X876/1/37

Ruling in the Queen's Bench between 1) John Elger esq of Brighton, Sussex 2) Henry Leech esq, Thomas Simmons Trapp esq, William Williams esq, William Wells Kilpin, ironmonger and John Brashier, confectioner all of Bedford a) property as shown on attached map [see catalogue page following] Recites Agreement 1862 between (1) and (2) Recites that The Bedford Gas Light Company was formed in 1833 Recites the Gas Works land in St Paul Bedford was the property of the Trustees of the Gas Light Company, which had been set up to manufacture inflammable air or gas from coal oil resin and other materials and to prepare and obtain coke coal tar pitch asphaltum ammoniacal liquor essential and other oils to supply the town of Bedford with light Recites Company constitution - rotation & names of Directors, legal obligations of the Board, etc. Recites JE has entered into sale agreements of portions of his land lettered A, B, C and D on the plan with Messrs Tall, Francis, William Haynes and Edward Haynes Recites the surface soil of JE's land and the Company's land is gravelly and the strata below it is porous, and his land could only be supplied with water from wells sunk on his land. JE alleged that the value of his land was depreciated because the Company allowed ammoniacal liquor - containing coal tar, sulphuretted hydrogen, ammonial lime and sulphocyanide - to escape through the surface soil to the porous strata and down to the River Ouse through JE's land, rendering the water under his land foul and unfit for domestic use, and he threatened to institute proceedings in Chancery to restrain the Company and claim compensation. The Directors of the Works "with a view to avoid litigation and to save expense" admitted JE had sustained some damage, and arbitration was requested because the two sides could not agree the amount of damage. Thomas Bennett of Park Farm, Woburn, Land Agent and Surveyor, was appointed Arbitrator. [This copy seems to be contemporary, stamped "Rule Office QB", annotated with the costs involved and 'Burgoyne & Co', presumably the solicitor representing JE. There are two other, later, copies of this Ruling, at WL 701 - handwritten - and St uncat 550 - typewritten]

1863

From: 1833 To: 1863

item

Elger, John,
Leech, Henry,
Trapp, Thomas Simmons,
Williams, William,
Kilpin, William Wells,
Brashier, John,
The Bedford Gas Light Company,
Tall,
Francis,
Haynes, William,
Haynes, Edward,
Bennett, Thomas,
Burgoyne & Company

DEEDS, Bedford Green Dragon, St.Loyes, ironmonger, confectioner, maps, The Bedford Gas Light Company, gas works, gas, Director, Great Ouse, Chancery, Woburn Park Farm, land agent, surveyor, arbitrations, solicitor, St. Paul Bedford, Brighton, BEDFORD, WOBURN