R3/5082/1 & 2

Letter Reads- Mr Maule, the Rector of Ampthill had written to the Duke informing him that the ratepayers had resolved to borrow 650 on security of the rates to alter and repair the interior of the Church. Mr Bennett thinks that Mr Maule has also had a report and estimate for alterations to the exterior, 577, which he proposed to raise by voluntary subscriptions by land owners and others. The Duke wished to know which proportion his estate might bear compared with the rest of the parish. It appears that the whole parish is assessed at 5120 and, by the same assessment the property belonging to the Duke is assessed at 1350. On the subject of galvanized iron, the patent mentioned by Mr Tuffnell is the same article which Mr Hacker recommended for the covering of the verandah at Oakley, two years previously. Following receipt of an estimate the Duke thought it too expensive. Mr Bennett doubts if it has yet had a sufficiently long trial for anyone to judge its merits. Mr Green says it would be improper to give a release to Perry, "The Duke alone giving him out would be of no avail". Mr Green is satisfied that there will be no more actions. Perry having got his damages, an attorney going on with another action, if he got a verdict, would only get taxed costs. A county attorney would get small profit out of taxed costs - most of the work being done through London Agents. Mr Green says a release from Perry would not be binding on any other encroacher whose fence was pulled down. Mr Bennett never heard what sum the late Duke contributed to Mr Fuller but he considers just "so much hard cash thrown away". The place may hold together in Mr Fuller's time but subsequently it would have been just as bad as Houghton Regis.

22 April 1846

From: 1846 To: 1846

item

Haedy, C,
Maule,
Bennett,
Tuffnell,
Hacker,
Bennett,
Green,
Perry,
Fuller

attorney at law, letters, WOBURN, Woburn Abbey, AMPTHILL, OAKLEY, London, HOUGHTON REGIS