctioned.
That J R Broughton repair the roof lights in the shed at WH occupied by the Exors of William Bailey.
That the fireman and oiler at WH be engaged to whitewash the thoroughfare.
That Mr King arrange how the water will flow into the well at WH.

December 3rd 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That J R Broughton examine the roof lights on the Craven Twill Room and a glazier be engaged to re-putty of necessary.
Holgate Marsden's coal account paid £559-3-0.
Res. That H Marsden be urged to give a full supply of Altham coal in place of Yorkshire.
That the dirt from the road at CH be removed.
That the engineer's requirements including a ladder from P Barrett and Son's be ordered.
That BUDC be requested to light Mill Street and that the lights at Butts Mill [Exterior gas lamps] be kept alight as required by HMFI.
That clips be fixed on fire escape ladders at CH Shed by S Parker.
A letter was read from J S Windle and Sons as follows:
Dear Sirs, we have read and considered your lease but we find a number of clauses we cannot agree with. Also we find on enquiry that we are the only firm at WH Mill you have sent a lease to, so you can re-let our place for we shall leave when the new shed is ready.

December 10th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: E Harrison £3-18-0. P P Brown £2-18-0. Inland Revenue 16/-. Colne Corporation water rent 18/-. John Heaton £71-15-0. Colledge Roy £4-2-9. G H Baldwin £2-11-8. Burnley Ironworks £1-10-0. Brooks and Brooks £35. Lancaster and Tong £2-2-0. W Hough and Co £1-13-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-7-3. J W Clough 8/6. E Brooksbank £33-16-0.
The secretary reported the bank account to be £1221-15-11 in credit.
Res. That Burnley Ironworks Co be requested to make a thorough examination of the flywheel at Butts Mill and report to the next meeting.
Res. That a set of Proctor stokers and a damper regulator be ordered for Viaduct Shed. [The damper regulator is a mechanism controlled by steam pressure in the boiler which automatically adjusts the side flue dampers for load.]
That the secretary be requested to ask BUDC to erect a lamp in Mill Street, Calf Hall.
That Edward Aldersley be accepted as a tenant in the place of Anthony Carr as and from October 1st 1914 provided he will execute a lease in the terms of the draft presented to the meeting and signed by Mr Carr and Mr Aldersley.
Res. That Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth make an inspection of the drainage in front of the boilers at WH and remedy any defects they may discover.

December 17th 1913
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Craven Manufacturing Co requesting the company to carry the partition between their shed and Horsfield's to the top.
Res. That Messrs Wilson and Horsfield examine the premises and report.
Mr Brooks reported that the requirements of the BUDC surveyor with regard to conveniences in Craven Manufacturing's premises had received attention.
With reference to the surveyor's request for fire escapes in Moorhouse and Son's warehouse it was pointed out that the stone staircase leading to all the floors was fireproof and provided a better means of exit in case of fire than an outside ladder. The secretary was requested to convey this to BUDC.
The Burnley Ironworks Co reported on the Butts Mill flywheel as follows: “On December 13th we made an examination of the fly spur wheel and pinion at the above mill and beg to submit the result of same. The teeth, as far as can be seen, are sound but badly worn, the original shape on the driving side being destroyed completely. These require chipping to shape. This is very urgent if you require the wheel to run [for] long as owing to the jarring action on the teeth all the joints throughout the wheel are moving and wearing. The condition of the arms and segments are as follows: The letters given are those marked on the wheel. Segments G and J are broken. Areas of C, D, E, I, J and L are sprung open at the boss end showing that the cotters are not doing their work properly or the arm ends are broken. This cannot be seen without stripping the wheel. The flywheel keys [stakes] are slack and require taking out, cleaning and re-fixing. The pinion [second motion] appears to be in order with the exception of the teeth which are the same as the fly spur and require chipping. The governor requires overhauling and re-pinning as the majority of the pins are worn. We would advise you to have these faults attended to without delay as the wheel is rapidly becoming worse.
Res. That Burnley Ironworks be instructed to do what they deem to be necessary to put the wheel and governor in order.
It was reported that J Windle and Sons had executed the lease for seven years dating from January 1st next.
Res. That the common seal be affixed to the agreement for lease in favour of J S Windle and Sons. Witnessed etc.
Res. That a man be engaged to point all the brickwork in the boiler house at WH Mill.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £1455 credit.
Applications for space about to be vacated by Edmondson and Co were considered from James Moorhouse and Sons, Alfred H Dewhurst and Thomas Nutter.
Res. That the matter be voted on. 7 votes for Thomas Nutter and 4 for A H Dewhurst.
Res. That the space be let to Thomas Nutter provided he execute a lease on the same terms as those accepted by Joseph Windle and Sons and Edward Aldersley and also on condition a lease be executed for the space at WH Mill forthwith.
Res. That the lightning conductor on the chimney at Butts Mill be repaired by J R Atkinson of Colne.
Res. That the Dales Ironworks account amounting to £20-6-9 be paid and 5% be charged per annum on the rent from January 1st 1914.

December 24th 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That W F Suthers be accepted as tenant in place of T Nutter at WH Mill.
That the directors be informed where the deeds of the company's property are kept.
That the lamps leading to A Carr's and J W Horsfield's at Butts Mill be lighted not later that 5:45am during the dark mornings.
That the doors to the entrance at Butts Mill be repaired and that the door opposite the boilers be kept closed when the factory is not working.
That £200 be paid to E Harrison on account of the work done on the extension at Butts Mill as per Mr Atkinson's certificate.
That the partition between the Craven Manufacturing Co and J W Horsfield's be boarded up to the ceiling with ¾” boards.

December 31st 1913
T Dent chair.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That H Marsden's carters be granted a Christmas Box of 10/-.
That the engineers be instructed to make proper entries of the tools and apparatus belonging to the company which are being used in various parts of the town and see that they are returned.
That we ascertain what driving wheels are in stock and also where it would be prudent to keep some in stock. [They could get scarce!]
That E Harrison be instructed to cement [insulate] the front of the boilers at WH.
That Holgate Marsden be paid £600 on account and that he be urged to supply a full quantity of Altham coal to all the mills.
That the fans for ventilation in Moorhouse's tape room be made to run more slowly in order to keep the rooms warmer and that the company supply new pulleys for this purpose.
That Mr Horsfield, the chairman and the managing director go into the question of the complaints and report to the next meeting.

January 7th 1914
T Dent chair.
Res. That Messrs Wilson and Barrett visit Burnley Ironworks with regard to the Butts engine. [They have a serious problem here. The gearing on the Musgrave was never right and things are coming to a head.]
That Haines be appointed oiler at WH Mill.
That P D Bilsborough [Coal merchant in Station Yard at Barlick. Used to be Billycock Bracewell's engineer, it could be his son that is running the firm.] be asked whether he can supply a sufficient quantity of Sharlston coal [Wakefield, a new pit sunk about 1911 finally closed in the 1990s] and that the company consider using this coal.
That Messrs King and Banks visit the tenants and obtain particulars of export taping.
That E Harrison be instructed to brick up the windows in Moorhouse's tape room as recommended by Mr Horsfield and also repair the entrance to the entrance to Exors of William Bailey's shed.
That a new plank be ordered from J R Broughton for the use of the fireman at Butts Mill.
That the WH boiler house be whitewashed and the engine house washed down within 14 months from the date of painting last year. [The interval '14 months' gives the game away here. This is evidently triggered by legislation in the Factory Acts. Where an annual inspection was mandatory, 14 months was given as the interval to give factory owners some flexibility. The same applied, and still does, to 'annual ' boiler inspections.]
That J R Broughton be instructed to board in the shaft driving the economiser at WH Mill. [HMFI again following the accident reported below.]
The following letter was received from J Bracewell, solicitor of Colne.
Dear Sirs, I beg to give formal notice that Herbert Holroyd, formerly of 24 Arthur Street, Barnoldswick, oiler and assistant fireman [WH] whilst a workman in your employ was caught by and carried round a shaft at Wellhouse Mill on Monday January 5th 1914. The accident caused a fracture of the base of the skull and the workman died on January 8th from the injuries sustained. I act for the dependants of the deceased and shall be pleased to hear that you are prepared to pay the usual compensation. Yours truly, J Bracewell.

January 14th 1914
T Dent chair.
Res. Accounts be paid.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1165 in credit.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and presented at a general meeting of shareholders on Wednesday January 28th and that a dividend of 10% per annum be recommended.
It was reported to the meeting that one of the company's servants (Mr Holroyd) had died as a result of an accident at WH Mill. A letter was read thereon from the Assistant Coroner, Mr Lumb, requesting the company to take such steps as they think necessary to avoid such accidents in future. [Revolving shafts are always dangerous and it looks as though this was the shaft driving the economisers in which case anyone on top of them is in close proximity to the shafting. For this reason it was always advisable to wear tight fitting clothing with no loose ends flapping about which could get caught in the shaft. One loose thread was enough to draw you in.]
Res That Mr Wood be requested to arrange with Holgate Marsden to give the fullest possible supply from the pit [Altham Collieries] and should the pit not be able to supply all the company's mills that he be empowered to buy 50 tons per week of Sharlston coals at 13/6 per ton.
The deputation appointed to wait upon the tenants with regard to export taping reported that 55 sets had been taped during the half year which had not been reported to the secretary.

January 21st 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr R Lowcock's account of £3-3-0 for light rails[?] be passed for payment.
Transfer of 3 shares from Earl Clark to Francis Clark sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That P P Brown be instructed to repair leakage in boiler at WH and the steam gauge to be made to register accurately.
That steam pipes at Butts be covered. [Insulated]
That the old ropes and rubber be sold.
That Stansfield be paid a full week's wage for last week (off work for one day) without prejudice to future action.

General meeting of shareholders
January 28th 1914 at Seven Stars
[Printed balance sheet reports: Balance carried forward 1/9 and half year profit gives surplus of £1696-8-2 to be appropriated. Disposition: £1519-14-0 dividend and £176-14-2 carried forward.]
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend adopted.
Proctor Barrett.

February 4th 1914
T Dent chair.
Res. That the Trustees of the Bethesda Baptists be asked to share the cost of the repairs to the closet in Walmsgate Yard.
That Messrs Slater and Son and P Barrett see Mr Bilsborough re the supply of coals to CH.
That H Marsden's coal account be paid £558-11-0.
Transfer of 95 shares to Annie Baxter and 96 shares to Lizzie Alice Baxter be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That empty oil barrels be sold to Brooksbank's for 3/3 each.
That J R Atkinson of Colne be asked to fix a new lightning conductor on the chimney at Bitts Mill.
That Ernest Harrison be instructed to repair the paving in Butts Yard.
Mr Horsfield asked that the work requiring to be done in Moorhouse's new shed, making the door open as an exit in case of fire, be not proceeded with. No resolution was passed but it was agreed that the matter be held in abeyance until next week.

February 11th 1914
T Dent chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: Scottish Union Insurance £1-10-0. Norwich Union Insurance £1-17-6. G H Baldwin £1-10-8. Diamond Lubricating Co £3-0-10. J Heaton £12. Ridehalgh and Co £4-1-0. BUDC £10-14-7. Brooks and Brooks £75-6-2. J R Atkinson £5-19-0. W Hough and Co £1-19-6. E A Foulds £1-1-0. F Wooster £8-15-0. Colne Corporation £2-0-11. H P Cooper £3-14-3. J W Clough £13-5-0. J Bulcock £7. J Proctor 5/7. Burnley Ironworks £33-19-0. Burnley Building Society £56-14-4. Wages £86-1-4. A H Dewhurst £4-13-2. J Phelps £2-12-0. Ridehalgh and Co £12-12-0.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £435 debit.
It was reported that the consumption of Sharlston coal at CH Shed costing 15/5 per ton delivered was, for the first week 48 tons 5cwt and the second week 49 tons 15cwt. Last year Dalton 51 tons 4cwt and Altham 55 tons. The old economisers were then in use.
Res. That the land owned by the company should be sold and that applications be sent to Mr Barrett [Norman, Proctor Barrett's son.] architect.
Res. That Sharlston coal be used at CH Shed until June 30th.
That two powerful incandescent lamps be fixed in the boiler house at Butts Mill. [These must have been an improved gas lamp. Electricity wasn't available yet.]
Res. That the chairman, Horsfield, King and Barrett be a deputation to meet the surveyor at WH Mill re the doorway recently opened in Moorhouse's shed and that they be empowered to settle the question with him.

February 18th 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Henry Green's quotation for coal be sent to Burnley.
That Mr Phelp's account be paid.
Transfer of 69 shares from Ronald Bell to William Proctor and 70 shares from Geoffrey Ralph Bell to William Proctor be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That the fireman and oiler be paid for assisting Burnley Ironworks in chipping wheels at Butts. [It's perhaps worth mentioning that the vast majority of cast iron gears used at this time had teeth as cast, the accuracy of their form relying on the skill of the pattern-maker. They could be very good but if they were cast incorrectly they could never be right. The problem with the Musgrave gear appears to be that they were never accurate and worsened during service. The eventual cure for this was to machine cut the gear teeth after casting or, better still, to make steel gears with cut teeth. Gear-cutting was being used as early as 1850 and the design of gear tooth shapes was being improved but the technology was not used for common gears until the early 20th century. Newton Pickles knew this gearing and he said that the fault was that the original castings of the jack wheel were the wrong pitch circle diameter and that this fault could never be rectified by chipping.]

February 25th 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Dent, Horsfield and King look into the water shortage to the tape room complained of by Dugdale and Dewhurst and do what is necessary to remedy the same.
Res. That D Bilsborough's offer to supply us with Sharlston nuts at 14/11 per ton up to June 30th 1914 be accepted. Delivery to be 50 tons a week direct to the boiler house. [CH?]
Transfer of 161 shares From W H Atkinson to H Clark and 200 to Emma Peel, 25 from J W Sowerbutts to E Turner and 145 from W H Atkinson to J Berry sanctioned. Seal cert etc. [Is Atkinson liquidating his shares? Worried about developments?]

March 4th 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Messrs Banks and Barrett examine the notices to pave Back Calf Hall Road and also to check that the estimates are in order by checking them with the specifications at the Town Hall.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden coal £403. P D Bilsborough £165-3-0. P P Brown, mechanic £7-12-5
Res. That Stephen Parker fixes the gudgeon into the door jamb at Edmondson and Co's shed.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the question of a larger tape room for T Nutter when he moves to CH Shed be left over.

March 11th 1914
T Dent chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Wages £71-7-4. H P Cooper £16-12-4. Walter Cragg £2-5-0. Joseph Petty £1-10-11. E A Foulds £4-7-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £15-11-0. Brooks and Brooks £59-10-0. James Bulcock Ltd £3-2-0. James Proctor Ltd £55-4-0. G H Baldwin £1-13-7. Diamond Lubricating Co £7-11-6. Petty and Hoskin £2-17-0. J A Redford £1-10-0. Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation £4-2-6. J A Nutter 18/0. Heap and Thornton £10.
Res. That two trucks of 2” limestone be ordered from P W Spencer.
That the wall on the west side of CH Shed be pointed.
HMFI sent a long letter referring to the filthy state of Messrs Waterworth and Holdsworth, alo T Nutter's tape rooms and other matters.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply to the letter and to request the two firms to carry out the requirements of the Factory Acts.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £413 in credit.
The question of paving at Calf Hall be left over for further consideration.
A letter was read from the Monkswell Manufacturing Co complaining of water from the pump and steam pipes damaging cloth and the floors and that HMFI complained of the state of the wall on the west side of the shed.
Res. That a wood fence be fixed to the pump in Monkswell's portion if necessary and that the wall be pointed on day work.

March 25th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Barrett and Brooks report to the next meeting on a scheme for giving a satisfactory supply of water to Dugdale and Dewhurst's tape room.
That accident notices be procured.
That we carry out HMFI's instructions about a ladder for the oiler at WH Mill. [a shafting ladder]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That H Strickland be allowed 6lbs of paint for painting inside his house at Butts and that James Pickles whitewash the boiler house at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

April 1st 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £447 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £512-8-0. G H Baldwin £1-10-2. South Kirby Collieries £11-4-0. Brooks and Brooks £41-11-0. Edmund Taylor £14-2-6. William Atkinson £7-5-0. H Brown and Sons £1-13-0. Burnley Ironworks £14-17-4. E Brooksbank and Co £25-7-9. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0. E A Foulds £5. J W Clough £1-17-6. Colledge Roy £4. Wilson and Thornber £5.
Res. That tenders for painting CH Engine house, the board room and staircase be obtained for the next meeting and that the specification for the painting and report be made by Brooks, Banks and King.
The secretary read a list of the rents outstanding.
Res. That the secretary write to each tenant informing them that the directors had made arrangements to sweep and clean the premises and asking them to clean their portions as required by HMFI.
Res. That the engine house at Butts Mill be washed down in accordance with the requirements of the Factory Acts.
Proctor Barrett.

April 8th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That the managing director be appointed to carry out the requirements contained in the report by HMFI.
Res. That Messrs Barrett, Brooks, King and Wilson approach P D Bilsborough and Holgate Marsden respectively with a view to arranging that the company shall not have a large stock of poor coal in at the end of the Yorkshire coal strike.
Res. That P D Bilsborough's account be paid £179-17-0.
Res. That the attention of J Sneath at Calf Hall be drawn to the filthy conditions of sheds which should have been swept down before now and that the wheel covers have immediate attention.
Res. That E Strickland be warned of the consequences of making the yard at Butts a garage for his motor lorry. [The twentieth century is pressing in on them!]
Res. That the tender of James Lofthouse and Son for the painting of Calf Hall engine house and the CHSC office at Butts for £13-10-0 be accepted.
That E Harrison fix a new window in the company's office at Butts Mill according to the following dimensions: 3” from safe, 5ft deep and 3feet wide, window sides to be splayed and the window to be made to open, one third of which is to slide down.
Proctor Barrett.

April 15th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That James Pickles whitewash that portion of the thoroughfare at Butts not done ny A Hogarth.
That E Harrison be ordered to complete the making of the doorway into the staircase at James Moorhouse's portion at WH Mill without delay.
Res. That the chairman and the managing director instruct J R Broughton to fix in the Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse and twill shed an intervening ventilation space and screens in accordance with BUDC regulations.
That the faulty water pipe in Craven Manufacturing Co's large shed be repaired by P Brown.
Res. That the request by B&EM Holden for a larger driving wheel in the tape room be fully investigated to see if they are or not getting the same speed as the other tenants.
That a drum of boiler composition be ordered for Butts Mill.
That the secretary write to the Place Rink (Barnoldswick) Ltd re the encroachment on the bank of the stream.
Proctor Barrett.

April 22nd 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1081-14-8 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £255. R A Tatton £21-19-9. William Proctor £103-8-10. [Mistake? Is this the wages?]
Res. That a new pulley be provided by P P Brown the drive B&EM Holden's tape.
That the fishing rent of Springs Dam be reduced to £1 for last year.
Res. That the encroachment on the company's strip of land at Butts be charged to the Rink Co at 5/- per year and that it be subject to removal on six month's notice.
Res. That all the members of the board who find it convenient to attend at Dark Hill Well tomorrow morning with a view to making more permanent the diversion of water to the company's supply at Springs Dam.
Proctor Barrett.

April 29th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £2-17-5. Fred Wooster £25. Brooks and Brooks £24-5-0. James Bulcock £1-12-6. South Kirby Coal Co £31-7-0. BUDC £9-15-2. Petty and Hoskin £5. W H Atkinson £11-11-0 and £13-13-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £5-8-3. Diamond lubricating Co £7-6-4.
Res. That Walter Dawson be appointed oiler at WH Mill. [Dead man's shoes!]
That Ernest Harrison be requested to repair the well at Dark Hill with flags and fix a grate under the supervision of Holdsworth and King.
That James Proctor Ltd be requested to attend at Barnoldswick to inspect the stokers.
The secretary read a letter from W P Brooks resigning his position as a director of the company:
Dear Mr Wood, owing to being away from Barlic[sic] a great deal now due to altered circumstances I hereby tender my resignation as director of the CHSC Ltd. I do this with great reluctance having been so long connected and having such pleasant memories for such a long time, makes it very difficult to sever myself from such respectable associates as the directors have been to me, however I from this date cease my position with kind regards and best wishes for the Co's continued success. Believe me, yours sincerely, William P Brooks.
Res. That his resignation be accepted and that the secretary be instructed to send a letter of regret and to express to Mr Brooks the high appreciation of his services during a long period of years.
Res. That Messrs Banks and King be appointed joint managing directors until June 30th next.
Proctor Barrett.

May 6th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Holgate Marsden's account be paid for coal during April £356-6-0.
Res. That George Collins have the use of the fairground from May 13th 1914. The first week to be charged at £3 and the second for £2.
That the managing directors be left the matter of the archway at Butts which was being made up. [Entrance to the culvert?]
That Mr Wood order a lubricator for the Low Pressure valve on WH engine and to get the particulars from J J Sneath.
That Messrs King and Banks engage a fireman to take the place of A Stansfield of WH Mill who gave seven days notice to cease working for the company on May 16th 1914.
Proctor Barrett.

May 13th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P Bilborough's coal account of £203-9-11 be paid.
Res. That A be engaged as oiler at WH Mill. [Another one?]
That Moorhouse's warehouse floor be repaired.
That Mr Wood request Burnley Ironworks to send a millwright to examine and report on the wheels that drive Messrs Horsfield's at Butts.
That P Brown fix the fire escape at Monkswell taping and winding room.
That Mr Wood instructs Hayfield's or any other good firm to examine and report on the leakage of one of the boilers at Butts Mill.
Res. That the application of Fred Harrison to purchase land in the Parrock be considered at the next meeting and in the meantime W Holdsworth obtains the plans of the Parrock from Mr Atkinson.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from James Proctor Ltd reporting on the condition of the stokers from which it appeared that CH and Butts stokers were in first class repair but those at WH Mill required overhauling.
A report from Mr Aiken upon the leaky flue at Butts Mill was read and it was resolved that the repairs be put in hand.
A report was given re the large wheels in Horsfield's premises and it was resolved that Burnley Ironworks be instructed to supply a new pair at the earliest possible moment.
That the stores required by the engineers be ordered.
A letter was read from Mr Atkinson enclosing all the plans he had in his possession relating to the Parrock and the secretary was requested to speak to Mr Atkinson and explain that there was no intention on the part of the company to sever a connection which had continued without interruption and pleasantly since the company was formed. [Old associations are coming under strain, a sign of the times perhaps.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 27th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That King and Banks inform Mr Marsden that the CHSC is not open to treat for Altham coal for CH Shed until after June 30th.
That J Lofthouse and Son be instructed to colour the walls and wash down the varnished woodwork in Butts Mill engine house.

June 3rd 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That H Strickland be allowed 16lbs of paint to paint the inside of Butts Cottage.
That Mr Marsden's account be paid £314-19-0.
That the ashes at all the mills be advertised for sale by tender.
That Mr Wood get out the cost of extending Craven Manufacturing Co's premises for the next meeting.

June 10th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Before commencing the business of the meeting Mr Barrett made very suitable reference to the death of Mr Thomas Dent the late chairman of the CHSC and spoke feelingly of his long service as director and chairman of the company. He stated that Mr Dent was one of the promoters of the company and a founding director, a position he held ever since and until his death. As chairman he was very devoted and attentive to his duties and through many years presided over the meetings of the Board and he could not remember a single occasion when Mr Dent was not in his place. Although the directors did not always agree with him in all things he was always kind, courteous and genial with everyone he had to deal with. His death is undoubtedly a great loss to the company and as chairman he desired that a letter should be sent to the relatives expressing the deepest sympathy and condolence of the Board with the family. The resolution was duly passed.
Minutes as read.
The secretary reported on the insurance of the economisers at CH and WH Mills and it was resolved that they be insured with inspection at £300 each set with E Green and Son Ltd.
It was reported to the meeting that the Bankfield Mill Co were charging £5 for the power required for the patent twisting frame.
That the consumption of Sharlston coal at CH Shed during May was 45 tons per week at 14/11 per ton delivered.
Transfer of 38 shares from J H Edmondson to A Shepherd be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £1968-3-11 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: P P Brown £8-1-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-12-3. P D Bilborough £127-15-0. South Kirby Collieries £24-16-0. W H Shaw £26-19-0. Brooks and Brooks £19-19-0. E Harrison £12-16-0. J&E Holdsworth £3-15-6. Joseph Baldwin £2. Joseph Petty £1-10-0. Walter Cragg £6-9-0. Bradshaw and Co £21-19-0. G H Baldwin £3-3-11. J R Atkinson £5-10-0. Midland Railway Co £1-10-11. J Casartelli and Son £1-2-6. J Lumb and Sons £1-5-0. Heap and Thornton £4-4-0. J A Nutter 18/-. P W Spencer £5. Burnley Ironworks £13-11-0. D McPherson £9-4-0. J W Clough £6-19-0. H P Cooper £6-0-9. A Kenyon and Co £1-19-0. Hough and Co 8/7. J Proctor £10/6.
Proctor Barrett.

June 17th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P Bilborough's offer to supply and deliver 50 tons per week of Sharlston Nuts at CH Shed until December 31st 1914 at 14/11 per ton be accepted.
Res That King and Banks arrange and fix the price of extra room required by C Johnson and Son Reed Works. [WH]
That a tin of rope compo be ordered for CH Shed from Cooper's. [Tallow and graphite]
That the ventilation window in the twill room at Butts be made to open.
That Ernest Harrison repair the wall and put down boundary stones at Ouzledale Dam.

June 24th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res that the following tenders for ashes and flue dust to June 30th 1915 be accepted.
Ernest Harrison WH £20. J R Broughton, CH Shed £13-10-0. Muff and Randall, Butts £16.
A complaint was received from Dugdale and Dewhurst regarding the insufficient supply of water to their size beck. Messrs King, Barrett, Holdsworth and Wilson were instructed to see the same and have it remedied.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the cistern at Butts Mill be cleaned.
Res. That a woman be engaged to clean the office. [Now this is a sign of the times!]
That two inverted gas burners be fixed to the present gas pendant in the office at Butts.

[Assassination of Franz Ferdinand on June 28th 1914]

July 1st 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That the alteration to the water pipe for Dugdale and Dewhurst's be done by P P Brown.
Res. That the well at Butts Mill be cleaned out at an appropriate time.
Holgate Marsden's account be paid £348-13-0.
Res. That the fixing of rent for room and power for Craven Manufacturing Co's twisting room be left over until Mr Wood is present.

July 8th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Brooks and Brooks £32-4-0. Audit fee [R Watson and Son] £3-18-9. Directors fees £30. Dividend account £1519-14-0. Secretary's salary £60. P P Brown £9. Wilson and Thornber £4. P D Bilborough £127-2-0.
Res. That the charge for Craven Manufacturing's new premises be £21-16-6 per annum for room and £5 per annum for power.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit. A dividend of 10% per annum be recommended and that the general meeting be on July 17th 1914.
Res. That Mr Edmondson Brooks Banks be appointed managing director at £30 per annum for the ensuing year. Mr Banks signified his acceptance of the office and the remuneration.
With ref to the proposed extra stoppage due to bad trade and the tenants desire for some allowance for the savings effected:
Res. That in cases where the engine was actually stopped the savings effected in coal be allwed to the tenants.
Res. That two ropes be ordered and one cask of composition [rope grease] for WH Mill.
That the brickwork at the various mills, and floors mentioned by Mr Banks, be repaired by E Harrison and J R Broughton.
That the wheels in Moorhouse's portion of WH Mill be repaired.
The secretary reported that the cost of coal for the year ended June 30th at the various mills had been as follows:
CH, 23/6 per ton. Butts, 22/6. WH Mill, 21/6. Viaduct, 14/1.
[The discrepancy between Colne prices and Barlick is entirely due to Barlick being an outlier of the industry. There was a recognised reduction on wages in Barlick because of 'Local Disadvantage' based on this fact of life and transport costs.]
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars
July 17th 1914
[Printed balance sheet reports: Death of Thomas Dent and resignation of W P Brooks. Profit carried over £176-14-2 resulting in £1860-2-0 to be appropriated. Disposition is £1519-14 for dividend and £340-8-0 to be carried forward.]
Proctor Barrett chair.
Report of the death of Thomas Dent and W P Brooks' resignation.
Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend adopted, retiring directors re-elected.
Mr John Hall elected director in place of W P Brooks.
Director's remuneration and re-election of auditor approved.

July 22nd 1914
P Barrett chair.
P Barrett elected chairman, John Horsfield as vice chair.
Messrs King and Banks elected joint managing directors at a salary of £30 per annum. Mr King to take the Factory work and one third of the salary, Mr E B Banks the clerical work and two thirds of the salary.
Res. That in consideration of Mr P Bilborough reducing the price of Sharlston Nuts coal to 14/8 from September 1st 1914 we extend our present contract with him to June 30th 1915.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

[Great War starts August 4th 1914]

August 6th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Marsden's account be paid £246-17-0.
That BUDC gas and water account be paid £1-19-6.
Transfer of 31 shares from Mary Ellen Fawcett to Sarah Ellen Banks sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
That Anthony Carr be informed that the company cannot take the risk of running Butts engine for his looms only. [Evidently the other tenants of Butts have stopped for bad trade. I think this excuse is a red herring actually, the directors would rather have the mill stopped completely than running for one tenant. Behind it is the fact that only a very well managed engine can run safely at high steam pressures and low load, it is the ultimate test of how efficiently the governor is working. Running at low pressure is uneconomic and so stopping completely is the best course.]
Proctor Barrett.

August 12th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
[Bear in mind that in the background there is upheaval as men flood to volunteer for a war that will 'be over by Christmas'. A Man called Billy Brooks and his friend are cycling to Skipton to enlist but when they got there the queue was so long the recruiting sergeant told them to go home and come back the following day. Overnight, as Billy said “It went off me”, he never went back and served the war out in a reserved occupation at Westfield Mill. See LTP, AB series of tapes.]
Res. Accounts be paid: E Brooksbank and Co £32-19-0. H Lowes £1-5-10. G H Baldwin £34. S Parker £4-18-6. W B White 17/-. John Hartley 18/-. H P Cooper £25-3-6. P P Brown £8-1-0. P D Bilborough £102-9-0. J B Bulcock Ltd £1-12-0. Burnley Ironworks £27-1-0. J J Whitaker £2-6-0. E Green and Son 9/-. Wildman and Co 5/6. Diamond Lubrication Co £23-7-10. E A Foulds 16/2. J Lofthouse and Son £16-8-0. James Proctor Ltd 3/6. H Brown and Sons £7-12-9. J Baldwin £1-14-0. Dale Ironworks Co £1-8-6. James T Tyson 8-6-0. E Harrison £11-13-0. Brooks and Brooks £34.
Res. That the acknowledgement for the land at Ouzledale be 2/6 per annum. [Evidently the accurate survey of boundaries has revealed an encroachment on CHSC land.]
A Letter was read from Anthony Carr intimating that he wished to run his looms although the other tenants had agreed to stop.
Res. That in the event of Mr Carr claiming full rent that the allowance made to Mr Carr be deducted from the amount paid to the others, that is that the tenants of the respective mills be only allowed the savings made by the company.
Proctor Barrett.

August 19th 1914
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Heap and Thornton do the necessary repairs to the roofs at WH and Butts mills.
That Ernest Harrison be engaged to stop the leakage of water at CH Dam.
That 24 empty barrels be sold to Brooksbank at 3/3 each.
Proctor Barrett.

August 26th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That J R Broughton supply the foot planks for Bailey's, Nutter's and J Windle's sheds. [For protecting roof slates?]
Proctor Barrett.

September 2nd 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 10 shares from E W King to J Cant sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported the bank account £1066 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: Holgate Marsden £248-1-0. Heap and Thornton £7-2-0. P D Bilborough £61-18-0. H Brown and Sons £7-7-0. P P Brown £4. T M Duché and Sons £22-18-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-8-3. S? Oil Co £1-8-0. J W Clough 7/5. Colne Corporation £1-8-0. E A Foulds 16/11. A H Dewhurst £4-13-9. J R Atkinson 12/1. Barnoldswick Tallow Company Ltd. £11-8-3 [Barrett's Directory for 1914 reports the Barnoldswick Tallow Company Ltd, tripe dressers, Butts. R S Windle is secretary. Tallow, refined animal fat, had many uses in the mill. Most engines had tallow cup cylinder lubricators in which tallow was allowed to melt slowly under pressure providing a constant supply of high quality lubricant.] Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1. G H Baldwin 14/4. Brooks and Brooks £80-19-3.
Proctor Barrett.

September 9th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Phineas Brown inspects the blades in the centrifugal pump at CH Shed and reports on their condition. [Nice! The use of the forename has enabled me to pin down the 'P P Brown' who keeps appearing in the minutes. Barrett's directory for 1914 reports Phineas Brown as electrical engineer of Brick School, Fountain Street. In 1922 he is same profession and St James' Square. In December 2004 Walter Fisher told me that Brown was no relation to Henry Brown, He lived in one of the houses on Jepp Hill opposite the Cross Keys, now demolished. The St James' Square address is in the swimming baths built by Matthew Hartley but never used as such because the BUDC wouldn't install a water main for it. Phineas used it to make ice and also did minor electrical repairs. He never developed beyond being a one man band and eventually the building was used for many years as the Croft Garage.]
That old lead, copper and scrap iron be sold at the best price possible.
Proctor Barrett.

September 16th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That all the fallen [sunken] flagging in that portion of CH Shed occupied by the Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd be raised by Ernest Harrison. [Settlement in the new shed.]
That the clock in Butts Mill engine house be repaired by Mr S Bracewell.
Proctor Barrett.

September 23rd 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J W Clough £25-15-3. J R Broughton £17-2-7. H P Cooper 15/-. Alliance Assurance Co £14-3-6. BUDC £980. Sun Insurance £56-4-0. Colne Corporation £139-18-6. Wages £102-3-0.
The secretary read a detailed bank account from July 1st to the present date and a statement of rents owing by the tenants of the company. The balance at the bank was £1489-10-6 in credit.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to ask the police to take steps to prosecute anyone found breaking glass at CH Shed and WH Mill and to take such steps as they think necessary.
Res. That the cementing of the West end of CH Shed gable to be proceeded with at once.
Res. That the engineer at CH Shed be instructed to turn the shed for Edmondson and Co. [This entry gives an insight into the affect of the war effort on the manufacturers. The most widely used explosive for military purposes was nitrocellulose and the base raw material for this was Cotton fibre. As the country geared up for war there was an immediate and serious decrease in the availability of cotton fibre for manufacturing. Evidently Edmondson's have orders and supplies of cotton and rather than stop the shed the CHSC have decided to run at reduced load.]
Proctor Barrett.

September 30th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That the secretary write to Anthony Carr informing him that he has to replace all the broken glass in windows at the expiration of his tenancy.
That Phineas Brown supply two spare gear wheels (one to be a split wheel)for the twill room at Butts. [The split wheel could be mounted on the shafting without any dismantling of the shaft.]

October 7th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That J R Broughton repair the sliding floor [door?] at Aldersley's warehouse.
That a gate be fixed on Horsfield's hoist so as to meet HMFI requirements.
That Ernest Harrison repair the wall in the Parrock.

October 14th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin 17/6. W B White 4/-. P D Bilborough £73-16-0. James F Tyson 10/-. Brooks and Brooks £26-14-0. E A Foulds £4/10. Phineas Brown 4-5-0. H P Cooper £3-3-6. Wilson and Thornber £5-13-0. Oldham Boiler Works Co £1.
The secretary read a list of rents owed by the tenants and the bank balance. Rents owed £3665-10-11 and bank £381 in credit.
Res. That the allowance to tenants be at the rate of 4d per loom per week and £1 per week for tapes when the engine is stopped and 2d per loom per week when the whole of a tenant's looms are stopped but the engine is running.
Res. That an extension to the tape room at CH Shed be made for Thomas Nutter the new tenant providing he is willing to pay 7½% on the cost.
That W H Atkinson of Colne be requested to make the necessary drawings and obtain tenders.
Proctor Barrett.

October 21st 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That King and Banks ascertain of Albert Hogarth [engineer at Butts] is leaving the company's employment and if so about what date. [I think he changed his mind, we shall see later.]
That P Bilborough be offered 8/- per ton including carting for his present stock of about 20 tons of Hulton Slack.
That Mr Wood inform Holgate Marsden that the company intend to use up their stock of coal at the wharf [Coates] and that if he cannot supply Altham coal when the stock is finished he must submit prices for coal he can supply to the directors for their decision.
Proctor Barrett.

[End of Minute Book 5. Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. Completed February 28th 2011.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY MINUTE BOOK NUMBER 6
October 28th 1914 to June 22nd 1921.

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries in [] are notes by SCG. Transcription commenced February 28th 2011.]

October 28th 1914
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Standing Brothers [printers] be allowed to fix a bill posting board in Calf Hall Yard at a rental of 20/- per annum. [Much news was published in the form of news sheets on bill boards at this time. This may be such a board.]
Res. That E Harrison be allowed 5/- per annum off his rent if he agrees to the above mentioned board being hung on his land.
That the question of making the lodge at the East end of CH Shed into a roadway at some future time be discussed at the next meeting.
That Messrs King, Horsfield, Hall and Wilson interview William Dixon and decide whether to allow him to level his allotment for use as a bowling green or not. [I think this the piece of land in what was the Parrock on the east side of the modern ginnel down the side of the Butts Clinic. It is now part of Carlson's and has Portakabin offices on it.]
That the secretary write to William Taylor of Cecil Street and inform him that the directors have the contents of his letter under consideration.
That the secretary write to the Bethesda Baptist Church Trustees giving them permission to divert the roadway from Walmsgate to the company's cottage now occupied by Thomas Robinson. This to be allowed on condition that the company have the same rights and privileges over the proposed new road that they now have over the present roadway and also that the said trust allow the company's wall and privy in Walmsgate yard to remain where they are until the land is opened out into a street.
Proctor Barrett.

November 4th 1914
P Barrett in chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin 19/-. E A Foulds 10/11. John S Prince £1-2-0. Holgate Marsden £104-19-2. Burnley Ironworks £21-4-0. E Harrison £13-13-0. James W Clough £3-5-6. P D Bilborough £94-15-0. Diamond Lubricating £3-16-1. J R Broughton £8-11-0. BUDC £1-14-0.
Transfer of 23 shares from E W King to Georgina Cant sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1492-2-4 in credit.
The correspondence with Mr Taylor, builder, re the land on the east side of Butts Mill was read in which he offered 500 yards to the company to enable the Right of Light to be preserved.
Res. That Banks, Barrett and King meet Mr Taylor and report.
Res. That the secretary ask W H Atkinson to examine the plans of the CH Estate with a view to diverting the road to enable the company to have free access to the stream flowing under the shed.
Mr Wood brought forward a scheme for alterations to the WH engine with a view to reducing the coal consumption which is now about 65 tons a week. The suggestion is to speed up the engine from 62rpm to 75rpm by replacing the present second motion pulley with a larger one.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks be requested to make a report and give an estimate for the next meeting.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
The board approved the proposal to cover in the cartway between the road and the mill at Wellhouse as an extension of Mr Brown's mechanic's shop providing Mr Brown was willing to pay a reasonable increase in rent.
Proctor Barrett.

November 11th 1914
P Barrett chair.
A letter was read from Mr Taylor offering about 500 square yards of land adjoining Butts Mill a
at 2/6 per square yard.
Res. That Barrett, king, Slater and Banks see Mr Taylor and purchase the land if they consider his price and terms satisfactory.
That J R Broughton be instructed to make and fit a new sliding door for the boiler house at CH Shed.
A Hogarth tendered his notice to cease working for the company on November 28th 1914.
Res. That Thomas Hewlett be appointed engineer at Butts Mill from November 28th.
That Mr Wood be asked what is the number of looms for which S Pickles and Sons pay rent, also if Anthony Carr has paid all rent due from him to the company.
Proctor Barrett.

November 18th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the company purchase from Mr Taylor, builder, 682 yards on the north west side of Butts Mill [ NW alters things, this is land on the boundary of the mill where it is sunk in the hillside above Butts. The houses that were built there were on Taylor Street.] at 2/- per yard on the terms in the letter read out to the meeting and that Lumb, solicitor of Barlick be instructed to make the conveyance.
Res. That Watkinson be appointed fireman at WH Mill and that Messrs Banks and King make arrangements re the oiler. [I wonder whether these are replacements for men who have volunteered to serve in France?]
A report was read from the Burnley Ironworks Co on the speeding up of the WH engine from which it appeared that the economical load of the engine as running at present was 750hp, that the full load being driven was 980hp, an overload of 30.75%. By increasing the speed from 62rpm to 75rpm as suggested by Mr Wood this overload would be reduced to 9% and a saving effected of from 5 to 7 tons of coal per week. The alterations they suggested were: one 14ft 6” second motion pulley, 40 new bolts to the flywheel, four cast iron beams, a new Whitehead governor with knock-off gear and vacuum destroyer. Their price for the work was £332, the company to provide labourers, masons and joiners and scaffolding and timber, the old material to be the property of the contractors. They undertook to do the work with one week's stoppage.
Res. That the tender be accepted and the works put in hand as early as possible in January and that the tenants be advised. [All this confirms what we have noted before. The extensions to the capacity of the sheds wasn't always accompanied by improving the engines. This wasn't just a CHSC problem, in later years a price will be paid for the extra strain being put on the engines even after modifications like this.]
Res. That in future meetings be held fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons at 2pm, the first meeting to be on December 2nd.
The secretary reported that the bank balance was £1500 in credit.
A letter was read from the engineer at CH Shed [John Sneath] asking for a new set of air pump brasses and pins.
Res. That the Burnley Ironworks be asked to report on this matter.
Proctor Barrett.

December 2nd 1914
P Barrett chair.
Holgate Marsden's coal account paid £212-6-0.
The secretary reported the bank account to be £1549 in credit.
Transfer of 13 shares from Arthur Lambert to E P Standing sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That repairs to the engine at CH Shed as suggested by Burnley Ironworks be carried out.
Res. That the tender of H P Cooper for the new ropes required at WH be accepted provided he is prepared to use as many as possible of the existing ropes and charge for the reduced number in proportion to the whole sixteen. His price for the sixteen ropes and fixing was £78. [Worth noting that here we come across anther problem when modifying old engines. At 980hp this is 61.25hp per rope. Kenyon's of Dukinfield were acknowledged as experts in the field of rope drives and their recommendation for ropes of this type was a maximum of 50hp per rope. It is almost impossible to increase the number of ropes on a flywheel constrained between two engine beds like Wellhouse so this increase has to be accepted. Splicing old ropes together to make the new drive seems to me to be false economy.]
Plans prepared by W H Atkinson were put in showing the alterations to Nutter's tape room at CH Shed.
Res. That repairs be done to Messrs Midgley and Barlow's as explained by Mr Banks and that Mr Brown be appointed oiler at WH Mill.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

December 16th 1914
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J G Tate £10. William Proctor £69-11-0. P Barrett £1-4-8. Heap and Thornton £20-6-0. P D Bilborough £132-2-0. Brooks and Brooks £58-4-0.
The secretary reported the bank balance as £2059-5-9 in credit.
Res. That the size of ropes for WH engine be settled by Mr Wood in consultation with Burnley Ironworks.
That Mr King be requested to see to the repairs of that portion of the road abutting on Butts Mill and used by the weavers. [I think this will be down the side of the mill adjoining what is now the Clinic.]
Res. That a barring engine be ordered from Burnley Ironworks at a cost of £135 and that new aquariums, [oil] pumps and sight feed lubricators be ordered with BI for WH.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That repairs to tipplers and fall pipes be carried out.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked to inspect the air pump at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

January 5th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: W Wilkinson (gift to the Belgian Relief Fund) £5. Mrs Atkinson (gift to Relief for Soldiers) £3. Proctor and Proctor [wages?] £39-13-4.
Res. That the draft conveyance of the plot of land on the NE side of Butts Mill from Messrs Matthew Hartley, William Taylor and Henry Taylor, presented by Mr Lumb solicitor be approved.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit and the same be presented at the general meeting on January 22nd. A dividend of 10% per annum for the half year to be recommended.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting
January 22nd 1915
[Printed balance sheet reports Balance of £340-8-0 carried over and a total to be appropriated of £2017-10-3. Disposition to be £1519-14-0 for dividend and £497-16-3 carried over.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.

February 3rd 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £1000. P D Bilborough £151-13-10. H Marsden £314-1-0. Burnley Ironworks Co £250. Proctor and Proctor [wages?] £115-9-10. H E Holdsworth £2-2-6. Alfred H Dewhurst £4-10-3. E Brooksbank £58-13-0. Wilson and Thornber £6-6-0. James W Clough £39-14-0. Diamond Lubricating £4-15-11. Joseph Baldwin £1-4-0. H Hartley 6/6. G H Baldwin £3-2-7. H P Cooper £1-2-0. J A Nutter £1-9-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-2-9. E Green and Son £4-18-0. J R Atkinson 15/-. E A Foulds £5-5-9. Walter Cragg £1-13-10. Brooks and Brooks Collieries Ltd £67-16-0.
The secretary reported the bank account as £2,500 in credit.
Res. That tenders be obtained for boarding the flywheel and second motion [pulley] at WH from local joiners. [Boarding in flywheels and large pulleys became more common as it was realised that it saved a small amount of energy, kept the engine house cleaner and was generally more tidy.]
Res. That the land at WH abutting on Valley Road be offered to the Barnoldswick Working Men's Club at 4/- per yard (including paving) for a selected plot and 3/6 per yard for all the land we have to sell. That the rate of interest on any unpaid balance be 4½% less tax and that Mr Atkinson be requested to meet a deputation of directors with a view to setting out the land so that no front streets shall be abutting on the land left in the hands of the company.
The secretary reported that Altham coal had been increased1/- per ton from February 1st.
Res. That the glazing required to be done in the premises lately occupied by Anthony Carr be carried out by the company and the account sent to Mr Carr, after notice being sent to him.
Res. That the mortar pan at Viaduct Shed be sold to Mr Joseph Bullock for £12.
The secretary reported that Edmondson and Co of CH Shed had given six months notice to terminate their tenancy on July 31st 1915.
Res. That the oiler at WH Mill be given one week's notice to terminate his engagement and that the new man be retained.
Res. That Henry Brown be requested to supply two pairs of blocks of one ton and two tons respectively. [Lifting tackle]
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

February 17th 1915
[P Barrett chair] Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Anthony Carr complaining of the company's attitude in insisting upon the repair of broken windows at the premises lately occupied by him.
Res. That the repairs be carried out and the account be sent to Mr Carr.
Transfer of 187 shares from R Wilson to John Hall sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A Report from the architect, W H Atkinson, was read on the condition of the engine house wall at Viaduct Shed from which it appeared that it was not in a dangerous condition. He made certain recommendations which it was thought advisable to carry out and that he would make a further inspection and report.
A letter was read from The Altham Colliery Company regretting their inability to keep up with the usual supply of fuel in consequence of men who had enlisted and other causes diminishing the output. [This is the first overt reference to the Great War and its effects.]
The secretary reported he had ordered 20 wagons of Silkstone Washed Doubles at 17/6.
The Burnley Ironworks reported on the engine at Viaduct Shed in which they stated that it was considered dangerous to run the engine with the present trip gear on the HP cylinder. They recommended a new governor and entirely new gearing. The estimate for the work was £184, the company to provide labourers and the old material to become their property. Mr Wood was instructed to see the ironworks company thereon.
Mr Lumb attended with the conveyance of the land at Butts from Messrs Taylor to the company and explained the alterations thereto made by the vendor's solicitors. Mr Lumb was instructed to adhere to the original contract made with the vendors.
Res. That the engineer at WH be paid 30/- and the fireman £1 for the extra work during the alterations.
Res. That Lambert Robinson's tender of £33 for casing the two wheels at WH be accepted.
That no objection be made to the BUDC's provisional apportionment for the paving at Butts Road.
That the brickwork of the boilers at WH be repaired by Easter.
Res. That the loan of £5000 from E W Bailey Ltd be repaid and that other sums be accepted from:
Albert Bailey £1000, John E Bailey £1000, Jane Alice Bailey £1100, Charles W Bailey £1500, Charles Watson £400.
That £50 loan be repaid to John Hall.
It was reported that W H Atkinson had offered the Barnoldswick Working Men's Club the back land adjoining WH Mill at 4/- per yard and the front land at 4/6 per yard including paving.
Proctor Barrett.

March 3rd 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Marsden's and Bilborough's accounts be paid.
That the suggested alterations to the water pipes to the boiler at Butts Mill be carried out.
Res. That Messrs Nutters, who propose to build a shed at Gillians [Bancroft Shed] be informed of the company's position re water rights. [Interesting. At first sight CHSC doesn't have any rights to Gillian's Beck water beyond their customary rights at Ouzledale. I have sound evidence that the factor which enabled Bancroft to be built was an agreement between Nutters and Slaters at Clough triggered by a marriage between the two families. However, there is a growing suspicion in my mind, fed by small clues, that Butts Mill drew some water off the Gillian's Beck by arrangement with Slaters and it may be this which is referred to. In the event, Bancroft didn't start until 1920, the last shed to be built in the town.]
Res. That empty oil barrels be sold to Brooksbank's at 3/3 each.
Res. That repairs to property mentioned by Mr Banks be put in hand.
Proctor Barrett.

March 24th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £622-11-2 in credit and reported a list of rents owing by the tenants and stated that the present rents at Barnoldswick were 49shillings and two fifths of a penny per loom per annum and £130-10-0 for a tape machine serving 400 looms, both based on Altham coal at 15/7 per ton.
The secretary reported the coal consumption of the three mills to be as follows:
CH Shed, [Week ending] March 6th, 45 tons 16cwt and March 13th 47 tons 11cwt, both of Sharlston nuts.
WH Mill, March 6th 68 tons, March 13th, 68 tons, Altham Coal.
Butts Mill, March 13th, 56 tons 4cwt, Altham Coal.
Transfer of 35 shares from Leonard Hartley to James hacking and 144 shares from Robert Wilson to J T Ellison sanctioned.
A report was read from the BUDC sanitary department complaining of the smoke at Butts on March 17th from 3:30pm to 4:30pm, 30 minutes black smoke, 13 minutes moderate smoke and 17 minutes no smoke.
Res. That Mr Wood explain the cause to BUDC.
Mr Wood gave particulars of the coal purchased on account of the war.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of a plot of freehold land containing five and one fifth acres or thereabouts at Butts Mill, formerly part of Wellhouse Farm from Matthew Hartley, William Taylor and Henry Taylor for the sum of £68-4-0 in the presence of two directors and the secretary and that the memorial for the Registry of Deeds also be sealed. [I still think this the land on which Taylor Street and the gardens now stands but I'm surprised by two things; the size of the plot which suggests it is all the land on which Taylor Street and its gardens now stands, the bank opposite the Model Lodging House in Butts and the fact it was formerly part of Wellhouse Farm which stood on Church Street. Perhaps part of it is sold later for housing. We shall see! (It transpires later that when the land was offered, Taylor Street was under construction.)]
Proctor Barrett.

April 7th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £1150-14-6 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: P D Bilborough £156-6-0. H Marsden £275-9-0. Earby and Thornton Gas and Lighting Co Ltd £38-1-0 [This an odd one. It can't be for gas because this is the Earby system. The most probable explanation is that they had surplus coal and CHSC have bought it from them. It should be noted that George Proctor had interests in Earby and might have been the conduit.] Brooks and Brooks £38-10-0. John Delaney £53-14-0. Diamond Lubricating Oil Co £5-10-3. H P Cooper £79-18-0 [Looks like a complete set of new ropes at WH to me. Wiser counsels have prevailed.] Phineas Brown £7-7-0. E A Foulds 19/11. W B White 1/6. H Hartley 7/6. J Bulcock Ltd £1-12-0. J W Clough £12-8-3. Burnley Ironworks £5-14-11.
Res. That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Res. That a boat-load of coal be weighed under the supervision of the directors.
That the Angler's Association be allowed to fish Springs Dam for £1 for the following year.
That the repairs mentioned by Mr Banks to the shafting at Butts Mill be carried out by Henry Brown.
That Messrs King, Banks, Hall and Holdsworth be appointed to examine the wheel at Butts Mill as the engineer reports several new cracks. [The old problem. I suspect the defects in the shafting mentioned above stem from rough running of the gearing. The cracks are another symptom.]
Res. That three boundary stone be placed on the land recently purchased at Butts and that it be let at ½d per square yard, the tenant to do his own fencing.
That the engineer at CH Shed be asked to explain the stoppage on Thursday morning last.
Res. That Mr Wood take charge of WH Mill for the next few months with a view to bringing down the coal consumption.
Proctor Barrett.

April 21st 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: William Thornton £84-15-4. J A Nutter £1-0-10. Burnley Ironworks Co £200.
The committee reported and confirmed three new cracks in the wheel but that the engineer said there was no immediate danger. [A bit optimistic?]
Res. That the Monkswell Manufacturing Co be allowed £3-19-9 for screens to windows in their shed. [Air raid precautions black out screens?]
Proctor Barrett.

May 5th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That the bank balance was £1819-19-3 in credit.
Mr Wood reported that the boilers of the company were badly scaled and that in his opinion the price paid for cleaning, namely 3/- at Butts and 14/- at the other mills was insufficient. [I don't know what Teddy Wood's background was, all I know is that Johnny Pickles had a high opinion of him and all the evidence in future years is that when it came to engineering matters, he knew what he was talking about. As I have noted before, the technology of boiler feed water treatment was in its infancy but the rising price of coal will force innovation. The cleaning he mentions is simple blow-down and wash-out which is no cure for the cause, impurities in feed water and is also grossly wasteful because the boiler has to be cooled and reheated, this took a minimum of 5 tons of coal. He is on the right track but needs better compo!]
Res. That the increase in payment be to 6/- per boiler.
That two lights be fixed in Butts boiler house.
Mr Wood reported that the alterations had been carried out in the boiler house at CH Shed similar to those he was pursuing at WH and that there was a reduction of 5 tons per week in coal consumption. [You might wonder what he has done to make such a significant difference. I can't say what he did but I can say what the faults were that could cause increased consumption. Basic maintenance of boiler settings [brickwork] to eliminate air leakage into the flues, intelligent management of water levels to maximise the use of hot water and avoid sudden massive injections of cold water, regular attention to fires, ashing out and constant feed at low levels, keeping the fires at the optimum thickness, good monitoring of air flow through the fires to obtain the minimum of smoke using the minimum amount of draught thus reducing flue gas temperatures in the chimney and consequent wastage. Good monitoring of activity in the mill so that increases in demand can be forecast, like knowing when the tapes were going to do an extended boil in a size beck. All these and more are important and can only be achieved if you have an intelligent firebeater properly instructed and motivated.]
It was reported that Henry Brown was willing to take further space at WH Mill at £15 per annum.
Res. That he will be allowed to take the space providing that he make his own alterations and reinstates the premises at the termination of his tenancy and that he pays any increased cost of insurance.
Res. That the rent of the present premises be raised to £53 per annum.
Mr Banks' quarterly statements for the three quarters ending on March 31st 1915 were read and accepted.
Mr Wood advised the board that coal was scarcer and that the stock on hand, about one week's supply, ought to be increased. [The increased consumption due to the war effort and shortage of labour in the mines due to volunteers going to war is taking effect.]
Res. That Mr G Whitaker be instructed to repair slates on Windle's warehouse roof.
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported to be £355-2-5 in credit.
Res. That tenders be obtained from Mr Bilborough for the supply of coal for the next twelve months for 50, 100 and 150 tons per week.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
A Letter was read from Dugdale and Dewhurst complaining about the state of the yard and roof. It was reported that the work had been carried out.
Proctor Barrett.

June 2nd 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported as £700 in credit.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £318-3-0. W Clough £7-6-0. J Baldwin 2/4. J Heaton £7-10-0. P Bilborough £156-4-0. J Proctor £1-8-0. Wilson and Thornber £19. Brooks and Brooks £43-15-0. J W Cough £5-16-0. W Cragg 18/9. G H Baldwin £1-11-9. Burnley Ironworks £119-9-0. Anti-Incrustation Co £18-13-0. T Duché and Sons £27-6-11. H Hartley 6/2. H Brown and Sons £21. Proctor and Proctor [wages?] £71-6-9.
Res. That Altham Collieries be asked to quote a price for a twelve month contract for the supply of coal to the company's three mills in Barlick.
Res. That the plans suggested by Mr King to carry rain water from the shed at Butts be adopted and that Mr Phineas Brown be instructed to do the work.
The economiser reports for CH and WH were read and considered satisfactory.
Proctor Barrett.

June 16th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £1-10-0. J R Atkinson 9/6. H P Cooper £2-14-0. Brooks and Brooks 3/2. P&P Insurance £3. Diamond Lubricating £10-4-10. J W Clough 18-1-0. Brooksbank's £70-11-10. Dale Ironworks £7-4-0. Hopkinson Ltd £2-17-6.
Tenders for ashes accepted for year ending June 30th 1916:
CH, J R Broughton £8. WH, E Harrison £12-10-0. Butts, P Barrett and Son £5-5-0.
Contracts for coal were received from Holgate Marsden for WH and Butts and P D Bilborough for CH Shed. [Worth remembering that there were severe problem in the mining industry, rising food prices triggered wage demands and strikes for a higher wage and by February 1917 there was a shortfall of 3,000,000 tons per annum. The situation was so bad that the Coalition Government under Lloyd George took over the mines from the owners, it looked like nationalisation but in the end it was rescinded after the Armistice.]
H Marsden offered a twelve month contract to June 30th 1916 @ 18/- per ton delivered at Coates Wharf on the usual terms and conditions and with the condition that there could be a reduction of 1/- per ton for each 5% off the present rate of miner's wages and it being understood that this supply be given only if the output at the colliery be kept up to its present amount. [Many miners were volunteering for the army, a big problem for the industry.]
The present prices to apply to the end of June and the carting prices be as before.
Mr Bilborough quoted for a six or twelve months supply of 50 tons per week of Sharlston Nuts @ 20/9 delivered at CH Shed and that for every advance of 5% in miner's wages an extra 6d per ton will be charged and in the event of a reduction of 5% a reduction of 6d per ton. The offer was subject to a stoppage of pits from any cause and the quantity during such stoppage to be cancelled and not held in abeyance.
Mr Bilborough attended the meeting and promised to communicate with the colliery with a view to obtaining a lower quotation.
Res. That Mr Banks be empowered to settle with Bilborough for a twelve months contract for 50 tons a week.
Mr Bilborough offered a further 50 tons a week at the same rate but the board did not see their way clear to accepting it.
Res. That the wall at WH be repaired.
Res. That the secretary be empowered to discuss with Messrs Nutter and Edmondson the question of Edmondson's termination of tenancy at the end of July.
The bank balance was reported to be £1268-1-6 in credit.
Proctor Barrett.

June 30th 1915
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Blakely and Co's tender of £72 be accepted for work of all trades connected with the extension of the tape room for T Nutter's at CH Shed.
Reported that J Sneath [engineer at CH] had tendered his notice to cease work on July 17th 1915.
Res. That Mr Crowther be appointed engineer from July 17th 1915 at 35/- per week.
H Marsden's coal account paid £589-15-0.
Res. That P Bilborough's revised contract of 20/6 delivered at CH Shed be accepted.
Res. That E Harrison be engaged to repair all faulty flues at Butts boiler house during the holidays.
Proctor Barrett.

July 7th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Proctor and Proctor £96-9-6. J D Bilborough £157-3-0. P Hoskin £5-7-0. Heap and Thornton £3-17-0. E Harrison £21-16-0. W Cragg £2-10-0.
A notice was read from C W Bailey Ltd asking the company to increase the rate of interest on their loan to 4½% the same as the War Loan.
Proctor Barrett.

July 21st 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit and 10% per annum dividend to be recommended to the shareholders on July 30th.
Transfer of shares from McPherson and Harrison to the beneficiaries under the Will of Susannah Pickles be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Hartley and Pilgrim re Messrs Nutter's intention to build a shed at Gillians and to make a reservoir over the stream supplying Butts Mill in which Messrs Slater had instructed them [H&P] to watch their interests and take such steps as may be necessary for their protection. They enquired if the CHSC would instruct them to act along with J Slater and Sons to protect the interests of the company.
Res. That they be instructed to act for this company as suggested.
[This looks like confirmation of my theory about Butts drawing water off the Clough Mill lodge.]
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars
July 30th 1915
[Printed balance sheet reports £497-16-3 brought forward, total to be appropriated is £2077-7-4. Disposition is £1519-14-0 for dividend and £557-13-4 carried forwards.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, auditor's report and recommended dividend adopted.
Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration at £60 per annum confirmed and Richard Watson and Son re-appointed auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 25th 1915
Res. That P Barrett be chairman, John Horsfield vice chair and Messrs Banks and King be managing directors.
P Barrett took the chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Bilborough £209-16-4. R Watson and Son £3-18-9. Wages 3129-6-6. O Whitaker £68. Burnley Building Soc £36-7-11. J Bulcock £8-7-6. J Proctor 5/6. Anti-Incrustation Co£12-6-6. G W Baldwin £8-10-5. J A Nutter 18/-. James Baldwin £31-1-0. W B White 2/-. A H Dewhurst £4-7-6. H P Cooper 8/-. P P Brown £17-3-6. H Hartley 7/6. Bradshaw and Co £23. Remington 3/6. E A Brooks £99-9-0.
Res. That Mr Samuel Yates be asked to remove manure from land in Butts. [Sam Yates was a greengrocer who had a market garden in Butts.]
That the well at Butts be cleaned out and the price determined by the managing director.
That an iron barrow be ordered for Butts Mill.
That stokers at Butts and WH be repaired.
Proctor Barrett.

September 8th 1915
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the loan of £150 from W Suthers be repaid.
Res. That Sam Yates, fruiterer, be asked to remove manure from land adjoining Butts Mill.
That the drains at CH Shed be arranged so as to take the oils away from the wells and that Mr Blakey be instructed to do the work.
Res. That 10ft of 5” double sewn, copper [riveted] belt be ordered for WH Mill.
Res. That James Proctor be instructed to repair the stokers at Butts and WH Mill and to fix coal elevators as at Butts Mill as early as possible.
Proctor Barrett.

September 27th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The secretary read a list of rents owing by various tenants.
Res. That the thoroughfare be whitewashed.
That the lubricator at Butts be altered as suggested by Mr Wood.
That Mr Wood be exempt from attendance at director's meetings fortnightly and that he be requested to attend once a month in consequence of him being appointed Secretary of Munitions.
Res. That the stokers at Butts Mill be thoroughly overhauled by James Proctor Ltd.
That Messrs King and Banks settle the matter of wages at Butts Mill.
That Mr P Barrett's offer of 4/- per week for Coates Wharf be accepted. [I think this is for space rented by CHSC at Coates Wharf for coal storage from Holgate Marsden.]

October 13th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That director's meetings be every fortnight on Wednesdays at 2pm.
Res. That the roof over the economisers at WH Mill be re-roofed with new slate. [Coal smoke during the night when the boilers were banked was very active chemically and attacked the underside of the slates rotting them.]
Res. That the wharf at Coates taken from Mr P Barrett be given up and he will be compensated for any loss incurred. [Was CHSC thinking of more space for coal storage and then changing their minds?]
Res. That W H Atkinson be asked who is the owner of the corner strip of land adjoining Valley Road.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked to send a man to fasten keys in the Butts Mill engine flywheel. [A constant theme. Perhaps worth mentioning that I have never come across a flywheel and jack wheel that was in such bad condition and for the life of me I can't understand why the insurance company didn't force a root and branch overhaul.]
Res. That C B Merrall repair the water pipe at CH Shed which supplies water to Mr E Sutcliffe's trough.
That Mr Wood be asked what rate of interest Bailey Ltd of Earby are being paid on the loan they have in the company.
Proctor Barrett.

October 27th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported as £1075-17-1 in credit.
Res. That accounts be paid: Wages £70-9-1. J R Broughton £20-7-0.
Res. That Crowther's wage [engineer at CH Shed] be increased to 37/6 per week.
Res. That the cooler at CH Shed be enlarged. [The cooling system for condensing water?]
Res. That the tender of Superheater Units Ltd to supply three sets of superheaters to Butts Mill be accepted at £359-10-0. [Superheaters were a nest of pipes in the hot gases of the downtake at the back of the boiler through which steam, on its way to the engine, was passed to raise its temperature and dry it out. In theory this is a good way of improving the efficiency of a steam engine. However, the Musgrave engine was designed for lower temperature saturated steam which is far less aggressive in the cylinders. Experience later showed that lubricating technology wasn't good enough to prevent accelerated wear in cylinders and this would cause trouble at many mills. Looks like Teddy Wood chasing increased efficiency.]
The secretary was instructed to reclaim £36-10-1 from E Smith being apportionment of the paving account on 49ft out of the total of 411ft 10” assessed on a frontage of land in Valley Road paid for by the company but purchased by Mr Smith on exchange with CHSC on May 21st 1902.
John Horsfield

November 10th 1915
P Barrett chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: Marsden £352-19-0. Brooks and Brooks £44-13-0. BUDC £4-11-4. G H Baldwin £1-6-0. Duché and Son £28-17-10. P D Bilborough £234-10-0. H Brown and Sons £77.
Res. That Messrs Barrett, King and Banks along with Mr Wood have an interview with Altham Colliery to complain about the quality of coal they are sending us and to see if anything can be done to get a better quality of coal.
That the privy at WH be altered to the BUDC sanitary inspector's requirements. [Worth noting that improvement of the sanitary conditions in the mills was almost always neglected until forced by the inspectors. Not the highest priority!]
That a man be engaged to put steam for heating into CH Shed and Butts Mill, time of starting work each morning to be arranged with the engineer.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
John Horsfield.

November 24th 1915
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid.
Res. That J Proctor's tender for elevators for two boilers at Butts Mill for £95 be accepted.
That the economisers at Butts Mill be inspected by E Green and Sons annually.
That the boiler house at WH Mill be whitewashed and the engine house painted.
Proctor Barrett.

December 1st 1915
P Barrett chair.
Res. That George Henry Watson be engaged as engineer at WH Mill at 50/- per week. [J J Sneath has evidently left.]
Proctor Barrett.

December 3rd 1915
P Barrett chair.
It was reported that George Henry Watson would not accept the position of engineer at WH Mill at 50/- per week.
Res. That he be engaged as engineer at WH on the terms of his application, being 50/- per week for six months and after that time to be increased to 55/- per week if the directors were convinced he was worth it. [Remember that labour shortages were getting acute due to the war. George Henry has the whip hand, good engineers were thin on the ground.]
Proctor Barrett.

December 10th 1915
P Barrett chair.
Mr Crowther, engineer at CH Shed tendered 7 days notice to quit on December 18th 1915 which was accepted.
Res. That Edwin Waterworth be engaged as engineer at CH Shed at 37/6 per week.
Res. That the WC in Craven Manufacturing Co's shed be plastered and all defects made good at an opportune time.
That Mr Wood be asked if T Nutter has commenced to pay interest on the cost of the extension to his tape room.
That the question of whether rent of looms be charged on the cost of coal delivered to the boiler house (As at other Room and Power mills in the town.) be deferred until Mr Wood is present.
Proctor Barrett.

December 23rd 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Wages paid £70-13-6.
The question of the rents charged by the company was discussed. It was reported that other Room and Power companies in the town were charging from 1/3 to 3/- per loom more [than CHSC] based on the price of coal delivered at the mill. The matter was allowed to stand in abeyance.
The terms on which George Henry Watson were engaged were as follows: 50/- per week for six months and 55/- per week if the directors are satisfied with the results he gives. Mr Watson's letter is as follows:
E Banks Esq. Dear Sir, will you kindly drop the PS on my letter and apply this: After careful consideration I suggest that you let 5/- per week stand over for six months, to be added at that time if satisfactory as I am determined to gain your confidence. Kindly excuse me putting you to this trouble as I have not been able to get hold of you. Yours respectfully, George H Watson. 26 Federation Street. Dec. 1st.
Further:
E Banks Esq. The directors CHSC. Sirs, In regard to the slight difference between us I would like to make myself quite clear. All I want you to do is to compare next half-year's accounts with a previous corresponding half year, deduct the enhanced price of coal and allow weight for weight and if you are not convinced I am worth it, don't pay it as I do not want a penny that I have not earned. Yours respectfully, George H Watson.
The report on the economisers at Butts Mill was read from which it appeared that they were not in a satisfactory condition, the pipes being eaten away in many cases. [This is unusual in cast iron pipes and suggests that there was some chemical action, very likely connected with organic matter in the feed water.]
The secretary was instructed to ask Green's if the economisers were safe for the present working pressure of 80psi. [This has surprised me. The usual method of running economisers is that the feed water pump forces cool water (easier to pump) through the economisers where it is heated, and onwards into the boiler. Therefore the economiser has to be able to withstand maximum boiler pressure plus the differential needed to allow flow through the system. The CH boilers are fairly low pressure, 105psi I think. This means that ideally the economisers should be capable of running at about 120psi. The pressure quoted as 80psi means that there must be another feed pump between the economiser and the boiler to raise the pressure sufficiently to pass into the boiler. Perhaps this was accepted practice in the early economisers.]
Res. That the loan of £300 from Mr Admiral King be repaid.
Res. That the usual allowances be made to the carters at Christmas.
Res. That Mr J J Sneath be paid 24/- for the time spent in steaming [shed] and 15/- for oilcloth. [For the engine house? Are these his final accounts on leaving?]

January 15th 1915
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That £300 be repaid to Henry Wilson.
That the engineer, oiler and fireman at Butts be paid £8 for extra services during the past year or such sum, not exceeding £10, as the chairman and Mr Banks may think sufficient.
That T Nutter's application for an allowance for 50 looms not yet delivered at CH Shed be left with Mr Wood to deal with.
That J J Sneath be allowed to realise his stock at WH Mill and that the land be re-let at ½d per yard. [His hen pens?]
That the engineer at CH be instructed to give better attention to the lubricating of the shafting.
That Mr Wood be requested to ascertain if the proposed rope drive at Butts drafted by Mr Henry Brown is a workable scheme.
That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit and an annual dividend of 10% be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on December 28th 1915. [See below, changed to January 28th 1916.]
Proctor Barrett.

[Worth noting that the first Military Service Act was passed in January 1916 bringing in conscription for the armed forces.]

General meeting
January 28th 1916
[Printed balance sheet reports £557-13-4 carried forward, total of £ 2195-15-1 to be apportioned. Disposition £1519-14-0 dividend and £676-1-1 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

January 28th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That in consequence of the serious stoppages at Butts Mill in the last six months Mr Wood be put in full charge with a view to improving the running and bringing down the coal cost and that he be given power to discharge the present engine man [I think this is still Hewlett, appointed November 11th 1914] and fireman and [to re-engage] Mr Hogarth at 45/- per week. [The return of Albert I think.]

February 14th 1916
P Barrett chair.
P Bilborough account paid £190-15-0.
Transfer of 23 shares to Susannah Harrison of 23 Clifton Street sanctioned.
The centrifugal pump at WH Mill be put in proper order.
That the Barnoldswick Angling Society be allowed the fishing rights at Springs Dam to Feb 3rd 1917 at £1 per annum.
That Mr Wood look up the lease for Springs Dam and inform the directors when it expires.
Proctor Barrett.

February 23rd 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £1-14-9. G and T [?]Hall £8-15-6. J A Nutter £2-2-4. A Dewhurst £4-4-2. Smith and Smith £8-11-2. H P Cooper £4-16-8. D Hoyle £2-7-9. Heap and Thornton £8-1-0. W Whitaker £1. Brooks and Brooks £59-17-0. J Baldwin 11/-. W Cragg £1-8-0. J Bulcock £1-3-0. BUDC 15/11.
Mr Wood reported that the Springs Dam lease expires February 2nd 1921.
Res. That the account of the Baptist Trustees for arrears of rates be accepted.
Res. That Mr Wood take the opinion of Mr J Smith on the claim for paving a portion of Valley Road against Ed Smith.
Res. That Coates Wharf offered for sale by Exors of [Colonel] J Hargreaves be purchased by Mr Wood at the lowest price possible. [Evidently Holgate Marsden was renting from Exors of Colonel Hargreaves who controlled the mineral rights of the Altham coal.]
Res. That Mr Brown submit scheme for water cooling plant at Butts and elevators for WH Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

March 8th 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Messrs Barrett and Holdsworth inspect the dampers at Bankfield Shed and report to the next meeting as to the advisability of adopting the same principal at our mills.
That Marsden's account £448-14-0 and Bilborough's of £214-19-0 be paid.
That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed that their scheme for cooling water at Butts Mill has been adopted and they are to do the work as soon as possible. [I detect the hand of Johnny Pickles, he was the innovator.]
That J J Sneath be notified he has to clear the garden at WH Mill by the end of March.
That the question of insurance against Air Craft [attack?] be held over until the next meeting. Mr Wood to get terms of insurance against damage and loss of rent.
That Mr Marsden's boatmen be allowed to use the company's coals in their cabin fires not exceeding ½cwt each journey. [Clearly regularising a custom of long-standing.]
That Mr Wood be prepared at the next meeting to give the solicitor's opinion on the E Smith account for the paving in Valley Road.
Proctor Barrett.

March 22nd 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported to be £183-12-11 debit. Also a schedule of the rents owing by tenants.
W&J Baldwin to be paid 6/6.
Res. That the dampers at CH Shed and Butts Mill be bricked round as suggested by Mr Wood. [The sliding side flue dampers were quite difficult to make airtight and leakage into the flues could reduce the draught available at the fire as well as cooling the flue gas in the sole flue. Some were cased in Cast Iron boxes leaving only the wire rope controlling them to be sealed. The same effect could be obtained by building a brick box.]
Res. That the question of insurance against hostile aircraft be postponed until the next meeting.
Res. That the engineer at WH have his attention drawn to the fact that advances to the work-people are only to be granted by the board (Mr G H Watson having advanced the fireman's wage 3/- without the board's sanction.)
Res. That Messrs Windle and Sons' and Henry Brown be requested to remove the rubbish deposited by them at WH Mill and to make better arrangements for the future.
Mr Wood reported that he had appointed Mr A Hogarth as engineer at Butts at 45/- per week and offered Mr Hewlett the position of engineer at Viaduct Shed at 40/- per week.
Proctor Barrett.

April 5th 1916
John Horsfield chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Marsden £587-16-0. P Bilborough £219-5-6. Brooks and Brooks £60-18-0. Stonebridge Foundry Co Ltd £10-4-0. Dale Ironworks £30-3-0. E Brooksbank £40-15-6. Diamond Lubricating £13-4-6. Anti-Incrustation Co £12-17-3. Blakey and Co £27-9-0. Burnley Ironworks £1-1-0. H Brown and Sons £14-12-0. H P Cooper 7/7. James Proctor £1-9-0. W Kenyon and Son £43-9-0. Gandy Belt Co £3-3-6. E A Foulds £2-7-0. J Baldwin £3-3-0. G H Baldwin £1-15-8. J T Schofield £16-15-0. E Taylor £12-7-6. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1-10-0.
Res. That the present fireman at Butts Mill be granted 2/- per week as a War Bonus increasing his wage to 32/- per week.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
That William Bailey Ltd be allowed to move 4 yards or thereabouts of the company's shafting from Slater Brothers in order to drive their new winding frame and that they bear the whole cost of the work.
Proctor Barrett.

April 19th 1916
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £31-17-6. Wages £74-19-1.
The bank balance was reported to be £444-14-5 in credit.
A letter was read from Messrs Smith and Smith [Solicitors at Colne] re the paving of Valley Road abutting land owned by the company in which they expressed their opinion that we had not a strong case and the case depended entirely on the legal position that the conveyance of the property had not been properly carried out.
Res. That the architect (W H Atkinson) be requested to obtain a settlement if possible with Mr Ed Smith.
Proctor Barrett.

May 3rd 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: H Marsden £391-12-0. P Bilborough £184-10-0.
Res. That empty oil barrels be sold to E Brooksbank's for 4/6 each.
That Wallace Broome be engaged as fireman at WH Mill at 30/- per week and 3/- per week War Bonus.
That A Hogarth be given full power to engage an oiler for Butts Mill at 28/- per week.
That coal elevators be erected for the three boilers at WH Mill and that Mr Wood be asked to get quotations from James proctor at Burnley and one or two other firms.
The question of charging rent on the cost of coal in the boiler house was again raised and it was decided that Mr Wood be asked to go into the matter for the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

May 24th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: J R Broughton £22-1-0. Proctor and Proctor £6-5-0. Brooks and Brooks £55-5-0. Burnley Ironworks £1-12-9. E A Foulds 11/4. Walter Cragg £1-9-0. G H Baldwin £1-12-2. Anti-Incrustation Co £6-15-0. J A Nutter £1-17-4. T M Duché and Son £20-16-4. Diamond Lubricating Co £12. James W Clough £6-10-0. Wages £95-18-2.
Res. That James Proctor's tender of £155 for elevators be accepted provided that separate chutes can be provided for each boiler, the tender to be amended accordingly.
The Barnoldswick Manufacturer's Association asked a deputation of the board to meet them on the question of allowances for looms stopped in consequence of men being taken for the army. [Conscription is having an effect.]
Res. That the Association be informed that we do not feel disposed to meet them as a deputation but will meet any of the tenants of the company who wish to put their cases to the directors.
Res. That Counsel's opinion be taken on the company's position relating to the paving of Valley Road abutting on land held by Mr Edward Smith under agreement with the company.
Res. That a further supply of oil be purchased for each of the mills. [Is there a shortage of lubricating oil because of the war?]
Mr Wood gave a statement on the rents paid by the company's tenants and Mr Banks submitted a list of rents paid by other tenants in the town from which it appeared that CHSC's rents were about 1/- and over, less than other tenants. This arose due to Altham coal being charged to the company at 1/- per ton less at [Coates] Wharf than other purchases of coal, the carting not being charged to the tenants.
Mr Wood gave a statement on the Excess Profits Duty payable amounting to £514. [The government had become aware that war conditions were allowing some firms to increase their margins and this duty was an attempt to skim off some of the war-related profits.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 7th 1916
John Horsfield chair.
P D Bilborough's account paid £230-7-0.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough stating that the price of Sharlston coal would be raised 3d per ton from July 1st 1916 and that he could not contract for a specified quantity from that date but he would do his best to supply the same quantity as last year.
Res. That we accept his price and terms of delivery. [The mining industry was struggling to maintain production due to a combination of failing management of the pits and a shortage of labour exacerbated by conscription. This was to result in the Second Coalition government under Lloyd George taking control of the mining industry in September 1916.]
Res. That Messrs King and Banks interview A Marsden with a view to arranging a coal contract for the ensuing year.
Res. That Joseph Casartelli's offer to exchange a new steam gauge for an old one at 25/- be accepted.
Transfer of 1,005 shares from Exors of John Pickup to the Beneficiaries sanctioned.
Res. That Silverwood Barrett be allowed to graze his horse on Parrock land until the end of September for the sum of £2, the company reserving the right to let the ground for roundabouts etc.
Res. That Mr Wood look up the conveyance deed of Parrock land to ascertain whether the Trustees of the Baptist Church have a window right on the land.
Res. That Wallace Broome be paid one week's wage as compensation for loss of work caused by accident.
Res. That a claim for damages caused by fires at Butts Mill (Wilson's shed and partition between store-room and boiler house) be made from the fire insurance co for £10.
Proctor Barrett.

June 28th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Proctor and Proctor (insurance) £3. James Horsfield £1-1-0. J A Nutter £1-8-0. Dale Ironworks £17-9-5. Wages £95-12-0.
Res. That H Marsden's tender for coal at 20/8 delivered at Butts and 20/5 delivered at WH Mill on the terms stated be agreed.
Res. That an acknowledgement of 6d per annum be charged for light easement at Parrock by the Baptist Trustees they having no easements except over a joint right of way. [Confusing. I think that the legal situation is unclear and that CHSC is paying a peppercorn rent to avoid dispute. As we note elsewhere, much about the rights to this land was unclear and the original conveyance was deficient and gave very little help.]
Res. That Ernest Harrison be asked to remove ashes at WH Mill.
Res. That the following tenders for ashes be accepted: Butts, P Barrett, £4. WH Mill, E Harrison, £2. CH Shed, J R Broughton, £3. For one year to June 30th 1917.
The secretary reported the rents owed by tenants.
Proctor Barrett.

July 19th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit and a dividend of 10% recommended. General meeting to be held on July 27th.
Res. That the output of the bore hole at Wellhouse be tested and that Mr Banks and Mr King arrange for the use of the BUDC fire engine. [Is this the expensive bore at the corner of the reservoirs or the one in the Laundry sunk by Proctor Barrett for the laundry proprietors?]
General meeting to be held July 27th 1916 at 7pm.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting
July 27th 1916
[Printed balance sheet reports: £676-1-1 brought forward, total disposable profit is £1910-9-10. Disposition: £1519-14-0 dividend, £390-15-10 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend of 10% per annum approved. Retiring directors re-elected, directors remuneration at £60 per annum approved. R Watson and Son re-appointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 23rd 1916
Chairman, vice chair and managing directors re-elected.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: BUDC £1-15-8. Bradshaw and Co £29-6-0. Colne Corporation £1-10-6. A H Dewhurst £3-18-4. Anti-Incrustation Co £22-3-0. N Barrett and Sons £2-7-0. W Hough Ltd £3-18-0. J Casartelli and Co £1-5-0. Blakely and Co £56-13-0. Martin and Ridehalgh £5-10-0. Wilson and Thornber £45. Walter Cragg £17-5-0. Joseph Baldwin £35. James Proctor Ltd £95-9-3. Brooksbank and Co £41. Diamond Lubricating £31-16-0. E Harrison £10-1-3. W Kenyon and Sons 19/-. T M Duché and Sons £36-2-3.
Res. That the rate of interest on the Burnley Building Soc mortgage be accepted at 5%.
That the excess water account for Butts Mill of £1-0-6 be paid.
Res. That the following grants be made to staff at Butts Mill for overtime: Albert Hogarth £5, H Hogarth £3-10-0 and the fireman £1.
That the fireman at CH Shed be granted a War Bonus of 2/- per week. [The War Bonus was a recognition of the war inflation. The reason it was described like this was that it was fully expected that at the end of the war everything would go back to what it had been pre-war and the bonuses would be extinguished.]
Res. That the £100 loan from John Hall be repaid.
Res. That the fire engine be hired at 10/- per hour to test the well at Wellhouse. [Which well?]
That Henry Brown be requested to submit a plan of the proposed extension. [To the Mechanic's Shop. I think this was the lean-to between the main shop and the road which later housed the blacksmith's department. Henry Brown and Sons were very busy on war work. Johnny Pickles was taking in a far wider range of work like making shell lathes and specialist machining and they needed more room.]
The reports on the boilers and economisers were read.
Mr Wood read a statement showing that the rent owed by tenants was £3581-3-1.
Proctor Barrett.

September 6th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
P Bilborough account be paid £264-19-0.
Henry Brown and Sons submitted plans of a proposed Blacksmith's shop on land adjoining the Mechanic's Shop.
Res. That they be given permission to erect the buildings at their own expense and that they pay all extra rates and charges.
That empty barrels be sold to Brooksbank's at 4/9 each.
That the next barrel of boiler composition for Butts Mill be ordered from Charles Southwell, 57 Dale Street, Manchester. [Southwell's were one of the first feed water treatment manufacturers to analyse the water and tailor a composition specifically for that mill. I was using them over 50 years later at Bancroft Shed and they gave every satisfaction. It will be interesting to see how they fare with CHSC. (It becomes clear that this was the only time they served CHSC. If my later experience with them is anything to go by this is a shame. They could have improved the water treatment radically.)]
Proctor Barrett.

September 27th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £879 in credit.
The secretary presented a list of rents outstanding and warned the board about the importance of keeping a good stock of coal.
Res. That the repairs at CH Shed reported by Mr Wood be carried out.
The secretary presented the deeds to Coates Wharf recently purchased by the company from Sir J O S Thursby. [The purchase included Coates House next to the road. They must have owned the interests of Hargreaves.]
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin £2-0-1. Burnley Ironworks 17/3. Brooks and Brooks £57-17-0. E A Foulds £1-8-11. J Phelps £1-14-0. Lancs and Yorks Railway Co £1. W Kenyon and Sons £2-17-0. Diamond Lubrication Co £14-7-0. J W Clough £27-19-0. Southern and Fullalove £21-15-0. E Taylor £11-6-11. B Graham £102-8-4. Royal Insurance £10-6-6 and £55-5-6. Sun Insurance £102-14-9.
Proctor Barrett.

October 11th 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: P Bilborough £108-11-0. Superheater Units Ltd £350-10-0 [Looks as though the superheaters have been installed at Butts Mill.]
Res. That D Wolfenden loan and interest be repaid £348-18-2.
Res. That Messrs King and Banks interview Mr G Willis to fix price and terms for allowing his hens to run on Parrock Land for 12 months.
Res. That Messrs King and Banks try to secure a tenant for the land adjoining Butts Mill and that they have power to assist in the cost of fencing the land.
Res. That a plumber be instructed to do all the necessary repairs at Butts Mill to keep out the rain and that Mr Hogarth show him the places needing repair.
Res. That the complaint from Fred Suthers at WH Mill be attended to.
Res. That Mr Wood be instructed to write to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company informing them that the retaining wall which acts as a support for the canal bridge at Coates is coming down and therefore requires immediate attention.
Res. That the necessary repairs to Coates House be attended to.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

October 25th 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the price [rent] for twisting machines at Craven Manufacturing Co be fixed by Mr Wood.
The secretary reported that the cost of boating Altham Coal had risen by 3/- per boat and that the rent [to the tenants] would be raised by one penny per loom per annum.
Transfer of 13 shares from the Exors of James Ridehalgh to Mr Henry Barrett be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That tenders be invited for electric plant at Butts Mill. [The advantages of electric lighting were becoming apparent and the new mills had dynamos driven off the shafting to provide power for electric lighting. It should be noted that this wasn't modern alternating current but 110volt DC suitable only for lighting and very small electric motors such as those on Barber Knotting machines.]
A letter was read from Messrs Southern and Fullalove with reference to Coates Wharf.
Res. That the canal company be requested to send a representative to meet the chairman on site re repairs to the retaining wall. [At Coates Wharf]
Proctor Barrett.

November 8th 1916
John Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Coal accounts paid: H Marsden £614-9-0. P D Bilborough £190-17-0.
Res. That Messrs King and Banks interview Messrs Heywood's foreman now working at Nutter's Shed [the new Bancroft Shed at Gillians] to ascertain if they could glaze the roof of J Windle and Sons shed with patent glazing. [Bancroft didn't finally start unto 1921 but work was going on slowly during the Great War as resources became available.]
Res. That Mr Albert Hogarth be empowered to inform the tapers at Butts Mill that he will shut off the steam to the tapes if they do not close their exhaust valves when they have cleared the pipes of water. [Any range of steam pipes carries a lot of water when steam is first applied to the cold pipes. The steam trap can deal with the small amount of condensate once the pipe range is heated but it was recognised practice to fit a by-pass round the trap running to atmosphere which could be opened to allow the range to unload the excess water as it heated up. The valve controlling the by-pass should be closed as soon as steam issues but evidently the tapers were being lax and wasting steam to atmosphere.]
Res. That the price of supplying steam to Henry Brown and Sons steam hammer be left over until Mr Woods is present. [This is the new Massey hammer in the new blacksmith's shop.]
Res. That Phineas Brown's quotation for a dynamo be not considered until Henry Brown and Sons have given us a quotation for a dynamo to supply 40 lights. [It's evident that CHSC are only thinking of lighting on a small scale, probably the engine and boiler houses, not for general shed lighting.]
Res. That BUDC be requested to repair the road at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

November 22nd 1916
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Scottish Union and National Insurance £7-8-10. G E Tate £10. Wages £72-17-2.
Res. That the supply of steam to Henry Brown for a steam hammer be not entertained. [Bit harsh?]
Res. That Heywood's tender of £47-13-6 for ten skylights be accepted.
Res. That the engineer's wages at CH Shed be increased to 45/- per week.
Res. That Phineas Brown's tender for a dynamo at £20 and 12/- each light extra for Butts Mill be accepted.
Res. That the house in Calf Hall Lane [Road ?] be sold and that the managing directors be empowered to dispose of it for the best price that can be got.
Mr Wood explained that the canal company did not accept responsibility for the repair of the wall abutting on the new Coates property and that it was repairable by us.
Proctor Barrett.

December 6th 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. That accounts be paid: P D Bilborough £173-19-9. Henry Brown and Sons[?] £283-10-0. Heap and Thornton £11-17-0.
Res. That the house at 4 Calf Hall Road be offered for sale at £280.
Proctor Barrett.

December 20th 1916
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: G H Baldwin 18/2. Colne Corporation 18/-. J W Clough £1-4-0. H Hartley 15/-. J Casartelli £1-1-0. Claughton and Co £4-12-0. Anti-Incrustation £16-4-3. H P Cooper £11-2-0. Diamond Lubricating £27-15-0. E A Foulds £8-4-0. Walter Cragg £3-2-0. Brooks and Brooks £127-3-0. Wilson and Thornber £21-15-0. B Graham £74-3-1.
Res. That Mr J Horsfield's and Mr E Kippax's loans be repaid with interest.
Res. That the rent for J Moorhouse and Son's knitting machine be £7-10-0 per annum from Dec 1st 1916. [Not necessarily a knitting machine as we would understand it. This could be a heald knitting machine for making healds for the looms or possibly one of the new American Barber knotters for automatically doing the twister's job.]
Res. That the rent for Craven Manufacturing Co's knitting machine be increased from £5 to £7-10-0 per annum from January 1st 1917. [I'm confused, this has always been referred to as a twisting machine before, reinforces the theory it is actually a Barber knotter..]
Proctor Barrett.

January 10th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: George Proctor £60. E B Banks £30. R Watson and Son £3-18-9. B Graham £38-17-8.
Res. Balance sheet adopted subject to audit and be presented to shareholders at a general meeting on January 25th. Dividend of 10% to be recommended.
Res. That the offer of the Altham Colliery to supply coal for the year 1917 at 20/1 per ton at Coates Wharf with certain extras be accepted.
Res. That carting by Mr Bilborough be increased to 1/- per ton.
Proctor Barrett.

January 25th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Burnley Building Society £37-10-0. W H Hitchen 14/6. BUDC £9-11-9. Dividend account £1519-14-0.
Res. That we make an investment in the War Loan and that Mr Wood make enquiries as to the terms and the amount which may be obtained from the Bank of Liverpool Ltd and the Burnley Building Society. [The interest rate on the War Loan must have been higher than commercial rates for borrowing. The history of the Craven bank was: 1880: Incorporated as Craven Bank Limited. 1906: Absorbed by Bank of Liverpool Limited. 1918: Amalgamated with Martin’s Bank to become Bank of Liverpool and Martin’s Bank Limited. 1928: Name changed to Martin’s Bank Limited.]
Transfer of 63 shares from Sarah Slater to Alice Mabel Robinson and 30 shares from F Robinson to M A Hardisty sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 25th 1917
[Printed balance sheet reports £390-15-10 carried forward, total to be apportioned £1725-17-8. Disposition £1519-14-0 to dividend and £206-3-8 carried forwards.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, auditor's report and recommended dividend of 10% per annum adopted.
Proctor Barrett.

February 7th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: H Banks [repayment of loan and interest] £1361-7-9. B M J Graham (wages) £102-10-3 [Must be the person at P&P dealing with wage account.] New War Loan account £300. W H Dewhurst £3-15-6. P D Bilborough £213-19-10.
Res. That we invest £6,000 in the new 5% War Loan.
Res. That the company open a separate account at the Bank Of Liverpool Ltd called 'New War Loan Account' to be overdrawn from time to time to such an extent that the company may require and the bank may see fit to allow and that any two directors, with the counter signature of the secretary be and are hereby authorised to overdraw for and on behalf of the company the said account accordingly and that the Seal of the Company be affixed to the Memorandum of Pledge Form making £6,000 5% War Loan 1929/1947 a security to the bank for our New War Loan account.
Res. That the repairs to the Viaduct engines as suggested by Burnley Ironworks be carried out at the most convenient time.
Proctor Barrett.

[Typewritten copy letter inserted in the minute book: To Messrs John Slater and Sons, The Calf Hall Shed Company Ltd and The Westfield Mill Company Ltd. [not sure what their connection is] Dr Hartley and Pilgrim.
February 1917. Attending Mr Slater on the telephone, as to instructing Mr Lomax of Manchester (who was to attend at Barnoldswick to report on another matter), to report on the question of the interference by Messrs Nutter of the water rights of your respective premises, when he instructed us to do so on behalf of his firm and the Westfield Mill Company, afterwards attending the secretary of the Calf Hall Shed Company on the telephone when he concurred and asked us to instruct Mr Lomax on their behalf as well; preparing instructions to Mr Lomax, and a copy of Mr Silcock's report obtained some months ago to accompany; writing Mr Lomax therewith and thereon, perusing his report; making copies thereof and of the plan accompanying it, for you; and correspondence with you thereon, when the matter stood over for records of the flow of water to be taken. £6-6-0.]

February 21st 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That a pair of steel machine moulded bevel wheels 45 X 43 teeth at 2 ¾” pitch, 8” wide be ordered from Henry Brown and Sons at the price quoted, 38/- per cwt for castings only. [Interesting. The minute-taker doesn't fully understand the technology so we need to translate. These are modern gears, instead of the old CI gears with teeth moulded in casting. They are steel castings with machine cut teeth and I think Brown's are getting the castings made and doing the gear-cutting themselves. This is advanced machining and indicates how far Brown's have moved forward while doing war contracts. We know they were making specialised lathes for artillery shell-making and these required gear-cutting technology. This is the hand of Johnny Pickles at work and in later years we will see more of it. One small point, note the odd number of teeth in the gears. A pair of bevels with matching teeth wore faster that one with an odd number. One tooth difference would do it because it ensured that every tooth engaged with s different tooth each revolution. Good practice, they were called 'hunting teeth'. Crow Nest Shed, built in 1914, had modern gearing, bigger wheels (3ft diameter) and a central lineshaft in an enclosed alley. A very good drive and made old mills like Butts look hopelessly out of date.]
The engineer at Calf Hall sent in a list of repairs which he considers ought to be done.
Res. That these be attended to.
Res. That Messrs King, Hall, Baxter and Horsfield inspect the shafting at CH Shed to see if it is being properly lubricated. If they consider it is being neglected they have power to engage a man to over[see] shafting in the whole shed. [It became standard practice to have a 'shafting man' in large sheds who was responsible for inspection, lubrication and cleaning of shafting.]
That the question of arranging terms for the re-taking of Springs Dam at the expiration of the present lease be discussed at the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

March 7th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: B Graham (wages) £79-15-2. H Brown and Sons £56-16-0. H P Cooper 11/7. Alex Kenyon 4/10. M Cragg £2-3-0. Brooks and Brooks £69-4-0. Diamond Lubricating £16-9-6. E Brooksbank £14-17-7. Anti-Incrustation £7-19-6. P D Bilborough £202-6-0.
The engineer at WH Mill applied for 5/- per week increase on the terms of his application of December 1st 1915.
Res. That Messrs Barrett, King and Banks interview the engineer in regard to the matter.
Proctor Barrett.

March 21st 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That A Marsden's charge of 1/6 per ton for carting coal from the station to Butts and WH be investigated before it is paid.
Res. That the Angler's Association have the right to fish at Springs Dam to February 2nd 1918 for 20/-.
W F Suthers and Sons sent in a request to have the passage covered over so as to hold about 24 more looms. [WH Mill]
Res. That Barrett, Holdsworth, King and Banks inspect the place and report to the next meeting as to the feasibility of the scheme.
Proctor Barrett.

April 4th 1917
P Barrett chair.
A letter was read from the Barnoldswick Manufacturing Association asking, in the event of an extended stoppage at Easter, if the company would make any concession towards rent.
Res. That for the extended stoppage and subject to the engine stopping, any saving that may be effected in coal be allowed to the tenants.
Resolved that £1000 loan be repaid to W Bailey.
Accounts be paid: P Bilborough £205. Anti-Incrustation Co £17. Alfred H Dewhurst £4-5-0.
Res. That Mr Wood reply to the letter from the Altham Colliery Co and press them to supply us with as much Altham coal as possible.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be engaged to put in hand at once the best system to rectify the defects in the air pumps at CH Shed.

April 18th 1917
John Horsfield chair.
Res. That the Altham Colliery Co's account for March be paid. [Are they buying direct from the colliery instead of via Marsden?]
Res. That Mr Wood be informed that the Wigan Slack coal which is coming to Butts is causing trouble with our men. One firemen has left on account of it and the present fireman won't stop over on Saturday. [A sign of the times. Bad coal causing more work and fire beaters voting with their feet. Labour shortages were giving them more power, not like the 'old days' at all!]
Res. That Mr Wood informs the Altham Colliery Co that they cannot burn it and request coal of a better quality. [Remember that the government has taken over the coal industry and allocating coal. Altham seem to be acting as distributors of other collieries output and this is why the Wigan coal is coming to Barlick.]
Transfer of 20 shares from W P Brooks to Alice Proctor Carr sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks presented his statement of invoices received and paid to March 29th 1917.
Res. That they be accepted as read.
That Mr Wood be requested to bring the lease of Springs Dam to the next meeting.
Res. That Mr Wood write to Ernest Harrison drawing his attention to the quantity of ashes in WH Mill yard which is restricting the approach to the boiler house and causing the yard to be in a very dirty condition and that he be asked to remove them forthwith.
Res. That Ernest Harrison be instructed to repair the leakage at Ouzledale Dam and to make a cement wall behind the puddle. ['Puddle' was the sand/clay mixture used to seal the interior of dams. Though waterproof it was not mechanically strong and needed support.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 9th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Wages £191-13-8½. P Bilborough £193-13-0.
Res. That meetings be held each fortnight and that notices be sent for each meeting.
The deputation appointed to meet the engineer at WH Mill reported that the consumption of coal during the year that the engineer had been with the company was ten tons more than the previous period. [Tough on George Henry! He was probably working with inferior coal. I know from other evidence that he was a top class man.]
Res. That the engineer's wages should continue as before.
Res. That the repairs needed at Springs Dam, to the reservoir at CH Shed and the culvert at CH be done at once.
Res. That the question of increasing the size of the CH reservoir be considered later.
A Letter from Messrs Hartley and Pilgrim and a report from Charles W Lomax on the water rights of Clough and Butts Mills dated March 14th 1917 was read.
Res. That in view of the erection by Nutters of a new shed on the stream above Ouzledale [Bancroft Shed, the last new Barlick shed] the company join Messrs Slaters in the erection of a Lea Recorder by paying half the cost, not exceeding £25, providing no further costs of any kind are incurred and that CHSC have a right to see the recorder. [This is further evidence that at some time during Bracewell ownership of Butts an arrangement was made with Clough for a supplementary supply of condenser water to Butts Mill most likely to the balance pond in the Parrock.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 23rd 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Altham Colliery Co £480-8-0. Brooks and Brooks £53-13-0.
Res. That Mr wood write to each tenant at Butts Mill requesting them to discontinue burning refuse at the place specified in a letter from J W Horsfield complaining of a nuisance.
A letter was read from P Bilborough stating that the arrangement to supply coal to CH Shed terminated on June 30th 1917 and asking if he had to continue supplying coal after that date.
Res. That he be instructed to supply 50 tons per week and as much more as possible of Sharlston Engine Nut Coal delivered at CH at 21/- per ton.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to supply and fit a new air pump bucket for the engine at Butts Mill. [Heavy repair, this was a big air pump. This would have been given to Burnley Ironworks in days gone by. Henry Brown and Sons are becoming a force in heavy engine repair. Still based at Wellhouse Mill.]
Res. That Messrs King and Banks should endeavour to dispose of the ashes and flue dust privately instead of advertising the same in the local papers as previously. [The building boom in Barlick has been stopped by the war and never returned. Ashes for mortar used to be widely sought after. Those days have gone, it is now a waste disposal problem.]
Res, That King and Banks interview the manager of the Co-operative Society with a view to getting them to build up the wall in Valley Road.
Res. That Mr Wood write to Messrs Bailey Ltd at WH Mill requesting them to stop running their tape machine overtime.
Proctor Barrett.

June 6th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Rushworth Brothers £1-1-0. P&P £3. B Graham wages £82-6-11. P D Bilborough £197-9-0. James Proctor Ltd 2/-. W B White and Sons 1/3. J W Clough £8-0-6. Joseph Phelps £2-8-0. H P Cooper £3-6-6. E A Foulds £1-14-0. W Hough Ltd £3-5-0. Bradshaw and Co £24-10-0. Wilson Thornber 10/-. Wilson and Thornber £1-16-0 and £1-19-0. D Hoyle and Co £4. W H Atkinson £2-12-6. Hartley and Pilgrim £14-11-3. Joseph Baldwin £6-12-0. G H Baldwin £2-19-10. H Brown and Sons £7-7-10. Alfred Marsden £19-1-0.
Res. That no tape overtime be allowed and that Messrs Bailey be asked to cease running overtime. [I think the reasoning behind this is that the steam required for the donkey engine and the tapes (assuming they had a donkey and weren't running on the engine) was uneconomical for the company as the fireman had to keep firing the boiler at an uneconomic level of efficiency.]
Transfer of shares to: Spencer Thornton 39 shares, Ada Thornton 39, Annie Thornton 39, Samuel Thornton 39. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the Craven Manufacturing Co's claim of £36 for mildewed cloth be not entertained. [Mildew in cloth was caused by heavy sizing demanded by the merchants for certain markets and was a big problem in this trade. Not unusual to have 100% and more of size in the cloth by weight.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 20th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: Altham Colliery £466-9-6. Alfred Marsden £17-1-0. Brooks and Brooks £47-14-4. G H Baldwin £2-6-6.
Res. That the managing directors endeavour to engage a fireman for CH Shed and use their own discretion in the matter of wages.
That a portion of wall be pulled down to make more room in the gateway between the Laundry and J Windle and Sons' office. [WH] and that they engage carters to remove ashes from the three mills if found to be necessary.
Res. That Mr Wood get a plan and scheme and prices for automatic coal elevators for CH Shed and a date when it can be erected by either James Proctor's or E Bennis and Co and to notify the managing director when they are coming to take particulars. [Easing the load on the firebeater and making the job more attractive.]
Proctor Barrett.

July 16th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: B Graham £110-12-7. G Proctor £60. E B Banks £30. R Watson and Son £3-18-9. Leeds and Liverpool Canal 2/6. W H Heywood and Co £45-6-0. Alfred Marsden £18-13-7. E Brooksbank and Co £67-19-0. E Harrison £21-14-0. Colne Corporation £3-6-9. J Greenwood and Sons £3-1-11. E A Foulds £1-6-0. Walter Cragg 9/11. F Wooster £2. F Tyson £7-10-0. William Whitaker and Co 8/8. Wilson and Thornber £9-7-8.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit. That a dividend of 9% free of tax be recommended. That the shareholder's meeting be held on July 26th at 6:30pm.

General Meeting
July 26th 1917
[Printed balance sheet reports: £206-3-8 brought forward, total of £1446-12-6 to be apportioned. Disposition: £1367-14-8 to dividend at 9%. £78-17-10 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. R Watson and Son re-appointed as auditors.
John Horsfield.

August 8th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P Barrett be re-elected chairman and John Horsfield vice chair. Appointment of managing directors left over until the next meeting.
Res. That P Bilborough coal account be paid £213-9-0.
That £88-8-6 be paid to Mr William Proctor for wages to August 4th 1917 subject to stating the directors would like an explanation why the wages for Viaduct Shed are so high for the last eight weeks.
Res. That an extra War Bonus of 5/- per week be paid to A Hogarth, engineer at Butts Mill and E Waterworth, engineer at CH Shed, first payment to be made on Saturday August 18th 1917.
Res. That J Proctor Ltd be asked if they will give an undertaking to erect a coal elevator at CH Shed by the end of November 1917 if we place the order with them at once.
Proctor Barrett.

August 22nd 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The accounts submitted for payment were paid.
Mr Admiral King expressed a desire to retire from the position of joint managing director with Mr E B Banks. Mr Banks expressed a desire to be relieved of his duties as the present rate of remuneration was quite inadequate for the care and responsibility now devolving on the office. The chairman expressed the high appreciation of the board for Mr King's services and for his strict integrity of character and true regard at all times for the company's interests and he desired it to be put on record that the directors tender to Mr King their sincere thanks for the valuable services which he has rendered during his years of office.
Res. That Mr King's resignation be accepted and that Mr Banks be appointed managing director at a salary of £30 per annum income tax paid thereon at the rate applicable during the year of payment.
A letter was read from the Trustees of William Thompson asking the company to agree to an increase of ½% mortgage interest on the £5,000 making 4½% nett.
Res. That the company offer them 4¼% nett which is the equivalent of about 5¾% gross with tax at 5/- as it is at present.
Res. That Mr Atkins boiler maker be instructed to carry out the repairs needed on the No. 2 boiler at Butts Mill as pointed out by the insurance company.
Res. That Messrs Proctor, stoker makers, be instructed to supply one elevator for CH Shed providing that they can give early delivery.
Mr Wood pointed out that owing to the excessive cost of re-instating premises [Due to war inflation], the present insurance on the company's premises was quite inadequate and that he had taken out cover notes pending a readjustment and re-apportionment of the amount on each mill. He suggested that Mr Jacques of Nelson be appointed to assist him on making the re-apportionment.
Res. That the suggestion be approved and that the insurance be increased to such an amount as shall be considered necessary to reinstate the premises.
Proctor Barrett.

September 5th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P D Bilborough's account be paid £160-2-6.
Res. That George H Watson, engineer at WH Mill be granted 5/- per week increase in wages. 50/- to be paid weekly and £3-5-0 by cheque quarterly.
That the oiler at WH Mill be granted 2/- per week increase in wages.
That Messrs Barrett, Holdsworth and Banks inspect the faulty pillar and gutter at Bailey Ltd warehouse and give instructions for the same to be repaired.
That the 21 empty oil barrels be sold at 5/- each to E Brooksbank and Co.
That 15 barrels of oil be ordered from E Brooksbank to the three mills:
WH Mill, 6 barrels of cylinder oil. Butts Mill, 3 cylinder and 3 engine oil. CH Shed, 2 cylinder and 1 engine oil. [There are different grades of cylinder oil and Butts, with its superheated steam, should be getting oil formulated for the higher cylinder temperatures. No evidence here that this is being done.]
Res. That the letter from the Barnoldswick Manufacturing Association be sent to Mr Wood and that he reply to the letter (or leave it over until the next meeting if he chooses) stating that the board is not favourable to any concessions being granted as all increased costs on account of the war have had to be borne by CHSC without any increase of rent to the tenants.
Proctor Barrett.

September 19th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts submitted for payment be passed.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £122 in credit.
Transfer of 48 shares from Ellen McPherson to Donald and Ellen McPherson sanctioned.
The secretary submitted a schedule of rents owing.
Proctor Barrett.

October 3rd 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P D Bilborough September coal account be paid £191-16-0.
That the circular from HMFI be sent to Mr Wood.
E B Banks presented his statement of monies received and paid to September 29th 1917.
Res. Accepted as read.
Res. That pumps and steam pipes in CH Engine house be re-covered to prevent radiation.
Res. That Mr Wood furnish the board with basis and scale and present rents per loom at Viaduct Shed and ascertain if possible what the present rental is and what the proposed increase in rental is likely to be at the other Room and Power companies in Colne.
That the engineer's requirements be ordered.
Proctor Barrett.

October 17th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the accounts submitted for payment be passed.
Res. That Luke Suthers be allowed to place 16 looms in his warehouse the rent to be on the same basis as the other looms in the shed with the usual extra [charge] on the tape.
Res. That as the mortgagees of the CH Shed would not allow less that 4¾% nett, that the mortgage be repaid and the deeds deposited with the Bank of Liverpool. [Presumably the bank's interest charge was less.]
Res. That Mr Wood be authorised to see the tenants at Viaduct Shed with a view to paying rent on the same basis as the other mills in the town.
Res. That ashpit dampers be fitted to the boilers at Butts Mill as explained by Mr Wood. [A heavy hinged flap that sealed the under-firebar space from the ashpit to preserve draught. It could be lifted by a chain from the front of the boiler to give access for cleaning the ashpit at the back of the bars while the fire was burning with minimum disruption to the draught. One wonders how they managed this previously.]
Res. That Messrs Horsfield, Windle and Sons and Slater Brothers be requested to replace all broken glass in view of the difficulty in keeping the premises heated.
The secretary reported the rents owing by the tenants.
Proctor Barrett.

October 31st 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid.
That the blow-off pipe on No. 1 boiler at Butts be drilled [?] or replaced by a new one if found to be necessary, to comply with the boiler inspector's requirements.
That land behind Alice Midgely's house be let to Joseph Fawcett at ½d per square yard per annum.
That Electric light be installed in the boiler house at WH Mill Providing James Moorhouse and Son will allow the company to fix a cable to their dynamo. [There is no mention of charges for dynamos driven off the shafting in the minutes but it looks as though individual tenants were installing their own plant.]
That Wilson and Thornber be instructed to rearrange steam pipes for heating Aldersley's and Horsfield's sheds as recommended by the engineer.
That the belt drive at Dugdale and Dewhurst's winding room be discarded and that Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to fix a pair of bevel wheels to take its place.
A discussion took place on the inadequacy of Henry Brown and Sons' present rent for room and power, the coal price having increased 8/3 per ton since their rent was fixed in June 1915 at £53 per annum.
Res. That the matter be adjourned for further consideration.
That one barrel of Anti-Incrustation fluid be ordered for Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

November 14th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Before proceeding with the business of the meeting Proctor Barrett moved and John Horsfield seconded:
That we place on record our deep regret at the loss by death of Admiral King. Mr King has been a prominent and useful member of the board for a great number of years, both as a director and as managing director. He was always ready and willing to do his duty and I am sure you will all agree with me when I say that I do not think there has ever been a man on this directorate who has taken a deeper interest in the affairs of the CHSC and I am sure that we all think that his place will be hard to fill and that a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs King and family expressing our sympathy with them in their bereavement and of our appreciation of the willing and valuable services rendered to this company by the late Mr King.
Minutes as read.
Res. That accounts be paid.
It was reported that the Exors of William Thompson had now agreed to our offer, namely to accept 4¼% nett for the mortgage on the company's premises as from July 1st last.
Mr Wood reported that the tenants of Viaduct Shed had agreed to pay the same as other tenants in Colne as from October 1st which was 63/-.
That the bank balance was £963-18-7 debit.
The question of the rent of Henry Brown's mechanic's shop was discussed and after taking into account the large increase in the plant installed [Due to war work] by Mr Brown since the premises were first taken from the company.
Res. That the rent be increased from £53 per annum to £75 from October 1st to December 31st and £100 per annum as from January 1st 1918. No additions to plant to be made by Mr Brown without first obtaining permission in writing from the company.
Res. That a new standpipe be ordered for WH Mill. [Fire hydrant]
It was reported that a fire had occurred at WH Mill but that the damage was very slight.
Res. That the large weighing machine at Viaduct Shed be moved to Coates Wharf and that Mr Steen [weighing machine manufacturers] be asked to quote for removing the same and also the best price for the old machine at Coates. [Is this a weighbridge for carts?]
Res. That Aldersley be asked to repair his tape trunk.
Proctor Barrett.

November 28th 1917
P Barrett chair.
Res. That an extra gas lamp be fixed at the entrance to J W Horsfield's and Aldersley's loading places.
That the road leading to the above sheds be paved, that Ernest Harrison do the work and that he use all the old setts from WH Mill.
That the window in Butts Yard be glazed.
That the lightning conductor on CH chimney be repaired and that Mr Wood be asked to send a man to do the work.
That the question of removing the pump steam pipe and lighting the cellar at CH engine house be left over until the next meeting.
That an expansion steam trap be ordered for Slater's dressing room from the United States Metallic Packing Co, Soho works, Bradford.
That Messrs Barrett, Holdsworth and Banks inspect the damage done by the fire at WH Mill and decide what repairs should be done. Also decide if the old hoist motion, old fire mains and the cast iron wheel in Moorhouse's should be sold for scrap.
That George Henry Watson be allowed to whitewash the boiler house at WH Mill for the sum of 10/-, the company to supply the lime.
That the sliding gates at Coates Wharf be repaired.
That Henry Brown's offer of £7 for the old lathe in Butts store room be left over until the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

December 12th 1917
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported to be £219-17-1 in debit.
Mr Steen advised the board not to move the weighing machine from [Viaduct Shed] Colne until the longer days come in. [We tend to forget about the disadvantages of not having portable electric light available.]
The secretary submitted a schedule of rents owing showing that only three of the tenants were four months in arrears and in each case promises had been made to reduce the amount within the next few days.
Transfer of 50 shares from Betsy and Thomas Ridehalgh to Edward Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That accounts passed be paid.
That Mr Bilborough be authorised to buy sufficient coal to keep CH Shed running.
That the Calf Hall Farm be supplied with town's water at the company's cost on the basis of 3/- per head of cattle per year owing to the pollution of the water from CH Shed. [Calf Hall Farm land abutted onto the company's land upstream at the back of the shed and I suspect that this problem is connected with the re-circulation of water back to the beck/dam behind the mill for cooling purposes. It will be contaminated with oil.]
Res. That scrap be sold to Henry Brown at £5-5-0 per ton, heavy brass scrap at 1/- per lb and light brass at 9d per lb. [Remember that Henry is still in partnership with Watts at Ouzledale foundry.]
Res. That Edward Wood be appointed a director of CHSC in place of Admiral King and that he be joint managing director with Mr Banks at a salary of £80 per annum. [Significant. Teddy Wood has become a very respected man in the district on any technical question in addition to his talents as an administrator.]
Proctor Barrett.

January 2nd 1918
P Barrett in chair.
P D Bilborough's account paid, £175-1-0. R O'Neil £16-17-3.
Res. That E B Bank's accordant of money received and paid to December 29th be accepted as read.
That H Strickland's yard and coal house doors should be repaired.
That A Hogarth and his men be allowed to whitewash Butts boiler house, yard and ceiling for 40/-.
Res. That J W Ratcliffe oiler at WH Mill be granted 2/- per week making his wage 32/- per week from January 5th 1918.
Proctor Barrett.

January 19th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented passed for payment.
A letter was read from S Wigglesworth and Sons as to the supply of water for Calf Hall Farm.
Res. That the farm be supplied with town's water by meter at the Company's expense.
The report of Smith Brothers from Burnley on the leakage in WH dams was read.
Res. That the matter be left over for further consideration.
Mr Wood reported on the increased amount of insurance on the company's premises.
Res. That the salary of E B Banks as managing director be increased by £10 to £40 free of tax.
The question of increasing the rents payable by the tenants in consequence of the heavy increase in the cost of providing Room and Power was adjourned until the next meeting. The present rent was 58 shillings and 11 and four fifths pence per loom per annum and tapes £188 [for 400 looms].
The price of coal was: 24/5 per ton delivered at WH Mill. 24/8 ditto at Butts Mill. 24/10 ditto at CH Shed.
Res. That the balance sheet for the half year to December 31st be adopted as read subject to audit.
General meeting to be held on January 31st and a dividend of 12% per annum less tax be recommended. [Reflect on the effect an increase in dividend had on tenants who were being asked to pay higher rent. This was an irritant.]

General meeting Seven Stars hotel
January 31st 1918
[Printed balance sheet reported £78-17-11 carried over, total of £1431-14-4 to be apportioned. Disposition is £1367-14-7 for dividend and £63-19-9 carried forwards.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

January 31st 1918
J Horsfield chair.
Res. That the rents of the company from February 1st 1918 be 63/- per loom per annum and £200 for a tape serving 400 looms based on the cost of Altham nuts and Sharlston nuts delivered in the boiler houses at the respective mills as on December 31st last with a sliding scale of 6d per loom per annum and £3-5-0 per tape per annum for each rise or fall of 5d (or part thereof) [Now that's a significant alteration to previous contracts, in other words the rent rise is triggered as soon as coal price moves upwards, not a full 5d move as previously. On the face of it this is fair because it applies to reductions as well but the underlying trend is upwards.] in the price of coal as delivered to the boiler house. [Note also that this could mean a rent rise for one mill while others remained the same.] and a sliding scale for rates based on the present rates. No allowance to made for breakdowns of less than eight hours. Tape overtime to be 2/6 per hour. The extra cost of coal or the saving effected by the use of coal other than the present source of supply to be paid by or allowed to the tenants.
John Horsfield.

February 13th 1918
P Barrett chair.
Res. That all the employees of the company (Engineers, Firemen and Oilers) wages be increased 5/- per week starting this week in consequence of the increased cost of living due to the war.
That the accounts passed for payment be paid.
John Horsfield.

February 27th 1918
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as passed.
Wages paid £192-10-4.
A letter was received from the tenants on February 25th declining to accept the terms proposed and submitting the following facts. That 30% of their machinery was stopped due to the Cotton Control during the last five months, consequently there must be a great saving of coal. That the company's premises are the cheapest, oldest and least commodious in the town. That new and more modern sheds in the town had not asked for any increase. That the activities of the Cotton Control Board will increase the percentage of stoppages to 40%. [The Cotton Control Board was only one aspect of the increased central control of allocation of resources due to the war.]
Res. That Mr Wood be requested to meet the tenants and point out the additional costs the company have been compelled to pay since the war began and that the company cannot see any way to alter the the terms proposed.
Proctor Barrett.

March 13th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That 600 square yards or thereabouts of land in the Parrock reserved for a fair ground be let to Tom Wilson at ½d per yard per annum.
That the roller shutters at CH Shed boiler house be replaced by a door and windows similar to the last one.
That Stephen Shuttleworth be informed he has no right to graze up the bank of WH dam and that he must remove his plants and trees forthwith.
Res. That the house and land at No. 4 Calf Hall Road be offered to Mr Davies for the sum of £310.
Proctor Barrett.

March 27th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented for payment be passed.
Transfer of shares from W P Brooks to Henry Wilson and Margaret Ann Wilson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Bank balance reported as £368-2-4 debit.
That the engineer at Butts be allowed to clean out the well for £3.
Res. That the lathes at Butts Mill be sold for £9-10-0. [Almost certainly to Brown. In case you're wondering, an old lathe was easily refurbished by experts like Henry Brown and Sons into a very serviceable tool. One of the great advantages of the old machinery is that there has been time for residual stresses left by cooling after casting have largely resolved themselves and any subsequent light skimming of surfaces doesn't disturb this. The consequence is very accurate castings.]
That an oiler be appointed at CH Shed at 35/- per week.
The secretary reported that he had met a deputation of the Barnoldswick tenants and that he would meet all of the tenants in the office tonight.
Notice was received from the Altham Colliery Company that the price of coal, owing to the increased cost of boating, would be advanced 1/- per ton from March 1st.
Notice was also received from Holgate Marsden stating that the cost of carting coal to Butts Mill would be increased from 1/2 to 1/6 [per ton] and to WH Mill from 11d to 1/3.
Mr Bilborough also intimated that his price for carting would be increased 6d per ton from March 1st.
Mr Baldwin of Colne also intimated an increase of the cost of carting from 8d to 11d. [From Colne Station to Viaduct Shed.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 10th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance £658 debit.
Mr Wood reported the results of his interview with the tenants on the proposal to revise the rents but as no reply had been received from the tenants the matter was adjourned.
Proctor Barrett.

April 24th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
A reply from the tenants was read requesting the directors to drop the question of the proposed increase in rent.
Res. That the terms proposed be adhered to, that the tenants be informed of this with the request that their acceptance or refusal be signified by Monday April 29th and that in the event of refusal they be given six months notice to terminate their tenancies and that the offer previously made be withdrawn. [Have CHSC offered a concession and been refused? This is a hard line but it must be remembered that at this stage there was no sign of the collapse of the German offensive on the Western Front. In business terms the company was acting responsibly given the circumstances. Regardless of the validity of some of the tenants arguments they have to trade profitably.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 8th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: Altham Colliery Co £565-8-0. P D Bilborough £172-5-6. T&E Holdsworth £9-13-6.
Res. That a portion of the Parrock be let to Silverwood Barrett until the end of October for 20/-. [Summer grazing for horses]
It was reported that Henry Brown and Sons were encroaching on J Slater and Sons' land at Ouzledale foundry.
Res. That Mr Wood bring the plan of the Ouzledale Estate to the next meeting. [Interesting that Watts isn't mentioned. I know that the partnership between him and Henry Brown finished about this time but haven't got a definite date. By 1918 Ouzledale Foundry was a busy place. Apart form castings needed by H Brown and Sons for war work, they had been making donkey engines for the new mills since before the war and all the small casings needed in their general engineering business.]
That Mr Wood order 18 rubber valves 6¼” outside diameter, 1 5/8” central hole and 5/8” thick for the new air pumps at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

May 22nd 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balance to be £2323-16-7 debit and that no rent accounts had been sent out since Jan 31st owing to the non-acceptance of the new terms by the tenants.
Mr Wood reported the result of his interview with Mr Pickles on behalf of the tenants and that the chairman of the Cotton Control Board wished to see him with regard to the tenant's application to intervene in the matter. [This would be the chair of a local committee of the CCB.] The proposed interview had been postponed.
Res. That the original terms proposed be adhered to.
Proctor Barrett.

June 5th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the accounts presented be paid excepting that of Joseph Phelps at Colne, this to be investigated by Messrs Barrett and Banks before it is paid also that J R Broughton's account be not paid until he has sent his June account and that he be informed he must present his accounts every month without fail.
The chairman ruled that it was not in order to stamp with the company's seal any share certificate without the transfer form being produced.
A letter was read from C E Ross, Secretary to the Engineer's and Firemen's Union asking for the men's wages to be increased by 18/- per week on pre-war wages. On account of the 40 hours per week coming into operation and the probability that we will have to run with less men in future it was decided to take no action in the matter. [I'm not sure where this 40 hours comes from. There was agitation in the cotton industry for a reduction from a 55 ½ hour week to 44 hours and this was to be formally requested in February 1919. Negotiations failed and on June 21st 1919 the mills closed but two days later the Cotton Reconstruction Board intervened and negotiated a 48 hour week with an increase in wage for cotton operatives of 30% on pre-war List Prices which resulted in an and to the dispute on July 19th. Since it was the cotton worker's hours which governed the length of time the mills ran, this is where the question of hours run arises.]
The plan of the Ouzledale Estate was produced which shows that on the North side [The Clough Mill dam side] the company's land extends 5ft from the present [gas] engine house wall and 10ft from the wheel race wall and that the door on the north-easterly side of the extension opens onto company land.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 19th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Messrs Barrett and Banks reported on Phelp's account for repairs at Viaduct Shed to be quite reasonable.
The fireman at Butts Mill having been called to the Colours [conscripted] it was arranged in agreement with the engine man that until a new man was found the engineer and fireman should do the work of the other man and take half his pay. [Each?]
Res. That the two main wheels on Butts Mill engine be chipped at the weekend. [That pesky gear again!]
Mr Wood reported the result of his interview with the Cotton Control Board which was fixed for Friday morning last to the effect that he placed before Sir Herbert Dixon full details of the proposed rents which was only ½d per loom per week only and that a letter had been received from the Control Board informing the company that they were quite justified in making the increases proposed.
Res. That the draft letter to the tenants as follows [be sent]:
I beg to hand you herewith accounts for rent owing by you from February 1st last on the terms proposed in our letter of February 6th 1918. I shall be glad if you will let me have your remittance of the amount by return of post in which event the sum of £---- being at the rate of 2/6 per loom may be deducted leaving the net amount £----. In the event of you not remitting the amount by June 25th it will be presumed that you do not accept the terms and that the notice to terminate your tenancy which has been accepted on your behalf by Mr S Pickles will continue to run. I am to inform you that in this event the full rent on the new basis will be payable with interest thereon at 6% and without the allowance of 2/6 per loom (which was withdrawn by our letter of April 25th) before the renewal of your tenancy will be considered. I trust you will see your way to accept our terms and to remit your cheque before the date mentioned. The question of allowance for stoppages owing to the reduction of working hours to 40 hours per week from June 15th will be considered after September 30th when the savings effected have been ascertained.
This letter to be sent to each tenant together with their account. [The 40 hours must be a temporary local agreement, perhaps connected to the bad trade due to cotton shortage.]
The bank balance was reported to be £2238-9-7 in debit.
John Horsfield.

July 3rd 1918
John Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Res. The accounts presented be paid together with the following loans: Charles Watson £400. Miss J A Bailey £100. J E Bailey £750.
Res. That Miss J A Bailey be informed that we cannot increase the rate of interest and that the amount will be repaid if so desired.
Res. That £1000 be lent to the Hollin Bank Room and Power Co Ltd at 6% less tax should mr Bailey decide to leave the loan in the Company at the present rate.
Mr Wood reported that the tenants had now accepted the increase in rent and that all rents owing to May 1st, amounting to £7200 were paid on Saturday last. The position at the bank was that the Ordinary account was £3592-9-7 in credit and the War Loan account (£6,000) was £5319-17-4 debit. [Game, set and match!]
The bank's cash statement for the quarter ending June 30th was read and approved.
Mr Wood reported on the proposed repairs at CH Shed and Butts Mill and also on the coal consumption at each of the mills:
CH Shed 24 tons per week. Butts Mill 26 tons. WH Mill 29 tons. Viaduct Shed 10 tons.
40% of looms stopped and mills working 40 hours instead of 55 hours.
Proctor Barrett.

July 17th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That balance sheet be adopted subject to audit, dividend of 12 and 12/29ths % less tax being 9% be recommended. General meeting on July 31st.
Proctor Barrett.

General Meeting Seven Stars hotel
July 31st 1918
[Printed balance sheet reports £63-19-9 carried forward, £2094-18-10 to be apportioned. Disposition £1367-14-8 dividend at 9% free of tax, £727-4-2 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors reappointed and that Henry Banks be elected a director in the place of William Perry. Director's remuneration at £60 per annum approved. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 21st 1918
Proctor Barrett appointed chairman and E Wood and E B Banks managing directors at same salary as last year.
Bank balance £1194-16-2 credit and War Loan account £5319-17-4 debit.
Res. Accounts presented for payment be passed with the exception of Henry Brown's account which was considered to be excessive. He was asked to give full particulars.
Mr Wood reported on repairs and alterations to plant since the last meeting and made a statement of rents owed by tenants which was considered very satisfactory.
John Horsfield.

September 4th 1918
P Barrett chair.
Res. Accounts be paid: J R Broughton £22-8-0. P D Bilborough £182-1-0. T and E Holdsworth £24-16-0.
Res. That Sam Bracewell be instructed to build a partition wall at Coates Wharf for the storage of Butts coal.
That Henry Brown and Sons be instructed to fix cast iron plates to the corner at Pickles' shed.
John Horsfield.

September 25th 1918
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented be passed for payment.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Hannah King and Gladys May King to: Like Suthers 20 shares. Alice Mabel Robinson 75 shares. Preston Robinson 75 shares. Emily Windle 80 shares. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood presented a statement of rents owing which was considered satisfactory.
He also gave particulars of the proposed alterations to heating at Butts Mill and CH Shed which will probably cost in the region of £350 to £500. [Condensate return system?]
Res. That the engine men be paid on the Lancashire basis which is now £3-10-6 per week with the pre-war of £2 [That is £2 plus War Bonus of 30/-. It was thought that after the war everything would go back to as it was before but of course nobody had foreseen the increase in cost of living.] and that firemen's wages be increased 6/- per week except Plummer 3/- and that 50% be paid on all extras were in accordance with the Lancashire Agreement. The Lancashire terms for firemen and oilers were not adopted as the men employed by the company were all substitutes and not trained firemen. [That is they were in place of conscripts and the expectation was that returning soldiers would get their jobs back.]
The bank balance was reported to be £950-12-0 credit and the War Loan account £5319-7-4 debit.
Proctor Barrett.

October 8th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: P D Bilborough £238-9-0. Altham Colliery Co £402-16-4. Alfred Marsden £18-18-6. Henry Brown and Sons £250-0-0. [heating alterations?]
Res. That all bare pipes at the 3 mills be covered and that Mr Wood arrange for Sutcliffe Brothers to do the work.
That Mrs E Harrison's offer to sell the company sewer rods for 20/- and her stock of flags in CH yard at 4/6 per yard be accepted. [Has Ernest died?]
A discussion arose on the question of investing £4000 in 5% War Bonds during the Big Gun Week. At the request of the directors Mr Hitchen attended the meeting and made a suggestion that the bank advance £2000 at 5% per annum on a new account called the National War Bond account and £2000 to be paid from the current account.
Res. That the company invest £4000 in National War Bonds 1928which shall be deposited at the bank of Liverpool Ltd as security for such advances and other bank accommodation as the company may require from time to time and the bank may think fit to give and that George Proctor be authorised to sign for and on behalf of the company the form of agreement required by the said bank to accompany the deposit of the said War Bonds and that Mr Hitchen's suggestion as to payment be accepted.
Proctor Barrett.

[Cease fire on the Western Front at 11am on November 11th. The Great War was over.]

November 13th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported to be £15206-8 in credit.
Transfer of 100 shares at £2 each from Exors of C Dixon to M Dixon sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That accounts be paid.
Proctor Barrett.

November 27th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £355-17-9 credit.
Res. That George Henry Watson, engineer at WH Mill be paid 5/- per week extra, quarterly, upon the present wage of £3-10-6.
Res. That the company find the necessary drums for alterations to Wilson's premises, Mr Wilson paying for the fixing.
Proctor Barrett.

December 11th 1918
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £473-19-10 in credit.
Accounts be paid.
That payment for steaming the mills be at 9d per hour.
Proctor Barrett.

[Worth noting that the winter of 1918/19 was the height of the Spanish Flu pandemic. Emma Clark (see LTP) said that there were queues of funerals on Saturdays. The estimated death toll for Britain is approximately 250,000. Another factor to note is that despite world upheaval there was an assumption that pre-war conditions would automatically return, specifically that the cotton trade would automatically go back to historic market patterns. With the benefit of hindsight we know that what actually happened was a re-stocking boom which lasted until July 1920 when the trade cracked. This was the start of the long painful decline in the industry and we will see mills closing down and firms going bankrupt within ten years.]

January 1st 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts be paid.
Transfer of 50 shares from Frank Perry to J S Watson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Bank balance £210-14-8 credit.
Res. That the covering of boilers and pipes at CH Shed be done by Schofield's of Burnley.
Proctor Barrett.

January 10th 1919
P Barrett chair.
Res. That Casartelli's offer to exchange a new 10” pressure gauge for an old one for 70/- be accepted. Mr Wood to order it.
That Messrs Pickles and Monkswell Manufacturing Co's 1” pipe from the boiler house for heating shed be taken out and replaced by a 2” pipe. Henry Brown and Sons to do the work.
That Mr Wood write to F Suthers and Sons informing them that the directors cannot make provision for any increased loom space at the moment.
Proctor Barrett.

January 22nd 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit and a dividend of 10% free of tax be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on Thursday January 30th.
Res. That the tenants be allowed for stoppages during the half year ending December 31st 1918 at the rate of 5/- per loom per annum making the total allowances for the half year 7/6 per loom and that no further allowance be made from the rent accounts. [A high figure and indicative of the difficult trading conditions.]
Res. That the engine men's wages be increased £1-5-0 per week and firemen and oilers 6/-. First payment to be made on Saturday next.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 30th 1919
[Printed balance sheet reports £727-4-3 carried forward £2428-17-11 to be appropriated. Disposition £1519-14-0 to dividend £909-3-11 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 5th 1919
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Letters were read from HMFI re fire escapes.
Res. That the alterations required be carried out.
Accounts to be paid.
Res. That tenders be obtained for new or second hand boilers required at Butts.
That Norman Barrett be engaged to make a sketch of the flue arrangement at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

February 19th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the alterations, repairs and additions to fire escapes and doorways as required by BUDC be carried out.
Accounts paid and Wilson Thornber paid £75 on account.
Tenders for one 30ft x 8ft 6” boiler for 160psi pressure [Butts] were received from :
Yates and Thom £1260 plus £77 for Hopkinson's fittings, £1337. [Yates and Thom, Blackburn.]
Beeley and Sons £1280 plus £56. [Thomas Beeley of Hyde near Manchester.]
Galloways Ltd £1420 plus £65. [Galloway of Manchester.]
Res. That Yates and Thom's tender at £1337 be accepted with the option to purchase another boiler on the same terms within a reasonable period.
Res. That the tender of E Green and Sons for a set of economisers with 288 pipes for £818 be accepted. [Butts. Remember that superheaters had been fitted to the old boilers, no mention of them here so we can assume that they were going back to saturated steam and possibly raising the pressure. We aren't certain what the steam pressure was in the 1890 boiler which was installed when the Musgrave engine was installed before CHSC bought the mill. At closure the working pressure was 140psi.]
Res. That the managing directors be empowered to attend the meetings of the Barnoldswick Wages Board.
Res. That the Fire Brigade be paid to assist in cleaning the dam at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

March 5th 1919
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Brothers Ltd [James Proctor Burnley] quoted £100 for a new stoker at Butts.
Res. That a further tender be obtained form Messrs Leach. [The Leach fan stoker became very popular in Barlick eventually.]
Mr Wood was requested to examine the lease of Springs Dam with a view to seeing if abandonment of the lease would affect our supply of water from Dark Hill Well. [A good question. No matter who owned it, the water from Springs was going to come down the Calf Hall Beck to CH Shed anyway. When Bracewell constructed the Springs Dam to manage the water supply to his mill at Butts I think that what he had in mind was creating a reserve in the dam which could be let down during the day in low water conditions to smooth out variations in the flow. With the improvements to the dam at CH Shed the CHSC has this ability to hold a reserve at the shed. Therefore the only question that remains is how the company can safeguard the additional supply from the overflow at Dark Hill Well. I think this is what is going through the director's minds.]
Messrs Atkinson and Co of Colne [Architect.] submitted a plan of the main flues at Butts Mill from which it appeared that it would be necessary to build new flues from the boilers to the chimney.
Res. That the matter be left over until the new plan from E Green and Sons has been received. [The new economisers will have to be accommodated in any plans for the main flue.]

March 19th 1919
P Barrett chair.
Res. That R O'Neill's tender of £26 be accepted for slating the portion of the boiler house roof at WH Mill now covered with corrugated iron.
Res. That the offer from P Barrett and Son Ltd to cart away and provide a tip for all ashes and flue dust made at Butts Mill From March 19th to June 30th 1919 for the sum of £9 be accepted. [Remember when ashes were an asset? The building boom in Barlick is over and this is now a waste disposal problem. Barrett will still be using a small quantity of ash lime mortar but most will go for making paths or simply tipping as land fill. He is charging them for disposal.]
Res. That the house and land at 4 Calf Hall Road be offered first to the tenant and then to Mr Lawson for £400. [House prices have gone up as well!]
Res. That Charlie Stockdale be reinstated as firemen at Butts Mill providing he was working for the company before joining the army and Mr Wood to send Tom Wilson seven days notice that his services as fireman will no longer be required. [The demobilisation of troops after the Great War was chaotic and there were many cases like this of disruption in the work force. Remember that Russia was in a ferment of revolution and the government were very wary of triggering off anything like that in Britain. This was the origin of the famous phrase 'Homes fit for heroes' and over reactions like the movement of tanks and troops into Glasgow during agitation for the 40 hour week. The whole subject of treatment of returning troops was a very tender subject.]
The BUDC surveyor wrote saying that the council would lend the engine and the fire brigade for the purpose of flushing out the Calf Hall Lodge subject to the company accepting all liability for the silt being washed into the stream subject to the usual charges made for the engine and brigade:
Rank first hour second and subsequent hours
Captain 5/- 2/6
2nd Officer 4/- 1/9
Engineer 3/- 1/6
Firemen 3/- 1/6
Three hours are allowed for cleaning [equipment] above the time actually employed with the engine.
Res. That the engine and brigade be employed to flush the lodge on these terms. [The question of where the silt went to was always a knotty one. At Bancroft I used to open the clow in high water conditions when the beck was running cloudy anyway. I never had any complaints about this cleaning but did it fairly frequently so that not too much was sent down at any one time. I had the advantage that most of what I produced was trapped in the disused Clough Lodge.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 2nd 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balance to be £603-16-9 in debit.
Mr Lomas of Atkinson and Co attended with the suggested plan for the new economisers at Butts Mill.
Res. That after being modified as suggested by Mr Wood it be submitted to E Green and Sons.
Res. That the extra block for the boiler be ordered at a cost of £6-15-0. [Lifting tackle?]
Henry Brown's account to be paid.
Res. That the tender of Leach of Burnley for one stoker at Butts Mill at £75 be accepted. [Two actually, remember that the Lancashire boiler had two flues.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 16th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Tenders were received from P Barrett and Sons, Muff and Randall and Slater and Brown for time and materials for alterations at Butts Mill but as they were not clear on the point of delivery of materials Mr Lomas of Atkinson and Co was requested to obtain explanations.
Res. That Messrs Banks, Horsfield and Holdsworth be appointed to settle the tenders when amended.
Res. That Mr Wood be empowered to offer W C Dewhurst £20 per annum less tax for five years with an option of a further five years for Springs Dam. [The security of the Dark Hill supply has won the day.]
Proctor Barrett.

Special meeting
April 23rd 1919
At a committee meeting Messrs Holdsworth, Horsfield and Banks decided to accept P Barrett and Sons' contract for materials and work for the new flues at Butts Mill for the economiser and boilers.

April 30th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
The secretary reported the bank balance to be £60-4-0 credit and that he had offered Mr Dewhurst £20 per annum less tax for Springs Dam but that he had refused the offer and asked for £25 per annum net.
Res. That Green and Son's tender for paving WH yard at 15/- per yard for about 280 yards be accepted.
Re. That No 2 boiler at Butts Mill be offered for sale and that the secretary order one further boiler from Yates and Thom on the same terms as the last one.
That Burnley Ironworks be asked to send a man to the wheel at Butts Mill. [The jack wheel and second motion again.]
Res. That the plan of the economiser by E Green and Sons for Butts Mill be approved.
Res. That a fireman be appointed in the place of T Wills at CH Shed.
John Horsfield.

May 14th 1919
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Barrett be asked to add more lime to the mortar for the work at Butts Mill. [They are using ash lime mortar and the lime is what gives the mortar its strength.]
Loan of £200 and interest be repaid to Herbert Edmondson.
Mr Wood read a report from the Burnley Ironworks Co on the Butts Mill engine flywheel and the new segment recently fitted by Henry Brown and Sons as follows:
“We found when we examined the flywheel that the teeth of the new segment do not bear as they should. Some of them only 1½” at the end and others a short distance in the middle, the first tooth not at all, it is open at the joint and the fitting bits on segment to arm ends not fitting at all. The shape of the wheel seems to have been lost altogether and it is running in a very unsatisfactory state and we find we can do nothing with this segment to make a satisfactory job.”
John Horsfield.

May 28th 1919
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Banks be deputed to get rid of the boiler [No. 2 at Butts Mill] to the BUDC Gas Department at a minimum of £150.
Res. That the wages of Stockdale, fireman at Butts Mill be increased 9/- per week from last week. The amount to be paid quarterly.
The bank balance was reported to be £478-1-4 in debit.
Res. That the diversion of the 4” gas main [Butts] be made in view of the alterations to the economisers as suggested by the gas manager, the company to bear the cost.
Proctor Barrett.

June 11th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Banks reported the results of the test on the boiler at Yates and Thom witnessed by himself, Holdsworth and Wood. [Normal procedure for the customer to witness the proof test.] The test to 260psi was satisfactory. [This is a hydraulic proof test and would be witnessed by the insurance company as well. The pressure is the working pressure of 160psi plus 50% plus 20psi. The recognised standard. The result of this test and the date would be stamped in a prominent position on the boiler, usually near the top manway together with the works number.]
Res. That Messrs Banks, Barrett and Holdsworth take in hand the cleaning out of the well and pipes at WH Mill.
Transfer of 50 shares from Theophilus Watson to Peter Robinson (at 48/6 each) sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the firemen's wages at WH Mill and CH Shed be advanced 6/- each per week.
It was reported that the alterations at Butts Mill were being satisfactorily carried out, that the new flue to the chimney had been completed, that the workmen had worked during the holidays and overtime and it was resolved that the foreman be given 10/- and the workmen 5/- each extra.
Proctor Barrett.

July 9th 1919
J Horsfield chair.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be informed that they have not to obstruct the thoroughfare or cause any inconvenience to J Windle and Sons' workpeople. Also to remove all their iron and materials from both sides of WH yard so that the ground can be levelled and paved.
Res. That P Barrett and Sons Ltd's offer to clear ashes and flue dust from Butts Mill for 3 months anding September 30th 1919 for £9 be accepted subject to them subject to an allowance of 13/9 per week for every seven days stoppage of the engine.
Res. That Mr Wood be asked to explain why the Vulcan Boiler Insurance are sending inspectors to inspect the boilers at WH Mill and CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

July 16th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood explained that the instructions to the Vulcan Insurance Co had been given without his authority and that the instructions had been cancelled.
Res. That accounts and wages be paid.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit, a dividend of 10% per annum free of tax be recommended and that the general meeting be on Thursday July 24th.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 24th 1919
[Printed balance sheet reports £909-3-11 carried forward and £2614-13-3 to be apportioned. Disposition was £1519-14-0 to dividend and £1094-19-3 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Director's remuneration at £80 per annum approved and R Watson and Son reappointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 6th 1919
Chair, vice chair and managing directors reappointed. Mr Banks' salary increased to £50 per annum plus tax.
Res. That the Premier Appliance for boilers as ordered by Mr Banks be approved.
Res. That the question of disposing of Viaduct Shed be deferred for six months. [Cliff edge! We know with hindsight that the climate is going to worsen after July next year. Worth mentioning that many large mills, mainly spinning mills, were recapitalised at what later looked like ridiculously high figures and a lot of money flowed out of the industry in consequence. Weaving wasn't as badly affected but there was an air of speculation around in the post war boom.]
Bank balance reported as £1524-6-1 debit.
Proctor Barrett.

August 20th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported £3059-15-5 debit.
Mr Wood reported the cost of patent glazing to be 1/8½ per foot super less 5%, and 2/- per foot super and 5% off including top lead flashing.
A letter from Messrs Mills and Co re inspection of fire escapes was read.
A letter was read from the Ocean Boiler Insurance Co re boiler insurance.
Res. That the prices be obtained.
Mr Wood strongly urged the board to at once get tenders for repairs to the Butts Mill engine to enable high pressure (160psi) to be used.
Proctor Barrett.

September 3rd 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Res. That the insurance of the boilers with the Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation ltd be £4000 on each boiler at a cost of £6.
Res. That the oiler's wages at CH Shed be increased 5/- per week.
Proctor Barrett.

September 17th 1919
J Horsfield chair.
Res. That a second mechanical stoker for an 8ft 6” boiler exactly like the one just delivered be ordered from Leach at Burnley at the price quoted £80 subject to any increase in materials costs or wages being added.
That the increase of 5/- per week granted to the oiler at CH Shed at the last meeting be amended as follows: That an increase of 3/- per week be granted to the oiler and 2/- per week to the firemen.
Res. That the wages of the oilers at Butts and WH be increased 3/- per week.
A letter from BUDC re the fire escape was read.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be notified that they have to comply with the BUDC requirements and fix the fire escape to their satisfaction.
It was reported that the supply of coal from Altham Colliery was altogether inadequate, the following being the quantities supplied for 20 days August 28th to September 17th:
September 3rd 16 tons, 5th 24 tons, 10th 15 tons and 13th 20 tons. Total 75 tons.
Res. That Mr Wood be informed of the serious position we are in for coal and that he endeavours to the utmost of his ability to get us a better supply.
Proctor Barrett.

October 1st 1919
P Barrett chair.
Res. That P Barrett and Sons offer to cart ashes and flue dust from Butts Mill to December 31st 1919 on the same terms as the last quarter be accepted. [£9]
That S Pickles' request to enclose Mill Street be not agreed to.
J Livsey having not replaced the rail fencing on his land as agreed it was resolved that he be given one month's notice to terminate the tenancy of the land.
Res. That a portion of land in Parrock be offered for sale to Fred Wilson at 2/6 per yard measuring in a straight line from the barn to Parrock Street and the building occupied by Thomas Robinson, for the sum of £130.
Proctor Barrett.

October 15th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance reported as £3536 in debit.
Res. That Henry Brown and Sons be requested to make good the fire escape over their premises in accordance with HMFI requirements.
Slater Brothers wrote to say that they had been fined 10/- and costs in ten cases, a total cost of £10-10-0 owing to our engine man having over-run by three minutes during the dinner hour. [July 1919 saw the settling of the negotiations which resulted in the 48 hour week in the textile industry and in the heated climate 'time cribbing' was seen as a serious matter.]
Res. That although not accepting liability in any sense we contribute half the cost and that our engine man be informed of the fact and warned that in future the company will not make any contribution towards any expense which tenants may be put to. [Even in the 1970s this was still a sensitive matter. I always made certain that the shed clocks were synchronised with the engine house clock and that I stopped and started dead on time every day.]
Transfer of 30 shares from Georgina Cant and Jane Woodward to Elsastay[sic] Bell sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

October 29th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
It was reported that the bank balance was £4851-19-2 overdrawn, that three tenants had paid the rent due, that nine tenants owed one month's rent, Three owed two months rent and one owed four month's rent making a total of £3785-16-7. The tenants in arrears had been pressed for payment and had promised to make a remittance.
The Gledstone Estate agent wrote asking the company if they were prepared to make an offer for the small plot of land upon which the well at WH Mill stood [in Eastwood Bottoms] and for which the company pay £10 per annum.
A letter dated October 10th was read from HMFI re the heating of the sheds and it was reported that it had been passed forward to the engineers with instructions that the sheds must be kept to the [statutory] temperature otherwise the engine must be stopped.
Mr Wood reported that J W Horsfield had asked for a reduction of rent owing to the stoppage during the shortage of coal and that he had replied to say that no allowance could be made and that in all probability rents would have to be increased. [Coal production was seriously depleted and there was much unrest in the mines.]
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

Special meeting Seven Stars Hotel
November 3rd 1919
P Barrett chair. Full board present.
A desire having been expressed that the company should dispose of its Viaduct Shed property seeing that values were rising and that this appeared to be an opportune time for obtaining a good price it was resolved that Viaduct Shed be sold providing not less that £20 per loom be obtained for it.
Res. That George Proctor be empowered to negotiate the sale of the property on the above understanding and that he be paid a commission of 5% on the purchase price.
[A smart move and one detects the hand of GP here. There was an air of speculation about because the trade was booming. Many thought that the happy pre-war days were here again. They were to be disillusioned late in 1920.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 12th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
The bank balance was £2477-9-2 debit. Ten tenants owed one moth's rent, two tenants one and a half months, three tenants two months rent and one tenant two and a half months. Total owing £3444-7-4.
Res. That Anderton be appointed oiler at CH Shed at 50/- per week.
Proctor Barrett.

November 26th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3297-15-5 debit.
Accounts were paid.
Res. That prices be obtained from Henry Brown and Sons and Varley's of Skipton for the engineering work required for the extension of 28 looms in Aldersley's warehouse at Butts Mill.
Res. That the whole of the Parrock, with the exception of the three cornered piece on the side of the stream be offered to the Conservative Club Barnoldswick at 5/6 per square yard the house at £130 with a proviso that no [weaving] shed be built on the land.
A Report was read on numbers 1&2 boilers at CH Shed from which it appeared that No. 1 boiler required re-plating. The work was in the hands of Yates and Thom, Blackburn.
Proctor Barrett.

December 10th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1935-16-2 debit.
Accounts to be paid.
A letter from Yates and Tom re the repairs suggested by the insurance company was read [CH].
Res. That the repairs be held over until the insurance company had indicated how best the repairs could be carried out.
With reference to the instructions to the secretary to sell Viaduct Shed:
Res. That we confirm the sale of Viaduct Shed, shops and house to Tom Hargreaves and Sons for the sum of £21,750 on the following terms of payment:
£2000 deposit. (Already paid). £9750 on January 1st 1920, £10,000 on July 1st 1920, the balance of the purchase money to be subject to interest at 6%. [Give GP his due, he doesn't hang about! Sold at the top of the market.]
It was reported to the meeting that the Conservative Club had agreed to purchase the Parrock land at 5/6 per yard as offered.
Res. That the necessary steps be taken to carry out the purchase.
Res. That the rearrangement of the company's capital be left until after the Annual Meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

December 24th 1919
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2160-13-8 debit.
Accounts to be paid except Henry Brown and Sons which be not paid until full particulars are submitted.
Res. That the circular letter submitted to the tenants fixing the rent at 104/- per loom per annum and £350 for tape machines from January 1st 1920 be approved.
Res. That from January 1st 1920 the rent for the WH Mechanic's shop to Henry Brown and Sons be increased to £200 per annum and the rent of the Laundry to be £75 per annum.
Proctor Barrett.

January 14th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Wages cheque drawn £112-11-1.
Res. Balance sheet be adopted subject to audit, dividend of 10% be recommended and general meeting to be on January 24th.
That P Barrett and Sons' tender for removing ashes from Butts Mill for three months at £15 be accepted.
Res. That the objection received from W Barrett and Sons to the increase in their rent to £75 be not entertained. [At some point Barrett's Steam laundry builds its own premises at the junction of Gisburn Street and West Close Road. Incidentally, the last factory chimney built in Barlick.]
Res. That a cheque be signed by the chairman for director's fees, salaries and commission to G Proctor on sale of Viaduct Shed.
Mr Wood reported that £11,750 had been paid to the bank on account of Viaduct Shed leaving a balance of £10,000 [on Viaduct] and that there was no indebtedness to the bank on account of War Bonds.
Res. That Mr Wood be authorised to negotiate with the Altham Colliery Co with regards to improving the supply by any method which they may suggest.
The question of paying E B Banks commission on sale of land was discussed and ut was resolved that in preference to paying him a commission he should be paid £50 for extra services rendered to the board during the abnormal times they have been passing through.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars hotel
January 29th 1920
[Printed balance sheet reports £1094-19-3 carried forward and a total of £2975-5-11 to be apportioned. Disposition £1519-14-0 to dividend and £1455-11-11 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend at the rate of 10% per annum for the half year approved.

February 4th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Letters were read from the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd stating that they were taking out 32” looms at Butts and replacing them with 36” and this would mean 18 looms less. Also a letter asking that the eight hours during which no allowance would be made for stoppage be reduced to four. Also a letter complaining of the stoppages at Butts Mill recently and asking for half rent for two weeks last year during the Railway Strike.
Mr Banks offered to measure the premises with a view to confirming S Pickles and Sons' loom space.
Mr Wood reported that the repairs necessary to avoid further stoppages except coal shortage were already well in hand.
Res. That Mr Wood meet Mr S Pickles on the points raised.
Res. That the sale to Mr William Brown, Wellhouse Works [Willy was Henry Brown's son] of the plot of land abutting on the dams [at WH] and Valley Road and containing 6574 square yards be approved the purchase price being 4/3 per yard, £1396-19-6. All water and other rights to be retained for the benefit of the company. [Henry Brown and Sons had expanded during the war and needed more space. The foundry at Ouzledale now run by them alone was over-stretched as well. It's worth noting that when Watts finished Henry Brown brought in a young ironfounder from Leeds, James Cecil Ashby as foreman, this name will become important later on. Browns bought the land at Havre Park to erect a new foundry, the sale being completed in September 1920 and the first pour of metal was in 1922. Browns kept the Wellhouse Shop and it was Johnny Pickles intention to eventually move all the machinery into Havre Park and gain independence from the CHSC. Teddy Wood was an important figure in all this as he had a very high regard for John Pickles and recommended him for heavy repair jobs at other firms he was acting for. Willy Brown wasn't too keen on moving out of Wellhouse because he feared another firm might step in and take their work. He was wrong of course but the fact that they kept both shops running raised overheads and the harder times after 1920 when the re-stocking boom dried up were to lead to trouble later, see October 1929.]
Res. That the sale to the Conservative Club of the land forming part of the Parrock and the house thereon as shown on the plans submitted for £1798-14-0 be approved and confirmed. [Bear in mind that at this time there was a general air of buoyancy in trade and expectations for the future. The war was over, trade was booming, this was a good time to sell and there can be little doubt that the wise counsels of George Proctor had a part to play, I have an idea he could see the flaws in the overheated economy.]
Proctor Barrett.

February 18th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Mr Banks submitted a sketch of the premises occupied by the Craven Manufacturing Co which showed the number of looms charged at the moment to be in agreement with the space available on the 40” basis so that there seemed to be no allowance due to the tenant in changing the narrow looms to broader looms.
Transfer of 50 shares from Frank Perry to Fred Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

[Inserted in the minute book is a quotation from E Holdsworth, carter of Gisburn Road (Formerly T&E Holdsworth) offering to cart ashes from WH Mill and CH Shed for £6 per week.]

March 3rd 1920
John Horsfield chair.
Res. That a cheque for £3026-4-8 be signed for repayment of the mortgage and interest to Burnley Building Society.
Accounts paid: P Barrett and So Ltd, J R Broughton and T&E Holdsworth.
Res. That W H Holdsworth's offer of £415 be accepted for the house at No. 4 Calf Hall Road now occupied by Thomas Barlow.
Res. That Mr Wood look up and ascertain if the Palace Skating Rink Co is paying an acknowledgement for strip of land on the dam side at Butts Mill.
Reported that H Brown and Sons had paid £60 deposit on the purchase of the land in Valley Road.
Proctor Barrett.

March 10th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balance to be £3879-14-2 credit and that the mortgage with Burnley Building Soc had been repaid £3026-4-8 including interest.
The question of making a distribution of bonus shares was discussed and it was resolved that a shareholder's meeting should be called to carry out the following recommendations of the directors:
1. That the capital of the company be increased to £75,000 by the creation of 40,000 additional shares of £1 each ranking with the present share capital.
2. That Extraordinary General Meetings be called to carry this into effect and to alter the Articles of Association enabling the company to distribute reserves or accumulations of capital in the way of bonus shares and to issue one share for each share held at the time the reserve[?] shares are placed.
3. To increase the qualification of directors to ? Shares.
Res. That the secretary prepare the necessary notices and that the meetings be held in sufficient time to enable the shares to be distributed before June 30th 1920.
Proctor Barrett.

March 24th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £4317-10-4 credit.
Res. That the common seal of the co be affixed to the conveyance of the house (Parrock) [4 Calf Hall Road] to W H Holdsworth for the sum of £415.
Res. That the draft conveyance of the land, 6574 square yards, abutting on the dams at WH to W&H Brown engineers for the sum of £1396-19-6 on the conditions set out in the draft be approved.
Res. That the draft agreement for the sale of two plots of land, 5635 yards and 433 yards respectively for the sum of £1798-14-0 to Messrs B Holden Junior, Fred Wilson and Thomas Hartley as representing the Barnoldswick Conservative Club be approved.
Mr Wood suggested that the company's properties should be thoroughly repaired and that the engine houses should be decorated.
Res. That the matter be resolved until the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

[Inserted in the minute book is a letter dated March 18th 1920 from J W Horsfield, Monkroyd Shed [Butts] to CHSC: Dear Sirs, re your rent account. I notice that you have £4-9-11 added for increase in the price of coal. I cannot understand this as over the last 6 months we have run very little over half-time which means you have only used half as much coal. Neither can I understand why this mill runs so many less hours than CH or WH. I always understood the three mills were one company yet when this mill has been stopped, cart loads of coal have been carried past this mill to Calf Hall. This has happened more than once.
Yours truly, J W Horsfield.]

April 15th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported to be £4516-0-4 credit.
Res. That two loans of £1000 each be repaid.
The chairman reported in touching terms of the death, since the last meeting, of Mr Henry Banks and proposed that the deepest sympathy of the board be conveyed to his widow and daughter in their sad bereavement.
Res. That Leach's stokers be fitted to the three boilers at WH Mill and that a tender be obtained for a new economiser at WH.
Res. That the three engine houses be decorated on the lines of Fernbank Mill, Barnoldswick. [One of the new mills] Mr Banks to superintend the work.
That £1 extra be paid for office cleaning at Butts Mill for this time only.
That No. 2 boiler at CH Shed be plated during Whit week.
Res. That the chairman and managing director, E B Banks, be empowered to settle with Mr Marsden and Mr Crabtree with regard to the use of Coates Wharf for coal loading and storage. [Bear in mind that CHSC now own the wharf.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 28th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3582-4-2 credit.
A tender was received from Mr Eccleston for painting the company's property.
Res. That the tender be accepted as follows:
Property Outside painting Engine house
CH Shed 276-5-6 57-5-6
WH Mill 462-11-6 75-3-6
Butts Mill 371-19-0 71-10-6
Totals £1,110-16-0 £203-19-6
Res. That Mr O'Neill be instructed to reinstate the shed and boiler house roof at WH Mill at a cost of £34.
That a set of economisers be ordered for WH Mill as quoted by E Green and Son at a cost of £1534. These were quoted at £910 in February 1919.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance to Blackburn Holden, Fred Wilson and Thomas Hartley of a plot of land containing 5635 square yards and another of 433 yards or thereabouts forming part of the Parrock and particularly described in the conveyance submitted by Hartley, Pilgrim and Hayman, solicitors, Colne. Sealed etc.
Proctor Barrett.

Extraordinary meeting of shareholders
Seven Stars. April 28th 1920
P Barrett in chair.
[Printed extracts inserted in the minute book showing the changes made to the Articles of Association giving powers for the bonus share distribution and raising the qualification for directors from 200 to 400 shares.]

May 5th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Walter Metcalfe of Burnley Ironworks attended the meeting and pointed out the serious condition of the high pressure cylinder. [Butts Mill engine.]
Res. That he be instructed to thoroughly examine the engine and report on the necessary repairs to the next meeting. [We have had no mention, but have to assume, that the working pressure has been increased following the installation of the new boilers rated at 160psi. From other evidence I suspect that the plant was running on 140psi steam, much higher than the designed pressure in 1890. It looks as though the strain is beginning to tell and don't forget that for a long time the engine was running on superheated steam at the lower pressure. The common experience with superheated steam, especially on older engines, was accelerated wear in the cylinders due to the high temperatures attacking the crude lubricants in use. Like boiler composition, the technology was lagging behind requirements.]
Res. That an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders be called for Wednesday May 19th 1921 at the Seven Stars to be called immediately after the meeting already called for the above date and that the following resolutions be proposed:
“Res. That the company hereby authorises the directors to capitalise £30,394 being part of the appreciation in the value of buildings and plant of the company and that such sum shall be divided and distributed in the form of ordinary shares of the company (credited as fully paid up) as a bonus amongst the ordinary shareholders of the company in proportion to the ordinary shares held by them respectively (All of which are fully paid up) and accordingly that the directors are hereby authorised to satisfy such bonus by distributing amongst them, in like proportion, 30,394 unissued ordinary shares of £1 each of the company credited as fully paid up.”
Proctor Barrett.

May 19th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balances being as follows: Current a/c £3804-16-6 credit. War Loan Account £5337-0-1 debit. [? I thought this had been reported as in credit.]
Res. That a cheque be drawn transferring a portion of the current account to the War Loan account.
Res. That the engine men, firemen and oilers wages be increased by the same rate as the cotton operatives namely 283% on net earnings. [Some confusion here. In the early months of 1920 while trade was good the weaver's wages had been increased by 70% on list prices. [List prices were the standard wages for weaving of different classes and was used as the base for wage agreements in the weaving trade.] This brought the weaver's wage to 215% on the list price. The 283% quoted might be a local adjudication. It soon became obvious that the trade was in trouble and by early 1921 the employers were seeking a reduction of 95% on list. Negotiations failed and on June 3rd 1921 the mills closed down and didn't resume until June 25th when an agreement of 60% reduction immediately and 10% the following December was reached. So, perhaps the CHSC are being a bit unlucky here!]
Engine men £4-15-6 to £6-2-9. Firemen £3-10-0 to £4-10-0. Oilers £3 to £3-17-6. The wage of George Henry Watson at WH Mill to be £6-9-0.
Transfer of shares: From Travis Harrison Wilson; 50 to William Frederick Suthers and 50 to Luke Suthers. Seal cert etc.
Wages paid £114-2-6.
Proctor Barrett.

Extraordinary general meetings at Seven Stars hotel
May 19th 1920
P Barrett chair.
The minutes of the last extraordinary general meeting were read and it was reported that the resolutions then submitted had been passed unanimously and it was therefore resolved that the resolution then passed be confirmed as a Special Resolution.
Immediately after the conclusion of the previous meeting it was Resolved:
That the company hereby authorises the directors to capitalise £30,394 being part of the appreciation in the value of buildings and plant of the company and that such sum shall be divided and distributed in the form of ordinary shares of the company (credited as fully paid up) as a bonus amongst the ordinary shareholders of the company in proportion to the ordinary shares held by them respectively (All of which are fully paid up) and accordingly that the directors are hereby authorised to satisfy such bonus by distributing amongst them, in like proportion, 30,394 unissued ordinary shares of £1 each of the company credited as fully paid up.

June 2nd 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
A letter was read from Mr Bilborough informing the company that the Sharlston Colliery Co had disposed of their colliery and that all supplies to Barnoldswick were to be cut off. As we were receiving 50 tons per week for CH Shed the matter was considered to be serious and the managing directors were instructed to obtain coal wherever possible. [The coal industry was in a mess. Remember that it was still operating under government control and the Sankey Commission in 1919 had recommended nationalisation of the mines so that the industry could be rationalised. Therefore the owners thought that this may be on the cards and evidently some of them were bailing out. In point of fact the coalition government led by Lloyd George strung out negotiations and eventually de-controlled the mines in March 1921 returning them to private ownership. By that time the country was in recession and the owners immediately dropped wages. This resulted in a Lock-out until June 1921 and continuous disruption of supplies from then on. Coal is going to be a headache!]
Res. That sanction be given to postpone completion on the land at Wellhouse by H Brown and Sons until September 30th 1920 the interest in the meantime to be charged at 6%.
The report of the Burnley Ironworks report on the repairs necessary on the CH engine was read from which it appeared that the work could be carried out any week-end or during the summer holidays. [Butts was a bigger job and it was job number 152 on the 1921 order books at Burnley Ironworks.]
Res. That the work be carried out during the summer holidays.
Res. That the present cooling arrangements on the west side of CH Shed be altered in accordance with the drawing submitted by Mr Barrett.
Res. That Mr Lowcock be approached re the purchase of a small plot of land on the NW side of CH Shed abutting onto Calf Hall Road to enable the company to erect a cooling tower over the stream on its exit from under the shed.
Res. That the draft agreement for the allotment to Mr George Proctor on behalf of all the other shareholders of the company of £1 fully paid up ordinary shares as a bonus out of capital appreciation for each £1 share held was approved. Seal cert etc.
The share certificates for the bonus shares were sealed, certified etc.
John Horsfield.

June 16th 1920
J Horsfield chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood reported the bank balances to be as follows:
Ordinary account £544-3-7 credit
National War Bond account £1845-6-4 debit.
New War Loan account £521-18-6 debit.
In view of the payment of the balance on Viaduct Shed by Messrs T Hargreaves and Son on June 30th it was resolved that the mortgage of £5,000 be repaid to the Exors of W Thompson and that the amounts borrowed from the Bank of Liverpool on the War Loan be also repaid. [This explains the debit we noted.]
Transfer of 97 shares from the Exors of Alfred King to Luke Suthers and 260 shares from Exors of Henry Holdsworth to Charles Prince Waller be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

June 30th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balances reported: Ordinary account £1363-11-8 credit. National War Bond account £1845-6-4 debit. New War Loan account £521-18-6 debit.
Accounts paid.
Messrs Atkinson and Co submitted drawings for improving the cooling plant at CH Shed. Mr Wood reported that there was sufficient piping on the premises to carry the whole of the water from the hot well at CH to this cooling tower and it was resolved that the new 6” pump be transferred to CH and the cooling plant altered as per plan.
Res. That the questions of coal storage, removal of ashes and the installation of electric light at Butts Mill be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 16th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, dividend approved. Retiring electors reappointed, director's remuneration at £80 per annum approved. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

[Bank of Liverpool commercial news: January 1920 gives good report for Barnoldswick. July 1920 report is less optimistic. By October picture is gloomy and coal strike begins October 16th 1920. By December depression is reported as acute. CHSC have rearranged the company and sold assets in the nick of time.]

August 11th 1920
Chair, vice chair and managing directors reappointed. Question of salaries left over until the next meeting.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2584-0-6 credit.
Accounts be paid.
Res. That the house on Calf Hall Lane [?] be offered for sale at £500 and that a whitewash spraying machine be ordered at once.
Mr Wood reported that large amounts had been added to the insurance of the premises and explained the position with regard to depreciation value of the premises as affecting the insurance.
Res. That Mr J W Horsfield be informed that the directors expect the damage done to the hoist by the carelessness of his men to be made good at his expense.
Proctor Barrett.

August 25th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £767-11-5 debit.
The chairman referred to the death since the last meeting of the Vice Chairman John Horsfield who had been a board member for thirty years and had taken a keen and intelligent interest in the affairs of the company. He was a very highly respected member and we feel sure we shall miss him very much. He proposed that we place on record our deep regret at his loss and that a letter of condolence be sent to the members of his family.
Res. That the well at WH Mill be cleaned by P Barrett and Sons.
Res. That the managing director's salaries be increased to £100 each and that the secretary's salary be increased to £200, all free of tax.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

September 8th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented including wages be paid.
Bank Balance £1095-17-7 debit.
Res. That Bleakley's rent of land at WH be £15 per annum and that all other ground rents be increased to a basis of about 4d per yard.
That Mr Wood take in hand the repairs to the boiler at CH Shed as set out by the insurance company and which could not be carried out at the last holidays owing to the embargo on overtime by the engineers. [Most likely the outside engineers who would be union men.]
The report on the economisers at CH was considered to be unsatisfactory.
Res. That the engineer's attention be drawn to the matter.
Proctor Barrett.

September 29th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Blackwell's tender for repairs to CH chimney as follows be accepted:
Taking down top portion and rebuilding an additional 20ft in Accrington brick with one iron band at the top. £195. Pointing the whole of the chimney with mastic cement and boiled oil. Repairing the lightning conductor and fixing new copper rod. £102.
It was reported that the report on the economisers at Butts Mill stated that the foundations appear to be wet.
Res. That the interior of the economiser [chamber] be bricked by P Barrett and Sons. [Water in the foundations of boilers and economisers was always a serious matter on the grounds not only of economy but attrition to metal parts from water in the air.]
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

October 14th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1836 debit.
Mr Wood made a report on the insurance now effected on the company's premises.
WH Mill. Royal Insurance Co £16,350. Sun Insurance Co £16,350. Cover note from London Assurance Co £16,350. Ditto from Liverpool, London and Globe £16,350. Total £65,400.
Butts. Norwich Union £18,375. Sun Insurance £6,125. Cover notes as above for £18,375 each. Total £61,250.
Calf Hall Shed. Sun Insurance £11,175. Alliance Insurance £11,175. Two cover notes from London Assurance £11,175 and £22,350. Total £55,875.
Res. That the question of purchasing coal wagons be deferred pending further information as to the cost of running and the savings effected on the price of coal.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

October 27th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance £1877 debit and rents owing £7813-1-6.
Res. That the secretary press for immediate payment of all overdue rent accounts and that in future payment be made immediately on demand.
Mr Wood made a report on the Coal Emergency Order which fixed the maximum consumption of fuel at 50% of the average consumption during the previous four weeks, to commence on October 16th. The order was variable however on application to the local authority, should they, in the public interest deem it necessary, to increase the percentage of time. Such an increase had been granted to BUDC through J W Thompson the gas manager who had been appointed the Coal Emergency Officer and he had, by letter of October 26th date fixed the mill hours from 7am to 4;30pm except on Saturdays when usual time has to continue. This means a diminution of 5 hours per week only as against the requirements of the Order for 50% or 24 hours stop out of 48 hours.
A breakdown occurred at Butts Mill on Tuesday and Henry Brown and Sons were engaged in carrying out the repairs. This was approved.
Transfer of 440 shares from the Exors of Henry Holdsworth to Dorothy Agnes Reid sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That two coal wagons be purchased [railway trucks] and that the chairman, Holdsworth and Banks be appointed to inspect the wagons and purchase such of them they thought desirable.
A letter was read from the Altham Colliery Company in which they agreed not to send any further supplies of Top Bed Nuts.
Res. That Proctor Barrett and Sons be empowered to do the necessary repairs to the dam at WH Mill in order to stop the leakage.
Proctor Barrett.

November 10th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £140-8-6 credit.
Accounts paid.
The chairman reported that the deputation which visited Wakefield to inspect railway wagons had purchased four wagons at £292-10-0 each as they were assured that one wagon would make one journey per week and that two wagons would be quite inadequate to cope with the supply required for Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That the purchase be approved.
Res. That the economisers at Butts Mill be insured for damage by explosion £1300 and damage to surrounding property £1300. at an inclusive fee of £6-1-0. [Are these economisers working under full boiler pressure now plus the differential needed to force water into the boiler? Could be 200psi. A more serious explosion risk.]
Mr Wood gave a report on the rents owing and letters were read from S Pickles and Sons and the Craven Manufacturing Co intimating that money was very stringent and that they required more time in which to pay their rent account. [Times are getting hard.]
It was also reported that Moorhouse and Sons had declined to settle their account and would pay the rent when they thought fit. Mr Wood was instructed to secure payment forthwith. [!!]
Proctor Barrett.

November 24th 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £894-9-11 credit.
Accounts paid.
Mr Wood made a statement of the rents owing.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Elizabeth Dent: 62 to Martha Fort. 62 to Elizabeth E Sheldrick. 62 to James W Dent. 62 to Robert Dent. 62 to Thomas W Dent. 62 to Joseph Henry Dent. 62 to Catherine J Wolfenden. 62 to Annie Waller. 70 to Margaret Wright. 62 to Isabella Campbell. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the chairman, Mr Holdsworth and Mr Wood be empowered to arrange a better scheme for disposing of the ashes from Butts Mill than at present.
Joseph Slater.

December 8th 1920
Joseph Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Banks and Mr Slater reported that Mr Lowcock was not prepared to dispose of the small plot of land at Calf Hall but would put the whole farm up at a price. [Does this affect the plans for a cooling tower?]
Bank balance £2042-5-5 credit.
Proctor Barrett.

December 22nd 1920
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1263-12-3 debit.
Transfer of 350 shares from Alfred Horsfield (Exor of John Horsfield) to James Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That J Baxter, Senior, be repaid loan and interest on December 31st.
Res. That the tender of P Barrett and Sons for ashes at Butts Mill at £25 for the quarter to March 31st 1921 less 1/- per load for ashes tipped on the Parrock be accepted. [Not clear but he is being paid for removing them.]
Proctor Barrett.

January 5th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £768 debit.
Accounts paid.
Transfer of 382 shares from Laura Hartley, The Bungalow, Gisburn Road, Barnoldswick to George Henry Ibbotson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That one half the cost of repairing the hoist at Butts Mill in J W Horsfield's portion be paid by the company. The total amount of H Brown and Sons account being £32-9-6.
BUDC drew the attention of the company to the deplorable condition of that portion of the roadway commencing at the end of the paving in Longfield Lane (better known as Crowfoot Row) to the road leading therefrom to Ouzledale Foundry.
Res. That a letter be sent to BUDC in the following terms:
“Your letter of the 29th ultimo with reference to the condition of the roadway from the paving in Longfield Lane to the road leading to Ouzledale Foundry to hand.
I am instructed to inform you that the company does not acknowledge any responsibility for the repairing of this road. I am also to point out that the present condition of the road appears to be brought about by the drainage from the property between the Dam and the Greyhound Inn. If this was put in order the putting of the road into a reasonable state of repair would be a very simple matter.”
[Until very recently when the road was capped with limestone chippings it was very clear that the road surface was broken slag from the furnace at the foundry. It may be that the tenants of the foundry repaired the road using materials available on site for their own convenience. CHSC is naturally distancing themselves from any acceptance of responsibility for the repairs. It should be remembered that at this time there was a constant flow of requests for BUDC to adopt new roads and relieve the developers of responsibility. I can remember a time when the allocation of responsibility hinged on whether the council had lit or drained a street. This was seen as tacit acceptance of responsibility.]
Proctor Barrett.

January 19th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £672-10-8 debit.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit and a dividend of 10% free of tax be recommended to the shareholder's meeting on January 27th 1921.
Res. That the charge made to tenants for the five months ending November 30th for the extra cost of coal at the rate of 8/6 per loom be allowed to them. This was made notwithstanding the fact that the cost of coal during the period was more than the basis price. The allowance being made in recognition of the large number of looms standing because of bad trade.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 27th 1921
[Printed balance sheet reports £1629-14-6 carried forward £3462-17-6 to be apportioned. Disposition £3039-8-0 to dividend, £423-9-6 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Director's remuneration at £160 per annum approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 9th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £5726-15-5 debit.
Accounts paid.
Res. That the quotation from Mr O'Mara for the repair of the top of WH chimney be accepted. £65 plus ½ per lb for new belts [bands].
Proctor Barrett.

February 23rd 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the suggested alterations to the conveniences at WH Mill to comply with the Medical Officer and HMFI be carried out and that P Barrett and Sons draw up plans for submission to BUDC.
Proctor Barrett.

March 9th 1921.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance reported as £5351-8-9 debit.
It was reported that rents owing amounted to £8593-17-5. As several of the tenants are in arrears and as our account at the bank is overdrawn and the rate of interest was 1% above Bank Rate, namely 8%, it was resolved that the tenants be informed that in future the CHSC will be compelled to give one month's notice to charge 8% on arrears. [The bright outlook of 1919 and early 1920 has evaporated. We are seeing the start of what was to prove to be terminal decline in the weaving industry.]
Res. That the adjustment of the allowances for stoppage of looms and the credit to be given for stoppages be made at the end of the half year and that the tenants be informed of this arrangement.
Transfer of 250 shares from Alfred Horsfield and John Horsfield to Alfred Horsfield be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the plan for the rearrangement of the conveniences [WH] be approved and that the work be carried out by P Barrett and Sons.
Res. That a new convenience be fixed in the house at Coates Bridge [wharf] and that P Barrett and Sons do the work.
Proctor Barrett.

March 23rd 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £3226 debit.
Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported rents owing as being £5000.
The letter submitted to the tenants re the allowance for stopped looms and the notice to charge interest from March 31st was read and approved.
Letters were read from Mr T Nutter, the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd and William Bailey Ltd re the allowance for stoppages.
In the case of the Craven Man. Co. they made changes in their looms which resulted in there being 11 less looms in their premises that hitherto. The number charged for rent was 825, 280 of which were 36”, 372 41” and 162 at 45”, a total of 814 of average reed space. In the terms of the agreement of January 1st 1920 however, the total number to be paid for should be 843, namely 280 of 36” charged as 280 looms, the basis of the others being that each 40” of reed space should be charged as one loom. The Craven Manufacturing Co asked the company to reduce their charges from825 looms to 814 which is 29 looms less than the company is entitled to charge for under the 1920 agreement.
Res. That the tenants be informed that the directors are not desirous of re-opening this tenancy and that should the tenants insist upon the question being reopened the basis would be on the terms of our letter of January 1st 1920 and that the number of looms to be paid for would be 843.
Res. That the account from R Blackwell's for repairs to CH chimney, including charges for re-setting flues amounting to £575-19-5 be rejected as the charges are not in accordance with the contract. The work was not done by skilled bricklayers, the time charged had not been worked, the rates per hour were altogether too high and that the travelling charges were not chargeable to us.
Proctor Barrett.

April 6th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported to be £2750 debit.
Mr Wood read a list of the rents owing by the tenants showing that two tenants were five months in arrears, three were three months, five were two months and five were one month. Total arrears £8015.
A letter was read from J Windle and Sons, Wellhouse, intimating that they would claim for loss on non-delivery of 150 pieces [of cloth] owing to the company having stopped the engine for Easter Week.
The letter was laid on the table.
Mr Banks presented a report by the Sanitary Inspector [BUDC] and a letter requiring numerous repairs to the house at Ouzledale. The directors visited the house and works and it was resolved that the house be made habitable. [James Cecil Ashby, Henry Brown's foreman founder, was living there at the time. The foundry was still in full production, the first melt at Havre Park wasn't until 1922.]
E B Banks.

April 20th 1921
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance reported as £2617 debit.
A list of rents owing amounted to £7241.
A letter was read from Messrs Armstrong and Taylor, solicitors, Oldham pressing for payment of R Blackwell's account for repairs to the chimney and brickwork. [CH chimney and flues]
Res. That the secretary be instructed to reply thereto.
Mr Banks reported that he had sold to the gasworks 100 tons of our stock of coal owing to the coal strike. [See My note of July 20th 1920. The mines had been de-controlled and given back to the owners who had immediately instituted a wage decrease and subsequently locked the miners out. Note also that the directors had remembered the help they got from the gas manager in October 1920.]
Res. That a further 100 tons be offered with the suggestion that it be used for household purposes. [It wasn't only the gasworks that was short, domestic coal deliveries had almost ceased.]
Res. That a bath and lavatory basin be fixed in the house at Coates Wharf and that an extra rent of £4 per annum be charged. The cost was estimated to be £50. [Times are changing, inside water closets and bathrooms!]
Proctor Barrett.

May 4th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £1885 debit.
Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported rents owing to date as £9479. [An indication of how the tenants were suffering. A far cry from the heady days of the first half of 1920. Things were not going to get any better, what we are looking at is the long decline in the Lancashire industry.]
The chairman reported the results of the conference held at the Town Hall between the Emergency committee (Coal Control) and mill owners in the town with a view to arranging the supply of coal to the gasworks and householders in consequence of the coal strike. [The government had moved quickly to put in place administration to organise and regulate coal supplies under the umbrella of the Emergency Powers Act of March 31st. They offered a continuation of the subsidy which had been paid under government war control but this failed to bring a resolution to negotiations between the owners and the miners and the strike call which had been postponed came into effect at 11:59pm on April 15th. This was, in effect, a general strike of transport as well as the mines. Lloyd George called all representatives in for talks and managed to avert the general strike, leaving the miners to fight alone. This was 'Black Friday' seen by the miners as a betrayal and never forgotten. It is the results of the continuing action by the miners which is causing the shortage.]
The resolution passed at the Town Hall meeting was that the gasworks and householders should be supplied for the next fortnight and that it [the coal] should be obtained from those mills where the supply was the greatest and in proportion to the supplies over and above a fortnight's requirements.
It was reported that the company had allowed the gasworks to have 176 tons of coal and that we had 375 tons left.
It was also reported that two or three mills in the town had no supply of coal namely: J Slater and Sons [Clough Mill], the Long Ing Shed Company and J Nutter [Nutter Brothers had started Bancroft Shed in 1920, James Nutter and Sons Ltd were weaving at Bankfield Shed so I think this is who is being referred to.]
Res. That we allow J Slater and Sons Ltd 25 tons of coal at the same rate as that paid by the Coal Controller. [Remember that there was a relationship between CHSC and Slaters in respect of water from Gillian's Beck.]
A letter was read from the solicitors of R Blackwell again pressing for payment of his account. The correspondence with the firm was read.
Res. That the account be not paid but that we offer to pay the value of the work done as agreed by independent valuers appointed, one by each party.
Proctor Barrett.

May 25th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1654 debit. Rents owing £8301.
Accounts be paid.
A Letter was read from Messrs Holdsworth stating that their price for carting coal would be 1/- per ton less as from June 1st.
Res. That the leakage from the goyt [watercourse] at CH Shed be attended to and that Proctor Barrett and Sons be instructed to proceed with the work.
The chairman reported the result of the meeting of the Coal Emergency Act Committee which was to the effect that with the exception of two firms, the supply of coal to the mills in the town would not last more than ten to fourteen days. In the two cases referred to one firm held at least five to six week's supply and they were apparently unwilling to carry out the arrangement arrived at at the first meeting. It was resolved that no further coal be released until surplus stocks held by other firms in the town had been dealt with. [In the 1970s I used to carry ten weeks supply at winter burning rates on stock all year round. About 350 tons.]
Mr W Metcalfe of Burnley Ironworks attended the meeting after examining a crack in the cylinder at Butts Mill engine. He took a serious view of the position and stated that the company was running serious risks of breakdown. He was requested to give an estimate of the cost as soon as possible.
Proctor Barrett.

June 8th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1193-12-11. rents owing £9693.
Accounts paid.
Mr Wood and Mr Banks reported that they had an interview with Mr Blackwell re his claim of £570 for repairs to CH chimney and flues and that they had settled the claim for £460 plus £10-10-0 costs. This was approved.
Mr Metcalfe of BI attended with an estimate of the cost of supplying one new [HP] cylinder at Butts Mill in place of the cracked one as follows:
“We will undertake to supply, deliver and fix: One new Corliss HP cylinder 26” diameter by 6ft stroke prepared for separate steam and exhaust Corliss valves. The front flange to be spread out to meet the existing frame and supported by strong brackets between the flange and cylinder body the back end of the cylinder being carried on a small cross bed bolted to the stone foundations. Two new covers and polished CI, polished shell cover plates. One new piston, 26”, complete with junk cover and three Ramsbottom rings. Cylinder studded and covers fitted. Also we will skim up the old steam and exhaust valves and open out bolt holes on the bonnets to receive larger bolts. All for the sum of £756.”
Res. That the tender be accepted and that BI be also asked to supply steel steam pipes and a new stop valve. [The old ones would be CI and not fit for the higher pressures.]
Res. That the Conservative Club be allowed to draw water from the stream to water the bowling green from now until Christmas for 10/-.
Res. That Mr Wood be instructed to give information and attend at court re the thefts of coal from Butts Mill last week.
It was stated that a quantity of coal at Butts Mill had been sold to householders and that there was now no coal at any mills in the town. In addition a strike of cotton operatives on the proposal of the masters to reduce wages 95% on list, reduced afterwards to 70%, took effect from Saturday last.
Joseph Slater.

June 22nd 1921
Joseph Slater in chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank Balance £521 credit. Mr Wood reported that £1917 had been paid since the last meeting, balance still owing £7775.
A letter was read from the Burnley Ironworks Co re the condition of the metallic packings and the desirability of having larger valve spindles fitted with metallic packings on the new cylinder.
Res. That they be instructed to put the work in hand. [Metallic packings had been so successful on piston rods that they were used on valve spindles as well. This turned out to be no improvement on the old fashioned ground faced seals. Metallic packings are fine on a sliding rod but nowhere near as efficient of the reciprocating shafts of the valve spindles. Another application where they failed was in the front glands of tandem air pumps due to the difference in temperature between the steam and condenser ends of the rods.]
A letter was read from Thomas Nutter re the stoppage of 14 days in February due to the dangers of running less that 200 looms. He claimed allowance at full rent. [The 'less than 200 looms' is a telling remark. Running at high pressure and very short cut-off for only a light load was the most severe test an engine could have. If valve settings and governor control wasn't perfect this could mean very unreliable running. Quite obviously Butts Engine wasn't up to the task.]
Res. That he be allowed whatever his lease provides. [This is slightly tongue in cheek. The lease has no provision and Thomas Nutter knows this. He is trying it on.]
Proctor Barrett.

[End of Minute Book 6. Transcription completed March 10th 2011. SCG.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LIMITED
MINUTE BOOK 7. July 11th 1921 to September 19th 1928

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries in [] are notes by SCG. Transcription commenced March 11th 2011.]

July 11th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and report adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 10% free of tax to be recommended to a shareholder's meeting in the Seven Stars Hotel on July 21st 1921.
Res. That the scale of allowances to tenants for savings in coal as submitted to the meeting be approved.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 21st 1921
[No printed balance sheet inserted]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend of 10% free of tax approved. Retiring directors re-elected.
The shareholders submitted a resolution that the number of directors should not be less that nine and that whenever the number falls below nine the vacancies should be filled.
Richard Watson and Son re-appointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 10th 1921
Res. That Proctor Barrett be chair, Joseph Slater vice-chair. E B Banks and E Wood be managing directors at same remuneration as last year.
Mr Wood submitted a report on rents owing by tenants.
Res. That the offer of P D Bilborough to supply Bentley washed doubles at 44/6 per ton in our wagons be accepted for a sufficient quantity to keep CH Shed running provided he reduce the price whenever the general price of fuel of this class is reduced. [The affects of the chaos in the mining industry.]
Res. That the interest on the loan to Henry Brown and Sons be at the rate of 7% per annum from July 1st last.
Res. That the end house in Calf Hall Road be sold at the best price obtainable but not less than £425.
Res. That the waste places in Suther's portion of WH Mill be repaired.
Mr Alfred Marsden attended and agreed that the supply of outside coal should stop on Saturday next and undertook to give a continuous supply of Altham Nuts coal to WH Mill and Butts Mill from Monday next at 42/2 per ton at Coates Wharf. The carting prices be 3/6 per ton to Butts and 2/5 to WH Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

August 24th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £3835-17-11 debit.
Transfer of 182 shares @ £2-5-0 each from George Henry Ibbotson to John Duckworth. 300 shares @£2-5-0 each from George Henry Ibbotson to Alice Mabel Robinson. Seal cert etc.
Accounts paid.
It was reported that the price of Bentley coal from P D Bilborough had been reduced 3/- as from August 18th bringing it to 42/6 per ton in our own wagons. Cartage extra at 2/3 per ton [To CH].
Mr Wood submitted a report showing that the allowances for saving in coal and stoppages from January to July 31st 1921 amounted to £3,500.
Res. That the allowances be approved.
Res. That £6 be granted to E Green's men for erecting the WH economiser in good time and that the system of circulating proposed by their foreman be adopted. [Is this direct feed from the economiser into the boilers at a pressure high enough to overcome resistance in the system?]
Proctor Barrett.

September 7th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3011 debit.
It was reported that the quality of coal now being used at WH and Butts Mills was very bad and it was essential that a change should be made in the source of supply.
Res. That prices be obtained from various agents ready for the next meeting.
Rents owing £7619.
Res. That those in arrears be asked to reduce the amount at the earliest possible moment.
The question of reduction in wages paid to engine men, firemen and oilers following the reduction of 60% [on list] in weaver's wages be left over until the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

September 14th 1921
P Barrett chair.
Tenders were received for a supply of coal to WH and Butts Mills in consequence of the very inferior quality of Altham coal, it was necessary to obtain supplies from other sources.
Res. That the following tenders be accepted:
P Bilborough, Bentley Washed Doubles delivered at Barnoldswick 42/- and Acton Hall 42/- at Barnoldswick. The contact to be for 12 months and at the market price at the pit.
Res. That the supply of Altham coal be stopped on September 30th and that the tender of T E Holdsworth for carting at 1/8 per ton to either WH or Butts Mill be accepted.
The other prices for carting were Alfred Marsden 2/3 per ton and P Bilborough 1/10 per ton.
Proctor Barrett.

September 28th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1633-1-4 debit.
Accounts paid.
Res. That the firemen at WH and CH change places with a view to giving Watson, the WH fireman, an opportunity to improve himself. [Gets him away from his dad?]
Statement of rents owing submitted.
Proctor Barrett.

October 12th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5876 debit. Rents owing £8333.
Transfer of 100 shares from Frank Perry to Alice Mabel Robinson and 100 shares from Frank Perry to Ada Duckworth sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the wages of workmen from October 22nd be as follows:
Task Butts Calf Hall WH Mill
Engineer £5 £3-15-0 £5-5-0
Fireman £3-15-0 £3-15-0 £3-15-0
Oiler £3-5-0 £3-5-0 £3-5-0
Reports on the economisers at the three mills were read from which they appear to be in order.
The temperatures were as follows:
CH, flue gas 650F-410F, water 110F to 225F.
WH Mill, gas 650F -300F, water 114F -200F.
Butts Mill, gas 650F-300F, water 118F – 260F
[From these figures it looks as though Butts economiser is the only one that is running under boiler pressure. The others could be much higher. In terms of economy they are losing out here.]
Res. That the rent of the dynamo proposed to be erected by Henry Brown and Sons be £15 per annum. [This would be belt driven off the shafting.]
It was reported that a stoppage had occurred at Butts Mill owing to a shortage of water and the boilers blowing off for low water, a joint having given way in the engine house. The fireman stated that he had given the engineer ample notice of the failure of the supply [of feed water from the pump] but the engineer denies this.
Res. That a letter be sent to the engineer (Albert Hogarth) by Mr Wood placing the responsibility on him and for the future safety of the plant instructing him to report to receive instructions from the managing directors. [It was standard practice for boilers to be fitted with a Hopkinson Duplex high steam and low water valve which acted as a supplementary high steam safety valve and also as a low water warning because if the water level in the boiler reached a dangerously low level an internal float on the surface of the boiler water descended and opened the steam escape valve to relieve the boiler of strain, lower the steam pressure and give an audible warning to the firebeater (on some valves a whistle was fitted actuated by the escaping steam). What has happened here is that a joint in the high pressure main from the feed pump on the engine has given way and there wasn't enough pressure to force water into the boiler. A very dangerous circumstance and one of the most common causes of boiler explosions.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 26th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6263 debit and rents owing £7381.
Res. That the non-supply of power to H Brown and Sons during 46 working days up to July 11th be £10. [Brown's had a back-up gas engine but were still entitled to a rebate for loss of turning power during normal working hours.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 9th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3854-17-9 debit. Rents owing £7564.
Accounts paid.
Transfer of 520 shares from Charles and Annie Waller to Seth Mundy and Harold Mare (Representatives of the Bank of Liverpool) sanctioned. Seal cert etc. [Very likely security for a bank loan.]
Res. That the wages for extra work done by the engine men and firemen be as follows [cleaning]:
Economisers 20/6 previously, now 16/6. Flues, 50/-, now 40/-. Boiler, 11/6 now 9/6. And that the allowances for extra time put in by the workmen for warming sheds in winter be reduced to 1/6 per hour.
Res. That a runway be erected at Butts Mill to facilitate the removal of ashes.
Res. That two oil economisers be ordered for CH Shed at £8-5-0 each. [Usually filters for cleaning used oil from the crank pins so it can be re-used in the bearings or for general oiling.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 23rd 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3654 debit and rents owing £7364-8-6.
HMFI's report as to fencing of shafting, repairs to door and damp wall was placed before the meeting. As most of the work had been put in hand except for the shed wall in Wilson's portion it was resolved that the roadway outside the shed be cemented to keep out the rain.
The claim made by the Craven Manufacturing Co for repairs to the donkey engine for £20-12-3 was read.
Res. That it be not paid as the engine is their property.
Res. That a cask of Argol composition be ordered for WH Mill. [Boiler compo?]
Proctor Barrett.

December 7th 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid.
Bank balance £3903 debit. Rents owing £10,170. The secretary intimated that he had written to several tenants pressing for the arrears to be reduced.
Mr Bilborough informed the company that as from December 1st the price of Bentley coal and Acton Hall to CH, Butts and WH mills would be 36/6 in our own wagons and 38/6 in colliery wagons, the carting is now 1/8 to Butts and WH but 2/3 to CH Shed.
Mr Wood reported that the new cylinder for Butts Mill engine was almost ready for delivery and that all the other fittings and pipes would be ready for completion during the Christmas week.
Proctor Barrett.

December 21st 1921
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £4406 debit, rents owing £9279-10-0.
A letter was received from P D Bilborough intimating that as from today's date the price of coal would be reduced by 1/- per ton bringing the price to 35/- in our own wagons and 37/6 in colliery wagons.
Res. That cheques be drawn for directors salaries and professional fees.
Joseph Slater.

January 11th 1922
Joseph Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4003-3-9. [debit?] Rents owing £9424-9-9.
Accounts be paid and £500 be paid to H Brown and Sons on account.
Res. That the yard at Coates be rented from Alfred Marsden for £10 for the half year to June 30th 1922. [Part of Coates Wharf? CHSC own the wharf, this must be space sub-let to Marsden which is being rented back temporarily to store coal stocks.]
Res. That the fireman C E Watson at Butts Mill be discharged and paid a week's wages in lieu of notice and that Mr Banks arrange for the appointment of a man in his place. [A consequence of the low water incident? Is he related to George Henry Watson at Wellhouse?]
The balance sheet was adopted subject to audit and a dividend of 10% free of tax was recommended. To be placed before the general meeting on January 26th.
Proctor Barrett.

January 26th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 26th 1922
[No printed report inserted]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 8th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £4008-1-3 debit. Rents owing £7500.
The Burnley Ironworks submitted a rough estimate for a new governor and drive for Butts Mill engine £250.
Mr Wood promised to find out as to what was included in this price.
Proctor Barrett.

February 22nd 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Rents owing £7019. Cheque drawn for wages.
Proctor Barrett.

March 8th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4520 debit. Rent owing £8498.
Res. That a further allowance for stoppage at Butts Mill be granted to the tenants for January 10th as the steam pipes were not ready and the operatives would not work![sic] Messrs Aldersley and Horsfield to be two extra days. [I suspect that what has happened here is that they've had a problem with engine speed, see the quote for a new governor. It was a well known phenomenon in the weaving sheds in the early days and the weavers knew that if the shafting started to speed up you got out of the shed fast! It was colloquially known as 'running boggart'.]
Accounts paid.

March 22nd 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Rent owing £7369-9-7.
A letter was read from S Pickles about rent charges.
Res. That the matter be left with Mr Wood.
A quotation was considered from the Ocean Accident for insurance of the Butts Mill engine. The amounts being: £1000 premium £45. £2000 premium £55-10-0. £3000 premium £62-10-0.
Joseph Slater.

April 5th 1922
J Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts presented were paid with the exception of that of J T Schofield and that Mr Wood be instructed to settle with him on the best terms possible.
Rents owing £7153-14-4. [The tenants are struggling. Remember that CHSC are charging interest on the arrears above bank rate and they have strategies in hand should anyone fail. We shall come across these later.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 19th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4178-14-0 debit. Rents owing £7153-14-4.
Proctor Barrett.

May 3rd 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1333-11-10 debit. Rents owing £7243-3-10.
P Barrett and Sons undertook to remove all the ashes from Butts Mill free. The flue dust to be charged for. [There must be sufficient demand for ash-lime mortar to make this economical. The charge for the flue dust indicates that not a lot of flagging was being done as flue dust was a favourite bedding material for laying flags. It had very sharp edges on the grains and when under pressure locked together and was very stable.]
Res. That the wages of engine men, firemen and oilers as and from Saturday last be as follows:
Engine men £5 reduced to £4-5-0. Firemen £3-15-0 to £3-5-0. Oilers £3-50 to £2-15-0. Except in the case of WH, G H Watson to be £4-10-0. [Wage reductions on this scale were a characteristic of the times. The national economy was struggling and nobody had a cure for it.]
E B Banks.

May 17th 1922
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1995-1-7 debit. Accounts paid.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance to Henry Brown and Sons of 6474 yards of land abutting on to the reservoirs at WH Mill at 4/3 per yard. The total purchase price being £1396-19-6. [Browns have started the build at Havre Park and one problem John Pickles has had to solve is the bad bearing ground which caused CHSC so much trouble in the extensions to WH Mill earlier. His solution was to buy a lot of old wrought iron loom cranks from scrap dealers and lay them as a foundation under the footings of the brick walls. The first pour of metal was shortly after this entry and in August we shall see them casting a new piston for the Butts Mill LP cylinder. Ouzledale was redundant and young Cecil Ashby moved down to the new foundry as foreman founder.]
It was reported that a fire had taken place in Dugdale and Dewhurst's premises. The fire loss assessor had agreed with the insurance co to settle the claim for £110. [Note this is the building insurance only. The tenant would have a separate insurance.]
A letter was read from H Brown and Sons pointing out that the feed pipes at Butts Mill had only 4 x 5/8” bolts in the flanges and they did not consider them sufficient for the present pressure. [This is the boiler feed pipe which failed and caused the stoppage for low water in the boiler. The plant is working on higher than design pressure and it's interesting that Browns are advising on this. I detect the hand of John Pickles, Browns are much more than a general engineering firm now, we are beginning to see them taking on work that would formerly have gone to Burnley Ironworks. Bear in mind that this circumstance is the result of the present load overtaking the original design. This isn't the last time we will see examples of this.]
Proctor Barrett.

May 31st 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £954-15-6 credit. Accounts paid.
Res. That we test S Cooke's oils at Butts Mill. [Remember we have a new HP cylinder. The question that arises in my mind is why they are trying new oils. To me, this indicates some sort of a problem. Unless the new casting was very carefully cleaned it was quite possible for small pockets of moulding sand to be left in the blind cavities in the steam passages cast into the body of the cylinder. Newton Pickles gave me one instance of this happening to him when he installed a new cylinder at Crow Nest Shed after a smash. The cure was to open up an access hole in the steam chest, tip two bucketfuls of cylinder oil in and restart the engine hoping that the oil would flush the sand out. In that case it worked.]
Res. That the alteration to the warehouse in Butts Mill used by Craven Manufacturing Co be put in hand.
Proctor Barrett.

June 14th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 562 shares from Thomas S Willan to Proctor Barrett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Rents owing £7,000.
A claim by B&EM Holden for damages to cloth was received.
Re. That the claim be disallowed.
Proctor Barrett.

June 28th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1921 credit.
Accounts paid.
Res. That Edward Wood be appointed secretary pro tem with authority to sign on behalf of the company all negotiable instruments usually signed by the secretary of the company.
Res. That P Barrett and Sons be instructed to find and repair the leak in the dam at Calf Hall.
Res. That the offer of P D Bilborough of 12 months contract at 29/3 per ton of Bentley Washed Nuts delivered at Barlick station and 33/3 per ton delivered at the mill be accepted.
Proctor Barrett.

July 12th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
It was reported to the meeting that Mr George Proctor, secretary to the company for the last 30 years died on July 6th 1922.
Res. That a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs Proctor and family expressing the deep regret of the board and the high appreciation in which he was held by them. [A great loss. George Proctor was a key figure and the source of much sound advice and guidance. He was not only active at CHSC but at many other mills in the district. Teddy Wood was a worthy successor.]
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 10% free of tax recommended and date of general meeting set as July 20th 1922.
Res. That 100 tons of Bentley coal at 29/3 and 100 tons of New Monckton coal [At Royston, near Barnsley.] at 29/6 delivered at Coates Wharf be purchased and that New Monckton coal be used at Butts Mill.
Res. That the price for steam for the laundry [WH Mill] during ordinary mill hours be £4-10-0 per week and should any overtime be worked the proprietors to pay the wage of the firemen.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 20th 1922
[No printed balance sheet inserted.]
P Barrett chair.
Full obituary for George Proctor. Reported as “carried unanimously, all standing”.
Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and recommended dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected.
The vacancy created by G Proctor's death was contested by Jonathan Peel, H Clark and Luke Suthers. Jonathan Peel elected to the post.
Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors, fee increased to £4-10-0 per annum.
Proctor Barrett.

August 9th 1922
Res. That P Barrett be chair, Joseph Slater vice chair. Managing directors E Wood and EB Banks, remuneration as before. Jonathan Peel welcomed to the board.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance reported as £699-17-6 debit.
Res. That the common seal be affixed to the Agreement for Tenancy of the Exors of W Bailey which was based on the terms of the January 1st 1920 agreement.
Tenders were received from H Brown and Sons, £150 and Burnley Ironworks £130 plus the cost of 16 drums for altering the speed of the looms in Hartley and Lawson's shed (formerly John Wilson).
Res. That we pay half the cost of the work (£75) which will be done by Henry Brown and Sons for £150. Messrs Hartley and Lawson to pay for any additional labour required, the whole of the material to be the property of the company. [H Brown competing directly with Burnley Ironworks and winning the contract despite the higher quotation, having the engineers based on site was obviously seen as an advantage. John Pickles' last job before going to H Brown and Sons as foreman was as a machinist at BI. I'll bet he was quite pleased!]
Mr Hartley attended and agreed to this proposal.
Proctor Barrett.

August 23rd 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid including BUDC rates. Bank balance £1265-17-10 debit.
Transfer of 16 shares from Mary Jane Holdsworth to Tom Holdsworth and J Holdsworth sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That payments for boiler cleaning etc be as follows: Boilers 8/-. Flues and boilers £1-12-0 (Butts £2). Economisers, CH 10/-, Butts 12/6 and WH 15/-. Long Flue [From boiler house to chimney] CH 20/-, Butts 22/6 and WH 25/-.
Res. That P Barrett and Mr Banks be authorised to obtain a tender from Mr Green of Colne for Ash Felting[sic]. [Asphalting. This was new technology at the time.] Calf Hall Road and that they be empowered to put the work in hand. [Evidently still unadopted by BUDC]
Proctor Barrett.

September 13th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1234-4-8 debit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 138 shares from Mary Crabtree deceased to Samuel Crabtree sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Quotations were received for Ash Felting Calf Hall Road from James Green and Sons of Colne, £328-4-7, the cost of any improvement to the bottom to be extra. A private note from BUDC gave the cost as £235-14-0.
Res. That BUDC be asked to do the work.
Further discussion took place as to the basis of rents. The usual custom of reducing the rents by 6d for each 5d alteration in coal price has been continued as in times past but Mr Banks reported that some of the other Room and Power companies in the town were only allowing 5d for 5d alteration in coal price and making no reduction for Tape rent.
The feeling of the meeting appeared to be that it is advisable to reduce the rents as quickly as possible owing to the bad state of trade and to consider additional charges or reductions for saving in coal or increased cost of coal at the end of each month as has been the custom since 1920 when rents were increased 21/- per loom. [I'm slightly confused by this minute. I think what they are saying is that before making any changes they need to consider the matter further bearing in mind that any increase in the present state of trade may not be productive. It could well be that they knew how close to the wind many of the tenants were sailing.]
The secretary reported that rents owing was £6652.
Proctor Barrett.

September 27th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £480 debit. Rents owing £6095-8-10.
Res. That the tender of H Hogarth of £12-10-0 for four electric lights and one set of accumulators for the boiler and engine houses at Butts Mill be accepted. [This is low voltage DC current.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 11th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £62-5-3 credit. Rents owing £6550.
Proctor Barrett.

October 25th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £593-19-0 debit. Rents owing £6200.
Res. That P Barrett, Banks and Holdsworth be deputed to see to the repair of the ventilator on CH engine house.
Reported that BUDC had agreed to do the repairs to Calf Hall Road.
Proctor Barrett.

November 8th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1583-4-7 credit. Rents owing £6400.
Owing to the reduction of 10% on the standard rate for operatives in the cotton trade:
Res. That the wages of our employees be as follows:
Engine men £4 per week, WH £4-5-0. Firemen £3. Oilers £2-12-6. That the rate of overtime for heating sheds be ½ per hour, for boiler cleaning 7'6 each, flues 30/- for each boiler, and long flues as follows: CH, economiser 9/- and long flue 18/9. Butts 11/3 and 21/-. WH 13/6 and 23/3.
Proctor Barrett.

November 29th 1922
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2133-1-5 credit. Rents owing £5507-16-5.
The chairman reported the death since the last meeting of Mr James Horsfield and proposed that condolences be sent to Mrs Horsfield and the other members of the family.
Res. Supported by Mr Slater and passed unanimously. [Interesting that this wasn't the first item on the agenda.]
Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares: 520 from Seth Mundy and Harold Marc [Representatives of the Bank of Liverpool], to Charles and Annie Waller, they retaining 390 and transferring 130 to Ada Whitaker Slater and Hilda M Greenwood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the wall at WH reported to be dangerous be rebuilt. [More settlement, the ground at WH was bad.]
E B Banks.

December 13th 1922
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £3381-3-9 credit. Rents owing £6190-7-0.
Proctor Barrett.

January 3rd 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4581-15-1 credit. Rents owing £6942-8-1. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the Exors of William Bailey were in difficulties and the secretary paid a visit to the mill but found Mr Ellis away. The matter was left in the hands of the managing directors.
Proctor Barrett.

January 17th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance reported as £5080-17-9 credit. Rents owing £6018.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit and dividend of 10% recommended. Date of general meeting to be January 26th 1923.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 26th 1923
[Printed balance sheet reports £2038-1-11 carried forward, total of 5862-18-3 to be appropriated. Disposition £3039-8-0 to dividend and £2823-10-3 carried forward. (I can't help reflecting that these healthy figures in a time of economic uncertainty would not have been too welcome by struggling tenants. Of course we don't know how many of them were shareholders.)]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and recommended dividend approved.
Res. That there should be recorded in the Minute Book the shareholder's appreciation of the services rendered to the company by the late Mr James Horsfield who died on November 18th 1922 in his 77th year and that the secretary be instructed to inform Mrs Horsfield of the resolution of appreciation and sympathy.
Proctor Barrett.

February 7th 1923
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The bank balance was reported to be £3214 credit and rents owing as £6336-19-6.
Res. That we insure the economiser at WH Mill with E Green and Sons at a premium of £4-13-0.
Res. That we accept F Suthers and Sons Ltd as tenants for 160 looms now the property of William Bailey (Barnoldswick) Ltd. [In 1912, Bailey and Roberts which became William Bailey Ltd had 192 looms at WH Mill. I think this is the transfer of the business to F Suthers and Sons. I have no explanation for the discrepancy. (See February 28th)] and that the division of warehouse space be approved by the managing directors and also providing that the rent now due and accruing since be paid in full. [The sanction the company had was that they could annexe the plant and machinery as payment for the unpaid rent if necessary but there was no need to voice this.]
Res. That a sum of £10 be allowed for stoppage of tapes due to fire at Dugdale and Dewhurst's Ltd.
Proctor Barrett.

February 28th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1094-15-0 credit rents owing £5503-15-4.
Mr Wood reported that acting as liquidator he had sold 160 looms recently belonging to Willam Bailey Ltd to W F Suthers and Sons Ltd the rent to commence on March 1st 1923.
Res. That the liquidator of W Bailey Ltd (Mr E Wood) be authorised at his discretion to allow one month or six weeks rent to the prospective purchaser of the 416 looms still remaining in the estate of William Bailey Ltd.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of Sarah Crook (Slater Dugdale and Heber Crook) to the following were sanctioned.
Nancy Dugdale 42 shares. Mary Horsfield 43. Harry Crook 43. Emma Horsfield 43. Rebecca Moore 43. Jane Carr 42. Elsie Crook 21. James Crook 21. James Crook 42. Heber Crook 42.
Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

March 14th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2411-7-8, rents owing £7303-15-11.
Mr Wood informed the meeting that he had sold the 416 looms lately the property of William Bailey Ltd to the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co Ltd subject to the company accepting them as tenants.
Res. That they be accepted as tenants providing the rent be paid in full to March 19th 1923 and that the rent to be paid by the new company starts on May 1st 1923. [You may be wondering how it was that new tenants could be found in a time of bad trade. The explanation may be in the bargain price for plant and machinery which allowed the new owners to start with much lower capitalisation.]
Res. That the dam at Calf Hall be cleaned out by the fire brigade.
Res. That tenders be obtained for the use of the fire pump.
Proctor Barrett.

March 28th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4511-9-1 credit, rents owing £4090-4-5. Accounts paid.
Mr Bilborough advised that the price of Bentley washed doubles would be increased 2/10 per ton from April 1st and Acton Hall 2/4.
Proctor Barrett.

April 4th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That Mr Wood be asked to send to E B Banks before the next meeting full particulars and plans of fire insurance. The amount each room (as numbered on the plan) is insured for and the rate per cent for each room.
Res. That Mr E B Banks see J Green and Son of Colne and ascertain if there is any alteration in the price quoted on August 28th 1922 for making the roadway at Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That Midgely, fireman at Butts Mill be paid up to Saturday week, April 21st 1923 and that he cease work for the company at once. [They are not having any luck with firebeaters at Butts!]
Proctor Barrett.

April 25th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5908-11-2 credit, rents owing £4162-3-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Robert Clark to: Herbert Clark 192. Francis Clark 48. Isabella Walker 12.
From Frank Perry to Ada Whitaker Slater 100 shares and Joseph Slater to Ada Whitaker Slater 10 shares.
All seal cert etc.
The question of insurance of the premises was discussed. The present amount on the premises is £128,512-12-10 being equivalent to £21-11-7 per loom. [Approximately 5980 looms in total]
Mr Wood pointed out that in his opinion the premises were not adequately covered, that the amount should be increased and the premises revalued in view of the serious changes which have taken place lately under the New Tariff Scheme.
A tender was received from J Green and Sons to repair the road at CH for £287-12-7. Mr Banks was requested to communicate with them with a view to reducing the cost. [Evidently BUDC didn't do the job.]
Res. That the charge for cleaning the economisers at all the mills be increased to 15/-.
The meeting was notified that the increase in the price of coal quoted at 2/10 last week had been reduced to 2/-.
A letter was received from H Brown and Sons was read asking that the rent of their premises which are now £200 per annum should be considerably reduced. [Remember that the Havre Park foundry is in use now and some functions like the pattern shop have been moved. John Pickles eventual intention was to move all the plant to the new building.] Consideration of the matter was held over.
An account was received from Watson and Son for wheel guards fixed in Hartley and Lawson's premises.
Res. That it be sent to Hartley and Lawson for payment in accordance with the arrangement made on August 9th 1922.
Proctor Barrett.

May 9th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6797-10-0 credit, rents owing £5486-14-0.
A letter was read from Hartley and Lawson in which they declined to entertain payment of the account for wheel covers for alterations to the premises.
Mr Banks stated that he personally pointed out this expenditure to them at the time the matter was originally discussed.
Res. That the account be returned.
The tenants made application dated May 5th through the secretary of the Barnoldswick Manufacturers Association for a reduction of rents on the grounds that the tenants are doing extremely badly at the present time. [As trade worsened the manufacturers made increasing use of their local association. Later on we will see that the room and power operators formed their own association as well but they were late in the field.]
Res. That the directors cannot see their way to reduce the rents or alter the basis as the rents of this company are lower than any other Room and Power company in Barnoldswick but that in view of the present state of trade they are willing to allow one half the rent in cases where the whole of the tenants of any one or all of the mills are stopped for not less than one week in consequence of bad trade.
Proctor Barrett.

May 23rd 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6702-3-8 credit and rents owing £4515-4-9. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the engine man at Butts Mill, Albert Hogarth, was intending to send in his resignation of Friday [May 25th] to terminate his connection with the company by one week's notice. [Finish on June 1st]
Res. That his resignation be accepted and that Charles Watson be appointed engine man in his place at the same wage. George Henry Watson, his father [engineer at WH Mill], attended the meeting and undertook to be responsible for his son's behaviour. [The long laid plan has come to fruition and young Charlie has got the plum job. It's obvious that the directors have had some reservations as they have sought assurance from George Henry that he will keep an eye on his son. Difficult to see how he can do this beyond offering advice as he can't supervise his son when he is running his own engine. You can't leave an engine while it is running to pop across the town to Butts Mill! Remember that there was no recognised qualification for running an engine, you learned by watching an expert at work, preferably running the engine alongside him. We shall see how he goes on! Watch this space, we haven't seen the last of Albert.]
A letter was read from the tenants in reply to our letter of May 14th intimating that we cannot reduce the rent and asked for reconsideration of our decision in view of the fact that we are the leading Room and Power Company in the district and that other companies followed our lead. [CHSC were reputed to be the biggest shed company in the NW] They also stated that trade was bad and it was impossible to take advantage of the offer of half rent during the stoppage of the engine owing to small orders being obtained and wanted quickly. [This was increasingly becoming the classic dilemma of the manufacturers. As orders shrank and pressure on the merchants grew, they wanted quick turn round of small orders. Remember that because of the efficiency of the market system based on the Manchester Exchange, the industry had got used to very competitive trading based on speed and low profit margins protected by tight contracts. This was fine when trading volumes were high and looms fully occupied but a major disadvantage when volumes dropped was that the overheads of running the mill hardly reduced at all, the only savings were minimal on amounts of coal burned. We shall see this problem grow.]
Res. That the tenants be informed that after careful consideration the directors cannot see their way to vary the decision in the letter of May 14th and that in their opinion no useful purpose will be served by meeting them to discuss the matter and that the directors do not consider it correct to state that other Room and Power companies followed our lead as:
1. Our rents are lower and have been lower for the last three years than any other company in Barlick.
2. We have carried out the agreement of January 1st 1920 both in letter and spirit.
3. We have made considerable allowances beyond the terms of the agreement.
4. Our charges are below the present market price of Room and Power in Lancashire.
Proctor Barrett.

May 28th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Also present; Mr Lomas of Atkinson and Co. Mr Pearce of Watson, Landless and Pearce. Mr E Wood, secretary.
It was reported that a fire had occurred at midnight on Saturday May 26th in the warehouse of E Aldersley and Co at Butts Mill and adjoining the warehouse occupied by J Horsfield, that the premises were completely gutted but very little damage done to J Horsfield's warehouse. There was some damage to shed lights and warps in Aldersley's shed. The warehouse was insured with the London Assurance Co for £5416.
Res. That Messrs Watson, Landless and Pearce be appointed assessors on behalf of the company. Messrs Atkinson and Co as architects for the reconstruction and that Messrs Lomas and Wood endeavour to obtain from the neighbouring landowners their price for a strip of land to enable the approaches to Aldersley's and Horsfield's warehouse to be improved.
Proctor Barrett.

June 6th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8722-8-3 credit, rents owing £6586-2-8. Accounts paid.
The Monkswell Manufacturing Co asked for provision of a waste storage building. [Was the Aldersley fire cause by spontaneous combustion of dirty sweeps?]
Res. That consideration of the matter be deferred.
Mr Wood read a letter from the Exors of John Hargreaves quoting special prices for delivery at Barnoldswick station for Low Bed Nuts at 27/9 per ton and Top Bed Nuts at 25/9.
Res. That Low Bed Nuts be tried for two weeks at WH and a further two weeks with Top Bed Nuts.
Mr Lomas attended and explained that Messrs Lowcock, the owners of the farm abutting on Butts Mill were not disposed to sell a portion of their farm but were inclined to dispose of the whole of their interest and would attend at the Mill on Wednesday next.
Proctor Barrett.

June 20th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8093-7-7 credit and rents owing £5173-11-0. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

July 11th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £10,737-15-6 credit. Rents owing £5332-12-6.
Res. That balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit, a dividend of 15% free of tax be recommended (making, with the dividend paid in January last) 12½% for the year. That the general meeting be on July 19th 1923.
Transfer of shares from Robert Dent: 32 shares to Luke Suthers and 30 shares to John and Margaret Ann Sneath sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res That the solicitors to Mr Lowcock be informed, re the proposed purchase of land at Butts Mill, that unless something be definitely settled within the next three days the board will consider that they have no desire to sell and will proceed with the re-erection of the premises burnt down.
The secretary reported that Messrs Matthew Watson, Landless and Pearce had arrived at a settlement with the insurance company for the damage caused by the fire in the Aldersley portion of Butts Mill. The amount agreed to be received is £7093-15-0 irrespective of the amount due for loss of rent. [They appear to be insured for loss of profits as well but of course this won't be clear until the mill is up and running again.]
Res. That accounts be paid including those for fees connected with the fire and Director's remuneration etc.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 19th 1923
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports £2823-10-3 carried forward, total of £6881-7-7 to be apportioned. Disposition £4559-2-0 to dividend, £2322-5-7 carried forward.]
A director's meeting preceded the general meeting. P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Norman Barrett attended the meeting and produced a plan showing a proposed scheme for rebuilding the portion of Butts Mill destroyed by fire.
Res. That he obtain estimates for the cost of the scheme and present them to the directors on Wednesday week.
Accounts paid.
Messrs Lowcock intimated that they were not prepared to sell any land at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.
[The general meeting of shareholders followed:]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and recommended dividend approved. Retiring directors reappointed.
A poll was conducted to fill the vacancy on the board caused by the death of James Horsfield.
The result of the poll was as follows [note that the number of shares held by the voters was used] Richard Jacques 10,857. Slater Dugdale 7,993, Herbert Clark 3,413.
Res. That Richard Jacques be elected to the board.
Director's remuneration at £160 per annum approved. Richard Watson and So reappointed as auditors at £19 per annum.
[No signature]

August 1st 1923
Officers re-elected as last year. Remuneration the same.
P Barrett took the chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Lomas of Atkinson and Co, architects, attended with the plans for the new warehouse for Aldersley's at Butts Mill recently burnt down. These were approved with slight alterations. Mr Lomas promised to have tenders ready for the next meeting on August 22nd.
Accounts paid.
It was reported during the meeting that Butts Mill engine was stopped for breakdown. That the Wellhouse engineer [George Henry Watson father to young Charlie at Butts] be asked to take charge at Butts and that his son be transferred from Butts to take charge at WH. [The minutes don't mention this again but I know from the evidence of Newton Pickles that what had happened was that Charlie Watson had been careless and got a slug of water in the engine which cracked the LP piston. This was 56” in diameter, a big lump weighing two tons and he was fortunate it didn't smash the cylinder as well, a very serious mistake. Henry Brown and Sons were given the job of making a new piston and installing it. It was the biggest casting they had poured at Havre Park up to then and Newton remembers his mother taking him to the foundry at 2am to see it poured. The glow in the sky was mistaken for a fire and the fire brigade turned out. Dennis Pickles (No relation) turned the piston and it was installed successfully. This was a major step forward for H Brown and Sons, they had proved that they had the skill and resources to rectify a major breakdown.]
Proctor Barrett.

August 22nd 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £11,994-3-6, rents owing £6175-9-1.
Mr Lomas attended with tenders for the erection of the new building at Butts Mill. The chairman opened the tenders and it was resolved that the following be accepted:
Mason, R H Bleakley £2340. Joiner J R Broughton £230. Ironfounder W Roberts and Sons £243-2-1. Plumber R Hartley £196-15-7. Slater Nuttall and Co 116-15-7. Total £3126-13-3.
Mr Lomas pointed out that in addition to the above there was the cost of the hoist, girders and some patent glazing which he estimated at about £700 making a total of £3876-13-3.
Res. That the payment for [cleaning] the long flue at Butts Mill be increased from £1 to 30/-.
Proctor Barrett.

September 5th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. Accounts be paid: P D Bilborough £688-12-0. P Holdsworth £46-12-3. C Roberts and Co Ltd 1/6.
Bank balance £11,903-19-0 credit, rents owing £5726-0-4.
Res. That the tender of Bleakley the builder for ashes for one year be accepted. The prices are WH £6, CH and Butts £5 each.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough to the effect that from September 1st the price of Bentley Washed Doubles and Acton Hall Mixed Nuts will be reduced 6d per ton until further notice.
Proctor Barrett.

September 26th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Barrett welcomed Richard Jacques to his first board meeting.
Bank balance £5526-14-2 credit, rents owing £5058-16-4. Accounts passed for payment.
The secretary reported that £6000 5% War Stock had been purchased at a cost of £6131-13-0.
It was reported that the contractor who was re-erecting the premises at Butts Mill was not making satisfactory progress. The secretary was instructed to write to Messrs Atkinson and Co on the matter.
A letter was read from Messrs Hartley and Lawson requesting the company to make them allowances owing to bad trade and suggesting that half rent should be charged for all looms stopped.
The letter was left over for further consideration.
Proctor Barrett.

October 10th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 218 shares from the Public Trustee to Mr E Wood. Seal cert etc.
Bank balance £7208-1-11 and rents owing £6121-3-2.
The question of allowances to tenants for looms stopped due to bad trade was further considered.
Res. That an allowance of 6d per loom per week for all looms stopped in excess of 5% of the looms upon which rent is paid from July 1st to December 31st 1923 it being understood that this allowance should be in lieu of allowances for reduction in wages and saving in coal due to looms stopped during the bad trade and in especially in consideration of the present bad trade.
The question of further allowances after January 1st 1924 to be considered later.
Res. That we contribute £5 to the fire brigade in recognition of the invaluable services rendered at the recent fire at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

October 31st 1923
Mr Wood expressed on behalf of the board condolences with the chairman on the death of his wife since the last meeting. The directors expressed their sympathy by standing.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £7405-19-10 rents owing £3676-3-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That the tender of W H Heywood and Co of £90 for the patent glazing required at Butts Mill be accepted.
Res. That tenders be obtained for boring out the air pumps and fitting new buckets at WH Mill from H Brown and Sons and Burnley Ironworks Co. [Not a minor job!]
Proctor Barrett.

November 14th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8,968-8-8, rents owing £ 5,890-8-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 42 shares to Slater and Nancy Dugdale sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the chairman, Mr Banks and Mr Holdsworth be deputed to examine the staircases in Messrs Holden's and Pickles' warehouses leading to the winding room with authority to make them quite safe.
Res. That prices be obtained for patent glazing at WH Mill.
Res. That a store room be built over the present pump room adjoining the engine house at Calf Hall and that a tender be obtained for the whole of the work.
Tenders were received for boring out the two air pumps at WH Mill. Burnley Ironworks quoted £60 and H Brown and Sons £57-17-6.
Res. That Brown's tender be accepted. [A big job, H Brown and Sons are a major resource in the town. Remember they were working for all the other mills as well as manufacturing donkey engines, valves and other CI goods.]
H Brown and Sons quoted £16-16-0 for 8 side plates for the [crosshead] slides at CH Shed.
Res. That the tender be accepted.
Res. That 10lbs of Victory Bearing Compound be ordered at 20/- per lb. [Victory compound is a specialised fine grade of soft abrasive which can be introduced into a bearing that has run hot to polish the bearing surfaces without becoming embedded in the bearing material. It can be a way out of a difficult situation but will not cure the underlying cause of the heating in the first place. Newton Pickles reckoned it was finely ground rotten brick and he used that as substitute at times on very big slow running bearings like waterwheels.]
Mr Wood explained re sprinklers at CH Shed that the cost to install them would not be more than £2000, that the saving certified by the insurance company was £140 to £150 per annum and that the income tax on the depreciation allowed would be a further £22 per annum which was equivalent to a return of 8% on the investment. [The fire has concentrated the company's collective mind!]
Mr Wood also explained that he had interviewed the tenants with a view to them contributing 2/- per loom per annum which was a portion only of the amount that would be saved by the installing of the sprinklers but they had not yet agreed to this proposal and counter-offered half the interest on the purchase price.
Res. That Mr Eli Johnson be allowed to erect a small garage opposite the boiler house at WH Mill at his own expense.
Tenders were received for electric plant and accumulators at CH Shed from Phineas Brown £60 and from the Barnoldswick Welding Company £32.
Res. That the matter stand in abeyance.
Proctor Barrett.

November 28th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8,106-11-5 credit and rents owing £5,397-11-0.
Tenders were received for the new store room adjoining the engine house at CH as follows:
L Robinson £94-10-0. Barrett and Sons £106. Broughton £112.
Res. That L Robinson's tender be accepted.
Res. That a relief valve be fitted to the engine at CH Shed. [This is a valve on a cylinder or steam receiver set to unload at a pressure below what is dangerous should there be a slug of water in a cylinder. Usually one at each end of a cylinder so I don't understand 'a relief valve'. Did Butts LP cylinder have relief valves?]
Mr Bilborough intimated that the price of Bentley coal from January 1st next would be 6d per ton less and asked for a contract for six months.
Res. That a contract be not entered into.
Mr Wood reported that Room and Power companies in Burnley, Nelson, Colne, Earby and Kelbrook [For whom he was almost certainly acting] had agreed, in consequence of the state of trade, to allow 13/- per loom per annum and £70 per tape per annum for the half year ending June 30th 1924.
Res. That we make an allowance to tenants of 10/- per loom per annum and £50 per tape per annum from the rent from February 1st 1924 to June 30th 1924 owing to the rents at CH [CHSC?] being lower than other mills in Barlick and the other districts. The rebate being deducted from the rent when paid.
Joseph Slater.

December 12th 1923
J Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £9,159-11-6 credit and rents owing £7,408-16-4. Accounts paid.
Res. The loan of £50 due to Mr T Dent be paid.
Res. That the secretary be authorised to take such steps as he may deem necessary to secure the rent owing by the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co.
Res. That the secretary ask Mr E H Taylor, agent for Colonel A H Royd, if he is disposed to sell the ground rent of £23-5-0 and the lowest price he is willing to take.
Proctor Barrett.

January 2nd 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £11,693 credit and rents owing £5,780. Accounts paid.
The Standard Patent Glazing Co quoted £69-14-2 for supplying and fixing new patent glazing per bay of 172ft x 4ft 4½” at WH Shed.
Res. That two of the worst bays be repaired by this glazing and that the chairman and Mr Banks decide which two bays should be repaired.
In Reply to the request for Col. Royd's price for the ground rent of £23-5-0 per annum, his solicitor, Mr E H Taylor of Rochdale, stated that as Col Royd is only a life tenant of the estate he would only sell the ground rent at 22 year's purchase. [£511-10-0]
Res. That the matter be left over.
Mr Wood brought to the notice of the meeting the fire engine offered for sale by the Burnley Corporation in view of them having purchased petrol engines at the very low price of £75. As the pump would be available for boiler feed, fire purposes etc. and as its erection would result in a saving of 10% of the insurance premium of £25-14-0 it was resolved that the engine be purchased. [Butts Mill]
Mr Wood reported that he had advised the tenants that unless they send in their returns of looms stopped to the end of December within seven days the directors would reserve the right to accept or reject each tenants claim received after that date.
He also submitted a list of claims received up to September on the basis pf 26/- per loom per annum for looms stopped which amounted to £246-14-0.
Mr Banks' statement of receipts and payments showed: Receipts including rents £63. Payments £45-5-11.
Res. That the account be accepted. [I think this is for rents of land let by CHSC.]
A letter was read from BUDC in which they enclosed a plan showing the proposed improvement line on Skipton Road. [This will be at Wellhouse opposite the gas works.]
From the plan it would appear that the council are requiring 241 yards of the land forming part of the yard at WH Mill.
Res. That the matter be further considered.
Mr J W Horsfield requested an allowance in consequence of the inconvenience caused by the fire at Butts Mill and the expense of carrying goods to his warehouse in consequence of the cart road being closed.
Res. That Mr Banks enquire into the matter.
Res. That the company purchase £4,000 5% War Loan.
Proctor Barrett.

January 16th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £7,554-12-0 credit, rents owing £4,994-4-0.
Res. Balance sheet adopted subject to audit, dividend of 15% for the half year recommended.
Mr Wood reported that the allowance of 6d per loom per week for looms standing during the bad trade July 1st to Dec 31st was £555-11-0 allowed and £500 reserved.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting of shareholders Seven Stars Hotel
January 25th 1923
[Printed balance sheet reports £2322-5-7 carried forward, total of £6957-19-4 for appropriation. Disposition £4599-2-0 to dividend, £2397-19-4 carried forward.]
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts, report and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 13th 1923
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2,599-5-8 credit, rents owing 5,214-18-9. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported that allowances made to tenants up to the end of December were £601-13-6 had been deducted from the rent up to that date.
A sketch of the arrangement of pipes to the new fire pump at Butts was submitted.
Res. That a price be obtained from Mr Henry Brown for the work exclusive of mason's work and that the chairman and Mr Banks be empowered to put the work in hand if the price is satisfactory.
Proctor Barrett.

February 27th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1634-5-10 credit, rents owing £5016-15-0.
The secretary reported that one month's notice was given to Mr Taylor, tenant of 682 yards of land to terminate his tenancy on March 31st. This notice was given because a portion of it had been used to provide a thoroughfare to land other than the company's. [Avoiding the creation of a right of way.]
Res. That we purchase 200 tons of Sharlston Nuts from Mr Bilborough.
Res. That H Brown and Sons' tender of £190 in connection with the piping described in his letter for fire purposes, cooling plant and boiler feeding be accepted. It was understood that the total cost when completed would probably be between £300 and £400. [Acceptance of such an imprecise tender shows a degree of trust between the company and Henry Brown. This is very clear from other evidence. Brown and his men, particularly John Pickles had very good relations with the firms they worked for and competing firms like BI. This was essential when they were called in to a breakdown which had to be rectified in the shortest possible time, effective action was more important than the paperwork.]
Proctor Barrett.

March 13th 1924
P Barrett chair.
Bank balance £3753-3-1 credit, rents owing £ 5737-10-3. Accounts paid.
Tenders were received for the hoist at Butts Mill to replace the one lost in the fire.
Holt and Kippax £160. S Baldwin and Heap £145. Dent and Holt £170. William Wadsworth and Sons Ltd £243. Baldwin and Heap tender accepted. [The hoist referred to is the outside cat head. I say this because Baldwin and Heap specialised in this type of hoist at that time.]
It was reported to the meeting that a breakdown had occurred at CH Shed on Thursday February 28th at 3pm. The crank pin of the high pressure side having broken off and smashed the slides of the engine [crosshead slide] and the piston, that the repairs had been done by H Brown and Sons and that the engine had started this morning. [Remember that the engine had been fitted with a new HP cylinder in 1916 by BI. It was running at almost twice the designed load but with the original bed and motion. Newton Pickles told me that it was the HP crank pin that broke, the piston smashed the back cover of the new cylinder and in Newton's words “catched the engine driver on the arse and cut him”. When Johnny Pickles got to the engine he told Edwin Waterworth he was bleeding because he was in shock and hadn't noticed. Here's Newton's description of the damage as recorded in the Lancashire Textile Project tape 78AG03:
“The crank pin broke off and the piston came flying out through the cover and catched the engine driver on the arse and cut him. Me father went up and he said Edwin [Waterworth] were walking about and he says Eh, Edwin, thart bleeding someweer, it’s all running out of your shoes. He says Oh, has it ruddy well cut me! So he pulled his pants down and he had a ruddy great gash in his arse, he’d to go and have about twenty stitches in it. The piston were broke into six pieces, just like a Kraft cheese in a box. Piston rod had come right through the piston and split it and it never hurt the cylinder. It rove of the cover, breaking all the studs. Aye, crank pin dropped off so you can tell the load it had on. It smashed the slides out, which were open slides, not like Bancroft with a centre slipper, they were outside slippers. It smashed the ends off and I think in our shop today there’s one of the straight pairs that we use for a mandrel block. And me father made all new patterns for to make them slides, new slippers, new piston, new rod and took the old crank pin out and put a new one in and we were running in eight days.”
This was a big job and a good illustration of how far Henry Brown and Sons had developed, largely as a result of the influence of Johnny Pickles. It also demonstrates the hidden problem of engines being operated far beyond their design load, this became more frequent as the years went on. The CHSC had all the engineering resources they needed in the town and made good use of them. Bear in mind that Brown's were serving all the other mills in the district as well.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 2nd 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4182-4-6 credit. Rents owing £5881-13-5. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood produced a plan of the land adjoining Butts Mill containing two roods upon which ground rent was paid to Colonel Royd through Mr E Taylor, solicitor of Rochdale. [This was a small plot on the NE corner of the mill opposite the Model Lodging House which was an intrusion between the mill and the land bought from Hartley and partners, originally part of Wellhouse Farm.]
The question of widening Skipton Road a portion of which abuts on our premises at WH Mill was discussed. Mr Barrett and Mr Banks were requested to see the surveyor with regards to the scheme.
Transfer of shares from Exors of W T Suthers, 512 shares to: Jane Suthers 74 shares. [all the following Suthers got 73 shares each] Luke, Clarence, Harcourt, Frederick,Ethel, Winifred. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the offer of a conversion of £12,000 War Stock @ 5% to 4½% 1940/44 be not accepted.
E B Banks.

April 16th 1924
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4225-2-9 credit. Rents owing £5512-8-1. Accounts paid.
A Letter was read from Bracewell and Cleaver, solicitors, Barnoldswick to the effect that their client, Rupert Holt, is mortgaging a workshop erected on part of a plot of land in Wellhouse Road to the Keighley Building Society and desired an assurance from the directors that the trade carried on is not considered to be noisy, noisome or detrimental to the neighbourhood.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to write that the directors do not consider the trade of carriage painting to be noisy, noisome or detrimental to the neighbourhood.
E B Banks.

April 30th 1924
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2953-9-0 credit, rents owing £4223-6-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That H Brown's tender for new cast iron pipes for stokers at WH at £30 be accepted.
Res. That old CI pipes at Butts Mill be sold to H Brown and Sons at £3 per ton in present position.
Proctor Barrett.

May 14th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3832-13-3 credit. Rents owing £6016-1-8. Accounts paid.
Res. That the tender of H Brown and Sons tender for the shafting required in the new portion at Butts Mill at £187-10-4 be accepted.
It was reported to the meeting that Messrs Wigglesworth solicitors, Manchester, representing Messrs Lowcock would suggest to the possible purchaser of the land abutting on Butts Mill the granting of the tenancy of a portion shown on the plan submitted to the meeting for the purpose of improving the road approach to Messrs Aldersley's and Horsfield's portion of the shed.
Transfer of shares [All at £1 each and from Exors of James Dixon Roberts to]:
J W Broughton, 25 shares. Edgar Barrett 200. Carry Broughton 10. Harriet Dewhurst 12. Jane Suthers 26. Luke Suthers 32. Patrick Kelly 50. Victor Wood 53. Ada Whitaker Slater 100. All seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

May 28th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2974-0-3. Rents owing £5841-4-3.
A plan prepared by BUDC re the improvement of Skipton Road abutting onto the yard at WH requiring 241 square yards to be conveyed to the council to make the improvement was submitted.
Res. That the amended plan showing in green the new building line be approved and that the land be given to the council on the following conditions; Subject to the random [stone] from the walls, gate posts and iron rails remaining their property [CHSC] and to the usual adjustment of levels to the entrance and any substituted buildings.
Res. That Atkinson and Co be instructed to see that the new premises at Butts Mill are ready for occupation by the tenants on July 1st and that Messrs Aldersley's be informed that the premises will be ready on that date.
Proctor Barrett.

June 11th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4903-4-9. Rents owing £6001-7-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That the new premises at Butts be whitewashed, ceilings skimmed and all new woodwork painted and that Atkinson and Co be instructed to get prices.
Proctor Barrett.

June 15th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4398-12-4. Rents owing 5526-2-4.
Res. That payment of rates be held over.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of Agnes Atkinson to Nancy Jane Bailey sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Atkinson and Co be requested to make a new street plan of the land abutting on Butts Mill showing the diversion of the present Calf Hall Road and the land required by the company to improve the approach to Butts Mill.
Res. That the chairman and J Slater be authorised to approach T J Slater with a plan of this land with a view to ascertaining his position and the likelihood of his disposing of sufficient land to carry out the improvement.
A successful test was made of the new fire pump at Butts Mill after the meeting.
Res. That P Barrett be instructed to repair the dam at WH Mill.
Res. That the chairman and Mr Banks be authorised to consider tenders and to let the painting of the new part of Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

July 9th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5430-3-5. Rents owing £6412-14-0.
Res. That the letting of the tenders to paint the new part of Butts Mill be approved.
That P Barrett and Sons be instructed to repair the flags in the warehouse at Craven Manufacturing Co during the holidays.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit and a dividend for the half year at 15% per annum free of tax be recommended to the shareholders.
Proctor Barrett.

July 14th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4013-13-6 credit. Rents owing £6482-13-9.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 17th 1924
[Printed balance sheet reports £2397-19-4 carried forward, £6564-16-4 for appropriation. Disposition £4599-2-0 to dividend, £2004-14-4 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Richard Watson and Son reappointed auditors at £12 per annum.
Proctor Barrett.

August 20th 1924
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £228-14-0 credit. Rents owing £6577-9-8.
Transfer of 275 shares from Mary Smith Hartley and Fred Hartley to Mary Smith Hartley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Atkinson and Co submitted a schedule showing the cost of rebuilding Butts after the fire was £3941-18-9. [Not bad, the amount received from the insurance company was £ 7093-15-0!]
Res. That the payment of rates be held over.
A statement was submitted by the secretary as owing the total allowances for stoppages owing to the fire at Butts Mill last year to be Aldersley and Co £668-10-3. Craven Manufacturing Co £1-18-7.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

September 3rd 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2696-5-4 credit. Rents owing £6636-6-10.
Tenders were received from Henry Brown and Sons and Burnley Ironworks quoting prices for independent boiler pumps. The matter was postponed until the next meeting. [This either steam driven or shafting driven feed pumps which will give a back-up feed should the engine mounted pumps fail.]
Res. That Atkinson and Co be asked to attend at Butts Mill to make a sketch and plan for a building to enlarge the warehouse space of the Craven Manufacturing Co by extending the present warehouse over land abutting their premises and also setting out a deviation of the road to meet the requirements of Mr Taylor the original vendor of the land. [It looks as though at long last CHSC have got hold of enough of what was Lowcock's land to improve access at the back of Butts Mill from Calf Hall Road.]
Res. That William O'Mara of Burnley be requested to give a report and an estimate for repairing Butts Mill chimney.
Proctor Barrett.

September 17th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1368-5-6. Rents owing £6636-6-10. Accounts paid.
A tender was received from William O'Mara steeplejack quoting £90 for pointing and repairing the chimney at Butts Mill. With the addition of hooping etc at 6d per lb.
Res. That the tender be accepted but that five hoops be fitted on the stonework in place of ten as suggested previously.
That a telephone be fixed at Mr Banks' private address.
It was reported that a new set of brass steps had been ordered by the engineer at WH Mill for the crank [flywheel] shaft without consulting the managing director and that he had been running hot, using water [to cool] on the bearings for a week previously. [This is young Charlie Watson in trouble again. These are big lumps of brass.]
Mr N Barrett attended with plans showing the extension of the warehouse at Butts Mill which will provide 365 square yards of floor space at an estimated cost of £1,900.
Mr Wood the secretary promised to see the Craven Manufacturing Co re the extension and their contribution towards the cost by the cessation of the present allowance fot inefficient warehousing etc.
Proctor Barrett.

October 1st 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2342-11-3 credit. Rents owing £7008-14-9.
Res. That land at Calf Hall Farm which had been let to Mr Sutcliffe be now let to Mr R Hendson[sic] at a rent of £6-10-0 per annum.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of Leonard Holdsworth to Mrs Polly Earnshaw sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the tender of Briggs and Duxbury for carting ashes and flue dust be accepted for the next half year as follows: CH Shed £6. WH Mill £7. Butts Mill £8-5-0. A total of £21-5-0.
Res. That three new feed valves at £13-10-0each and two blow-off valves at £12 each be ordered from Henry Brown and Sons for WH Mill.
Following tenders for supplying gas and water pipes to the new warehouse at Butts Mill were considered: H Brown and Sons, £40-12-0. P Wilson and Son £39-13-3.
Res. That H Brown's tender be accepted. [H Brown favoured again even though not the lowest tender.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 15th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1028-10-10 credit. Rents owing £6759-1-2.
Res. That the land at Butts Mill abutting on Craven Manufacturing Co's warehouse be railed off.
Res. That a supply of Glass Houghton coal be obtained at 22/5 per ton and tested at Butts Mill for a fortnight and that Mr Bilsborough be requested to cease supply during that period.
Res. That land at Calf Hall required by Mr Hodgson be offered at 2/3 per square yard.
Proctor Barrett.

November 5th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3432-15-9 credit. Rents owed £6093-18-1.
It was reported that some of the tenants at Butts Mill were taping for looms other than their own. The secretary said he would make enquiries and communicate with the tenants.
Res. That the test of Glasshoughton coal at 22/5 per ton be continued for a further two weeks at Butts Mill.
Transfer of shares from T W Waddington, administrator of Margaret Emily Waddington sanctioned to: Elizabeth Jane Atkinson 12 shares. Caroline Parker 12. Thomas William Waddington 12. Henrietta Walker 12. Nary Hannah Anderson 15. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

November 26th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3022-18-8 credit. Rents owing £5094-18-7.
A letter was read from J Slater and Sons offering two plots of land abutting on the N and NE side of Butts Mill containing 765 and 1330 yards respectively at the price of 2/- per square yard.
The offer and plan submitted were carefully considered and the matter was postponed for further consideration at the next meeting.
Res. That the offer of Mr C E Aldersley of about 200 square yards of land on the NE side of CH Shed near the water intake at 5/- per yard be accepted.
A letter was submitted from Hartley and Pilgrim re the company's right of way over a plot of land on the N side of CH Shed in which they say, that if their client buy he would not intend to make the proposed street at all, and that inasmuch this company only has right of way over such street, if and when made, they would be glad to hear that we had no objection to the abandonment of the scheme to make the street.
Res. That we agree to abandon the scheme.
It was reported that the engine man at WH Mill [Young Charlie Watson, George Henry's son, George now running Butts Mill] was not giving satisfaction and that at a meeting of tenants the secretary had been informed that the engine had not been running at proper speed for some time.
During the meeting it was reported that WH mill was stopped due to want of steam. [The last straw.]
Res. That the engine man be discharged forthwith and that the managing directors be authorised to engage a new man at a wage of £4-5-0 per week and that the engineer's wage at CH Shed be increased to £4-5-0.
Res. That in the meantime H Brown and Sons be requested to take charge of the running of WH mill engine. [This was a regular function of the firm, supplying engine men at short notice. Note that during this time John Pickles would be in close attendance and would soon recognise the faults on the engine and what needed to be done to put it right. We can expect some recommendations from him in the near future perhaps.]
Mr Pickles [Johnny] attended on behalf of H Brown and Sons and undertook the management.
Proctor Barrett.

December 10th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4977-4-20 credit. Rents owing £5806-11-6.
A letter was read from C Watson asking for a week's wage in lieu of notice.
Res. That he be informed that no wage was due to him as he was discharged on account of incompetence. [One wonders what George Henry had to say to Charlie!]
Res. That the charge for taping be passed at 12/6 per 20,000 yards. [Taper's beam length of yarn. Quite a normal length for one set of beams.]
Res. That Harley and Pilgrim be instructed to prepare a conveyance of the land at Calf Hall Farm from Mr C E Aldersley.
It was reported that a large number of applications had been received for the post of engine man at WH. The managing directors were authorised to ask Mr W Watson of Rochdale to take the position, failing him Mr King of Colne or Mr Lancaster of Burnley.
Mr Wood reported in detail upon the very bad state of repair of the WH engine. [He's been consulting with Johnny no doubt. Apart from mutual respect, they were good friends.]
Res. That repairs pointed out by him be carried out including metallic packings for the two LP cylinders. [Remember that Teddy Wood had a very high regard of Johnny Pickles abilities and I have no doubt that they have got their heads together and decided what needed to be done to get the engines back into good condition. You couldn't have found two better men for the job.]
Proctor Barrett.

December 24th 1924
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4166-16-6 credit. Rents owing £5629-13-5.
Res. That the appointment by the managing director of Mr William Watson of 57 Halifax Road Rochdale as engine men at WH Mill at £4-5-0 per week be confirmed. [Billy Watson was to prove a brilliant appointment and was at WH until 1940 when he left to go back to a Rochdale engine and Tom Marshall took over. Newton Pickles learned his engine tenting from Billy, he was eight years old in 1924 and he called in at WH engine house every morning on his way to school, Billy soon had him running the engine and starting it after breakfast time. If he was valve-setting in an evening Newton was with him. WH is in good hands!]
A letter was read from C Watson, late engineer at WH Mill, asking for one weeks wage in lieu of notice. Resolved that the letter be laid on the table.
Reports having come to the directors that tenants were taping for looms other than their own it was resolved that where taping is used for less that 400 looms it be allowed to run the proportionate number of hours per week and that any additional overtime be charged at the same rwte per hour as the previously mentioned period and that Messrs Aldersley, Dugdale and Dewhurst and James Moorhouse be informed that this will come into operation on January 1st next.
Proctor Barrett.

January 14th 1925
P Barrett chair.
Bank account £6224-10-11 credit. Rent owing £6637-19-6.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 15% free of tax to be recommended. General meeting to be held on January 23rd.
Res. That we purchase from F H Slater the two plots of land abutting on Butts Mill and containing respectively 765 and 1330 yards at the price of 2/- per square yard.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 23rd 1925
[Printed balance sheet reports £2005-14-4 carried forward £7291-14-6 for appropriation. Disposition £4559-2-0 to dividend, £2732-12-6 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 11th 1925
P Barrett chair.
Before starting the business of the meeting the chairman stated:
“I desire to refer to the loss we have sustained through the sudden death of Mr T Baxter and to propose that a letter of condolence be sent to Mrs Baxter and family expressing our deep sympathy with them in their sad and sudden bereavement. Also to express our deep regret at the loss of so useful, straight-forward and agreeable a member of the board who has served the company faithfully for more that thirty years.”
Res. That such a letter be sent.
Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £700-7-1 credit. Rents owing £5893-7-1.
The secretary submitted an account received from C Aldersley for £3-6-1 for the extra cost of carriage and re-cartage of goods delivered to him by motor.
Res. That he be written to saying that the company could not accept responsibility for the extra charge.
A letter from E Green and Sons re the economisers at CH Shed and suggesting that certain sections be replaced was left over for discussion at a future meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

February 25th 1925
P Barrett chair.
Res. That a draft conveyance of land to BUDC for the widening of Skipton Road be approved subject to the council keeping the causeway [footpath] on a level with the threshold of the present buildings.
Res. That Messrs Bracewell, Lever, solicitors, Barlick be appointed as solicitors to convey the land purchased from Fred H Slater to the company.
Res. That J R Broughton be instructed to purchase patent glazing bars, fittings and glass and replace the rotten window frames with patent glazing as informed by Mr E B Banks.
Proctor Barrett.

March 11th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1829-5-1 credit. Rents owing £5874-6-5. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

March 25th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2995-7-11 credit. Rents owing £6269-19-10. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from London Assurance re the attention required to fire doors and shutters in order to retain the present reduction in premium on Butts Mill.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of Mr Banks.
Messrs E Green having refused to renew the insurance on the economisers at CH Shed it was resolved that the policy no. 109 be allowed to lapse and that arrangements be made for E Green and Sons Ltd to make periodic inspection and reports on the economisers at Butts and CH. The economisers at WH were already subject to inspection and report only.
Joseph Slater.

April 22nd 1925
Joseph Slater chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1375-7-9 credit. Rents owing £6069-19-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That repairs to WH engine be carried out during Whit week.
Proctor Barrett.

May 6th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Transfer of 76 shares from Annie Shepherd to Edna Dugdale sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Bank balance £3862-12-7 credit. Rents owing £6091-18-2. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3149-6-0 credit. Rents owing £5770-6-4.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the dedication of land in Skipton Road to BUDC.
The conveyance of land at Calf Hall Road from Charles E Aldersley to the company for the sum of £50 was passed to the chairman for verification.
Res. That the repairs to the air pump at CH Shed as explained by Mr Wood be carried out during Whitsuntide.
Transfers of shares sanctioned from Exors of Thomas Baxter sanctioned to: Margaret Robinson 43 shares. Alice Deakin 43. Fred Baxter 43. William Baxter 50. James Baxter 50. Seal cert etc.
Along discussion tool place re the erection of a warehouse at Butts Mill for the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd which when previously discussed was about £1900.
Res. That the matter be further discussed at the next meeting to be held on June 8th and that at the same meeting the question of the distribution of the reserve fund be also discussed.
Proctor Barrett.

June 8th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4891-16-11 credit and rents owing £6953-3-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of a plot of land about 200 yards abutting on the N corner of CH Shed from Charles E Aldersley for the sum of £50 and that the document be signed by two directors and the secretary.
Messrs Pilgrim and Hayman [Hartley?] stated that the clause relating to the free passage of water and soil would not be detrimental to the company's interests in any respect.
Mr Wood gave a report on the analyses of the engine and cylinder oils at Butts Mill. The cylinder oil was considered to be good but the engine oil was of poor quality. He said that he would communicate with S Cooke and Co on the matter.
Res. That a set of S Heaton's fire bars @ 22/6 per cwt delivered and fixed be supplied to WH Mill. [Billy Watson starting to make his mark?]
Res. That the shareholders be recommended to pay a bonus dividend equivalent to the last year's dividend in addition to the usual dividend for the half year to June 30th.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough quoting a reduction of 2/9 per ton in the price of coal; the price from July 1st to December 31st being 24/5 for Acton Hall Washed doubles. 25/5 for Bentley Washed Doubles.
Mr Wood intimated that he would inform the tenants of the reduction.
Proctor Barrett.

June 24th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5470-11-1 credit. Rents owing £6169-0-10.
Res. That Mr Joe Bullock's offer of £30 for the old boiler at Butts be accepted.
Res. That the chairman and Mr Banks be deputed to see Messrs Bracewell and Leaver re Mr F H Slater's desire to rail off the street forming part of the land purchased from him.
Proctor Barrett.

July 16th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £5610-16-10, rents owing £6348-10-10. Accounts paid.
The secretary read a letter from Pilgrim and Hayman stating that the purchase of land from Aldersley had been completed and that the documents of title had been placed in their strong room.
Res. That these documents of title be obtained from Pilgrim and Hayman and placed with the company's other securities at the bank.
Res. That a new plan be obtained of the land which it is proposed we purchase from Mr F H Slater.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting at Seven Stars Hotel
July 16th 1925
[Printed balance sheet reports £2732-12-6 carried forward making a total profit of £7600-18-5 to which the directors propose to add £3950-18-3 from the reserve account making a total of £11,551-16-8 to be appropriated. Disposition is £3559-2-0 to pay a dividend of 15% per annum for the last half year, £ 3559-2-0 to pay a special bonus at the same rate and £2433-12-8 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair.
The chairman referred to the death of T Baxter.
Minutes as passed.
Balance sheet and dividends approved. Retiring directors re-elected.
A ballot was held to elect a director to replace Mr T Baxter. Result was: Slater Dugdale 17832 votes, Luke Suthers 2489 votes, H Clarke 2183 votes. Slater Dugdale declared a director of the company.
Director's remuneration as last year. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors. Fee of £6 for the half year.
Proctor Barrett.

[Bear in mind what was happening nationally. The Tory government, in the pursuit of 'sound money' returned to the gold standard at what was seen in retrospect as too high a rate. Coal exports plummeted, the mine owners responded by imposing wage reductions in July 1925 and triggered strikes. The transport workers supported their claims and the government averted this by continuing the subsidy to the owners until May 1st 1926. The withdrawal of this subsidy was to trigger the General Strike. CHSC may be doing well but nationally the country was entering even deeper recession.]

August 12th 1925
Officers re-elected. P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £1517-19-6 debit, rents owing £6464-19-5.
Res. That Mr W F Suthers application for two additional windows in his warehouse be not agreed to.
Res. That the BUDC account for repairing the road abutting on the gates at Butts Mill be returned with an intimation that the company did not order the work to be done nor does it accept liability for the road as it is a public thoroughfare to Taylor's property, that it abuts on other properties including a club, a working men's home and the council's own property, lavatories and a mortuary.
Res That C E Aldersley be required to clear the upper portion of Mill Street abutting on the company's land forthwith and that he be informed that we cannot allow him to interfere with our right of access to our land abutting on the cottage in Calf Hall Road.
Res. That the chairman, Messrs Banks and Holdsworth form a committee to oversee the decoration of the engine house at WH Mill and the ventilation and decorating of the company offices at Butts Mill.
Res. That the secretary inform G H Watson, engineer at Butts Mill that whilst they fully appreciate his services to the company, The directors cannot see their way to depart from the present standard wages of engine men serving the company.
Proctor Barrett.

August 26th 1925
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2267-2-5 debit, rents owing £6246-4-7.
The secretary reported that he had written to Mr Aldersley re the right of way at CH and Mr Aldersley was waiting for a response from his solicitor.
Transfer of shares from Polly Sowerbutts sanctioned to: Proctor Barrett 250 shares. James Edgar Barrett 250. Robert S Windle 2 shares. Seal cert etc. [R S Windle is interesting. Founder of the modern Barlick accountants Windle and Bowker, he was a share dealer and the 2 odd shares look like a fee to me. We tend to forget that there was a healthy trade of shares in the local economy.]
Res. That the purchase of a boiler feed pump for CH Shed at £30 be approved and that the purchase of 15 ventilators at 17/6 each be also approved. [Looks like Teddy Wood and Johnny Pickles making sure that the mills have more than one way of feeding water to the boilers. Almost certainly a Weir pump from Glasgow and a good safety measure. This was becoming standard practice.]
Res. That a new set of Heaton [fire] bars be ordered for WH Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

September 9th 1925
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £385-13-4 debit, rents owing £6931-13-3. Accounts paid.
Res. That rates totalling £1951-12-2 be now paid subject to Ouzledale Foundry being empty during the past year. [Remember Brown's had opened their new foundry at Havre Park next to WH Mill and Ouzledale was now redundant. Cecil Ashby has moved with them as foundry foreman.]
Tenders were received for the flooring with patent composition of the WH engine house from:
The Hardman Company £84. Terradura £65. Stockdale £61.
Res. That if the work of Stockdale be found to be satisfactory the tender be given to him. [New technology, a fine asphalt composition, often coloured, that was becoming fashionable. Bancroft engine house was floored with it in 1920.]
Tenders received for painting the engine house at WH:
Gornet, £33 and £5 for wheel covers. Eccleston £57-11-0 and £7-10-0. Simpson Brothers £37-10-0 and £11-5-0.
Res. That Simpson Brothers tender be accepted. [In these hard times they have given the work to a local firm.]
Res. That Norman Barrett be requested to prepare alternative schemes for improving the yard at Butts Mill by taking down, or otherwise, the old boiler house wall.
Res. That the shed wall adjacent to the engine house at CH be stayed [?] by P Barrett and Son.
Proctor Barrett.

September 30th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £2845-11-2 debit, rents owing £5406-15-3. Accounts paid.
Res. That the floor of the WH engine house be floored with Terradura as mentioned in the last minutes.
Norman Barrett attended and submitted alternative schemes for improving the yard at Butts Mill by taking down the old boiler house wall.
Res. That the plan which opened out the yard completely be adopted and that P Barrett and Sons do the work including the covering of the whole yard with asphalt.
Res. That P Barrett and Sons' tender for ashes be accepted:
Butts £10, CH £8, WH £12. Total £30. For the year ending September 30th 1926. [For carting ashes away.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 21st 1925.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1258-10-6 debit, rents owing £6383-6-0.
Reports of black smoke were read re CH and WH. WH regarded as very bad.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons requesting a reduction of rent.
Proctor Barrett.

November 4th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £96-8-6 credit, rents owing £7336-7-11.
Transfer of shares from Luke Suthers sanctioned to:
John Whitfield Overing 30 shares. J J Sneath 150 shares. Herbert Clark 58 shares. Minnie Windle 12 shares. Also 376 shares from Edward Aldersley to Edward Wood. Seal cert etc.
Norman Barrett attended and explained that the patent flooring at WH had not been successful and that the portion near the engine had been taken up and that a small portion was under test, being heated in a different way. [Almost certain that the problem is lack of adhesion to oil-soaked stone flags. The best way to ensure a good job was to lay direct onto a screed of new concrete.]
Res. That the matter be postponed and left in the hands of the directors appointed.
Res. That the offer from P Barrett and Sons of 10/- per load of bricks and 30/- for corner stones etc be accepted.
Proctor Barrett.

November 18th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £9-8-11 debit, rents owing £6821-10-9.
Transfer of shares from Luke Suthers sanctioned to:
Jane Sneath 200 shares. Mary Ann Cowgill 50. Mary Cowgill 50. John and Mary Sneath 50. John William Broughton 100. Francis Clark 14. Leonard Windle 6. Ruth Berridge 50. Charles E Sneath 30. Elizabeth H Ibbotson 17. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the fire doors at Butts Mill which are not accepted as satisfactory by the insurance company be not reinstated, the extra cost in the insurance [premium] being £4-13-10 per annum and the expected cost of putting new doors in about £100.
Res. That we supply Henry Brown and Sons with a clutch at an estimated cost of £12.
Res That the purchase agreement submitted to the meeting and discussed, re the plot of land on the NE side of Butts Mill, recently purchased from F H Slater be accepted subject to emendation of a clause relating to the right to supply water to their trough for all time being amended to read 'until the making of the street'.
Proctor Barrett.

December 2nd 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2080-10-7 credit and rents owing £6946-6-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That the charge for tape overtime to J W Horsfield and Hartley and Lawson be allowed in view of the stoppage of looms and in view of the fact that outside taping had been done.
Transfer of 97 shares from Luke Suthers to Elizabeth Hannah Ibbotson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the conveyance of 2095 yards of land on the W side of Butts Mill recently purchased from F H Slater and that a cheque be drawn for the purchase price of £209-10-0.
Res. That we purchase from P D Bilborough for the six months from January 1st 1926 to June 30th 1926: Bentley Washed Doubles @ 23/5 and Acton Hall Washed Mixed Nuts @ 22/8. Delivered at Barnoldswick station. Providing that the quality of the fuel is maintained as at present supplied.
Proctor Barrett.

December 16th 1925
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1922-19-0 credit and rents owing £6555-14-3.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to take what steps he deems necessary to obtain payment from E Aldersley of the account re tape charges.
Res. That the roof of T Nutter's shed be underdrawn with match boarding.
Considerable discussion took place re the method of paying director's fees in view of the fact that the Inspector of Taxes now insisted on each director paying his own tax and this would result in each director claiming a remission of tax on one sixth of the gross amount of his fee, it was thought that as this was a personal allowance the tax should be paid by the company on the full amount of the fee but as the resolution passing the salaries was worded “free of tax” it was thought that the resolution be amended at the next general meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

January 6th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3541-9-4 credit, rents owing £7310-2-0.
Tenders were received for carting [coal]:
J Crabtree and Sons 1/6 per ton for all mills. E Holdsworth 1/6 per ton for WH and Butts and 2/- per ton for CH.
As the carting done by Holdsworth had been considered satisfactory it was resolved that the work by him be continued. [It's perhaps a sign of the times that certainty becomes a greater factor than raw price.]
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 15% per annum for the half year be recommended and that the general meeting shall be on January 21st.
The correspondence with Mr Aldersley was read and approved.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 21st 1926
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports £2433-12-8 carried forward, total to be apportioned £7638-5-2. Disposition £4559-2-0 to dividend at 15% per annum for the half year. £3079-3-2 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
[No signature]

February 10th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That coal and carting accounts be paid.
Res. That Mr Wood reply to H W Fenton, clerk to BUDC, stating that the company is willing to sell Bridge House and Coates Wharf for £1250.
A discussion took place re Mill Street, CH Shed.
Res. That Mr Wood be requested to send on the deeds for CH Shed so as to ascertain what rights the company has over the street.
Proctor Barrett.

February 24th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Before commencing the meeting the chairman said: “I am very sorry to report the death of our esteemed vice chair Mr Joseph Slater. … Mr Slater's long experience as a mill owner [Clough Mill] and manufacturer fitted him particularly well as a director of a company such as ours. He always took a reasonable view of matters arising between the company and the tenants. We shall not only miss his good counsel but also his kindly and genial disposition which endeared him to all with whom he came into contact. I beg to move that a letter of condolence be sent from the meeting to Mrs Slater and family expressing our deepest sympathy with them in their sad bereavement.”
Mr Wood supported the motion and the members expressed their approval by standing.
[This eulogy was no exaggeration, Joseph Slater was one of the founding manufacturers in Barlick going back to the time of the Bracewell hegemony. He married Billycock's daughter and lived with her in Newfield Edge. I have many pieces of evidence of his good works and the general regard in the town for him. Vast experience and wise counsels, he will be missed.]
Bank balance £2802-19-2 credit, rents owing £6628-3-5.
The secretary reported that he had taken over the premises of W F Suthers and Sons on February 3rd for rent arrears of £1000-9-1, that he had been appointed liquidator and that there were sufficient assets to meet the claim. [You will have noted the share sales by Luke Suthers. He was 55 years old and followed his father, also named Luke, into the business. He eventually died in 1930 at Hutton near Preston. Over the next two years Luke and his brothers attempted to start up again in a corrugated iron shed at Coates under the title of the Ghyll Manufacturing Company but failed again, he left Barlick in 1927. There will be more such victims, these were hard times.]
Mr Wood also reported that he had taken possession of E Aldersley's [plant] at Butts Mill in accordance with instructions from the board for £332-8-2 arrears. Mr Aldersley's solicitor had objected to the distress on the grounds that there was no penalty in the agreement for default on the part of Mr Aldersley.
Res. That Mr Wood be authorised to settle with Mr Aldersley if they would pay for the export taping done during the period at the rate of 12/6 per set [of taper's beams]. [The directors have lost patience with Aldersley and though only a small matter this demonstrates the power that CHSC held over their tenants under the common law governing the landlord/tenant relationship without the sanctions of contract law as applied to the agreements. We shall see this power being used more and more to safeguard the company's interests.]
Res. That cheques be drawn to repay loans owing by the company.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. These are all in favour of Seth Mundy and William A Adney [Of the Bank of Liverpool. Luke perhaps thought he was ring-fencing the shares by transferring them before the failure of the firm but evidently not.]
Jane Suthers 74 shares. Luke Suthers 105. Ethel Suthers 73. Harcourt Suthers 73. Winifred Suthers 73. Frederick Suthers 73. Clarence Suthers 73.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to get the terms for insuring the engine at Butts Mill to enable Hartley and Lawson to take out a policy for insurance against loss of profits through engine breakdown. [This Loss of Profits insurance became standard practice.]
Res. Accounts be paid.
A letter was read from the Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd asking that the basis of rent be reduced. The secretary informed the meeting that he had replied that the rents in Barnoldswick had been less than those in Burnley for many years and were now at about the same level. [Remember that from the tenant's point of view this was a company paying 15% dividend as a matter of course and had distributed accumulated reserves as well.]
Proctor Barrett.

March 10th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1417-19-4 debit [Repayment of loans?] and rents owing £6747-0-8.
Letters were read from BUDC intimating that they are not prepared to give £1250 for Bridge House and Coates Wharf.
A further letter was read from BUDC re the widening of Skipton Road [At Coates bridge] in which they ask for a small deputation of the directors to meet members of the council.
Res. That the chairmen, Mr Banks and Mr Holdsworth be appointed a deputation to interview the council with authority to reduce the price of the house and wharf to £1150. It was thought advisable not to dispose of part of the land or a strip but to sell the whole property.
A quotation was submitted by the London Assurance for the insurance of Butts Mill engine.
Res. That nothing further be done.
The secretary read the correspondence with Mr Edward Aldersley's solicitor which was to the affect that they demanded the return of the amount for which we had distrained and stated that Mr Aldersley claimed he was at liberty to do outside taping and that he was not precluded from doing this by his agreement. In consequence of this statement the actions of the chairman and managing directors in agreeing to refund the amount was approved.
Res. That immediately this question has been disposed of Mr Aldersley be served with six months notice to terminate his tenancy. [I get the impression that the directors have no confidence in the state of Aldersley's business.]
Transfer of 10 shares from Harry Broughton to Ethel Broughton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Accounts paid.
Res. That H Brown and Sons be instructed to examine the fly wheel at Butts Mill. [That gear again!]
Proctor Barrett.

March 24th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2128-11-7 debit and rents owing £6445-6-8.
The deputation appointed to meet BUDC re Bridge House reported that the councilwere desirous that the company offer them a strip of land passing in front of the house to the canal and their surveyor had suggested that they would make a plan and submit the same to the company. The deputation did not mention the question of price but intimated that they wished to dispose of the whole of the property.
Res. That 4 wheel covers be ordered with Messrs Mudd for CH Shed.
It was reported that there was a lock-out in the town which commenced on March 15th 1926 and that it had not been settled but it was hoped a settlement would be arrived at on Saturday. [Unfortunately not. The manufacturers were desperate to find ways of reducing costs and the wages paid to the operatives was the easiest target. Fining workers for bad work etc had long been a bone of contention between the unions and the manufacturers so when the numbers and severity of fines was increased tensions rose. Another route to increasing margins was use of lower grades of yarn which reduced costs but also increased the fines as weaving was more difficult. The workers at Edmondson's Fernbank Shed walked out claiming compensation for 'bad stuff'. Nobody would give way so the manufacturer's association locked the whole town out and this lasted for three weeks.]
Res. That the tenants be allowed the cost of coal (Which is rather more than the savings effected owing to the stoppage.) and that the amount be at the rate of 7d per loom or 30/4 per loom per annum.
Proctor Barrett.

April 14th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £1035-19-9 debit, rents owing £7868-9-9.
Several tenants wrote objecting to the allowance made for the stoppages and stated that half rent had been allowed by some mills in the town. The secretary said that he would obtain particulars.
Transfer of shares from Exors of James Windle sanctioned: 76 to Minnie Windle and 76 to Margaret Kelly. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the strike at Barnoldswick was settled on the 26th of April and that work re-commenced on April 29th. [Must have been inserted later]
Proctor Barrett.

April 22nd 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance reported as £1428-3-8 debit and rents owing £7861-1-3.
Mr Wood reported that the committee of inspection of W F Suthers and Sons Ltd (In liquidation) had decided to dispose of the plant by public auction as no reasonable offer had been received. [A bad time to sell!]
The amount distrained for rent arrears was £1000-9-1 and the February and March accounts amounted to £302-11-2. The number of looms owned by Suthers was 376 38” and 40” reed space.
The feeling of the meeting was that the looms should not be allowed to leave the premises as the very bad state of trade and the excessive cost of new plant would make it difficult to obtain a new tenant with sufficient capital to re-instate the machinery in the premises should the looms and preparation machinery be taken out.
Res. That we offer the committee £3 per loom and make an allowance from the February and March rents of one half which would be equal to the purchase price of the plant. [Smart thinking. There are other costs involved as well such as loom shifting and spacing and commissioning of new looms. This way the company have a weaving unit ready to be stepped into at a very low capital threshold.]
Res. That Mr Moses Horsfield be appointed a director of the company in place of Mr Joseph Slater deceased and that the chairman interview him on the matter of him taking the position.
Proctor Barrett.

May 5th 1926
[The General Strike started on May 1st 1926]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £32-14-0 credit. Rents owing £7119-12-5.
The chairman reported that he had seen Mr Horsfield re the position of director but had not yet received his decision.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for £1128, the purchase price for 376 looms from the Liquidator if W F Suthers and Sons Ltd. The amount to be repaid to the company on account of rent owing.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 500 shares from Polly Earnshaw and G H Midgely to Edward Wood. 57 from Alfred Marsden to Sarah A Howarth. From Exors of J Marsden to: Alice Wallbank 57. Rebecca Strickland 57. Margaret Croft 57. Luke Suthers to Elizabeth H Ibbotson 32. Seal cert etc.
Accounts paid.
It was reported that the coal strike commenced on May 3rd and that we had about four weeks stock.
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Barrett welcomed Mr Moses Horsfield on his first meeting as a director.
Bank balance £449-11-9 debit. Rents owing £6740-12-4.
Res. That the fireman at CH Shed be warned that he is not giving satisfaction and that the company would be glad if he will look for a fresh situation.
Reported that application had been made by Harry Barrett of Lockfield House, Coates, to become tenant of the yard abutting on Coates House.
Res. That he be informed that the company is not prepared to let any portion of the premises but are willing to negotiate for the sale of the whole.
Res. That O'Mara be instructed to repair the lightning conductor at CH.
Re. That the LP valves be faced at CH Shed. [These were large slide valves and this will be refacing the valves and seatings to make them more efficient.]
Mr Wood reported that the Coal Controller had given permission to run next week providing ths mill is stopped on Whit Monday. [The emergency measures first put in place in 1921 for the coal strike had been a useful rehearsal for the General Strike. The government was going to run the country under emergency powers.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 2nd 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £213-3-9 credit, rents owing £8465-1-9.
Mr Wood reported that two boats of coal were coming to Barlick from the Exors. [of Colonel Hargreaves]
Letters were read from BUDC complaining of black smoke at Butts Mill. This appears to have been brought about by the change of fuel.
Res. That the next meeting be held on June 23rd and the general meeting of shareholders on July 15th.
Proctor Barrett.

June 16th 1926
P Barrett chair.
The meeting was called specially to discuss the question of the supply of coal during the strike, the mills having stopped on Saturday noon last week owing to shortage of coal, the stock having been used.
Mr Bilborough attended and placed before them an offer he had received by phone of Sicilian [Silesian actually] large round coal over 2” at 42/6 per ton at Hull, railway carriage 10/5 per ton and wagon charges 1/6 per ton. [54/5 per ton]
Res. That we order 500 tons and that a cheque be drawn for £400 on account.
Minutes as read. Bank balance £1755-2-3 credit and rents owing £6626-6-2.
Res. That the healds and reeds and hooking [looming] frame at Suthers be not sold.
Proctor Barrett.

July 15th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
A full report on the position re coal was given at the meeting to the effect that 500 tons of Silesian coal had been purchased from Mr Bilborough and that it was fairly good fuel.
Res. That a further 500 tons be ordered.
The bank balance was £1862 credit and rents owing £6045, together with £1220 [rent arrears] by J W Horsfield upon whose premises distress has been levied and Mr Wood is Liquidator.
It was reported that distress had also been levied on Messrs Dugdale and Dewhurst for £880.
Accounts paid.
Messrs T Nutter and Co applied for a three months tenancy in place of the present six months tenancy.
Res. That he be informed that the directors regretted their inability to comply with their request.
P Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 15th 1926
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports £3079-3-2 carried forward making a total of £7038-18-0 to be appropriated. Disposition £4599-2-0 to dividend of 15% per annum for the half year and £2479-16-0 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Res. That the director's remuneration be at the rate of £160 per annum plus the tax which would be paid as a gross sum having a net amount of £160 leaving the directors to pay the tax on their fees.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Moses Horsfield to replace Joseph Slater deceased. Retiring directors reappointed. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors at £6 for the half year.
The chairman referred in appreciation to the late Joseph Slater. The meeting expressed their approval by standing.
Proctor Barrett.

August 4th 1926
Officers reappointed.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2960-2-1 debit. Rents owing £7279-18-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That the purchase by Mr Banks of 150 extra tons of coal be approved.
Res. That the company offer £880 for the 270 odd looms and stock now in the hands of Ramsbottom and Heap, Receivers for Dugdale and Dewhurst providing he pays rent to 31st July.
Res. That if the offer be accepted the secretary be instructed to weave out the warps in the looms. [Interesting entry. I had never thought about the warps in the looms in a sudden cessation of trading. CHSC become a temporary manufacturer!]
Proctor Barrett.

August 18th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1937-4-10 debit. Rents owing £5879-18-10.
A letter was read from J Windle and Son claiming £677 in alleged overpayment under lease which they say was signed on December 12th 1913 for seven years. The secretary was asked to look intoi the matter and report.
Mr Wood reported that T Nutter and Sons had seen him and requested that their terms of tenancy be reduced to three months notice. Mr Nutter intimated that some of the other mills in Barnoldswick were considering the matter and it was agreed for this to stand over until a settlement had been arrived at with the other mills. The feeling of the meeting was that no alteration should be made in the terms of the agreement of six months notice from the first day of any month.
Reported that we had 314 tons of coal in stock.
Res. That we purchase a further 150 tons.
A schedule of the stock on the premises of Dugdale and Dewhurst was submitted, as Receiver, by R S Windle. The total value placed on the stock was £649-3-6.
Res. That the offer of last week for plant and stock be increased to £1000, being £880 rent distrained upon and £120 for a further months rent. [Until the firm had been liquidated the rent carries on mounting up.]
Res. That the tenants be informed that the directors are prepared, as from July 1st, to bear a proportion of the extra cost of dear coal which is about 1/- per loom per week and are prepared to charge only 6d per loom as from that date although the stock of coal was finished on June 11th.
Res. That the usual charges be made to the end of June and the usual allowances for stoppages.
Res. That should the tenants agree to stop at any of the mills and the engine is entirely stopped, an allowance of 7d per loom per week be made for a full week's stoppage. These terms are based on the present price of coal. If the price of coal varies the directors reserve the right to vary the charge.
Proctor Barrett.

September 1st 1926
[Miners were starting to drift back to work during this month, the ultimate end of the stoppage was in November]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2827-14-10 debit. Rents owing £7411-3-7.
Res. That one bay of the roof at WH be repaired with patent glazing as suggested by Mr Banks.
Res. That Fred Pickles on behalf of a new limited company should be accepted as a tenant of the company in the space recently occupied by J W Horsfield at Butts Mill whose machinery he had recently purchased from Mr Wood the Trustee and that the rent commences from January 1st next. [Three months grace. We shall see the grace period being used more and more to encourage new tenants.]
Res. That the rent of the premises to the Trustee of J W Horsfield cease as of June 30th 1926.
Res. That the partition in the loading space of the premises taken over be renewed and the floor repaired.
Mr Wood reported that the Wellhouse Manufacturing Company were anxious to see him re their position.
Res. That as the Receiver of Dugdale and Dewhurst would not accept the price offered for the plant and stock the question of the purchase be left in the hands of the chairman and managing directors.
With reference to Windle and Sons' claim for £677, the secretary reported that the lease mentioned in their correspondence had never been completed by the company and he was advised by the solicitors to the company, Messrs Smith and Smith, that the claim was not in order as the terms proposed in the draft lease had been varied by notices accepted and payments made and that their tenancy continued.
Res. That Windle and Sons be informed that their claim cannot be admitted.
Tenders were submitted by Henry Brown and Sons for taking out the old CI pipes and fixing 2” wrought iron pipes in Windle and Sons' shed for £23. And also taking down old CI steam pipes and replacing with 2” wrought iron pipes in the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co's shed at a cost of £69.
Res. Tenders accepted, scrapped CI pipes to remain the property of the company.
Tender received from E Green and Sons for the replacement of the 10th to the 24th sections of the economiser at CH Shed for the inclusive price of £416.
Res. That this tender be laid on the table.
Proctor Barrett.

September 15th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2511-4-0 debit, rent owing £6408-7-4.
Mr Wood reported that it had been necessary to take possession for rent at the Wellhouse Manufacturing Company Ltd as they had decided to go into voluntary liquidation with Mr Wood as liquidator. [See minutes for March 14th 1923 when they took over the 416 looms of William Bailey Ltd.]
Mr Wood also reported re Dugdale and Dewhurst that the Receiver was not prepared to dispose of their assets excepting by payment of £440 which was the equivalent to accepting 10/- in the pound on the amount levied for distress up to the end of June and payment of July and August rent in full. The assets were valued at £1140 and the amount agreed to be accepted for rent was £700 leaving a balance of £440 to pay.
Res. That a cheque be drawn for R S Windle the Receiver for the debenture holder.
The correspondence with J Windle and Sons re their claim was read and approved.
A Letter was read from Thomas Nutter (Barnoldswick) Ltd dated August 24th giving six months notice to quit the tenancy of CH Shed from August 31st.
Res. That a further 250 tons of coal be purchased and that the 150 tons ordered last week be confirmed.
A letter was read from BUDC intimating that they are applying for a Special Order authorising them to distribute electricity and asking of the company would be customers. [The power was to come in from Keighley where a large generating station had been built.]
Res. That the council be referred to the tenants.
A circular letter was read signed by all the tenants:
The tenants of the CH, Butts and WH sheds whose signatures are here attached desire to bring before the directors the opinion that the time has arrived when consideration as to times [length?] of tenancies, rents etc should be given and new agreements drawn up consistent with conditions today. The main points we wish to draw your attention to are: Rents are too high. Half rent required on both looms and tapes for stoppages due to breakdowns, holidays, strikes, lockouts, bad trade etc. No eight hours to be deducted from the above. No extra charge for coal during present coal strike. One third rent to be allowed for single places [tenancies] stopped. Definite agreements required as to terms of tenancy.
We shall be pleased if you can arrange a meeting with us to discuss the matter.
Res. That they be informed that the next meeting of directors will be held on Wednesday September 29th at 2:30pm.
A letter was received from S Pickles and Sons and the Craven Manufacturing Co [remember that the latter is a Pickles firm.] drawing the company's attention to the extremely difficult trading conditions during the last five years and pointing out that so far there was no sign of improvement. They could not afford to pay the present rent and informed us that unless we could make proposals for bringing the terms of rental more into harmony with the state of trade they would be obliged to give formal notice to terminate their tenancy.
Res. That the chairman and managing directors be authorised to deal with any applications for space and that authority to dispose of plant held by the company at such price as they mey deem reasonable , to give such grace as they may find necessary in order to secure tenants for the premises at present unoccupied. Namely: W F Suthers and Sons 376 looms. Wellhouse Manufacturing Co 416 looms and Dugdale and Dewhurst 276 looms.
Proctor Barrett.

September 29th 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2813-8-4 debit. Rents owing £6051-10-3. Accounts paid.
A postcard was read from J Windle and Son asking for a reply to their letter.
Res. That no reply be sent.
Immediately after the meeting the tenants of the company attended and requested the company to reduce the rent in accordance with their application on the grounds that the rents are too high and they cannot carry on with these at the present rate. They requested that they be adjusted in order to be more in keeping with the present bad state of trade. They also stated that there was no prospect [of improvement] for the next two or three years and they would like the directors to suggest some variation of the terms which would make it possible for the tenants to carry on as they could not compete with the owners of their own premises.
The deputation was informed that the points brought forward by them would receive consideration and that the directors would come to some decision at their next meeting and inform the tenants of their reply immediately afterwards.
The meeting was informed that S Pickles and Sons and the Craven Manufacturing Co had given six moths notice to terminate their tenancy.
Mr Wood informed the meeting that he had instructed Mr Robinson to distrain on the property of the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co on September 3rd, that he was appointed to liquidate the company on September 13th and that the assets were not likely to realise more than sufficient to pay the rent owing.
After the meeting notice was received from Edward Aldersley giving six months notice to terminate their tenancy.
E B Banks.

October 13th 1926
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read. Present Holdsworth, Hall, Peel, Jacques, Slater Dugdale, Moses Horsfield and E Wood, secretary.
Bank balance £2782-11-3 debit. Rent owing £7230-10-7.
The secretary reported he had sold 216 of the looms recently owned by W F Suthers and Sons for £540 to Peterson Ltd, Long Ing Shed and that they had agreed to take a tenancy of the premises containing 376 looms from January 1st 1927. £140 paid, balance due on January 1st.
Res. That the balance of the looms be disposed of by tender.
A letter was read from BUDC to the effect that in view of the serious depression in the cotton trade an Investigation Committee had been appointed and the company was requested to send a representative to a meeting to be called.
Res. That no representative be sent. [Apart from the fact that the BUDC initiative is an indication of awareness of the state of the industry I don't know what to read into this. On the face of it this is a blunt response. It may be that local politics are involved here, there was much unrest in the town at the time.]
The question of the tenant's application discussed at the last meeting came up for further discussion.
Res. That a letter drafted ny the secretary be approved, adopted and a copy affixed in the minute book.
Res. That no allowances be made to tenants who had given notice to quit tenancies. Aldersley's, S Pickles and Sons Ltd and T Nutter Ltd.
[Copy of the letter referred to:
From Edward Wood, Secretary, Proctor and Proctor, Chartered Accountants, 3 Grimshaw Street Burnley (and at Mansfield Chambers, 17 St Anne's Square, Manchester.) Partners Edward Wood FCA and William Taylor ACA.
October 15th 1926.
Dear Sirs,
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LIMITED.
My directors have carefully considered your application of September 14th and the arguments in support which were fairly stated by your representatives Messrs Holden and Pickles at the conference on September 29th.
They request me to say that they have a great deal of sympathy for the tenants who find themselves so seriously affected by the present deplorable state of trade. They are in a position to understand your difficulties because they are seriously affected by it themselves. They have, at the moment, no income from 1475 loom spaces and this loss of income seriously affects their own position. In addition to this, the company has voluntarily accepted the greater share of the burden of the cost of dear coal since the Coal Strike began in May last by charging the tenants a nominal amount of 6d per week only. Up to the present moment this cost is about £1250 more than has been charged to the tenants.
Further, the rents charged by this company have been several shillings per loom per annum and tape rents many pounds per annum lower than mills in Burnley, Nelson, Earby or Barnoldswick during several years and more substantial allowances have been made than by other companies in the town.
However, in view of the present state of trade and the fair way in which your case was presented, the directors feel that they cannot refuse your request entirely, and although they cannot see their way to vary any of the conditions of your tenancy, which are common to all Room and Power tenancies in the district, they are prepared to make a further concession, solely on account of bad trade, from October 1st 1926 to March 31st 1927 of a discount from the rent accrued in these months at the rate of 10% which may be deducted at the time of the payment of each of the above-named months rent providing all rents owing as per account rendered be paid before the end of November next [1926?] and that each of the six months rent ne paid before the end of the month following that in which it was accrued.
They sincerely hope that these concessions, which, under the circumstances, are made at great sacrifice, will enable you to tide over the present difficulties of the trade.
Yours truly, Edward Wood, Secretary.
[So far so good but remember that from the tenant's point of view they are dealing with a company which is paying 15% dividend free of tax per annum in a deep depression. It can be argued of course that this dividend is based on previous successful trading and isn't an indication of present conditions but the question is will the tenants be so objective?]
Proctor Barrett.

October 27th 1926
P Barrett chair. Banks, Holdsworth, Hall, Peel, Jacques, Slater, Horsfield and Edward Wood.
Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2937-18-5 debit. Rent owing £6530-10-7.
The secretary reported that he had disposed of the plant of the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co to Mr Herbert Whipp on behalf of a limited company; the terms being that possession should be given on December 1st 1926 and that rent commence on April 1st 1927. [Four months grace on looms bought at a knock-down price. This was the New Mill Manufacturing Co (Barnoldswick) Limited and in March 1927 it was reported that they had failed to complete the purchase.]
The secretary reported that Hartley and Lawson Ltd had passed a resolution to wind up [their company] without informing him and that in consequence the CHSC priority claim for rent of £1381-14-6 had been jeopardised. He had however distrained on October 19th and he explained the circumstances under which it might be possible for the rent to be paid in full.
Res. That the distraint be confirmed.
Res. That the 160 looms lately the property of W F Suthers and Son be sold to Messrs. Rushworth of Colne at 34/- each less 1/6 for each loom which had not a beam. [Rushworth's at Colne were nominally an engineering company but in truth were more active as scrap merchants. In the later days of the industry they scrapped almost all the mills. However at this point it is debatable whether these looms are being scrapped or exported to developing countries like India. The clue is in the reduction if beams were absent. A scrap price wouldn't depend on a piece of wood and one has to suspect that these looms are intended for resale but bought at scrap price so that there was another way out. In later years under government sponsored scrapping schemes there were some very suspect dealings in looms that were supposed to have been scrapped. Ernie Roberts, a tackler in such a mill, told me that a favourite ploy was to crack the main castings at each end of a loom, remove them, weld the cracks and sell a serviceable loom. While this was being done a government inspector arrived on the scene and insisted that the breaking up be properly done. Remember that apart from dodgy firms who were prepared to buy looms with welded castings cheap, there was a thriving export trade in second-hand looms to places like India and China.]
A letter was received from in the following terms from certain of the tenants:
“The following are the terms under which we can continue our tenancy:
1. Looms 67/6, tapes £148.
2. Half rent only for stoppage caused through holidays, strikes or lockouts.
3. No rent to be paid for stoppages not caused by the tenants.
4. No eight hours deduction from the above.
5. No extra charge for coal during the present coal strike.
6. One third rent to be allowed for single place stoppage by the tenants.
7. Definite agreement required as to terms of tenancy.
8. No extra charge for tape overtime except in the case of outside taping.
Res. That the secretary inform the tenants that the directors regret that no further allowances can be made than the amount already suggested but they are willing, at the end of six months, should trade continue in its present state, to again consider the question of allowances based on the merits of the case.
E B Banks.

November 10th 1926
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1559-13-11 debit. Rents owing £7659-13-4.
A letter was read from BUDC intimating that the CHSC offer to sell Coates Wharf would be placed before the council.
A letter was read from T Nutter Ltd apologising for non payment of rent but they understood that some negotiation was continuing for a reduction. [A bit of a lame excuse.]
The secretary gave a full report on the position of Hartley and Lawson to the effect that at the meeting of creditors the Liquidator, Mr E Smith put before the meeting a Statement of Affairs showing that the assets would realise more than sufficient to cover the Debentures of £3,600 and that the unsecured creditors were about £15,000. [As I understand it, rent counted as a debenture, that is it is regarded as secured.]
Mr Pearce's valuation of the plant and stock was considerably less than this figure and it was resolved that the secretary be empowered to take such action as he may deem necessary to enforce the claim of CHSC for preferential treatment of the rent owing.
Res. That the secretary be empowered to take possession [of the plant] on behalf of CHSC and to take any action, whenever he may deem it expedient in the interest of the company so to do.
The secretary intimated that he had let to Messrs M Horsfield and Sons space for 400 looms now occupied by T Nutter and Sons Ltd at CH Shed.
An offer for the looms belonging to the company and rented in the space previously occupied by Dugdale and Dewhurst was placed before the meeting and also an offer to occupy the premises.
Res. That the Executive Committee be empowered to get the best terms possible.
E B Banks.

November 24th 1926
[Bear in mind that the wider national tragedy is still unfolding, 1,759,000, 9.6% of workers, are unemployed. The beaten miners are mostly back at work. There is no prospect of improvement.]
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £909-8-6 debit. Rents owing £6644-17-4.
A letter was read from BUDC re Coates Wharf and house stating that the council do not propose to negotiate for the purchase of this property. [It was not until the 1950s that this widening scheme and the rebuilding of Coates Bridge finally happened.]
The secretary reported on his interview with five of the tenants re the director's refusal to reconsider the offer of an allowance at 10% from which it appeared that they asked for the allowance to be not less than 20% and that no charge should be made for the extra cost of coal.
The tenants present were Blackburn Holden, Alfred Horsfield, Windle and Moorhouse.
Res. That no further allowance be made than that already granted as the company's losses during the half year were very serious, £2000 for extra cost of coal, £1000 for allowance of 10%, £2750 for loss of rent on 1472 loom spaces empty and £1400 Hartley and Lawson rent.
Mr Wood reported the result of his interview with Mr Fred Pickles on behalf of Craven Manufacturing Co and S Pickles and Sons who gave notice to terminate their tenancies on September 30th to be effective on March 30th 1927. He intimated that they would leave the premises unless the following matters received attention and that if we would carry out, in a reasonable way, the suggestions he had to make they would remain tenants of the company.
1. To make the premises into a habitable and reasonable place of business.
2. Lavatories.
3. Warehouse accommodation.
4. Office.
5. Looms (paying for 11 more than there was reasonable room for).
6. Water leaking in through roof.
After considerable discussion it was resolved that we grant the conditions specified and that they be informed of this decision and that the allowance of 10% made to the other tenants be applied to these two. [It didn't need a lot of discussion! This is acceptance of the inevitable and effectively the end of the negotiations.]
Mr P D Bilborough quoted as follows for the supply of coal: Acton Hall washed doubles 25/- per ton and Bentley washed doubles at 25/8.
The above prices being subject to a definite contract being entered into for a period of 12 months.
Res. That the purchase of coal under these terms be deferred.
E B Banks.

December 8th 1926
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £394-12-0 credit and rents owing £7756-17-8.
Res. That a contract be entered into with Peter Bilborough for the supply of coal for the six months ending June 30th 1927 at the following prices: 25/- per ton for Acton Hall and 25/6 for Bentley. Acton Hall in our own wagons 1/6 per ton less and Bentley 1/2 ditto. Subject to quality being maintained.
A letter sent by the Executive Committee to Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd and S Pickles and Sons agreeing to their terms provided that notice to terminate tenancies be withdrawn was read and approved.
Res. That Norman Barrett be requested to attend with plans at the next meeting.
Res. That the sale of plant at Wellhouse Mill lately the property of Dugdale and Dewhurst to Messrs Richardson, Horsfield and Dewhurst for the sum of £550 and rent to commence on April 1st 1927 be approved.
Proctor Barrett.

December 22nd 1926
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1393-18-5, rents owing £7374-1-7.
Res. That in view of the fact that the estate of the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co Ltd is not in a position to to pay rent after September 30th up to which date distress was levied, that no allowance be made to the Liquidator of that company.
Messrs S Pickles and Sons and the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd wrote asking for further allowances and also that the cloth valued at £250 now under distraint in the premises of Hartley and Lawson for rent owing by them be handed over to them. [Had Hartley and Lawson been weaving for the Pickles firms on commission? A common circumstance if a firm was short of orders. This is what happened when I was engineer at Bancroft Shed, we kept the mill going by taking commission weaving of very difficult cloths at a low profit margin, better than stopping.]
Res. That provided they withdraw the claim for allowances and differences mentioned in the letter the cloth be released to them.
A letter was read from the New Mill (Barnoldswick) Co intimating that as they had filled their looms much more quickly than they expected and not realised the private assets, that they were not in a position to pay the Liquidator and secure possession of the looms. [Even though they had work, cash flow had beaten them. These were hard days.]
Res. That the CHSC purchase the plant and effects from the Liquidator providing the New Mill Co pay the liquidator £536 on account of the purchase price.
Mr Norman Barrett attended the meeting with plans for the proposed increase in warehouse accommodation, offices and conveniences for the Craven Manufacturing Co. Mr Barrett stated that the estimate of cost was £2000 and that there would be added about 400 square yards of warehouse space.
Res. That Mr Barrett be instructed to obtain tenders for the work in accordance with the plans subject to the various suggestions that had been made.
Mr John Pickles attended on behalf of Henry Brown and Sons with suggested alterations for the drive for Horsfield's place and Aldersley's the estimated cost of which was £137-10-0.
Res. That the work be put in hand.
P Barrett.

January 5th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1011-7-3 debit and rent owing £8255-10-5 including amounts owed be Hartley and Lawson £1549-0-1 and Wellhouse Manfg Co £1586-15-4. Accounts paid.
The secretary gave particulars of the realisation of [the assets of] Dugdale and Dewhurst showing receipts of £1259-0-5, payments £1140 leaving a balance of £120.
Res. That the balance be paid to Mr Wood for his services to the company during the last half year due to the coal strike and the letting of empty space.
The secretary reported that Mr Whipp who purchased the plant at WH lately belonging to W F Suthers had not yet paid for the same.
A tender was received from H Brown and Sons for a dynamo and fixing to light the premises recently taken by Messrs Peterson's Ltd. Dynamo £20,Fixing £20-5-0. Lamps and wiring extra.
Res. That the tender be accepted.
E B Banks.

January 19th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3433-7-3 debit, rents owing £6020-14-9.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit. A dividend of 15% per annum for the half year be recommended and that the general meeting be on January 26th.
Res. That Mr Edward Wood be authorised to deposit with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins Ltd the stock receipt relating to £6000 5% War Stock 1929/47 as security for the payment on demand of the balance which on the current account of the company with the said bank shall for the time being be owing, including interest with half yearly [interest] commissions and other lawful charges and also for the payment and discharge of all obligations and liabilities to the said bank matured and unmatured to which the company shall from time to time be subject, either alone or jointly with any other company or person, and whether principal or surety and that the said Mr Edward Wood be further authorised to sign for and on behalf of the company the form of agreement required by the said bank to accompany the deposit of the said Stock Receipt.
Mr Norman Barrett attended re the extension of the warehouse at Butts Mill and submitted tenders for the various contracts. (See list attached.) [A typed list of all the tenders is inserted in the minute book.]
Res. That the following tenders be accepted with the addition of £108 for patent glazing, the total cost being £2388.
Excavating, mason and bricklayer's work, William Taylor of Barnoldswick, £1450.
Carpenter's and joinery work, Mr Feather of Earby, £236-9-8.
Ironfounder's work, H Brown and Sons, £344.
Plumbers and glazier's work, C A Merrall, Barnoldswick, £115-10-0.
Plastering, Mr R O'Neill, Barnoldswick, £135.
Patent Glazing £108.
Total £2388-19-8.
[Give CHSC their due, this a brave investment considering the state of trade.]
E B Banks.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
January 26th 1927
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports: due to coal strike and vacant space there is a loss of £1436-14-2 on the half year's working. £6,000 has been brought in from reserves and after including £2479-16-0 brought forward there is a total of £7,043-1-10 to be appropriated. Disposition £4599-2-0 to dividend of 15% per annum for the half year and £2483-19-10 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 9th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5939-6-0 debit. Rent owing £2995-4-1.
Transfer of 91 shares from Robert H Tillotson to Proctor Barrett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the tender of £10 for electric lighting in Peterson's portion of WH Mill be accepted.
Res. That Edward Aldersley be reminded that his tenancy terminates on March 31st 1927.
Proctor Barrett.

February 23rd 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6801-17-6 debit and rent owing £ 2787-9-1. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough giving copy letters from the Railway Company re the extra charges for coal in view of the increased rates of the Railway Company.
Transfer of 10 shares from Ethel Broughton to John William Broughton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the account from Edward Aldersley for tackler's time changing belts be held in abeyance until the settlement of the tenancy. [This is a funny one. It was always accepted that the drive to the loom was the company's responsibility. However, the mounting and dismounting of drive belts could be seen as a grey area. It looks as though Edward is pushing his luck!]
Mr Wood reported he had seen Mr Aldersley and he had stated that if the CHSC were not prepared to allow for two or three months rent the tenancy would terminate.
Res. That no allowance be made.
A letter was read from the London Assurance Co intimating that they could not agree to more payment in Watson's case than £12-10-0. [An accident claim? See March 9th minutes.]
Res. That Heywood's tender for patent glazing at 1/4¼ per square foot less 10% for Craven Warehouse be accepted.
Letter were read from the Craven Manufacturing Co requesting the use of the space occupied by the tape recently the property of Hartley and Lawson. The secretary promised to see Messrs Pickles with a view to [them] taking the space.
Res, That Charles Aldersley be allowed to straighten his land abutting on our land at Coates Wharf providing he pays the sum of £5 and rebuilds the doorway abutting thereto and pays the cost of the transfer.
Res. That the 57 4” and 12/18 2” cast iron pipes be offered to the Earby Gas Company at £7 per ton.
Proctor Barrett.

March 9th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5615-8-9 debit. Rent owing £3385-4-1.
Transfer of shares from John and Alfred Kidd be sanctioned to: John Kidd 125 shares. Alfred Kidd 125. Elizabeth Wilson 125. Annie Louisa Dent 125. Seal cert etc.
Res. That a cheque for £12-12-10 be made payable to Frank Watson in lieu of compensation in respect of his accident and to be paid to him subject to the conditions laid down by the London Assurance Co.
Res. That a cheque be made payable to the Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd for £2-15-0 in payment for their claim for cloth spoiled etc.
Proctor Barrett.

March 23rd 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6806-6-0 debit, rents owing £2866-4-6. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Edward Aldersley offering certain plant and asking permission to leave it on the premises after the termination of his tenancy.
Res. That we do not purchase the articles mentioned but allow them to remain on the premises for a reasonable amount of time.
He also asked that the price of £5 for the plot of land at Coates Wharf be reduced to £3.
Res. That the offer be not reduced.
The New Mill (Barnoldswick) Ltd having failed to complete the purchase of the plant lately the property of the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co.
Res. That the company purchase the same from the Liquidator for the sum of £500 and that it be let to the tenant for £52 per annum.
Res. That the space to let be advertised.
Proctor Barrett.

April 6th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £4621-13-5 debit. Rent owing £2742-5-8.
Transfer of 50 shares from Annie L Dent to Edith M Dent sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The notice re black smoke at WH Mill for 35 minutes on March 25th was read. The secretary said that this was due to having to run with one boiler as the water feed pipe on the other one was choked.
E B Banks.

April 27th 1927
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5638-12-5 debit. Rent owing £1650-19-1. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that the amount of rent owing by the Wellhouse Manufacturing Co was £741-19-9 and had been paid over.
Proctor Barrett.

May 11th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4608-17-7, rents owing £2245-405.
Messrs T Nutter and Sons asked for the 10% allowance granted to the other tenants but not allowed to them owing to their tenancy ceasing.
Res. That no allowance be made.
Res. That the secretary be instructed to obtain from Aldersley the rent owing, £47-16-7.
A letter was read from the tenants as copied below:
May 6th 1927.
Dear sir, At a meeting of The CHSC tenants held on Wednesday May 4th a resolution was passed that we remind you of your promise in your letter of November 3rd 1926 that should trade be no better by the end of March 1927 you would consider our position again.
We sincerely hope that it will only remain for us to point out to you that the cotton trade is certainly no better than it was when we wrote you in the first instance, but in our opinion, worse.
Under the circumstances we feel that we are justified in asking for a continuance of the 10% rebate for say the next six months, the matter to come up for consideration at the end of that period.
Awaiting the favour of your reply, we are, yours faithfully,
for James Moorhouse and Son Ltd; A E Stagg, Sec.
Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd; A Horsfield, Sec.
J Windle and Sons Ltd; S H Windle.
B&EM Holden
S Pickles and Sons
Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd. S Pickles.
After considerable discussion it was resolved that the tenants be offered for 12 months from April 1st 2½% discount on all accounts paid on or before the 14th day of the month following the month in which the rent had been accrued and that they be informed that this is the utmost allowance that can possibly be made.
Proctor Barrett.

May 25th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5272-19-3 debit. Rent owing £1891-0-5.
A cheque was received from E Aldersley. However, it was for less than the amount due.
Messrs Nutter's informed the secretary that the cheque for the balance of rent had been posted.
Mr Banks reported on the repairs being carried out at Horsfield's portion at CH Shed.
A Letter from Windle and Sons was read stating that the premises were not in an tenantable condition and that they had offers from three mill companies at very reduced terms.
Res. That the repairs described by Mr Banks be carried out.
Transfer of shares from Robert and Minnie Singleton to William Barry Singleton be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the next meetings be on June 15th, 29th, July 20th and annual meeting on July 28th.
Proctor Barrett.

June 15th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2190-9-0 debit and rent owing £954-11-1.
A letter was read from the tenants of CHSC suggesting that if the directors would allow a reduction of 5% instead of 2½% they would pay each month's rent on the last day of the month in which it had accrued.
Res. That an allowance of 5% be made on these conditions.
Res. That wagon no. 9 be repaired at a cost of £7-15-0.
P D Bilborough quoted for Acton Hall at 22/- and Bentley at 23/- per ton from July 1st to December 31st 1027 and 1/2 per ton less in our own wagons.
Res. That prices be obtained for spot lot of 500 to 1000 tons, immediate delivery and storage.
Res. That the tape room of B&EM Holden be extended to enable them to put in a larger tape.
Mr Norman Barrett attended and estimated the cost at about £112.
Res. That the chairman and vice chairman examine the tenders and let the work to be proceeded with.
Proctor Barrett.

June 29th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2729-6-6 debit, rent owing £2043-7-11.
Transfer of 382 shares from David Woffenden to Jane Woffenden; 250 from Exors of Elizabeth Watson to Charles William Watson; 50 from ditto to Bessie Snell Grigg. All sanctioned, seal cert etc.
Several suggestions were made for the supply of 500 to 1000 tons of coal, the matter being left over for the time being.
A letter dated June 28th from the BUDC Sanitary Inspector re the black smoke at WH Mill was read and the secretary was asked to forward a suitable reply to him.
Proctor Barrett.

July 20th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £1840-5-8 debit. Rents owing £150-6-4.
Mr O'Mara's report on WH chimney was submitted.
Res. That his tender for repairing the chimney for £60 be accepted.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 15% free of tax recommended. General meeting to be on July 28th.
Proctor Barrett.

July 28th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance after payment of dividend £4713-1-10 debit. Rents owing £25-13-0.
Res. That the cheque for BUDC rates be held back for a short time.
The secretary produced O'Mara's report on WH chimney.
Res. That the work be put in hand for £28. [He has found some extras when he has laddered the chimney no doubt.]
[No signature]

General meeting
July 28th 1927
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports: net profit of £1192-14-7 for the half year. £1968-2-9 brought in from reserve account plus £2483-19-10 carried forward, total of £5,644-17-2 to be apportioned. Disposition is £4559-2-0 for dividend of 15%, £1085-15-2 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet, dividend and unchanged director's remuneration approved.
Retiring directors re-elected and R Watson and son reappointed as auditors at £6 for the half year.
Proctor Barrett.

August 10th 1927
Officers reappointed. Minutes as read. P Barrett chair.
Bank balance £7360 debit less rates held back £2091-12-8 net £5268-16-2, rents owing £430-14-7. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Stephen Pickles and Sons requesting that the road leading to Butts Manufacturing Co be repaired as the cloth had been tilted off the wagons. The chairman and vice chairman were requested to look into the matter.
Res. That the purchase of 98 looms at £3-5-0 per loom from J Pickard be confirmed. The looms to be put in the premises recently occupied by Aldersley at Butts Mill.
Proctor Barrett.

August 24th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £8791-18-1 debit, rents owing £43-11-4.
Transfer of 91 shares from Robert H Tillotson to Herbert Clark and 50 from Exors of Elizabeth Watson to B S Grigg sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from the tenants: “Since our last communication with you re rents we are sorry to say that things in the cotton trade have gone from bad to worse and at the present time we are at our wits end to know how to carry on. We are therefore desirous of calling your attention to the fact that at least three shed companies in the town have granted a permanent rebate of 10% on rents, they have also conceded that in the event of any stoppages of more than four hours duration, caused by breakdowns, strikes, lock outs or other causes, the whole of such stoppage shall be allowed [at] half rent until work is resumed. Further, that there shall be no increase in rent or any alteration of rates without further consulting the tenants, the same to be mutually agreed by both parties. Besides previous concessions, these alterations and allowances to be retrospective and date from April 1st last and we strongly urge you to put us on a level with the other tenants from that date. Yours faithfully, H W Moorhouse for James Moorhouse and Son Ltd; A Horsfield for Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd; B&EM Holden; D H Windle for J Windle and Son Ltd; S Pickles for S Pickles and Sons Ltd.
Res. That they be referred to our letter of May 17th when the offer of 5% was made and that they be requested, for their own information and the information of the directors to provide evidence of the correctness of the statements made in their letter.
Res. That we purchase from Peterson's Ltd their office for £50 and we charge them rent of 5/- per month.
Proctor Barrett.

September 14th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance [no figure] rents owing £5002.
The letter sent to tenants on August 30th was read and approved.
The secretary said that no rely to our letter asking for confirmation of the statements in their application had been received.
The secretary read a letter of proposal for a tenancy to L Greenwood of Barley of the premises recently occupied by Aldersley which was approved.
Res. That the windows, doors and ironwork at the new extension in Butts Mill be painted and the other woodwork be sized and varnished; that gas and water be connected to their office and an iron rail fixed to the coping stones.
Res. That the well at WH Mill supplying water to the reservoir be cleaned out at a favourable opportunity.
Proctor Barrett.

September 28th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £7496-15-5 debit, rents owing £2157-7-11.
Norman Barrett attended with tenders for paining the new extension at Butts Mill.
Res. That the tender of £37-3-5 from D McPherson be accepted.
Res. That the tender of P Barrett and Son for removal of ashes and flue dust for the year ending September 30th 1928 be accepted. WH £6, Butts £5, CH £4.
A letter was read from the tenants dated September 23rd 1927 as follows:
In reply to your letter of August 30th we have to say that we are surprised at the contents. As regards the reductions in rent which have taken place it is well known to everybody who the companies are and also that the reductions and conditions are permanent as to any further reductions in rents rates and stoppages. As proff of this we beg to direct your attention to the enclosed advertisement from the Herald of September 17th 1927. The rent basis was, and is, the same as that of your company but what we are concerned with is that you should object to at once putting us on equal terms since April 1st as our competitors. We have paid these high rents and submitted to onerous terms right down through seven years of bad trade. When they were imposed we were told by the late George Proctor that when trade came bad they would be reduced to meet existing conditions. Still we went on hoping against hope that trade would mend but instead of improving it has gone from bad to worse. It has come to the point when the trade can no longer pay these high rents and we therefore ask you to cede what we have asked you to do and to let us have a reply at once. [Same signatories]
Res. That the tenants be referred to previous correspondence on the matter and that the secretary be instructed to express the regret of the directors that they could not see their way to make any further reduction than those granted but they are willing to continue the allowances from October 1st 1927 to March 31st 1928 and to allow the discount provided the amount of each month's rent be paid within 14 days of the end of the last month instead of the last day of the month.
Proctor Barrett.

October 12th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6022-2-3 debit, rents owing £335-1-0. Transfer of shares sanctioned from Lizzie Alice Baxter to Thomas Lee, 25 shares, Margaret A Lee, 50, William Baxter 80. Annice Baxter to Thomas Lee, 25 shares. Margaret A 50. H K M Whipp, 25. Wallace Horsfield 120. From Exors of Isabella Broughton to Richard Broughton, 62 shares. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the allowance for insufficient warehousing at Craven Manufacturing Co be discontinued from October 31st as new warehouse is ready for occupation.
A letter was read from the tenants:
We have considered your letter of October 3rd 1927 and we are not satisfied with the attitude you have taken up and we cannot agree to the conditions named. Your statement that our allegation of lower rented sheds in Barnoldswick cannot be substantiated is incorrect. We suggest that you give us the opportunity of discussing this important matter with you in your office in Manchester next Friday at 12:30. [Same signatories]
Res. That Mr Wood interview the tenants and hear what they have to say.
A letter was read from the Craven Manufacturing Co re raining in.
Res. That the chairman and Mr Banks examine the same and carry out such alterations as they may deem necessary.
The secretary reported that in his opinion the old side of the WH engine needed renewing and that if a larger cylinder were placed in lieu of the present one and of a newer type considerable economy would be effected.
Res. That he be asked to get a report from Burnley Ironworks.
The reports on the economisers at Butts and WH were read.
Res. That H Brown and Sons be instructed to supply plant for providing electricity for boring out the economisers with the electrical machine owned by the Marsden Mill Co Ltd. [For de-scaling the interior of the economiser elements.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 26th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6694-10-3 debit, rents owing £90-8-4.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, Seal cert etc. Both from Exors of Elizabeth Watson. 20 shares to William Baxter and 30 to Wallace Horsfield.
Tenders received for repairs to Butts roof.
Res. That the chairman and vice chair settle the matter.
The secretary reported on his meeting with tenants and their application for an increased allowance from rents in reply to our suggestion of October 12th.
Res. That the allowance be increased from 5% to 7½% from October 1st until March 31st 1928 with the usual proviso and that the following letter read to the meeting be approved:
“A full report of our interview was was submitted to my directors on Wednesday last and I am instructed to say that in view of the continued state of bad trade they will increase the allowance from each monthly rent account from 5% to 7½% from October 1st 1927 until March 31st 1928 and that each month's rent be paid within 14 days.
The directors are making this reduction at great sacrifice and they cannot, in the interests of the shareholders, consider any variation from this, their final offer.
In addition to the above I am pleased to be able to inform you that the directors have been successful in getting a reduction in the price of coal delivered in the boiler house from November 1st of 1/8 per ton which means a reduction in rent of 2/- per loom per annum and £13 per tape per annum. The combined reductions will thus be equivalent to about 7/7 per loom per annum from October 1st and 10/3 per loom from November 1st.”
Tenders were received from P D Bilborough for a contract for coal Jan 1st to June 30th 1928 as follows: Acton Hall washed nuts 20/6 per ton. Bentley washed doubles 21/6. South Kirby washed small nuts 21/3. Allerton Bywater doubles 21/6. Manvers Main 22/6. All delivered at Barnoldswick station.
Res. That we offer 20/- for Acton Hall washed nuts and 21/- for Bentley washed doubles for 8 months from November 1st. [I think this is the first mention of an offer being made for coal at less than the price quoted. Evidently the CHSC wants Bilborough to share the pain.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 9th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6339-17-3 debit. Rent owing £1876-6-5.
The letter to the tenants dated October 31st 1927 re the reduction of rents was read and approved. [Terms of letter reiterated]
P D Bilborough wrote confirming the settlement and acceptance of the coal contract from November 1st to June 30th 1928 at the following terms. Acton Hall Washed nuts 20/4 per ton delivered at Barlick station. Bentley washed doubles 21/6 ditto subject to the usual clauses.
Res. That the settlement be confirmed.
H Brown and Sons wrote requesting the directors to consider a reduction in the rent of the Mechanic's Shop at WH and the power which was £200 per annum.
Res. That the allowance of 7½% be made from October 1st until March 31st 1928.
The chairman and vice chairman reported that the lowest tender for repairing the roof at Butts Mill was By J Broughton, £58 including all trades except glazing and Heywood for the glazing at £24-15-0 less 5%.
A report was submitted from Burnley Ironworks on the engine at WH. By adopting scheme 1 in their report of November 8th a saving of 10 tons of coal per week could be effected and by adopting scheme 2 a saving of 9 tons per week. The two schemes are set out as follows:
Scheme 1. Converting the engine to cross compound installing steel steam pipes, superheater and valves, extensive alterations to foundations and stopping the mill for about 3 weeks. The saving of coal estimated is about ten tons per week but the cost is prohibitive for the small extra advantage over scheme 2.
Scheme 2. Modernising the left hand engine, new steel pipes, superheater and valves and a stoppage of about ten days. Saving of coal estimated at 9 tons per week and approximate cost would be £2,400. They also point out that the present arrangement of steam pipes is very faulty and results in serious waste and recommend the steel pipes and superheaters.
Res. That the secretary obtain from BI a firm offer for the job to be presented at the next meeting.
Proctor Barrett.

November 23rd 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £6806-19-6 debit. Rents owing £1209-18-6.
Transfer of 100 shares from Charles William Watson to Edward Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from the tenants dated November 11th asking for:
1. A 10% reduction in the present rent basis (not a rebate) and not to be altered without agreement which means 6 months notice on either side.
2. No alteration in rates to take place without agreement.
3. That a stoppage from any cause shall only be charged half rent if it exceeds four hours
The letter was signed by tenants of 38 years standing.
Res. That the 7½% discount proposed in our letter of October 31st be increased to 10% and that an alteration of the rent basis be not considered. That no alteration in the discount be made until after three months notice by either side. Any changes in the rate be charged on the same scale as hitherto. Providing the whole mill be stopped, half rent be allowed the whole time if it exceeds four hours. Any stoppage of four hours or less not to be allowed for.
Res. That this allowance to be made for all tenants of the company.
Burnley Ironworks submitted a firm tender for the alterations under scheme 2. Full details of the specification were submitted and the offer was to do the engineering work for £2400.
Mr Metcalfe, manager of BI attended and he was asked to give a tender for all trades, that is, their own work as set out in the specification dated November 22nd and any other trades such as joiners, masons, pipe coverers and brick setters, that is to complete the whole works. He offered to do the whole for £2550, the company to find three men only [as labourers].
Res. That the work be put in hand if they will accept an offer of £2500.
Proctor Barrett.

December 7th 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The letter sent to the tenants was read and confirmed and the reply of the tenants dated December 5th was received as follows:
“At a meeting held today, December 5th 1927, your tenants decided for the present to accept the terms of your letter of November 29th 1927 and they will forward cheques fro all rents on Friday December 9th. They are however going further into the question as it is the basis on which the rents are calculated which is altogether unsatisfactory.”
Bank balance £6202-18-2 debit. Rents owing £2965-6-8.
The secretary reported that the BUDC sanitary inspector had complained about the emission of black smoke at Calf Hall and Wellhouse on November 29th.
Mr Wood stated he had taken the matter up with the engine men and they complained that the fuel supplied was dirty.
Res. That Mr Bilborough's attention be drawn to the matter.
Proctor Barrett.

December 21st 1927
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5501-6-1 debit. Rents owing £329-3-4.
The secretary reported that a letter had been received from J Moorhouse and Sons Ltd giving notice of the termination of their tenancy at WH Mill on June 30th 1928.
A letter was read from Peterson's Ltd asking for financial assistance in order that they may be able to carry on their business.
Res. That in order that they may be enabled to carry on as tenants £750 be advanced to them at 4% interest on condition that they agree to pay at least the equal of one month's rent each month and that such amount be treated as repayment of the loan, the rent during this period being allowed to accrue. [Rent arrears safer in law and more easily recovered than a debt.]
The secretary was instructed to inform them of these conditions.
Res. That three coal wagons be disposed of if a suitable price could be obtained and that the secretary was instructed to obtain offers.
Proctor Barrett.

January 4th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5296-2-11 debit. Rents owing £2555-3-11.
A letter was read from the tenants giving three months notice that it was their intention to raise the matter of the reduction of rents on March 31st next.
The secretary reported that Peterson's scheme had gone through and all creditors had assented.
Res. That 5% war bonds. Of which the company owns £4,000, repayable September 1st 1928 be not converted in accordance with the offer of the Treasury as the money will probably be required at that date.
Proctor Barrett.

January 18th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4640-0-10 debit. Rents owing £1059-2-9. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that Peterson's had paid the last two month's rent and that a cheque for £750 had been forwarded to them as arranged.
Res. That £4,000 National War Bonds 1928 (3rd series) be sold.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit, a dividend of 15% be recommended and the general meeting be on Friday January 27th.
Proctor Barrett.

January 27th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5072-10-1 after realizing £4,000 war bonds and paying dividend. Rents owing Craven Manufacturing Co Ltd December warehousing £2-10-0.
Res. That the new warehouse at Butts Mill be attended to and the pair of wheels complained about being noisy be repaired by the substitution of a mortice wheel.
The New Mill Manufacturing Co having applied for assistance from the board it was resolved that their deposit on purchase of plant of £500 be repaid to them and CHSC resume ownership of the machinery.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars hotel
January 27th 1928
[Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book reports: net profit an half year of £4237-12-6 plus £1085-15-2 carried forward making a total for appropriation of £ 5323-7-8. Disposition £4559-2-0 for dividend of 15% per annum for the half year and £764-5-8 carried forwards.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet etc and dividend approved.
Proctor Barrett.

February 15th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £6544-14-6 debit. Rent owing £1048-10-2.
A letter was read from James Moorhouse and Sons asking what the lowest terms the company would be prepared to make with a view to them deciding to allow their plant at Wellhouse to remain as it is after the end of June next until the space is let, or if they decided to sell or if in the event of an improvement in trade they decide to restart the plant.
Res. That they be offered the same terms as any other manufacturer in the town and that they be allowed to leave the looms on the premises on payment of their proportion of rates which in their case would be £238-19-0 per annum, the tenancy to be subject to one month's notice.
Res. That Messrs Brown and Sons supply a new valve chest cover for the LP cylinder at CH Shed.
Proctor Barrett.

March 21st 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5055-6-3 debit. Rent owing £581-8-3.
Transfer of 30 shares from Charles Sneath to Elizabeth Mary Bracewell be approved. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that James Moorhouse and Sons were not satisfied with the charge for warehousing their looms at WH Mill.
Res. That for six months from July 1st to December 31st 1928 no charge be made providing the looms and plant are left on the premises subject to the premises being let to another tenant, looms sold or the plant restarted.
Accounts paid.
Res. That the insurance of the engines and boilers at the various mills be considered at the next meeting and cover obtained in the meantime.
E B Banks.

April 18th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3739-6-2 debit. Rent owing 753-19-0.
Reports re black smoke were read and it was reported there had been difficulty obtaining the usual supply of coal and that three qualities were in use at the time the report was made.
A Letter was read from J Moorhouse and Sons applying for allowance for looms stopped from March 1st till the end of June when the [tenancy] terminated.
Res. That the offer to charge them no rent from July 1st until December 31st was based on the fact there would be a saving of coal during the latter portion of their tenancy and we cannot see our way to increase the allowance.
A letter was read from the Hospital Fund Committee and it was agreed to ask the workpeople to contribute 1d per week each.
Application for further reduction was made by the tenants of CHSC in the following terms:
“At a meeting held today March 21st 1928 your tenants decided to press for an additional 105 reduction on present rates making in all 20%. In comparison with another company in this town we find that loom for loom we are at present 15% over their basis.”
Res. That we inform the tenants that we cannot accede to their request.
Proctor Barrett.

May 16th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3933-0-1 debit. Rents owing £1527-4-8. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from James Moorhouse and Son intimating that they had two or three people interested in their looms at WH Shed and asking the CHSC if they would be interested in making an offer for the looms.
Res. That the matter lie on the table until the next meeting. [Devious stuff going on here. The tenant knows that ideally CHSC will want the plant to remain in the shed so as to be able to offer a potential tenant a ready made unit to take over. Doubtful in view of the state of trade if James Moorhouse has received any meaningful offers for his looms. I think he's flying a kite.]
Res. That a cheque for J R Broughton for £155 be made payable to his personal representative.
Res. That P D Bilborough tender for Bentley washed doubles @21/6 per ton and Acton Hall washed small nuts @20/6 per ton be accepted for six months to December 31st next.
Res. That a banking account be continued for the company with Martin's Bank at their Barnoldswick branch and that the same bank be and is hereby empowered to honour cheques, Bills of Exchange and Promissory Notes accepted or made on behalf of the Company by any two directors and countersigned by the secretary and to act on any instructions so given relating to the account or transactions of the company. [This is due to an organisational change, the Bank of Liverpool and Martin's Bank has become Martin's Bank.]
Res. That the company's account at Martin's Bank be overdrawn from time to time to such an extent as the company may require and the bank see fit to allow and that any two of the directors, countersigned by the secretary be and are hereby authorised to overdraw for and on behalf of the Company the said account accordingly.
The secretary reported the result of the interview with the tenants which they had asked for in order to discuss the question of their application for a 20% reduction on the basic rent instead of the 10% and after careful consideration of their arguments it was resolved that they be informed that the directors cannot alter their decision. [I know that this is pure horse trading and that some of the tenants were actually doing quite well and survived for another 30 years but one has to recognise that what they see is a company paying a solid 15% dividend every half year.]
Proctor Barrett.

June 20th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £2372-10-8 debit, plus rates of £2269-17-2, rents owing £1339-14-8.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, seal cert etc. From Mary Smith Hartley to William Hartley 50 shares. Ditto to Fred Hartley 125 shares.
A letter from James Moorhouse and Son Ltd was submitted asking for a reply to their enquiry as to whether CHSC would make an offer for the looms at WH Mill.
Res. That they be informed the directors are not prepared to make an offer for the looms at WH Mill at present.
Res. That £1000 be paid to the Burnley Ironworks on account of work done on alterations to the engine at WH Mill. [BI order number 165/1927]
The secretary reported the very bad state of the roof in Matthew Horsfield's portion. [CH]
Res. That a price be obtained for patent glazing ready for next week.
Proctor Barrett.

July 11th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet as read be adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 5% to be recommended at a meeting on July 19th.
Tenders from Messrs W H Heywood and Co, £458 and The Standard Patent Glazing Co, £704, for patent glazing 16 bays of CH Shed roof were submitted.
Res. That Heywood be instructed to proceed with the work.
A Letter from Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd was read asking for a reduction of rent due to a number of looms having been sold.
Res. That Mr Banks look into the matter and report to the next meeting.
Res. That £5,000 of the company's 5% war stock be realized at the best possible price.
Proctor Barrett.

July 19th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Mr Banks confirmed that Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd statement that their looms had been reduced by 16.
Res. That as from July 1st 1928 rent shall be charged to them on 220 looms in place of the 236 until such time as further looms be installed.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 19th 1928.
[Printed balance sheet inserted reports: profit of £1828-7-210 for the half year plus £764-5-8 carried forward, total to be apportioned £2592-13-6. Disposition is £1519-14-0 to dividend of 5% per annum for the half year and £1072-19-6 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Richard Watson and Son reappointed as auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 15th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £744-10-0 debit. Rent owing £2261-10-10.
Res. That the additional insurance on Butts Mill be left with the secretary to arrange with Mr Pearse.
The secretary read a letter from the tenants:
“We have your memo of July 29th to hand and after full investigation of the various points you raise we find it to be a deliberate evasion of our statement of June 18th 'That the present basis of our rents is the same as the 'boom period' and we take this opportunity of correcting your erroneous idea of the cheapness of your charges for Room and Power and your generosity.
One. Your basis is the same as other companies in the town. Some pay less rent owing to cheaper coal and have better accommodation.
Two. The allowance made by other companies in the town for the lock-out was half rent. Your allowance was one third rent. For the Coal Strike other companies allowed, after stocks were exhausted, one month's running without extra charge to the tenants, afterwards half the extra cost was paid by the companies. Your allowance after stocks of coal were exhausted was nothing.
Three. On capital inflated 300% the interest is not less than that obtainable from any other source.
Four. The Assessment Committee of the Guardians do not insist on any rates being paid on empty space the company installing looms and again incurring rates is not a reasonable excuse for refusing to reduce the rent.
In view of the above and the appalling state of the cotton trade, and your secretary knows how bad it is, We confidently ask for a further reduction of 10%.
How can you expect to pay large dividends on a capital which has grossly inflated? [Echoes here of the major problem in the spinning industry in the heady days of 1919/20 when mills were re-capitalised at grossly inflated valuations. Rather unfair in the case of CHSC as the increase in their capital was driven by general inflation. However, we see here the basic problem of high shed company dividends in times of bad trade being voiced openly.]
PS. A reply is requested by August 31st 1928.
Res. That the 10% allowance now granted for payment in fourteen days be withdrawn as from August 31st and that from September 1st next the allowance from rent be increased to 12½% on payment within 14 days subject to the following conditions:
That any variations in this allowance except that in case of liquidation, bankruptcy of change of tenancy, the allowance shall be discontinued as and from the resolution to wind up, the Receiving Order or the date of receipt of notice from any tenant to terminate their tenancy.
Proctor Barrett.

September 19th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £416-1-9 debit. Rents owing £2559-5-0.
Res. That the two bays furthest away from the warehouse in each of the sheds occupied by B&EM Holden and Messrs Pickles and Sons at CH Shed be repaired with patent glazing by W H Heywood provided he accept the contract at the same price as last tendered.
An application was received from the New Mill Co for assistance. It was pointed out that the rent was £513-4-1[?] in arrears and that it was impossible to make any advance.
Res. That they be allowed to exchange their 79 38” for 79 41” looms, the property of the CHSC and now at Butts Mill.
The secretary reported that a letter in the following terms had been sent to the tenants and that one or two had expressed themselves grateful for the increased allowance.
“I am instructed by my directors to inform you that the allowance of 10% now made in consideration of payment within 14 days will cease on September 31st all rent paid at that date and within 14 days will of course be subject to this allowance.
In view of the present state of trade they have decided to allow a deduction of 12½% (about 12/8 per loom) from monthly accounts submitted from September 1st provided each month's rent be paid on or before the 14th day of the succeeding month. The allowance to be discontinued as and from the date of receipt of notice from any tenant deciding to quit his tenancy.”
The secretary reported that S Pickles and Sons require alterations to the present tape room to allow two new tapes to be erected and that the roof should be of the shed roof type.
Res. That the work should be carried out and that the chairman and vice-chair put the matter in hand with Mr Norman Barrett forthwith.
Proctor Barrett.
[Light relief! (And God knows we need it!) In the back of the minute book there is an undated anonymous note reading as follows: “Gents, Having worked a few years at CHSC keep your eye on all pipes, elbows, grease and oil etc as the Motor Garage staff is never away. One who has worked for the company.” Whistle-blowers are not only a modern phenomenon.]

[Transcription of Minute Book 7 finished on Friday 18th of March 2011. SCG.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY MINUTE BOOK NO 8.

October 17th 1928 to May 20th 1943.

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries in [] are notes by SCG. Transcription commenced March 18th 2011.]

[This volume is quite depressing! Apart from WW2 we are getting an inside view of the gathering decline.]

October 17th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £325-8-4 debit. Rents owing £2809-13-4.
A letter was read from B&EM Holden in which they state they are paying £150 on account as they have not yet accepted the last offer of a reduction of 12½%.
A letter was read from J Windle and Sons intimating that they had two offers from other Room and Power companies to take space and desiring the directors to meet with them and discuss the question.
Mr Wood reported that he had seen Windle who, 'so they said', had received offers of 12 month's grace [no rental charges] to remove to other premises. They claimed £900 under the lease which they said expired in 1921 and six months grace, about £1800.
Res. That the chairman, vice chair and Mr Wood be empowered to deal with the matter. [It's hard to distinguish what is happening here. Teddy Wood evidently has his doubts 'so they said'. What I do know is that grace periods of 12 months became quite common as mills tried to keep their space full, they knew that if they didn't the standing charges like rates etc. on each loom would increase, and therefore the profit potential fell. I interviewed Victor Hedges, one time senior partner at Proctor and Proctor (He married Teddy Wood's daughter) as part of the Lancashire Textile Project and specifically asked him about this. He said I was quite right in my suspicion that this was perhaps the single most important factor in profitability. In the end it this was the Achilles Heel of the industry.]
The secretary reported that last week he had appealed against the rating of empty space before the Assessment Committee but had not been successful in obtaining a reduction.
Plans were submitted showing the alterations to the tape room of the Craven Manufacturing Co which had been prepared by Atkinson and Co.
Res. That they be approved and tenders invited for the work which Messrs Pickles and Sons had requested should be postponed until Spring.
Res. That H Brown and Sons tender for rearranging and adding to the heating system at WH Mill for £105 be accepted. [Almost certainly the hand of Johnny Pickles. He was a great advocate of condensate recovery systems to eliminate the waste from allowing the pure hot water condensate to go down the drains. His scheme, which eventually became standard practice in well run mills was to pipe all the hot condensate back to the boiler feed circuit.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 21st 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £578-7-3 credit. Rents owing £3027-11-10.
The secretary reported that he had come to an agreement with Windle and Sons re their tenancy. They had agreed to continue the tenancy as from July 1st last for two years providing we allow them £1150. [In effect giving in to blackmail but the priority was to keep loom numbers up and apportionment of fixed costs down.]
Res. That the settlement be agreed to.
A tender was read from P D Bilborough for undertaking to continue the supply of coal for a further six months January to June 30th 1929 at the same price as before: Acton Hall 20/6 and Bentley washed doubles 21/6.
Res. That the contract be confirmed.
Res, That the engine house at Butts be distempered [A form of water based paint] and that CH engine house be washed down as required by HMFI.
It was reported that the Conservative Club, who had purchased the land on the Parrock from the company, had allowed their tenant to erect a garage on that portion of the land which is our right of way into Calf Hall Road.
Res. That they be asked to pay an acknowledgement of 5/- per year.
The secretary reported that he had, from time to time in connection with some of the companies with whom he held the position of secretary or manager, that in cases where the rent of a tenant was in arrears it was sometimes necessary for the protection of the interests the owners that, without loss of time, a distraint should be levied on the goods of the tenant whose rent was in arrears. He recommended the directors to give him authority in all cases in which the rent owing by a tenant was in arrears for more than two months to cause to be levied at his discretion for and on behalf of the company a distress for the rent in arrears with power to withdraw the distress with or without any payment being made on account of the rent so in arrears or security given, he undertaking not to levy any such distress without first consulting the chairman or, if the chairman cannot in the opinion of the secretary be consulted without loss of time or if in the opinion of the secretary it is not desirable to acquaint the chairman then at least one other director and to report to the board at the earliest opportunity.
It was moved by Mr Barrett and seconded by Mr Banks and resolved that the recommendations of the secretary be adopted and that he be, and is hereby, authorised in the cases mentioned and subject to the conditions suggested by him, to levy from time to time at his discretion on behalf of the company a distress or distresses on any tenant whose rent is at least two months in arrears.
[This is pure landlord/tenant law and outside any matters of contract between the CHSC and the tenant. It is a well-tried procedure and cannot be defended by a tenant who is in arrears. A powerful tool.]
Proctor Barrett.

December 19th 1928
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1456-5-6 [credit?] and rents owing £2966-7-2.
The secretary was instructed to ask P Barrett and Sons Ltd to render their accounts quarterly in future, the last accounts submitted being for work done commencing in 1927.
Res. That the engine house at CH Shed and Butts Mill be cleaned down with [? Looks like a proprietary cleaner] at a cost of £13 and £18 each respectively.
Proctor Barrett.

January 16th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1269-10-10 debit. Rents owing £3977-5-0.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit and dividend of 7½% be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on Wednesday January 23rd at 7pm.
Res. That a new dynamo be purchased for Peterson's at WH Mill, £24 less £4 for the old machine.
The net rateable values of the mills were reported to be as follows:
CH Shed old £915, new £992, 11/11 per loom.
Butts Mill old £900, new £1374, 14/5 per loom.
WH Mill old £1196, new £1505, 12/6 per loom.
38 Calf Hall Road £10-10-0, £12.
Ouzledale Foundry, no old figure, new £1. [Unoccupied of course at the moment but watch this space.]
Ouzledale Cottage, old £7-10-0, new £9. [Probably still occupied by James Cecil Ashby]
Butts Cottage, old £7-10-0, new £8.
Res. That in the view of the de-rating of mills by which 75% of the rates would be allowed as from October 1st next and in view of the fact that, on average, the three mill assessments are similar to those of other mills in the town, they be not appealed against. [We don't have figures for the number of looms in the various mills but the range of rates per loom give a clue to the penalties of under-use of space.]
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting
January 23rd 1929
[Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book reports: half year profit of £1694-18-5 plus £1072-19-6 brought forward gives a balance of £2767-17-11 to be apportioned. Disposition £2279-11-0 to dividend. £488-6-11 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and reports and dividend approved.
E B Baxter.

February 20th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2602 debit and rents owing £2929.
Res. That the coal wagons be disposed of at the best price obtainable. £55 to £60 if possible.
Proctor Barrett.

March 20th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1899-9-9 debit. Rents owing £3421-16-0.
Transfer of 6 shares from Leonard Windle to Herbert Clark sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the offer of £50 for the rail wagons by William Jonas be not accepted.
Messrs Matthew Watson, Landless and Pearse quoted £126 for revaluation of three mills for insurance purposes.
Res. That the matter be left over.
Accounts paid.
It was reported that Messrs Richardson who were owing the company £900 for rent and Mr Richardson was personally indebted to the company for £300 had taken Premises at Coates latterly occupied by Luke Suthers.
Res. That Mr Richardson be requested to pay rent owing at once and he be required to deposit security for his [personal] debt.
Proctor Barrett.

April 17th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2120-0-2 debit. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood gave a report on [rail] wagon earnings which showed that for six years the average was £61-3-7 repairs £27-16-11 making the net earnings for four wagons £33-6-8 or £8-6-8 per wagon.
Mr Wood reported that the Conservative Club had not acknowledged his request for an annual payment of 5/- for infringement of our right of way on the Parrock.
Res. That they be requested to remove the garage erected on the land forming the right of way.
Proctor Barrett.

May 15th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1262-2-3 debit, rents owing £3826-15-1.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough offering coal at an increase of 6d per ton for 6 or 12 months contract.
Res. That settlement of the contract and price be left with Mr Banks.
Reports on smoke at Butts and CH Shed were read.
It was reported to the meeting that the Conservative Club have now agreed to pay 1/- per annum for infringement of right of way on the Parrock. [The amount is immaterial of course, it is the legal admission of the existence of the right of way.]
A statement of wages at CH Shed compared with Wellhouse Mill was read for the half year ending December 31st 1928.
Res. That the road at Butts Mill leading to the premises of the Butts Man. Co be repaired with tar macadam by P Barrett and Sons. [No mention but delivery by motor transport was becoming common.]
A letter was read from James Moorhouse and Son offering the 650 looms and plant at WH Mill for £2,200.
Res. That the matter be considered later.
Res. That the offer by Messrs Beadman[sic], Sons and Co of Keighley to keep in first class repair our four railway wagons for a term of seven years at £4-10-0 per wagon [per annum?], to be repainted twice during the currency of the term be accepted.
Proctor Barrett.

June 19th 1929
P Barrett in chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £834-5-2 credit. Rents owing £3115-16-1.
The agreement with Messrs Beadman for the repair of wagons was produced and approved.
Res. That we enter into a 12 month contract with P D Bilborough from July 1st for:
Bentley washed doubles @22/- per ton. Acton Hall washed small nuts @21/-.
Delivered at Barnoldswick station, providing the quality continues as hitherto.
Proctor Barrett.

July 10th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £653-14-8 credit. Rents owing £4535-16-7.
Res. That the balance sheet be adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 5% to be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on Thursday July 18th at 7pm.
Proctor Barrett.

General meeting Seven Stars Hotel
July 18th 1929.
[Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book reports: net profit of £1154-10-0 plus £488-6-11 carried forward, a total to be apportioned of £1642-17-0. Disposition is £1510-14-0 for 5% dividend and £123-2-0 carried forward.]
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet and dividend approved. Retiring directors re-elected. Richard Watson and Son reappointed auditors.
Proctor Barrett.

August 21st 1929
Officers reappointed.
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1161-13-1 credit and rents owing £3215-6-9.
Mr Wood reported that James Moorhouse and Sons Ltd had sold their plant to Mr H Atkinson of Todmorden; that Mr Atkinson was willing to dispose of the same to the company with the exception of 24 x 45” looms for £1700.
Res. That they be purchased at that figure and a cheque drawn for that amount.
Res. That an account be sent to J Moorhouse and Sons Ltd for £260-5-0 for rent of their premises from January 1st 1929 to the end of July.
The secretary reported that on July 17th he had distrained on the plant of Messrs Richardson (Barnoldswick) Ltd at WH Mill for £1054-17-10 being rent owing to July 31st 1929.
Res. That his action be approved.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

September 18th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1501-7-3 debit. Rents owing were Richardson's distress £1054-17-10, others £1210-17-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the following reductions of wages be confirmed:
Engine man £4-5-0 to £4. Fireman £3 to £2-16-0. Oilers £2-12-6 to 2-10-0.
The secretary reported that the sale at Richardson's had realised £1000 and that he had drawn £160 for cloth. There would be a small balance for creditors after paying costs. J Pickard having purchased the plant offered, 276 looms and preparation for £750.
Res. That 3 directors inspect the plant and report to the next meeting. [With a view to purchase.]
A letter was read from J C Waddington solicitor stating that J Moorhouse and Son had engaged Mr John Taylor solicitor to act for him.
Res. That ashes from the three mills be sold to P Barrett and Sons for 12 months from October 1st 1929 to September 30th 1930. [By 'sold' I suspect they mean they are paying for them being taken away.]
A letter was read from the Liquidator of Richardson Ltd (T Harrop) asking the company to make some allowance from the amount distrained for and stating he finds there is some dispute as to the correctness of our claim.
Res. That no allowance be made and that he be informed that the claim is strictly in order in accordance with the statements submitted monthly to the tenant and with agreements between us.
The draft letter submitted by the secretary was approved.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, seal cert etc. 262 shares from James Hacking to Edna May Hacking and 192 shares from Exors of John William Elsworth to Mary Elsworth.
Proctor Barrett.

October 16th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1092-17-2 debit. Rents owing £2821-10-7. Accounts paid.
It was reported that H Brown and Sons had filed their petition in bankruptcy. The rent owed by them had been cleared by contra account. [Set against work done and owed for.]
[This is an important event and triggers actions by the CHSC which had massive implications for the local economy. Please forgive me for imposing the following extract from my history of the firm on you. It fills in many of the blanks and gives a good understanding of how CHSC operated.
'In October 1929 the unthinkable happened. The Calf Hall Shed directors were informed on the 16th that Henry Brown and Sons were filing for bankruptcy. They saved the Earby workshop and carried on there but their days as Barnoldswick engineers were over. When the dust settled the Official Receiver paid out 19/6 in the pound, an indication that there was actually no need to finish, they were almost solvent and could have worked their way through the difficulty. Newton said that the problem was that the building society who had financed the building of the foundry forced the matter by foreclosing on Browns. I would give a lot of money to be able to have been a fly on the wall while all this was happening. I have an idea that if Johnny had any say in the matter the liquidation would never have happened but we have to ask ourselves whether he was even consulted. I think it may have been seen as a family matter and Johnny was presented with a fait accompli. Whatever, he was about to demonstrate his character and how well thought of he was in the town.
Johnny got busy and what happened is a good indication of his standing as an engineer and his confidence in his own abilities. The day after the closure was announced Johnny went down to Kelbrook and borrowed £500 off an aunt. He and Stanley Fisher went to Keighley and bought a 12 feet bed, 10 inch screw-cutting centre lathe and got permission from the Calf Hall Shed Company to set it up in Moorhouse’s old warehouse at Wellhouse Mill. They brought a six inch treadle lathe out of Johnny’s workshop at Federation Street, Fred Windle at the Vicarage Road garage lent him a gas engine and welding set, Watson, another garage proprietor lent him a pillar drill and Fred Holt who was the blacksmith at the end of Wellhouse Road lent him a portable forge. Johnny started paying Stanley Fisher immediately and a week later re-engaged Dennis Pickles (no relation) and Leonard Parkinson. The same week, Crampton Hoyle at the Corn mill gave them their first job, re-cogging the bevel wheel at the bottom of the vertical shaft in the Corn Mill. They were back in business!
There was another significant development that week, Johnny told his son Newton it was time he started work and set him on doing odd jobs, he was almost 14 years old. In November the Receiver had arranged the sale of the machinery at Wellhouse shop. Teddy Wood came down to Federation Street and had a word with Johnny, he told him that apart from the Calf Hall Company, he couldn’t let the resource that had been Henry Brown and Sons go out of business. He told Johnny to go down to the shop and mark up all the machines he needed and the Calf Hall Company would buy them. Johnny grabbed a piece of chalk and with Newton in tow went up to Brown’s old shop, they put a cross on every machine they wanted and on the 20th of November the Calf Hall Shed Company bought the contents of the Wellhouse Machine shop off the Receiver, R S Windle, for £425. Johnny took the Mechanic's Shop at the same rent as Browns, £25 a year.
That same week they moved into Wellhouse and started trading officially as J A Pickles and Son, Engineers and Millwrights, Wellhouse Machine works. Another chapter was about to be written. But they were short of a foundry.
Less than a month after Henry Brown and Sons collapsed, the Calf Hall Shed Company had got a competent engineering firm working out of Wellhouse shop again, J A Pickles and Son. They had a consummate craftsman in charge, Johnny Pickles and he had three good men, Stanley Fisher, Dennis Pickles, Leonard Parkinson and an apprentice, William Newton Pickles. Helping the firm to get set up wasn’t charity, it was self interest, it was an asset to the shed company. Newton told me that when Edward Wood went to see Johnny he said “Now then Johnny, we can’t do with you out of business and all these mills stopped.” When Teddy said this he was acting for the Calf Hall Company. This applied even more so to Proctor and Proctor’s interests because they were managing other shed companies as well. Both he and the company were aware that one piece of the jigsaw was missing, they hadn’t got an ironfounder in the town, an essential element in maintenance engineering. However, the Calf Hall Company owned a foundry, the one that had originally been run by Henry Brown and they knew where there was a competent founder who had been made redundant when Havre Park closed. [And he's still living in the cottage behind the foundry!]
James Cecil Ashby had come into Barlick sometime just after the Great War when Watts dropped out of the Dale Ironworks leaving Henry Brown as tenant. It looks as though he had been encouraged to come to Barlick by Henry because he gave him the job of foreman at Dale Ironworks at Ouzledale on Longfield Lane. Harold Duxbury told me that James Cecil worked there and lived in the cottage at Ouzledale. What we know for certain is that there is written evidence that James Ashby was in business at Ouzledale Foundry in 1932 as a tenant of the Calf Hall Company and trading as Ouzledale Foundry. Anecdotal evidence and Harold Duxbury says that he re-opened Ouzledale as a foundry immediately after the closure of Havre Park where he was also foreman. I once asked Harold why there was no mention in the Calf Hall Company half yearly accounts or the minutes of the Board of Directors about this tenancy and Harold just laid his finger along the side of his nose and smiled. Harold used to do this to me when I asked him a question he didn’t want to answer or, being a wily old bird, when he didn’t know the answer but wanted me to think that he did. However, there is one concrete piece of evidence, in the half year Profit and Loss account for the Calf Hall Company for the six months ending 30th June 1929 there is an item for Ouzledale Income of £2-11-3. For a while there is almost no income but in June 1931 Ouzledale brings in £48-2-2, a full income from the foundry. (See 'Brown and Pickles' the story of a Pennine Engineer' by SCG. Available on Lulu.com)
CHSC had salvaged a viable engineering form and a foundry out of the wreck of H Brown and Sons Ltd. J A Pickles and Son went on the become Henry Brown Sons and Pickles and were in business longer than CHSC. Cecil Ashby made a success of the foundry and eventually relocated it to Long Ing where it is in business today (2011). Sorry about the length of that but you will now be better able to join the dots of information in the minutes.]
Res. That J Pickard's offer of £750 for plant at Messrs Richardson's be not accepted and that we offer them £450.
The secretary reported that Messrs Moorhouse and Sons had offered to pay the rates on the premises occupied by them from January to August amounting to £133.
The secretary reported that the Liquidator of Richardson's had asked for particulars of the rent distrained for.
Mr Barker made application for the terms for renting and using the looms and plant in Moorhouse's shed.
Res. That the terms be fixed at 1/9 per loom per week including the use of the looms and 2/- per loom per week for rent and use of power and use of the looms and the tape.
Res. That seven roof ridge tiles be fixed on M Horsfield's premises at Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That the foundry in the Dale be re-roofed and glazed at a cost of £54. [There you are, you know why they are spending money on a disused property with no income!]
E B Banks.

November 4th 1929
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £678-10-5 debit, rents owing £3779-14-9.
The secretary submitted particulars of the de-rating of the mills showing that the rents had, from October 1st, been reduced by 6/8 per loom per annum.
Res. That we accept Mr Moorhouse's offer to pay the rates on the premises amounting to £133-14-8.
A letter was read from S Pickles and sons asking for certain repairs to be carried out.
A letter was read from S Pickles and Sons, the Craven Manufacturing Co and the Butts Manufacturing Co giving six months notice to terminate the tenancy in view of the possible trouble anticipated with the operatives re the 5% deducted from wages for Local Disadvantage. The operatives having given notice to the manufacturers to have this reinstated. [The manufacturers were trying every route to lowering costs and this imposition was one of them. [This was one of the consequences of the findings of the Arbitration Court in Manchester chaired by Justice Rigby-Swift in August 1929. It led to a strike ballot on November 11th in favour of a strike but in view of the low turn-out and the number of spoiled voting papers the larger action was dropped. More importantly, is that the manufacturers were experimenting with eight slowed down looms per weaver in an effort to reduce costs. This was the start of the More Looms system and disputes. We shall hear much more of these.]
A letter was read from the Barnoldswick Manufacturers Association asking a representative to attend their meeting on Wednesday morning at 10:30am.
The secretary reported the various conversations he had had with members of the Manufacturer's Association re the application of the weavers union for payment of the standard prices [on Blackburn List] paid by other districts.
Res. That in the event of a strike, for three weeks after the commencement of the strike to allow full rent for all looms stopped as a result of the strike for such time as they may be stopped during this period. For the following three weeks to allow a reduction in rent of 1/- (one shilling) per loom per week for all looms stopped as a result of the strike. In the weeks following and until the termination of the strike, the total saving of coal effected in consequence of the strike which will be as follows: In sheds where the engine may be stopped at the rate of 6d per loom per week (or 26/- per loom per annum) and in mills where the engine may not be stopped, at the rate of 4d per loom per week (or 17/4 per loom per annum.)
Proctor Barrett.

November 20th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £580-2-6 credit and rents owing £2095-7-0.
Mr Wood reported that a writ had been served against Mr J J Richardson for the debt amounting to £308-14-9 being loan and interest and that judgement had been obtained. A Letter from Mr Richardson was read saying that he had nothing.
Res. That no further steps be taken in the matter. [No point trying to get blood out of a stone.]
The secretary reported the results of an interview with Peterson Ltd when they asked for assistance carrying on their business.
Res. That they be allowed to increase the arrears of rent owing to £1000.
Res. That the plant recently in the ownership of H Brown and Sons (In bankruptcy) be purchased from R S Windle, the trustee, for £425 and that it be loaned on hire purchase to a company to be formed, at 6% instalments to be paid monthly over a period of five years. [Johnny had a stroke of luck shortly after starting on his own. Here's the relevant section from my history of Brown and Pickles: “Newton said that shortly after they got back into Wellhouse, Anthony Carr the owner of Crow Nest Mill in Barlick came into the shop and gave Johnny an order for 2000 pairs of ten inch loom pulleys. The More Looms System was coming in and one essential element in making it work was to slow the looms down. The easiest way to do this was to put larger driving pulleys on them. This was a big order and came at exactly the right time. Johnny made some wooden patterns and took them up to Ouzledale for James Cecil to cast four sets of aluminium patterns, on a big production run these were more durable than wooden ones. [Concrete evidence that despite there being no mention in the accounts the foundry was up and running again in 1929] Once made, two sets of patterns were sent to King’s foundry at Skipton and two sets left at Ouzledale. Both foundries started to make castings and Newton said they were getting 90 pairs a day in the shop at Wellhouse. Johnny had made the patterns so that they were easy to mount on a fixture on the faceplate of the lathe once they were bored. Turning rough castings straight from the foundry is hard on cutting tools which have to deal with hard metal and embedded sand. Johnny had been reading his engineering journals and knew about some new German cutting tools called ‘Wimet’ which were tipped with Tungsten Carbide, apart from diamond this was the hardest substance known to man. He sent off for four Wimet tools and they started making pulleys. Newton was 14 years old and he said he turned pulleys until he dropped so the date was 1929/30. Some days they worked from half past seven in the morning until half past nine at night. The Wimet tools only needed sharpening once a fortnight. They got another order from Blackburn for 1000 pulleys and in the end made over 13,000. Newton said that Johnny had £1,000 in the bank at the end of that job, serious money in 1930 and a valuable kick-start for the new company.]
Res. That accounts be paid.
The secretary reported the serious increase in horse power at CH Shed and that it was essential for economy and safety to that a new Low Pressure cylinder should be installed as a first step towards securing economy and that following that, at some time in the near future, a higher pressure boiler be installed.
Proctor Barrett.

December 18th 1929
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1218-3-5 credit, rents owing £2248-18-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 200 shares from Harriet Dewhurst to Seth Mundy and W A Adney [Martin's Bank reps] and 200 from same reps to Edward Aldersley be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that J Pickard offered the tape, winding frames and other plant at WH Mill for £100 but Mr Banks, having inspected the plant, being of the opinion it is not worth this figure, it was resolved that the same be not purchased.
Proctor Barrett.

January 15th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1522-0-10 credit, rents owing £3271-5-11.
Balance sheet as read adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 5% recommended. General meeting to be on Wednesday January 22nd.
A letter was read from S Cooke and Son intimating an advance in the price of oil of 4d per gallon.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of the secretary.
Transfer of 6 shares from John William Clark to Herbert Clark sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported on the application of Peterson's Ltd for deduction from their rent in view of the serious situation they find themselves in. He had offered to allow them one month's rent for each payment of one month's rent for sic months but this they had declined.
Res. That the matter be left in his hands to deal with as he may deem fit in the interests of the company.
The secretary reported he had received an application for space for 400 looms and also for renting a similar number of 40” looms. He had offered to rent the space and looms for the first twelve months at 50/- per loom and £100 for the tape, per annum, and the second 12 months at 70/- per loom and £200 for the tape.
Res. That he be allowed to vary the terms at his discretion to secure occupancy of the space.
[No signature]

January 22nd 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1842 -18-0 debit. Rents owing £2610-10-4.
Mr Wood reported the results of his arrangements with Messrs Peterson's Ltd as follows:
1. That ten payments of £100 each are made during the year.
2. That a credit of £50 be granted for each of the first five payments and of £34 each for the second five; The first five payments to be made January to May and the second five during August to December.
The secretary reported that Messrs Kempton and Co who were contemplating taking the space occupied by J Moorhouse and Son had written expressing their regret that the premises are not suitable.
E B Banks.

No general meeting minuted
However, printed balance sheet in the minute book reports: net profit for the half year of £1454-6-8 plus £123-3-0 carried froward, total of £1577-9-8 to be apportioned. Disposition, £1519-14-0 for half year dividend of 5% and £57-15-8 carried forwards.

February 19th 1930
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1905-7-10 debit, rents owing £2993-13-6.
The secretary reported he had (under general authority given by resolution of the company) instructed Mr Banks on February 12th to levy a distress on behalf of the company on New Mill (Barnoldswick) Ltd for rent accrued due to January 1st 1930 of £1489-11-7.
Res. That the levying of the distress and the action of the secretary be approved and confirmed.
Res. That a cheque for £24-0-6 be drawn for wages due to the operatives at New Mill for cloth woven since the distress. [CHSC as manufacturers again. In effect they are acting as liquidators.]
Res. That the tender of William O'Mara for repairs to the lightning conductor at Butts Mill chimney be accepted at £4-10-0.
Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that Messrs Holden wished the company to erect humidifiers for them, the cost being £300.
After discussion it was resolved that the matter be deferred until a later date.
Proctor Barrett.

March 19th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £833-6-9 debit, rents owing £740-0-3.
The secretary reported re New Mill (Barnoldswick) Ltd that distress had been levied on February 12th for £1489-11-7, that the sale took place this morning, and that the amount realised up to the present was £637-14-0. It was estimated that the total net amount would be £1000.
Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that Messrs B&EM Holden were still asking for humidifiers to be erected by the company. He gave particulars of Jackson's Humidifier made by the Airton Engineering Co of Bell Busk and the horse power required for driving purposes would be 6hp per 400 looms and about 16 gallons of town's water per hour and that the steam required would be very small indeed.
Res. That a plant for 400 looms would cost about £300 and that in one instance near Barnoldswick the landlords had agreed to pay half the cost, the plant immediately becoming the property of the landlord.
Proctor Barrett.

April 30th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £244-2-4 debit, rents owing £1108-4-11.
The secretary reported that the rent owing by the New Mill Company had been paid.
Reports on black smoke at CH Shed on March 6th and the secretary's reply were read.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers giving notice to terminate their tenancy on September 30th.
The secretary reported that the present rents were: Loom rent 84/11 and three fifths of a penny, less 12½% 74/4 and one tenth of a penny. Tapes £238-15-11 less same allowance £208-8-6.
and that in his opinion the notices from most of the tenants had been given with a view to a reduction in the rent and the basis price. He reported that the rents in Nelson had been reduced to about 66/6 per loom and £210 for tapes.
Res. That on May 1st the rents of the premises be on a new basis as follows: Loom rent, 70/-, if paid within one month less 5%, 66/6. Tapes £210, if paid within one month £199-10-0.
Based on the present rates and price of coal. But that this be not allowed to any tenant who does not withdraw notice to leave the premises.
Proctor Barrett.

May 21st 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £240-1-2 credit, rents owing £1237-8-0. Accounts paid.
Res. That a contract be entered into with P Bilborough for the continuation of supply of coal for one year from July 1st 1930. Acton Hall washed nuts 21/- per ton. Bentley washed doubles 22/-. Both delivered at Barnoldswick station.
A letter was read from M Horsfield asking the directors to make allowance for looms stopped in view of the continuation of bad trade.
The secretary reported that S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manufacturing and Butts Manufacturing had intimated that they were not prepared to continue after the notice expires on the terms proposed.
Messrs Holden had also interviewed him with a view to obtaining allowances for looms stopped. They had at present only 50 looms running out of 416. [A precise indicator of the severity of the depression.]
Res. After considerable discussion that the tenants be allowed, as from May 1st 1930, 6d per week (26/- per loom per annum) for all looms stopped. These to be counted every Monday morning, certified by the manager and countersigned by the engine man at each mill.
Proctor Barrett.

June 18th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £479-9-0 credit and rents owing £1699-16-11. Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.

July 10th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 2½% to be recommended to a shareholder's meeting on Wednesday July 16th.
Proctor Barrett.

No minute of general meeting.
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: net profit for the half year of £721-12-6 plus £57-15-8 brought forward, total of £779-8-2 to be appropriated. Disposition £759-17-0 to dividend of 2½% per annum for the half year. £19-11-2 carried forward.

August 20th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read. Bank balance £373-4-0 credit, rents owing £2035-17-5.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers intimating that owing to serious depression in the trade they were unable to keep all their looms running and proposed that as from August 31st they should pay rent on a minimum of 140 looms.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of the secretary to investigate and report.
The secretary reported that J Windle and Sons had given notice to terminate their tenancy on ? [no date minuted]. Mr Wood reported that he had interviewed their representative and he explained it was a family matter and that in all probability they would continue as tenants. [We often forget the strains and tensions the depression caused in families. All of these manufacturing firms were family concerns and there must have been many a discussion over the dinner table as to whether it was worthwhile struggling on. I often wonder at what stage the manufacturers realised that this was not a cyclical depression but a huge structural fault in the industry.]
Mr Wood reported that he had not been able to come to a settlement with S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manufacturing and Butts Manufacturing [all Pickles family concerns]. He had offered 2½% in addition to the present 5% but this was not accepted.
It was proposed that he offer them an additional 4% on the net amount of rent after deducting 5%. [What often strikes me when I see these counter offers by CHSC is that they always have to be examined very carefully. This is a case in point. Note that they are not offering a straight deduction of 9%, the extra allowance is on the net rent after deduction of the 5% and is therefore slightly less. Smart, if not slippery actions. It brings home the basic fact that they are not manufacturers but purely investors in property.]
Res. That one man be discharged at each mill owing to the number of looms stopped. WH Mill, Stockdale. CH Shed, Anderton. Butts, Baines.
Proctor Barrett.

September 17th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £480-11-7 credit, rents owing £1304-9-10.
The secretary reported on his interview with Slater Brothers.
Res. That they be charged on the actual number of looms running with a minimum of 140 subject to a months notice on either side from September 1st.
The secretary reported he had received a letter from S Pickles and Sons stating that they were terminating their tenancy at CH Shed at the end of October next and would be clear of the premises by then. Mr Wood said that he had been unable to persuade Mr Fred Pickles to alter his decision. [Pickles were smart operators and survived until the bitter end of the industry. What is going on here is that the pattern of tenancy in the town had been shattered and an opportunity had arisen for Pickles to move to Long Ing Shed [A rival shed company in the town] and eventually they bought it. There was more than one way of escaping the shed companies! You may wonder how Stephen Pickles managed to do this when we know how widely the CHSC shares were scattered, obviating any buy-out. The Long Ing Shed Company had always been owned by a small number of shareholders with large holdings and over the years only sold interests to their fellow directors. This meant that eventually Stephen Pickles could become owner of all of them.]
Res. That the wages of the firemen at each mill be put on the common basis of £2-16-0 per week.
Res. That the payment of £20 for sewer easement at the canal wharf be accepted subject to BUDC agreement to connect Bridge house to the main sewer free of charge.
Proctor Barrett.

October 15th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £386-18-0 credit, rents owing £1887-17-11.
The secretary reported that he had agreed with the district valuer to accept easement of £20 for the Coates Bridge sewer and that the matter of connecting Bridge House with the sewer was in the hands of BUDC.
The secretary reported that Horsfield and Son at CH Shed requested their tenancy to be reduced to half the number of looms owing to the state of trade. They offered to pay the rates on the looms stopped.
Res. That the request be accepted from November 1st 1930.
The secretary reported he had several interviews with Fred Pickles representing the three family companies re the rent of their premises and that he [Fred Pickles] had stated definitely that they [S Pickles and Sons] were leaving CH Shed. Even though he [Mr Wood] had offered to put them on the basis of only paying for looms running they were not prepared to consider it but were determined to clear out on October 31st as per their letter submitted to the last meeting.
Mr Wood had a further meeting with Fred Pickles last week when he [Fred Pickles] insisted on a revision of terms for Butts Manufacturing and Craven Manufacturing [Both at Butts Mill]. Mr Wood had, with a view to retaining them as tenants and after consultation with Mr Banks, offered them a reduction of 10% on the amount paid at the end of August 1931 and a letter was sent from them accepting this offer and intimating also that in view of this arrangement they were reconsidering retaining the tenancy at CH Shed and would let them know their decision in a few week's time. [I suspect that at this point Fred Pickles goes back to the Long Ing directors, who are equally desperate to fill their shed, and asks for a reduction in terms, a better offer than that from CHSC.]
Res. That the action of the secretary in this matter be confirmed and that confirmation [of the terms] be sent to the tenants.
E B Banks.

November 19th 1930
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £997-18-6 credit, rents owing £1687-4-1. Accounts paid.
Res. That where minimum rents are charged no allowance be made for looms standing below that number.
The secretary reported that Mr Fred Pickles had made application for space previously occupied by Aldersley capable of holding 262 looms and that he had offered to allow them 3½ months grace and the same terms as for their other premises. The feeling of the meeting was that further grace should be allowed in order to secure the tenancy. [I often wonder about the security of decisions inside the board room. It would be very handy for Fred to know about this resolution. How close were personal relationships? Membership of the Masons or other bodies? All right, I know, I'm a cynic, but these things happened.]
Res. That Martins Bank be authorised to accept the lithographed signature of the Company and its agents only authorised to sign cheques.
A schedule of repairs required to be done at the Craven Manufacturing Co was submitted and passed forward for attention.
Proctor Barrett.

December 17th 1930
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1473-3-1 credit, rents owing £1699-14-1. Accounts paid.
Messrs M Horsfield and B&EM Holden requested the company to grant them three months' tenancy and to charge on looms running only.
Res. That no further allowances be made with regard to rent and allowances.
Res. That the terms offered to Messrs Peterson for the year ending December 31st be continued to June 30th 1931, namely, five payments of £100 and five credits of £34 each.
Proctor Barrett.

January 22nd 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £480-17-10 credit after paying the accounts. Rent owing £1565-19-2.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to the agreement for sewer easement on the sewer passing under the canal and Coates Wharf.
The request of the Monkswell Manufacturing Co to place them on on a minimum of 100 looms instead of 200 was not acceded to.
Slater Brothers applied for two days allowance for stoppage at Xmas.
Res. No further allowed be made.
Mr Horsfield gave notice to terminate his tenancy on June 30th and intimated to the secretary that they wished to be charged on the number of looms running only.
Res. That this request be not conceded.
J Windle and Sons also requested that they be charged upon the number of looms running only subject to three month's notice, the notice to terminate on June 30th 1931.
Mr Wood was requested to interview them again with regard to the matter.
Correspondence re the smoke nuisance at WH Mill was read and approved.
The balance sheet for the half year anding December 31st 1930 was read showing a profit of £47-5-2.
Res. That £750 be transferred form reserve to the credit of the Profit and Loss account and that a dividend of 2½% free of tax for the half year and no general meeting be held.
Accounts paid.
Proctor Barrett.
[The following copy letter to shareholders is inserted in the minute book:
From Edward Wood, CHSC secretary, as from Proctor and Proctor at Burnley.
Dear sir or madam,
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY LIMITED
The trading result for the last half year ended December 31st 1930, after making a transfer from the Reserve Fund enable the directors to declare a dividend at the rate of 2½% per annum free of tax for the half year.
The directors decided not to hold the usual Interim Half Yearly meeting and I therefore enclose cheque and certificate for the amount due to you.
Yours truly, Edward Wood, secretary.]

February 18th 1931
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £150-17-1 debit. Rent owing £1345-14-5. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that on the morning of February 5th he was informed [by whom?] that the bank had given notice to Messrs Petersons Ltd to pay off their overdraft (secured by debentures) before the end of the day and he had immediately got in touch with Mr Banks who had arranged to distrain at once for rent owing of £621-14-4.
Res. That this action be confirmed.
The secretary reported that Mr R S Windle had been appointed Receiver and had, through Messrs Pilgrim, Hayman and Badgery, taken exception to the Distress. This letter was read to the meeting. [I'll bet they did!]
Messrs B&EM Holden made verbal application to be charged on looms running only which was considered.
Res. It be not acceded to.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd re the continuance of the tenancy on the existing agreement, i.e. on a minimum of 140 looms subject to one month's notice.
Res. That they be informed that the tenancy may be continued on a minimum of 140 looms subject to three months notice in future.
Messrs M Horsfield and Sons' application to pay rent on looms running without a minimum was again considered.
Res. That their request be not acceded to as they were under notice.
The secretary reported he had had further interviews with J Windle and Son re the expiration of their tenancy on January 1st and they had demanded a definite decision before January 31st and that after consultation with Mr Banks he had agreed that on condition of their withdrawing their notice thay be charged on looms running only for three months.
Res. That the secretary's action be confirmed.
A list of looms running was as follows:
Actual number running and date.
Tenant total looms minimum Jan17 24 31 Feb7
Holden 414 207 172 172 202 194
Horsfield 414 207 65 54 64 43
Monkswell 413 200 169 140 114 121
Pickles & Sons 416 416 416 416 416 416
Windle & Sons 401 actual 241 196 240 291
Slater Brothers 220 140 205 170 170 180
Petersons Ltd 376 376 290 260 277 260
Craven Manfg 814 814 814 814 814 814
Butts Manfg 407 407 407 407 407 407
It was reported that the payment of £20 from BUDC for easement at Coates had been received and BUDC had agreed to connect Coates Cottage to the sewer free of charge.
The question of appeals against the assessment of the mills was considered.
Res. That the secretary goes into the situation and appeals if he thinks this is desirable.
Proctor Barrett.

March 18th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £272-12-7 [credit?], rents owing £1655-1-7. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Slater Brothers accepting the tenancy on a minimum number of 140 looms and three months notice.
Res. That the request of the Monkswell Manufacturing Co for the minimum to be reduced from 200 to 100 be not acceded to.
The Secretary reported that B&EM Holden had again applied for payment to be made on looms running with no minimum.
Res. That their request be not acceded to.
A letter was received from BUDC surveyor re repairs to the roadway at Butts.
Res. That the matter be left over.
The secretary reported that Mr Windle of J Windle and Sons had seen him and agreed to a minimum of 200 looms for April, May and June and payment of 2/6 per loom per annum for looms not running.
The question of assessment for rates was discussed and it was decided they not be appealed against.
The secretary laid a letter before the meeting from Messrs Pilgrim, Hayman and Badgery re the distress levied on Messrs Petersons Ltd and reported on interviews he had had with Mr Duckworth, thbe representative of R S Windle the Receiver, and Mr Mellin of Martins Bank.
Res. That Mr Wood inform Mr Duckworth that the company would agree to the taking over of the plant together with payment of £150 in full settlement of the rent distrained for and rent outstanding by the Receiver made up as follows:
Distress 621-14-4.
February rent 126-2-4
Total 747-16-8
376 looms @30/- each 564-0-0
Balance of 183-16-8
Say 150-0-0.
[Not a bad deal. CHSC get the plant and £150 to settle the debt. They have a lettable weaving unit in place in the mill complete with all plant and stock.]
Proctor Barrett.

April 15th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £378-13-2 debit, rents owing £1233-1-6. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported on various interviews he had had with the Receiver of Petersons Ltd re the rent distrained for and read a letter from Pilgrim, Hayman and Badgery the solicitors to the Receiver confirming an agreement to settle the matter on the following basis:
Rent distrained for 621-14-4
February 120-0-0
March 120-0-0
Total 861-14-4
Less sale of 376 looms, preparation machinery and all accessories:
761-8-0
Balance 100-6-4.
CHSC therefore taking over the plant and receiving a payment of £100 in full settlement.
Res. That the secretary's action be approved and confirmed.
The secretary reported that he had received notices from B&EM Holden and the Monkswell Manufacturing Co to terminate their tenancies on September 30th 1931 and that he had also had interviews with J Windle and Sons Ltd and M Horsfield and Sons regarding their request for rents to be based only on looms running.
After considerable discussion it was unanimously resolved that the tenants be informed that the company agree to the tenancies being varied as follows:
Rent to be on the basis of the actual numbers of looms running; the tenancies to be terminable at three months' notice from any Quarter Day; all looms stopped to be paid for at the rate of 2/6 per loom per annum to cover rates etc. These terms to be applicable only if notice is withdrawn where it has been given, full rent to be charged until the end of the tenancy [in such cases].
Proctor Barrett.

May 20th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £98-18-7 debit, rents owing £1155-4-11. Accounts paid.
Reported that Windle and Sons had accepted the new terms of tenancy but that B&EM Holden, Horsfield and Sons and Monkswell Manufacturing had asked for further modifications in the terms.
Res. Unanimously that no further modifications be granted. [Pencil note 'See June 17th 1931 minutes' when they are amended.]
A letter from S Pickles and Sons was read re the state of the roof in Butts Mill and it was reported that it was receiving attention.
Res. That the coal contract as at present be continued to June 30th 1932 at an increased rate of 3d per ton.
Proctor Barrett.

June 17th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £292-19-8 credit rents owing £1025-11-5. Accounts paid.
Reported that notice of a proposed increase in assessments for Land Tax on property of the company had been received.
Res. That the Land Tax now payable be redeemed on the basis of the present assessment.
Res. That the terms of tenancy set out in the Minutes for May 20th 1931 be amended as follows:
Rent to be based on the actual number of looms running and tapes in proportion. Tenancies to be terminable at three months notice. All looms stopped to be paid for at the rate of 2/6 per loom per annum to cover rates etc.
Proctor Barrett.

July 8th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £428-17-11 credit. Rent owing £1077-19-7. Accounts paid.
Res. That the depreciation for the year ending June 30th 1931 be postponed, that the balnce sheet be adopted subject to audit. That a dividend of 2% be recommended. General meeting to be held on July 16th 1931 at 7pm.
Proctor Barrett.

July 16th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £765-16-1 after paying dividend, rents owing £1021-2-6. Accounts paid.
The secretary presented a cheque from the Revenue for repayment of £895-5-6 Income Tax.
Proctor Barrett.

No general meeting minuted.
Printed balance sheet reports: Trading profit for the half year of £343-9-1 After charging expanses there is a loss for the year of £171-2-8. However the charge for depreciation has been postponed thus making a balance for the year of £1378-17-4.
A dividend of 2½% per annum was paid for the half year to December 31st 1931 absorbing £795-17-0 and the disposable balance is £638-11-6. Your directors recommend a dividend for the half year of 2% absorbing £607-17-7 making a dividend for the full year of 2¼% and leaving a balance of £30-13-11 to carry forward. Signed P Barrett and E Wood, Burnley July 9th 1931.

August 19th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1073-8-9 credit, rents owing £609-18-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the request of BUDC for permission to erect a pole for electrical transmission wires at an acknowledgement of 1/- per annum be acceded to and the common seal of the company affixed to the agreement. [The power was generated in Keighley and had reached Barlick. A new age dawns!]
Transfer of shares from Exors of J W Smith. 30 shares to Martha Ellen Smith, 30 to John Smith, 30 to George Sanderson, 30 to Isabella Laycock and 30 to Ellen Parker. Also 191 shares from Exors of Jane E Mitton to Richard Mitton. Sanctioned, seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

September 16th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £694-1-11 credit, rents owing £1024-9-2. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that he had received notice from S Pickles and Sons dated August 24th to terminate their tenancy at the end of September 1931 and that he had replied pointing out that six months notice was necessary. The notice had therefore been amended to terminate the tenancy on February 28th 1932. Mr Wood further stated that Mr Fred Pickles had raised the question of conditions for a further tenancy of the Butts Mill Co and the Craven Manufacturing Co as the previous agreement had terminated at the end of July. The secretary was empowered to see Mr Pickles and negotiate with him for a continuance of these tenancies for a further twelve months on the same terms and also to discuss the matter of S Pickles and Sons' tenancy.
Res. Further that the Butts Manufacturing Co be allowed to use part of the empty warehouse space previously occupied by Aldersley free of rent subject to one month's notice and also that the Craven Manufacturing Co be allowed to move 96 looms out of the 'Pigeon Hole' to part of the premises recently occupied by Aldersley subject to one month's notice. They to agree to return the looms and resume the original tenancy should Aldersley's space be required by a new tenant.
Res. That S Pickles and Sons be allowed the use of the Plaiting machine purchased by the company from Moorhouse's at WH Mill free of charge for the time being. [The Plaiting machine is a piece of warehouse machinery used for inspecting, measuring and folding pieces of cloth from the roller out of the loom so that it can be bundled for shipping out.]
Transfer of shares from G W Watson, 125 shares to A G Petty and 125 to A Jackson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

October 21st 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £645-8-5 credit, rents owing £1029-6-7. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that Fred Pickles had seen him re the tenancies of the Butts, Craven and S Pickles and Sons companies but that no definite proposals had been made. The conversations were postponed.
Res. Transfer of shares from Exors of Jane E Proctor, 296 to Ernest Proctor and 296 to John Proctor; 37 shares from Lizzie A Baxter and 46 from Annice Baxter to Seth Mundy and W A Adney (Martins Bank) sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

November 18th 1931
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £770-1-6 credit, rents owing £1138-7-5. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of Alice Mabel Robinson, 215 shares to Ada Duckworth, 215 to Preston Robinson and 216 to F Robinson the executor sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that Mr Dearden had approached the CHSC and asked for terms of tenancy at WH Mill and that it was suggested that he be allowed to use the plant acquired from Messrs Petersons Ltd free of rent for two years, the tenancy to be two years certain, six month's grace to be allowed, the tenancy to be on the CHSC terms now in operation but so far no reply had been received from Mr Dearden.
Res. That the action taken by the secretary and Mr Banks be confirmed.
Proctor Barrett.

December 16th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1034-9-9 credit, rents owing £1331-16-9. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported he had received a letter from BUDC announcing their intention to dismantle the fire siren at Butts Mill.
Transfer of 126 shares from Exors of Robert Clark to Richard Jacques sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

January 20th 1931
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
The chairman, in referring to the death of Mr Hall stated that he had been a very valuable member of the board for 17 years and it was unanimously resolved that a sincere vote of sympathy be conveyed to the widow and family.
Bank balance £118-2-6 debit, rents owing £1390-1-0. Accounts paid.
Balance sheet adopted subject to audit. Dividend for half year of 2% recommended. [No date set for general meeting.]
Proctor Barrett.

[Copy of a letter from Edward Wood to the shareholders inserted in the minute book.
Dear Sir or Madam, CHSC Ltd. The trading result for the interim half year ending December 31st 1931, after making a transfer from the Reserve Fund, allows the directors to declare a dividend of 2% free of tax for the half year and I therefore enclose a cheque and certificate for the amount due to you.
Your directors regret to announce the death of Mr J Hall who had been a valued member of the board for 17 years.
Signed, Edward Wood, secretary.]

[1932 is going to be a disastrous year. The More Looms disputes are ripping the industry apart with strikes, agitation and police reaction to protest marches. Nutter Brothers at Grove Shed Earby liquidate. Self-help sheds (cooperatives) start at Victoria Mill Earby and Sough Bridge Mill. James Nutter takes over the Nutter Brothers' shed at Bancroft and moves out of Bankfield into there. Bankfield Shed closes in 1934. Coates Mill has already closed. Just some of the events which make up the climate in which the CHSC is operating.]

February 17th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £350-14-4 debit, rents owing £1380-13-2. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Mrs Hall expressing her thanks for the sympathy of the board.
Transfer of 126 shares from George Mitchell deceased to Leonard Mitchell, his administrator, sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
An application from the Monkswell Manufacturing Co for the temporary loan of 7 45” looms was received.
Res. That this be granted subject to them agreeing to return the looms whenever required by the company and at their cost.
An application from Mr Heaton for the painting of the outside of the house tenanted by him was received.
Res. That this be done.
The secretary reported an application from S Pickles and Sons that their tenancy be on one month's notice was received.
Res. That this be not granted and it remain on six month's notice.
An application from Mr J Standing for space on which to stand [park] a van was received but not granted.
Res. That the secretary write to BUDC asking them to take steps to cope with the overflow of surface water from Taylor Street. [This is the piece of land behind Butts mill and when Taylor and his partners sold the land to CHSC they must have retained enough to build the row of houses known as Taylor Street.]
Res. That the space previously occupied by Messrs Moorhouse containing 45” looms be advertised.
Proctor Barrett.

March 16th 1932
Proctor Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £170-5-0 debit, rents owing £1491-1-4. Accounts paid.
A letter from BUDC dated February 18th 1932 was read re the liability for the repair of Calf Hall Road. This was discussed.
Res. That the matter be left over while the secretary obtains further information.
Mr Wood reported that the Monkswell Manufacturing Co [CH] had called a meeting of creditors with a view to entering voluntary liquidation and that a distraint had been levied dated March 10th 1932 for the rent owing, £522-2-1.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of William Perry sanctioned. 200 shares to Geraldine G Perry and 400 to Harold Perry. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that Messrs J Windle and Sons had applied to rent extra looms in the space previously occupied by Petersons and that he had made arrangements for this to be done. Rent to be payable on the looms running at the same rate as those in their own occupation but they to have the use of the looms free for three months. [Far better for disused looms to be used and running as this halted deterioration.]
It was reported that W B Barritt had asked that the length of notice required to terminate their tenancy be extended. [A piece of land rented from CHSC?]
Res. That the tenancy be a yearly one terminable on December 31st in any year by notice given not later than June 30th in that year.
Proctor Barrett.

April 20th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £124013-11 debit. Rents owing £1420-0-4. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that the economisers at Butts Mill required attention.
Res. That the matter be left over until the next meeting. [Pencil note reads 'leave over for a time'. I think the directors can see what is coming. The question in their minds is 'How long will Butts be running?']
A further request was received from the Town Clerk BUDC re the liability for the repair of Calf Hall Road.
Res. That the secretary see Mr J C Waddington re the reply to be sent.
Mr Wood reported that the plant at Monkswell Manufacturing Co (in liquidation) had been offered for sale.
Res. That CHSC make an offer for the plant and it be left to Mr Banks and Mr Wood to enter into negotiations at a price of approx. £750.
Transfer of 100 shares from Harold Perry to John Vernon Patrick sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that an enquiry for space at WH Mill had been received from Mr A Pollard for 150 45” looms and 50 36” looms and from 40 to 50 62” looms, the looms to be provided by the company.
Res. That we inform Mr Pollard that CHSC are not prepared to buy 62” but would be agreeable to enter negotiations with him for the tenancy of 45” and 36” looms already on the premises belonging to the company.
Res. That the ashes from CH, Butts and WH Mills be offered to the council from May 1st to October 31st for the sum of £5, the council to remove the ashes. [This is a payment for the ashes. Happy days are here again!]
Proctor Barrett.

May 25th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £148-17-1 credit. Rent owing £1464-16-3. Accounts paid.
It was reported that BUDC had accepted the offer of ashes (to be carted by them) for the six months ending October 31st 1932 for £5.
The secretary reported he had received a reply from the Town Clerk re the surface water from Taylor Street stating that it was not the custom of the council to deal with surface drainage water until the streets were made up under the Private Streets Works Act 1892.
Res. That Mr Taylor be written to re the matter. [The developer who built the street.]
Further correspondence from BUDC re the liability to repair Calf Hall Street was read.
Res. That the matter be left over.
It was reported that a quotation from P D Bilborough for the supply of coals similar to the current contract had been received. The prices were: Bentley Washed Doubles 22/3 per ton. Acton Hall Washed Nuts 21/3 delivered at Barnoldswick station (in the CHSC wagons).
Res. That the contract be continued until June 30th 1933.
Transfer of 143 shares from Ellen Patrick to John Vernon Patrick sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Proctor Barrett.

June 15th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £430-13-7 debit. Rents owing £1507-12-7. Accounts paid.
Res. That the purchase from the Liquidator of Monkswell Manufacturing Co of the plant formerly the property of this company for £700 be confirmed.
A letter was read from Taylor Brothers re the CHSC complaint about water overflowing from Taylor Street stating that they do not accept any liability for water from Taylor Street and pointing out that they had sold all the houses bar one. [Interesting that in a time of deep recession new houses could be sold.]
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 60 shares from Midland Bank (Branch Nominees) to John Vernon Patrick and 143 from Ellen Patrick to Mary Isabel Bannister. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported that Mr Fred Pickles had asked that the firms in which he was interested should be put on one month's notice.
Res. That this application be refused and it was pointed out that extra time was being now run of 2 hours 20 minutes per week. [Some sections of the trade were experiencing increased demand as many firms went out of business. This is not a new dawn.]
Res. That John Vernon Patrick be elected a director to fill the vacancy created by the death of John Hall.
In connection with the transfer of shares from the Midland Bank (Branch Nominees) Ltd a request was received from the manager of the Midland Bank in Barnoldswick that the registration fee be reconsidered.
Res. That it remains at 1d per share as hitherto.
Proctor Barrett.

[On July 11th 1932 there was a very severe storm on Weets Moor resulting in extensive flooding in the town and much damage to property, largely due to enormous amounts of water running off the moor and overwhelming the watercourses.]

July 13th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1483-11-3 credit. Rents owing 976-14-5. Accounts paid.
A petter was read from O/Mara re WH chimney. [Lightning strike?]
Res. That the damaged hoop only be replaced.
A complaint was received from J Windle and Sons re broken windows. Mr Banks stated he was attending to the matter. [One of the freak events reported at the time was exceptionally large hailstones over 2” in size.]
Res. That the holding of £11,000 of 5% War Stock 1929/47 be converted to 3½% War Stock in accordance with the government's offer and that the common seal be affixed to the necessary form.
Balance sheet for half year adopted subject to audit. Dividend of 2% free of tax to be recommended. No General Meeting date set.
The damage cause by the July 11th floods was discussed.
Res. That the secretary go into the question of a claim on the insurance company.
Transfer of 98 shares from the Exors of Grace Anderson to Mary Ellen Green be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the Ouzledale Foundry, damaged by lightning and flood on July 11th, be rebuilt, that Norman Barrett be asked to obtain estimates and that the matter be left in the hands of Mr Banks and Mr Wood. [Cecil Ashby is paying rent now. Remember that this is the only foundry in the town and is very busy. We know that J A Pickles and Son, tenants of the Mechanic's Shop at WH Mill are getting all their castings made there and are also very busy, mainly on making new loom pulleys to slow the looms down for the More Looms system. We aren't seeing detailed accounts in the minutes but Pickles and Son are doing all the CHSC engineering and millwrighting.]
Proctor Barrett.

No general meeting minuted but printed balance sheet inserted in the minute book reports:
Statement of accounts for the year ending June 30th 1932. Trading profit for the three mills is £372-13-0 for the year. After expenses etc £122-17-8 net. Depreciation charge once more postponed making an available balance of £1622-17-8. Disposition as follows:
From last account 30-13-11
Add balance as shown above 1622-17-8
Total 1653-11-7
Last Half year dividend at 2% per ann. 607-17-7
Balance 1045-14-0
Half year dividend of 2% 607-17-7
To carry forward 437-16-5.
John Vernon Patrick elected as director in place of J Hall.
Signed at Burnley, July 14th 1932 by P Barrett and E Wood.

August 17th 1932
Officers re-elected. P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1735-16-4 credit, rent owing £929-9-3. Accounts paid.
Correspondence was read from Messrs M Horsfield and B&EM Holden re stoppages caused by the flood stating that although some looms had warps in they had been unable to run these because of the flood.
Res. That Horsfield's be allowed a fortnight's rent (Their stoppage having been three weeks but one of these was a holiday week) and That B&EM Holden be allowed a day free of rent. [CH Shed was badly affected. The sheds at the back of the mill were flooded when the beck broke up out of the culvert beneath the floor. Evidence of Ernie Roberts, LTP, who was working there at the time.]
A letter was received from BUDC dated August 5th re the rebuilding of the wall fencing the beck off from the Ginnel between Butts and Calf Hall Lane damaged by the flood.
Res. That the matter be left over for the present time.
A letter was read from J Slater and Sons, Clough Mill, re the cleaning of their dam of debris washed down by the flood from Ouzledale Foundry. The matter was discussed. [Much of this debris actually came from the garage of Wild Brothers, haulage contractors who had a garage on the top side of Bancroft Shed where weft boxes and skeps were stored outside.]
Res. The matter be left over.
The secretary reported the receipt of £338-2-6 from the London Assurance in settlement of a claim for damage by lightning on July 11th 1932 to the wall between Monkswell and M Horsfield's which collapsed. [CH]
Mr Wood reported that this amount would have been £80 more if the shed had been fully covered and that he was of the opinion that the insurance on CH Shed should be revised.
Res. That the matter be left over for further consideration.
A quotation was read from E Green and Son for the replacement of the economisers at Butts Mill of 256 tubes of 9ft each at a cost of £448. The secretary impressed on the board the necessity for doing this at once, first that they were dangerous and second that the investment would save at least £150 per annum. [Remember that we know these are operating at full boiler pressure, at least 160psi.]
Res. That this matter be considered at the next meeting.
Res. That the secretary write to the BUDC asking for their intentions re the repair of the road against Butts Mill leading up to S Pickles and Sons warehouse which had been damaged by the flood.
Mr Norman Barrett attended and submitted six tenders for the rebuilding of Ouzledale Foundry.
Res. That Mr F Bleazard's tender of £185 be accepted and the work be done forthwith.
Proctor Barrett.

September 21st 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1324-8-4 credit. Rents owing £862-5-9. Accounts paid.
A letter from Butts Manfg Co was read alleging defects to the shed roof. Mr Banks said he was attending to the matter.
A letter from BUDC Town Clerk was read requesting that the company should make good the wall fencing off the beck from the ginnel between Butts and Calf Hall Road.
Res. That as there was considerable doubt whether the company was liable for the repair of the wall no action be taken and the matter reconsidered at the next meeting.
Correspondence from BUDC re the condition of the road from Butts Mill to Butts Field was read.
Res. That if no satisfactory reply be received from the council MR Banks should see Mr Barrett with a view to making good a portion of the road up to Messrs Pickles' warehouse door.
Res. That a new economiser be installed at Butts Mill and that the secretary see E Green and Son Ltd and endeavour to get them to reduce their tender of £448. It was also resolved that a circulator be installed at the same time. [Circumstances have forced them to bite this bullet on the grounds of safety.]
It was reported that there had been further correspondence with M Horsfield and So re the allowances for stoppages after the flood.
Res. That the matter be postponed for further consideration.
Mr Wood reported that he had received a request from S Pickles and Sons and the Butts and Craven Manfg companies for an allowance of 10% for the year ending July 31st 1932 which Mr Pickles had declined as being insufficient on two occasions last year in September and October. As Mr Wood was expecting to receive a visit from Mr Fred Pickles it was resolved that consideration of the matter be deferred.
A letter was read from J A Pickles and Son, Wellhouse Machine Works, asking for a temporary reduction of rent owing to the bad state of trade.
Res. That the rent be reduced by £50 per year for the time being.
The question of the allowance for rent to be made during the strike [More Looms dispute.] was discussed.
Res. That the matter be postponed for further consideration. [The directors were in unknown territory here. The More Looms dispute and associated matters were so serious that trade was virtually at a stand still. Waiting to see if there was any definite information as to the length of the strikes and lockouts was probably the wise thing to do.]
Transfer of 300 shares from Harold Perry to Victor Hedges sanctioned. Seal cert etc. [Victor Hedges is to become a significant figure in the minutes. He married Edward Wood's daughter and eventually became senior partner at Proctor and Proctor. See his evidence in the Lancashire Textile Project, tape 81/VH.]
Res. That the secretary obtain offers for the looms taken over from Hartley and Lawson which had suffered considerable damage during the flood.
Res. That the secretary write to John Slater and Sons re the sale of the Lea Water recorder towards which CHSC had contributed part of the cost and suggesting that John Slater and Sons should refund to CHSC a proportionate part of the proceeds of the sale. [Evidently not seen as useful now and could it have been damaged during the flood? This measuring device is almost certainly connected with the extraction of overflow water from Clough Mill lodge for use at Butts via the balance pond in the Parrock.]
Proctor Barrett.

October 19th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £973-13-2 credit, rents owing £686-2-6. Accounts paid.
The question of allowances on rent during the strike period was considered.
Res. That rent be charged on half the looms running in the week previous to the strike. [The main strike had been a withdrawal of labour by the Amalgamated Weavers from August 27th to September 27th. An agreement was reached on December 17th 1932 which settled the More Looms matter but as employers rushed in to implement the new system many more local disputes broke out. The secretary of the Amalgamated Weavers said at the time that “the future is very black”. The trade wasn't out of the wood yet.]
A Letter was read from Craven Manfg Co claiming half of the loss of £1250 said to be suffered by them owing to the damage after the floods.
Res. That the secretary write expressing sympathy but stating that the company could not accept any responsibility.
Mr Wood reported he had obtained offers of 10/- [each] for the narrow looms and 12/- for the broad looms in the place formerly occupied by Hartley and Lawson which had been damaged in the flood. [For scrap.]
Res. That this offer be not accepted and that the looms be allowed to remain on the premises.
The secretary reported that Mr Horsfield of M Horsfield and Sons had seen him re various matters connected to his tenancy and that Mr Horsfield had said that the main gutter was inadequate for purpose and that the drains in Mill Street were still blocked up. It was left for Mr Banks to go into the question of the gutter and for the secretary to write to BUDC re the surface water drains in Mill Street.
The secretary reported that he had received a letter from the clerk to BUDC re the repair of the road leading from Butts to Butts Field stating that the matter had been left over for further investigation by the council.
The secretary reported he had received further correspondence re the repair of the wall along the ginnel on the left hand side facing Calf Hall and that after consulting with Mr Banks he had replied that CHSC could not accept responsibility for the wall. [This ginnel no longer exists, it was extinguished as a right of way when Carlson Ford extended over the beck. It used to run up the side of Butts Mill from Butts to Calf Hall Road.]
Proctor Barrett.

November 16th 1932
P Barrett chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £162-8-6 debit. Rent owing £1737-2-0. Accounts paid.
Quotations for the insulating of the new economiser at Butts Mill were read:
Davidson and Co, £16-3-3. William Kenyon and Son Ltd £14-19-6.
Res. That the matter be postponed for the time being.
A letter from BUDC dated October 21st was read in which the council stated that they could not accept responsibility for the gulleys in Mill Street.
Res. That as Mill Street had not yet been adopted by the council the matter could not be pressed further. Mr Banks said however that there was only one gulley to clear and that he would see it was done.
The secretary read a letter from Fred Pickles re the loss sustained through the flooding of the shed and enclosing six months notice from S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manufacturing and Butts Manufacturing to expire on April 30th 1933.
Mr Wood reported that he had seen Fred Pickles twice but that Mr Pickles simply stated that they were determined to leave.
Res. That Mr Wood see Fred Pickles again to see if some arrangement could be made to retain them as tenants.
A Letter from Mr Broughton, agent for Col. Bairstow was read drawing attention to the state of the road at Calf Hall Shed.
Res. That the secretary reply that CHSC were not responsible for the condition of the road or its repair.
E B Banks.

December 14th 1932
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £44-15-8 credit. Rent owing £849-16-2. Accounts be paid.
The secretary reported that he had seen Fred Pickles again but Mr Pickles had said they had made definite arrangements to move to Barnsey Shed. [S Pickles and Sons eventually owned both Long Ing and Barnsey sheds and survived until the end of the industry.]
The secretary reported that he had received a request from S Pickles and Sons for the allowance of 10% discount for their three firms from the rent up to date and that he had written back pointing out that the agreement for this allowance terminated on July 31st 1932.
Correspondence thereon was read and the secretary's action was approved and he was empowered to take any further action necessary.
The secretary reported that he had received an enquiry from Messrs Widdup re space at WH Mill and had forwarded details. He had written to Mr Widdup again and endeavoured to see him but he had nothing to report. [J Widdup and sons had a large tenancy at Moss Shed and eventually owned it. With hindsight we can see that there are signs that the trade situation is easing, Widdups had orders for more looms than they could operate in Moss and wanted extra capacity.]
The secretary reported receipt of a letter from Messrs Horsfield re a suggestion that CHSC should insure them against flood and that the London Assurance had stated that the flood insurance could only be effected by the company who carried the Fire Insurance.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. From Seth Mundy and W A Adney; 46 shares to Annice Baxter and 37 to L A Baxter. Also 625 shares from Eliza M Dewhurst to Seth Mundy and W A Adney. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported receipt of a letter from the London Assurance regarding the fire insurance for Ouzledale Foundry requesting that certain open gas jets should be protected by metal shields. Mr Banks said the matter would receive attention. [Useful evidence that electricity hadn't reached so far.]
E B Banks.

January 18th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1165-8-6 debit after payment of the accounts. Rent owing 1889-14-2.
Res. That the balance sheet for the half year ended December 31st 1932 be adopted as read and an interim dividend of 2% free of tax be paid.
[No printed balance sheet in the minute book.]
Res. That the tender of Mr Lewis Mayfield for a new lightning conductor on WH chimney for £4-10-0 be accepted.
A letter from M Horsfield and Sons dated January 2nd was read. They stated that they had made enquiries of the insurance company re insurance against flood and had been quoted a premium of £40 but as they considered this too high they asked that CHSC should accept responsibility for damage due to the flood.
Res. That the CHSC could not admit any liability for damage by flood and that Mr Wood should see Mr Horsfield and inform him to this effect.
Further correspondence from S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manfg and Butts Manfg was read.
Res. That the action of the secretary be approved and that he be instructed to press for all rents outstanding.
Transfer of 30 shares from Isabella Laycock to James Edgar Bennett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

February 15th 1933
Mr Banks referred with sincere regret to the death of Proctor Barrett. He was one of the promoters of the CHSC, an original director and chair for 19 years. He had taken an active part in the early development of the company and maintained a keen interest in its welfare until his death. He was a thorough business man with wide experience and his practical ideas were greatly appreciated by the board. [A long eulogy follows and the directors stood in silence as an expression of their sympathy.]
Res. Unanimously that E B Banks be elected chairman and R Jacques as vice chair.
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1162-3-10 debit. Rents owing £2702-15-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares: From Exors of Mary H Anderson to; Robert Anderson 23. Joseph Anderson 23. Rennie Anderson 23. Rebecca Waddington 36. Ivy Nicholson 36. From Mabel Pickup, executrix to: Mabel Pickup 95 shares. George Pickup 95. Vera Pickup 96. Seal cert etc.
Reported that an offer of £40 had been received from Mr Pickard For healds and reeds at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Heyron Hartley be asked to make an offer and the matter be left in the hands of Mr Banks.
Reported that Messrs Widdup had seen the premises at WH Mill lately occupied by Dewhurst and also Moorhouse. They were going into the possible tenancy of one of the two.
Correspondence from the clerk to BUDC was read.
Res. That the Clerk be informed that CHSC are willing to agree to the suggestion of BUDC to their suggestion that they put the roadway at Butts into a temporary satisfactory state of repair, they to provide half the cost and CHSC the other half. It to be understood that this was done without prejudice or any admission to liability on the part of CHSC to repair the road which is an old occupation road and that the CHSC contribution should not exceed £10.
Also Res. That BUDC be informed that CHSC are willing for the council to repair the wall alongside the ginnel from Butts to Calf Hall Lane and that the CHSC would bear their share of the liability provided the other owners agreed to do the same.
The secretary reported that he had received cheques from Messrs Pickles purporting to be full and final settlement of all rents outstanding but that he had refused to accept them on this basis. He had as yet received no reply.
E B Banks.

March 15th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1440-2-11 debit. Rents owing £3295-4-3. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported he had received a request from B&EM Holden for the installation of humidifiers and that he had received an estimate from the Ayrton Engineering Co [Bell Busk] of £210 for two machines and that the fixing would cost about £40.
Res. That the humidifiers be installed provided that Holden's are willing to pay 5% of the cost, the total not to exceed £250.
A further letter from M Horsfield was read re the application that CHSC should either insure them against floods or indemnify them for any loss that might arise and pointing out the difficult position they were in due to the position of their shed.
It was felt that CHSC should accede to their request and that the secretary should see Mr Horsfield and arrange with them about insurance against flood.
The secretary reported that he had seen Widdup again re the tenancy at WH Mill, that they were considering the matter further and that he was to see them after the present meeting.
The secretary reported that as no reply had been received to our letter of February 8th to S Pickles and Sons he had consulted with Mr J C Waddington, solicitor, and on his advice a letter was sent on March 3rd to S Pickles and Sons stating that unless a satisfactory reply was received payment of the rent owing would have to be enforced. Messrs Pickles had then requested an interview and the chairman, vice chair and secretary had met them that morning when Mr Fred Pickles had asked the board to give him favourable consideration and had also mentioned the possibility of continuing as tenant at CH Shed. [Really? Why do I suspect that this is yet another diversion?]
Res. That if Messrs Pickles were agreeable to continue either at S Pickles and Sons, Craven Manfg or Butts Manfg favourable consideration would be given to an allowance re whichever tenancy they would agree to continue providing they remain for a period of not less than two years.
E B Banks.

April 12th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £618-18-1, rents owing £2524-12-2. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from B&EM Holden agreeing to pay 5% on the cost if installation of humidifiers.
The secretary reported that he had arranged provisionally for J Widdup and Sons Ltd to take a tenancy of the room at WH Mill lately occupied by Richardson Ltd at a rent of 68/5 per loom to include the tape, this rate being the basis rent of 70/- per loom and £210 per 400 looms both less 5% for cash and less a further 10% allowance in lieu of an allowance for stopped looms. To sell them 256 looms at £2 per loom to include tape and other plant. Three months grace to be allowed and the next twelve months at half rent.
Res. That the secretary's actions be confirmed. [In the circumstances this is a good move but it demonstrates how the balance of power has moved from the CHSC to a manufacturer with a full order book.]
The result of interviews re the deduction of rent made by S Pickles and Sons was reported and it was stated that Messrs Pickles had eventually agreed to pay £1000.
Res. That this be accepted.
Res. That the looms belonging to CHSC and now in Butts Mill should be removed by April 30th. The broad looms to be cleaned up and stored in WH Mill and the narrow looms to be sold.
E B Banks.

[The minute books make no direct reference to the engine at Butts being stopped but from other sources it is clear that Fred Pickles moved the Pickles firms out of CHSC to Barnsey and this last reference to £1000 being paid looks like the removal. We know that Butts Manufacturing had 407 looms and Craven Manufacturing 814 in Butts so I think we can date the closure to April 1933. The mill never ran again. We shall shortly see the new economisers and the higher pressure boilers (At least one) being moved to CH Shed by J A Pickles and Son.]

May 17th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £352-14-6 credit, rents owing £310-2-7. Accounts paid.
Share transfers sanctioned: From the Exors of W H Holdsworth; 120 shares to T Holdsworth and 280 to W H E Holdsworth. From the administrators of M J Holdsworth; 20 shares to T Holdsworth. 35 to E Steele. 35 to W H Dixon. 30 to F G Hoyle. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported an application from J Widdup and Sons re electric lighting. [Moss Shed had DC electric lighting from its opening in 1903. Widdup's knew the advantages and wanted the same at WH.] They suggested that electric lighting should be installed and half the cost should be borne by CHSC and half by them, the installation to become the property of CHSC.
The position was discussed and as in any case their would be considerable expense incurred in removing the present gas lighting to the new position of the looms [With the new More Looms system the looms had to be re-spaced in eight sets.] it was resolved that J Widdup and Sons be approached with the suggestion that the CHSC would be willing to provide power for the lighting free of charge providing they bear the cost of putting in the electric installation with dynamo. If however they prefer their original suggestion the CHSC would agree to it. [It surprises me that nobody is looking into the possibility of using the new AC public supply. Perhaps it wasn't advanced enough to accommodate large users. See minutes for July 5th 1929 when a sub station was built at Wellhouse for the new supply.]
The secretary reported that he understood Mr T Proctor of Proctor and Sons Ltd, Bankfield Shed was considering moving.
Res. That the secretary be empowered to offer them the same terms as recently arranged with Widdups. [Bankfield Shed was in trouble. One large tenant, Bradley Brothers with over 900 looms had failed in the late 1920s, James Nutter with another 900 was shortly to move out and take Bancroft Shed over from the failed Nutter Brothers. Bankfield was to close down in 1934 and by that time Proctors were in Westfield Shed.]
The question of the coal contract from June 30th 1933 was discussed.
Res. That a contract to June 30th 1934 be arranged with P Bilborough; Bentley washed doubles 21/2 per ton. Bentley washed singles (1” x ½”) 19/10.
E B Banks.

June 21st 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £731-18-3, rents owing £302-12-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, all from the Exors of Proctor Barrett. 414 shares to Jessie W Barrett. 413 to James E Barrett. 413 to Norman M Barrett. 413 to Stuart P Barrett. [Norman Barrett is the surveyor we see mentioned frequently in the Minutes and later he is described as architect.] Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that he had received a letter from M Horsfield and So Ltd asking if the company would agree to the exchange of 50 of his 40” Cooper looms for 50 41” Cooper looms from WH they to pay the removal costs.
Res. That this request be acceded to. [The trade is changing and loom width is increasing to cope with popular orders. This was not necessarily for wider cloth but to cope with shrinkage in width in the loom of more complicated weaves like twills. One point to bear in mind is that thousands of looms were moved around the town and reset. There was also the re-spacing of looms for the More Looms System. There were recognised loomshifters who catered for this need and I have often thought that the sight of looms being moved around the town must have been commonplace.]
Mr Wood reported re the lighting arrangements at WH Mill for Widdups. He had received a further suggestion from them that they pay half the cost of the installation of a dynamo and electric lighting and that CHSC pay the other half and provide the power for turning the dynamo. [By belt from the shaft in the shed.]
It was felt that the suggestion made at the last meeting would be better for CHSC. The matter was left for the secretary to discuss with Messrs Widdup.
E B Banks.

July 12th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1490-10-11 credit. Rent owing £148-0-2. Accounts paid.
Balance sheet read and approved. Dividend of 2% to be recommended. Shareholder's meeting to be on July 26th. Director's report approved.
Reported that J Widdup and Sons had decided to use gas in their premises and that a pressure Gas Plant would be installed and lighting completed by the weekend. [A device for boosting gas pressure above mains pressure to cope with the length of gas pipes in the shed? I haven't come across this before but it makes sense.]
Mr Banks reported that Matthew Horsfield had exchanged 52 looms from WH and returned 50.
E B Banks.

No minutes for general meeting
Printed balance sheet inserted in minute book reports: Trading loss for the year of £1763-9-3 but after crediting investment income, taxes reclaimed and deferring depreciation for the year there is a nett profit of £1356-13-0. Disposable balance and disposition:
From last account 1045-14-0
Less July 1932 dividend 607-17-0
Balance 437-16-5
Add profit this year 1356-13-0
Balance 1794-9-5
Less dividend December 1932 607-17-0
Disposable balance 1186-11-10
June 30th 1933 half year dividend @2% 607-17-0
Carried forward 578-14-3.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 18th 1933.

August 16th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £476-16-8 credit, rents owing £184-15-0. Accounts paid.
An application from J Windle and Sons for the exchange of 38 43” looms owned by the company at WH Mill for the equivalent number of 40” looms at present run by Windle's was considered.
Res. That Windle's be allowed the use of the 38 43” looms free of charge for the time being and the equivalent number of 40” looms at present run by Windle's to remain in WH Mill.
Res. That M Horsfield and Son be informed that the board do not feel they can insure them against flood but are agreeable to indemnify them from damage arising therefrom providing they would undertake to pay the first £50 of any damage. Mr Horsfield had agreed to this proposal.
E B Banks.

September 27th 1933.
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £418-6-8 credit, rents owing £236-18-7. Accounts paid.
The Secretary reported that he and the chairman had completed negotiations with Messrs Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd for them to take up the tenancy of CH Shed and that the removal of looms [400] was completed on September 25th. The rent to be 70/- per annum on looms running and £210 per tape per 400 looms both less 5% for cash, the cost of removal to be borne by CHSC. Three month's grace to be allowed from October 1st 1933 and the next twelve months to be at half rent. One tape to be supplied by CHSC and jointly owned by them and Horsfield's. Horsfield's to pay the amount received by them for the sale of their half of the tape at Bankfield Shed.
Res. That these terms be confirmed.
The secretary reported that he had received an application from Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd for the exchange of 20 45” looms from the space previously occupied by Moorhouse's for 20 40” Keighley Cross Rod looms belonging to them.
The secretary had seen the chairman and had provisionally agreed to the exchange of these looms, Slater Brothers to pay30/- per loom and the cost of removal.
Res. That this be confirmed.
Res. That Mr Wood write to the Town Clerk BUDC regarding the flooding at WH Mill on September 20th due to storm water from Wellhouse Road overflowing and running down into the boiler house and also into the premises occupied by Pickles and Co the engineers.
E B Banks.

October 18th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £87-01 debit, rents owing £291-15-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That a further exchange of 32 of Messrs Slater Brother's 40” Keighley Cross Rod looms for 32 45” looms from Moorhouse's space be confirmed. Slater Brothers to pay 30/- per loom and the cost of removal and to endeavour to fill up the full amount of space occupied by them as soon as possible.
An application for the use of Butts Mill as a social centre for the unemployed and the distribution of free meals was read and after lengthy consideration it was resolved that the objections to the scheme were insuperable and that the secretary be instructed to reply accordingly.
E B Banks.

November 15th 1933.
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £110-12-5 debit. Rents owing £318-11-1. Accounts paid.
In Mr Banks interview with the council surveyor re flooding at WH Mill the surveyor intimated that there was no cure for the overflow of water onto our property except by making [up to council standards] the streets above our property and there was no chance of doing this as tenants [frontage holders] were not in a position to pay for the cost of paving, sewers etc.
Res. That the request of Harold Strickland to have his name entered [on the share register] as a member of the company in place of being mentioned as executor of Rebecca Strickland be granted.
E B Banks.

December 20th 1933
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £141-7-7 debit. Rent owing £224-5-7. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

January 17th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £572-0-3 debit, rents owing £361-11-6. Accounts paid.
Reported that B&EM Holden had given three months notice to terminate their tenancy to expire on March 31st 1934. [They moved into Moss Shed]
Transfer of 126 shares from Leonard Mitchell to Victor Hedges sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Accounts and balance sheet for half year ending Dec 31st 1933 approved as read.
Res. No interim dividend be paid and that the secretary write to the shareholders stating that it had been decided to postpone the question of a dividend until the end of the company's year on June 30th 1934. [A copy of this letter is inserted in the minute book.]
E B Banks.

February 21st 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £641-6-0 debit, rents owing £283-16-11. Accounts paid.
A Request by Mr Roy Green, administrator of Mary Ellen Green that a new share certificate be granted to him for the shares held by Mary Ellen Green was approved.
A letter from Robinson Brooks, Westfield Shed asking for permission to view the vacant space at CH Shed was read and it was resolved that all necessary particulars be given to him. [This is an interesting one. If my memory serves me correctly there was a family dispute at Westfield at the time and moving to CH Shed with a grace period and reduced outgoings was attractive enough to move him. This applied to quite a few of the moves we are seeing.]
E B Banks.

March 21st 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £780-18-10, rents owing 247-1-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That a new share certificate be issued under the common seal of the company to Samuel Crabtree in place of the previous certificate which had been inadvertently destroyed, the usual form of indemnity having been completed.
Res. That an exchange of approximately 50 more 45” looms in place of 41” looms be made with Slater Brothers, they to pay 30/- per loom in addition to the exchange.
An application from Lomas and Barrett regarding the tenancy of the warehouse extension at Butts Mill was considered.
Res. That they be informed that CHSC were prepared to accept a rent of £65 per annum, the landlords paying the rates (providing de-rating was obtainable) the tenants to brick up the opening between the warehouse and the main body of the mill. It was stated that no power would be required.
Reported that B&EM Holden felt they could not reconsider their decision to terminate their tenancy on March 31st.
Res. That their plant consisting of 414 looms of 38” to 40” together with the tape, preparation machinery, healds and reeds, used stores etc be purchased from them for £700.
Reported that Robinson Brooks had made an enquiry about the temporary running of looms in WH Mill but that so far nothing had come of the application.
E B Banks.

April 18th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1545-5-2, rents owing 290-3-6. Accounts paid. [Bear in mind the number of looms running on grace terms.]
Transfers of shares sanctioned:
From Exors of Edwin Slater: 191 shares to Norman H Slater. 191 to Clifford C Slater.
From Exors of William H Atkinson (the original architect to CHSC) to: Mary ann heap 175 shares. Lucy Manning 175. Edith Hully 175. Jane Atkinson 175. Gertrude Brown 175. Florence M Atkinson 175. All seal cert etc.
Reported that a letter had been received from Lomas and Barrett re the proposal for a tenancy of the warehouse extension at Butts Mill. Saying that their client did not regard the premises as being very suitable and that the matter was being dropped for the time being. [Lomas and Barrett are evidently the agents, anything to do with Norman Barrett?]
It was reported that negotiations had commenced with Mr Ellison, representing E C Hulme and Co re a proposed tenancy for about 70 looms at WH Mill.
Res. That the following terms be offered: Rent to be 70/- per loom per annum per 40” reed-space less 5% for cash and payable on looms running only with a minimum rent of half the number of looms installed. 2/6 per loom per annum to be paid on stopped looms to cover rates etc. CHSC to arrange for the removal of 41” cross rod looms from the Throstle Nest Loom Co of Nelson in exchange for the plain loose reed looms from WH Mill on the basis of three loose reed looms for two cross rod looms. ['Loose reed' looms were the most common type and those with fixed reeds were often referred to as 'bang-up' looms by tacklers because of their more robust beating action on the weft. These bang-ups were able to weave much heavier cloths like canvas as well as the finer sorts.]
Rent to be payable from the time warps are put in the looms and half rent only for the first twelve months.
Looms to be provided by CHSC and no charge to be made for the use of them for the first twelve months. The tenancy to be subject the three months notice from the first day of any month.
[The shed companies had always provided a low threshold of entry into manufacturing and the stringent trading conditions have forced them to make entry even easier. A good sign of the state of the industry. In earlier times, periods of bad trade were always followed by recovery, since 1920 it has slowly become obvious that the good old days had gone, never to return. Remember that CHSC were not alone, New Coates Mill had closed, Bankfield was on the verge of closure, Butts is empty and individual firms are going to the wall. There will be a small number of survivors but even they were on notice.]
E B Banks.

May 16th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1326-11-10 debit. Rents owing £323-17-6. Accounts paid.
Reported that E C Hulme and Co had taken possession of the portion of WH Mill arranged to be let and were going to start running looms as soon as possible. [This firm was still in WH Mill in 1938 Worrall Directory so a good tenant.]
Reported that the purchase of twelve circular [shuttle] box looms at £4-10-0 each from Throstle Nest Mill Co Ltd be confirmed. [These sound like Northrop looms and CHSC is evidently looking to more modern looms. However, Northrops and looms like them never gained a foothold in Barlick because the plain Lancashire looms were so versatile. It's significant that these older looms survived right to the end of the industry and were the last to be used.]
An application from J Widdup and Sons complaining of bad ventilation in their shed at WH Mill was considered and it was decided the matter should be put in order.
It was reported that 52 of the old looms at WH Mill had been sold to Mr J Pickard, loom broker, at 17/- each this having been done to make room for the new tenants E C Hulme and Co. [There was a market for old looms besides the scrap trade. Many redundant looms were exported to India and China.]
A quotation from P D Bilborough, coal merchant of Barnoldswick, for supply of coal for the year ending June 30th 1935 was read.
Res. That this be accepted subject to the supply being satisfactory and the price reduced if the general level of coal prices falls. The prices quoted were as follows:
Bentley washed doubles 21/- per ton. Bentley washed singles 19/10. Airedale singles 20/-. Manvers Main singles 21/-. Glass Houghton Singles 20/4. Acton Hall washed nuts 20/6.
E B Banks.

June 20th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1662-1-2 debit. Rents owing £320-6-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That BUDC offer of £4 for ashes for the year ending April 30th 1935 be accepted.
The secretary reported that a Self-Help company [A cooperative weaving shed managed by the weavers. Self help sheds were already operating in Victoria Mill Earby and Sough Bridge Mill.] started by Messrs Jonas Smith, Whitworth, Lister, Ormerod and Aspden had applied for space at WH Mill and they had been offered space on the following terms: Half rents to be paid for six months as warps are put in the looms. No rent to be charged for the use of the [company's] looms for six months, afterwards the rent to be 3d per loom per week.
Mr Wood reported that the number of looms running was 1013.
The secretary reported that he had an interview with Mr Wilfred Nutter. [Wilfred Nutter was the main man in the Nutter family group of companies. A very astute operator and one of the longest survivors in the industry.] They had inspected the premises recently occupied by B&EM Holden and those of the Monkswell Manufacturing Co and expressed himself as well pleased with the premises, the two tape sizing machines and some of the looms.
Res. That they be offered the same terms as those offered to Messrs Widdup and that the secretary be empowered to negotiate with them for the premises. [I think that Wilfred is looking at the options open to him as he is shortly to move James Nutter and Sons out of Bankfield Shed, the move that closed it down.]
E B Banks.

July 11th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1814-13-1 debit. Rents owing 247-7-7. Accounts paid. [Remember that many tenants are running on grace or reduced terms.]
The secretary reported that Wilfred Nutter had taken the space at Westfield Shed now occupied by Robinson Brooks. [This was Wilfred transferring W D&E Nutter from Bankfield. James Nutter and Son went into Bancroft Shed in place of Nutter Brothers.]
The application for space at CH Shed by Robinson Brooks was considered.
Res. That Mr Wood inform him that space for up to 950 looms could be arranged in one lot at CH Shed and it was suggested that Mr Wood meet Robinson Brooks and go into the whole matter. It was left to Mr Wood to endeavour to arrange the tenancy on the lines of the letter already sent to Mr Brooks dated July 5th 1934 and to make the best terms possible as regards the costs of removal and length of tenancy. [By 1938 Robinson Brooks had 1728 looms in Westfield Shed and Calf Hall. That's right, he had moved back some looms to where he came from after the resolution of internal family matters at Westfield (The Brooks Brothers were the main shareholders of the Westfield Shed Company.) These firms were moving round like counters on a draught board!]
The accounts and balance sheet for the year and half year ending June 30th 1934 were approved as read. No dividend recommended, shareholders to meet July 18th.
E B Banks.

No minutes for general meeting.
However, printed report and balance sheet inserted in the minute book.
Trading loss for the year of £3039-7-3. After crediting investment income and holding back depreciation the loss is reduced to £1907-5-7. There is now an adverse balance of £1328-11-3 arrived at as follows:
Loss this year 1907-5-7
Less balance brought from last account 1186-11-10
Lees dividend paid July 26th 1933 607-17-7
Balance 578-14-3
Adverse balance carried forwards 1328-11-3.
[No mention of no dividend but I suppose this was obvious.]
Signed E B Banks and E Wood, Burnley July 13th 1934.

July 18th 1934
E B Banks chair.
The secretary reported that on Saturday July 14th he had met Christopher and Sidney Brooks and that they had agreed to a tenancy of approximately 830 looms at CH Shed for a term of four years from October 1st 1934. Rent to be payable on the total loom-space occupied and to be at the rate of 68/5 per loom to include the tapes. (This rate being the basis rent of 70/- per loom and £210 per tape for 400 looms both less 5% for each and less a further 10% in lieu of looms stopped.) Three months grace to be allowed and a further twelve months at half rent. The CHSC to remove looms and plant, to move drums as required and to exchange loom pulleys if necessary. [This last clause interests me, quite a concession. This refers to fitting the looms with larger pulleys to reduce their speed for the More Looms system, usually seen as the responsibility of the tenant.]
Res. That these terms be confirmed.
The secretary reported that Messrs Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd had agreed to remove to the portion formerly occupied by the Monkswell Manufacturing Co Ltd [CH] to make the above tenancy possible.
Res. The best thanks of the CHSC be given to them for their help in this matter.
Res. That the plant formerly belonging to B&EM Holden be sold for £650 and 170 x 39” looms at Monkswell for £1 each (excluding belts) and the beaming and winding frame, bobbins etc at Monkswell for £10, all to Mr Pickard, he to remove them and any remaining looms at Monkswell where necessary free of cost to CHSC.
[Remember what I said about the number of looms moving round the town? One more nudge for you. Remember that the poor old engine and plant at CH is going to have to cope with this lot!]
E B Banks.

August 22nd 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1977-2-9 debit. Rent owing £242. Accounts paid.
Reported that all arrangements connected with the move Of Messrs Robinson Brooks were proceeding satisfactorily.
Mr Wood reported that in view of the bad condition of the economiser at CH Shed and the filling up of the shed by the removal of R Brooks it was advisable that the new economisers at Butts Mill be moved to CH. [Not wasted money then.]
Res. That this be done. [This is very significant. It shows that CHSC had bitten the bullet and recognised that Butts Mill would never run again as a weaving shed. We shall see them moving boilers shortly, remember that the pressure had been raised at Butts to about 140psi. I'm not sure of the exact figure as the boilers were ordered as 160psi.]
Res. That an oiler be engaged at CH Shed at a salary of £2-5-0 per week.
E B Banks.

September 19th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1318-12-2 debit. Rents owing £265-12-5. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

October 17th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2316-12-11 debit. Rents owing £404-17-5. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned all from the Exors of Annie Waite:
102 shares to Norman Waite. 102 to Edith Pickles. 102 to Hilda Smith. All seal cert etc.
A letter was read from the Barnoldswick Local Industrial Development Committee re the proposal to advertise Barnoldswick.
Res. That no action be taken. [Public relations and advertising the town didn't loom large in the thinking of these men!]
The secretary reported he had received a letter from J Widdup and Sons Ltd giving six months notice to terminate their tenancy on March 31st 1935. Mr Widdup stated that it was only the bad state of trade that had forced them to give their notice. Mr Wood was to see them again nearer the termination of the tenancy and if things improved they would endeavour to continue. [Widdups had 1,116 looms in Moss and WH Mill. Things must have improved because they were still in WH in 1938.]
The secretary reported he had had an enquiry from Mr Harry Slater of John Slater and Sons regarding the space at WH Mill at present occupied by Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd. It appeared that Slater Brothers were contemplating going out of business and so John Slater and Sons asked for terms of tenancy. After consulting with the chairman and subject to the approval of the directors Mr Harry Slater had been informed that he would be accepted as tenant on the same terms as Slater Brothers:
Rent to be 70/- per loom per annum less 5% for cash payable on actual looms running together with 2/6 per annum per loom stopped. The tenancy to be subject to three months notice on either side and three month's grace to be allowed.
November 1st had been suggested as a provisional date for the commencement of the tenancy but since then a letter had been received stating that a definite date could not yet be settled.
Res. That Mr Wood's action be confirmed and that he arrange the tenancy on the best terms possible.
E B Banks.

November 21st 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2557-0-3 debit. Rents owing 252-14-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That £2,000 War Loan be sold at the best price possible.
Reported that notice to terminate their tenancy from November 30th 1934 had been received from Slater Brothers (Barnoldswick) Ltd and that Messrs John Slater and Sons are to take over the tenancy from that date on the terms approved at the last meeting.
Reported that an application had been received from Robinson Brooks for the use of the humidifiers in their premises and this had been approved subject to them keeping them in good order.
A complaint had been received re black smoke at CH Shed and this had been attended to. [Happy days are here again! A hard pressed boiler.]
A verbal application from Mr C Aldersley to run about 90 looms at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That taking all the circumstances into account the application should not be favourably considered but that he should be offered a self-contained space for approximately 350 to 370 looms. [Remember Victor Hedges stating that the 400 loom unit was the most profitable from the shed company's point of view?]
A verbal application from Messrs Briggs and Duxbury to rent the new warehouse at Butts Mill was considered. They offered to pay £50 for the first year and £55 for the second if the business proposed by them proved successful. Rates and insurance to be paid by CHSC, Briggs and Duxbury to wall up both openings [into the shed]. The tenancy to commence on January 1st 1935 and to be subject to three month's notice from any quarter end whilst the rent shall be payable quarterly.
Res. That the tenancy be approved providing the premises come under the de-rating provisions.
E B Banks.

December 20th 1934
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £148-15-6 credit. Rent owing £195-11-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, all from Exors of Selina Proctor to: Minnie Matterson 127 shares. Edith Jacques 128. Hilda Smith 127. All seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

January 16th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £214-12-3 debit, rents owing £277-16-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares sanctioned from George S H Baxter and Constance A Baxter to Constance A Baxter. Seal cert etc.
Balance sheet and report for half year ending December 31st 1934 approved as read. [No printed sheet in the book, only a typewritten profit and loss account showing a loss for the half year of £1277-10-4.]
The secretary reported he had been in touch with Dobson's Dairies of Lloyd Road, Levenshulme, Manchester re the possibility of renting part of Butts Mill.
Res. That the matter be left in the secretary's hands with the suggestion that a rent of £150 per annum be asked, the tenant to pay the rates. [This never came to anything. Dobsons took New Coates Mill and were there for many years. By a nice coincidence they were delivering milk to 38 Norris Avenue in Stockport at the time, the house where I was born!]
E B Banks.

February 20th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £534-5-2 debit, rents owing £273-4-0.
The secretary read correspondence and reported on his interview with Widdup and Sons whose tenancy terminates on February 28th. (Pencilled note: '? March 31st')
Res. That the secretary make the best terms he can with them offering 70/- per loom per annum less 5% with tape £210 for 400 looms less 5% to pay on looms running only with a minimum of half rent.
The lease with Messrs Robinson Brooks was submitted to the meeting.
Res. That it be approved and submitted to the tenants for execution after engrossment.
A letter was read from Charlesworth and Wood [Solicitors in Barlick] asking for consideration of a reduction in transfer fees which are 1d a share.
Res. That they be informed no change can be made.
A letter was read from Robinson Brooks stating that although the window glass was in good condition 24 panes in the warehouse were in two or more parts.
John Slater and Sons complained that the condition of their roof at WH Mill was not good.
Res. That the necessary repairs be executed.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. From Exors of John Sellars: 194 shares to M J Wignall. 194 to Ann M Warburton. 194 to M A Green. 194 to E C Sellars. From James Woffenden to H Lund, 127 shares. Exors of Margaret A Wilson to: 114 shares to Alice Lawson. 114 to Fanny Horsfield. 114 to Smith Wilson. 115 to Maud Parry. 115 to Ada Wood. All seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

March 20th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £755-12-9, rents owing £393-4-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of B Brown to W Brown Cooke sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported on further interviews with J Widdup and Sons re the continuation of their tenancy after the expiration of notice on March 31st and said that they had eventually agreed to continue the tenancy [Same terms as reported on Feb 20th except that minimum payment was to be on 126 looms.] Tenancy to be terminated by three month's notice. Widdups agreed to continue until April 30th 1936 at least. [As already noted they were still there in 1938.]
A letter was read from Alfred Kidd enquiring the possibility of a purchaser for 450 shares.
A letter from the London Assurance was read re Third Party claims.
Res. That the secretary cover this risk on the best terms possible.
Mr Wood reported that difficulty was being experienced at CH Shed keeping up speed.
Res. That enquiries be made as to the cost of a second-hand boiler to work at 160psi. [Not sure why this was being considered. In the end they moved a boiler from Butts into CH, used that to run the engine at increased pressure and the older low pressure boiler for heating and process steam.]
Res. That this question and also of further cooling plant at CH be gone into and a report made to the next meeting.
E B Banks

April 10th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1141-2-11, rent owing 592-1-10. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 165 shares from Exors of Margaret Wright sanctioned. 33 shares to Maud M Dent. 33 to Annie Wright. 33 to Susannah Wright. 33 to Harry Wright. 33 to Brenda Wright. Seal cert etc.
A letter from E C Hulme re looms being cramped was read and Mr Banks said that arrangements had been made to give them more space, the tenants moving the looms themselves.
A quotation for chimney repairs £26 at CH Shed was read. It was considered that the repairs were not necessary and that no action be taken. [Steeplejacks looking for work would roam the district with binoculars looking for faults and would approach the owners proposing repairs.]
A letter from M Horsfield and Sons was read re the speed of the engine. [CH Shed] The position was thoroughly discussed.
Res. That an extension of the cooling plant as suggested by Mr Wood be authorised and that two new covers for the LP cylinder be purchased, the existing covers having developed cracks.
Res. That the question of installing a boiler of 160psi be further considered.
It was reported that a crack had developed in the cross-head. [CH]
Res. That a new one be fitted. [By Pickles and Son.]
[The pigeons are coming home to roost! There is no further note of these matters in the minutes that I know of but we have evidence from Newton Pickles who was working with his father in the new firm of J A Pickles and Son, Wellhouse machine shop. Sorry for the length of this but it's a potted history of the plant at CH Shed and helps us understand the minute books.
“It were a 750hp Robert’s cross compound and it were the first one Roberts made with a rope drive flywheel (12 ropes.). It had slide valve low pressure and slide valve high-pressure cylinders with cut-off gear on. In 1916 it were modernised and Burnley Ironworks put a new high-pressure cylinder in, one of them with all the valves at the top. (Corliss valves.) Now in 1934 (CHSC minute books for 27th May 1936 say old boiler was 105psi and that the load on the engine is 770hp.) we took a boiler out of Butts which were 180psi (I know I’m nit-picking here but when the directors ordered the boiler new for Butts in February 1919 it was stated to be for 160psi and in June 1919 the directors witnessed the proof test at 260psi. I think proof test then was installed pressure plus 50% plus 10psi. For a 160psi boiler this would be 250psi and for 180psi it would have been 280psi so on balance 160psi is right. Sorry about that but I do try to be accurate!) and we put it in Calf Hall which were only 110psi to run at 160psi and we put a new piston into it [the engine], new piston rod, new cross head pin and a new crank pin, made ‘em all bigger. We bored out all the stud holes in the high pressure cylinder covers and put high tensile BSF studs in and raised the pressure from 110psi to 160psi. That up rated the engine, it were always terribly overloaded after they built Monkswell shed (1891). That were before my time of course but there were 400 looms in it, in Monkswell. (This work on the engine may have been before the boiler was moved in from Butts because there is a note in the company minute books dated 10th of April 1935 saying that the crosshead was cracked and it was resolved that it should be replaced. We know that Johnny Pickles did this.)
That engine ran at 80rpm, it were speeded up when that extension were built but it still couldn’t cope, not with economy anyway. The governor were a Whitehead and it had an Edward’s air pump that me father made sometime between the end of the First World War and 1930 when I started work. The feed pump were a three ram Pearn pump (Frank Pearn’s of Manchester.) that me father put in when he put the new air pump in. It ran off the engine with pulleys and a belt off the flywheel shaft running down into the cellar. There’d been a single ram pump on the back, on the side of the old air pump in the old days, the original fitting. When me father put that new Edward’s air pump on they didn’t bother with it, they put a new boiler pump in and all and ran it off the flywheel shaft with a belt on the governor side of the shaft between the flywheel boss and the governor pulley. They’d just that one pump and an injector, that were all there were at Calf Hall. The original boiler were an eight foot Lancashire and that that went from Butts were nine foot. (This was 1936/7according to the shed company minute books.) I think that eight foot were a Yates boiler and they’d Leach’s stokers on, if you’ve ever seen any Leach’s stokers. When they were running right they were a marvellous stoker, they were a fan stoker you know. They had a horizontal shaft running round at a heck of a speed and on that shaft were two cast iron blocks that were loose like a centrifugal governor type thing and they caught the coal as it come down out of the hoppers. There were a big crown wheel in the middle run by a worm and it had an arm on that worked a slide on the hoppers and delivered the coal. To alter the feed, you had this wing nut in the middle and you put it in a different position in the slot to give you more or less stroke for whatever rate of coal you wanted to burn. But they were always tricky, they wanted a lot of maintenance, because these fan type things and the shoes didn’t last so long they soon wore out with the coal wearing them away. Nearly all the mills in Barlick had them. We put the new [higher pressure boiler] in and left the other one in and in winter they used to use the other one for heating and the donkey and the tapes and such because it couldn’t cope with the engine, he’d just short of 900hp on when he were full up and it were built for 750ihp were the engine. [Newton's memory fails him here, it was 430hp and 105psi.] He couldn’t cope in winter with just one boiler, he used to put the other on for heating and we put all new steam ranges in, all steel pipe and a new stop valve. The heating ran at boiler pressure, they were practically all boiler pressure in those days.
That engine were always overloaded and just afore I started working it dropped the high-pressure crank off. (3pm on Thursday 28th February 1924 according to the minute books. Henry Brown and Sons did the repairs and the engine started again on the morning of 13 March 1924.) It broke it off and the piston came flying out through the cover and catched the engine driver on the arse and cut him. Me father went up and he said Edwin (Waterworth) were walking about and he says eh Edwin, thart bleeding someweer it’s all running out of your shoes. He says oh has it ruddy well cut me! So he pulled his pants down and he had a ruddy great gash in his arse, he’d to go and have about twenty stitches in it. The piston were broke into six pieces just like a Kraft cheese in a box. Piston rod had come right through the piston and split it and it never hurt the cylinder. It rove the cover off and broke all the studs. Aye, the crank pin dropped off so you can tell the load it had on. It smashed the slides out, which were open slides, not like Bancroft with a centre slipper, they were outside slippers. (Four bar guides, typical of Roberts’ practice at the time.) It smashed the ends off and I think in our shop today there’s one of the straight pairs that we use for a mandrel block. Me father made all new patterns for to make them slides, new slippers, new piston, new rod and took the old crank pin out and put a new one in and we were running in eight days.” (17 days actually according to the Calf hall minute books.) [In 1928 the order books of the Universal Metallic Packing Company at Bradford record that the Calf Hall Company ordered spares for the low pressure front packing which was United States Metallic Packing no. 16493 and a new packing no. 26010 for a 4” shaft.]
Apart from the engine load there were five or else six tapes, everybody had a tape, some had two you know. Edwin [Waterworth] could fire that boiler I learned all me fire-beating off Edwin. He used to say Newton, if we could run that fire on wire netting we’d be able to keep steam up easy, blooming bars, filling all the holes up with rubbish! They didn’t smoke much at Calf Hall. No, a chap that could fire wouldn’t make much smoke, he weren’t making no steam if the chimney were smoking, you learned how to fire the hard way. You see they all had a silly do hadn’t they which were to clean out at twenty past eleven and half past three and all that sort of carry on. They all did it at the same time because it were a council stipulation which were silly really. They had to clean out at a certain time and whether their idea was let’s get rid of all the smoke at one do I don’t know. But a chap that could fire didn’t make no blooming smoke, you used to go and see old Edwin at Calf Hall, open his firebox door and you could see the fire bouncing on the bars it weren’t above three inches thick. You’d see Edwin round at back, on the back of the boiler on Monday morning when he’d everything on in the middle of winter and he had a little duck lamp looking for leaks in the brickwork least little thing and it were plastered up. Aye, the magic wand, the duck lamp. Even round the chimney bottom he’d be going where it went into the floor, aye, anywhere.” The bottom line of all this is that the engine was grossly overloaded and it isn't until May 1936 that the major problem of lack of boiler pressure is addressed. The miracle is that until then the old engine managed to turn the mill at all on 105psi on 100% overload.]
E B Banks.

May 15th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1021-10-5, rents owing £582-15-11. Accounts paid. [These are still not comfortable figures, CHSC isn't out of the wood yet but overall, things are looking up. What could possibly go wrong. Perhaps worth noting that by 1935 a man called Adolph Hitler had gained total control in Germany and was bent on world domination. We may hear more of his influence.]
Res. That the BUDC offer of £6 for the ashes for the year ending April 30th 1936 be accepted.
Res. That Messrs Beardman's quotation for repair of the railway wagons at £5-10-0 per wagon for a period of seven years be accepted.
It was reported that the engineer at WH Shed had heard from the workpeople employed at the Beach Manufacturing Co that they understood the company was closing down and as rent of £117-9-3 was owing, the secretary had, after consulting with Mr Banks, levied distress for the rent owing.
Res. That this action be confirmed and that the matter be left for the chairman and secretary to deal with.
E B Banks.

June 19th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £755-5-5 debit, rent owing £485-8-4. Accounts paid.
It was reported that there was no alteration re the Beach Manufacturing Co, the distress still being in force several requests for ? levy having been received and acceded to.
Reported that the rating assessment of CH and WH had been appealed against on My 22nd but that no reduction had been obtained.
A quotation from P D Bilborough for the supply of coal to WH Mill and CH Shed:
Bentley Washed Doubles 21/-. Ditto singles 19/10. Acton Hall washed nuts 19/10. Airedale washed singles 19/10. All for the period July 1st 1935 to June 30th 1936 was considered.
Res. That the quotation be accepted providing quality is satisfactory.
It was reported that the Chairman and Secretary had been in communication with the Ellerbank Manufacturing Co Ltd re a tenancy for approx 111 looms at WH Mill and that provisional terms had been arranged as follows:Rent to be 70/- per loom per annum less 5% for cash monthly. Looms running only to be charged for with a minimum rent of half the number. The tenancy to be for three years from the time the first weaver commences work but this to be no later that August 1st 1935. Three months grace and twelve months at half rent. An allowance of £20 to be made towards removal expenses.
Res. That this be confirmed.
It was further reported that in order to arrange sufficient space for the new tenants it had been necessary to sell 112 looms and that this had been done at 18/6 each.
Res. That this be confirmed.
It was also reported that in order to make an entrance for the new tenants it had been necessary to purchase a plot of freehold land containing 474 square yards abutting on Vicarage Road having a frontage on Vicarage Road of 52 feet at a price of £59-5-0 the cost of conveyance to be borne by the vendor.
Res. That the purchase be confirmed.
The purchase of the land was to include full rights of way to the mill premises along the remaining portion of Vicarage Road not purchased by the company. The vendor to retain similar rights also rights of drainage and rights to maintain existing water pipes etc, in, under or along the land to be conveyed to the company.
E B Banks.

July 17th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £903-11-11 debit, rents owing £588-0-4. Accounts paid.
A request from the Liquidator of the Beach Manufacturing Co for a reduction in the amount of rent distrained for was considered but not acceded to and that unless he gave a personal undertaking by Saturday next for the payment of the amount due, the bailiff be instructed to proceed with a sale.
Reported that a request had been received from Messrs D Fox and Co for a tenancy of about 52 looms in WH Mill, the looms to be rented from CHSC.
Res. That if D Fox and Co would agree to a definite term of two years the company would agree to a tenancy at a rent of 70/- per loom per annum less 5% discount for cash, rent to be paid on looms running with a minimum of half the number of looms. The tenant to provide shuttles, healds and reeds and construct an office if required by them, 3d per week per loom to be paid for the use of the looms commencing after the first twelve months.
Transfer of 50 shares from the Yorkshire Penny Bank (as executors) to Margaret Alice Lee, Emma Lee and Nancy Lee be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended June 29th 1935 were approved as presented and it was resolved that the Annual General meeting of shareholders be called for 4:30pm on Thursday July 25th.
E B Banks.

No general meeting minuted.
Printed balance sheet inserted in the minute book reports: trading loss for the year ending 29th of June of £3133-6-7 but after crediting investment income and writing back depreciation for the year this is reduced to £1886-17-8. There is now an adverse balance of £3125-8-11 arrived at as follows:
Loss this year 18886-17-8
Add balance from last account 1328-11-3
Adverse balance carried forwards 3215-8-11.
No mention of dividend obviously.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 18th 1935.

August 21st 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £895-5-7, rents owing £447-18-0. Accounts be paid.
A letter from Messrs Pilgrim and Badgery, solicitors at Colne, was read enclosing the deed re the conveyance of 474 yards abutting on Vicarage Road from Proctor Barrett and Son to the CHSC for £59-5-0 and it was resolved that the common seal of the company be affixed to the deed.
It was reported that Windle and Bowker [accountants of Barnoldswick] the Liquidator of the Beach Manufacturing Co had enquired whether CHSC were willing to conduct the weaving out of cloth in the looms at WH Mill.
Res. That this should not be done but that they be informed that CHSC were prepared to charge only half rent during the weaving out. ['Weaving out' was the miserable process (for the weaver) of finishing the cloth orders that a firm had contracted for. In practice the warps were concentrated in sets of looms and the process ended with one solitary weaver finishing the last warp, often done by the manager. Not a happy process.]
A discussion tool place on the suggestion by Mr Hanson of 47 Milton Street, Nelson, that the Rayon Silk Company of Holme Mill, Nelson might be prepared to move 18 54” silk looms and 12 cross rod looms from Holme Mills and take a tenancy at WH Mill with probably 80 plain looms previously occupied by the Beach Manufacturing Co.
Res. That the secretary write to Mr Hanson suggesting terms of 70/- per loom per annum per loom of 40” reed-space less 5% for cash on looms running with a minimum of 45 looms. Half rent only to be charged for the first six months. Those looms rented from CHSC to be charged at 3d per week and half this rent only to be charged in the first six months. Rent to commence from the date the first warp is put in. The tenancy to be for a minimum term of two years. CHSC to contribute £10 towards the cost of removal from Nelson and the fixing etc of the looms at WH Mill.
E B Banks.

September 18th 1935
E B Banks in chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1246-8-11 debit, rents owing £559-0-5. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from E C Hulme objecting to the charge of 3d per loom for their use and asking at what price CHSC would consider selling them.
Res. That no reduction be made and that CHSC would sell the 12 x 40” circular box looms at £6 per loom, the cross rod looms and those with dobbies [a dobbie was an additional mechanism that allowed multiple healds to be used for more complicated weaves] at £4-10-0 and plain looms £4.
A letter was read from BUDC asking for particulars of premises for sale and the price in connection with an enquiry for Aircraft Constructional Work. [This is very significant. The German threat had been realised and in 1934 the government called for the design of a new fighter and engine. By 1935 Rolls Royce were well forward with the Merlin and were agitating for what was called the 'Shadow Scheme'; new factories for aircraft production beyond the range of enemy bombers. Surveys of available space started far earlier than anyone realised. Barnoldswick was to be very important! See the History of Rolls Royce, Vol. I, pp. 192-198 for the details.]
Res. That the letter lie on the table.
The secretary reported he had seen Mr Hanson at WH Mill in the morning and that 19 x 54” silk looms had been moved there from Holme Mills, Nelson. Mr Hanson had made various requests re the provision of additional looms.
Res. That Mr Banks should see him [Hanson?] re the setting out of the looms referred to in the previous minutes and that the secretary write to him confirming the offer made in a letter dated August 22nd 1935 subject to a reduction in rent for use of looms from 3d to 2d par week providing that these looms are fitted up by Mr Hanson.
E B Banks.

October 16th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1066-3-2 debit, rents owing £507-19-9. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from J Windle and Sons Ltd re repairs to the roof. Mr Banks stated that the matter was being attended to.
With regard to the proposed tenancy by the Ribble Manufacturing Co at WH Mill it was reported that the tenancy agreement had not yet been signed by Mr Whiteley and the matter was still in abeyance.
[The activity in the enquiries for tenancies is good evidence that the situation in the trade was easing. There is also the factor that many weaving sheds were closing and space was at a premium.]
E B Banks.

November 20th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £998-8-1 debit, rents owing £383-8-9. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the tenancy agreement for space taken at WH Mill bt Ribble Manufacturing Co had been signed, the premises were being put in order and weaving had commenced.
Res. That the sale of 75 looms of 40” reed-space at 19/6 per loom be confirmed, these having had to be removed to make room for the following looms brought in by the Ribble Manufacturing Co Ltd: 18 x 54” silk looms. 8 x 62” cross rods. 4 x 56” looms. 4 x 45” looms.
[It looks as though Ribble Manufacturing Co Ltd is a new company name for the Rayon Silk Co mentioned in the minutes for August 21st.]
E B Banks.

December 18th 1935
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £853-12-6 debit, rents owing £404-14-1.
Res. That Mr Charles Aldersley of Coates Hall, Coates, Barnoldswick be written to warning him that he must not park his car on Butts Mill premises or such action will be taken by the directors as may be advised.
E B Banks.

January 22nd 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1190-1-3 debit, rents owing £434-0-3. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. Emily Steele to James Moreland Hoyle [Tenant of the Corn Mill from BUDC] 35 shares. W H Dixon to same recipient 35 shares. Seal cert etc.
Balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended December 31st 1935 approved as read.
[No minute of a meeting or printed balance sheet inserted.]

February 19th 1936
[Nothing to do with the minutes but on February 14th Mrs Mary Graham gave birth to a son in Stockport.]
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1446-10-8 debit, rents owing £593-2-4. Accounts paid.
A letter from Messrs Steele and Sons, solicitors [Station Chambers, Barnoldswick] enclosing a suggested form of indemnity in respect of the transfer of 138 shares, formerly the property of Elizabeth J Askham Deceased to the ten children was read.
Res. That the form of indemnity be accepted.
Transfer of 62 shares from William Brierley to Margaret Elizabeth Cant sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

March 18th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1478-4-8 debit, rents owing £621-3-4. Accounts paid.
A Letter from Mr Ashby of Ouzledale Foundry dated March 6th regarding repairs to Ouzledale House was read and Mr Banks was instructed to see to the matter.
E B Banks.

April 29th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1379-3-6 debit, rents owing £609-17-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned:
From Exors of James Horsfield to: Moses Horsfield 247 shares. Mrs Edith Alice Hartley 247. Wallace Horsfield 247. John Horsfield 159. Also 90 shares from Exors of Hannah Horsfield to John Horsfield 90 shares. Seal cert etc.
An interview with Mr W Pollard representing the Ribble Manufacturing Co (Barnoldswick) Ltd was reported.
Res. That the CHSC would not be prepared to advance money to the company but if necessary the rent might be allowed to run into arrears for a short time as a temporary measure to assist them to regain a favourable financial position.
E B Banks.

May 27th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1076-12-3 debit, rents owing £563-5-10.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: Edith A Hartley to Moses Horsfield 27 shares. Margaret Thornton to Nina Thornton 192 shares. A L Dent to: Barbara Dent 50. E A Dent 50. Elizabeth Mitchell 50. M J Whitney 50. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a letter had been received from P D Bilborough offering to supply:
Bentley Washed Singles 21/4 per ton.
Airedale washed singles 21/4 per ton.
Delivered at Barlick station in colliery wagons or 1/2 per ton less in CHSC wagons for the period July 1st 1936 to June 30th 1937.
Res. That a price be obtained for Cortonwood Coal.
Res. That in view of the heavy load on the CH engine, 770hp, one of the present boilers of 105psi pressure be replaced by a boiler from Butts Mill of approximately 160psi and that J A Pickles and Co do the necessary engine alterations and that Proctor Barrett and Son Ltd do the necessary brickwork. In connection therewith:
Res. That the mill be closed on Thursday evening July 16th and that the tenants be informed.
[ See notes with the April 19th 1935 minutes for more details.]
E B Banks.

June 17th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1120-14-11, rents owing £653-17-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That the BUDC offer of £6 for ashes for the year ending April 30th 1937 from CH and WH be accepted.
Res. That Bilborough quotation of May 27th be accepted.
E B Banks.

July 15th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £860-0-8 debit, rents owing 776-8-4.
Transfer of 250 shares from W B Cook to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that on July 14th distraint had been levied for rent of £62-2-5 owed by Ribble Manufacturing.
Reported that John Slater and Sons had intimated that they proposed vacating their premises in WH Mill at the earliest time. [They were moving back into the family mill at Clough.] Also reported that Robinson Brooks had enquired about the tenancy of this portion.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of the secretary to make the best possible arrangements.
Res. That the balance sheet and report for the year ended June 30th 1936 be approved as read and presented to the a general meeting on July 23rd at 4:30pm.
E B Banks.

No general meeting minuted but printed balance sheet reports:
Trading loss for the year of £1312-10-2 but after crediting investment income and writing back depreciation this is reduced to £195-16-8. There is now an adverse balance of £3411-5-7 arrived at as follows:
Loss this year 195-16-8
Balance from last account 3215-8-11
Adverse balance carried forwards 3411-5-7.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood, July 16th at Burnley.

August 19th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £685-4-1, rents owing £687-17-11. Accounts paid. [The new tenancies are kicking in. Rents owing more than overdraft.]
Res. Tender for boiler covering at CH Shed [the Butts boiler] from J T Schofield and Sons of £35-16-4 accepted.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 192 from Executrix of E A Fawcett to Cecilia Fawcett. 348 from the executrix of J Duckworth to Ada Duckworth. Seal cert etc.
An enquiry from the Scottish Boiler Insurance Co submitting a quotation of £3 for insuring the superheaters at WH Mill was placed before the meeting.
Res. That the superheaters be not insured.
E B Banks.

October 21st 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £575-19-11, rents owing £680-10-3. Accounts paid.
Letters were read from J S Windle and Sons and Robinson Brooks re their roofs.
Res. That Mr Banks attend to the matter.
Correspondence from Robinson Brooks and requests from other tenants at CH Shed were discussed re the recent stoppage caused by boiler alterations.
Res. That the usual allowable of half rent only after the first four hours be allowed.
Transfer of shares sanctioned, all from the administrators of Elizabeth Jane Askham: J K Askham 26 shares. Ida Whiteoak 13. Emma Hutchinson 14. Florrie Newsholme 14. Maggie Lord 14. M H Thompson 14. Gladys B Newbold 14. Am 14. Zoe Woodhead 14. Also 100 shares from George S H Baxter to Wallace Horsfield. All seal cert etc.
A report was given of negotiations with Robinson Brooks re space at WH Mill.
Res. That negotiations be continued with them re a temporary tenancy of the 96 43” looms in the space at WH formerly occupied by Petersons and also for a more permanent tenancy of 100 45” looms.
Res. That if necessary a number of 38” looms be scrapped to facilitate the rearrangement the looms in this part of the shed.
E B Banks.

November 18th 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £484-1-8, rents owing £692-6-11. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from J Widdup and Sons Ltd complaining of raining in.
Res. That Mr Banks attend to the matter.
Mr Banks reported that he had let to Messrs Briggs and Duxbury the remaining portion of the warehouse recently occupied by the Craven Manufacturing Co and the store rooms and offices in the yard at a rent of £50 for the first year and £55 for the second year, free of rates, commencing on January 1st 1937.
Mr Banks also reported he had let a portion of WH yard to Messrs J Laycock and Sons, Bus Proprietors, at £15 per annum. The dimensions of the plot were approximately 34 feet on the mill yard side, 76 feet 6” abutting on the Skipton Road side and 102 feet 6” on the side opposite the gasworks coal store.
E B Banks.

December 23rd 1936
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £277-8-4 debit. Rents owing £678-19-10. Accounts paid.
Reported that Mr Fred Wilson of Atlantic Mill, Heywood, had enquired re vacant space at WH Mill. Particulars had been forwarded to him.
Res. That an application by BUDC to carry a high tension [electricity] mains cable underground to a hole in the ground adjoining WH Mill and thence overhead be granted providing that the council undertake to make everything good and pay an annual acknowledgement for the rights.
An application from Mr Ashby at Ouzledale Foundry Co re an extension to the foundry was considered. Mr Jacques [remember he is an architect as well as a director] thought that the cost would be approximately £200. [This is the red brick building still standing in Ouzledale yard.]
Res. That the work should be carried out subject to the Ouzledale Foundry Co agreeing to pay a rent of £52 per annum for the foundry and agreeing to a definite tenancy of seven years.
Res. That Mr Jacques deal with the building of the extension.
Reported that the top courses of CH Shed chimney were in a dangerous condition and that one of the bands had come loose and fallen off and therefore the necessary work had been put in hand.
A letter from Messrs E C Hulme and Co dated December 7th 1936 re alleged unsatisfactory heating in their shed was read as was also the secretary's reply thereto.
Transfer of shares sanctioned:
Mabel Pickles to Richard Jacques 95 shares. Administrators of Henrietta Walker to William Walker 138 shares. Administrators of A B Carr to T S Carr 20 shares. All seal cert etc.
Reported that Briggs and Duxbury had purchased a building of their own [The old model lodging house in Butts] and that therefore the new tenancy at Butts discussed at the last meeting would not take place. They had also given notice to leave the space in Butts they already occupy on March 31st next.
It was reported that the space occupied by J Slater and Sons at WH Mill would be vacated by December 26th 1936.
E B Banks.

January 13th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £484-13-10, rents owing £881-19-8. Accounts paid.
A statement of looms running was submitted. [What a pity we don't have it!]
Mr Jacques submitted a plan showing the additions and alterations at Ouzledale Foundry. Tenders were received from:
G E Blezard £264-16-3. R Geldard and Sons £270. Briggs and Duxbury £270.
Res. That Mr Blezard's tender be accepted.
Balance sheet for the half year ended December 31st 1936 was adopted.
Res. That no dividend be paid. [No minutes and no printed balance sheet.]
E B Banks.

February 17th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £263-10-11, rents owing £722-18-4. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Messrs Knowles and Harrison, solicitors re the leasing of a portion of WH Mill yard in which they requested a longer term that 18 years and further enquired whether the CHSC would sell the land outright. [This is Ezra Laycock looking for a permanent home for his bus garage. Eventually they built a garage on West Close Road.]
Res. That CHSC would not agree to a sale but would be willing to give a lease of 30 years.
It was reported that the plaster on about seven bays of the portion of CH Shed occupied by Messrs M Horsfield and Sons was in bad condition.
Res. That it be match-boarded.
Mr Banks reported that sundry repairs were necessary at Bridge House [Coates Wharf] and Butts Cottage.
Res. That these be done.
Res. That improvements to the clow and concrete shield to exit door at CH Shed be put in hand.
E B Banks.

March 17th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £182-8-5 debit, rents owing £644-18-9. Accounts paid.
Mr Banks reported that Mr Laycock had seen him regarding the proposed lease of land in WH Mill yard and that Mr Laycock had stated that he was unable to carry on with the proposal due to the heavy cost of erecting the buildings.
Res. That the amount covered by the fire insurance at CH Shed, Butts Mill and WH Mill be reduced by a third.
E B Banks.

April 21st 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £150-1-5, rents owing £674-2-3. Accounts paid.
Mr Banks reported that part of Butts Mill previously occupied by Briggs and Duxbury whose tenancy ended on March 31st 1937 had been let to Mr Fred Procter, furniture dealer [In Walmsgate] from April 1st 1937 at a rent of £50 for the first year and £55 per annum from then onwards; CHSC to pay rates. [Procter's eventually bought the old Baptist Chapel in Walmsgate and were in business there for many years.]
A letter from the London Assurance dated April 16th re the insurance on the mills was read and after careful consideration it was resolved that the minute of the previous meeting dealing with fire insurance be rescinded and that the insurance cover at WH Mill be left as before, the insurance cover of Butts Mill be reduced and the cover on CH Shed be increased by the difference in value of the Butts Mill premium.
E B Banks.

May 26th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £7-3-8 credit, rents owing £487-1-6. [Yippee!] Accounts paid.
Transfer of 95 shares from the administrators of George Pickup to Mabel Pickup sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That ashes be sold to BUDC for £6, they to remove them, year ending April 30th 1938.
Res. That a quotation from P D Bilborough dated May 18th 1937 for the supply of coal to both mills for 12 months to June 30th 1938 at 21/4 per ton for either Bentley washed singles or Airedale ditto, delivered at Barlick station less 1/2 per ton when delivered in our wagons be accepted.
E B Banks.

June 16th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £95-17-6 credit, rents owing 794-7-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. All from the administrators of Alice Broughton: 100 shares to Harry Broughton. 188 to F H Broughton. 100 to Annie Thompson. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a letter had been received re the tender for coal accepted at the previous meeting stating that the Coal Sales committee had refused to agree to it and that a revised tender would be necessary.
Res. That the minute of the previous meeting be rescinded and that a contract be approved for the purchase of 1500 tons of Allerton Bywater washed singles at 23/4 per ton delivered at the station and for a supply of Bentley washed singles as required at 24/4 per ton delivered at the station.
Reported that a letter had been received from Lomas and Barrett on behalf of J Slater and Sons re alleged trespass by Ouzledale Foundry on their land adjoining Clough Mill.
Mr Banks stated that he had seen Mr Ashby and and suggested that he should come to some amicable arrangement with John Slater and Sons.
An application from J A Pickles and Son for payment of their account re the boiler alterations at CH Shed was discussed and it was resolved that a cheque for £200 on account should be sent together with a strong letter from the board stating that they regard the account as being excessive.
It was reported that notices from the Factory Department at the Home Office had been received re the hoists in the space occupied by J Windle and Sons, M Horsfield and Robinson Brooks.
Res. That the letter be acknowledged and that the whole matter of hoists generally should be considered.
It was reported that a portion of Butts Mill had been let to Mrs Whipp for the purpose of a furniture and second-hand store at 17/- per week, rates to be paid by CHSC. The tenancy be subject to three months notice dating from July 3rd and to be paid quarterly.
It was reported that the BUDC Sanitary Inspector had stated that the sanitary accommodation for females at CH Shed was not sufficient.
Res. That Mr Banks go into the matter on the lines suggested at the meeting.
Reported that the well at WH Mill was made up.
Res. That this be attended to.
E B Banks.

July 8th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £57-18-4 credit, rents owing £742-12-1. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Robinson Brooks had made a verbal request as to whether the board would extend the present lease to them or agree to a new one when it expires.
Res. That they could take it that this would be agreed to.
Res. That £250 of the amount charged in connection with the work on the engine and boiler at CH Shed be carried forward to the next accounts.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended June 30th 1937 were adopted.
Res. That the annual general meeting should be held at 4:30pm July 15th 1937 and a dividend of 2% free of tax for the year be recommended.
E B Banks.

No minutes for general meeting
Printed balance sheet reports: Profit for the year ending June 30th 1937 £940-10-8. 2% dividend recommended for the year. Adverse balance will now be reduced as follows:
Balance at June 30th 1936 3411-6-7
Profit this year 940-10-8.
Dividend proposed 911-16-6
surplus on year 28-14-2
Adverse balance carried forward 3382-11-5.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 8th 1937.

August 18th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £467-14-3, rents owing £643-15-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 450 shares from Administrator of Fred Hartley to Mary Hartley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A further letter from Norman Barrett re the boundary at Ouzledale Foundry was read. Mr Barrett stated that in his opinion the boundary shown on the plan seen by Mr Banks was not correct.
Res. That Mr Banks meet with Mr Barrett and they go into the matter with the deeds of the property.
A letter was received from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Co regarding the removal of the crane at Coates Bridge. Mr Banks stated that this was being attended to.
Mr Banks reported that he had agreed to let space previously occupied by Aldersley's [Butts] to Robert Tomlinson [pencil note 'Bevo Ltd] for making ice cream at a rent of £40 per annum, CHSC to pay rates, tenancy to be subject to six month's notice but such notice not the expire during the period March 1st to September 20th in any year [I suspect to protect Bevo from being given notice in the ice cream season] The tenancy to commence from September 1st 1937.
Reported that WE&D Nutter had agreed to take a tenancy at WH Mill for 1104 looms.
[Watch this one! In 1938 Wilfred is reported in Worrall as being in Westfield Shed with 900 looms. A better offer?]
Res. That the chairman and secretary be empowered to complete the necessary arrangements.
Mr Wood reported that he was in negotiations with Robinson Brooks re a lease of three years at CH Shed and also re the sale to them of looms from WH Mill for use at Westfield Shed.
Res. That the chairman and secretary be empowered to continue the negotiation.
E B Banks.

September 29th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1363-11-2 debit. Rents owing £492-14-9. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood and Mr Banks reported on the preparations for the new tenancy at WH Mill of WE&D Nutter and that all was being made ready for occupation of the premises in October.
Res. That no price be given to Mr Smallwood of Skipton for Butts Mill. [A prospective buyer?]
Res. That the purchase of 1500 tons of Cortonwood coal at 24/6 per ton be confirmed.
Mr Wood gave a full resume of his interview with Messrs Brooks and Sons re their tenancy at CH Shed. He stated that they had decided to terminate their tenancy of 828 looms and return to Westfield Shed on September 30th 1938 but that they are prepared to enter into a tenancy of 414 looms from October 1st 1938 providing CHSC allow them to transfer a number of their looms, tape and certain warehouse plant from WH Mill.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of the chairman and secretary.
E B Banks.

November 17th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3217-16-11, rents owing £593-14-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That the manager of Martins Bank Ltd be instructed to sell on behalf of CHSC at the best possible price, ex dividend, of £4000 of the 3½% War Stock held by CHSC and at present lodged with the bank as security against any amount owing to the bank.
Transfer of 312 shares from William Barritt Duckworth to Bessie Vyner Duckworth sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Discussion took place on an enquiry from R S Windle, Mr Jackson and Mr McVie re the purchase of Butts Mill.
Res. That it be put on offer at £8,000.
E B Banks.

December 16th 1937
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £29-5-9 credit, rents owing £611-2-4. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

January 20th 1938
E B Banks chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £451-3-7 debit, rents owing £612-0-2. Accounts paid.
Res. That a locked tin box be deposited for safe custody at Martins Bank and that the bank be authorised to give up the said box on receipt of a request signed by the chairman and vice chair or secretary of CHSC.
Mr Wood reported that WE&D Nutter the new tenants at WH Mill will commence on rent on February 1st 1938 and that the terms of tenancy agreed on behalf of CHSC by him in accordance with the August 18th 1937 minutes were as follows:
The tenancy is for 870 looms to be charged as 900 looms of 40” reed-space and the rent is 68/5 per loom of 40” reed-space (including tapes) based on the cost of coal and rates as at July 6th 1934 with the usual sliding scale for increases or decreases after that date. Three months grace was granted and rent to commence on February 1st 1938. One half week's rent to be allowed for holidays each year. The tenancy to be for three years commencing on September 1st 1937and after that period be subject to six months notice. It was agreed that WE&D Nutter be allowed to use 234 looms owned by CHSC at the same rent as the 870 looms, a total of 1104 looms charged on 1134 with a minimum rent to be charged on 900 looms.
Res. That the terms be approved and confirmed.
It was reported that following correspondence and interviews with Mr Tomlinson of Bevo Ltd it had been agreed that whilst premises used by him at Butts were used for storage only the rent would be £10 per quarter and if actual production of ice cream took place the rent is to be increased to £20 per quarter.
Res. That this should be confirmed.
Res. That the balance sheet for the half year to December 31st 1937 be approved as read. [No meeting or printed balance sheet.]
R Jacques.

February 17th 1938
R Jacques chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £605-19-0 debit. Rents owing £458-14-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 248 shares from the Executrix of J T Ellison to A E Ellison sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a notice had been received from E C Hulme and Co to cease their tenancy at WH Mill on April 30th 1938.
Reported that D Fox and Co would increase their tenancy by 32 looms on the same arrangements as previously.
Reported that an enquiry re space had been received from Mr Aldersley and also that he had enquired for terms for storage of 87 looms at Butts Mill.
Res. That he be allowed to store the looms for 15/- per week together with rates if these be charged.
E B Banks.

March 17th 1938
E B Banks chair. Dugdale, Horsfield, Jacques, Patrick, Peel and Wood present. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £989-19-0 debit, rents owing £671-14-10. Accounts paid.
A request from the Standard Woollen Manufacturing Co Ltd (Late D Fox and Co) for the provision of further looms was considered.
Res. That no action be taken for the time being.
Reported that Mr Ellison had made enquiries re taking the space vacated by E C Hulme and Co and that particulars of the tenancy presently in force had been provided and offered to him. In an interview he had demurred at the payment of 3d per loom per week.
Res. That no charge be made for the looms for the first six months.
E B Banks.

April 21st 1938
E B Banks Chair. Present Dugdale, Peel, Horsfield and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £839-12-9, rents owing £725-4-5. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

May 19th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £912-4-8 debit, rents owing £838-19-7. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Messrs Bevo Ltd re their tenancy at Butts Mill in which they suggested that the tenancy should be taken over by Mr Lister, Electrical Engineer of Barlick.
Res. That they [Bevo] be informed that the directors have no objection to them sub-letting the ground floor warehouse to Mr Lister.
Transfer of shares sanctioned all from Exors of Annie Wright to: Harry Wright 11 shares. Susannah Wright 11 shares. Maude M Wright 11 shares. All seal cert etc.
Reference was made to the Factories Act 1937.
Res. That the alteration to the hoists be deferred until definite information was obtained as the the Home Office requirements.
Res. That the tender of J A Pickles and Co, reduced from £49 to £45 for the installation of an electric stop motion [on the engine] at CH Shed be accepted. [This was a safety mechanism fitted on the governor of the engine which reacted to overspeed, underspeed or a signal from the mill via buttons similar to a fire alarm button and shut the valves on the engine whereupon it would stop.]
Res. That the tender of Baldwin and Heap Ltd for the inspection of hoists etc as necessary under the Factories Act 1937 at CH Shed and WH Mill for £4-10-0 and £5 respectively. Be accepted.
A report was given of negotiations with Mr Ellison re the tenancy of a portion of WH Mill previously occupied by Hulme and Co.
Res. That the secretary be authorised to negotiate with him on the following basis:
1. Rent to be the usual CHSC terms as paid by Hulme and Co.
2. Tenancy to commence June 15th 1938.
3. A minimum rent to payable on 24 looms.
4. 3d per loom per week to be charged for use of the looms to commence after the first six months of the tenancy.
5. During the first three months of the tenancy rent to be paid on the looms as they are gaited up.
Res. That Mr Ellison should have an option to purchase at the end of six months:
36 x 40” cross rod looms with dobbies @£7-10-0 per loom. (without dobbies £7.)
12 x 45” Cooper's plain with fast reed @£7-10-0 each.
12 X 40” circular box looms @£10 each.
E B Banks.

June 16th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Dugdale, Horsfield, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £641-17-2, rents owing £881-7-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 46 shares from John Cant to Mary Georgina Cant sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the next director's meeting should be on Thursday July 21st and the annual general meeting on July 28th.
Reported that WE&D Nutter had written asking whether CHSC were prepared to sell sundry plant (not including looms) at WH Mill and the price.
Res. That the chairman and secretary go into the matter.
A Latter was read from the Barnoldswick Conservative club dated June 15th stating that the wall on Butts Ginnel enclosing Parrock land owned by them needed repairing.
Res. That they be informed that the letter must have been written under a misapprehension as this wall is not the property of CHSC.
Coal contract. A tender for the supply of coal for 12 months from June 30th 1938 was received from P D Bilborough giving a price of 24/11 for Bentley coal and 24/4 for Airedale coal delivered at Barnoldswick station less 1/2 per ton for CH wagons. The contract for 1500 tons of Cortonwood at 24/4 expires on June 30th 1938.
Res. That the chairman and secretary settle the contracts for next year on the best terms possible.
E B Banks.

July 21st 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Dugdale, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £836-0-11 debit, rents owing £669-12-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That 1200 tons of Cortonwood coal at 25/7 per ton be purchased for the year ending June 30th 1939 and the balance required to be Bentley and Airedale at 24/11 and 24/4 respectively.
A letter from the Scottish and General Insurance Co Ltd was read quoting a price of £3 per annum for inspection of the three superheaters at WH Mill [one per boiler] necessary under the Factories Act 1937.
Res. That this be accepted.
Messrs WE&D Nutter's request to purchase plant (excluding looms) at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That although the directors did not feel disposed to sell this plant it should be offered to Nutters at £500.
Reported that J A Pickles and Co had enquired whether CHSC would be willing to sell the plant at present rented by them.
Res. That if Messrs Pickles wished to proceed with the matter a price of £500 to be asked for the plant.
A letter from Messrs H Ellison Ltd was read in which it was stated that they were considering putting in 12 additional looms providing the minimum rent on 24 was not increased.
Res. That this be agreed.
The question of alterations to hoists necessary under the Factories Act was further considered.
Res. That J A Pickles and Co be instructed to put the work in hand.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year ended June 30th 1938 were approved as read.
E B Banks.

No minute for general meeting.
Printed balance sheet reports: net profit for year ending June 30th 1937 was £390-3-6.
The adverse balance now stands as follows:
As per balance sheet for June 30th 1937 2470-14-11
Less profit this year 390-3-6
Balance 2080-11-4
Dividend paid for year ending June 30th 1937 911-16-4
As per balance sheet June 30th 1938 2992-7-8
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, July 22nd 1938.

August 18th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Horsfield, Jacques, Dugdale, Peel. Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £362-0-7 debit, rent owing £802-10-11.
Correspondence with Bevo Ltd re their tenancy was read. Mr Banks reported he had the matter in hand.
Transfer of shares from the administrators of Annie Crook: 50 shares to James Crook and 50 to Elsie Crook sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that J A Pickles and Son were converting to a Limited Company and had accepted our offer to sell the plant for £500. [The version I got from Newton Pickles was slightly different: Apart from new plant and machinery added by J A Pickles and Son at their own expense, the Wellhouse Machine Shop was still being rented off the Calf Hall Shed Company on the same terms that it had been taken over on in October 1929. In July 1938 the Calf Hall directors received a request from Johnny to buy the plant, machinery and stock that he had taken over when he moved in to the shop. The Calf Hall Company had paid the receiver £425 for Henry Brown’s machinery and they agreed to sell it to J A Pickles and Son for £450 and stock at valuation. Newton told me that the total was £940 and that included everything in the buildings. This sale was finalised on the 18th August 1938 but as we've seen, they only mentioned the £500 for the machinery. At the same time Johnny floated a new company, Henry Brown Sons and Pickles Limited. I have no evidence as to who the partners were in this re-organised firm but have no reason to believe there was any new investment. All I know for certain is that when they finished in 1981 Newton Pickles and Walt Fisher were co-directors. Whatever the case, Johnny had made sure that the name of Henry Brown was commemorated in the name of the new firm and I believe this was as much to do with sentiment as business considerations.]
E B Banks.

October 20th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Dugdale, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £233-17-2 debit. Rents owing £752-10-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 550 shares from Linda May Cowgill to Linda Cowgill and B H Green sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A Letter from Norman E Barrett dated August 25th 1938 re the boundary at Ouzledale was considered.
Res. That the secretary speak to Mr Barrett and say that although the CHSC could not accept the statements made in his letter, to save further difficulty they would be prepared to purchase a strip of land, approximately 150 square yards @3d per yard, the purchase to be carried through at minimum cost.
Mr Banks reported that the tenancy of part of Butts Mill occupied by Bevo Ltd would cease on December 31st 1938 and that he had arranged from January 1st 1939 for the bottom room to be let to Mr A Lister, electrician, Albert Road Barnoldswick on a quarterly rent at 10/- per week.
Res. That the staff at CH Shed be reduced from three to two and that the secretary inform Atkinson, the oiler, that his services were to be dispensed with.
E B Banks.

November 17th 1938
E B Banks Chair. Present Jacques, Dugdale, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £66 credit, rents owing £495-7-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 168 shares from Exors of Joseph J Sneath [Is this our old WH engineer?] to Martha Sneath sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from N Barrett was read dated October 29th in which he stated that Mr Slater was not prepared to sell any of the land at Ouzledale and that he intended to fence the boundary.
Res. That Mr Barrett be written asking if Mr Slater would be prepared to rent any of the land.
E B Banks.

December 15th 1938
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £316-4-1, rents owing £497-11-10. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares, all from Thomas William Waddington sanctioned. 46 to Douglas Waddington. 46 to Mrs H Metcalfe. 46 to Mrs E Geldard. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

January 19th 1939
[I can't resist 20/20 hindsight! CHSC have survived a world war and the depression. I wonder how aware the directors were of what was about to happen. Don't write them off yet, there are going to be surprises in store for them.]
E B Banks chair. Present; Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £63-8-6 debit after paying the accounts before the meeting. Rents owing £641-13-0.
The application from R Shackleton oiler at WH Mill for an increase in wages was considered and an increase of 2/6 per week was granted. [There is a list written in the margin which looks like oiler's wages at other mills in the town: Moss £2-12-6. Long Ing £2-11-6. Crow Nest £2-11-6. Barnsey £2-9-0 and Wellhouse £2-5-0 so lucky old Shackleton goes to £2-7-6 per week!]
Balance sheet and accounts for the half year to December 31st adopted and an interim dividend for the half year of 2½% less tax approved. [No minutes or balance sheet.]
E B Banks.

February 16th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Peel and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £434-8-2 debit, rents owing £590-3-4. Accounts paid.
Reported that notice had been received from Standard Woollens Manufacturing Co Ltd to terminate their tenancy on April 30th 1939.
E B Banks.

March 16th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £318-15-1 debit, rents owing £593-0-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 50 shares from Dennis Baxter and Maurice Broughton to Isabella Baxter sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

April 20th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Horsfield, Patrick, Peel and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £471-17-0, rents owing £559-9-3. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that no reply had been received from Mr Weiner of Leeds re the space recently vacated by Messrs Fox. [Standard Woollens]
Res. That Henry Brown Sons and Pickles Ltd be instructed to fix gates to one hoist at CH Shed at M Horsfield and Sons and one at WH Mill, that at WE&D Nutter's premises. [They must have looms at Westfield as well unless Worrall directory got the entry wrong. No mention of them at WH.] When these have been completed and are satisfactory the others to be proceeded with to comply with the Factories Act.
E B Banks.

May 18th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and A V Hedges (acting for Edward Wood). Minutes as read.
Bank balance £255-15-11 debit, rents owing £569-4-10. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: Denis Baxter to Eleanor Green 25 shares and Hilda Windle 25. Exors of Edith A Hartley to Harry Hartley 110 shares and Ena Crew 110. Exors of Thomas Clapham to Ann Clapham 382 shares. All seal cert etc.
Res. That the chairman's actions in selling the ashes for the year to April 30th 1940 at £6 be confirmed. [To BUDC?]
E B Banks.

June 15th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £102-11-0 credit, rents owing £574-16-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the present coal contracts be continued for a further 12 months to June 30th 1940 at the present prices: Cortonwood 1200 tons @25/7 per ton. Bentley @24/11 and Airedale @ 24/4.
Transfer of shares sanctioned all from Exors of Thomas Edmondson: 9 shares to Lillian Robinson. 9 to T G Edmondson and 8 to Mary Edmondson. All seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

July 13th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present; Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £214-18-11 credit, rents owing £650-9-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. All from Exors of Mary S Hartley: 100 shares to John H Hartley and 50 to William Hartley. Seal cert etc.
Reported that an enquiry re space had been received from William Mitchell and Sons of County Brook Mill at Foulridge and that particulars had been given to them. The matter was being held over for the time being.
Correspondence from BUDC was referred to concerning the conversion of pail toilets to water closets in Butts Cottage and Calf Hall Yard.
Res. That the council be authorised to convert the toilet at Butts Cottage and also the closet in CH yard providing that they would connect the CH closet to the company's own water supply.
A letter from the insurance company re various particulars in connection with the fire insurance was read and it was arranged that Mr Banks should attend to the items concerning the landlord and that the secretary should write to the tenants in connection with the items for which they were responsible.
The balance sheet and accounts for the half year and the year ended on June 30th were adopted and it was resolved that the shareholders be recommended to approve a final dividend fot eh half year of 2½% per annum free of tax.
E B Banks.

No general meeting minuted for July 26th
Printed balance sheet inserted and reports: Net profit for the year ended June 30th 1938 £1253-14-4. The adverse balance now stands as follows:
Balance sheet at June 30th 1938 2992-7-8
Less profit this year 1253-14-4
Balance 1738-13-4
Dividend for half year to Dec 31st 1938 550-17-10
Balance sheet June 30th 1939 2289-11-2

A final dividend of 2½% is recommended for the year. [same dividend for this half year.]
Signed E B Banks and E Wood, Burnley July 19th 1939.

August 17th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £9-1-8 debit, rents owing £603-1-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 262 shares from Edna May George to District Bank Nominees Ltd sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that an enquiry had been received for space previously occupied by Standard Woollens [WH].
Res. That particulars be forwarded.
E B Banks.

[At 11:15am on September 3rd Neville Chamberlain made his famous broadcast on the wireless, we were at war with Germany.]

September 21st 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £412-0-6 debit. Rent owing £563-8-4. Accounts paid.
E B Banks.

October 19th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £77-19-9 debit, rents owing £537-13-5. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Robinson Brooks Ltd re 'Blacking Out' for ARP purposes [Air Raid Precautions] the portion of the shed not occupied by them.
After inspecting the premises it was resolved that Briggs and Duxbury carry out the necessary work both there and in the unoccupied premises adjoining Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd.
[For those who weren't around in 1939, the fear was that “The bomber will always get through”. The first action of the government was to order a national blackout during the hours of darkness. All street lamps went out for the duration of war and it became an offence, enforced by ARP Wardens, to show a light at night. The usual method of obscuring windows was 'blackout curtains' and weaving sheds were no exception. All windows had an arrangement whereby pulling on a cord covered the windows with frames covered with black cloth. Evidently this was the responsibility of the tenants for their own sheds and CHSC for anything else. I have often thought that the weaving firms must have had some good orders at this time for the vast amount of blackout cloth needed. The eyes through which the cords ran could still be seen in places at Bancroft Shed in the 1970s. The first impact of total war.]
E B Banks.

November 16th 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £48-4-4 credit, rents owing £625-1-4. Accounts paid.
A letter had been received from Robinson Brooks re a request from the BUDC Sanitary Inspector re the lights in lavatories in their portion and also complaining about the condition of the roof. Mr Banks said he had these matters in hand.
The question of increasing the basis of rents to cover increased costs was discussed.
Res. That The secretary go further into the matter.
Res. That the wages of engine room staff should be increased by 5% from November 20th 1939 and 7½% from January 1st 1940 making a total increase of 12½%. [Must have been on the basis of the wage before the first increase.]
E B Banks.

December 21st 1939
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £149-19-7 debit, rents owing £588-14-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That in common with other Room and Power companies a letter should be sent to the tenants stating that in view of the greatly increased costs it had been decided to increase the rent charges by 10% from January 1st 1940. Rent to be charged on the full number of looms with an allowance of 6d per loom per annum [per week surely?] for stopped looms.
Correspondence from Norman Barrett was read in which he enquired for a client for terms for leasing part of Butts Mill.
Res. That the secretary inform him that the company would probably be prepared to negotiate on the following lines:
1. The lease to be for 10 years.
2. The tenant to put the premises in habitable order, provide lavatories etc, all repairs and alterations to be subject to the landlord's approval.
3. The tenants to maintain the premises, provide their own power and heating and pay rates and all other outgoings except Landlord's Property Tax and insurance.
4. The rent for the weaving shed to be as follows: 1st year nil.2nd , 3rd, 4th and 5th years £200 per annum. Next five years £300 per annum.
If the third storey warehouse (Aldersley's) was included the rent to be increased by £125 per annum for each of the ten years.
E B Banks.

January 18th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £34-7-2 credit, rents owing £559-13-8. Accounts paid.
A request from Robinson Brooks for permission to store a car in the CH loading place for the time being was agreed to, all petrol to be drawn off. [Petrol rationing came in immediately and many cars were taken off the road for the duration.]
Reported that repairs to the lightning tape on the chimney at WH Mill had been ordered from Howarth Brothers of Colne at £10.
Report of an increase in carting charges of 4d per ton after January 1st 1940 had been received from Holdsworth, due to increased costs.
Res. That the balance sheet and accounts for the half year to December 31st 1939 be approved as read and a dividend of 2½% be recommended.
Consideration was given to the replies of tenants re the proposed increase of rents. The majority of the tenants agreeing to an increase of 10% per annum but not being in favour of rent being charged on all looms in the tenancy whether running or not.
Res. That the matter be left to the chairman and secretary, the suggested basis to be an increase of 10% per annum in the rents and a charge to be made on all looms running, the minimum being 75% of the looms [in the tenancy].
E B Banks.

[No report of a general meeting or printed balance sheet.]

February 15th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £316-5-2 debit, rents owing £846-1-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 1132 shares be made to Gladys May Sutcliffe she being the surviving executrix of the late Admiral King. Seal cert etc.
Correspondence with Thomas Rumney and Co, solicitors of Manchester, on behalf of their client Messrs Hendley and Co of Manchester [This evidently refers to Norman Barrett's enquiry.] was read and approved subject to the terms being altered by CHSC not agreeing to insure any of the property but this charge to be paid by the tenant. The terms of the tenancy to be for ten years terminable at the end of five years, at seven years and renewable afterwards by negotiation any sub-letting to be with the consent of CHSC but not to be reasonably withheld. The rent to be £200 per annum and the tenants be allowed to make a road out over our land between Butts Mill and Calf Hall Road, CHSC to fence the land off and the tenancy to commence on March 1st 1940.
The secretary reported that a tenancy had been arranged with E Midgley and Co Ltd from Long Ing Shed for 220 looms, average reed-space 40” on the basis of £3-5-10 for 87” on the cross shaft with an increase of 10% thereon and the usual sliding scales for coal and carting costs. Three months grace to be granted from the time the first loom enters our premises and CHSC to alter the office and whitewash the premises throughout. The tenancy to be subject to the usual six months notice from the first day of any month.
E B Banks.

[Just to bring you up to speed, Bankfield Shed closed in 1934 and here's what Newton said about subsequent events: I asked Newton what had happened at Bankfield after it closed. “It were empty, Archie Rhodes and his father were engine drivers there and Archie stopped on as watchman till Rover came in 1940. He were doing that for six or seven year. Nice feller were Archie. British Celanese bought it and they never did anything with it and they’d be paying Archie’s wage all them years. At one time me father came down into the shop to me one afternoon, this were just before the war, he says come on with me Newton to Great Harwood. He says I’ve got to meet some bosses of British Celanese, I think they’re going to do something about Bankfield. Now whether they had intended starting it up again with the war coming I don’t know. He says they want to see me. But they couldn’t start the top half, we’d pulled the engine out just before the war, we were going to put it in at Long Ing, Stephen Pickles bought it.” The British Celanese initiative never materialised and the Rover Company moved in in 1940 following massive raids on Coventry. They also took other mills. The shadow factories had come to Barlick and this was to affect CHSC as well. It also had greater significance because the mills they took over were modernised, new floors and electric mains installed, they were attractive properties after the war.]

March 28th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel, Horsfield, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £265-18-9 debit, rents owing £532-5-8. Accounts paid
Transfer of 100 shares from G S H Baxter to Wallace Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a lease of part of Butts Mill to Hendley and Co Ltd had been prepared in accordance with the agreement reported at the last meeting.
Res. That the common Seal of the company be affixed to the lease.
Reported that an enquiry had been received from Mr Aldersley as to whether CHSC would be prepared to sell 15 Keighley Looms of 42½” reed-space at £3 per loom.
Res. That £4 a loom be asked but that a figure of not lower than £3 per loom be accepted if necessary.
It was reported that the secretary had enquired of Messrs Robinson Brooks whether they would be prepared to run more looms at CH Shed if the company let them have the use of the looms at present stored in Butts Mill free of charge.
E B Banks.

April 18th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and AV Hedges (for secretary). Minutes as read.
Bank balance £337-6-7 debit, rents owing £631-16-2. Accounts paid.
Reported that an offer of £450 had been received from Messrs Chris Holden Ltd of Blackburn for the boiler at Butts Mill complete with fittings. [The second 160psi boiler installed there.]
Res. That if the offer was increased to £500 the boiler should be sold.
E B Banks.

May 23rd 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and AV Hedges (for secretary). Minutes as read.
Bank balance £402-4-4 credit, rents owing £650-12-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of William Brierley to E W King and Nina Lang to Ronald Lang sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from P D Bilborough was read re the coal contract, in which he quoted: Bentley washed singles @27/5 per ton delivered to Barlick station. Airedale ditto @26/10.
Res. That the secretary confirm acceptance of the contract.
It was reported that Messrs Chris Holden Ltd had offered £375 for the steam engine and £20 for the steam driven fire engine both at Butts Mill.
It was also reported that an offer of £350 had been received from Mr Pickard.
Res. That the engine and pump be sold if an inclusive price of £500 can be obtained.
It was also reported that Mr Pickard had offered 36/- per loom for the looms stored in Butts Mill, CHSC to retain as many as they desired.
Res. That the matter be held over for the time being. [War production meant that scrap metal was at a premium.]
A letter from Howarth Brothers was read in which they quoted £98 for picking out and mastic pointing the WH chimney. It was considered that the work was not necessary and the price excessive.
Res. That no action be taken in the matter.
Reported that negotiations had been proceeding with Mr Aldersley for the letting to him of a strip of land above Butts Mill and it had been provisionally agreed that the land should be let to him on the following terms:
1. The rent to be 50/- per annum paid quarterly.
2. The tenancy to be subject to three months notice from the first day of any month on either side.
3. The land to be fenced off by the tenant to the satisfaction of CHSC.
Res. That this be confirmed.
A letter was read from John Slater and Sons regarding the fencing off of this land and a reply had been sent stating that the land was now let and the fencing was the responsibility of the tenant. [I'm puzzled as to why it was any concern of Slaters, they were working Clough Mill which is completely detached from Butts.]
E B Banks.

June 20th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and E Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £519-15-5 credit, rents owing £632-12-1.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 32 shares from Exors of Ada Raistrick to Edwin Raistrick. 192 from Exors of Mary Elsworth to Herbert Edgar James and William Ellsworth. 58 from Exors of John Marsden to Louise Marsden. Seal cert etc.
Offers were received for the engine and second motion shaft and fire pump at Butts Mill.
Res. That Messrs James Dixon's offer [Machinery and scrap dealers at Burnley] of £450 be accepted.
A letter was read from J Widdup and Sons Ltd re sanitary arrangements and the matter was handed to Mr Banks for attention. [WH Mill]
Res. That the rent of the workshop of Henry Brown Sons and Pickles at WH be increased by 10% from £165 per annum to £181-10-0 from July 1st 1940. [They were working flat out on war work, this would not be a problem.]
Res. That the BUDC offer of £5 for ashes from May 1st 1940 to April 30th 1941 be accepted.
E B Banks.

July 18th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and E Wood. Minutes as read.
The chairman noted the death of Mr Slater Dugdale who had been a member of the board for 15 years.
It was unanimously resolved that and expression of appreciation for the faithful service rendered by him during this period be put on record.
Bank account £654-1-10 credit, rents owing £752-14-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 1169 shares from Seth Mundy and W A Adney to Edward Wood and 356 from Albion Atkinson and Harold Perry to Harold Perry sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a small portion of the vacant space at WH Mill, part of that previously occupied by Messrs Fox had been let to WE&D Nutter for 7/6 per week.
The balance sheet and accounts for the year ending June 30th 1940 were approved as read.
Res. That these should be placed before the annual general meeting on Thursday August 1st and that a final dividend of 2% for the year, free of tax, be recommended.
Res. That A V Hedges be elected a director in place of Slater Dugdale deceased.
Res. That all cheques should be signed by at least one director other than the secretary and assistant secretary.
E B Banks.

No minutes for annual general meeting
Printed balance sheet inserted in minutes reports: Net profit for the year ended June 30th 1940 of £1101-6-2. The adverse balance now stands as follows:
June 30th 1939 2289-11-2
Less profit this year 1101-6-2
1188-5-0
Dividend half year to June 1939 550-17-10
Ditto to Dec 31st 1939 493-18-1
1044-15-11
Balance at June 30th 1940 2233-0-11
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 25th 1940.

August 29th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, E Wood and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £471-2-7 credit, rents owing £642-15-3. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 50 from Bracewell Petty to Wallace Horsfield. 32 from Martha Popplewell to Hannah Raistrick. From Exors of G E Barrett to: N M Barrett 298 shares. S P Barrett 298. J W Barrett 297. All seal cert etc.
A letter from HMFI was read suggesting that if the contractors were unable to proceed with the alterations to the hoists as required under the Factories Act owing to pressure of war work the work should be put in other hands. [H Brown Sons had been given the job but were evidently snowed under with war work. Remember that the people allocating the war production were knowledgeable men and would know Brown and Pickles reputation for specialised machining. I know they took on one job that nobody else could do because they hadn't lathe capacity large enough. Johnny accepted the contract even though they hadn't a big enough lathe. How did he do it? He built a large break lathe in the laundry with castings made at Ouzledale and machined the job, large base plates for anti-aircraft guns. This lathe was kept busy right through the war.]
A letter was read from the London Assurance re the advisability of insuring for loss of rent at Butts Mill due to fire.
Res. That the matter be left over for further consideration.
It was reported that Tom Marshall had been engaged as engine man at WH Mill in place of W Watson who had taken up another appointment. [I think he went back to Rochdale.]
The secretary reported that a letter had been received from E Midgley and Co Ltd asking for payment of half the cost of electrical installation. He had replied pointing out that only half the cost of wiring should be paid by CHSC.
A letter was read from WE&D Nutter re the terms of their tenancy after the expiration of the lease on August 31st. They suggested that the minimum should be considerably reduced The secretary said he had written to them pointing out that the tenants who were on yearly tenancies had agreed to an increase of 10% and offering to continue the tenancy on the same terms as hitherto with the additional 10%.
The secretary reported that an application for alteration in the terms of tenancy had been received from Windle and Sons at WH Mill. As the firm are now only running 40 looms out of 400 and the minimum stood at 150 looms, it was resolved that a special concession in view of the circumstances [should be made] the rent to be charged on looms running only for the time being, such concession to start from September 1st.
E B Banks.

[It may be worth noting this: September 12 1940, an advertisement in the Manchester Guardian: MANUFACTORIES, WORKS ETC WANTED. Factory premises wanted, ground floor, about 300,000 square feet in North Lancashire. Information to A B Smith care of the County Hotel, Lancaster.
This was the Ministry of Aircraft Production looking for shadow factories for the Rover Company of Coventry. The found Bankfield and requisitioned it on September 25th and it became 'Number 6 shadow factory'. Later they took Calf Hall and Butts Mill. In Earby they took Grove Mill and Sough Bridge and in Clitheroe they took Waterloo Mill. They also requisitioned the country club at Bracewell Hall near Barnoldswick for the company offices. See 'Vikings at Waterloo' by David S Brown and the official history of Rolls Royce for more details. Incidentally the upgrading of the mills was given to local contractors. Briggs and Duxbury did well out of this work.]

September 30th 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £578-14-11 credit, rents owing £147-2-3.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: District Bank Ltd to Edna Mary George 262 shares. Elizabeth Wordsworth and H J P Sturton to Elizabeth Wordsworth, George W Wordsworth and Alice Wordsworth 442 shares. All seal cert etc.
The secretary reported that the Ministry of Aircraft [Production] had, on behalf of a Coventry firm [Rover Cars] requisitioned Bankfield Shed (3000 looms) for aircraft production and require a further 1200/1600 loom shed. They have been unable to secure this and as we were not in a position to provide it at Wellhouse the tenants at CH Shed had been approached with a view to removing to the space available in WH Mill.
The secretary read a report on the position which had been submitted to the MAP setting out the probable cost of removal, allowance to tenants for removal and all incidental expenses relative thereto. The letter also suggested a rent of 3/6 per square yard comprising the warehouse and shed space. £250 per annum for the use of the boilers and supervision of the heating should they require it, the tenants to pay all rates and fire insurance.
E B Banks.

Nov 21st 1940
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1304-5-10 credit, rents owing £670-3-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from the Exors of James Berry: 290 shares to Mary Ann Berry, James S Berry and Robert Berry. From Exors of ? B S Grigg: 50 shares to Hebe Osbaldeston and 50 to Mary Whipp. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that an insurance had been effected against loss of rent at Butts Mill.
Res. That this be conformed.
Res. That a cheque for £73-15-0 be paid to Messrs Hogarth being half the cost of the electrical installation put in for E Midgely and Co Ltd, this to become the property of CHSC.
Mr Banks reported that he had been in negotiation re the sale of Bridge House and yard [Coates Wharf].
Res That he be authorised to sell the property at a price of £550.
Mr Wood and Mr Banks reported on the negotiations relating to the alterations at WH Mill for the removal of the tenants from CH Shed to WH to make room for the Rover Co Ltd and the steps taken were approved.
E B Banks.

December 19th 1940
E B Banks chair. E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1279-9-0 credit, rents owing £647-5-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned from Administrator of Walter Patrick Deceased: 51 shares to Mary J Bannister and 51 to John V Patrick. Seal cert etc.
Res. That Proctor and Proctor, 3 Grimshaw Street Burnley be appointed to conduct the necessary negotiations with the MAP for compensation for the requisitioning of CH Shed and the consequential removal of tenants etc as from the date of requisition, October 5th 1940.
It was reported that the engine at CH Shed had been stopped on December 18th and that the Rover Co had asked that the lineshafting be removed.
Res. That a price should be obtained for the line shafting as it stood.
It was reported that Mr Whipp had complained that damage was being done through raining in and it was resolved that the necessary repairs should be done.
Res. That an interim dividend should be paid for the half year ended December 31st 1940at the rate of 2½% per annum less tax.
E B Banks.

[No report of a general meeting or printed balance sheet.]

January 23rd 1941
E B Banks chair. E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1019-14-9 credit, rents owing £551-5-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned from Exors of Jessie Whitaker Barrett sanctioned. 356 shares to Stewart Proctor Barrett and 355 to Norman Midgely Barrett. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported on the difficulties he was having with WD&E Nutter Ltd re the payment of the extra 10% rent for the months of October and November.
Res. That he should continue to press for the payment of this amount and all outstanding.
It was reported that notices had been received from the BUDC Clerk dated January 21st stating that under the Specified Areas Order dated December 31st 1940 it was now compulsory to erect air raid shelters at Butts and WH Mills and if this was done within 3 months a payment of 7/- in the £1 would be received from the government.
Res. That the work should be put in hand as soon as possible and that Mr Jacques should prepare the necessary information re possible sites and form of construction. [No bombs ever fell on Barlick and after the war the shelters made useful dirty sweeps stores being fireproof.]
The interim accounts for the half year ended December 31st 1940 were read and approved.
Particulars were given of the plant disposed of and it was reported that the looms remaining were 36 x 40” cross rods and 125 x 40” Cooper's Looms.
Res. That for balance sheet purposes the value of these be taken at £250.
E B Banks.

February 20th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Patrick, Horsfield, Peel, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £215-11-1 debit, rents owing £937-13-4. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Mr Jacques, due to pressure of work, was unable to arrange the planning and erection of air raid shelters at WH and Butts Mills.
Res. That Mr Norman Barrett, architect, be approached re the erection of these shelters.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 46 shares from Administrators of Annice Baxter to Lizzie A Baxter and 50 from Exors of Edith Mary Dent to Victor Booth. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a requisition for a plot of land at the junction of Wellhouse Road and Skipton Road had been received from the County Council. It was pointed out however that this land had been transferred to the Council by a Deed of Gift for road widening.
Correspondence from BUDC re electric lighting at WH Mill was read and Mr Banks reported that these matters were in hand. [blackout infringements?]
Res. That Bridge House be let to the Rover Co at a weekly rent of 8/- [It was just across the road from their works at Bankfield and it seems the sale never went through, CHSC must still own the wharf as well.] the landlord paying the rates.
Res. That Mr Banks be authorised to sign the necessary tenancy agreement on behalf of CHSC.
It was reported that a debit of £18-14-6 had been received from H Ellison Ltd due to a burst steam pipe.
Res. That this could not be entertained.
Reported that the Kelbrook Mill Company were in need of storage room for shafting and it was resolved that accommodation be offered to them at Butts Mill at 10/- per week. [They were in Sough Bridge Mill which had been requisitioned and were evidently taking an optimistic view of re-installing the shafting after the war. They moved to Brook Shed in Earby in 1941.]
E B Banks.

March 20th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £460-1-8 debit, rents owing £627-14-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That sites suggested by Mr Norman Barrett for air raid shelters at Butts and WH Mills be approved and that he take the necessary steps to proceed with the matter.
E B Banks.

April 24th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £98-2-9 debit, rents owing £498-5-3. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported on the position re the arrears of rent owed by WD&E Nutter.
He also reported that a claim for rent made on the MAP was £3301-14-4 per annum.
E B Banks.

May 15th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £34-8-2 credit, rents owing £ 660-13-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: Mary Ann Berry, James Starkie Berry and Robert Berry: 145 shares to F R Berry and 145 to J B Berry. Exors of Henry Hartley: 55 shares to D H Hartley and 55 to Ena Crew. All seal cert etc.
Tenders were received for the erection of shelters at Butts and WH Mills:
WH Mill Butts Mill Total
F T Fairchild and Son 1129-7-9
Briggs and Duxbury 1200 150 1350
Blakeley and Son 1355
George Feather 1188-10-0 175 1363-10-0
R Geldard 1364-15-0
F C Muff 1240-3-0 159-1-4 1399-4-4
Res. That the tender of F T Fairchild and Son of £1129-7-9 be accepted provided that the mills are not included in the list of mills to be closed under the Cotton Board Concentration Scheme details of which, it is understood, will be published at the end of the month. [Pencilled note reports that Fairchild withdrew their tender and it went to B&D.]
Res. That a letter be written to BUDC suggesting a payment of £4 for ashes from WH Mill for the year ending April 30th 1942.
Mr Banks reported that he had provisionally agreed with Nutter Brothers a rent of £150 per annum for the storage of looms etc at Butts Mill the term to commence from May 1st 1941 rates to be charged to CHSC but refunded by Nutter Brothers.
Res. That this action be confirmed.
[Under the Cotton Board Concentration scheme Looms allowed to be run were designated registered looms. Wilfred Nutter had the option of closing James Nutter at Bancroft Shed or Nutter Brothers at Grove Shed Earby. The latter was requisitioned by the MAP so Wilfred, looking to the future, wanted to store his redundant looms. Many were stacked two high in spare space at Bancroft Shed and evidently the others went into Butts. This was going on throughout the mills in Barlick and space was at a premium. I have looked into the number of looms registered and those stored and there are some interesting discrepancies in the figures! See also June 19th minutes for the disposition of WE&D Nutter, another of Wilfred's firms.]
Mr Banks reported that he was in negotiation for the letting of the engine house [Butts]. He was authorised to let it on the best terms possible.
E B Banks.

June 19th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £438-18-1 credit, rents owing £447-15-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That the letting of the part of WH Mill previously occupied by Messrs Ellison (approximately 900 square yards) to the Manchester Guardian and Evening News Ltd [for the storage of newsprint] at an annual rent of £200 per annum together with an annual payment of £39 to cover fire watching be approved. The tenancy to commence July 1st 1941. [It was normal practice during the war to have fire watchers on duty in case of direct hits by incendiary bombs, a small bomb designed specifically to set fires and not explode.]
It was reported that the MAP would agree to CHSC continuing the insurance of CH Shed and would refund the premiums payable(at 2/6 %) providing CHSC would waive any claim against the Air Ministry for damage covered by the policy.]
Res. That this be done.
It was reported that WD&E Nutter had submitted a scheme under the concentration of the cotton industry to the controller under which a portion of WH Mill occupied by them would be vacated and their Bancroft Shed would be run. The Cotton Controller had said that in this case WH Mill would have to be closed unless WE&D Nutter could be persuaded to carry on at WH and Bancroft Shed be closed. Mr Wood said he had seen Mr Wilfred Nutter who would consider the position and that he had already seen other tenants at WH who were arranging to see Mr Nutter.
[A no-brainer for Wilfred and I suspect everyone knew it. He was a smart cookie and given the choice of carrying on with registered looms in his own premises at Bancroft and staying as a tenant at WH it was a foregone conclusion. James Nutter and Sons wove on at Bancroft through the war and was the last steam-driven shed in Barlick when it closed in December 1978. I was the engineer who stopped it.]
Mr Wood reported on negotiations with Mr Horan, the Lands Officer of the Air Ministry as to compensation for CH Shed and Mr Horan had stated he would recommend a payment of £2000 per annum. Negotiations as regards the cost of removal etc were still proceeding.
Res. That Mr Wood's actions be approved and that he be authorised to obtain the best figure possible.
E B Banks.

July 17th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £428-8-9 credit, rents owing £785-10-0. Accounts paid.
Quotations for the disposal of the shafting etc at Butts were considered. The three tenders received were:
George Rushworth and Son Ltd. [Colne] £9 per ton for small cross shafting, £4-2-6 per ton for Cast hangers, pulleys, pedestals and bolts. £54 per ton for heavy brass bearings.
James Dixon Ltd [Burnley] £8-5-0 per ton for shafting. £4 per ton for cast pulleys mill gearing and fittings lying alongside.
John Pickard. £3-15-0 per ton for pulleys and pedestals. £7 for shafting. £50 per ton for gunmetal [brass].
The question of disposal of the shafting was considered and it was decided that the matter should be postponed for three months.
A letter from the Lands Officer of the MAP dated July 15th 1941 was considered in which it was stated that Messrs Pilgrim and Badgery, acting for Mr Aldersley were expressing concern re a locked gate erected by the Rover Co across Mill Street. It was stated that Mr Aldersley and his tenants claimed access to his land adjoining the street.
Res. That a reply be sent that CHSC could not object to Mr Aldersley and his tenants having access to to the land over the street.
A letter from the District Valuer dated July 14th 1941 suggesting that the tenancy of the ground and first floor of the office at Butts Mill should be combined and that a payment of 6/- be made. The Air Raid Authorities to pay rates and water charges and bear the cost of external repairs and main structural repairs and other expenses to maintain the property in a state to command rent.
Res. That the terms be agreed. [I think that this was the ARP using the offices for their HQ for Barlick during the war.]
E B Banks.

August 7th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £933-02 credit, rents owing £228-3-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That the accounts and balance sheet for the year and half year ended June 30th 1941 be approved as read and the shareholders be recommended to pay a final dividend for the half year ended June 30th 1941 at 2½% per annum less tax.
Reported that £600 had been received on account from MAP for the requisition of CH Shed.
Letter from John Widdup and Son Ltd and Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd [both weaving in WH] in which enquiries were made about the change to be made in the storage of looms.
Res. That replies be sent to say that CHSC were very anxious to do all that could be done to help but at the moment it is impossible to fix any figures until a lead had been given by the Cotton Board.
E B Banks.

No general meeting reported
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: net profit for the year of £1015-8-7. Adverse balance now stands as follows:
As per June 30th 1940 2233-0-11
Less profit this year 1015-8-7
1217-12-3
Dividend paid June 1940 474-18-1
Ditto December 1940 436-18-3
911-16-4
As per balance sheet June 30th 1941 2129-8-7
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, August 1st 1941.

September 19th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £454-17-1, rents owing £817-16-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of John Windle: 48 to Joseph E Windle and 48 to Louise E Windle. Seal cert etc. New certificate to Exors of Elizabeth H Ibbotson for 338 shares. In place of lost certificate, certificate of indemnity received.
Mr Banks reported the letting of three rooms at Butts Mill to BUDC electricity department £100 per annum, tenants to pay rates. Commences on September 1st 1941.
Res. That the letting be approved.
Mr Wood reported on a meeting with Mr Entwistle and Mr dean representing the Air Ministry re the requisitioning of C H Shed. He stated that the original figure of £2000 quoted by Mr Horan had been withdrawn and the highest figure they would agree to is £1500 per annum.
Res. That the offer be accepted but considerable disappointment was expressed.
Mr Wood said that compensation for removal expenses etc were still proceeding.
It was reported that the following tenants at WH Mill had received notice of requisition for space for storage. Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd. WE&D Nutter Ltd. Ellerbank Manufacturing Co Ltd. And that their looms were being moved by direction of the Ministry into space occupied by other tenants although no notice of any kind had been received by CHSC.
E B Banks.

October 16th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £791-18-6 credit, rents owing £998-18-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 280 shares from Exors of W H E Holdsworth to Albert Monks sanctioned.
Correspondence from tenants at WH Mill regarding tenancies and rents was considered.
Res. That nothing can be done until the situation was clarified.
E B Banks.

November 20th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £538-1-9 credit, rents owing which were the subject to negotiation and adjustment when a definite basis had been reached.
Transfer of 396 shares from Trustees of Slater Dugdale to Maurice Horsfield and 396 to Gordon Carr sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that £3137-9-3 of the claim re the removal of tenants to WH Mill had been recommended for payment; that £1018-12-2 had been disallowed and that £2363-8-9 had been referred for further consideration.
E B Banks.

December 18th 1941
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Wood and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1973-13-6 credit, rents were owing from tenants at WH Mill affected by the Cotton Control Board Concentration Scheme but these amounts had not yet been fixed.
Accounts paid.
Transfer of 43 shares from E Horsfield to M M Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that it was understood that the Government Storage Department had agreed with the tenants concerned at WH Mill to pay for storage space taken: Ellerbank, £115 per annum. WD&E Nutter, £406. Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd £106. Total of £627 per annum being at the rate of 2/- per square yard, the government to pay rates, repairs etc.
Mr Wood stated that he had put in a claim for loss on shafting [CH Shed] amounting to £3320-16-0 less £396-4-2 realised [sale of shafting] making a total of £2924-11-10. He had given an undertaking that if this amount was received, no claim would be made for reinstatement of the shafting.
Res. That this be approved.
Res. That an interim dividend of 2½% per annum less tax be paid for the half year to December 31st 1941.
E B Banks.

January 15th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1610-12-3 and rents owing £2125-18-6 (subject to allowance). Accounts paid.
The meeting was informed that MAP had requisitioned the three large weaving sheds on the ground floor at Butts Mill together with the boiler house, coal store etc. The plans showed an entrance in Butts. The requisition was dated January 12th 1942 and described as; 'All those premises known as Butts Mill, Barnoldswick, shewn for the purposes of identification coloured pink and brown and edged with red on the attached plan'. The areas of the three sheds being:
1. Shed 20,011 square feet
2. Shed 18,260 ditto
3. Shed 17,521 ditto
Total 55,792 square feet.
[This space was used throughout the war, mainly by Rover Company for reconditioning aero engines but there is also evidence of a bonded warehouse for tobacco there after Liverpool was blitzed.]
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 15 shares from Administrators of E A Singleton to M J Singleton and 808 shares from Exor of Ann Clapham to Richard Jacques. All seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

February 19th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2189-13-3 credit, rents owing subject to allowances £2514-17-5. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 43 from J W Horsfield to E Wood. Midland Bank (Branch Nominees) to Sarah Ellen Banks and Irene Victoria Petyt Banks 704 shares. Seal cert etc.
Consideration was given to tenders for shafting and gearing at Butts Mill which has to be removed under direction from the requisitioning authority.
Res. That the highest tender of £427-10-0 from James Dixon of Burnley be accepted. They to bear the cost of dismantling and removal. Plus 64 economiser pipes at £1 per pipe.
[I'm sure you will have realised this but it's worth making it clear that the removal of shafting meant that the mill would never weave again under steam power and so the engines went as well. Butts has already gone of course and though I can't recall a specific mention of it, CH engine has gone as well. There is one ray of hope, WH Mill retained its engine and shafting in the end and restarted as a steam weaving shed after the war. There will still be an engine there for Johnny and Newton to play with!]
E B Banks.

March 19th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2144-12-4 credit. Accounts paid.
Reported that there had been no further developments re the requisitioning of Butts Mill and that no final settlement had been reached regarding the removal expenses for CH Shed.
E B Banks.

April 16th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3033-8-4 credit. [Crossed out; 'rents owing £3101-3-11.] Accounts paid.
Transfer of 135 shares from Harold Broughton Broughton to Harold Duxbury sanctioned. Seal cert etc. [This gives Harold director qualification.]
Res. That the whole of the shafting, cast iron hangers, pulleys, steps etc removed last year [and stored at Butts Mill] be offered for sale by tender at a lump sum.
E B Banks.

May 21st 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £5520-14-5. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from BUDC Sanitary Inspector re a drain at WH Mill. Mr Banks said this had been attended to.
Tenders for sale of shafting etc at Butts [CH Shed shafting] were as follows:
Ouzledale Foundry £455. J Pickard £420. G Rushworth and Son £400. James Dixon Ltd £375.
Res. That Ouzledale tender be accepted subject to them being able to remove the material at a very early notice. [Worth noting that the nearer the prospective purchaser, the better the price. Ouzledale were very busy supplying Brown and Pickles with castings for the war effort so a good supply of material was handy.]
It was reported that a Payable Order for £2461-13-1 had been received from MAP which together with £1000 received previously on account made a total of £3461-13-1 in settlement of our claim under Section 2(1) (D) of the Compensation (Defence) Act 1939.
Rents. A copy of a letter sent out by the Manufacturer's Association of Burnley and Nelson was read in which a recommendation was made re the rent of stopped mills and stating that the sub-committee appointed by them to deal with the matter had unanimously recommended firms [members] to pay 50% of the loom rent (not tape rent) based on the total number of looms formerly in their occupation on the understanding that at a later date the amount paid will be adjusted up or down according to a final recommendation.
Res. That in view of the letter the manufacturing tenants at WH Mill be asked to pay a provisional rent equivalent to half the rent on the total number of looms previously occupied by them.
E B Banks.

June 18th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £5316-10-1 credit.
Res. That £4000 be placed on deposit with the Marsden Building Society at 1½% per annum free of tax. £3000 to be subject to six months notice and £1000 subject to one month. Nptices of withdrawal to be signed by the secretary.
Accounts paid.
Transfer of 50 shares from Victor Booth to Sarah Ann Shepherd sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that Mr Wood and Mr Banks had met the District Valuer at Bradford re compensation for Butts Mill. A claim had been made for £1000 per annum but only £1 had been offered. It was pointed out to the DV that £150 was at present being received for only a small part of the premises and eventually a provisional suggestion of £200 was made by the DV who stated he would consider the matter further and make a written offer.
Res. That the annual general meeting be held at the Seven Stars on August 6th at 2pm.
E B Banks.

July 16th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1181-0-5 credit. Accounts paid.
Correspondence with the National Fire Service was read in which permission was asked to close the clow at Butts Mill to create a static water supply. It was decided that the matter should remain in abeyance for the time being because of the danger of flooding and the inability of the NFS to undertake the responsibility for any damage arising therefrom and in view of static water being provided by the Rover Co Ltd. [At CH Shed. Static water supplies for use during fire-fighting were very important because during bombing there was a possibility of mains supplies to conventional fire hydrants being disrupted. Where there was no natural resource, prefabricated steel tanks were erected at strategic points and made wonderful boating ponds for the lads! Their position was marked with a larger yellow painted sign 'EWS'. (Emergency Water Supply.)]
It was reported that there was still a considerable amount of rent owing from the tenants at WH Mill. It was not considered that anything further could be done for the moment.
It was reported that a Draft Lease had been received from BUDC re the lease of a portion of Butts Mill now occupied by the Electricity Department and that negotiations were proceeding re a further small space temporarily occupied by them.
It was reported that Mr Aldersley had enquired about the tenancy of the space over that occupied by Mr Lister, caravan maker, at Butts Mill but that eventually he had found that he did not require it. Since then government officials had seen Mr Banks and told him that it was intended to store Nutter Brother's looms in the the space [at Butts Mill] and that Mr Battye the district valuer would deal with the question of rent.
Mr Banks reported that the Craven Cellar [Butts] had been let to Mr Procter, furniture dealer at £17-10-0 per annum payable quarterly and to commence on September 30th and also that additional space had been let to Mrs Whipp at £1 per week, the rent to commence January 1st 1943, both cases being subject to certain alterations by CHSC.
Res. That the balance sheet and accounts for the year ending June 30th 1942 be approved as read and that a dividend of 2½% per annum less tax be recommended for the half year ended June 30th 1942.
E B Banks.

No minute for general meeting
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for year ended June 30th 1942 of £1049-14-11. Adverse balance stands as follows:
Balance sheet June 30th 1941 2129-8-7
Less profit this year 1049-14-11
1079-13-8
Dividend to June 1941 379-18-6
Dividend to Dec 31st 1941 379-18-6
759-17-0
Balance June 30th 1942 1839-10-8
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, July 28th 1942.

August 6th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1130-3-11 credit, rents owing £2393-3-9.
Mr Wood reported that J Widdup and Sons Ltd had paid £250 on account for storage of looms at WH Mill.
A letter was read from BUDC re rent of additional space at Butts Mill offering £10 in place of £26 per annum.
Res. That £18 per annum be accepted instead of £26 per annum.
Res. That the common seal of the company be affixed to a lease of the premises at Butts Mill to BUDC.
Res. That the claim for compensation at Butts Mill be left over for further consideration.
The secretary submitted a notice received July 31st 1942 from the Admiralty requisitioning the main shed at WH Mill, approximately 34,000 square feet. On enquiry this appears to be the premises occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd and Midgely and Sons Ltd, about 650 looms.
E B Banks.

September 17th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1009-19-8 credit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 55 shares D H Hartley to Wallace Horsfield. From Exors of Harrison Bailey: 498 to Harold Duxbury. 150 to J V Patrick. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the Rover Company were carrying out certain alterations to Butts Mill in the portion requisitioned by them. Mr Jacques presented the board with a very complete plan with elevations, areas and tenancies for which the members expressed their thanks.
E B Banks.

October 15th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1613-1-11 credit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 62 shares from E W King to E A Dobson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Brown and Pickles re a new concrete floor put in by them in the Smithy at a cost of £18-14-2.
Res. That CHSC should bear half the cost but that they should be told that the company could accept no responsibility for work carried out without their instructions.
Mr Wood reported that the District Valuer was pressing for acceptance of his offer of £200 for the requisitioned portion of Butts Mill.
Res. That the matter be held over for the time being.
Mr Banks reported on the alterations necessary in the new tenancies of Mr Procter and Mrs Whipp as set out in the Minute of July 16th 1942 and reported that it had been agreed that the Craven Cellar should be let to Mr Procter at £17-10-0 per annum, rent to commence three months after the completion of the alterations to which Mr Procter will contribute £7. The additional tenancy to Mrs Whipp to be £1 per week to commence three months after the completion of the alterations.
E B Banks.

November 19th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2312-19-10.
A letter was read from the Air Ministry agreeing to pay £224 for the pump and accessories removed by them from CH Shed.
Res. That this offer be accepted.
A letter from Windle and Bowker re a claim for £400 by J Windle and Sons Ltd (In Liquidation) for loss on looms scrapped was read.
Res. That the secretary reply pointing out that the claim could not be accepted be approved.
A further letter from the District Valuer at Bradford re the offer of £200 per annum compensation for the portion of Butts Mill requisitioned was read.
Res. That a letter be sent saying that the offer could not be accepted.
An offer from one of the tenants of the portion of WH Mill recently requisitioned to pay over the amount receivable by him from the Cotton Board for maintenance of plant together with the cash received in respect of premises requisitioned from him was reported.
Res. That negotiations on these lines should be continued.
E B Banks.

December 17th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1773-0-5 credit.
A letter was read which had been sent out by the Nelson and District Manufacturer's Association to their members dated December 8th 1942 stating that the figure for rent of closed mills had been agreed at 45/6 per loom per annum based on 40” reed-space. Particulars were given of the amounts paid by the various tenants at WH Mill to date.
A letter from the District Valuer dated Nov 23rd 1942 was read re compensation at Butts Mill in which he stated that £200 was the maximum figure and presuming the Board would refer the matter to tribunal as they could not agree to the amount.
Res. That consideration of the matter be further postponed.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Mercy Jane Wignall: 97 to R Jacques and 97 to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid for the half year ended December 31st 1942 at the rate of 2½% per annum less tax.
E B Banks.

January 21st 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £619-15-10.
A letter from the Manchester Guardian was read intimating that in consequence of the change in position as regards the supply of paper they will not require the premises at WH Mill. The secretary had replied that we would communicate with the Ministry and offer the premises to them and would write to them later. The secretary reported that he had been in communication with the Mersey Tobacco Bond Ltd offering these premises to them and that they were looking into the matter. [Later developments seem to have meant that newsprint was still stored as it is mentioned at the end of the war.]
The secretary intimated that the Ministry had asked for a reply to the offer of £200 for the rent of Butts Mill and he had replied in accordance with the minute of the last meeting we have nothing to add to our last letter declining to accept the offer.
Transfer of 250 shares from the Administrators of Elizabeth Wilson to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The secretary reported he had arranged with the Admiralty for a rent of £122-14-0 per annum to be allowed for the storage of Messrs M Horsfield's looms in the premises of J Widdup and Sons and a rent of £40-10-0 per annum for the storage of 70 looms of M Horsfield and Sons and that the Admiralty were paying the rates and insurance of the premises occupied by M Horsfield and Sons and E Midgley and Co and that the account would be added to the rents payable. The tenants in each case had promised to remit the amount to CHSC.
E B Banks.

February 18th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1532-13-1 credit. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that J Widdup and Sons Ltd had paid their rent due to date on the half rent basis.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 50 from Ruth Berridge to Arthur Berridge and 114 from Smith Wilson to Alice Wilson. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

March 18th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1657-11-7. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported that he had settled with Mr Maurice Horsfield for rent due from M Horsfield and Son Ltd at £630 per annum and that Messrs WE&D Nutter, E Midgley and Co and J Widdup and Sons were all paying on the 45/6 basis as suggested by the Manufacturer's association and that the only two firms whose basis has not yet been settled were Ellerbank Manufacturing Co and Messrs Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd.
E B Banks.

April 15th 1942
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, Hedges and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2393-19-4 after payment of accounts.
Res. That £1000 be invested in 3% War Bonds.
It was reported that there had been a further requisitioning of land at Butts Mill. This comprised the approaches to and walls adjoining the mill and that a nominal acknowledgement of 10/- per annum had been agreed.
Mr Wood stated that he had seen the Ellerbank Manufacturing Co and Messrs Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd re the amount of rent to be paid by them and that it was suggested that Ellerbank Manufacturing should pay £160 per annum, this being made up of the amount received by them from the Tobacco Storage authorities plus an additional £45 per annum (nothing being receivable by them from the Cotton Board). In the case of Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd it was suggested that they should pay £160-1-10 per annum this being made up by £106 received by them from the Tobacco Storage Authority and £54-1-10 received from the Cotton Board. [Not to be confused with tobacco storage at Butts. In a contemporary telephone directory used by the ARP, the firm at Butts is called the Nigerian Tobacco Company.]
Res. That agreement should be recorded on the above figures.
It was reported that the Inland Revenue had increased the Schedule 'A' valuation of CH Shed to £2,500 following an increase in the rating assessment but that they had eventually agreed to reduce it to £1500 being the compensation rent receivable from the government.
Mr Wood reported that WD&E Nutter Ltd had offered £145 for plant and they were insisting on £418-7-7 compensation. A draft reply was read and approved and it was resolved that the letter be sent to them in duplicate.
E B Banks.

May 20th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel, Patrick, and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2055-14-10, rents owing £706-1-3. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported on the position re the space recently vacated by the Manchester Guardian and Evening News under their agreement.
A Letter was read from Wilfred Nutter dated May 12th “Before dealing with your letter of the 16th inst. I shall be glad to know why a copy was sent to Richard Nutter”. [Was CHSC deliberately touching a nerve?]
The secretary reported that the account for heating WH Mill amounting to £313-13-0 had been passed for payment. [It's not been made clear but I suspect that by this time there was no weaving at WH and the engine is stopped.]
Res. That £1000 be invested in 3% Savings Bonds.
E B Banks.


[Transcription of Minute Book 8 finished on Friday 1st of April 2011. SCG.]
CALF HALL SHED COMPANY MINUTE BOOK NO 9.

June 17th 1943 to June 16th 1960.

[Transcribed by Stanley Challenger Graham. All entries in [] are notes by SCG. Transcription commenced April 1st 2011.]

June 17th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1318-5-11 credit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 42 shares from Jane Carr to Gordon Carr be approved. Seal cert etc.
Correspondence with the Rover Co as to the position of the sluice re the alterations being made by them at the bridge at Butts Mill was read.
E B Banks.

July 15th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1846-16-5 credit. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 78 shares from executrix of Ada Thornton to Annie Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Accounts and balance sheet to June 30th 1943 approved as read.
Res. That AGM be held on July 22nd and a dividend be recommended which makes a total for the full year of 5% less tax.
Res. That Mr Banks arrange for the repair of the bridge adjoining Butts Mill which has been undermined by the stream.
Reported that Mrs Whipp had given three months notice in respect of her tenancy of the top floor of the premises rented by her at Butts Mill [furniture and second-hand goods store] but stated she would be willing to continue the tenancy if the rent was reduced from £52 to £26 per annum.
Res. That it be suggested that she should continue at a total rent of £85 per annum, this including the £52 rent payable for the bottom portion, such new tenancy, if agreed, to start from October 1st next.
E B Banks.

No AGM minuted but:
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: net profit for year ending June 30th 1943 is £1530-12-6. The adverse balance stands as follows:
June 30th 1942 1839-10-8
Less profit 1530-12-6
308-18-1
Dividend for half year to June 1942 379-18-6
Ditto to December 31st 1942 379-18-6
759-17-0
Balance at June 30th 1943 1068-15-1
Your directors recommend payment of a final dividend of £1139-15-6 making a total dividend for the year ending June 30th 1943 of 5% less tax.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, July 17th 1943.

August 19th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick and Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £526-3-6 credit. Rents owing £606-10-6. Accounts paid.
Mr Wood reported on an interview with Mr Fox re the sluice at Butts Mill when Mr Fox asked us to leave the matter in his hands.
Transfer of 50 shares from Exors of Nancy Lee to Margaret A Lee sanctioned.
Mr Wood read a letter sent by him to WD&E Nutter dated August 10th in reply to their letter of August 5th which was approved.
The secretary reported that Mrs Whipp had made an offer of £71-10-0 per annum for both portions of Butts Mill.
Res. That we do not agree to accept the offer and that the minimum that could be agreed was £82 per annum for the whole of the premises.
E B Banks.

September 16th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1106-17-5 credit.
It was reported that the matter outstanding with WD&E Nutter had been disposed of as follows: CHSC to accept WD&E Nutter's offer of £180 for plant and furniture at WH Mill. WD&E Nutter to agree to pay £147-5-8 for the use of the plant leaving a balance of £91-0-11 of their claim of £418-7-7 for removal expenses, this balance to be paid by CHSC.
Res. That the settlement be approved.
Mr Wood reported he had written to Mrs Whipp on August 20th stating that CHSC could not accept her offer of £31-10-0 but would accept £82 for the whole of the premises. He had pointed out that CHSC had incurred heavy expense at her request and paid the insurance for the premises. In comparison with the rents for furnished houses now obtained of £2-10-0 to £3 per week, the rent of 32/- per week for a very large area was very small. No answer had been received.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 191 shares from Exors of Richard Mitton to C H Mitton and 50 shares from Barbara Dent to Elizabeth Mitchell. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

October 21st 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2465-18-11 credit, rents owing £224-5-0.
It was reported that the Rover Company had now done the work on Butts Mill sluice necessitated by their alteration to the bridge.
[Worth noting that Rover still had CH Shed and parts of Butts Mill but had handed over their interest in Whittle and the new jet engine at Bankfield Shed to Rolls Royce in 1942.]
It was reported that the Reed Shop in WH Yard occupied by E Johnson and Sons was in a dangerous condition. The cost of putting this in order would be £463-1-8 but if this work was done Johnson's had agreed to an increase in rent from £28 to £52 per annum. It was agreed that Mr Jacques should put the work in hand provided he could obtain the necessary licence. [This was the licence that had to be obtained to sanction the purchase of materials to do the work. During the war, all plant and materials above a certain amount had to be licensed by the appropriate authority on the basis that it was essential to either the war effort or essential maintenance. One strong factor in favour of the granting of a licence was safety grounds. I am sure Mr Wood was aware of this. As a sideline, it's interesting to note that during the great requisition of iron railings during the war, those erected for safety purposes, protecting a dangerous change in level like steps down to a basement were left in place.]
Res. That Messrs Aspden and Johnson be instructed to revalue Butts Mill for insurance purposes and that when this had been completed, failing agreement with Mr Battye the District Valuer as to rent, his approval should be obtained for the appointment of Mr George Singleton of Blackburn as an independent valuer to advise as to the rent to be paid for the requisitioned part of Butts Mill. [See the LTP transcripts 78/SA/1 to 18 for interviews with George Forrester Singleton who founded the firm of G F Singleton and Sons who were one of the most respected firms of Estate Agents and Valuers in the NE Lancashire, dealing mainly with industrial premises. The firm is still in business in Blackburn in 2011.]
As the unoccupied part of Butts Mill was deteriorating due to general dilapidation, broken windows etc it was resolved that Mr Jacques should obtain estimates for the work to be done and apply for the necessary Building Licence.
Transfers of shares approved, all to be seal cert etc:
30 shares from George Sanderson deceased to Ellen Parker.
Exors of T Dent to: Joseph Hope Dent 132 shares. Miss Susannah Wright 131. Mrs T Sheldrick 131. Mrs A Wolfenden 131. Mrs C Walker 131. Mrs J Campbell 132. Robert Dent 132. Mrs C Thompson 132.
E B Banks.

November 18th 1943
Transfers of shares approved, all to be seal cert etc:
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3654-8-6. Rents owing £237-7-2. [Note that every cloud has a silver lining. Stopping the engines has removed the biggest expense, coal for power and the requisitioned premises are producing a regular income at very little expense to CHSC. Consider this as well, the requisitioned premises have been totally upgraded, regular maintenance, level concrete floors and full electrical installations. Things could be worse! Note also that this was true of all the mills taken over as shadow factories, this was to be a key factor in the transition from a war economy to peacetime conditions in the area.]
Reported that Messrs Aspden and Johnson had made a valuation of Butts Mill for insurance purposes which totalled £56,190 of which approximately £22,905 was in respect of the part occupied by Rover Co Ltd.
Mr Banks raised the question of the supply of steam to Brown and Pickles at Wellhouse Works and a discussion ensued. [The engine has stopped and Brown and Pickles used a gas engine which had been installed before the war to power the workshop when the engine was stopped. By this time they were using a large Horace Green electric motor to drive the shafting and some newer machines had individual electric drive so this steam will be for heating only. Newton Pickles told me that at one point during the war this motor was very heavily loaded and started to smell hot. Johnny Pickles got Horace to come down and have a look at it. Horace told him it was all right until the paint on the casing of the motor started to blister! Those were the days! I still run two electric motors that Johnny bought from Horace Green's, incredibly heavily built and they are almost indestructible.]
Res. That Mr Wood should go into the matter and approach Brown and Pickles.
E B Banks.

December 16th 1943
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3576-9-11 credit, rents owing £554-9-4.
Res. That an interim dividend for the half year ended December 31st 1943 be paid at 5% per annum less tax.
E B Banks.

[No report of shareholder's meeting or printed balance sheet.]

January 20th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1922-11-3 credit, rents owing £190.
Transfer of 106 shares from Exors of Hartley Singleton to Marjorie Irene Singleton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported that owing to the increase in costs various Room and Power companies in the district were arranging for an increase of 10%. As the CHSC mills had been requisitioned, no looms were running so this matter did not directly affect the company's tenants except for the increased costs of the power plant [steam engine] at WH Mill when running re-commenced.
Res. That the matter be left over for further consideration. [CHSC are looking forward to the time when weaving can re-commence at WH Mill after the war. Their was an air of optimism growing in 1944. Remember that D Day was to be on June 6th 1944 when the liberation started.]
E B Banks.

February 17th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2296-13-1, rents owing £251-2-2. Accounts paid.
Res. That the agreement signed by Mr Banks on behalf of CHSC with Rolls Royce for the tenancy of Bridge House [Coates wharf cottage] at 13/- per week be confirmed.
Transfer of 50 shares from Administrators of J A Noke to Margaret P Noke sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

March 16th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2630-12-0 credit, rents owing £341-14-4.
Transfers of shares sanctioned, seal cert etc:
E A Plummer and J W Steele: 39 shares to Rachel Plummer and 39 to Frances Lucy Thompson.
From representatives of Martha Fort: 53 shares to Thomas Fort. 52 to Clarissa Thompson. 52 to Freda Ratcliffe.
Res. That an enquiry should be made as to whether the ground rents payable by CHSC were for sale and if so on what terms. [Once again, looking forward and pursuing the freeholds.]
E B Banks.

April 20th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3331-11-7, rents owing £280-15-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 14 shares from the administrator of Emma Hutchinson to William Hutchinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a letter had been received from Messrs C B Hudson & Taylor, solicitors, stating that in reply to enquiry from CHSC, their client Colonel Royds had no real desire to sell the ground rent but he would consider any substantial offer which CHSC might care to make.
Res. That no further action be taken in the matter.
E B Banks.

May 18th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3724-5-9 credit, rents owing £316-17-2. Accounts paid.
Res. That the insurance cover of CH Shed and WH Mill be provisionally increased by an amount of £20,000 for each mill and that a schedule of particulars be prepared by Aspden and Johnson. As Butts Mill has been brought up to date it was felt that this mill was suitably covered.
A letter from Messrs Frank Roberts, Sons and Baldwin stating that on behalf of the executors of Mrs Brown they would be prepared to accept an offer of 7/6 each for 175 shares was read.
Res. That the directors should enquire if there were any likely purchasers.
Res. That £1000 be invested in 3% Savings Bonds, such an amount to be invested during the Barnoldswick 'Salute the Soldiers' Savings Week.
R Jacques.

June 15th 1944
R Jacques chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2971-4-7 credit. Rents owing £388-4-7.
Transfer of 20 shares from John Cant to Margaret E MacGregor sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

July 6th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3555-17-1 credit, rent owing £482-18-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 175 shares from Exors of Gertrude Brown to Edward Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The balance sheet and accounts for the year to June 30th 1944 were approved as read and a final dividend of 5% less tax. AGM to be held on July 13th 1944 at 2pm.
[Attached to this minute is a copy of a report signed by Victor Hedges and dated July 6th:
SALARY – MR E B BANKS.
On July 6th prior to the meeting of directors, Mr Banks raised the question of his salary with Mr Hedges. At the meeting of directors the matter was discussed at very considerable length and it was agreed that Mr Banks should continue to receive the same remuneration as in the past, £200 and that any tax thereon which had to be deducted by CHSC under the Pay As You Earn Scheme would be refunded by Mr Banks. (Puzzling. PAYE was the scheme whereby tax was deducted at source. One reading of this is that Banks is paying twice unless he has been paid the full amount without tax deduction.)]
E B Banks.

No minute of general meeting July 13th 1944.
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: Net profit for the year ended June 30th 1944 is £1530-12-0. Adverse balance now stands as follows:
Balance June 30th 1943 1068-15-1
Profit this year 2347-14-2
Dividend to June 1943 1139-15-6
Ditto to December 31st 1943 759-17-0
1899-12-6
448-1-8
Balance at June 30th 1944 620-13-5
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 6th 1944.

July 13th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Unanimously resolved that Mr Banks write to Mr E Wood expressing the sympathy of the directors in the great loss he has sustained in the death of his wife. [Victor Hedge's mother in law of course.]
E B Banks.

August 17th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1862-7-6 credit, rents owing £279-7-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 23 shares from Joseph Anderson to Clarence V Barker sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Banks reported that the Navy were making use of WH Yard and the thoroughfare and occupying a portion of land when making a road to the old foundry formerly occupied by Henry Brown and Sons. Mr Wood suggested that the attention of the Admiralty be drawn to the matter. [Interesting. It looks as though the Admiralty were using the old foundry for storage. Ownership was perhaps still the building society that foreclosed on Browns.]
E B Banks.

September 21st 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1996-1-7, rents owing £369-19-4. Accounts paid.
Reported that Mr Moore of the Admiralty had seen Mr Banks re their use of unrequisitioned land belonging to CHSC lying between WH Mill and the old foundry belonging to Messrs Brown [?] and a plan was submitted of the land proposed to be requisitioned. [A pencil note dated October 19th suggests a rent of £10]
Transfer of shares sanctioned. 356 shares from Harold Perry to E Wood and 150 from E Wood to G V Patrick. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

October 19th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2700-8-10, rents owing £234. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 1,010 shares from Robert Butterfield to Fanny Butterfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported on the position re insurance.
Res. That the figure to be placed on the CHSC property be taken at 'fair value'.
E B Banks.

November 16th 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2936-18-8, rents owing £279-7-2. Accounts paid.
It was reported that in accordance with the minutes of the preceding meetings the the insurance policies had been increased, in the case of CH Shed from £37,100 to £55,266 and for WH Mill, £71-955 to £108,240, the increased figures being the 'fair value' as valued by Aspden and Johnson.
Transfer of 50 shares from M A Lee to Wallace Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That £5 be accepted as the annual compensation re the portion of land requisitioned in the yard at WH Mill by the Admiralty.
Reported that an interview had taken place with Mr Battye, the District Valuer, re the compensation payable by the Air Ministry for the portion of Butts Mill requisitioned by them. After protracted negotiations he had increased his figure from £200 to £300 per annum. [Teddy earning his corn!]
Res. That this figure be accepted.
W B Banks.

December 21st 1944
E B Banks chair. Present: Horsfield, Peel, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3485-3-3, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% less tax be paid for the Half year ended December 31st 1944.
Res. That a new certificate be issued for 200 shares to Constance A Scales the original being lost and a certificate of indemnity received. Seal cert etc.
Reported that two directors of Hurst and Thackway Ltd had visited CH Shed to consider a possible leasing of the shed after the war. Following this a letter had been received from them asking if an approximate figure for rental could be stated.
Res. That a reply be sent pointing out that in view of the many questions which would arise on the termination of the government's requisition it was impossible to fix a definite rental.
It was further resolved that for their guidance they should be told that the government paid a compensation rent of £1500 per annum and paid rates, heating, power, insurance and all outgoings, CHSC being liable for Schedule 'A' Tax only.
It was stated that it had been rumoured that M Horsfield and Sons had had been taken over by Joseph Dunkerley Ltd, Silk Weavers of Macclesfield but that it was not known whether this was correct.
E B Banks.

January 18th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £ 1840-1-4 credit, rents owing £417-12-0. Accounts paid.
It was reported that an enquiry had been received from Messrs Pancreol Ltd of King's Mill, Settle, as to the likelihood of space being available for post-war developments and that various particulars and a plan of CH Shed had been forwarded to the firm, the plan having been returned as requested after perusal. A further letter had been received asking for an indication of rent. [One thing that keeps occurring to me is the fact that this was before the days of the photocopier and much effort must have been expended in making copies of documents.]
It was considered that in view of the many uncertainties that would arise on de-requisitioning it would not be advisable to give any definite indication of rent.
Res. That a reply in those general terms be sent.
E B Banks.

March 15th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2462-18-9 credit, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges reported on his visit to Pancreol Ltd at Settle stating that the premises at present occupied by the company were not in very good condition. In the interview he had mentioned Butts Mill but they seemed more interested in CH Shed stating that a two storeyed building was essential. Mr Hedges had pointed out that this could be arranged for at Butts Mill. In reply to a question about the approximate rent for CH Shed he had explained the difficulties in coming to any decision on the matter at the present time but he had mentioned a very rough estimate of £2000. At the end of the interview it was left that Pancreol Ltd would apply for permission to inspect both CH Shed and Butts Mill. [Pancreol Ltd were associated with Hodgsons Ltd Tanners of Beverly in East Yorkshire. By coincidence one of my mates at Rochdale Electric Welding one had to do some repairs on a large tank at this firm in Beverly. They had a leak on their dog muck tank! This raw material was used in the tanning of very fine glove leather. Amazing what you come across if you dig deep enough. See Mayhew's 'London Life' for a description of the gatherers of 'Pure' which was the trade name for the material. Incidentally, the white ones were worth more that the brown ones so the gatherers rolled them in lime to get a higher price. Sorry about that!]
Transfer of 100 shares from Margaret Alice Lee to Wallace Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

April 19th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank Balance £3431-19-9 credit, Rents owing £284. Accounts paid.
Mr banks reported on the visit of Mr Eastwood and Mr Pickard of Pancreol Ltd to CH Shed and Butts Mill. He said they had taken full particulars and that they seemed favourably impressed with CH Shed but were definite that Butts Mill was not suitable for them. No discussion took place re rents etc.
A letter from Windle and Bowker was read asking if there were any offers for 126 shares now held by the estate of A Pollard deceased. Mr Patrick said he was prepared to offer £42 for the 126 shares. [Roughly 6/9 per share.]
E B Banks.

[VE Day, the end of the war in Europe was May 8th 1945]

May 17th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Accounts paid. Bank balance £3577-14-1 credit. Rents owing £276-16-7.
Transfer of shares sanctioned. All seal cert etc:
From William Baxter: 50 shares to T C Baxter. 50 to A J Baxter. 50 to Laura Broughton.
From Exors of A Pollard, 126 shares to Norman Slater Petty. [Norman used to be my accountant, senior partner at Windle and Bowker. Mr Patrick hadn't offered enough for them evidently.]
E B Banks.

June 21st 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3082-16-2, rents owing £638-14-6. Accounts paid.
Correspondence from the Rover Company was read regarding a claim from the Ribble Conservation Board for damage caused to fishing through an effluent from the Rover Co. It was considered that CHSC had no liability in the matter.
Res. That The secretary write to this effect to the Rover Company.
Res. That the secretary's salary and managing director's fee be the present gross amount instead of the present net amount free of tax and that at the general meeting the shareholders be recommended to pay these as gross and not free of tax.
A letter was read from the West Riding County Council giving notice to vacate the premises at Butts Mill occupied as and Air Raid Warden's Post, as at September 29th 1945 and asking if the CHSC would agree to possession being given up on July 20th and offering £10 in lieu of making good the premises.
Res. That these proposals be agreed to and Mr Banks make arrangements for the premises to be decorated and the furniture cleared.
Mr Wood reported he had received a letter from Charlesworth and Wood [Barlick solicitors in Newtown] stating that the Rolls Royce Company were giving up possession of Bridge House at Coates. He reported that he had made arrangements for a new tenant but that the house needed extensive repair before being usable as a dwelling house.
Res. That the matter be left in the hands of Mr Banks.
Res. That the Annual General Meeting be called for Thursday July 19th and that a final dividend of 5% be recommended for the half year together with a bonus of 2½% for the year making a total of 7½% less tax for the year ending June 30th 1945.
E B Banks.

No minute of the AGM but printed balance sheet reports:
Net profit for year ending June 30th 1945 of £2801-5-3.
There is a balance disposable at June 30th 1945 as follows:
Profit 2801-5-3
Less adverse balance June 1944 620-13-5
Dividend July 13th 1944 752-11-9
Ditto January 1st 1945 759-17-0
2133-2-2
Disposable balance June 30th 1945 668-3-1.
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley, July 11th 1945.
[VJ Day, the surrender of Japan and the final ending of WW2 was on August 15th 1945]

August 23rd 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2523-4-11, rents owing £279-7-2. Accounts paid.
In view of the termination of the war The Manchester Guardian and Evening News Ltd had decided to give notice of their tenancy at WH Mill [They must have decided to stay after all.] on December 31st 1945.
Res. That this be agreed.
Mr Wood reported on his interview with the Grove Engineering Co Ltd and read the correspondence. The firm were wanting a tenancy of Butts Mill. They offered , subject to the approval of their directors, £1450 as a net annual rent, the CHSC to take such steps as nay be necessary in settlement with the government on the question of improvements. [Teddy and Victor are going to be busy!]
It was reported that Blin and Blin Textile Fabrics Ltd [of Huddersfield] were anxious to obtain a tenancy of CH Shed. Mr Wood reported that he had fixed the net annual rent at £2250 subject to the board's approval, with an addition or reduction of 5% on any payment from the Ministry in respect of renovations or claims made. [They were the first tenants after the war. They were a woollen firm and it's interesting that they ran mule spinning at CH, to my knowledge the only time this method of spinning was used in Barlick.]
Res. That this be approved.
Mr Banks was complimented on the decoration of the office and furniture which appeared to be very satisfactory.
E B Banks.

September 20th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2634-17-9 credit, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
A report was read as to the present position re the negotiations for de-requisitioning and re-letting of Butts Mill and CH Shed. [Bear in mind that these mills had been totally modernised to the standards necessary for aero engine maintenance and repair. Good floors, decorated and new mains services including electrical wiring. They were in far better condition than they had been when taken over. Remember also that all the shafting had been taken out, these were now modern factories.]
Butts Mill:
Mr Wood reported that negotiations were proceeding with Grove Engineering Co Ltd. [I think this was a spin-off from the Rover Co's operations at Grove Mill in Earby. As far as I know Grove was taken over by Armoride's a firm that made plastic seat covering for the motor industry, after the war.] He said that, subject to the confirmation of the directors it had been agreed that the portion of Butts Mill at present requisitioned by the government should be let to the Grove Engineering Co Ltd for a term of ten years at £1450 per annum. The lease to undertake full maintenance of the premises and be responsible for the rates, insurance and all other outgoings with the exception of Schedule 'A' Income Tax. It had already been agreed that in case a supply of steam is not available from CH Shed CHSC would put in a boiler and make a nominal charge for interest and depreciation not exceeding £50 per annum. [CHSC must have been contemplating putting a steam main in from Calf Hall Shed, they had evidently made the decision that at least one element of the Room and Power ethos would remain under their partial control.] The agreement was subject to the proviso that the government agreed to a reasonable settlement of the question of reparations (if any) which CHSC would have to pay.
Calf Hall Shed:
It was reported that following the last meeting of directors further negotiations had taken place regarding the proposed agreement with Blin and Blin Textile Fabrics Ltd of Huddersfield and that company had been asked to confirm in writing the provisional agreement reached. A letter had been received from Messrs Marshall, Shaw and Lister, solicitors, stating that Blin and Blin would make a firm offer to lease the property for a term of forty years [40] (determinable at the option of the tenants after twenty years) at an annual rent of £2,000 without any liability on their part to make any contribution towards the sum (if any) to be paid to the government for improvements to the property.
Res. That a reply should be sent stating that CHSC confirmed the secretary's provisional agreement with Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin for an annual rent of £2000 for a period of 15 years, Blin and Blin to maintain the property, pay rates and all other outgoings except Schedule 'A' Income Tax and also to pay an additional 5% per annum on the sum payable to the government by CHSC for improvements made to the property by the government. It was also suggested that should Blin and Blin care to extend the period of the lease beyond 15 years the directors might be persuaded to reduce the rate of interest payable from 5% to 4%.
Res. That Mr Singleton, valuer, of Blackburn, and Smith, Smith, solicitors of Burnley, be retained to carry out the necessary valuations and legal work involved in the negotiations.
E B Banks.

October 18th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3553-15-0 credit, rents owing £234. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 98 shares from the Exors of Richard Broughton to Roberta Minnie Singleton and 50 from Executrix of Mary Cowgill to Hilda Rushforth. Seal cert etc.
A report of the negotiations to date concerning the de-requisition and re-letting of CH Shed and Butts Mill was given as follows:
Calf Hall Shed.
It was reported that correspondence with Marshall, Shaw and Lister re Blin and Blin had taken place in which they were informed that the agreement under which Blin and Blin were to lease CH Shed at an annual rent of £2000 together with an additional 5% per annum on the amount payable to the government by CHSC for improvements must stand but that CHSC would be prepared to reduce the rate from 5% to 4% if Blin and Blin were willing to extend the lease to twenty years. A further letter from Marshall, Shaw and Lister and a telephone message from Mr Fletcher, had indicated that they would be prepared to extend the lease to 20 years at a rental of £2000 per annum plus 4% on the amount to be paid to the government but that they desired to limit their liability for payment of interest to a figure not exceeding £10,000.
Res. That a reply be sent that CHSC could not see their way to modify the agreement by consenting to a limitation to any arbitrary amount such as £10,000 on which interest would be payable but that it was hoped that figures could be obtained soon from the government which information would be forwarded to them immediately.
Butts Mill:
It was reported that following the letter to the Grove Engineering Co setting out the terms agreed on at the last meeting of the directors, Grove Engineering had been in communication with the various government departments and that the MAP had agreed to accept them as provisional tenants at Butts Mill at a nominal rent from Monday October 22nd and that financial negotiations were to be put in hand with CHSC immediately. Mr Hedges gave a report of the various points raised at a meeting at the Board of Trade offices in Leeds on Tuesday last [The minutes say October 18th but I think this should be the 11th.] which he attended with Mr Karam of Grove Engineering.
Information was also given to the directors as to the negotiations with the Ministry re Sough Bridge Mill at Kelbrook. [Remember that Proctor and Proctor were acting for many mills in the area so they would have direct knowledge of this matter. Sough Bridge Mill had been a Rover Company shadow factory during the war and immediately after the peace it was taken over by Bristol Tractors, a branch of the Jowett Motor Co at Bradford. Grove Mill eventually became Armoride, there was a huge demand for industrial premises and more importantly, for a skilled labour force nurtured by the high tech aero engine industry. Barnoldswick and Earby were very attractive locations for these reasons.]
E B Banks.

November 15th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3463-16-3, rents owing £279-7-2. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that the maximum permissible pressure on the boiler in use at WH Mill had been reduced by the insurance company to 120psi and that the policy had been endorsed to this effect. [Three boilers at WH, only one in use for heating. This is a strange time for the insurance company to take this action as it usually followed an adverse inspection and with heating boilers the annual inspection should have been done in summer when it was off-line. I suspect there must be some exceptional circumstance here like a bad leak or something similar.]
He also reported that a request had been made for an allocation of coal for WH Mill in place of coke but from the correspondence it seemed very doubtful that the application would be successful. [Coke was a by-product of the local gasworks and cut down on transport if it was used instead of coal.]
Re the de-requisition and re-letting of CH Shed and Butts Mill it was reported that no further progress had been made since the last meeting except that Mr Blin and Mr Fletcher had called to see Mr Wood to enquire into the position and some general conversation had ensued.
It was also reported that a letter had been received from the MAP stating that the Chief Valuer had been instructed to commence negotiations re the adaptations carried out by the Ministry at CH Shed.
Transfer of 192 shares from the Exors of John Dean deceased to Mr E B Banks be approved. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

December 20th 1945
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £497-15-11 after paying the accounts presented by the Ministry, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid at 5% per annum less tax for the half year ended December 31st 1945.
E B Banks.

January 17th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1395-7-11 credit, rents owing £266-14-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That the interim accounts and balance sheet be approved as read.
Transfer of 76 shares from Jane Suthers to Harcourt Suthers sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the tenants at WH Mill had received notice that the premises requisitioned from them for the storage of tobacco would be de-requisitioned on January 31st 1946. [Pencil note in margin dated February 21st 1946 'Not de-requisitioned yet. Per Mr Horsfield']
E B Banks.

February 21st 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1043-17-6, rents owing £351-17-2. Accounts paid.
Mr Horsfield said that the premises at WH Mill used for the storage of tobacco had not yet been de-requisitioned. A discussion on the position took place and it was agreed that there was no objection to the mill being re-started when the necessary arrangements had been made. [Remember that WH still had its engine and shafting, this refers to re-starting the engine. Exciting stuff!]
Mr Banks said that Mr Lister was giving up the tenancy of the part of Butts Mill occupied by him but that it had been re-let to Mr James Dixon of 14 Ash Grove, Barnoldswick.
E B Banks.

March 21st 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1033-15-0 credit, rents owing £339-18-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 77 shares from Edith Askham, executrix of Alma V Askham deceased into her own name sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a letter had been received from the Admiralty Lands Office dated March 20th accepting responsibility for repairs to the roof at WH Mill which have been carried out by CHSC on the requisitioned portion of the premises and suggesting that the cost of these repairs be included in the claim for reinstatement which would arise on release.
Res. That this should be agreed to.
It was reported that Tom Marshall [The engineer up to the engine being stopped] was ceasing to be employed [as boilerman] by the Mersey Tobacco Bond on March 23rd and that from that date his full services could be given to CHSC.
Res. That he be paid the engine man's union rate for a normal week, £6-4-0 per week until such time the engine restarts when the matter will be revised. [There would be much rejoicing at Brown and Pickles and I have little doubt that Johnny Pickles and Tom Marshall got their heads together to plan what needed to be done prior to the restart.]
It was reported that Mr Singleton the valuer for the company had met the District Valuer who said that the amounts payable be CHSC to the government in connection with money expended by the government on CH Shed and Butts Mill during the period of requisition would be £33,000 foir CH and £15,000 for Butts Mill, the latter including the brick building erected on land adjoining Butts Mill and not the property of the company. Mr Singleton had not yet received the schedule of the improvement from the District Valuer and was therefore not yet in a position to go into the details. [George Singleton was a very upright and honest man. He was also very skilled in negotiation and there is little doubt that he would do the best he could for his clients strictly within the rules.]
It was also reported that a figure of £33,000 had been given in confidence to Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin's who had said in reply that the maximum amount that Blin and Blin were prepared to go was an annual rent of £2000 together with 4% on a maximum of £25,000, the lease to be for twenty years and possibly to be reviewed at the end of ten or fifteen years.
It was unanimously resolved that negotiations [with the District Valuer] should be continued with a view to an agreement on the lowest possible figure for CHSC and that Blin and Blin would be in order in assuming that the tenancy would be arranged.
It was considered that the matter of Butts Mill could be left over for future consideration as Grove Engineering were already in the premises as tenants of the Ministry.
It was reported that the brickwork in the boiler house at WH Mill was in bad condition.
Res. That Mr Banks should arrange for the necessary work to be put in hand. [Tom has been busy doing his inspections!]
E B Banks.

April 25th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1844-15-10 credit, rents owing £845-9-0. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Blin and Blin dated April 8th stating that they were anxious to enter into possession at CH Shed and they understood that the Board of Trade would be agreeable to this provided that CHSC completed a formal indemnity to the government. The indemnity required was read.
Res. That the terms were of such a nature that it was not reasonable for CHSC to enter into it.
It was reported that Blin and Blin had asked if arrangements could be made for the disposal of the engine at CH Shed as the space was required by them. Forms of tender had been sent to several firms but the only offers received were from George Rushworth and Sons Ltd, £140 and James Dixon had made a verbal offer of £95.
Res. That the matter be left over. [Remember that there was the cost to the buyer of breaking the engine up and removing the scrap. No easy job.]
The charge of £305-10-0 made to Henry Brown Sons and Pickles for heating their premises for the two winters October 1st 1944 to March 31st 1946 was considered after an objection that it was too high. It was considered that the charge was a reasonable one but in order to settle the matter £275 be accepted and that in future the charge for heating should be made monthly. [One thing we should note which has not cropped up in the minutes is that it is my understanding that Brown and Pickles took over the laundry during the war to house some of the extra large machinery they required for war production. Barrett's Steam Laundry had moved to new premises in Gisburn Street just before the war.]
Transfer of 42 shares from the administrators of James Crook to Joshua Crook sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
E B Banks.

May 16th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2160-11-11, rents owing £501-16-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That Brewerton and Williams, steeplejacks of Bradford be instructed to make a report on the chimneys at WH and Butts Mill, both of which appeared to be in need of repair.
It was reported that schedules and plans of the Government's Betterment Claim on CH Shed and Butts Mill had been received by Mr Singleton form the District Valuer and that Mr Singleton had had an interview with him on May 14th. He was preparing a report on the position which would be submitted to the directors when received.
It was reported that Mr Singleton had advised that CHSC would be in order signing the indemnity required by the government to facilitate the entry of Blin and Blin into CH Shed and this would not prejudice the company's position.
Res. That in view of Mr Singleton's advice the indemnity should be signed.
It was reported also that Mr Singleton had advised that the company would be in order disposing of the engines at CH Shed and that this would not compromise their position. In view of the urgent request of Blin and Blin for this to be done it was resolved that the engine be disposed of at the best possible price. [Silly I know but very sad to see an old servant of the company going like this. Remember the overload it shouldered over fifty years.]
E B Banks.

June 6th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Horsfield, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Also present Mr George Singleton and Mr H Smith, solicitor. Minutes as read.
Mr Hedges read a letter from Mr Singleton dated June 4th stating that the DV would not accept an offer lower than £26000 for CH Shed and £15000 for Butts including the building on the site owned by the Conservative Club [?] but excluding the land itself. Mr Smith said that if agreement were not reached, the alternative was that the government would invoke compulsory powers to take the premises at 1939 prices which Mr Singleton had put at £7000 for CH Shed and £1638 for Butts. [Hard ball!]
Res. That Mr Singleton be empowered to make the best settlement possible, CH £26000 and Butts £15000 subject to CHSC being able to acquire the land at a reasonable price and the DV giving assistance to do this.
[There is a note in ink next to this entry: 'See Mr Singleton's letter June 15th 1946. Agreed: CH £24000 and Butts £13000.']
Transfer of 62 shares at £1 each from Exors of Richard Broughton deceased to R P Broughton and L Broughton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Reported that a reply had been received from the Board of Trade to the effect that they understood that the Admiralty did not intend to retain WH Mill permanently but that the date of de-requisition had not yet been fixed.
Res. That the AGM to be held July 11th at 2:30pm. Final dividend of 5% per annum for the jalf year ended June 30th 1946 with a bonus of 2½% less tax for the full year to be recommended.
E B Banks.

No minute of AGM but printed balance sheet inserted reports:
Net profit for year ended June 30th 1946 of £2791-13-6. Disposable balance for the year as follows:
Profit this year 2791-13-6
Balance from June 1945 668-3-1
3459-16-7
Dividend and bonus paid July 19th 1945 1519-14-0
Ditto December 20th 1945 759-17-0
2279-11-0
Disposable balance 1180-5-7
Signed E B Banks and E Wood at Burnley July 4th 1946.

July 11th 1946 (at Seven Stars)
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel. Patrick, E Wood and V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1255-18-9 credit after payment of the dividend, rents owing £879-14-4. Accounts paid.
Tenders were submitted for Messrs Brewerton and Williams of Bradford for repair of WH chimney £240 and Butts Mill chimney £32.
Res. That they be accepted if a lower amount could not be obtained.
A report was given of negotiations with Blin and Blin re CH Shed following a Notice of Release dated June 21st 1946 received from the Ministry. Blin and Blin had endeavoured to have the agreed rent of £2000 per annum plus 4% on £24000 (betterment) a total of £2960, reduced to £2500. Various interviews had taken place culminating in an interview with Mr Robinson, the Regional Controller of the Board of Trade at Leeds and eventually agreement had been reached on the figure of £2960 it being understood that CHSC would remove the engine and the [air raid] shelters and being suggested that the tenancy should commence on August 1st 1946 and that the rent be payable quarterly in advance.
Res. That the foregoing be approved and that the engine and shelters be removed as soon as possible.
Mr Banks reported that it had now been possible to obtain the bricks for the repairs to the boiler brickwork at WH Mill and that the work would be put in hand immediately after the holidays.
Res. That the accounts for the year ending June 30th 1946 and the balance sheet be approved as read.
E B Banks.

August 15th 1946
E B Banks chair. Present: Jacques, Peel. Patrick, E Wood. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1778-6-5 credit, rents owing £940-16-6. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that the first quarterly instalment of rent in advance for CH Shed had been received from Blin and Blin.
Transfer of 138 shares from Samuel Crabtree to Eleanor Crabtree sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the secretary advise the Naval Authorities of the serious condition of the wall at the South end of WH Mill occupied by them.
Res. That tenders be obtained from James Proctor of Burnley for two new stokers for boilers 2 & 3 at WH Mill. [Been out of use and deteriorated during the war years I suspect. Cheaper to renew than repair.]
Res. That two men be obtained to assist Tom Marshall with the cleaning of the boilers at WH Mill and other necessary work preparatory to turning round [restart of engine] when the tenants are ready.
Res. That the joinery work in the engine house and that tenders be obtained for painting the engine house inside and out.
Res. That Briggs and Duxbury be requested to report on the condition of the lavatories at WH Mill and to submit drawings and tenders for bringing them up to date.
Res. That Brown and Pickles be requested to arrange for the preparation of the stem pipes for heating at WH Mill.
E Wood.

October 1st 1946
Present: R Jacques, J V Patrick, J Peel, E Wood and A V Hedges.
Mr Wood referred to the death of E B Banks on September 16th he was appointed director in June 1938. He referred to the great services rendered by Mr Banks to the company and the devotion he had showed in carrying them out.
Unanimously resolved that an appreciation of his service be entered in the minutes and that a letter of sympathy and condolence be sent to his relatives.
Mr Wood said that he thought the time [was] opportune for his resignation as secretary and referred to the length of time he had been attending the CHSC meetings and the many developments which had taken place during that time, 50 to 53 years with 26 as secretary.
On the suggestion of Mr Jacques it was unanimously resolved that Mr Wood be appointed Chairman of the Company and that A V Hedges be appointed secretary.
Mr Wood took the chair. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1960-2-0, rents owing £1356-17-1. Accounts paid.
Reported that under Article 64 of the CHSC Articles of Association the number of directors should not be less that six.
Res. That Mr Harold Duxbury be appointed director in place of Mr Banks. [By 1946 Harold was a respected businessman in Barlick, running Briggs and Duxbury who had had a busy war and sometimes employed over 150 workers, he also acted as advisor for many other businesses in the town. He was my initial contact re the CHSC and it is due to his kindness and foresight that I am able to do this transcription of the Minute Books. He was to oversee the eventual end of the CHSC.]
Transfers of shares: 268 shares from Exors of James Horsfield to A E Horsfield. 723 from Exors of Ada Duxbury to ? M Thompson. 338 from E H Ibbotson to Robert Ibbotson. All seal cert etc.
A letter from the Admiralty Lands Office dated September 26th 1946 was read in which they stated that the defect due to the stone parapet pulling away from the top of the wall at WH Mill was an inherent defect in the structure and that under the circumstances thay would consider making a payment of 25% of the cost of the work.
Res. That this was a reasonable offer and a tender for the work be obtained.
Tenders for the installation of stokers at WH Mill [boilers 2&3] from James Proctor at £420 (£210 for each boiler) were considered.
Res. That they be accepted.
A letter from Mr Singleton, valuer, dated September 18th was read. He stated that the district valuer had been instructed by his head office to invite an offer of a contribution from the Conservative Club for the building erected by the Ministry on their [the club's] land adjoining Butts Mill and that negotiations were proceeding.
Res. That a banking account for CHSC be opened at Martins Bank Barnoldswick and that the said bank be, and is hereby empowered to honour cheques, bills of exchange and promissory notes drawn, accepted or made on behalf of the company by any two directors and countersigned by the secretary and to act on any instructions given relating to the account or transactions or property of the company. That cheques lodged for credit to the company's account be endorsed by any one director or the secretary. That the CHSC account at Martins Bank to be overdrawn from time to time to such an extent as the company may require and the bank see fit to allow and that the officials authorised for the time being to sign cheques for and on behalf of the company be and are hereby empowered to overdraw fro and on behalf of the company the said amounts accordingly.
Res. That the foregoing resolution be forwarded to the bank together with a copy of the signature of each of the officials.
E Wood.

November 14th 1946
E Wood chair. Present: R Jacques, W Horsfield, J A Patrick, J Peel, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3184-15-10 credit, rents owing £504-0-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 9 shares from Emma L Robinson to Edward Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The question of the rents hereto collected by the late Mr Banks was discussed.
Res. That the weekly cottage and allotment rents should be collected by Briggs and Duxbury the remainder being invoiced in the usual way by the secretary. [Harold once told me that he collected these rents for years but that one problem was that the ownership of some of the land that garages were built on was unclear and the implication I gathered was that he didn't know who to remit the rents to. I never dared ask him what became of them!]
Res. That Mr Patrick be thanked for collecting the rents to date.
Wellhouse Mill:
Reported that the government has given up possession of WH Mill and that the CHSC could repossess the premises.
Also reported that a settlement had been reached with the Admiralty for the payment of £2145-3-5 in connection with the dilapidations on the portion of the premises requisitioned by them.
Mr Wood reported on the position re the electric lighting and steam piping.
Mr Duxbury reported on the condition of the lavatories.
Res. That arrangements for the installation of new lavatories be left with Mr Jacques and Mr Duxbury.
A letter was read from Mr E Aldersley enquiring if CHSC would be prepared to renew the lease of Messrs Hendley and Co's portion of Butts Mill in the name of E Aldersley Ltd when the lease terminated in 1950 as considerable expenditure would be necessary to bring the premises into good condition for starting up again.
It was reported that the original lease was for 10 years at a rent of £200 per annum.
Res. That negotiations should be entered into for a continuation of the lease, the rent however to be increased to a figure not less than £300.
A report was made of an application by Mr H Fletcher of Wellhouse Road Barnoldswick for the tenancy of the engine house at Butts Mill. It was stated that an expenditure of approximately £200 would be necessary to make the floor suitable [Removal of the engine had left large holes in it] and that he would be prepared to take a tenancy for three years at a rent of 30/- to £2 a week.
Res. That The space should be let to him at £2 per week, CHSC making good the floor and putting in electric wiring. Mr Fletcher to be responsible for rates, decorations and other outgoings.
R Jacques.

December 12th 1946
R Jacques chair. Duxbury, Horsfield, Peel and A V hedges. Minutes as read.
Apologies received from E Wood and Mr Patrick, both of them citing ill-health.
Bank account £2754-8-11 credit, rents owing £317-8-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% per annum be paid less tax for the half year ended December 31st 1946.
It was reported that an electric generator had been purchased at a cost of £875 for generating electric current for the lighting of WH Mill. [This is an AC generator at the same voltage as the mains. CH and Butts were of course fully wired up after the government requisition.]
Res. That this be confirmed.
It was reported that a letter had been received from Mr H Fletcher who had proposed taking a tenancy of the former engine house at Butts Mill. He stated that he had been unable to get the necessary priority to obtain the machinery necessary for his trade and asking CSHC to hold over his application for the time being. [There was still austerity and rigid control of resources and any machinery purchase had to be assessed and licensed. I have the original correspondence re a licence for a Pearn boiler feed pump required at Bancroft Shed. The supply licence was eventually issued on July 19th 1944 by the Board of Trade machinery licence division. I think this level of control persisted until about 1950. These were difficult times.]
Res. That his request be acceded to.
A report was given of an interview with Mr Edward Aldersley re the renewal of tenancy at Butts Mill at March 31st 1950 the present lease being with Messrs Hendley and Co Ltd at £200 per annum. He was informed that the lease would be renewed at a rent not exceeding £500 per annum. Mr Aldersley said he would go into the matter and would later make an offer.
A letter from Mr Singleton was read in which he stated that negotiations between the DV and the Conservative Club had fallen through and that he (Mr Singleton) was now in communication with the secretary of the cub re the land.
A letter was read from Messrs Nutter Brothers Ltd stating that the ministry had ceased paying storage charges for looms stored and that therefore they proposed to vacate the portion of Butts Mill which they had occupied for this purpose on January 20th next.
Res. That the letter should be accepted as notice of termination of tenancy on the date mentioned.
It was reported that on November 6th 1946 a meeting had taken place held by persons connected with cotton weaving mills let on the Room and Power system and that it had been agreed that rents should be increased from January 1st 1947 as follows:
Loom rent to be £6-17-4 per loom per annum based on the present cost of coal and rates with the usual sliding scale for increase or decrease in these costs. Rent should be charged on the full loom-space occupied on the basis of 40 square feet representing the space to represent one 40” reed-space loom. Allowance for space not used to be made at the rate of 9d per week per loom, such allowance to be made on the difference between the 40” reed-space of looms running and the total looms on which rent is charged. Tape rent to be £572-19-0 per annum. It was agreed that this basis be adopted in line with other companies.
Res. That letter to this affect be sent to the tenants.
E Wood.

January 16th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J Peel, J V Patrick, H Duxbury and AV Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £318-13-4 overdrawn after paying accounts, rents owing £240-2-4. The accounts were paid.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of John Kidd to Alfred Kidd sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that application had been received from the DV for the payment of £24,000 being the agreed betterment for CH Shed.
Res. That this be paid.
It was reported that Martins Bank Ltd had agreed to advance on open account at a charge for interest of 4% for the first six months and 3½% thereafter until repaid, the sum of £25,000, it being agreed that the Deeds for CH Shed, Butts and WH Mills be lodged for safe custody with the bank and not removed until the advance had been repaid or until written permission from the bank for their removal was given. The sum of £25,000 being required for payment of the £24,000 betterment in the case of CH Shed and £13,000 betterment for Butts, the balance of £12,000 being found from the realisation of investments. [CHSC came out of the war with vastly improved premises but at a heavy cost. It was to be many years before the debts caused by payments for betterment were cleared.]
Res. That the securities held by CHSC be realised.
It was reported that a letter dated January 13th had been received from the BUDC Surveyor drawing attention to the condition of the boundary wall on Valley Road on the Northern side at the entrance to the foundry. As there was some doubt as to whether this wall was CHSC property it was resolved that further enquiry be made.
It was reported that tenders had been received from J&D Ellison Ltd, UNO Engineering Co and Carter Co Ltd (Nelson) Ltd for the installation of electric lighting at WH Mill. The tender of Messrs UNO Engineering Co of approximately £1-7-6 per point being the lowest it was resolved that this be accepted and the work put in hand.
A letter from Ouzledale Foundry Co Ltd re the condition of their lavatories was considered.
Res. That they be informed that CHSC would be prepared to provide two water closets and a septic tank if they were prepared to pay an increased rent of £13 per annum and that the CHSC would be prepared to bear half the cost of an extension of the scullery to form a warehouse.
Letter were read from J Widdup and Sons Ltd and Ellerbank Manufacturing Co Ltd suggesting they were not inclined to continue their tenancies at WH Mill at the increased rent. J Widdup and Sons in particular stating that they wished to terminate their tenancy.
Res. That an endeavour be made to find whether it was their definite intention to continue at WH. [Widdups were in Moss Shed in 1952 and Ellerbank had sunk without trace by the same year.]
It was reported that Blin and Blin were desirous of disposing of the blackout at CH Shed.
Res. That this be agreed to. They also stated that they were agreeable to CHSC removing and disposing of the compressor. [A legacy from the Rover Co?]
Res. That this be done.
Mr Duxbury mentioned that it would be necessary to obtain the permission of the Keighley and Craven Building Society for the construction of a new sewer across their land to provide the necessary outlet for the new lavatories at WH Mill. It was arranged that he should get out the necessary details and forward them to the secretary so that he could communicate with Mr Mitchell at the building society, Cooke Street, Keighley.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had received an enquiry from Mr Bailey (Electrification Ltd) re a tenancy of the part of Butts Mill vacated by Nutter Brothers formerly used for the storage of looms.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should continue negotiations with a view to the letting of the space, CHSC to put it in tenantable condition. [Pencil note in margin: 'Mr Duxbury is trying to arrange for a rent of £70 plus £13 for the upper place. Bailey to put the place in order and an allowance to be made on his rent. Tenancy to commence April 1st.']
E Wood.

February 20th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J Peel, J V Patrick, H Duxbury and AV Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £754-8-7 debit. Rents owing £1066-13-8.
Res. That the accounts be paid and a cheque for £24,000 be forwarded to the Ministry in respect of betterment for CH Shed as soon as definite agreement re the lease with Blin and Blin was reached.
Transfer of 96 shares from Olga D Iddon (Executrix of Miss Alice Eastwood) to herself sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the common seal of CHSC be affixed to a transfer form re the sale of £2000 of 3% Savings Bonds.
Reported that a letter had been received from Bracewell and Leaver, solicitors, re a suggested drain through the land owned by Keighley and Craven Building Society in which they stated the land would shortly be sold and suggesting that the matter be held over for the attention of the purchasers.
It was reported that a portion of the wall in Valley Road which needed repair was on land owned by CHSC. Mr Harold Duxbury was having a tracing prepared of the land in question and would go into the matter. [No photocopiers!]
Letters from Mr Singleton re land belonging to the Barnoldswick Conservative Club requisitioned by the government and on which a brick building had been erected, the cost of which building was included in the betterment figures for Butts Mill were read. Mr Singleton stated that the Conservative Club were willing to reduce their price per yard from 6/6 to 5/9.
Res. That the land should be purchased at this price and that if the club wanted to have a right of way to their bowling green along the East side of the fence the area of land should be reduced by the amount required by them [for such a purpose].
It was also reported that Mr Singleton had advised that a reasonable rent for the land and building in question would be £185 per annum.
Res. That the land and building should be offered to the Grove Engineering Co Ltd at a rent of £200 per annum.
It was reported that Mr Aldersley had made an offer of £32-10-0 for the bottom floor of the building formerly occupied by Mr Lister and now by Mr Dixon and £32-10-0 for the top floor.
Res. That enquiries be made from Mr Dixon as to whether it could be arranged for the termination of his lease of the bottom floor in which case it should be offered to Mr Aldersley at £55 per annum and the top floor for £45.
It was reported that a letter had been received from Ouzledale Foundry Co agreeing to pay an additional rent of £13 per annum in consequence of CHSC installing two water closets and a septic tank. [Pencil note in margin points out that no date had been specified for the start of this extra rent.]
It was reported that notice had been received from the Ellerbank Manufacturing Co Ltd to terminate their tenancy at WH Mill from July 31st 1947.
E Wood.

March 20th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J V Patrick, H Duxbury and AV Hedges. Mr wood referred to the death of the late John Peel who had been a director since July 1922 and who had been associated with CHSC since its formation. His counsel and judgement had been of great value to the company. Unanimously resolved that an appreciation of his work be recorded in the Minutes.
Minutes as read.
Bank balance £13,237 debit, this being caused by the payment of £24,000 betterment on CH Shed against which had been set the realisation of certain securities. Rents owing £405-4-7. Accounts paid.
It was reported that notice had been received from M Horsfield and Sons to terminate their tenancy at at WH Mill on August 31st 1947.
Reported that F Windle and Sons had refused to allow the proposed sewer for new lavatories at WH Mill to pass through their land. Mr Duxbury said he was in communication with the council about the matter. [It looks as though the Keighley and Craven Building Society were the people who foreclosed on Henry Brown and Sons at the Havre Park foundry in 1929 and they have only now sold the land to F Windle.]
A letter from Edward Aldersley Ltd was read dated March 17th in which he accepted the CHSC offer to rent the building adjoining the premises already occupied by him the ground floor of which was occupied by Mr Dixon. The rent to be £45 per annum for the top floor from April 1st 1947 and £55 per annum for the ground floor from July 1st 1947, he to pay his own rates.
Res. That three months notice be given to the present tenant, Mr Dixon.
Transfer of 407 shares from Exors of J W Dent to Hannah Dugdale and 23 shares from Martha A Anderson to Louisa Schofield. All seal cert etc.
Res. That confirmation be given to the letting of space in Butts Mill at £80 per annum to Electrification Ltd. (Mr Bailey), the rent to commence on April 1st 1947 and be payable quarterly.
A report was given of an interview with Grove Engineering Ltd in which they were offered the tenancy of the brick building on the land proposed to be purchased from the Conservative Club together with the land at a rent of £200 per annum. Grove Engineering had thought this rent rather high. After discussion it was resolved they be offered it at £185 per annum, this being the figure recommended by Mr Singleton.
It was reported that Mr Midgley had been enquiring re re-starting WH Mill as it was necessary for him to give a provisional date to the Cotton Board.
Res. That June 1st be given as an approximate date.
Mr Wood proposed, and it was unanimously resolved that Norman Barrett be elected a director in the place of the late Mr John Peel.
E Wood.

April 17th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J V Patrick, H Duxbury and N Barrett. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £21178-18-2 debit. Rents owing £462-11-5.
Mr Wood welcomed Norman Barrett to the board succeeding his father Proctor Barrett and replacing the late John Peel.
It was reported that Butts Mill had been de-requisitioned on April 14th 1947 and that payment of £13,000 betterment had been made.
Transfer of shares from Exors of E B Banks: 1192 shares to E B Patrick and 1192 to E G Banks. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the Grove Engineering Co thought the rent of £185 for the new building and land rather high and suggested £150.
Res. That they be informed the directors could not see their way to accept less than £185.
It was reported that J&D Ellison had applied for space and Mr Duxbury had promised to see them with a view to letting a portion of the space at WH Mill partially occupied by Messrs Eli Johnson and Sons.
Res. That Messrs Johnson's rent be reduced from 20/- to 15/- per week as from April 1st 1947.
Res. That Briggs and Duxbury be authorised to carry out the repairs to the shed walls at WH Mill abutting on Mr Midgley's portion of the shed.
E Wood.

May 15th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21349-11-6 debit, rents owing £1028-18-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 157 shares from William Lang to Mary E Smith sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the gutter adjoining the space let to the BUDC Electricity Department [Butts] be lined with rock asphalt and that Briggs and Duxbury make the necessary arrangements. [Trinidad Lake Asphalt, totally impervious to water. A good way of lining an old CI gutter.]
Res. That a portion of the wall on the far side of the warehouse which badly needs pointing should be attended to by Briggs and Duxbury. [Butts also I think]
A report was given re tenancies at WH Mill and correspondence from WD&E Nutter was read. Tentative applications for space from Williamson and Son, Lancaster and Mr Aldersley were discussed. It was also reported that Messrs Midgely had applied for slightly increased space.
It was reported that a tenancy with Messrs J&D Ellison, Electrical Engineers, 33 Albert Road, Barnoldswick had been arranged for the lower portion of the premises at WH Mill previously occupied by Eli Johnson. The tenancy is for a term of three years from April 26th 1947 at a rent of 12/6 per week payable quarterly, the tenant being responsible for rates and repairs.
It was reported that an application had been received from Rolls Royce Ltd for a tenancy of the portion of the yard at Coates Wharf which had been requisitioned by the Ministry from R O'Neill. [A tenant of CHSC? They were still owners of the wharf.] It was agreed that this portion should be let to Rolls Royce as from March 17th 1947 at a rent of £10 per annum, the other portion to be let to R O'Neill at £10 per annum also to date from March 17th 1947. [Coates Wharf was used by Rolls for many years for their stockpile of coal for Bankfield Shed across the road.]
Mr Duxbury suggested that as no progress had been made to obtain an outfall for the additional lavatories at WH Mill through land recently purchased by Messrs Windle and Sons, an alternative outfall through land belonging to Proctor Barrett and Sons subject to an easement should be arranged.
Res. That the secretary write to Proctor Barrett and Sons.
It was reported that E Aldersley complained re the state of the top floor of the premises formerly occupied by Mr Lister, damage having been caused by the removal of Nutter's [stored] looms. [Butts]
Res. That Mr Duxbury should go into the matter and if necessary the secretary will write to Messrs Nutters on the matter.
E Wood.

June 19th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N M Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £22093-19-4 debit, rents owing £1109-19-4.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 400 shares from Exors of Emma Peel to Albert Noaks. 48 from Exors of Holmes Ogden to John William Ogden, 48 to Elizabeth Smith, 48 to Eunice Thompson, 48 to Edina May Rushton. All seal cert etc.
Res. That the common seal be affixed to a lease of CH Shed to Blin and Blin for a term of twenty years from August 1st 1946 at an annual rent of £2960.
It was reported that an enquiry had been received from James Williamson re the space at WH Mill but that owing to the distance from Lancaster and the shortage of labour they were not proceeding with the matter.
It was reported that Grove Engineering had agreed to accept the tenancy of the brick building adjoining Butts Mill and the land surrounding it at an annual rental of £185 and that a lease of this together with the portion of Butts Mill occupied by them was being prepared by Smith, Smith solicitors.
It was reported that following an enquiry from Messrs Midgley and Co and a letter from the Cotton Control Board it was hoped to start running on September 1st at WH Mill with the following number of looms:
Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd 200 looms
E Midgley and Co 200 looms
WD&E Nutter Ltd 250 looms
[I can't be exactly certain when it happened but Henry Brown Sons and Pickles were given the task of re-starting the engine at WH. Newton told me about it, he went down and together with Tom Marshall they started the engine and ran it while they checked the lubrication of the shafting and the valve settings. The engine had a lot of load on when it stopped and was starting with a light load so a lot had to be done. This would include checking the new generator and electric lighting. History repeats itself and almost forty years later Newton played out with me when I restarted the 3000hp engine at Ellenroad after it had been stopped for over ten years. I can tell you it's exciting stuff and very dangerous, you never forget it!]
An application from Messrs Widdup for a temporary tenancy of the spare land at WH Mill to be used for the storage and breaking up of looms was reported.
Res. That this should ge agreed to and that Harold Duxbury should negotiate a suitable rent.
[Loom-breaking became a common occurrence once the ultimate decline of the industry was accepted. Many of these looms would have been in storage during WW2 in the hope that happy days would be here again but reality had set in. There is nothing more depressing to anyone who has worked in the industry seeing good machinery being scrapped.]
Res. That a pump be installed to ensure a satisfactory supply of water from the well at WH to the reservoir and a boiler feed and fire pump to be purchased from The Mill Co [The shed company which ran Victoria Mill at Earby] and repaired by Brown and Pickles.
Res. That the next meeting of directors should be on Monday July 28th at 2pm.
E Wood.

[Printed balance sheet inserted for an Ordinary general meeting of shareholders on Thursday July 21st 1947. This preceded the directors meeting on July 28th where retrospective resolutions re dividend etc were minuted. The report states: Net profit for the year ended June 30th 1947 of £2699-18-3. Disposable balance as follows:
Balance at June 30th 1946 1180-5-7
Dividend and bonus paid July 11th 1946 1671-13-5
Profit year ended June 30th 1947 2699-18-3
Dividend paid December 18th 1946 835-16-8
2507-10-1 3880-3-10
2507-10-1
Disposable balance June 30th 1947 1372-13-9

They recommend dividends and bonuses totalling 7½% for the year ending June 30th 1947.
Deaths of Banks (September 16th 1946) and Jonathan Peel (March 8th 1947) reported. New directors: Harold Duxbury, 6 Richmond Road Barnoldswick and Norman M Barrett of Moorlands, Barnoldswick.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley July 24th 1947. [Note that this is later than the general meeting.]

July 28th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21656-10-4, rents owing £167-19-2.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Mary Hartley sanctioned: 225 shares to William Hartley and 225 to John H Hartley. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that conversations were taking place with James Slater Ltd re the possibility of them taking a tenancy at WH Mill.
It was reported that provisional arrangements with Widdup for temporary occupation of land at WH Mill for storage and breaking up of looms as reported at the last meeting had fallen through.
Res. That the offer of Electrification Ltd for the provision of a Control Panel for the electrical installation at WH Mill of £365 be accepted.
Res. That the balance sheet and accounts for the year ending June 30th 1947 be accepted as read and that the shareholders be recommended to make a final dividend for the half year ended June 30th 1947 at 5% together with a bonus of 2½% making a total distribution for the year of 7½% less tax.
E Wood.

September 25th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N M Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24768-19-5 debit, rents owing £728-0-2. Accounts paid.
Res. That the signing and sealing on August 6th of the conveyance of land from Barnoldswick Conservative Building Co Ltd at a price of £812-3-9 be confirmed.
A report was given of negotiations with James Slater Ltd regarding the tenancy of part of WH Mill formerly occupied by Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd.
Res. That the terms set out in a letter of September 5th 1947 to James Slater Ltd be confirmed.
Res. That the letting of part of WH Mill formerly occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd to Messrs Joshua Dunkerley and Son Ltd be confirmed. The tenancy to be a monthly one and the rent to be £52-10-10 per month. The premises to be used for temporary storage of looms.
Res. That commission paid on the rents collected by Mr H Duxbury [on behalf of CHSC] should be 7½%.
A report was given as to the position at WH Mill with particular attention to the provision for lighting.
Application having been received from Mr Aldersley for the re-opening of the old paved approach to the portion of Butts Mill occupied by him, an inspection was made on the ground. It was considered that as a suitable alternative access already existed it was not necessary to open up the old road.
Ed Wood.

October 23rd 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24593-3-3 debit, rents owing £574-9-2.
Transfer of 42 shares from Joshua Cook to Harold Duxbury sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The question of the basis of rent charges for the starting-up of looms at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That for the first three months rent should be paid on looms running where this exceeded the standing rent now being paid.
Res. That from the date the engine starts running at WH Mill now arranged for November 3rd the wage of Tom Marshall, engine man be increased to £8-5-0 per week.
Ed Wood.

November 20th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £27 833-14-1 debit, rents owing 31362-4-8. Accounts paid.
It was reported that WH Mill had commenced running on November 3rd. [There would be lot of happy faces that morning, not least in the shop at Brown and Pickles, they were still working on other engines but Wellhouse had always been their particular baby. I'll bet a pound they were all down there to watch it start!]
It was reported that Joshua Dunkerley and Sons had given notice to terminate their temporary tenancy of the premises for storage of looms on December 31st 1947.
A letter from Messrs Edward Aldersley Ltd dated November 7th was read in which they repeated their request for the re-opening of the original approach to their premises at Butts Mill.
Res. That it should lie on the table.
A report was given of the provisional negotiations with Alexandra Mill Co Ltd for the occupation by them of the shed space at WH Mill formerly occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd, their intention being to use it for stocking knitting. It had been suggested that CHSC would be prepared to let it to them for £100 per annum exclusive of power, heating and lighting. CHSC to be liable for rates and insurance of the building and the tenants for all repairs, maintenance, alterations, installations and air-conditioning required. CHSC to be responsible for asphalting the floor. No further development had taken place and it was resolved that negotiations should continue on the same basis.
It was also reported that an enquiry for space for 50 to 100 Jacquards [looms] had been received from Darlington Fabrics Ltd and for space for approximately 50 looms from Mr E Holden of Rook Street Barnoldswick.
The question of the letting of the warehouse space [WH] formerly occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd was also discussed and it was stated that Brown and Pickles had offered to pay £78 per annum for a portion of the first and second floors and Mr Duxbury stated that he was in touch with a possible tenant for the top storey at a rent of possibly £150 per annum provided a separate entrance from Wellhouse Road was made.
A request from Messrs James Slater re the plastering of an internal wall was considered. It was pointed out that the main walls were being re-plastered and it was considered that the state of the internal wall was satisfactory for the time being.
A letter was read from WD&E Nutter regarding the putting in order of the portion of the premises occupied by them at WH Mill.
Ed Wood.

December 18th 1947
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £28995-17-1, rents owing £278-15-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 514 shares from Exors of Francis Clark to Richard Henry Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid for the half year ended December 31st 1947 at 5% per annum less tax.
A report was given as to an enquiry made by G S Singleton and Co Ltd re vacant space at Wellhouse Mill previously occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd.
It was also reported that the Alexandra Mill Co Ltd who had previously been in negotiation for this space had now made arrangements at their own premises in Macclesfield and were therefore not now interested in the tenancy.
Ed Wood.

January 15th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31450-18-9 debit, rents owing £679-10-6. Accounts paid.
A report on the position at WH Mill was given, particulars of negotiations with Nutter Brothers Ltd for the tenancy of the space formerly occupied by M Horsfield and Sons Ltd and with Messrs Sidebottom and Co Ltd for the tenancy of space at present occupied by John Widdup and Sons Ltd which they had given notice to terminate on March 31st 1948.
Letters dated January 5th to both of these firms setting out the suggested terms of tenancy were read and approved. Nutter Brothers tenancy to commence May 1st 1948 and a provisional date for Sidebottom of April 1st subject to adjustment if necessary.
Reference was made to the date on which the normal basis of rent shall come into force.
Res. That this be further discussed at the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

February 19th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31239-9-3, rents owing £622-4-8.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 50 shares from James Cowgill to Richard Henry Wood. 57 from Margaret Croft to Annie Wood. 250 from Exors of Miss M A Cairns to Osborn[?] Cairns. All seal cert etc.
A report was given on WH Mill. Nothing had been heard from G S Sidebottom as to whether they had received a licence from the Cotton Control Board. James Slater Ltd had stated that a number of flags in the weaving shed were loose and the loom feet would have to be set in concrete. It was agreed that this was the landlord's responsibility. [It was generally accepted that it was a bad thing for a Lancashire loom to be fastened down rigidly, the tacklers liked to see them 'breathe' a bit while they were running. At Bancroft we re-set our own looms and used to sit the feet on thick pads of felt impregnated with a sticky bitumen which worked well but our flags were firm.]
A letter containing an estimate from Metropolitan Vickers Ltd of £78-2-6 for replacement of the automatic voltage regulator at WH Mill was read and it was agreed that the work should be done. [I'm not sure if the following is the case but I have the evidence of Walter Fisher of Brown and Pickles that the installation of the new alternator at WH was done by Ellison's and that due to a mistake in routing the bus bars carrying current from the alternator, when first started there was a very serious dead short to earth. Walter said it was the only time he had ever seen the ropes on an engine flywheel slip, the overload was so great. It may be that this has resulted in the destruction of the original regulator and that this item is the replacement. Both Walter and Newton Pickles suspected that this sudden overload on the engine may have been the start, or at least, a contributory cause, of the fracture of the engine fly-shaft which occurred on May 22nd 1951.]
Res. That the rents at WH Mill be continued to be charged on looms running for the time being until the position became more settled.
Ed Wood.

March 18th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £33810-7-8, rents owing £785-17-5. Accounts paid.
It was reported that G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd had signed a tenancy agreement for the space at WH Mill to be vacated by J Widdup and Sons by March 31st 1948 and that they had asked for the space to be cleared and the necessary repairs put in hand as soon as possible.
A letter from James Slater dated March 11th was read in which they asked that the asphalting of their alleys should be put in hand as soon as possible. [The alley was the space between looms and blocks of looms. The former was the weaver's alley and the latter the broad alley. I suspect this is the broad alleys.]
Res. That for the time being Mr Duxbury should arrange for the worst places to be made good.
Mr Wood reported an interview with Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin re the chimney at CH Shed which was in a dangerous condition.
Res. That CHSC should contribute a third of the cost of approximately £582, that is £194. [The boiler was still in use for process and heating steam. I suspect that the work referred to is the removal of the head of the chimney and stabilising the shaft by re-pointing. This was its condition when I knew it from 1960 onwards.]
Mr Wood reported he had received a letter from Martins Bank re the overdraft and together with Mr Hedges had called to see Mr Whitaker the branch manager. It had been pointed out that rather higher expenditure than had been originally anticipated was being undertaken including the provision of generators, installation of electric light and the provision of new lavatories etc. Although the whole of the mill [WH] was now let it would be some time before full production could be obtained and there would not be a considerable increase in income for some time. It was possible that the overdraft might increase a little further.
It was reported that the draft lease to the Grove Engineering Co Ltd of the portion of Butts Mill occupied by them had been received from the solicitors and would be sent to Grove Engineering as soon as the schedule of landlord's fixtures and fittings had been agreed.
Ed Wood.

April 15th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £32803-1-1, rents owing £786-8-5. Accounts paid.
A report was made about the space to be occupied by Nutter Brothers Ltd. which was now practically clear of looms and that for Sidebottom which still contained a large number of looms.
It was reported that Sidebottom's had been told by the Cotton Control Board that a licence would not be issued to them until the premises were put in good repair, the points particularly mentioned were the roof and the completion of the lavatories.
Res. That for the time being WD&E Nutter, Horsfield (Bankfield) and E Midgley continue to be charged on looms running and that the matter be further considered at the next meeting of directors, the minimum rent to be on the highest number of looms running at any time.
Ed Wood.

May 20th 1948
E Wood chair. M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34778-13-10, rents owing £1695-4-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 36 shares from Harriet L Pickup to G W Gartside be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a meeting of Room and Power owners in the district from Burnley to Barnoldswick had been held at which it was decided to form a Room and Power Owners Association and that at this meeting it was decided that owing to the increase in costs generally, the basic rate should be increased from £6-17-4 to £7 per loom per annum and that there should be no allowances for stopped looms, both alterations to come in from July 1st 1948.
Res. That CHSC should join the association and that the amended terms be adopted.
WH Rents. In view of the present position it was resolved that the matter be held over until the new rates come into force on July 1st 1948.
An account from Mr G S Singleton the valuer, in connection with the negotiations with the Ministry re the settlement of betterment at CH and Butts was considered.
It was reported that £90 had been received from the government towards these costs and that Mr Singleton had agreed to reduce his charges from £574 to £525.
Res. That this account be approved and paid.
It was reported that additional warehouse space of approximately 90 square yards had been transferred from the premises formerly occupied by Widdup's to E Midgley's tenancy. It was considered that a reasonable rent for this was £20 per annum.
A report was given re the looms still on the premises belonging to Messrs Haighton and Messrs Goggins.
Res. That every endeavour be made to get these removed at the earliest possible date.
A report was given on the water supply at WH Mill. Mr Duxbury said that his men were engaged in cleaning out the well and he would endeavour to trace the suspected leakage from the dam.
Mr Wood reported that the Grove Engineering Co had approached him re the provision of a boiler for heating their premises which was, at present, done by a gas boiler. Under the original agreement it had been agreed that they should pay £50 per annum and we supply a boiler. As the cost of gas heating was very great, they had asked that we should now carry out the terms of the agreement.
It was agreed that this should be done. Mr Wood said he was trying to find a suitable boiler but up to the present he had not been able to do so. [Plant was still scarce.]
Ed Wood.

June 17th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34666-12-9 debit, rent owing £581-11-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 250 shares from Administrators of C J Turner deceased to Doris Turner and G L Lowcock be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd were installing looms and had commenced paying rent.
It was also reported that Nutter Brothers had started up looms.
Res. That they be charged rent for June on the number of looms running.
Res. That the full rent under the amended terms be charged to all tenants from July 1st 1948.
Ed Wood.

July 15th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34663-6-0 debit, rents owing £985-16-2. Accounts paid. [Worth noting that the fixed assets of CHSC were £118,106 less depreciation of 31,677, balance of £86,429.]
A letter from the Sanitary Authority re the condition of the lavatories in Hendley's portion of Butt Mill was considered.
Res. That Mr Duxbury look into the matter and report to the next meeting.
A was read from Mr Aldersley asking for reassurance that the lease of the premises occupied by Hendley's at Butts Mill which was due to expire in 1950 would be renewed and asking for a quotation for the lowest terms the CHSC would accept.
Res. That the CHSC could not give a definite assurance but that a reply be sent that as far as was known there would be no objection to a renewal and that the rent for the portion now leased would not exceed £500 per annum.
It was reported that arrangements were being made between James Slater Ltd and Horsfield's (Bankfield) for the running of looms in the portion of space at WH Mill not yet completely filled up by Horsfield's (Bankfield).
Res. In connection with this, that the looms belonging to CHSC stored at WH Mill should be sold, five of these being purchased by Messrs Horsfield.
Res. That the open store shed opposite the engine house at WH Mill should be let to Brown and Pickles at £20 per annum from July 1st 1948.
Mr Duxbury reported on negotiations with Electrification Ltd re further space to be taken by them. [Butts]
Res. That CHSC would agree to their present rent of £80 be increased to a figure in the region of £135, the actual figure to be arranged between Mr Duxbury and Electrification Ltd.
Res. That the balance sheet and accounts for the year to June 30th 1948 be approved as read and put before a general meeting on August 26th 1948 at 2pm. Final dividend for the year of 5% to be recommended.
Ed Wood.

August 26th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34334-6-5 debit, rents owing £605-16-7. Accounts paid.
The question of the state of the lavatories at Butts Mill was mentioned and Mr Duxbury said he would make a report on this matter to the next meeting.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had provisionally agreed with Electrification Ltd that the rent for the total amount of space occupied by them, to include the extra space now taken, should be £140 per annum starting on July 1st 1948.
Res. That this be confirmed and the secretary write to Electrification Ltd accordingly.
Ed Wood.

No minute for general meeting
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for the year of £2224-19010. Dividend and bonus for the year of £1671-13-4 was paid for the year ending June 30th 1947 and an interim dividend of £835-16-8 on December 19th 1947. Dividend of £5% per annum less tax be paid for the half year to June 30th 1948 leaving a balance of £254-6-11 to carry forward.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley, August 2nd 1948.

September 23rd 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £32762-17-10 debit, rents owing £951. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 338 shares from Robert Ibbotson to Carla Estates Ltd and 500 from the administrators of C L Turner to Doris Turner and G L Lowcock. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a Receiver had been appointed in Grove Engineering Co Ltd. It was understood that the appointment was made by the Debenture Holders.
A was read from the Receiver of Grove Engineering re the recent flooding. Mr Duxbury stated that he had inspected the goit which appeared to be structurally in order and that there seemed to be no obstruction. He stated that when the flooding occurred the volume of water appeared to be more than the goit could take. It was agreed that the occurrence was of an extremely unusual character and appeared to be an Act of God.
A report was given of the breakdown in the electrical generator at WH Mill, the necessary repairs being in hand. [Could this be the dead short?]
It was reported that the repairs to CH Shed chimney, to the cost of which CHSC had agreed to contribute one third, had been completed at a total cost of £580, CHSC share £193-6-8.
Ed Wood.

October 21st 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £32227-3-4, rents owing £1027-17-5.
A report of the inspections of the hoists at WH Mill made by Baldwin and Heap was considered.
Res. That estimates be obtained for installing three new electrical goods hoists.
Mr Duxbury reported that Mr Aldersley had seen him re a suggested rent of the portion of Butts Mill occupied by Handley and Co Ltd when their present tenancy expires in 1950.
It was stated that at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Room and Power Owners Association held on September 20th a discussion had taken place as to how much should be charged where premises were let without power and heating and it was considered that a figure of £4 per forty square feet of loom-space was reasonable. [Many tenants were going over to looms with individual electric motors.]
Res. That in view of this a letter should be sent to Mr Aldersley stating that unless a rent of £500 per annum was accepted within a fortnight it must be taken that it [the offer] was withdrawn.
Ed Wood.

November 18th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34312-13-4 debit, rents owing £1413-1-3. Accounts paid.
A letter from the insurance company re alterations to the entrance of Nutter Brothers was read and it was agreed that Briggs and Duxbury carry out the necessary work.
It was reported that a new lease of part of Butts Mill had been provisionally arranged with Messrs E Aldersley Ltd (a subsidiary of James Halstead Ltd) for a term of ten years from December 1st 1948 at an annual rent of £602-10-0 with an option for the lessee to terminate at the end of seven years. The premises leased to comprise those at present leased to Hendley and Co at £200 per annum, those let to Mr Aldersley at £100 per annum and the strip of land let to Mr Aldersley at £2-10-0 per annum. The lease to follow the terms of the present lease to Hendley and Co Ltd which was surrendered as from December 1st 1948.
Res. That this be confirmed.
Tenders for the provision of three electric hoists at WH were considered. Keighley Lifts, £4107. Wadsworth and Sons, 3894-10-0. E A Foulds (Colne) £3571.
Res. That the tender of E A Foulds be accepted and the first lift should be installed in the Horsfield (Bankfield) portion.
The question of a claim under the Land Development Provision of the Town and Country Planning Act was considered.
Res. That Messrs Aspden and Johnson be instructed to deal with the matter.
Ed Wood.

December 16th 1948
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £33801-1-11 debit, rents owing £1082-11-10. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 48 shares from the Executrix of H J W Ogden to Nancy Ogden and 250 from the Exor of Nancy J Bailey to George Robert Cook. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the lease of a portion of Butts Mill and land adjoining to Edward Aldersley for ten years from December 1st 1948 at £602-10-0 per annum be approved and the CHSC common seal affixed.
Res. That an interim dividend for the half year ending December 31st 1948 at the rate of 5% per annum less tax be paid.
It was reported that James Slater Ltd had asked for approval for the installation of between 30 and 40 additional looms in the portion of WH Mill now occupied as a warehouse.
Res. That this be agreed.
Slaters also enquired whether the directors would agree to lease them for a period of say five years, the portion of WH Mill now occupied by them. It was considered that no objection would be taken to a proposed lease. [This is significant as it signals a change on the relationship between CHSC and a weaving tenant. Instead of the usual tenancy agreement it becomes a lease with more security for both parties. The period of frenetic shuffling from one shed to another to chase grace periods is over.]
Ed Wood.

January 20th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £35966-17-4 debit, rents owing £1069-16-6. Accounts paid.
The question of repairs to the floor in James Slater's portion was mentioned.
Res. That it be given further consideration.
Res. That the CHSC common seal be affixed to the surrender of a lease of a portion of Butts Mill by Hendley Ltd and also to a deed of covenant under which James Halstead Ltd guarantee the rent payable under the lease of a portion of Butts Mill to E Aldersley Ltd.
Ed Wood.

February 17th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34379-12-7 debit, rents owing £853-7-0. Accounts paid.
Res. That the house at 11 West Close Road be purchased for £800 for the use of the assistant engine man [WH] and that he be charged a service rent of 15/- a week (including rates) to commence as from Saturday February 19th.
Res. That R Jacques act as solicitor in this matter.
The question of the replacement of the stop motion on the WH engine was considered.
Res. That Mr Duxbury ask Mr Hogarth for an estimate of the cost and to suggestions how best to proceed. [Funny that, why not ask Johnny Pickles?]
Res. That in view of the valuable services and extra work rendered by Tom Marshall the engine man at WH Mill he be given a bonus of £50 after payment of tax.
Ed Wood.

March 17th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £34217-3-8 debit, rents owing £932-15-5. Accounts paid.
Stop Motion at WH Mill.
It was arranged that Mr Duxbury should consider with Mr Hogarth the best method of putting the stop motion in order, obtaining an estimate of the cost. [I still don't understand this. To make it clear, the stop motion referred to is the mechanism incorporated in the governor which protects the engine from damage to to over or under speed and can be triggered in case of need by stop buttons like fire alarm buttons in the premises. I wonder whether Johnny has recommended the obvious solution, a new Lumb Governor with Wilby's patent speed regulator and Tate's electric stop motion and CHSC are looking for a cheaper solution. No doubt all will become clear.]
Letters dated March 14th from WD&E Nutter were read.
Res. That H Duxbury and A V Hedges should see Wilfred Nutter after the meeting with a view to disposing of the matters holding up payment of rent.
Ed Wood.

April 21st 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £33268-4-10 debit, rents owing £503-18-8. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 250 shares from Exors of Eve Roche to George Roche. From Exors of R S Windle: 20 shares to N S Petty [That's of interest to me, R S Windle was one of the founding partners of the accountants Windle and Bowker and has often acted as Receiver in liquidations connected with CHSC, Norman Petty became senior partner in the firm and was my accountant 1960 onwards.] 20 shares to N R Bowker [The other founding partner.] 160 shares from Exors of Emily Windle to Albert Monks. All seal cert etc.
The question of the basis of tenancy of the portion of Mrs Whipp was considered.
Res. That due notice be given of an increase in rent to £50 per annum, the tenant to pay the rates and be responsible for internal repairs.
It was also considered that the rent of the portion of Butts Mill occupied by Mr Fred Procter [Furniture dealer] should be increased, possibly to £100 and it was resolved that this be considered further at the next meeting. [Important to bear in mind that lines of communication were very short and this is often shorthand for 'someone will have a word with him'.]
Ed Wood.

May 19th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29726-8-11 debit, rents owing £603-16-5. Accounts paid.
It was reported that at an informal meeting with the creditors of Grove Engineering held on April 29th an offer to pay 2/6 in the £ to unsecured creditors had been made and accepted by the majority present. Nothing further however was yet known as to whether the company would carry on.
It was reported that Mr Wood and Mr Hedges had seen Mr Whitaker, manager of Martins Bank at his request to discuss the question of the overdraft. Mr Whitaker suggested that as the overdraft was now being reduced a limit of £30,000 should be put on it but had said that there would be no objection to this being temporarily increased by £1000 or £2000. Mr Wood however had said that he would prefer that the overdraft should not be limited to £30,000 although it was hoped and intended that it would be consistently reduced.
The rents paid by the tenants at Butts Mill were considered, it being reported that a letter had been sent to Mrs Whipp increasing her rent to £150 from July 1st, Mrs Whipp to pay the rates from that date.
Res. That Fred Procter's rent should be increased to £100 per annum he to be responsible for his own rates.
It was considered that no increase for the other tenants was necessary.
The question of the tenancy agreement for 11 West Close Road was discussed. It was reported that Mr E Marshall [Tom's son?] objected to signing the agreement under which he would be liable to give up the tenancy in the event of his leaving the CHSC's service as he felt it meant he could be thrown out of the house at a moment's notice. It had been pointed out that CHSC would never do anything like this but he still felt unable to sign. He had stated that he understood the house was provided for his use as a servant of CHSC and had verbally undertaken to vacate the house as soon as possible if his employment was terminated. He had conformed this by letter stating: “If at any time I cease to be employed by the company I shall do my utmost to obtain alternative accommodation and vacate this dwelling house.”
Ed Wood.

June 16th 1949
E Wood chair. M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £32-049-5-3 debit, rents owing £1676-7-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 118 shares from the administrators of E M Bracewell to R H Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from James Slater Ltd re expenditure incurred by them at WH Mill was considered, the items consisting of a charge for additional shafting etc of £477-10-3 and expenditure on the office, canteen and warehouse etc £275-4-10. It was considered that this expenditure had been incurred by James Slater for their own benefit but that CHSC would offer £100 towards the additional shafting.
Ed Wood.

July 25th 1949
E Wood chair. M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31037-2-8 debit, Rents owing £923-16-9.
Transfer of 43 shares from John Cook and Sarah Tattersall to Hilda Tattersall sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the balance sheet etc for the year ended June 30th be approved as read and a general meeting called for 2pm on Monday August 29th 1949. A dividend of 5% for the half year recommended.
Res. That a resolution be put to the meeting changing the age requirement for directors. [See original minutes for the details. This was because Teddy Wood is 79 and they want to keep him on the board as a director!]
Ed Wood.

No minute of AGM
Printed balance sheet reports profit for the year of £1598-1-11 plus balance carried forward £254-6-11 giving a disposable balance of £1852-8-11. An interim dividend of £835-16-8 was paid on December 21st 1948 and a final net dividend of the same amount is recommended making 5% for the year. Balance of £180-15-7 carried forward.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 5th 1949 at Burnley.

August 29th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £30340-18-7 debit, rents owing £21-0-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 840 shares from Albert Monks to Stuart Proctor Barrett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Ed Wood.

October 20th 1949
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29650-5-9 debit, rents owing £489-4-9. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 325 from William Hartley to Mrs Maggie Barrett. 200 shares from Mrs S R Ingham and L Ingham (Exors of Martha Rushton) to Mrs S R Ingham. Seal cert etc.
Mr Wood reported an interview he had had with Mrs Whipp and a letter was read from her in which she asked for the installation of a lavatory. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury see what could be done in the matter.
Mr Hedges reported that at the request of the manager of Martins Bank he had seen him re the renewal of the overdraft facility. The manager, Mr Whitaker, stated that there had been a suggestion that some sort of charge should be entered into but he thought that this would not be pressed if the overdraft could be kept below £30,000 and gradually reduced. Mr Hedges had said that CHSC would endeavour to comply with this suggestion. [Let us not forget that Martins are doing very nicely thank you on the interest on this overdraft. The 'charge' referred to is a legal charge on the deeds held by the bank and it surprises me that this wasn't done when the account was opened.]
A letter from Blin and Blin dated October 11th was read enclosing a letter from BUDC re the state of the boundary wall abutting on the footpath leading from Calf Hall Lane to Esp Lane [Shitten Ginnel]. Following an inspection of the ground from which it appeared that material from the wall had been used to repair the footpath it was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see the BUDC surveyor and that Mr Hedges should then discuss the matter with Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin.
Ed Wood.

November 17th 1949 at Seven Stars Hotel
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29260-5-1 debit, rents owing £619-18-1. Accounts paid.
A letter from BUDC requesting alterations before granting a certificate as to means of escape in case of fire for WH Mill was considered and it was agreed that this should be put in hand.
A letter from Edward Midgley and Co Ltd re the bad state of the roof at the entrance to their portion of WH Mill was read. Mr Duxbury said that he would go into the matter and have some particulars for the next meeting.
Mr Duxbury stated that he had had an interview with the BUDC surveyor re the boundary wall adjoining the old footpath from Esp Lane to Calf Hall Lane and he was arranging to see Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin Ltd.
Ed Wood.

December 15th 1949 at Seven Stars
[From now on I think it can be assumed that unless anything different is noted, all director's meeting will be held at the Seven Stars.]
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31765-10-9 after paying accounts (including Income Tax £1912-3-3), rents owing £886-14-6. Accounts paid as noted above.
Transfer of 200 shares from Jeremiah Aldersley and C E Aldersley to Jeremiah Aldersley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Res. That the top portion of Butts Mill now occupied by Mrs Whipp should be let to Clarke's Mattresses of Skipton from January 1st 1950 at £150 per annum, tenant responsible for rates, internal repairs, heating and lighting and that the landlord construct two lavatories and wash basins and entrance, fire escape and carry out external repairs. [An important entry. This was the start of Tom Clarke's association with CHSC which culminated in him eventually buying WH Mill. He also became the owner of Moss Shed and Salterforth Mill and his firm became Silentnight, the biggest bedding company in the world and still active in Barlick in 2011. (During the transcription word has been received that Silentnight are in serious financial trouble. At the date of writing, May 3rd 2011 nothing has been resolved.)]
Res. That in consequence of this letting Mrs Whipp's rent be reduced to £110 per annum, the tenant to be responsible etc.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% be paid for the half year ended December 31st 1949.
Ed Wood.

January 19th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £31227-13-0 debit, rents owing £572-5-1. Accounts paid.
It was reported that a notice had been received from Mr Woolley, manager and receiver for Grove Engineering that he had ceased to carry on the business and was selling the plant and machinery by auction. He gave notice to terminate the tenancy on April 14th 1950.
Res. That the attention of Mr Woolley be drawn to the list of fixtures and fittings and schedule of conditions of the tenancy so that the whole of the fixtures and fittings should be delivered up to CHSC and the premises also delivered up in a state of good and tenantable repair.
Reported that enquiries had already been made for tenancy of portions of Butts Mill.
Res. That they be advertised.
It was considered that a reasonable rent to ask would be £185 for the brick building and land surrounding it and £145 for the space in the mill, these being the rents paid by Grove Engineering.
It was thought that if a sale of the brick building could be arranged without detriment to the letting of the space in the mill it would be advantageous if this was done, an approximate fogure of £3000 to be kept in mind.
Ed Wood.

February 16th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £30726-5-8 debit, rents owing £1056-16-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: From administrators of Harry Wright: 14 shares to Brenda Hall. 15 to Maud Mary Dent. 15 to Susannah Wright. Seal cert etc.
A report was given of a meeting on February 14th 1950 between Messrs Jacques, Duxbury and A V Hedges representing CHSC and the directors of John C Carlson Ltd at which it was agreed that portions of Butts Mill now occupied by Grove Engineering and being vacated by then on February 14th should be leased to Carlson's from April 15th 1950 for a term of 15 years with an option for the lessee to break on the 5th or 10th year at a yearly rent of £1600, the tenant being responsible for maintenance and insurance of the building and to have first option on any other part of Butts Mill becoming vacant.
Res. That the agreement be confirmed and that Smith Smith be instructed to draw up a lease.
[Significant. They became Carlson Ford and Carlson Filtration as the firm is now called is still in Butts in 2011, they bought the mill eventually.]
Ed Wood.

March 16th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29776-3-0 debit, rents owing £637-10-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 43 shares from the representatives of Margaret Robinson deceased to Enoch Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Ed Wood.

April 20th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £29666-8-1 debit, rents owing £1235-3-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: From the Exors of J W Edmondson: 318 shares to Miriam Burridge and 160 to Janet Geldard. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the keys of the Grove portion of Butts Mill had been handed over by the Receiver on April 14th and that a claim in respect of the condition of the premises and fixtures and fittings had been forwarded to him.
Consideration was given to a request for an extension at WH Mill to provide further accommodation for G Sidebottom and Co Ltd and E Midgley and Co Ltd.
It was considered that in view of the extensive repairs necessary to the present structure and the proposed increase in loom-space for Sidebottom's the proposition was feasible if the two tenants would agree to make a reasonable contribution.
It was pointed out that it was not known whether the [current building] licence for £3934-12-6 applied for by Mr Duxbury would be approved but it was thought the cost might considerably exceed this in view of the request for more space.
It was considered reasonable to ask the tenants to contribute £500 each towards the capital cost. In the case of Sidebottom's this not to fall below the additional rent for 40 loom spaces and in the case of Midgley's £150 per annum. Also that they should be asked to pay a year's rent in advance, this to remain in operation for three years.
ED Wood.

May 18th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £28597 debit, rents owing £1509-18-10. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges reported that at the request of Martins Bank he had seen Mr Whitaker the manager re the CHSC overdraft. The bank had said that they felt that the overdraft limit should not exceed £27500 and that the aim should be a further reduction of £2500 every six months.
Mr Hedges also reported that he had seen Mr Midgley re the possible extension of WH Mill to provide more accommodation for them and Sidebottom's. Mr Midgley has stated that in view of the conditions suggested by CHSC the two companies had decided not to proceed with their request for an extension.
Mr Midgley also pointed out that the roof over his entrance would have to be repaired and suggested that while this was being done arrangements should be made to include a gantry to be installed at the same time and that the floor should be covered [with asphalt?]. He said he would be willing to pay rent in advance to cover this.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should go into the matter and the probable cost with a view to further consideration being given to the matter at the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

June 22nd 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £27995-0-5 debit, rents owing £489-9-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares from the executrix of Silverwood Barrett deceased to his widow Rose Barrett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from HMFI was read re the roof at the entrance to the portion of WH Mill occupied by G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd. It was decided that Mr Duxbury go into this and at the same time consider what could be done re the entrance at Midgley's and that the matter be further discussed at the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

June 27th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £27132-10-1 debit, rents owing £642-14-4. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 288 shares from Exors of Anne E Ellison to Tom Ellison. From Exors of Ada Proctor deceased: 200 shares to N M Barrett. 100 to A V Hedges. 200 to J V Patrick. 200 to E Wood. 238 to Harold Duxbury. All seal cert etc.
Res. That the accounts for the year ended June 30th 1950 etc be approved as read. AGM to be at 2pm on Thursday August 31st and that a dividend for the half year of 2½% be recommended for the half year making a dividend for the year of 3¾% for the year.
Mr Duxbury reported that there had been no developments re the roof at Midgley's entrance at WH except that E Midgley and Co had now objected to making any contribution towards the cost but they had however asphalted the floor at their own expense.
It was reported that the Receiver for Grove Engineering had disclaimed any liability for dilapidations at Butts Mill and that Messrs Smith Smith had advised that in their opinion the claim could not legally be enforced.
Ed Wood.

AGM August 31st 1950 not minuted
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: Net profit of £5680-12-11 for the year which together with £180-15-7 carried forward makes a disposable balance of 5861-8-6. £835-16-8 was paid on December 12th 1949 and £417-18-4 recommended now making the dividend for the full year 3¾% with a balance of £4607-13-6 carried forward.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley, August 5th 1950.

August 31st 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £25822-0-2 debit, rents owing £56-0-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 157 shares from M E Smith to Albert Monks sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from Edward Aldersley Ltd was read stating that the insurance company had advised them that the hoist required renewal. This was considered.
Res. That Harold Duxbury inspect the hoist and report to the next meeting.
A further complaint from E Midgley and Co re the state of the roof on the entrance to their portion at WH Mill was considered. Mr Duxbury stated that the roof was in very bad condition and repairs were urgently needed, it was impossible to defer this until next year. The cost of repairing the roof would be approximately £750 but an alternative would be to put in a flat roof to increase the height so that loading could be done under cover. This would cost approximately £1500.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see both Midgley and Sidebottom and see if they would make a contribution of £200 each and pay 5% on the balance of the cost.
Ed Wood.

September 21st 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £25862-14-1 debit, rents owing £526-3-0. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 43 shares from Exors of Rebecca Moore to Ida Moore. From Exors of W S Pickover: 75 shares to Fred and Nancy Robinson and 75 to Elizabeth Beckton. Seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury reported he had inspected the hoist in the portion of Butts Mill occupied by E Aldersley which he stated would require replacing. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury see Mr Aldersley to ascertain what type of hoist they would prefer. It being understood that if they wanted an improved type of lift they should be responsible for the excess cost over replacing the present type.
H Duxbury said he had seen Midgley's about the roof over their entrance and that they would be prepared to pay £250 towards the cost but did not feel that rent should be increased.
He had also seen Sidebottom's who had not yet come to any decision on the matter. Mr Duxbury thought that they wanted considerably more warehouse space.
Res. That Midgley's offer be accepted and that Mr Duxbury should put the work in hand, approximate cost £750.
Ed Wood.

October 19th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £26090-6-7 debit, rents owing £933-7-4. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges stated that at the request of Mr Whitaker of Martins Bank he had called to see him and Mr Whitaker had said that the maximum amount on the overdraft should now be £25000 and be reduced at £2500 during the next six months. Mr Hedges had pointed out that there would be approximately £2000 Schedule 'A' Tax to pay on January 1st 1951 and that there were future commitments for four new electric hoists at WH Mill, one in Butts Mill and extensive repairs to Midgley's roof. Mr Whitaker said he thought the bank would be agreeable to providing extra accommodation for exceptional items. [Don't you love bank managers!]
Mr Hedges reported that following the interview between Mr Duxbury and Mr C E Aldersley he had written to James Halstead Ltd confirming that if they so desired, CHSC would install an electric hoist providing the tenants were agreeable to contributing half the cost.
Mr Duxbury reported that following the interview when he and Mr Hedges had seen Mr Fenton, Clerk to BUDC, re the responsibility for for the repair of the wall on the side of the public footpath furthest away from Butts Mill he had a further interview with Mr Fenton who had stated that in his view the council were not responsible for the maintenance of the length of wall on the East side of the main entrance to the engineering portion but that owing to the possibility of danger to persons using the public footpath the council were responsible for the maintenance of the wall on the West side of the main entrance, that is, where the wall adjoins Butts Beck.
Entrance to WH Mill.
Mr Duxbury reported that the work of repair at Midgley's portion had not started. He said that Sidebottom's had very ambitious ideas re a large warehouse extension to their part. No proposals had been made.
Res That the matter be laid on the table.
Mr Duxbury reported an interview he had had with representatives of the Electricity Board re the provision of a sub-station at Butts Mill.
No offer having been received from the Electricity Board for the CHSC plant at the CH Shed sub-station, It was resolved that they be charged rent for the use of the plant based on 15% per annum of the value of the plant pending agreement for a sale being reached. [1947 to 1949 saw the nationalisation of all gas and electricity supplies. This must be part of the handover of distribution plant to the new Board.]
R Jacques.

November 16th 1950
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, n Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24915-7-5 debit, rents owing £525-15-8. Accounts paid.
Res. That the CHSC common seal be affixed to the lease to John C Carlson Ltd of a portion of Butts Mill, the terms of which were set out at the meeting on February 16th 1950.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had been advised by Messrs Fould's Ltd that the cost of installing an electric hoist in Aldersley's portion of Butts Mill would be £1120 together with the necessary building work and other labour which would probably amount to a total of £1300.
Res. That Messrs Halstead be informed accordingly.
It was reported that HMFI was pressing for the replacement of the hoists at WH Mill. Mr Duxbury said that Fould's had promised to commence work early in December subject to the necessary licence being obtained by them.
It was reported that Nutter Brothers had been enquiring about erecting a garage at WH Mill saying that they would be prepared for this to become the property of CHSC after 10 years providing that if they left before then they should receive some recompense for it.
It was arranged that Mr Duxbury should see Nutter Brothers with a view to getting more definite particulars.
Ed Wood.

December 14th 1950
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £25007-19-2 debit, rents owing 626-5-8 and noting that £1912-3-3 Schedule 'A' Tax was due on January 1st 1951. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 66 shares from Lucy Bagnall to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury stated that at a meeting with representatives of John C Carlson Ltd and the Yorkshire Electricity Board re the proposed electrical sub-station at Butts Mill it had been suggested that the cost be shared equally between the three parties. Carlson's had agreed to pay one third providing this did not exceed £200 and YEB had agreed to pay the cost of foundations and trenches.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% per annum should be paid less tax for the half year ended on December 31st 1950.
Mr Duxbury reported that there had been no further development regarding the garage proposed by Nutter Brothers at WH Mill.
The secretary reported that no reply had been received from Halstead's re the hoist in Aldersley's portion at Butts Mill.
The question of paying a bonus of 5% of a year's pay to the engine and boiler house staff was considered. It was agreed that this should be paid if other Room and Power sheds in Barnoldswick [Notably the Fernbank Shed Company] were doing so.
Ed Wood.

January 18th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £25515-12-5 debit, rents owing £1286-8-2. Noted that payment of tax due would bring overdraft to £27427-15-8. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that a letter had been received from James Halstead's re their alleged right of way at Butts Mill and that a reply had been sent by Smith Smith pointing out that there was no such right.
A letter had been received from Halstead's re lavatories at Butts Mill and a reply sent from Smith Smith explaining that under the terms of the lease the liability for these rested with the tenant.
Mr Duxbury stated he had received an offer of £600 from George Cohen Ltd for the three transformers (Two at Butts and one at CH Shed) but he thought it should be possible to obtain a higher figure. [George Cohen were one of the biggest traders in second-hand plant in the North of England.]
Res. That the matter be left with Mr Duxbury to obtain the highest price possible.
It was reported that a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Room and Power Association had been held and it was agreed that R&P rent should be increased and that the amount would be decided at the general meeting of the RPA on January 22nd.
Ed Wood.

February 15th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £26177-15-2 debit, rents owing £1621-16-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 75 shares from the administrator of Elizabeth Beckton to Dudley Beckton sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A report was given re the proposed increase in rents of £2 per loom per annum and £163-14-0 per tape to take effect from March 1st 1951. It was agreed that this be approved and that the rents be increased accordingly.
Mr Duxbury reported that the three transformers had been sold to Rolls Royce Ltd for £700.
Ed Wood.

March 15th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24584-0-9 debit, rents owing £644-2-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 250 shares from Exors of E Ormerod deceased and 52 shares from Freda Ratcliffe, both to G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The question of insurance for loss of rents at WH Mill in the case of fire was considered.
Res. That enquiries be made as to the cost thereof.
Ed Wood.

April 19th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £24554-12-9 debit, rents owing £1326-18-11. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 57 shares from Administrator of S A Haworth to James Haworth. 132 from Clarissa Thompson to Annie Wood. 52 from Clarissa Thompson to Maggie Barrett and 53 from Thomas Fort to Maggie Barrett. Seal cert etc.
A letter from Messrs Brewerton and Williams dated April 7th 1951 was read and it was resolved that no action be taken at the present time.
Ed Wood.

May 17th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £23077-16-11 debit, rents owing £1368-7-1. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 43 shares from administrators of Enoch Robinson deceased to Doris Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
[Mr Hedges reports yet another interview with the bank manager who is pressing for a reduction of the overdraft to £22,500. Usual counter arguments and statements by the manager}
Mr Hedges reported that G S Sidebottom and co had enquired about the provision of extra warehouse accommodation at WH. He had told them that due to their financial position CHSC could not undertake further additional expenditure. Sidebottom's had then suggested that they might be prepared to advance the cost of the extension, this to be repaid over 10 to 15 years at 5% interest. Alternatively they would consider building the extension themselves, such extension to be their property.
After discussion it was resolved that Sidebottom's be informed that CHSC could not undertake to carry out any extensions but that they would be prepared to agree to Sidebottom's themselves carrying out such an extension providing that the costs were borne by them, they to obtain all licences and building permits. The plans to be approved by CHSC and the building to be their property. CHSC would however agree to make an allowance from the rent of £200 for the first five years and £150 per annum for the next five years provided the present warehouse accommodation was used for looms and paid for as such in accordance with the present terms of tenancy.
Mr Hedges reported that Mr Aldersley had approached Blin and Blin claiming ownership of the road adjoining CH Shed [Mill Street?] and had suggested that they lease it from him. It would appear though that CHSC had at least rights of way over the road and that he would look up the deeds and ascertain the actual ownership.
Mr Duxbury stated that Clarke's Mattresses were interested in the tenancy of the engine house at Butts Mill. It had been pointed out however that under the terms of the lease this must first be offered to John C Carlson and it was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see Tom Clarke, explain the position to him and then consult with Carlson's.
It was thought that a rent of £100 per annum should be asked subject to a year's grace, the tenant to make good the floor and do all necessary alterations.
R Jacques.

[Meanwhile WH engine, heavily overloaded, decided to make a protest. On May 22nd the flywheel shaft broke. See 'Brown and Pickles' by SCG for the full story.]

June 21st 1951
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £22236-8-7 debit, rents owing £541-18-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 83 shares from Lizzie Alice Baxter to Fred and Nancy Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that following an engine breakdown at WH Mill on May 22nd running recommenced on June 11th.
Mr Duxbury stated that the repair of the water tank at WH Mill was in hand.
Res. That an insurance against loss of rent due to fire damage at CH Shed should be put in hand but a similar policy at WH and one for breakdown of the engine should be considered at the next meeting.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had had further conversations with Messrs Midgley concerning the work to be done at their entrance and it was considered that Midgley's should be asked to pay £250 towards the cost and make a yearly payment of 5% on the balance of the expenditure. Mr Duxbury said he would see Mr Midgley.
It was reported that in accordance with the minute of May 17th a letter had been sent to Sidebottom and Co but that as yet no reply had been received.
It was stated that Smith and Smith had confirmed that six feet of the roadway adjoining CH Shed belonged to CHSC and they had a right of way over the whole of the road. Blin and Blin had therefore been advised that Mr Aldersley had no grounds for claiming any payment from them.
Mr Duxbury reported he had seen Tom Clarke re the tenancy of the engine house at Butts Mill and that in view of the large outlay of money the tenant would incur in making it fit for occupation it was thought that a two year grace period should be allowed, the rent thereafter to be £100 per annum. As in accordance with the terms of the lease this must first be offered to Carlson's Mr Duxbury said he was making arrangements to see Mr Carlson on his next visit to the mill.
Ed Wood.

July 19th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21346-18-0 debit, rents owing £547-7-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That accounts for the year ended June 30th be approved as read. AGM to be called for Thursday August 30th at 2pm at Seven Stars and that a dividend of 5% less tax be recommended.
Res. That an insurance policy be taken out with London Assurance to cover loss of rents due to fire at WH Mill on our amount of £12,000 (half a year's rent) for a 12 month period.
Res. That the engine at WH be insured against engine breakdown with the Vulcan Boiler and General Insurance Co for £5000 and that cover for £20,000 be taken in respect of damage to adjoining property and Third Party Risks.
Mr Rawstron (of Aspden and Johnson, valuers) attended and reported that the District Valuer had refused to admit claims under the Town and Country Planning Act in respect of the land at Ouzledale Foundry, CH Shed, Butts Mill and WH Mill stating that no development value existed.
Res. On Mr Rawstron's advice not to proceed further in the matter. Mr Rawstron pointed out that if development did occur, the DV's statement could be quoted in resisting any attempt to impose any development charge.
It was reported that Blin and Blin had agreed to pay £10 per annum to Mr Aldersley for the right to retain the fencing round the road adjoining CH Shed and the gateway at the end thus having the sole use of the road and excluding Mr Aldersley from using it.
It also appeared that they had agreed to pay the owner of Springs Dam £15 per annum for the right of full access to it and to release water at any time. This was not to be taken to be payment for the use of the water as none was needed.
Ed Wood.

August 30th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21076-17-7 debit, rents owing £639-2-0. Accounts presented paid.
A letter was read saying that James Howarth wanted to sell his holding of 57 shares and enquiring if there were any purchasers. H Duxbury said he was prepared to offer 10/- per share for the 57 shares.
Ed Wood.

No minute for AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: Cost of WH breakdown is included in the accounts. Net profit for the year is £6376-10-4 and an interim dividend was paid for the half year to December 31st 1950 of 5%. Recommended that we pay a dividend at the same rate for the half year ended June 30th leaving a balance of £9,350-10-4 carried over.
The auditors Richard Watson and Sons are now practising under the name Langley, Stuttard and Co and will continue in office under section 159(2) of the Companies Act 1948.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 8th 1951.

September 20th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20003-8-8 debit, rents owing £814-7-9. Accounts paid.
A tender received from James Proctor and Co from Burnley of £270 for the installation of a new shovel stoker on No 3 boiler at WH Mill subject to 16 weeks delivery was considered.
Res. That further consideration be given to this at the next meeting especially taking into account the fact it could not be installed before winter.
Ed Wood.

October 18th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19362-8-6 debit, rents owing £645-1-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 140 shares from the Exors of Tom Holdsworth deceased to the names of the executors Jane ann Holdsworth and William Holdsworth sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Hedges reported that he had seen Mr Whitaker at the latter's request [then follows the usual shuffle aimed at a £20000 limit with the usual rebuttal.] Mr Whitaker adds that although the bank was scrutinising rates of interest, it had been agreed that the rate of 3½% charged under the special agreement should continue for the time being
A letter was read from Walker, Charlesworth and Jefferson [Barlick solicitors] re a small portion of land approximately the size of a petrol pump [!] at Coates Wharf.
It was agreed that this small portion of land which had been occupied by Mr Aldersley for some time should be transferred to him providing he undertake all charges connected with the transfer.
It was agreed that the tender from James Proctor and Co for the installation at WH of a new shovel stoker at £270 be accepted.
Ed Wood.

November 15th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18417-13-6, rents owing £836-17-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of Mary Alice Fawcett and Arthur E Fawcett jointly: 57 shares to Gerald Fawcett. 57 to Roland Fawcett. 57 to Hugh Fawcett. 57 to Lillian Alice Bellamy. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the manager of Martins Bank had stated that his head office had suggested that the 3½% interest charged on the overdraft was too little. It had been pointed out to him that the rate was the subject of an agreement between the chairman, Mr Wood and the late H M Walton one of their directors and he [Mr Whitaker] had been asked to point this out to his head office. Nothing further had been heard so far but since this conversation the Bank of England had raised the Bank Rate.
It was reported that as no acknowledgement or reply could be obtained from the YEB regarding the plant at CH Shed sub-station belonging to CHSC they had been informed by telephone that the matter would have to be placed before the Member of Parliament for the Division with a view either to a question being asked in Parliament or it being brought to the attention of the Ministry direct. Following this, representatives from YEB had immediately called to see Mr Hedges and had promised to send a written offer for the plant within a few days.
Mr Duxbury reported that John C Carlson Ltd had stated that they did not want to take up the tenancy of the engine room. [At Butts] It was agreed he should see Clarke's Mattresses with a view to it being let to them from January 1st 1952 at £100 per annum subject to two year's grace provided the tenant, at his own cost, put the premises in order to the satisfaction of CHSC.
Res. That a 5% interim dividend be paid for the half year and that cheques be posted just prior to Christmas. [Sneaky! Could this be so that they would not be cashed before the New Year?]
Ed Wood.

December 20th 1951
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18869-5-4, rents owing £818-9-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That a letter be sent to shareholders pointing out that there were a number of very small holdings which involved the company in considerable expense in cheque stamps, postal charges atc and offering therefore to act as a go-between between members wishing to sell their small holdings and other members wishing to purchase them at the present market price of 10/- per share. [See the LTP interview with Victor Hedges where he discusses this. It wasn't unique to the CHSC and Victor said that the initiative never really worked, the shares were seen more as talismans and family heirlooms than negotiable securities.]
Mr Hedges reported that he had had a request from Mr Fielden the manager of Martins Bank Burnley acting on behalf of Mr Verity the general manager of Martins Bank that the CHSC should agree that the rate of interest on their overdraft should be charged at 1% over Bank Rate with a minimum of 4½% from February 1st 1952, this being in accordance with February instructions regarding increases in bank charges.
Res. That this be agreed to although Mr Hedges said he would first see whether a rate of 4¼% could be obtained.
A letter was read from YEB dated December 8th making an offer of £667 for: The complete five panel 6,600V Crompton Parkinson switchboard with tripping battery. The one Hackbridge 6,600/400V three phase transformer with the HV connecting cables.
After some discussion it was agreed that this offer be accepted it being the feeling that if the apparatus had to be removed by CHSC it would probably have to be sold at scrap value.
Mr Duxbury reported on the state of the roof at Butts Mill saying that he had provisionally applied for a licence for £800. It was agreed that he should proceed with putting the roof in a reasonable state of repair as soon as possible.
R Jacques.

January 17th 1952
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19314-4-4 debit, rents owing £1546-8-9. Accounts paid.
It was reported that an enquiry had been made as to whether CHSC were interested in in buying the two rents of £10 and £20 paid to Colonel Royd's Estates a possible figure of 20 year's purchase being mentioned.
Res. That after taking the overdraft into consideration a reply be sent that CHSC was not interested in buying the rents.
It was reported that following a further interview between Mr Hedges and Mr Fielden of Martins Bank Burnley, for the time being the interest in the rate on the overdraft was to be 4¼% and not 4½% as originally requested by the bank.
Particulars were given of the response to the circular letter re small holdings of shares.
Res. That as further requests might be received up to January 31st the matter be left until the next meeting.
R Jacques.

February 21st 1952
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21664-0-10 debit, rents owing £1639-6-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 165 shares from Ena Crew to Wallace Horsfield sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Particulars were given of the response to the circular letter re small share holdings. Agreement was reached on the apportionment to applicants of the shares available for transfer.
Mr Duxbury reported he had agreed with Mr Aldersley that Messrs Edward Aldersley Ltd would be liable for 25% of the cost of the repairs to the roofs of the space occupied by Edward Aldersley Ltd at Butts Mill and that this had been confirmed in a letter from Mr Duxbury to Messrs Edward Aldersley Ltd dated February 19th 1952.
Particulars were given of the collapse a portion of the outside wall at WH Mill overlooking the lavatories occupied by E Midgley and Co Ltd and it was reported that the outside shed wall of the portion occupied by G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd was bulging outwards. The only possible course was to rebuild the wall when there was suitable weather during the summer. In the meantime it was agreed that Mr Duxbury should put up whatever support he considered necessary to prevent any possibility of collapse of the girders holding the roof, shafting etc. [The old problem of subsidence.]
R Jacques.

March 20th 1952
R Jacques chair, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £21316-19-3 debit, rents owing £769-9-4.
Transfer of 39 shares from Exors of Rachel Plummer to Charles E Plummer and 78 shares from Ronald Pickles to H Duxbury sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that G S Sidebottom had expressed a desire to increase the size of their tenancy at WH Mill and that there might be a possibility of them taking over some loom space now occupied by WD&E Nutter. Mr Duxbury and Mr Hedges had met Messrs G S Sidebottom and they had looked at the space and considered what could be done. The matter now awaited the further decision of the two firms.
It was reported that following a letter from Carlson's, Mr Jacques, Mr Duxbury and Mr Hedges had met Mr Osgood the managing director who had emphasised the heavy expense Carlson's had been put to by the bad condition of the roof at Butts Mill. Mr Osgood had suggested that CHSC should make some contribution to the cost. During the discussion it was pointed out that under the terms of the lease the tenant was liable for all repairs and maintenance and that the condition of ther building and fixtures had been agreed at the commencement of the lease by both parties. Also that when Carlson's had taken the premises there had been no increase in rent, in fact there had been a slight reduction compared with the rent previously paid by the Grove Engineering Co furthermore, since the date of the commencement of the lease their had been a general increase in rents except in the case of leased properties. Taking all this into consideration and the financial position of CHSC:
Res. That a letter should be sent to Carlson's explaining the position and regretting that CHSC felt themselves unable to help in the matter.
John V Patrick.

April 17th 1952
J V Patrick chair. Horsfield, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20242-16-5 debit, rents owing £1130-15-11.
[There follows a long list of share transfers sanctioned and seal cert etc. See original minutes for full details.]
It was reported that a letter had been received from HMFI re the main shed wall adjoining G S Sidebottom's premises and also the wall supporting the water tank. A reply had been sent that these matters will be dealt with.
It was reported that six months notice had been received from James Slater Ltd to terminate their tenancy at WH Mill.
Mr Duxbury stated that GS Sidebottom and Co had said that they would be prepared to take two bays of the space occupied by WD&E Nutter for storage at storage rent. It was pointed out that WD&E Nutter were paying full loom rent for the space and it was agreed that it would not be in the interests of the CHSC to accept this proposition.
It was reported that Electrification Ltd were desirous of giving up the premises now held by them as they were ceasing business. Mr Duxbury said he had approached Carlson's in accordance with the terms of their lease to give them the opportunity to take the premises. They were not interested. He also said that at the present he was not aware of any other possible tenants.
Ed Wood.

May 15th 1952
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19160-0-11 debit, rents owing £1499-1-5.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 650 shares from Exors of Ellen Valentine to Stuart Proctor Barrett. From Exors of Alice M Robinson: 108 shares to Doris M Thompson and 108 to Preston Robinson. All seal cert etc.
Mr Hedges said he had seen Mr Whitaker at Martin's Bank re the overdraft and it had been agreed that for the next six months it should be £20,000. The bank also proposes to raise the minimum interest payable to 4½%. It was pointed out however that as the Bank Rate was now 4% the actual rate should be 5%, 1% above bank rate.
Mr Hedges also reported on an interview with Mr Edward Midgley re the alterations and repairs done to the entrance of the portion of WH Mill occupied by them. It was stated that the total cost was approximately £2200 of which Midgley Ltd estimated their share to be between £800 and £900. They had however agreed to pay £1000 After discussion of the matter it was considered that a fair division of the expenditure would be CHSC and Midgley's to bear equal shares.
Mr Duxbury gave details of correspondence he had had re the cost of the Electrical Transformer house at Butts Mill. After considering the position it was agreed that the cost, which was slightly over £600 should be apportioned equally between CHSC and Carlson's.
Ed Wood.

June 19th 1952
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19287-11-10 debit, rents owing £1056-16-9.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Exors of Sarah Hargreaves: 26 shares to Elizabeth Hargreaves and 26 to Clara Hargreaves. 199 from Exors of Rose Barrett to Lawrence V Baldwin. 158 from Exors of Fred Robinson to Ed Wood. 48 from Nancy Ogden to Ed Wood. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that Ed Aldersley Ltd had eventually decided they did not want a new electric hoist to go down to the extra floor. They had been informed that E A Fould's quotation was now £1305, making with alterations and building costs about £1500 (subject to any further price increase) half of which would be payable by them.
An enquiry from James Slater Ltd as to whether CHSC would accept them as tenants at Warehouse rent after the expiration of their six six months notice was considered. It was felt that while something on the basis suggested might be done, further consideration was necessary as to the effect this would have on other tenants, the amount of warehouse rent to be charged and the length of notice required.
It was agreed that electricity should be supplied to E Midgley and Co, G Sidebottom and Co and Nutter Brothers Ltd for power purposes only at 1½d per unit plus 15%, subject to increase or decrease of electricity charges in the district. [Electric motors on looms. The engine is still providing the power but via the generator. The question is when it becomes more economical to go over to mains power for all looms by driving the shafting with large electric motors.]
It was reported that Midgley and Co had suggested making an additional payment of rent to meet their share of the cost of the work done at their entrance to WH Mill. It was felt that this would not be satisfactory and it was arranged that Briggs and Duxbury invoice them for their share of the cost and that Mr Duxbury should explain the position to them at the same time.
Res. That subject to any variation needed on completion of the annual accounts we recommend a dividend of 5% for the half year making 5% for the year.
R Jacques.

July 10th 1952
R Jacques chair. M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20173-18-7 debit, rents owing £757-3-0. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Aldersley's had decided to pay half the cost of the new electric hoist, total cost estimated as £1500 and that Fould's tender of £1305 had been accepted. [I knew Harold and Victor personally, they were both quiet patient men and in dealing with this man they needed to be!]
It was reported that James Slater Ltd had agreed that if a definite decision could be given to them by July 30th as to their proposal to remain as warehouse tenants at WH [they would stay].
Res. That the CHSC would accept them as tenants at warehouse rent although the directors didn't favour this in view of repercussions on existing tenancies and that discussions should take place on the basis of £4 per loom space per annum to cover shed and warehouse, subject to notice of two or three months.
It was reported that Mr Duxbury and Mr Hedges had seen E Midgley and Co re the work done at their entrance and it had been agreed that the cost should be shared equally between CHSC and them.
It was reported that discussions had been taking place between the R&P Owners association Committee and the Tenant's committee and that it was probable that the allowance of 9d per loom per week where a tenant was completely stopped would be extended to cases where they have more than 10% of looms stopped for more than a full week amd that the allowance for tape stoppages would be increased from half to three quarters rent. The extension of the allowances for stopped looms would apply from July 1st 1952 to September 30th 1952 when the matter would be reviewed.
Res. That the accounts be approved as read. And that the AGM should be called for Thursday August 21st. Recommended dividend of 5%.
Ed Wood.

August 21st 1952
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £19462-12-3 debit, rents owing £1292-16-11. Accounts paid.
It was reported that James Slater and son had written to say they could not agree to the terms suggested at the last board meeting. However, as they wished to leave the looms intact they would agree to pay £20 per month for the warehousing of the looms subject to two or three months notice.
It was agreed that it was desirable they remain on the premises in the hope that trade would improve and they could restart their looms.
Res. That the secretary should again contact Slater's with a view to their remaining at WH Mill (say for three months) at the best terms possible.
Ed Wood.

No AGM minutes
Printed balance sheet inserted reports: Net profit for the year of £3126-4-9. Dividend of 5% less tax for the year.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley July 29th 1952.

September 18th 1952
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17981-5-8 debit, rents owing £579-6-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 77 shares from Exors of Edith Askham to Kenneth Askham sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read asking if a buyer could be found for 20 shares owned by Mr Bracewell Petty. Mr Wood said he would pay 10/- per share.
It was reported that a letter had been received from James Slater Ltd confirming their agreement to pay a warehouse rent of £30 a month from the end of their tenancy on September 30th 1952 until December 31st 1952, the position to be considered by both parties during November.
Res. That the Third Party insurance cover of £10,000 each at Butts and WH be increased to £30,000 each.
A letter was read from HMFI at Keighley dated September 6th 1952 pressing for the rebuilding of the shed wall of G S Sidebottom and Co and pointing out that if this was not done the Inspector would consider making application to the courts under Section 40 of the Factories Act 1937 as amended by Section 4 of the Factories Act 1948.
It was reported that arrangements had been made with Mr Duxbury for the work to be put in hand immediately after the September holidays. Since then however, G S Sidebottom had stated that putting the work in hand immediately would seriously interfere with production and it was agreed that G S Sidebottom should make representations to HMFI to this effect.
Ed Wood.

October 16th 1952
E Wood chair. R Jacques, M Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17555-9-0 debit, rents owing £1444-0-5. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the RPA had agreed that the temporary allowances for stopped looms should be extended from September 30th for six months.
Transfer of 20 shares from Bracewell Petty to E Wood sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that an enquiry had been received as to whether there were any purchasers for 268 shares but at the moment there were no offers.
It was reported that following the last meeting Mr Duxbury and Mr Hedges had seen G S Sidebottom who had requested that the repair of their shed wall be left over until next spring in view of the interference to production. As a result HMFI had agreed to the work being deferred until after the end of March 1953.
A letter from Clarke's Mattresses was read re repairs to their roof. Mr Duxbury said he was dealing with it.
Mr Duxbury stated that Carlson's had referred to the condition of the portion of Aldersley's warehouse overhanging their premises [Butts]. It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see what could be done.
Mr Hedges said that following a request from Mr Whitaker at Martins Bank he had seen him re the overdraft. Mr Whitaker had asked that this should not exceed £17,500 for the period to March 31st 1953 when the position would be reviewed.
N M Barrett.

November 20th 1952
N M Barrett chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17816-16-10 debit, rents owing £1394-5-1. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid for the half year to December 31st 1952 of 5%.
It was reported that James Slater Ltd had so far not raised the question of the continuation of their provisional tenancy at WH on warehouse rent which was due to expire on December 31st 1952.
Res. That if necessary this should be extended for three months to March 31st 1953.
R Jacques.

December 18th 1952
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17658-14-10 debit, rents owing £678-13-9. Accounts paid.
A binocular inspection of Butts Mill chimney was made from which it appeared that the condition was satisfactory and safe.
Mr Duxbury reported on the position with the water supply to WH dams and said he was awaiting a further report from the Council workmen.
R Jacques.

January 15th 1953
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20276-14-11 debit after paying accounts and Schedule 'A' Tax of £2124-1-5. Rents owing £1854-9-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That a letter confirming the letting of space formerly occupied by Electrification Ltd at Butts Mill to Clarke's Mattresses was approved. Tenancy to commence February 1st 1953 at a rent of £180 per annum. It was pointed out that the premises were not in a good state of repair and that probably the equivalent of a year's rent would have to be paid to effect repairs. Mr Duxbury reported that he had offered the space to Carlson's in accordance with the terms of their lease but they had not taken advantage of the offer.
R Jacques.

February 19th 1953
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18945-13-6 debit, rents owing 838-8-0. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Elizabeth Wordsworth, George William Wordsworth and Lucy A N Wordsworth sanctioned: 180 shares to Elizabeth Wordsworth. 200 to William C R Carr. 62 to Eileen M Pickup. Seal cert etc.
A quotation for insurance against loss of rent at WH Mill form engine breakdown was considered.
Res. That this risk be covered.
Reference was made to the various tenancies at Butts Mill held by Clarke's Mattresses and it was considered that it would be advisable to incorporate them in one tenancy. Mr Duxbury said he would see Tom Clarke on the matter. He said he understood they would probably be willing to accept partial responsibility for the increase in the cost of insurance during their tenancy.
Mr Duxbury said that the installation of the electric lift in Aldersley's portion of Butts Mill was being commenced. In connection with this he said that Aldersley's had complained that the lift cage wasn't big enough. [!] He had pointed out to them that they had approved the specification of the hoist and if they wanted any alteration they would be liable for the additional cost. Mr Aldersley agreed he had approved the specification and said he was agreeable to the work proceeding on the basis of the original dimensions.
Reported that G S Sidebottom and Co were replacing some of their looms with wider ones. In connection with this they had pointed out that part of the floor space was on a considerable slant [slope?]. Mr Duxbury said this was true and he thought it was due to subsidence [The old enemy at WH]. He thought Sidebottom's would be prepared to bear a share of the cost of repairs to the floor which would cost about £200.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should contact them again to see what could be arranged.
E Wood.

March 19th 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18041-0-9 debit, rents owing £672-10-10. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 150 shares from Patrick Kelly deceased to his widow Margaret Ellen Kelly sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury reported that Clarke's had agreed to the consolidated tenancy at Butts and that it should be for a term of three years from April 1st 1953.
Res. That this should be arranged.
A report was given re the enlargement of the cage of Aldersley's lift. The total cost of this would be about £100. It was agreed that this should be shared equally between the two parties.
A letter received by Mr Duxbury from BUDC was considered in which the council stated that they could not accept responsibility for the discharge of surface water from Valley Road on to the CHSC land.
Res. That a letter be sent to BUDC pointing out that it was their responsibility and asking for it to be dealt with at once.
A letter from HMFI dated March 2nd 1953 giving various requirements for WH Mill was considered.
Res. That the matters referred to be put in hand.
Mr Duxbury reported he had heard nothing further from Sidebottom's re the floor in their premises at WH Mill.
Ed Wood.

April 16th 1953
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £18395-15-1 debit, rents owing £2169-11-9. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges said he had seen Mr Whitaker at his request re the overdraft. Following a discussion on the financial position of the company including the probable cost of repairing the warehouse wall adjoining Sidebottom's at WH Mill it was agreed that the limit of £17,500 be left in place for six months.
It was reported that the soft water tank at WH Mill was leaking badly and that temporary repairs had been effected but a new tank would eventually be required at a cost of £500/600.
Res. That consideration be given to the possibility of installing a pump so that water could be pumped directly from the dam to fill the boilers prior to starting the engine on Monday morning which would enable the level of water in the tank to be reduced by about 18” thus reducing the pressure in the tank. [Puzzling. I can only assume that they are still emptying the boilers each weekend to wash them out. If this is so it is very wasteful and one wonders why they don't get the water treatment right. The technology has improved by now and it should be possible to run the boilers from one flueing to another without emptying them. That is four times a year.]
Ed Wood.

May 21st 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17063-13-1 debit, rents owing £1480-16-11. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares from the executrix of Heber Crook to his widow Hattie Crook sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
The question of the soft water tank at WH was discussed. [This is the CI tank on the roof.]
Res. That Brown and Pickles be asked to give an estimate for supplying and fixing a pump.
Ed Wood.

June 11th 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £17198-10-10 debit, rents owing £2675-18-3. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from Rolls Royce asking for repairs to the boundary wall abutting on the canal bank. [At Coates Wharf]
Res. That the necessary repairs should be done, Mr Duxbury said he would attend to it.
Re the water tank at WH Mill Brown and Pickles had estimated that a new pump would cost about £800 and the total cost including fitting would probably be over £1000. They could however get a second-hand pump which they had in view and the cost of this including overhauling it and fitting would should not exceed £400. The pump would do all that was required.
Res. That B&P be instructed to obtain the second-hand pump and fit it.
Mr Duxbury said he hoped to be able to commence the rebuilding of the wall at WH adjoining Sidebottom's very soon. He also reported that he had in hand the provision of the necessary fire escape in Clarke's premises at Butts Mill.
Ed Wood.

July 9th 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £16830-8-7 debit, rents owing £1979-0-8. Accounts paid.
Reported that Exors of Herbert Clark wanted to sell 1053 shares and would be willing to receive offers for the same.
Res. That Accounts be approved, AGM to be called for August 20th and 5% dividend recommended.
R Jacques.

August 20th 1953
R Jacques chair. Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £15159-8-9 debit, rents owing £1449-17-3. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares approved. 59 shares from Exors of Harold Strickland to Elsie M Harrison. 26 shares from Exors of Joseph W Askham to Mary Alice Askham. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Clarke's Mattresses complaining of serious raining in. Mr Duxbury said he was continuing to do all he could to keep the roof in good condition short of re-roofing which would be very expensive.
Mr Duxbury reported that Clarke's had agreed to pay a part of the increased insurance premium due to their tenancy [Flammable materials used and considered higher risk by the insurance companies.]
Res. That the secretary should suggest an increase of £20 per year making a total rent payable by them of £600 when full rent comes into operation on February 1st 1954. [Pencil note in margin; 'Agreed'.]
Various complaints about raining in at Nutter Brothers and G S Sidebottom and flooding at Brown and Pickles were considered. It was pointed out that the latter was due to the raising of the level of Wellhouse Road and that the Borough Surveyor was looking into this.
Ed Wood.

No minute of AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: net profit for the year of £4455-17-3, dividend of 5% less tax and £13,703-5-2 carried over.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley July 27th 1953.

September 17th 1953
E Wood chair. Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £13933-11-4 debit, rents owing £1552-19-11. Accounts paid.
Two letters from John C Carlson were read. The first contained a suggestion from their fire insurance surveyor that the glass panes of two windows from Clarke's Mattresses overlooking Carlson's roof lights should be protected to minimise fire risk.
Res. That they be informed that this would be attended to by Mr Duxbury.
The second letter asked for permission to dispose of old and useless heating and lighting equipment which had been replaced by new material and stating that if and when they vacate the premises they would see that the lighting and heating equipment was in good order.
Res. That this be agreed on the understanding laid out in their letter.
A letter from Jackson, Stop and Staff [High end national estate agents] was read stating that they had instructions from the Exors of Colonel Royds to offer his Rochdale Estate for sale by auction on November 4th and asking whether CHSC were interested in the ground rents payable to the estate.
Res. That Further particulars be obtained and the matter considered at the next meeting.
N M Barrett.

October 15th 1953
N Barrett chair. Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14334-1-5 debit, rents owing £1326-1-2. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Exors of Herbert Clark; 600 shares to Edith Mary Brown. 227 to George Robert Cook. 226 to John Whitfield Overinge. Seal cert etc.
Further consideration was given to the question of ground rents of £10 and £20 payable to Royds.
Res. That Messrs N M Barrett and A V Hedges attend the auction at Manchester on November 4th with authority to purchase the ground rents if they could be obtained at a reasonable cost.
Mr Hedges stated he was to see Mr Whitaker at his request re the overdraft.
Following the meeting Mr Hedges saw Mr Whitaker who asked for a limit of £15,000 over the next six months. The charge for Bank Interest had been reduced from 5% to 4½% from September 18th.
Ed Wood.

November 19th 1953
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £13101-6-1 debit, rents owing £1507-7-4. Accounts paid.
The secretary reported that £96-50 had been received from the Receiver of Grove Engineering in respect of the claim made for dilapidations by CHSC.
It was reported that it had not been possible to arrange with the auctioneers to deal separately with the two ground rents of £30 payable by CHSC to Royds. The lot in which these rents had been included was not sold. An offer was made on behalf of CHSC of £300 (ten year's rental), this was not accepted and the auctioneers asked £420.
Res. That £420 be offered for the ground rents. [Pencil note in margin; 'Purchased'.]
A letter was received from the BUDC engineer regarding means of escape in case of fire at WH Mill.
Res. That the necessary work be put in hand.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: From Exors of Isabella Campbell: 135 shares to Annie Waller. 135 to Joseph Henry Dent. 135 to Catherine J Wolfenden. 135 to Elizabeth E Sheldrick. From Exors of Mary Ann Heap: 87 shares to John Cunliffe Heap. 88 to Harry Atkinson Heap.
A tender from Tidswell and Saunders Ltd for an additional armoured cable from the engine house at WH Mill to E Midgley and Co's space at £165 was considered.
Res. That this work should be put in hand but that enquiry should first be made as to the cost of a cable capable of carrying additional voltage. [Current? I think that the directors are doing some forward thinking to when all electric running would come in.]
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% be paid.
Ed Wood.

December 17th 1953
E Wood chair. Horsfield, R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14848-16-0 debit (after paying dividend and Schedule 'A' Tax) rents owing £819-11-3. Accounts paid.
Consideration was given to openings for windows made by Blin and Blin in the wall of the warehouse at CH Shed. It was pointed out that they would be responsible for making these good at the end of their lease. It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should mention this to them when a suitable opportunity arose.
Res. That the purchase of the rents of £30 payable to Royd at £420 be approved and confirmed. (£20 per annum for land in WH Mill yard and £10 for land under the Pigeon Hole at Butts)
Ed Wood.

January 21st 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14377-13-4 debit, rents owing £1784-19-9. Accounts paid.
Reported that in accordance with the minute of November 19th a stronger electric cable had been ordered from Tidswell and Saunders for £210.
Transfer of 57 shares from Gerald Fawcett to Miss Gertrude Wright Pickup be sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
R Jacques.

February 18th 1954
R Jacques chair, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14627-0-8 debit, rents owing £1766-10-11. Accounts paid.
Mr Duxbury reported that the tank at WH Mill was in a very bad condition. It was not being used for storage of water [after installation of the pump] but the bottom acted as the roof for the part of the building it covered and to remove the 60 feet by 30 feet tank and re-roof would cost about £1000.
Res. That temporary repairs be carried out and that consideration be given to what should be done to make a permanent job.
Mr Duxbury also reported that Brown and Pickles wanted to enlarge the entrance door into the old laundry. [First mention that they had taken it during the war.] They were prepared to carry out the work at their own expense providing CHSC agreed.
Res. That the company gives this agreement.
Ed Wood.

March 18th 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £14636-17-10 debit, rents owing £2226-1-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 338 shares from Carla Estates Ltd to Harold Duxbury and 8 shares from Mary Edmondson to J V Patrick sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Ed Wood.

April 15th 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £13003-16-2 debit, rents owing £2128-13-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That a letter be written to BUDC saying that unless CHSC could be assured that the council would take steps to rectify the position re surface water on land adjoining Valley Road, the matter would have to be put in other hands with a view to proceedings being taken.
Mr Hedges reported that following the meeting he was to see Mr Whitaker at Martins Bank re the overdraft limit. [Pencil note;'Limit was fixed at £13,000 for the next six months.']
Ed Wood.

May 27th 1954
E Wood chair. Horsfield, R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £11801-14-3 debit, rents owing £1616-19-1. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 39 shares from Charles C Plummer to Arthur Plummer sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Two letters from the Clerk to BUDC dated April 24th and 25th were read. The Council once more disclaimed any responsibility for the outflow of their surface water drain on Valley Road through and into land at WH Mill.
Res. That the matter be out in the hands of Smith Smith solicitor of Burnley.
It was reported that Brown and Pickles had estimated that it would cost about £330 to supply the necessary 3” pipe and valves for 8 additional fire hydrants at WH Mill.
Res. That this be put in hand as it could result in a substantial reduction in the fire insurance.
Mr Duxbury reported that the Fire Brigade Officer had suggested that a telephone should be installed at the home address of the engineer at WH so that he could quickly be notified in case of fire.
Res. That this be done.
Mr Duxbury reported that negotiations were proceeding for Clarke's to take over the offices at present occupied by H Proctor.
Mr Hedges reported that at his meeting with Mr Whitaker and an overdraft limit of £13,000 for the next six months had been agreed.
Ed Wood.

June 17th 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £11381-6-3 debit, rents owing £2033-8-2. Accounts paid.
Mr Hedges reported that he had seen Smith Smith re the flooding problem at WH Mill and they were to write to BUDC on the matter.
Res. That the next meeting be held on July 22nd.
Reported that Foster's (Harry Proctor) had given up both top and bottom floors of the offices at Butts Mill and that Clarke's were taking them over. It was agreed that the extra rent to be charged to Clarke's and the reduction in Foster's rent be left to Mr Duxbury.
Ed Wood.

July 22nd 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £10092-6-3 debit, rents owing £1717-9-10. Accounts paid.
Res. That accounts for the year be approved subject to a charge of £500 for depreciation. That a dividend of 10% for the half-year be recommended making a total for the year of 7½% less tax. AGM to be on August 26th.
A letter was read from Rolls Royce enquiring about the possibility of renting storage space at WH Mill.
Res. That the shed portion (about 10,800 square feet) now occupied by James Slater for storage of looms be offered to them at £600 per annum to include heating and rates providing James Slater were not prepared to pay that amount. [A no-brainer I think!]
R Jacques.

No minute of the AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for year of £7677-4-2. Ground rents purchased. Total dividend for year of 7½% recommended and £18,872-19-3 carried forward.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 3rd 1954.

August 26th 1954
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £10325-3-9 debit, rents owing 1488-15-7. Accounts paid.
Reported that Smith Smith had received a reply from BUDC re flooding at WH. BUDC said they had appointed a sub-committee together with the engineer surveyor and the clerk to meet the directors on site to clear up the matter and that a date would be set as soon as possible.
It was reported that James Slater felt they could not pay £600 per annum for the space at WH but they offered to pay £500 for period of five years on the understanding that if they re-commenced weaving the normal weaving shed rent would be paid. Mr Hedges had then spoken to Mr Riker of Rolls Royce who said that at the moment they were only really interested in about one third of the shed floor for storing machine tools though he hoped that they would eventually want the whole of the shed floor space.
Res. That the whole of the shed floor be offered to RR at a rent of £600 per annum, they to pay rates and CHSC to provide heating up to the present standard subject to a proportionate increase in charges if costs increase, the shed floor to be left vacant for the time being.
A letter was read from the Highways and Bridges department of West Riding CC saying that the question of improving Coates Bridge was under consideration and asking if CHSC would be prepared to sell Coates House and any necessary land to the County Council.
Res. That they be informed that the CHSC would be prepared to sell the house and land at the same time enquiring how much land was required and the price the County Council had in mind.
The question of increasing the cover for insurance of the boilers at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That the cover be increased and that the matter, together with the possibility of changing the insurance company be left in the hands of the secretary.
The question of insurance against damage of the new electric hoists at WH Mill was considered.
Res. That further enquiries be made about this matter.
Ed Wood.

September 16th 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, J W Patrick, H Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £8990-10-9 debit, rents owing £1486-17-5.
It was reported that Smith Smith had heard from BUDC suggesting Friday September 10th for a meeting on site to discuss the flooding at WH Mill. It had however not been possible to arrange a meeting for that day and a further date was awaited.
Mr Hedges reported that he had written to Mr Riker of Rolls Royce setting out the terms on which CHSC would be agreeable to letting the space now occupied by James Slater Ltd as decided at the last meeting. No reply had yet been received but he understood that Mr Riker was submitting the proposals to his head office at Derby.
It was also reported that a reply had been received from WRCC Highways and Bridges stating that as CHSC was not able to offer vacant possession of the house at Coates Canal Bridge it was not proposed to pursue the matter further at the present time. It was stated however that if restrictions placed on road improvements [by the government] were eased the department would communicate with the CHSC again.
The question of insurance against damage of the electric hoists was considered.
Res. That this be not done as it was felt that the benefits were not worth the cost of the insurance.
Mr Duxbury reported that all the requirements of the BUDC re means of escape in case of fire at WH Mill had been complied with and that he would apply to BUDC for the necessary certificate.
The question of an increase in cottage rents under the Housing Repairs and Rents Act of 1954 was considered.
Res. That if increases were found to be applicable under the Act the rents should be increased and the procedures outlined under the Act followed.
Ed Wood.

October 21st 1954
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £9031-15-1 debit, rents owing £1334-1-4.
A report was given of the site meeting with BUDC re flooding at WH Mill. At the meeting the BUDC surveyor produced a plan showing a proposed scheme of layout of the land adjoining the road which was signed in one corner by Mr Atkinson as being approved by CHSC in January 1908 which showed a drain marked in red as running onto CHSC land. [Oh dear....] Following this meeting a letter had been received by Smith Smith stating that BUDC could accept no responsibility whatsoever as in their view the plan was regarded as evidence that the pipe onto CHSC land was in existence at that time and had been for some years and that the company was aware of the fact and that the pipe had not been put in without the company's consent. Mr Hedges said that since the receipt of that letter Smith Smith had written to him to say that they considered that whether the company was aware or not of the pipe discharging water onto their land the local authority could claim to have acquired a right by prescription to discharge such water having enjoyed such a right for over 40 years. Mr Hedges said that he had turned up a minute dated February 12th 1908 which stated: “That we allow the Council to connect their top water drain in Wellhouse Road at a rent” but there were no records existing to say that such a rent had been paid for a considerable number of years. After discussion it was agreed that Mr Patrick should look to see if there was any mention in papers left by the late Mr Banks and that Mr Hedges should then further discuss the matter with Mr Knagg of Smith and Smith. Subject to this Mr Hedges should than write to the Council stating that CHSC could not accept their contention. It was considered however that it would not be possible to do anything further in the matter.
The question of the charge for heating supplied to Brown and Pickles through about 200 feet of pipes in the Laundry was discussed and it was agreed that Mr Duxbury should look into the boiler at present providing the heating with a view to arriving at a suitable charge.
Mr Duxbury mentioned the provision of a loading bay shelter for Horsfield's at WH Mill. It was considered that this accommodation should be provided and that it would be a reasonable suggestion for the tenant and CHSC to each bear half the cost. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury see Mr Ewart Horsfield to discuss the matter.
Mr Hedges reported that he was to call on Mr Whitaker at his request after the meeting re the overdraft. (At this meeting Mr Whitaker agreed that the limit of the overdraft be lowered from £13,000 to £10,000.)
R Jacques.

November 18th 1954
R Jacques chair. J W Patrick, H Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £7727-8-11 debit. Rents owing £1763-10-11. Accounts paid.
Mr Duxbury said that Clarke's Mattresses were interested in the space at WH Mill occupied by James Slater and he thought they would pat £1000 rent per annum including heating. He had seen Rolls re their interest in the space but they said they weren't in a position to take the space immediately and had no objection to Clarke's taking it.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury see Clarke's and suggest they put an offer in writing of £1000 per annum and if this was received it would be accepted providing they pay the rates and that arrangements could be made with James Slater for early termination of their tenancy.
Mr Hedges read a letter received from WD&E Nutter dated November 8th 1954 regarding what they described as the shocking state of repair of their warehouse floor and the main alleys in the shed. It was reported that the floors needed attention.
Res. That Mr Duxbury put the necessary work in hand.
A report was given of a meeting on Tuesday November 9th with WRCC Surveyors Department. CHSC represented by Messrs Duxbury, Patrick and A V Hedges. A plan had been produced showing a scheme for the widening Coates Bridge which involved the demolition of Bridge House. The question of vacant possession had arisen but the tenant said he would move if BUDC gave him a council house which it was thought could be done. This had been the main difficulty and the WRCC representatives said that the scheme, though provisional, would be submitted for approval to the Ministry.
A letter from John C Carlson Ltd dated November 4th was read in which they requested permission two knock down two brick walls in what were previously rest rooms which they said would improve the premises. Following a report from Mr Duxbury this was approved.
Res. That this action be and is hereby confirmed.
The question of rent increases for house property under the Housing Repairs and Rent Act of 1954 was considered. It was agreed that the following increases under the Act be notified to the tenants:
38 Calf Hall Road, increase of 3/6 to 19/1 per week. Butts Cottage, increase of 2/6½ to 13/9½ per week. Bridge House at Coates, increase of 3/7 to 19/10 per week. Mr Duxbury explained the position of the tenant, Mr King. It was agreed that no increase be asked for 11 West Close Road occupied by E Marshall, assistant engineer at WH Mill.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% be set for the half year, the intention being to recommend 10% for the next half year making 7½% less tax for the full year.
It was reported that a loading shelter for Horsfield (Bankfield) Ltd [WH] had been constructed at a cost of about £56 of which the tenant was to pay £15.
Mr Duxbury said that he had not yet gone into the question of heating in the old Laundry at WH occupied by Brown and Pickles but he would be dealing with the matter shortly. [Note in margin says: 'Agreed £78 per annum charged monthly on rent account'.]
R Jacques.

December 16th 1954
R Jacques chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £8489-18-1 debit, rents owing £1022-17-5.
A letter was read from Clarke's Mattresses Ltd dated November 30th 1954 in which it was stated that they were prepared to take the Slater space at WH at a rent of £1000 to include heating from March 31st 1955. Mr Hedges said that he had arranged for Tom Clarke to meet James Slater at WH and he understood that James Slater Ltd had agreed to give vacant possession by March 31st 1955.
Res. That formal notice be sent to James Slater Ltd and that confirmation be sent to Mr Clarke of acceptance of their offer with the suggestion that they should also pay the rates and make a reasonable contribution to any increase in insurance premiums if the fire risk is increased by their tenancy.
A letter from G S Sidebottom dated December 10th was read re the erection of a garage on the spare land adjacent to their entrance at WH Mill. Mr Duxbury said he had called to see them and was arranging for the re-siting of the garage. It was agreed that confirmation of this should be sent to them and asking them to say what they had in mind for the erection of a structure for storage.
Ed Wood.

March 17th 1955
[Long gap but no mistake]
Ed Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minute as read.
Bank account £8792-10-7, rents owing £1488-10-4. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Slater's were vacating WH Mill and Clarke's would take possession from April 1st.
It was reported that a Certificate of Disrepair had been received from the BUDC clerk in respect of Bridge House. In view of the likelihood of the house having to be pulled down before long to fit in with the widening of Coates Canal Bridge:
Res. That the proposed increase of rent under the Housing Repairs and Rent Act be not proceeded with.
It was reported that E Midgley and Co had raised the matter of charges for electrical power. Mr Hedges said he would look further into the matter.
Mr Duxbury reported on the position re proposals for an extension at WH Mill of the portion occupied by G S Sidebottom and Co. He said that they had produced plans which he thought would involve a cost of about £1200 and they had given him the impression that they would be willing to pay half the cost. It was pointed out that the roof of the present lean-to was in bad condition and that if the extension was not proceeded with the repairs necessary to it would cost between £300 to £400.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see them, the feeling of the board being that they would be agreeable to their suggestion being carried out subject to agreement on details.
Mr Duxbury said that it had been suggested that the means of access used by the engineer past the North side of WH Mill from the engine house round to the lodge was a public footpath.
Res. That it be put on record that this was not so and it was pointed out that it had previously been prevented by a gate and also that access had been completely stopped for a fortnight during December last to enforce the CHSC right, no protest having been received.
Ed Wood.

April 21st 1955
Ed Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minute as read.
Bank account £6548-0-10, rents owing £1308-19-8. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Clarke's had taken up the WH tenancy from April 1st 1955 at £1054 per annum including rates and that they also retained their tenancy at Butts Mill at £652 per annum excluding rates making a total of £1706 per annum.
Res. That a new share certificate be issued for 48 shares to Clarence Smith and Melba Waite, Exors of Elizabeth Smith who had signed a form of request to that affect. An enquiry had been received to see if there was any purchaser for the 48 shares and Mr Patrick had bought them at 9/6 each.
Mr Duxbury stated that he had seen G S Sidebottom re the proposed extension at WH Mill. In view of the present recession in the cotton trade they wished to leave the matter over for the time being but had said they definitely wanted to proceed with the matter when trade improved. [Hope still sprang eternal of better days to come but with hindsight the Barlick weaving trade was dying on its feet. By 1979 only a few looms were still running, Bendem, the modern incarnation of B&EM Holden had a small weaving shed in WH Mill running on individual electric motors. Pickles were still running at Long Ing but had converted to knitting.]
The question of electricity provided for power purposes to E Midgley and Co at WH Mill was further discussed. Mr Duxbury said that they had promised to let him have the invoice for electricity provided by the Yorkshire Electricity Board [lighting] as soon as it was received for the current quarter. Mr Duxbury would then forward the invoice to Mr Hedges for further consideration.
A letter from WRCC Highways and Bridges dated April 20th was read in which the County Surveyor asked if it was possible to delay the re-letting of Bridge House for the time being until he was in a position to say whether negotiations could be opened for the purchase of the property.
Res. That he be informed that the re-letting would not be proceeded with for the time being.
Mr Hedges said he had been requested to see Mr Whitaker re the overdraft after the meeting. [At this meeting it was agreed that the overdraft limit be £8500 for the next six months.]
Ed Wood.

May 26th 1955
Ed Wood chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minute as read.
Bank account £5949-0-10, rents owing £1812-15-8. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Exors of Mr Burridge to Ernest Burridge, 159 shares and 159 to George Burridge. From Clarence Smith and Melba Waite to J V Patrick, 48 shares. All seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury said he had seen Midgley's re the electricity charges and Mr Midgley was going to go into the matter further after which Mr Duxbury thought that a mutually satisfactory arrangement could be arrived at.
Mr Hedges read a letter Fro WRCC Highways and Bridges at Count Hall, Wakefield dated May 19th saying that the Divisional Road Engineer had given his approval to the District Valuer being asked to negotiate for the land and property of Bridge House which would be required for the widening of Coates Canal Bridge and enclosing a plan on which he asked for the boundaries of the land owned by CHSC to be shown after which the DV would communicate with CHSC on the purchase.
Res. That a letter be sent to BUDC pointing out that something would have to be done about the surface water drain from Valley Road which discharged on CHSC land at WH Mill as the land was to be put in use and asking if BUDC would meet CHSC re expenditure rather than the matter being taken to law.
Ed Wood.

June 30th 1955
R Jacques chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury Barrett and A V Hedges. Minute as read.
A report was given of the fire at Butts Mill which occurred on June 28th 1955 and completely destroyed part of the portion occupied by Clarke's Mattresses consisting of the two spaces taken over by them from Mrs Whipp and the engine house. The portions still usable by Clarke's consisted of the portion previously used by Electrification Ltd and the offices recently let to them.
Mr Duxbury said he had seen Mr Tom Clarke who was anxious to continue his tenancy at Butts Mill but had stated that the two portions left could not be workable without further accommodation at Butts and had asked what the intentions of CHSC were re re-building. He was now working two shifts at WH Mill but this was not sufficient.
Mr Hedges said that Aspden and Johnson the insurance assessors acting for CHSC had reported that they considered CHSC was covered for the damage done and there should be no difficulty in obtaining a satisfactory settlement. They were in touch with the assessors acting for the insurance company and hoped to be able to give some definite information within ten days.
Mr Duxbury said that Carlson's would definitely be interested as he thought they would like to have the opportunity of having a good entrance at this end of the mill. Mr Carlson was at present abroad on holiday but Mr Duxbury said he would contact him on his return. In the meantime he did not think the walls were in a dangerous state and said he would take the necessary steps to prevent unauthorised access to the damaged portion.
Considerable discussion ensued and after an examination of the damaged premises had been made:
Res. That further consideration be deferred pending a settlement with the insurance company.
Ed Wood.

July 21st 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3770-19-0 debit, rents owing 2005-9-5. Accounts paid.
Balance sheet for the year approved as read. AGM to be called for Tuesday August 30th and that 10% dividend be recommended for the half year making 7½% for the year.
A letter from WD&E Nutter asking for an increase in the allowance for stopped looms was read. It was stated that this question was at the moment receiving attention by the RP Owners Association and that an additional allowance for stopped looms was contemplated.
A letter from WRCC enclosing a plan showing which land would be required for widening Coates Bridge was read. [This keeps being referred to as widening the bridge but was in fact a complete reconstruction to lower the crown of the old bridge and re-grade the steep slope leading up to it.] The letter asked the price at which CHSC would be prepared to sell Bridge House and part of the land adjoining. It was agreed that £600 be asked.
A letter from the London Assurance Co regarding an increase in fire insurance premium at WH Mill due to the Clarke tenancy was considered.
It was agreed that the suggestion by the insurance company to limit the increase in premium be carried out.
Reference was made to the Butts Mill fire of June 28th and instructions were given to Mr Duxbury to carry out the work necessary to clear up and make safe the portion of the wall affected.
Mr Duxbury said he would see Mr Midgley re the charge for electric power as soon as Barnoldswick holidays was over.
Ed Wood.

August 30th 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £4640-5-3, rents owing £85-18-1. [Not including August rents]
Mr Duxbury reported that he had taken the District Valuer round Bridge House and land and after speaking to Mr Hedges had verbally agreed a provisional price of £650. Nothing had yet been received in writing from the DV.
Res. That this provisional agreement is hereby confirmed.
It was reported that a letter had been received from the BUDC Surveyor dated August 15th setting recommendations required to be carried out at Butts Mill before a Certificate of Means of Escape in case of fire (Factories Act 1937) could be issued. A number of these recommendations could be easily carried out but some might be affected by what may be decided to be done in the way of reconstruction after the fire in the portion occupied by Clarke's Mattresses Ltd.
It was also reported that a letter dated August 26th had been received from the BUDC Surveyor containing recommendations for work needed at WH Mill before a similar certificate could be issued. This letter stated that the recommendations outstanding in February 1951 had been generally carried out but that some further suggestions were now made. Mr Duxbury said he had seen the Surveyor in connection with these.
It was agreed that a reply should be sent to the surveyor dealing with the points in detail as some of the recommendations conflicted with insurance company requirements.
It was reported that a letter had been received from the BUDC clerk dated August 6th dealing with the surface drain from Valley Road stating that BUDC had obtained Counsel's Opinion which said that by reason of the number of years the pipe in question had been in existence and other circumstances, the BUDC had established a prescriptive right to the pipe and its use and that BUDC was therefore justified in refusing the CHSC request to remove the pipe or share in the expense of dealing with the question. BUDC were therefore not prepared to accept any responsibility in the matter.
It was reported that a letter had been received from the fire assessors acting for the insurance company re the CHSC claim for loss consequent on the fire at Butts of June 28th. They agreed to a loss of £17,728 (including £328 for loss of rent) and as they had sent their report to the insurance company payment could be expected during September.
Res. That after the receipt of the fire compensation the cash not needed for current use should be placed in a deposit account with the bank.
Ed Wood.

No minutes for AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for year ending June 30th 1955 £6395-6-0. Interim dividend of 5% was paid for half year ending December 31st 1954. Dividend for this half year 10% making 7½% for the year.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 5th 1955.

October 20th 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1042-8-11 credit (in addition to a deposit account of £13,000) and rents owing £1556-18-3. [It's an ill will that blows nobody any good. The fire at Butts has advanced the day when finally, the CHSC climbs out of the hole created by WW2 and subsequent trading conditions.]
Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 96 shares from Ernest Proctor to Phyllis Bury. 32 shares from Susannah Harrison to Elisha Harrison. From Exors of Edith Jacques: 43 shares to Mary Young. 38 to Janet Reed. 47 to L P Jacques. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that £17728 had been received from the insurance companies re the fire at Butts Mill and that £13,000 had been placed on deposit with the bank on September 12th at 2½% interest and subject to one week's notice of withdrawal.
Correspondence re means of escape at WH Mill was read and it was agreed that the necessary steps be taken to deal with the matters specified.
Mr Duxbury said he had seen Mr Midgley re the electric power but that Mr Midgley had suggested the matter be left over until he had seen his next quarter's account from YEB.
Ed Wood.

November 17th 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1927-2-0, rents owing £2299. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 200 shares from W C R Carr to Ed Wood. From administrators of E Bell: 30 shares to Lucy Sutcliffe. 30 to Edward Bell. 100 shares from Elizabeth Mitchell to Elsie B Patrick. All seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury reported on a further conversation with Mr Midgley and that the charge for electric power for the last half year (which on CHSC rate worked out at 1.85d per unit) would, if based on the YEB tariff have worked out at just over 1d per unit. It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see Mr Midgley and suggest a charge of 1¼d per unit.
It was reported that the district valuer had written confirming the tentative agreement made between his representative and Mr Duxbury for the sale to WRCC of Bridge House and the land adjoining for £650 and that he had now issued a report to WRCC.
Mr Duxbury said that Rolls Royce were interested in the remaining part of the land at Coates Wharf.
Res. That he be authorised to negotiate with them for the sale of the land at £125.
A letter was read from the BUDC Surveyor asking that he should be informed when the additional door through the exterior wall of WH Mill onto the footpath adjoining had been broken out so that the necessary inspection for fire purposes could be made.
It was reported that six months notice had been received from Nutter Brothers of their intention to vacate their portion at WH Mill on April 30th 1956.
Res. That as Rolls Royce were interested in a tenancy at WH Mill Messrs Duxbury and Hedges be and are hereby empowered to meet representatives of RR with a view to arranging a tenancy. It was suggested that a reasonable figure would be £1500 to include heating as at present, the tenants to be responsible for repairs and paying the rates. Alternatively £1250 per annum without heating with steam to be supplied at an agreed rate through a meter, a suggested term to be a seven years lease with an option of another seven years the tenant to have a six months break clause in the second seven year term.
It was also agreed that CHSC would be willing to contribute £500 towards putting the premises in a suitable condition.
It was reported that the fire insurance company's surveyor Mr Blundell together with the Fire Brigade Chief had inspected and approved the pump recently installed at WH Mill and that therefore a reduction on the premium should be obtainable.
Res. That an interim dividend should be paid on December 16th 1955 at 5% per annum lees tax for six months.
Ed Wood.

December 15th 1955
E Wood chair. Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2764-9-10, deposit account £13000 and rents owing £1167-5-7. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from WD&E Nutter complaining about the heavy cost of rent because they had so few looms running. Mr Hedges said he had replied pointing out that rent was fixed by the RPA agreement and CHSC was bound by this. He had however promised to bring the letter to the attention of the directors. Mr Duxbury said he had repeatedly pointed out to the firm that if they were unable to use the spaces in their tenancy they should reduce the number of looms to what they could use.
Res. That the matter be left over. [This is a classic case of a firm permanently short of work but refusing to face the fact and contract. Surprising really because Wilfred Nutter was a smart cookie. However, he is ageing and perhaps wasn't willing to face facts.]
Mr Hedges gave a report of a meeting between himself, Duxbury and Patrick with Rolls Royce on Nov 21st 1955 re the proposal that the part of WH being vacated by Nutter Brothers should be let to RR. Following this meeting a letter had been sent to them on November 23rd setting out the CHSC terms, this being on the lines set out in the meeting of directors on November 17th. Rolls Royce however being given the alternative of paying £1250 per annum if they carry out repairs. Alternatively CHSC to do repairs and rent to be £1750.
It was agreed that the terms of the letter of November 23rd be approved and that if necessary CHSC would be agreeable to accept a rent of £1550 in place of £1750 and to increase the suggested allowance of £500 to £1000.
Mr Duxbury said that the additional door through the exterior wall at WH Mill in premises occupied by Clarke's Mattresses onto the footpath had been broken out and that other fire precautions at the premises had been dealt with, with the exception of a fireproof door to the generator room re which the advice of the insurance co should be obtained.
R Jacques.

January 19th 1956
R Jacques chair. Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1318-7-7 credit, deposit £13,000, rents owing £2111-15-11.
Further correspondence read with RR re the proposed tenancy. A draft lease on the basis approved at the previous meeting, yearly rent of £1550 and an allowance for the first year of £1000 had been prepared by Smith Smith. This was read and approved and was to be forwarded to RR for their comments.
Mr Duxbury said he had further enquiries from RR for space at WH Mill for 10,000 to 30,000 square feet. It was agreed that if this request should materialise, Mr Hedges should write to WD&E Nutter re their letter of November 30th asking if it would be of any help to give up some of the space occupied by them. This might be suitable for Rolls Royce.
The secretary said he had been requested to find buyers for 23 shares from Mrs L Schofield and 57 from Exors of A Wallbank. Mr Patrick offered 9/- per share for the 23 but there was no offer for the 57 shares.
It was reported that the London Assurance Co had paid £92-11-3 re a small fire at CH Shed on October 3rd 1055 this being the cost of repairs to the roof paid for by Blin and Blin and that this amount had been forwarded to them.
It was agreed that YEB be allowed to place an electric cable below ground in the yard at WH Mill subject to them paying an easement of 2/- per annum.
Mr Duxbury said that Mr Osgood of Carlson's had seen him and stated that they were not interested in the portion of Butts Mill now occupied by Clarke's Mattresses nor the portion damaged by fire. Mr Duxbury said that he was arranging for the completion of the removal of the fire debris after which it would be necessary to consider what was to be done with the property. [Not stated but it sounds as though Clarke's are leaving Butts. At about this time they took over Clough Mill and I suspect this is what had happened.]
R Jacques.

February 16th 1956
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £396-12-2, rents owing £3030-12-2. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 78 shares from Exors of Clara Hargreaves to Elizabeth Hargreaves. 23 shares from Mrs Louisa Schofield to J V Patrick. Seal cert etc.
A request from the Postmaster General to place a stay on land at WH was approved. [It was still Post Office Telephones and this was a supporting stay for a pole not on CHSC land.]
The question of charges for electric power was again considered following a request from Midgley's and also from WD&E Nutter. Mr Hedges reported that at a recent meeting of the RPA it had been agreed that members could agree their own charges for electricity for tenants.
Res. That electricity should be charged at 1½d per unit to tenants at WH Mill. [Many of the looms and other plant were now being driven by individual electric motors so the engine is providing both shaft power and electric power from the big alternator which had been installed earlier.]
It was reported that a draft lease of the former Nutter Brothers space had been forwarded to RR who had acknowledged receipt of it and said that any further communication would be sent to Smith and Smith.
Mr Duxbury reported quotations he had received for the shafting to be removed from the former Nutter Brothers' premises.
Res. That this be sold to George Rushworth of Colne. The shafting to be removed and delivered at Colne by Brown and Pickles. [It's obvious that CHSC has seen the future and removal of the shafting is a tacit acknowledgement that the old industry is finished. Firms like RR and Clarke's Mattresses are working in the modern economy at realistic profit margins. The weaving industry is contracting and battling against a flood of cheap imports from countries who formerly were their customers.]
Mr Duxbury said that the removal of fire debris would be finished in about a week and the directors should consider what to do with the property.
Mr Duxbury said he had had a request from WD&E Nutter for a reduction in rent and electricity charges. It was pointed out that RPA agreements could not be altered but as stated in previous minutes a reduction in electricity charges could be made.
Res. That Messrs Duxbury and Hedges see WD&E Nutter after the meeting.
WH Mill water supply. Mr Duxbury suggested that it might be an advantage to CHSC to acquire land adjoining WH Mill through which the Bowker Drain ran if the owners would sell at a reasonable price. [The Bowker drain is a mystery enfolded in an enigma. It was the main supply of water for the dams at WH Mill from 1853 onwards, had been the subject of court cases and was the supply of water to the well in Eastwood Bottoms in land owned by the Roundell Estate to whom CHSC are still paying an annual rent. I had many verbal evidences that use of the water in the drain was always seen as vaguely illegal, certainly everybody clammed up when I got on the subject. Harold knew more than most about the drain and as contractor for Rolls Royce he re-piped much of it with 9” concrete pipes. RR did this because they used water from it for foul water supplies at Bankfield Shed. You'll get some idea of the clandestine nature of any enquiry if I tell you that one evening a roll of plans was popped through my front room window in King Street in the 1980s and I never knew who was responsible. However, these plans of the Bowker Drain show how well it was surveyed and what concerns us here is that one of the drawings is dated January 1955 and I suspect that by February 1956 Harold Duxbury was involved in contracting for improvements to the drain for RR. This may be what is at the root of his advice above.]
Ed Wood.

March 15th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £3162-16-1 credit, rents owing £1132-11-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares from Isabella Walker to Robert Walker and a new share certificate for 440 shares in the name of Dorothy Agnes Reid deceased for which a Form of Indemnity had been provided by her executors. Seal cert etc.
A letter received February 17th from YEB was read in which they asked for security of tenure for a sub-station to be erected at WH for RR. The YEB stated that they would look to CHSC to bear the cost of the work, £200 a comprehensive form of agreement was enclosed for signature. Mr Hedges stated he had replied that he understood RR had already agreed to provide the raft, steps and railings and the work was going forward. CHSC were prepared to guarantee security of tenure and that in these circumstances it did not appear that the agreement requested by YEB was necessary.
A letter had been received from WRCC stating that they accepted the CHSC offer to sell the plot of land containing Bridge house to WRCC for £650 and asking CHSC to put the matter in the hands of their solicitors. This was being dealt with.
Mr Hedges reported that the preparation of the lease to RR of part of WH Mill was well forward, all important points had been agreed.
Mr Duxbury stated that Butts Mill was not yet ready for inspection and it was agreed that this be left until the next meeting.
Mr Barrett stated that he had talked to his brother [P Barrett and Son] about the sale to CHSC of land adjoining WH Mill through which the Bowker Drain ran and he thought this could be arranged providing a price could be agreed on.
Res. That the directors inspect the land at the next suitable opportunity.
Ed Wood.

March 22nd 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques and AV Hedges.
A lease was submitted by which CHSC leased to Rolls Royce a portion of WH Mill for seven years from March 1st 1956 at a rent of £550 for the first year and £1550 per annum thereafter with the option of a further term of seven years, such terms to be determinable by the tenant giving six months notice from any Quarter Day.
Res. That the CHSC seal be affixed and witnessed by two directors and the secretary.
Ed Wood.

April 19th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Horsfield, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1649-12-6, deposit account at 3½% was £14000 credit, rents owing £1919-1-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That £10,000 be invested in suitable securities, the matter to be considered at the next meeting.
Transfer of shares approved: 57 shares from Exors of Alice Wallbank to Albert Monks. From Exors of James Smith Watson: 50 shares to James Sterland Watson and 50 to Phyllis M Watson. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that Rolls Royce had requested that steam be supplied for heating from March 31st at WH Mill. Considerable discussion tool place as to the extra charge, as stipulated in the lease, for steam supplied outside mill hours.
Res. That Mr Hedges put the CHSC point of view to RR.
It was reported that following the accident to his foot, Tom Marshall the engineer at WH had suggested that he should ease off a little and that £1 of his wage should be transferred to Ernest Marshall his son. The feeling of the meeting was that Tom Marshall should not suffer financially and that Harold Duxbury have an informal talk with him on the matter.
It was agreed that further discussion re Butts Mill and the question of the land at WH be left until the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

May 17th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2101-11-1, rents owing £1435-16-9.
Res. That £10,000 be drawn from the deposit account and placed on deposit with the Marsden Building Society at 2¾% interest free of tax and subject to withdrawal on the signature of the secretary at six months notice.
Mr Duxbury reported that as suggested at the last meeting he had had a word with Tom Marshall and arranged that he should take things easier but that he should suffer no reduction in wage. He had also arranged that Tom's son Ernest be given a bonus of £1 per week.
A letter dated May 1st sent to Rolls Royce setting out the views of the directors at the last meeting was read and agreed. No reply yet received.
Res. That in the absence of N Barrett and Mr Horsfield, the inspection of Butts Mill be deferred till a later meeting.
Ed Wood.

June 4th 1956.
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, N Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Mr Hedges explained that the meeting had been called following an enquiry from Rolls Royce to Mr Duxbury as to whether CHSC was prepared to let to RR the portion of WH Mill now occupied by WD&E Nutter Ltd. Mr Duxbury had received the enquiry on Saturday and had been asked to give a reply today.
Mr Duxbury reported that he was continually pressed by WD&E Nutter for reductions in rent and understood that they were incurring heavy losses. Their associated company in Burnley had already given six months notice to terminate their tenancy there.
It was agreed that in view of the bad state of the cotton trade it would be in the best interests of CHSC to secure RR as a permanent tenant. Also, it was borne in mind that if any further part of WH became vacant RR would very likely be interested in that.
Res. That Mr Duxbury be authorised to tell RR that CHSC were prepared to negotiate a tenancy with them of WD&E Nutter's portion on a similar basis to the present lease, bearing in mind it would be necessary for CHSC to give six months notice to Nutter. [The first time I think that CHSC had given notice to a tenant paying rent instead of negotiating an exit. A good indication of the relative financial strength of the new industries compared to the cotton trade. It is instructive to note that this same mechanism had been at work since the war in wage levels inside the two sectors. Many weavers had opted for better pay and conditions in the new factories. It was common knowledge that a sweeper at Rolls Royce commanded better pay then a skilled weaver.]
Mr Duxbury also mentioned an enquiry by RR as to provision of space for parking cars and also whether CHSC would allow RR to have use of one of the boilers so that they could provide their own steam. It was agreed that he should tell them that something could be arranged on both points.
Mr Hedges read a letter he had received from RR dated May 17th re the charges for supply of steam and on Mr Duxbury's suggestion it was resolved that a reply be deferred pending the present negotiations.
Res. That at the AGM a dividend of 10% per annum be declared for the half year making 7½% for the full year less tax.
Ed Wood.

June 11th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, N M Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Mr Hedges read a letter dated June 6th 1956 received from Mr Russell of Rolls Royce Ltd at Derby enquiring for about 30,000 square feet of space at WH Mill adjacent to that already let to them. Following this letter Mr Hedges and Mr Duxbury had seen Mr Smith at RR Barnoldswick and had been informed by him that RR were definitely interested in the shed portion and ground floor warehouse occupied by WD&E Nutter which altogether was about 37,000 square feet. They were not however interested in the first and second floors of the warehouse. A figure of 10/- per square yard was mentioned this being similar to the rent paid by them for the space at WH they already had. Following the discussion Mr Hedges had written to Mr Russell at Derby on June 8th giving a summary of the discussion and pointing out that the space is currently occupied by WD&E Nutter who, however, were only running a small number of looms. To obtain possession CHSC would have to give the firm six months notice although earlier possession might be arranged by mutual consent.
Before taking any decision about giving Nutters notice it was felt that RR should confirm that they would take the space when it became available.
Res. That the views stated in the letter be confirmed and that Mr Hedges write accordingly to Mr Russell saying that on receipt of his letter a meeting of the directors of CHSC would be called.
Mr Duxbury said that RR had informed him on Tuesday June 5th that no more steam would be needed until September.
Res. That the three boilermen employed on three shift working should work normal mill hours and be employed for the time being on painting and other necessary repair work. [Evidently this was the CHSC response to Rolls wanting 24 hour heating.]
The question of the purchase of land adjoining WH Mill in connection with the water supply was mentioned. Mr Barrett said he would arrange for his brother to be available for inspection of the land after the next meeting.
Res. That future director's meeting be held at 2:30pm instead of 2pm.
Ed Wood.

June 21st 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £2173-6-4 credit and rents owing £1109-10-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That the common seal of CHSC be affixed to a conveyance from CHSC to WRCC of the land at Coates including Bridge House for £650.
A letter from Rolls Royce dated June 18th 1956 was read in which they stated that they were anxious to take 37,122 square feet of ground floor space at WH Mill adjoining the space they already occupied on terms similar to the present lease and thought they would be able to offer £500 per annum for the first and second floors of the warehouse although they were not really interested in that space. [I seem to remember that eventually they located their apprentice school in this space.]
Mr Hedges also read a letter dated June 19th which he had written to RR saying that subject to confirmation by his directors CHSC would be prepared to let the 37,122 square feet on the ground floor at £2060 per annum and the 17,080 square feet on the first and second floors for £500 but pointed out that a definite acceptance of this offer would be necessary before notice could be given to Nutters. The latter also suggested that when RR wished to bring that space into use the rent would be increased.
Res. That this letter be approved and that on acceptance by RR, six month's notice should be given to Nutters to determine the tenancy of the portion of WH Mill occupied by them.
The question of the installation of Audible Fire Alarms in the portion of Butts Mill occupied by Clarke's Mattresses [I was wrong, still there!] was considered.
Res. That enquiries be made of J D Ellison, electrical engineers.
Mr Duxbury reported he had received an enquiry from Brown and Pickles re a reduction in rent.
Res. That the question of area occupied and rent paid should be gone into.
The directors inspected the land adjacent to WH Mill through which the Bowker Drain ran and in which was situated the well from which WH Mill obtained its water supply for the boilers [and condenser] and for which an annual acknowledgement of £10 per year was paid. It was arranged with Messrs Barrett, the owners of the land that full particulars should be prepared by them which could be discussed at the next meeting.
It was agreed that an AGM be called for Tuesday August 30th at 2:30pm.
Ed Wood.

August 30th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4579-14-1, rents owing £501-10-1.
Transfers of shares: 42 shares from Exors of Sarah Thornber to Donald King. 50 from Exors of Fred Baxter to Donald H Baxter. 76 from Exors of Harcourt Suthers to Carrie C Suthers. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that RR had accepted the terms of tenancy set out in our letter of June 19th ans summarised in the minutes of the last meeting and that following this six months notice had been given to WD&E Nutter to terminate their tenancy on December 31st 1956. Nutters had acknowledged receipt of the notice stating they would vacate on December 31st. Following this a draft of the proposed lease had been sent to RR by the CHSC solicitors.
It was pointed out that the cross shafts would have to be removed from the premises to be taken by RR and this raised the question of the drive to the shafting in Midgley's portion. It was agreed that the best way to deal with this was to install three electric motors to drive two shafts each and one to drive the remaining shaft, all to be driven from the generator on the engine. [This was a generally accepted method of electrifying a shed with shaft-driven looms and no doubt B&P did the job, one they were well acquainted with.]
It was reported that as a consequence of stopping looms in Nutters it would be advisable to stop one side of the engine.
Res. That this should be done. [Remember that the WH engine was a double tandem, in effect a separate engine on each side. Stopping one side would mean a more economical load on the remaining engine. This was done by removing the connecting rod of the redundant engine and rearranging the steam supply.]
Res. That the question of rent paid by Brown and Pickles be left over till the next meeting when areas occupied by them would be submitted.
A tender received from J D Ellison for the installation of fire alarms was received:
Butts Mill, for the portion occupied by Clarke's Mattresses Ltd, £78.
WH Mill, Midgley's and Sidebottom's, £178.
WH Mill, Horsfield's and Clarke's, £266-15-0.
Res. That the tenders be accepted and the work to be put in hand provided that it was first approved by HMFI as conforming to the Factories Act.
A letter from Proctor Barrett and Son Ltd dated August 7th was read offering to sell the land at just over one acre bounded by Crow Nest Syke on the west and Back Roundell Road on the East this being the field through which the Bowker Drain passes and include the company's well for £450. They also stated that they would agree to sell the remaining land of approximately seven acres between Skipton Road and Long Ing Shed for £700 or the two parts together at £1000. They would also be prepared to sell the block of buildings on Vicarage Road for £2000.
Res. That this matter should be considered at the next meeting.
Ed Wood.

September 20th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £4087-16-6 credit, rents owing £1754-10-9. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 625 shares from Exors of Dora Parkin to Greenwood W Parkin. 14 from administrators of Mrs F Newsholme to A V Hedges. From Exors of George Proctor: 400 shares to Mary Young. 400 to Edith Janet Reed. 400 to Leonard P Jacques. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that further enquiries had been made into the running of the seven shafts in Midgley's portion at WH Mill previously driven through the space occupied by WD&E Nutter and now let to Rolls Royce Ltd. It had been found that it would be more economical to have six motors of 15hp each and one of 20hp to drive the seven shafts.
Res. That the necessary instructions be given for this to be done and also that the cross shafting in the space vacated be taken down and sold.
Further consideration was given to the verbal application made by Brown and Pickles for a reduction in the rent at WH of £378-4-0 per annum (including £78 for heating). It was felt that the rent charged was reasonable but after some consideration and in view of the long and amicable relationship which existed between CHSC and B&P it was resolved that a temporary reduction of £50 per annum be made.
The offer of Proctor Barrett and Son To sell to CHSC the land at Eastwood Bottom was considered. In view of the importance of securing the water supply to WH Mill:
Res. That the two plots of land [As described in the last minutes] should be bought for £1000 but the land and buildings in Vicarage Road were not required.
Ed Wood.

October 18th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Mr Wood referred to the death of Moses Horsfield on October 12th and said he had been a director since May 1926, A wreath from the CHSC directors had been sent and one member of the board had attended the funeral.
Res. That a letter of condolence be sent to his son and that the board's appreciation of his long and valued service be recorded in the minute book.
Bank balance £3550-1-3 credit, rents owing £2522-5-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares from Exors of William Hargreaves: 100 to Lady Harriet Nelson and 100 to Sarah Wilmore. Seal cert etc. [Harriet Nelson was the widow of Sir Amos Nelson of Gledstone Hall. His father James Nelson founded the famous manufacturing firm at Nelson.]
Mr Hedges reported he had received a telephone massage from Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin stating that part of the roof at CH Shed was in urgent need of repair and they felt it would be in the interest of all parties if patent glazing was installed. Mr Hedges had pointed out to him that the lease still had ten years to run and Mr Fletcher had said that Blin and Blin would appreciate a gesture from CHSC and he would put his request in writing together with the approximate cost of the work.
Res. That consideration of the matter be left until written particulars were received but it was felt that CHSC should not be called upon in this matter.
It was reported that Mr Russell of Rolls Royce had written to Smith Smith suggesting there should be a clause in the lease to RR of the portion of WH Mill to the effect that CHSC would be willing to pay compensation for improvements carried out by RR.
It was confirmed that this could not be agreed to .
Mr Duxbury reported that he had had informal talks with local representatives of Rolls Royce who suggested that CHSC should make a contribution of £1000 towards the expense being incurred by Rolls Royce Ltd in line with the allowance agreed and included in the lease to them of the Nutter Brothers space.
Res. That this was a reasonable suggestion and should be agreed to.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had been approached by Mr N L Hill of 22 Victoria Road, Fullwood, Preston re the possible sale by CHSC of a portion of the land being purchased by CHSC from Messrs Proctor Barrett and Son Ltd. It was agreed that this matter required further consideration.
Res. That the matter be held over till the next meeting and Mr Hill be informed accordingly.
R Jacques.

November 15th 1956
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges.
Bank account £4101-18-3 credit, rents owing £1560-14-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the signing and sealing be and is hereby confirmed of a lease to Rolls Royce Limited [Then follows the full description, the only addition being the £1000 rebate from the first year's rent.] from October 1st 1956 to February 28th 1963. CHSC to be responsible for the repair and maintenance of the main walls and roofs, principal timbers and joists and external parts of the demised premises excluding window glass.
A letter from Blin and Blin dated October 19th was read in which they stated that their lease of CH Shed had run for approximately 10 years of the 20 years total and asking if CHSC would consider an extension by a further ten years. They also stated that parts of the roof reqired re-glazing and suggested that this should be done over the next 3 or 4 years. They enclosed a quotation of £5510-5-0 for the stripping and re-glazing of 14 bays and an alternative quotation for 2 bays of £800-7-9.
Res. That they be informed that as it was a Repairing Lease, CHSC was not prepared to bear a share of this cost. The company would however be agreeable for the lease to be extended by a further ten years providing the roofs were re-glazed by Blin and Blin Ltd.
A contract for the purchase of land from Proctor Barrett and Son as described in the minutes of September 20th was produced.
Res. That this be signed by the chairman.
A letter from N W Hill of Preston was read offering to purchase for £400 a plot of land forming part of the land agreed to be purchased from Proctor Barrett and Son facing onto Skipton Road to a depth of 70 feet.
Res. That an interim dividend be paid before Christmas at 5% per annum less tax for the half year ending December 31st 1956.
Ed Wood.

December 20th 1956
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1718-19-3, rents owing £1539-18-1. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares: 240 from Exors of John Brierley to Edith My Haines. 440 from Exors of Dorothy A Reid to Harold Duxbury. 400 from Exors of Moses Horsfield to Ewart Horsfall. All sel cert etc.
Res. That Mr Ewart Horsfield of 75 Gisburn Road be appointed a director of the CHSC in place of his father Moses Horsfield.
Res. That the common seal of CHSC be affixed to the conveyance and memorial of the land agreed to be purchased from Proctor Barrett and Son for £1000 comprising the plot of just over one acre bounded by Crow Nest Syke on the west and Back Roundell Road on the East together with land of approximately seven acres between Skipton Road and Long Ing Shed.
A letter from John C Carlson Ltd dated November 23rd was read in which they suggested that the site for the proposed door required for fire precautions between themselves and the portion of Butts occupied by Clarke's Mattresses be moved further up the same wall.
Res. That the matter remain in abeyance until the question of the continuance of Clarke's tenancy had been settled.
A letter from Silentnight Ltd (formerly Clarke's Mattresses) to Mr Duxbury dated November 28th 1956 was read. They said they had purchased Clough Mill and at some future date would be vacating Butts Mill and Butts Offices and also gave the impression they would like to sub-let the portion of WH they occupied. Mr Duxbury thought they had in mind a firm from Skipton as sub-tenants. He had however approached Rolls Royce who said they were interested in this part of WH Mill but had not had any definite word from them.
As regards Butts Mill, it was suggested that Mr Duxbury approach John C Carlson Ltd to see if they were interested in this part of the premises.
A letter from Blin and Blin dated November 19th was read in which they asked if CHSC had meant to convey that they were not prepared to agree to an extension of the lease for a further ten years if Blin and Blin did not re-glaze the portion of the roof referred to in their previous latter.
Res. That a reply be sent to them pointing out that the condition of CH Shed at the end of the present lease should be at least as good to that when they took possession and that the re-glazing would be a help towards this position. It did not follow that re-glazing would be insisted on as a pre-condition to extending the lease.
It was reported that the roof of the portion of WH Shed vacated by WD&E Nutter had been made good by removing the tape trunks and re-slating. An account for the cost of this work had been sent to WD&E Nutter who felt very strongly that this was not their responsibility.
It was strongly agreed that while this was their responsibility, under the circumstances the matter should not be pressed.
It was reported that the sale of the plot of land facing Skipton Road [in Eastwood Bottoms] to Mr N W Hill for £400 was being dealt with by the solicitor.
The secretary reported that 194 shares in the name of Martha A Green deceased were for sale. As there was no likely purchaser the matter was left over.
Mr Duxbury reported on the work being done to make good the portion of Butts Mill occupied by YEB and the agreement was that when this was completed an increase in rent would be charged to them.
R Jacques.

January 17th 1957
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £4279-15-4 debit after paying all accounts. Deposit account £4336-2-1 credit and rents owing £863-11-9. [Pencil note in margin: 'Deposit a/c withdrawn February 25th 1957'.] Accounts paid.
It was reported that Rolls Royce had the question of payment for steam supplied to December 31st 1956 in hand and hope to make a provisional payment shortly.
Mr Duxbury said that he had seen Mr O'Neill [small tenancy?] who had agreed to pay rent up to December 31st 1956 and he would remove all his buildings by the end of June 1957. No rent to be charged after December 31st 1956.
The problem of letting the space now occupied by Silentnight at Butts and WH was discussed. Mr Duxbury said that Carlson's were going to view the portion of Butts Mill and he was authorised to make the best terms possible with them if they decided to take the tenancy. [Pencil note in margin: 'Not interested'.]
Mr Duxbury said he had had an enquiry for space at WH for weaving. Rolls Royce were also interested but had not made a definite offer.
Ed Wood.

March 21st 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1294-5-3 debit after paying accounts, rents owing £632-11-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That £2000 be drawn from the £10,000 on deposit with Marsden Building Society.
Mr Duxbury said that Carlson's were not interested in the part of Butts to be vacated by Silentnight but he understood that Silentnight were not now withdrawing from the space at WH.
The tender for exterior painting at WH by Simpson Brothers at £898-5-7 was accepted and the work put in hand.
A letter was read from Edward Aldersley Ltd stating that YEB wished to construct a sub-station outside Butts Mill to serve the mill and houses nearby and asking CHSC to pay the cost of the concrete raft and railings for the sub-station. It was understood that YEB wanted to move the present sub-station which was inside Butts Mill to the outside in connection with supplying the houses.
Res. That Aldersley's be informed that CHSC would provide the land for the sub-station but did not feel they could pay for the raft or railings.
A letter was read from Blin and Blin in which they called for CHSC agreement to an extension of the present lease for a further twenty years after expiry.
Res. That as the present lease had ten years to run, an extension of twenty years was too long. However they should be informed That CHSC would agree to a ten year extension.
Mr Duxbury raised the question of the repair of the roadway leading to the two entrances to the parts of WH Mill occupied by RR Ltd. It was agreed that it was agreed that he should inform Rolls Royce that it was felt that the cost should be shared by them and CHSC.
Ed Wood.

April 18th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £437-13-4 credit, rents owing £3654-6-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That the conveyance of the land to N W Hill fronting on Skipton Road in Eastwood Bottoms be confirmed and sealed.
It was reported that the charge for team to Rolls Royce for the period April 4th to November 30th 1956 for the portion of WH formerly occupied by Nutter Brothers had been agreed. [Pencil note in margin: 'To March 31st 1956, £1741-12-0 paid. To March 31st 1957 £1619-4-2.]
Res. That an account be forwarded for the supply of both portions now occupied by RR Ltd for the period December 1st 1956 to March 30th 1957.
It was reported that a further letter had been received from Ed Aldersley Ltd dated March 27th asking CHSC to pay 50% of the cost of the raft and rails for the new sub-station at Butts. In view of the possible termination of their tenancy on November 30th 1958and the interest of Carlson's in taking the premises over:
Res. That The matter be deferred for further consideration at the next meeting.
It was reported that when John C Carlson had written saying they were certainly interested in the portion occupied by Aldersley's on the termination of their lease on November 30th 1958 they had asked for an opportunity to view the premises if this could be arranged.
Res. That further consideration should be given to this matter at the next meeting when the provisions of the lease and the amount of rent should be considered.
A letter was received from Blin and Blin dated March 25th acknowledging the letter from CHSC agreeing to the lease of CH Shed being extended for ten years after July 31st 1966 and stating that Blin and Blin were consulting their solicitors as to what steps should be taken to implement this.
A report from HMFI dated April 16th was read containing various requirements re WH Mill.
Res. That these be attended to.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should obtain an estimate for the inside painting of WH Mill and arrange for the work to be put in hand if the estimate was reasonable.
Ed Wood.

May 16th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3488-12-4 credit, rents owing £2877-14-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That £1000 of the balance, not needed at the moment, be loaned to the Whitefield Room and Power Co for six months at 5% interest.
It was reported that the inside painting of WH Mill at £175 had been let to Simpson Brothers.
It was reported that the cottage at 11 West Close Road occupied by the assistant engine man [Ernest Marshall] would shortly become vacant.
Res. That in this case it should be sold at the best price obtainable.
Mr Duxbury said that representatives of Rolls Royce had seen him about the new fire escape at WH Mill and had offered to pay for the materials if CHSC would fix it.
Res. That this be agreed.
Mr Hedges said that in view of the request of Ed Aldersley Ltd for CHSC to pay 50% of the cost of the raft and railings for the new sub-station in Butts and the fact that their lease ends on November 30th 1958 and also in view of John C Carlson Ltd having intimated that they were interested in the tenancy of the space when the lease ended, he had consulted with Smith Smith regarding the effect of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 and they stated that if Aldersley's wished to continue in occupation after their present lease expired they would be able to do so upon terms agreed between them and CHSC and in default of such an agreement, on terms to be settled by the court.
Res. That John C Carlson be informed that under the provisions of the above act the premises occupied by Aldersley's would not necessarily become vacant at the end of their lease. Also that a letter be sent to Aldersley's asking if they were in a position to state whether they would wish to continue as tenants after the expiration of the present lease, mentioning that as the present rent was very low, an increase would have to be considered. [Aldersley's are noted in Worrall for 1957 as having 386 looms in Monkroyd Shed at Butts. Electrically driven of course.]
Ed Wood.

June 13th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £4295-16-9 credit, rents owing £791-17-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That £2500 be transferred from the current account to a deposit account.
A letter dated May 20th 1957 from Silentnight to Mr Duxbury was read. They stated that they wished to continue tenancy of the whole of the ground floor but would be willing to give up the upstairs space if this was of any use to anyone else. After discussion in which it was recognised that there would be considerable difficulty in arranging access for another tenant the matter was laid on the table.
It was reported that in accordance with the resolution passed at the last meeting, 11 West Close Road had been sold for £825.
Res. That Mr Duxbury be authorised to sell 38 Calf Hall Road for £600 if possible.
A letter was read from Ed Aldersley Ltd saying it would help them if they knew what renewal rental CHSC had in mind.
Res. After considerable discussion, that they be informed that CHSC would be prepared to re-let the premises at £1300 per annum, the landlord to be responsible for external repair, the tenant for internal repair, decorations and rates. It was stated that the roof was not in good repair.
Res. That Aldersley's be informed that if the tenancy was renewed on the terms submitted CHSC intended to gradually bring the property into a better state of repair.
In view of the Barnoldswick Annual holidays being from July 13th to 27th it was resolved there would be no monthly meeting in July.
Res. That the AGM be recommended a dividend of 10% less tax for the half year ending June 30th 1957. [Printed balance sheet gives date of AGM as September 12th 1957.]
R Jacques.

July 25th 1957
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3052-9-4, rents owing £2307-5-9. Accounts paid.
Res. That the conveyance for 11 West Close Road be signed and sealed.
Res. That in accordance with the form of request duly completed by Charles Kingston Hutchinson, Exor of William Hutchinson the 14 shares be registered in his name. Seal cert etc.
A report was given of the increases permitted under the Rent Act 1957 in the rents of the cottages owned by CHSC.
Res. That the issue of notices if increase to tenants be approved.
Art was given of negotiations with Mr Kelsall of Nelson Mattresses Ltd under which provisional agreement had been reached that they would take over the tenancy of the portion of Butts Mill now in the occupancy of Silentnight Ltd on the same terms as at present in force. John C Carlson had stated that they were not interested in the space.
Res. That these negotiations be approved.
Mr Duxbury said that the improvement in the accommodation for YEB at Butts Mill was amost complete but he had not yet been able to arrange anything with them the amount of the increase in rent.
A letter from Ed Aldersley Ltd dated July 19th was read in which they stated that they considered the figure of £1150 per annum rent to be too high and asking that CHSC should further consider the offer of £1000 made by them in their letter of June 19th. They also stated that “the alternative suggestion whereby we accept responsibility for any of the cost of exterior and structural repairs is not of any interest whatsoever”. It was pointed out [by CHSC] that the rent of £1000 per annum worked out at 5/4 per square yard whereas the rent paid by John C Carlson for the adjoining portion of Butts Mill worked out at 5/7 per yard and that in addition Carlson's were responsible for the repair and maintenance of the property occupied by them.
After consideration it was felt that the figure of £1300 originally asked was very reasonable and That CHSC should not agree to accept a lower rent that £1150 per annum suggested to Aldersley's in the letter of June 28th.
Res. That draft balance sheet be adopted and that the AGM be called for September 12th 1957.
Ed Wood.

September 12th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2281-11-2 credit, rents owing £1187-14-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 100 shares to Mary Alice Barker, executrix of Clarence V Barker after submission by her of the necessary Form of Request seal cert etc.
A letter from Blin and Blin was read asking whether, as an alternative to extending the lease, CHSC would consider selling CH Shed. Very full discussion took place and it was agreed that Mr Hedges should get Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin to give an idea of what they might be prepared to offer.
A further letter from E Aldersley Ltd was read in which they stated that they still considered £1150 to be too much but were prepared to offer £1075. It was considered that as CHSC had already come down from £1300 to £1150 no further reduction could be agreed as £1300 was itself a very reasonable figure.
Mr Duxbury said that he had still not been able to fix a rent for the additional space made for YEB at Butts Mill.
Ed Wood.

No minute of AGM
Printed balance sheet inserted reports profit for the year of £4047-12-3. Noting the interim dividend of 5% per annum paid for the half year ended December 31st 1956 a dividend of 10% is declared for this half year leaving £1426-2-7 to be added to the amount carried forward.
Signed Ed Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 5th 1957.

October 17th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2851-16-11 credit, rents owing £1382-12-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 57 shares from Rowland Fawcett to Cecilia Fawcett sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
Mr Duxbury said he had written to YEB re an increase in rent for the additional space at Butts Mill but had not yet had a reply.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had found that Rolls Royce felt they were being charged for more steam than they used in summer. It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should see Mr Smith of RR for an informal talk on the matter.
Mr Hedges reported that Mr Unsworth, secretary of E Aldersley Ltd had met him to discuss the renewal of their lease. Mr Unsworth said that his directors thought that an increase of 70% was very large, however, after full discussion he said his directors would be prepared to go up to £1100 per annum but no further.
Res. That Mr Hedges write to Aldersley's saying that CHSC would agree to a renewal of the lease at £1100 per annum for a period of seven or ten years.
Mr Hedges also reported on various discussions with Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin and said that as a starting point for talks they would be prepared to buy Calf Hall Shed by means of an annual capital payment of £2500 for ten years during which time they would continue to pay rent as usual.
After discussion it was felt that negotiations should continue and that Mr Hedges should see Mr Fletcher and tentatively suggest an increase of £1000 in each of the ten capital payments.
Ed Wood.

November 21st 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3244-3-10 credit, rents owing 2387-12-5. Accounts paid.
It was reported that the loan of £1000 to the Whitefield Room and Power Co had been repaid including interest at 5%.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From the Exors of ? Emily Windle: 24 shares to Norman Windle and 24 to Mary Nutter. Seal cert etc.
A letter from YEB at Skipton dated November 19th was read in which enquiry was made as to the position of the tenancy of Ed Aldersley Ltd in relation to the provision of an electricity sub-station.
Res. That they be informed that as far as was known Aldersley's were to continue as tenants after the expiration of the present lease and that CHSC were prepared to provide land for the proposed sub-station.
A letter dated October 22nd from E Aldersley Ltd was read stating that they would take up the question of the new lease nearer the date of expiration of the present one. It was taken that this inferred that they were agreeable to continuing the present tenancy at £100 per annum as set out in our letter of October 18th 1957.
Mr Duxbury said he had not yet had a reply from YEB re the proposed increase in rent at Butts Mill. It was agreed that he should forward a copy of his letter to Mr Hedges who would then write to YEB on behalf of CHSC.
Mr Hedges said he had had an interview with Mr Fletcher and Mr Zimmerman of Blin and Blin and he had been unable to get them to increase their suggestion of ten annual capital payments of £2500 or the purchase of CH Shed, they to continue paying rent of £2960 per annum. They had in fact suggested that they were not sure whether it would be in their interest to continue as tenants only. During the discussions various difficulties had been raised about the legal ownership of the mill during the period of capital payments and Mr Fletcher had suggested that if a sale was agreed it would probably be better if ownership was vested in Blin and Blin immediately with a mortgage to CHSC.
Res. That the directors would agree to sell CH Shed on the above basis for the amount suggested by Blin and Blin Ltd and that Mr Hedges should inform them to this effect first however having consulted the solicitors and being satisfied on the legal position.
Ed Wood.

December 19th 1957
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2117-6-5 after paying dividend and Schedule 'A' Tax due on January 1st 1958, rents owing £1691-19-11. Accounts paid.
Res. That an interim dividend at 5% per annum be paid before Christmas 1957.
A letter from James Halstead Ltd dated December 17th was read re the state of the portion of Butts Mill occupied by their subsidiary Edward Aldersley Ltd and stating that a number of repairs were needed. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury should call on Aldersley's and discuss the position with their manager.
It was stated that no reply had been received from YEB to a letter dated December 6th re the rent for the extension of the store room at Butts Mill. Mr Duxbury said he would see the local manager in order to expedite the matter.
A letter from Silentnight dated November 28th was read in which they asked that from February 1st 1958 the rent of the portion of WH Mill occupied by them should be split in two as a new company was being formed in connection with the manufacture of fibre pads. It was arranged that Mr Duxbury should go into the matter with them. [I think this company became known as Craven Pad Ltd.]
A letter was read from Steele and Son [local solicitors] enquiring as to possible purchasers of 176 shares from the estate of Minnie Windle deceased. It was suggested that the best course was for them to advertise the shares for sale.
Mr Hedges reported that following the meeting on November 21st he had written to Mr Fletcher of Blin and Blin accepting their offer to purchase CH Shed for £25,000 payable in ten yearly instalments of £2500 together with an annual payment of interest of £2960 payable for each of the ten years the mill to become the property of Blin and Blin immediately the necessary documents are completed and at the same time a mortgage to be executed to CHSC covering the 10 annual capital payments of £2500 and the ten annual interest payments of £2960. Mr Fletcher had telephoned his agreement subject to the final agreement of his directors and the approval of the Capital Issues Committee which would be necessary in respect of the mortgage.
Mr Hedges said he had tried to contact Mr Fletcher just before the meeting but had been informed that he was in Canada with other directors of Blin and Blin.
R Jacques.

January 16th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £133-7-6 debit after payment of dividend and tax, rents owing £1842-0-4. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 439 shares from Exors of Maurice Matthew Horsfield to Alec Matthew Horsfield and 200 from the administrators of Sarah Ellen Ingham to Leonard Ingham. Seal cert etc.
A letter form the Vicar of Barnoldswick re the general appeal being made on behalf of the building of the new church was read.
Res. That a donation of £100 be made.
A letter was read from YEB dated January 13th confirming an increase to £75 per annum from the present rental of £18 for the additional space. This would be paid as from June 1st 1954. It was also stated that YEB are considering vacating the premises in the near future.
It was agreed that Mr Duxbury should enquire of Carlson's whether they would be interested in the space if it becomes available.
Mr Duxbury said he had had a talk with Tom Clarke re splitting the rent at WH Mill but this was being held over for further consideration.
Mr Hedges said he had heard from Mr Fletcher and Smith Smith to the effect that legal negotiations were proceeding satisfactorily re the sale of CH Shed to Blin and Blin but that the matter was being held up pending approval by the Capital Issues Committee.
Mr Duxbury said he had spoken to the manager of E Aldersley Ltd re the complaints made by them in their letter of December 17th 1957. Mr Duxbury had said that CHSC would devote most of the increase in rent to bringing the building to a satisfactory condition. This was welcomed by the manager and the matter was waiting for better weather.
R Jacques.

February 20th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £255-4-8 after payment of taxes due on March 10th, rents owing £1554-16-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 633 shares from the Exors of Proctor Robinson to Nancy Robinson sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that RR had asked CHSC to contribute to the cost of the new fire escape at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Duxbury be empowered to discuss the matter with them.
Mr Hedges reported that he understood from the solicitors that Blin and Blin had received the consent of the Capital issues committee and that the legal formalities would be completed in due course.
Mr Duxbury said that he had been in contact with Carlson's and understood that they were definitely interested in the space to be vacated by YEB.
He also reported that there had been no development re splitting the rents at WH and the position re Silentnight space at Butts Mill had not been resolved.
John V Patrick.

March 20th 1958
J V Patrick chair. Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £660-9-2 credit (after transfer of £1000 from deposit) and rents owing £1732-13-8. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 176 shares from Exors of Minnie Windle to Jane Midgley sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was agreed that £100 be contributed towards the cost of the new fire escape provided by RR at WH Mill.
A letter was read from Silentnight asking for permission to dig a pit for vehicle maintenance at WH Mill. This pit to be situated inside the roller shutter door and on the understanding that Silentnight would make it good if at any time they vacated the premises.
Res. That this be approved.
Mr Hedges reported that he had heard from the solicitors that Blin and Blin had approved the contract for the transfer of CH Shed and that it was hoped to complete the conveyance by April 1st or shortly afterwards.
R Jacques.

April 17th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1465-16-11 credit and rents owing £2126-10-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 43 shares from Cyril Deakin and Thomas Bradley to Bessie Deakin sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that a letter had been received from Silentnight dated March 27th 1958 giving notice to terminate their tenancy at Butts Mill and that a reply had been sent stating that the tenancy would expire on September 30th 1958.
A further letter had been received from Silentnight stating that they proposed to leave a boiler in the premises at Butts Mill as it might be of use to a future tenant. A reply was sent stating that this would be in order providing that Silentnight removed it as and when requested making good any damage consequent on this.
A letter was read from London Assurance stating that the cover of £700 on Ouzledale Foundry might be considered inadequate.
Res. That it be increased to £1400.
R Jacques.

May 22nd 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1703-10-6, rent owing £2315-0-8. Accounts paid.
Res That the signing and sealing on May 5th of the conveyance of CH Shed for £25,000 also a legal charge in respect of a £25,000 mortgage loan to Blin and Blin from CHSC secured by a mortgage on CH Shed. To be repaid by quarterly payments of £625 and quarterly interest payments of £740. [Be approved]
A Letter was read from YEB dated May 19th saying they wished to terminate the tenancy for the additional room at Butts Mill with effect from May 31st 1958 and that it was the Board's intention to terminate the lease of the other there rooms but that the head office at Seacroft [Leeds] would communicate on this matter in the near future. The latter also stated that the present access to the sub-station through the garage would now be vacated and another access required. After discussion of the matter it was agreed that YEB be informed that three months notice from May 31st would be required. It was also agreed that access to the south and west side of the sub-station should be allowed and consent given in writing for the making of two new doorways.
R Jacques.

June 19th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3256-13-6 credit, rents owing £1013-13-0. Accounts paid.
A letter was read from James Halstead Ltd dated June 3rd stating that they had decided to discontinue the business of Ed Aldersley Ltd and would not renew the tenancy at Butts Mill. They stated that whilst they anticipated weaving out before the end of December they might need a further period to dispose of their plant and machinery.
Res that the letter be acknowledged stating that there would be no difficulty in arranging a short extension of the tenancy.
A letter was read from YEB dated May 23rd in which it was stated that the board wished to establish an additional distribution sub-station on land owned by CHSC on the North side of Butts Mill with means of access and asking whether CHSC would be prepared to frant YEB a sixty year lease on terms and conditions to be agreed.
Res. That CHSC would be willing to grant the lease but that it should be pointed out that Aldersley's were leaving Butts Mill and it may be that this sub-station was no longer required.
A letter from M Hird and Sons, chimney repairers was read suggesting they should inspect the chimney at WH Mill.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should inspect the chimney by binoculars and report to the next meeting.
It was reported that considerable stocks of coal remained at WH Mill and it was agreed that deliveries be suspended for the time being.
It was reported that since the last meeting further discussion had taken place re the space at Butts Mill used as store rooms by YEB necessitating a new means of access to the Sub-station in the SE corner of Butts Mill adjoining Carlson's premises.
It was agreed that YEB be informed that it would be in order for them to block up the doorway between the garage and the sub-station and to create a new entrance between it and the small store room but stating that in special cases arrangements could be made between YEB, CHSC and Carlson's for entrance on the north side of the sub station.
Ed Wood.

July 10th 1958
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3367-18-10, rents owing £2833-5-5. Accounts paid.
Res. That consequent on the sale of CH Shed, £21770-3-11 be transferred from the Depreciation Account to CHSC account.
There was a discussion re the space to be vacated at Butts Mill by Aldersley's and the YEB. Mr Duxbury said there had been no further developments.
Res. That the balance sheet for the year ended June 30th 1958 be approved. A dividend to be recommended of 10% less tax for the half year making 7½% for the year and that the AGM be called for Thursday August 10th at 2:30pm.
Res. That a separate deposit account be opened at Martins Bank into which should be paid the quarterly payment re CH Shed sale, the investment of such moneys being considered when the amount available reaches £1000 at various times.
Mr Duxbury said he had made a careful inspection of the WH chimney bot by binoculars and telescope and it appeared to be in good condition.
Ed Wood.

August 28th 1958
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3566-1-10 credit, rents owing £1193-4-2. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Tom Marshall, engine man at WH Mill died on August 1st and that a message of condolence had been sent to his widow.
Res. That an appreciation of his services be placed on record.
Res. That his son Ernest Marshall be appointed engineer at WH in his place.
Mr Hedges said that BUDC had raised the question with Mr Duxbury of the repair of the wall adjoining the beck on the furthest side of Butts Mill. They were referred to a meeting with Mr Fenton in October 1950 when it had been agreed that BUDC were responsible for the wall on the west side of the main entrance owing to the possibility of danger to persons using the public footpath. Following this the wall had been repaired by the council.
It was reported that Mr Duxbury had seen YEB also Mr Gilmartin of Carlson's about taking on the tenancy of the part of Butts Mill to be vacated by Ed Aldersley Ltd. But that Mr Gilmartin had stated that Carlson's were not interested in the tenancy of this portion. A letter confirming this had been sent to Carlson's on August 15th.
A letter dated August 13th had been received from YEB stating that it was now not propsed to proceed with the sub-station at Monkroyd Shed adjoining the portion being vacated by Aldersley's. [The back shed at Butts butting on Calf Hall Road had always been known as Monkroyd Shed.]
Mr Hedges said he had received a letter from Aldersley's dated August 15th enquiring what machinery was claimed by the Lessor under the heading of Fixtures and Fittings contained in the lease and whether CHSC were interested in the two vertical steam boilers and also the offices in Calf Hall Road. He and Mr Duxbury had met Mr Wilkinson, Aldersley's manager, and had gone into the matters mentioned. After discussion it was agreed a letter should be sent to Aldersley's pointing out that the main fittings belonging to the landlord included steam piping, shafting, the offices inside the works and the electrical installation. Also that CHSC might be interested in the purchase of the two steam boilers at a reasonable figure but they were not interested in the offices in Calf Hall Road.
A circular letter from BUDC was read enquiring as to available space which could be listed for use of the Local Industrial Development Committee and the Board of Trade or other government departments.
Res. That they be informed that space at Butts Mill would probably be shortly available and that details would be provided if required.
Rs. That the quarterly instalments of the sale price of CH Shed be placed on loan with BUDC as and when a sufficient amount is at hand.
R Jacques.

No minute of AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: Net profit for the year of £3127-3-11.Usual dividend to be paid making a total for the year of 7½% less tax. Calf Hall Shed has been sold and the necessary adjustments made on the balance sheet.
Signed by Ed Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 5th 1958.

September 18th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2220-5-1, rents owing 1206-0-3. Accounts paid.
Res. That the investment of £800 on Mortgage Loan with BUDC at 5½% interest per annum for five years made on September 15th be confirmed and further resolved that £1200 be similarly invested with BUDC.
Mr Duxbury stated that the position of the Silentnight tenancy of part of Butts mill due to terminate on September 30th was still uncertain.
R Jacques.

October 16th 1958
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1375-14-7 credit, rents owing £2276-19-6. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 477 shares from Exors of George Robert Cooke to Ellen Cooke sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from James Halstead Ltd dated October 14th was read re the vertical steam heating boilers, the property of Aldersley's at Butts Mill in which they offered to sell the plant to CHSC for £600. It was agreed that this was excessive and that they be informed that CHSC was not interested.
Mr Duxbury said there was no change in the position re Silentnight at Butts Mill.
A report from the insurance company on the economisers at WH was read which stated that consideration should be given in the near future to replacement by a new economiser.
Ed Wood.

November 20th 1958
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2339-13-2 credit, rents owing £997-17-3. Accounts paid.
Correspondence from James Halstead Ltd was read offering the boiler plant at Aldersley's for £450. Also an offer to sell the main driving unit [a big electric motor almost certainly] for £150.
Res. That they be informed that CHSC were not interested in these offers.
Res. That an interim dividend of 5% less tax be paid for the half year.
Consideration was given to fire cover of £108,762 for Butts and £131,892 for WH. It was agreed that these were sufficient.
Mr Duxbury mentioned an enquiry for space which might involve the letting of the Aldersley space at Butts.
Res. That he should continue preliminary negotiations.
Ed Wood.

December 18th 1958
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1285-11-1 debit after paying tax due in January, rents owing £1531-8-2. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 423 shares from the Administrators of Joseph Henry Dent to Alfred Henry Dent sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter was read from solicitors asking for possible buyers for 447 shares. After considerable discussion it was stated that other shares were on offer and there were no buyers. Mr Duxbury offered 6/8 per share. [Pencil note in margin; 'No reply from solicitors'.]
The question of boiler covering and whitewashing the boiler house at WH Mill was discussed.
Res. That the whitewashing be done as soon as possible and J T Schofield of Burnley be asked to inspect the covering with a view to carrying out what was necessary.
The question of the rent payable on the Silentnight portion at Butts vacated on September 30th 1958 was discussed.
Res. That as plant was still in the premises and as the key had not been handed over a further letter should be sent to Silentnight.
It was reported that a certain amount of plant in the Aldersley premises even though the lease expired on November 30th 1958. It was agreed that rent should be charged while they were still in occupation.
Mr Duxbury mentioned that he was still in negotiation with a possible tenant for a portion of the Aldersley space at Butts Mill.
R Jacques.

February 19th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £688-10-9 after paying the accounts, rents owing £2469-0-8. Accounts paid.
Mr Duxbury said that he understood from Silentnight that proceedings were being taken against Nelson Mattresses re the responsibility for rent for the portion of Butts Mill previously occupied by Silentnight bit that it was understood that Silentnight would be responsible for the rent up to the end of March in any case.
The condition of the WH chimney was discussed and it was agreed that Mr Haworth be asked to ladder it and make a report.
A letter dated January 6th 1959 from YEB was read in which they stated that they were removing the switchgear from the sub-station in the Aldersley portion of Butts Mill and that if a future need for power in the premises arose YEB would resume negotiations with CHSC for the provision of a suitable site for a sub-station.
The question of a charge for heating during the time Craven Pad Co Ltd were running an extra shift from 6pm to 10pm at WH Mill was considered. Mr Duxbury reported on the talks he had had with them and the suggested figures. It was left that Mr Duxbury see them again and try to arrange an agreed figure.
A letter was read from Steele and Son solicitors asking for assistance in selling 176 shares belonging to the estate of Jane Midgley deceased as it was desired to wind-up the estate as soon as possible. It was agreed that if the solicitors could not obtain a satisfactory offer elsewhere Mr Patrick would take 76 and Mr Duxbury 100 shares at 6/8 per share.
R Jacques.

March 19th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £20-17-3 credit, rents owing £2018-19-7. Accounts paid.
It was reported that Howarth Brothers had laddered WH chimney but their report and estimate had not yet been received.
Mr Duxbury reported he was still in communication with Craven Pad Co re the charge for heating at WH Mill during extra working though this had now been discontinued. [The 6pm to 10pm shift was popularly known as the 'housewife's' or 'moonlight' shift and was quite common in the weaving industry after WW2.]
Mr Hedges stated that Craven Pad had asked him for details of the tenancy agreement for the space occupied by them at WH. Mr Duxbury said that he understood they were interested in a lease of the space and that Mr Hedges would doubtless be hearing from them to this effect in due course.
It was reported that Silentnight had made enquiries re the possibility of a tenancy at Butts Mill of the Aldersley space and that if they decided to proceed with this they would probably want to enter the premises on April 1st.
Res. That Mr Duxbury be authorised to conduct preliminary negotiations with them with this end in view.
[Silentnight were expanding fast and as we have seen had bought Clough Mill by November 1956. In 1982 I interviewed John Metcalfe, the last manager at Clough for Slater Brothers and his memory was that there was a serious fire at Clough in about 1959. However I talked to a man who worked for Silentnight at Clough in 1959 and he had no memory of a fire then. He started at Clough in 1959 and in 1960 they moved to Moss Shed when Tom Clarke bought it. Craven Pad moved into Clough so it looks as though it was they who had the fire. Harold Duxbury told me that Clough stood derelict after the fire until demolition in 1972 when Silentnight gave the site to BUDC for a public park. Harold later told me that Widdup Brothers at Moss Shed told Harold to find them a buyer for the mill and Tom Clarke bought it for £25,000 (this figure later confirmed by one of the Widdup family to me in a conversation). Harold said that Tom had been burnt out at Clough and had asked Harold to find him some space. Of course this could have been the literal truth as Craven Pad was one of Tom's firms. So the nearest I can get is that the Clough fire was 1960 and in the same year Tom Clarke bought Moss Shed. One further intriguing fact, this period in 1959 was notable because we had a the famous 'Fire Bug' operating in the district. Never caught but over the early summer caused six serious fires and many smaller ones.]
It was reported That Carlson's had made a tentative enquiry whether CHSC would entertain the idea of selling Butts Mill.
Res. That Mr Duxbury should inform them unofficially that CHSC might be interested in an offer around £25,000.
Res. That the director's meetings be held at 3pm instead of 2:30pm.
J V Patrick.

April 16th 1959
J V Patrick chair. Duxbury, Horsfield and A V Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank balance £1304-1-1 credit, rents owing £2480-2-9. Accounts paid.
Transfer of shares sanctioned: 296 shares from Administrators of John Proctor to Gertrude Hale Proctor. From Exors of Jane Midgley: 100 shares to Harold Duxbury and 76 to Elsie B Patrick. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that no report or estimate had been received for WH chimney but the ladders were still in position. [It was an unwritten law that if a jack had a chimney laddered it was his job and he could delay as long as he needed to within reason.]
It was reported that Aldersley's had vacated Butts as from March 31st 1959 and had agreed to pay £250 in respect of repairs that were necessary.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had provisionally arranged with Silentnight that they should take tenancy of the large shed and main warehouse vacated by Aldersley, about 2608 square yards at a rental of 5/- per yard for a period of six months from April 1st 1959. They to be responsible for rates and any extra insurance. The rent for six months would be £236.
Res. That this be confirmed.
Mr Duxbury also reported that he had received a further visit from the representatives of a plastics firm who were interested in a tenancy of the remaining Aldersley warehouse space and he thought they were a reasonable prospect.
Res. That he carry on the negotiations.
It was reported that the Water Board had enquired about a tenancy of the part of Butts Mill vacated by YEB and it seemed reasonably possible this could be arranged.
An enquiry had been received re the possible sale of about 7 acres of land being the remainder of the land purchased from Proctor Barrett and Son Ltd in 1956.
Res. That a price of 1/- per square yard be asked for it.
A letter from YEB dated April 14th was read in which they asked for consent for placing part of an electric line across land near WH Mill together with the erection of supports if needed.
Res. That permission be given.
R Jacques.

May 21st 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2091-16-11 credit, rents owing £2592-2-7. Accounts paid.
Transfer of 876 shares from the Executrix of William Peel to Sarah Ann Peel sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that James Sharp and Co, share brokers, wanted to sell 500 shares in the estate of Alfred Kidd deceased. They had been informed there was little demand for the shares but were anxious to sell.
Res. That they be informed that none of the directors wanted the shares and it was preferred that they advise their clients to retain the shares or sell them elsewhere. However if they still wanted to sell the director would be willing to buy the shares between them at the price last sold, 6/8 per £1 share.
It was reported that confirmation had been received from Silentnight of the tenancy of Aldersley's shed and warehouse at Butts on the terms set out in the minutes of April 16th.
A tender from Howarth Brothers of £281 for repairs to WH chimney was considered.
Res. That it be accepted and they be instructed to proceed.
It was reported that a letter had been received from John C Carlson Ltd re repairs to the stretch of roadway leading to the part of Butts Mill occupied by them. A reply had been sent to the effect that CHSC were not responsible and any repairs should be carried out by them.
It was also reported that Fred Windle and Sons had made an opening in the wall between the highway and land sold by CHSC to Mr Hill and bought by them from him. And that this land had never been fenced off from the remaining land owned by CHSC as should have been done by Mr Hill. The farmer had had complained of this and Mr Windle had been informed that it was his responsibility to fence off the boundary between his land and that of CHSC.
A letter was read from Ouzledale Foundry Ltd dated April 27th drawing attention to the roof of one of the buildings at the Foundry, part of which had collapsed. Mr Duxbury reported that he had stripped the roof and would take down the top part of the walls remaining to put the property in reasonable condition. [If my memory serves me right Ouzledale Foundry Co Ltd had bought part of Long Ing Shed and were operating down there by this time.]
Mr Duxbury stated that the Fire Authorities were concerned about water facilities in case of fire and had suggested the provision of a small well connected to the mill lodge. Mr Duxbury estimated this could be done for about £200 and it was agreed it should be put in hand. [WH Mill. Pencil note in margin: '18/6/59. Not put in hand yet. Possible alternative method'.]
Ed Wood.

June 18th 1959
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1488-15-2, rents owing £1924-17-3.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: From Marion Alty and Kathleen Kearns (Exors of Catherine J Wolfenden): 212 shares to Marion Alty and 211 to Kathleen Kearns. From District Bank, Exors of Alfred Kidd: 100 shares to J V Patrick. 100 to M Horsfield. 100 to A V hedges and 200 to Harold Duxbury. All seal cert etc.
The question of supplementing water supply for the fire brigade at WH Mill was considered. Mr Duxbury said that it might be possible to obviate the provision of a separate well by a direct connection into the supply from the main well. This was being considered with the fire authorities.
It was reported that the damage to the floors in the part of Butts recently vacated by Aldersley's had not yet been made good nor had payment been received from James Halstead Ltd.
Res. That a letter be sent to Halstead's saying that it was not possible to wait any longer for them to make good the damage because of the requirements of the new tenant and that CHSC would carry out the work and look to them for payment of the agreed sum.
It was reported that in connection with the capital repayments being received from Blin and Blin a further £1000 was deposited on May 25th on Mortgage Loan with BUDC at 5½% interest with capital repayable on December 31st 1963 making a total of £3,000 now on mortgage loan with the council.
Res that the next meeting be on July 30th.
Res. That AGM be called for a date to fit in with the requirement of 21 days notice after auditing of the accounts to June 30th 1959. [Pencil note in margin; August 29th.]
Res. That a dividend of 10% be recommended for the half year making 7½% per annum less tax for the year.
Ed Wood.

July 30th 1959
Ed Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1513-18-9, rents owing £1964-1-6. Accounts paid.
Res. That a further £1,000 be added to the BUDC Mortgage Loan.
Mr Duxbury reported that further conversations had taken place re the water supply in case of fire at WH Mill. It was now considered that the best course was to provide a suitable entrance to a small out-building in which a fire pump, property of Rolls Royce would be situated.
Res. That the balance sheet as read be adopted and AGM to be 27th August.
R Jacques.

August 27th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1918-16-10, rents owing £1932-15-6.
It was stated that it was understood that E Midgley and Co [WH weaving] would be closing down under the Cotton Board Reorganisation Scheme, information to this effect having been given to their weavers. No notice had been received by CHSC. [This was a government scheme to compensate firms for closure in order to reduce weaving capacity in the industry.]
R Jacques.

No minute for AGM
Printed balance sheet reports: net profit for year of £3799-13-1. Dividend as per minutes.
Signed E Wood and A V Hedges at Burnley August 4th 1959.

September 24th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2354-1-11, rents owing £1718-8-1.
Transfer of 206 shares from the Exors of Jane Josephine Sneath to Martha Sneath sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that six months notice had been received from Midgley's to terminate their tenancy on February 28th 1960.
Mr Hedges reported that Silentnight had requested a month's extension to their tenancy at Butts Mill which was due to expire on September 30th.
Res. That this be agreed.
It was reported that G S Sidebottom and Co Ltd were asking for 2850 square feet of additional space (95ft x 30ft) It was agreed that this should be arranged if possible and that they should be asked to pay for this on the basis of 70 square feet per loom making an additional charge for 40 looms of 40” reed-space it being understood that it was their intention to put in additional looms.
[One of the strange things that nobody properly understood was that fact that whilst the reduction of the capacity of the trade was reduced and there was an undoubted demand for cloth, this seldom resulted in extra work for the firms left weaving.]
A general discussion took place on the WH tenancies. [The directors could see the end of weaving coming.]
Ed Wood.

October 15th 1959
E Wood chair. R Jacques, Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3952-14-7 credit, rents owing £2632-14-1.
Transfer of 230 shares from James Crook deceased to Mrs Edith Crook sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that six months notice to terminate their tenancy at WH Mill had been received from Horsfield's (Bankfield) Ltd.
It was reported that a letter dated October 5th had been received from Mr Craddock, farmer, stating that Mr Windle had not fenced off his land and that Mr Craddock's stock were eating rubbish tipped by Mr Windle with possible serious results and he had been forced to remove his stock in consequence. He expected a reduction in rent. Mr Hedges stated that he had written to Mr Windle asking him to erect the necessary fencing as soon as possible. Mr Duxbury said he had noticed that fence posts had been put in and he would ascertain if the land was being reasonably fenced.
As regards WH tenants, Mr Duxbury said that neither Widdups or Rolls Royce were interested in more space at WH. Sidebottom's had originally accepted the offer of additional space but had later asked whether arrangements could be made for them to move to the space to be vacated by Midgley's.
Mr Duxbury said that Blackburn Holden wanted to run about 80 looms of 39” reed-space in WH but that the whole position was still very uncertain.
The possibility of having to stop the engine and run the looms remaining by electricity was discussed.
R Jacques.

November 19th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £4989-4-9 credit, rents owing £2446-3-4. Accounts paid.
Res. That a further £2000 be deposited with BUDC Mortgage Loan at 5½% interest repayable December 31st 1963.
Transfer of 76 shares from Exors of C C Suthers to Albert Monks sanctioned. Seal cert etc.
A letter from the Vicar of Barnoldswick re a further appeal to clear off the deficit on the building of the new church was read. It was noted that a donation of £100 had been made in January 1958.
Res. That a letter be sent to say that the outlook for CHSC was not as good as when the first donation was made and that the matter would have to be deferred for the time being until it was known what the position of the company would be.
A letter was read from the Inland Revenue asking for an agreed figure in respect of betterment in relation to the sale of CH Shed to Blin and Blin. It was considered that the value of betterment re the sale was certainly not more than one fifth and probably less.
It was reported that Blackburn Holden had been pressing for confirmation that space would be available for him at WH Mill.
Res. That a letter be sent to him confirming the verbal arrangements that space would be available for him for about 80 looms.
The question of the removal of Sidebottom's to the space presently occupied by Midgley's was considered.
Res. That particulars be obtained of the respective areas involved.
Res. That an interim dividend for the half year be paid at 5% per annum less tax.
R Jacques.

December 17th 1959
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Mr Jacques reported the death of Edward Wood who had been chairman for many years. Resolved that an expression of sympathy be extended to his family, his very great service recorded and the members stand in silence.
Bank account £2163-5-2, rents owing £1923-15-11.
A letter from Carlson's was read containing a suggestion by them as to the rebuilding of the boundary wall at Butts Mill adjacent to the footpath. It was felt it would be better if Mr Duxbury met them on site to discuss the matter in detail.
Further correspondence from Windle's Garage [Fred Windle] was read in which they claimed a right of entry from the land belonging to SHSC at the back of the plot purchased by them. [The corner plot on Skipton Road and Vicarage Road] A reply had been sent pointing out that there was no right of entry as claimed by them and that the access to their land was from Skipton Road.
Correspondence from G Sidebottom was read re the suggestion they should move to the space presently occupied by Midgley's when this became vacant, the rent to be charged on the equivalent 313 looms of 40” reed-space.
Res. That this be agreed and that they should have a fixed term of three years after which the tenancy should be subject to six months notice on either side.
R Jacques.

February 25th 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
It was unanimously resolved that Mr R Jacques be the new chairman.
Bank account £2904-17-0 credit, Deposit account £1650-1-1, rents owing £2273-3-10.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: 1406 shares from the executrix of A W Slater to H M Greenwood and 3522 shares to new trustees in the estate of George Proctor. All seal cert etc.
It was reported that Mr Duxbury had seen Carlson's who had agreed to rebuild the wall adjacent to the public footpath at Butts Mill to a height of at least one foot above the existing road and finished with a 6” concrete coping surmounted by a 4ft palisaded fence of approved strength and design.
It was reported that negotiations had been entered into with Rolls Royce to lease to them the portion of WH Mill being vacated by Horsfield's (Bankfield) Ltd at a yearly rent of £1500 per annum with an allowance of £500 off the first years rent, CHSC to pay for a new roadway to Vicarage Road from a new doorway in the NE side, the doorway to be constructed by Rolld Royce Ltd. The lease to be to February 28th 1963 and to contain similar options to the two other leases.
Res. That these terms be approved.
Mr Duxbury said that Sidebottom's wished to retain three bays of their present premises in addition to moving into Midgley's space. This would give them 2612 square feet extra (less a passage from Blackburn Holden's to the toilets) which would accommodate further looms equivalent to 40 of 40” reed-space making a total of 353 looms at 40”. (See minutes of December 17th 1959)
It was reported that Silentnight (Craven Pad Co Ltd) had not given notice to vacate the portion of WH Mill occupied by them but it was thought they would do in the near future.
Mr Duxbury reported on preliminary conversations he had had with Blackburn Holden re space for 80 to 90 looms to be let to him at WH Mill.
It was agreed that as part of the space to be occupied by Sidebottom's was already motorised it would be uneconomic to run the engine for the remaining looms.
Res. That arrangements be made to install motors to drive the necessary cross shafts and to shut down the engine.
[I'm glad that Teddy Wood had died. He loved the engines and it would have been hard on him.]
R Jacques.

March 17th 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3332-3-2 credit, rents owing £2080-2-10. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned: All from Margaret Ellen Kelly: 125 shares to Sylvia Bracewell. 125 to Dorothy Bracewell and 126 to Moira Wood. 100 shares from A Thompson to Harold Duxbury. All seal cert etc.
A letter was read from Carlson's dated March 1st 1960 stating that there appeared to be some misunderstanding about the rebuilding of the wall adjoining the public footpath at Butts. They were getting an estimate of the cost and would be in touch with CHSC again.
It was reported that agreement had been reached between the Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers Association and the appropriate trade unions under which there was to be a 7½% increase in the wages for engine men, firemen etc from March 7th 1960.
It was reported that Rolls Royce had now suggested that the proposed lease to them of Horsfield's portion of WH Mill should be a ten year lease with a break clause on February 29th 1963 and that the landlords, on written request from the tenants, made not less that six months before the expiration of the lease would grant a seven year extension at the same rent. With the provision that the option to determine such further term by not less than six months written notice to the landlord expiring on any of the days appointed for payment of rent.
Res. That this be agreed.
Mr Duxbury said that E Midgley and Co had not yet vacated their portion of WH Mill and that until they had done so Sidebottom's were not able to fix on a suggested lay-out of their looms. This was holding up motorising that part of the premises.
In the meantime six new 20hp electric motors and one 10hp for one shaft had been purchased, [Pencil note that an extra 20hp motor had been ordered since this minute.]
Mr Hedges reported he had received a letter from Sidebottom's dated March 8th 1960 in which they conformed that they now definitely agreed that they would take the additional space set out in Mr Hedges' letter of February 26th. [Followed by reiteration of the terms agreed.]
R Jacques.

April 21st 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £1413-10-4, deposit account £4150-1-1 and rents owing £3130-18-1. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares from Exors of G W Parkin sanctioned: 313 to E M Parkin and 312 to K Parkin. Seal cert etc.
Reported that the lease for Horsfield's portion of WH Mill to RR was in the hands of the solicitors for completion.
Also reported that Midgley's portion of WH Mill was not yet ready for occupation by Sidebottom's but that every endeavour was being made to push forward the preparations.
Mr Duxbury reported that he had had an application for the letting of part of Butts Mill for a motor repairing business. It was agreed that he should make the best terms possible.
R Jacques.

May 19th 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £3021-14-1 credit and rents owing £1824-12-6. Accounts paid.
It was reported that part of the space previously occupied by Aldersley's at Butts Mill had been let to TMS Motors (Barnoldswick) Ltd. The tenancy to commence May 28th 1960 at a rent of £6 per week subject to the tenant paying any increase in insurance premiums affected by the trade and thay pay rates.
R Jacques.

June 16th 1960
R Jacques chair. Patrick, Duxbury, Barrett, Horsfield and Hedges. Minutes as read.
Bank account £2373-11-7 credit and rents owing £1362-0-10. Accounts paid.
Transfers of shares sanctioned from the Exors of E Wood: 1582 shares to Mrs E Harrison. 1562 to Mrs E Hedges. 1581 to Mrs E Wood. Seal cert etc.
It was reported that the agreement with YEB for the supply of electricity to WH Mill for power to run Sidebottom's and Holden's had been signed.
Reported that the move by Sidebottom's to the Midgley space at WH was still not completed but that Blackburn Holden [Later BENDEM Ltd] were installing looms in the part vacated by Sidebottom's.
Mr Duxbury said he had received application from TMS Motors for additional space on the first floor at Butts Mill.
Res. That he be authorised to arrange this on the best terms possible.
A from TMS Motors had been received asking for the tenancy of the portion of Butts Mill now being occupied by them to be for a lease of five years with the option of renewal for a further twn years. It was felt that this should not be agreed to but that when Mr Duxbury saw TMS he should discuss the question of a lease for five years.
R Jacques.

[End of volume nine of the CHSC minute books, the last I copied in the series as when I did it the CHSC was still in existence and volume ten was current and in use. In the absence of the later minutes and just to give you a clue. John C Carlson eventually bought Butts Mill and are still in business there as Carlson's Filtration. RR later gave up the tenancy of in WH Mill and Tom Clarke bought it, it is still used by Silentnight for their subsidiary which makes the spring interiors for their mattresses. Silentnight still in Moss Shed of course. I think that the sale of Wellhouse was the trigger for winding CHSC up and Harold once told me that the sale of Wellhouse was a stroke of luck, he said that at that time CHSC would have paid for someone to take it off their hands. Bendem survived in WH Mill as one of the last weaving firms in Barlick running about 80 looms, some of the Bancroft weavers went there after Bancroft closed in December 1978. Henry Brown Sons and Pickles were bought by Gissing and Lonsdale when Silentnight demolished the last remnants of Wellhouse in 1982 and still survive in name only on Wellhouse Road. For more background information seek out my books on Lulu.com, lots more in there. SCG, 17/04/11. 396,912 words.]