HF41/2/10/4

Bundle of Correspondence regarding Charles Powers & Co, mainly regarding breaking of partnership of Hugh Powers with Edmund Frederick Powers (“Fred”)

23 May 1884 - 17 Feb 1885

From: 1884 To: 1885

including Letter from E S King, St Andrews, Biggleswade to Hugh Powers could not send cheque because Mr Fred would not sign one. says “you must see him” 23 May 1884 letter, Hugh Powers, St Stephen’s Club to T J Hooper enclosed letter (see above) shows statements at Law Institution perfectly correct as regards “the annoyance I am subjected to by my cousin Fred” will not go down to the City to see him – never has anything to say – been dozens of times – compels him to come there to fetch his (Hugh’s) money should always be sent Thursday, only got cheque last Monday could not go to see Fred on Friday because arranged with friend to go to a cricket match at Lords wants money from T J Hooper every week till affairs are settled. won’t write to Fred, tired of being insulted 24 May 1884 letter, Sharp, Parsons and Company of 120 Colmore Row, Birmingham, accountants (auditors of Charles Powers and Company) to T J Hooper 24 May 1884 including copies of letters a) Charles Powers and Company to Sharpe etc. books not ready for Mr Parson “please send your Mr Callaway at once to assist with them” 23 May 1884 b) Sharp etc. to Edmund Frederick Powers greatly surprised Mr King is again in arrears with his work despite distinct promise cannot send clerk to Biggleswade could all books and Mr King be sent here Mr Parsons will come Thursday morning week But if Books not ready, then audit will have to be held over another month Daniel can afford competent assistance if required 24 May 1884 covering note, Sharp, Parsons to T J Hooper urged the matter as far as possible and can go no further 28 May 1884 including copies of letters b) Edmund Frederick Powers to Sharp postpone audit Hugh Powers, St Stephen’s Cub, Westminster to T J Hooper loss to understand cousin Fred’s reasons for not wishing the Books inspected. wished Parson to overhaul them at once hoped for cheque will not receive anything from Fred 6 Jun 1884 Sharp etc. to T J Hooper got figures for Preliminary Balance sheet received letter from Fred Powers stating believes Joint Charge Account figures are wrong – Parsons therefore attending in Biggleswade again 30 Jun 1884 Hugh Powers to T J Hooper on return from Henley found letter from Edmund Frederick Powers at the club, will not reply to it, do not expect cheque from St Andrews, so requests one from T J Hooper 5 Jul 1884 letter, Fred Powers, Road Club, 4 Park Place, St James, London SW to Hugh Powers waited till 5, asks him to drop a line to Albion Mill, York Road, King’s Cross Stibbard, Gibson and Sykes, 21 Leadenhall Street, London EC “can only set aside the documents which were executed on the 2nd instant by alleging that they were a fraudulent preference” and obtain an ajudication, think they can Hugh Powers signed notice of Dissolution written to George Powers intimating Hugh Powers pressing for an immediate Dissolution of Brickyards Business (Hugh Edward Powers “does not seeem to know any particulars of the business – whether there is a lease”. says T J Hooper went into it fully for Mr Safford (Frederick Safford) Acounts up to 1882 8 Jul 1884 T J Hooper to Hugh Powers, St Stephen’s Club, Westminster met Fred at club. Solicitor favours immediate registering of Bill of Sale – done. would call on George who wished to see him, seeks advice 9 Jul 1884 letter, Sharp to T J Hooper wants to know regarding letter on dorse – believes T J Hooper paying cheques for Charles Powers and Company requests £56..4s..10d charge regarding fire and per account rendered 10 Jul 1884 letter on dorse copy of letter, E S King, St Andrews, Biggleswade to Edmund Frederick Powers Hugh Powers want account of money Mr Fred has drawn on Charles Powers and Company and full details of Faversham, Brick Yards 9 Jul 1884 Wheeler (at present at South Mills) to attend “at the Mill and make necessary examination of Powers and Son’s Balances would like Tempsford Mill Books while T J Hooper on holiday 25 Jul 1884 Sharp etc. to Hooper and Company learn Hooper and Company not in favour of Tempsford Mill Books being brought to Birmingham do you want audit on these lines a) check all postings and additions b) examine Powers and Sons Flour Account with sales to Powers and Company customers c) charge interest on Powers and Sons Accounts d) draw out and send all Tempsford Mill customers Statements of Accounts to date 30 Jul 1884 letter, Sharp etc. to Hooper and Company regarding joint cargoes ... “Mr Hooper entirely repudiates” letter, E S King of Charles Powers and Company to T J Hooper Sales of wheat per “Etna” from Horne and Son Credit Charles Powers and Company with 750 quarters Original invoice quantity was 770 quarters Account of old brass 497 pounds which Mr Frederick Powers brought from Tempsford Mill and put into his malting Enclose 2 accounts What is to be done regarding London Trade? No weekly statement from Mr Ritchie for a fortnight No list of deliveries from Powers and Son from some time past Send Ritchie’s Agreement and Deeds deposited as security letter, Sharp etc. at South Mills, Blunham to T J Hooper regarding Powers and Sons Cooper’s clerk taken rough drafts of accounts with him Error of £400 +; important correct accounts should be obtained If so necesary to eliminate all these joint cargo transactions from Accounts with Powers and Sons if Charles Powers and Company have to accept a share of reponsibility for these cargoes, necessary to go through each cargo on its merits in order to determine their amount of loss 13 Aug 1884 George Walter Powers writing from Swan Hotel, Bedford is there a ruse in my cousins not proving late Uncle [Edmund Powers]’s Will will he get anything for attending Markets – should like to stick to the business but don’t like attending regularly for nothing 21 Aug 1884 Copy of letter sent by A J Hills balance 30 April Company £3510 Waller £3546 July accounts not complete cover note dated 22 Aug 1884 letter, Stibbard etc. to Hooper and Company talk with George Powers regarding cargoes George Powers reckons some of the people should have some more money sent them but others (incluging Gregory) should be told to take their own course Easton advises hold on Considering position of Charles Powers and Company better not to pay any more cover “let all present holders of cargo sell against us and thus be in a position to estimate what our actual liabilities on the joint cargoes are” Received from Messrs Coventry, Sheppard and Company require further amount on account of cover, if determine on latter course, “we will write Messrs Powers and Sons on behalf of Charles Powers and Company giving them notice so that they may take up the cargoes and provide cover if they think fit” 26 Aug 1884 letter, Stibbard etc. to Hooper and Company will see Mr Cooper but he does not know of account showing £700 due to Charles Powers and Company, only person heard it from was Mr Lindsell. loss would have to be met sometimes by Charles Powers and Company but if contention is right then charge the loss to Powers and Sons 27 Aug 1884 Sharp etc. to Hooper and Company retained in balance sheet estimated loss to Charles Powers and Company on cargo accounts as estimated by George Powers regarding suggested compromise with Edmund Frederick Powers. had letter from Powers and Sons desiring Sharp etc. to retransfer debit of Charles Powers and Company the cash which Edmund Frederick Powers had drawn out of Charles Powers and Company business but which had been by his instructions charged to Powers and Sons. as over £1000 involved need clear understanding prior to any arrangement 28 Aug 1884 letter, Stibbard etc. to Hooper and Company Messrs Cooper making out statement regarding Joint Cargoes as fast as they can – need sale notes told Messrs Hollams – should find no more cover. should write to Powers and Sons telling them they are at liberty to give up the contracts and provide cover if they thought fit – Charles Powers and Company having no connection with the Corn Market it cannot do them much harm to have wheat sold against them. suggests Cooper’s clerk pay weekly visit to keep check rather than stay at Biggleswade continuously 29 Aug 1884 same to same regarding Powers and Company and Powers and Sons cargoes to be sold against us.- “of course there will be a loss on all – highly necessary Charles Powers and Company should begin to be prepared to make payments when they are called” 2 Sep 1884 same to same George Powers told his side of incident mentioned in letter of 29 August by Hooper and Company regarding drawings of Edmund Frederick Powers “He seemed to think that he had been very badly used by Edmund Frederick Powers having transferred from his debit with Powers and Company with whom they were originally, to Powers and Sons”. does it matter if indebtedness to Powers and Sons is increased by £1000 or not, we take everything and as a certain proportion belongs to Charles Powers and Company – immaterial if owes £5000 or £10,000 wants to get Bank matter (Albion Mills, Holme and Langford Mills) settled first 3 Sep 1884 same to same Powers and Sons very much in same position as Powers and Company and equally unable to pay the cover In order to keep ourselves right with them gave notice that they (Powers and Sons) at liberty to take up the cargoes – no anticipation of their doing so. Powers and Company must manage to scrape together some money somehow. Powers and Sons quite understand we contend that “we are not liable on these contracts and we shall look to them to make good any loss” they have little intention of admitting it 4 Sep 1884 copy of letter fron Hollams, Son and Coward, Mincing Lane, London EC to Stibbard etc sends copies of 2 deeds regarding Holme Mills, Biggleswade [see HF41/3] Powers and Sons unable to undertake further charges of legal expenses of conveyance. regarding proposal “of Stibbard etc.” that instead of Messrs Charles Powers and Company taking 2/3rds of the net proceeds of the sale of Mr Edmund Frederick Powers’ furniture at Biggleswade and if the net proceeds of the sale of his freehold property known as St Andrews after satisfying the Mortgage, Messrs Powers and Sons should pay Messrs Charles Powers and Company £3000 we are instructed by the former to say that they are unable to make this payment as more than the remaining 1/3rd of the proceeds will be required to meet Mr Edmund Frederick Powers’ other liabilities 4 Sep 1884 covering note enclosing above from tibbard etc. to Hooper and Company reckons Powers and Sons will agree to costs being added to Bank debt. does not matter if Edmund Frederick Powers owes Charles Powers and Company £5000 and Powers and Sons £6000 or the other way round “inasmuch as we take everything that belongs to him and get no more whether he owes £5000 or £6000” can not see how Powers and Sons claim £1000 credit against Powers and Company 5 Sep 1884 same to same insisted on 2/3rds of money quite separate from any arrangements between 2 companies. useful for monies for paying cargoes 8 Sep 1884 Daintree and Jewson, timber and slate merchants of St Neots, Huntingdonshire (proprietors of the New Sawing, Planing and Moulding Mills) headed but not illustrated notepaper to T J Hooper wants payment for acccount by Charles Powers and Company. “sent to Mr Powers every quarter without any reply” 6 Sep 1884 letters on dorse of covering letter, Sharp etc. to Hooper and Company 11 Sep 1884 regarding transfer of Edmund Frederick Powers from Powers and Sons ledgers -d 11 Sep 1884 letter from Hollams Son and Coward to Stibbard etc. Edmund Frederick Powers objected to carry out arrangement and consulted Wayman of Cambridge Powers and Sons say if not completed before 2nd will still credit Charles Powers and Company with 2/3rds of net proceeds of sales of furniture and of equity of redemption in St Andrews in reducing Edmund Frederick Powers’ liability to Charles Powers and Company 12 Sep 1884 Stibbard etc. to Hooper and Company refers to Arrangement between Charles Powers and Company and Powers and Sons “as we have always stipulated that this should be realised and paid in, that we should insist, if the arrangement were going to be carried out on the furniture etc. being sold, and our proportion being paid in cash 13 Sep 1884 Sharp Parsons and Company to Hooper and ompany alteration to be made in Powers and Sons own books not in Charles Powers and Company 15 Sep 1887 same to same regarding above “at the time of making the original transfer we detached to him the instructions received from Edmund Frederick Powers and at his (Hooper’s) suggestion we recorded in Charles Powers and Company books that the transfer was made by the authority of Mr Edmund Frederick Powers” Note on dorse:- these are sums drawn out of business of Charles Powers and Company by Edmund Frederick Powers in year ending 30 April 1884 “Edmund Frederick Powers instructed us to transfer these amounts from the debit of his Account to the debit of Powers and Sons Account informing us that he had obtained the full consent of Charles Tower Powers to such transfer” transfer made retransfer made on directions of Charles Tower and George Powers (refers to letters by date). “Charles Tower Powers denying Edmund Frederick Powers statement that he (Charles Tower Powers) gave his authority for the original transfer” 18 Sep 1884 letter, Sharp etc. to Powers and Sons made retransfer but does not affect Charles Powers and Company position 18 Sep 1884 from A Daniell of Charles Powers and Company, South Mills to Hooper and Company encloses “final” letter of Horne and Son regarding sale of 50 quarters “susan” wheat balance of £154..13..8d 25 Sep 1884 Charles Powers and Company (A K Lindsell) to Hooper and Company W Whyman of St Mary’s Street, Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire, baker, indebted for £12..3s..1d asks Hooper and Company to recover debt 17 Feb 1885

item

Hooper & Fletcher,
Powers, Charles,
Charles Powers and Co.,
Powers, Hugh Edward,
Powers, Edmund Frederick,
King, E S,
Hooper, T J,
Hooper, Thomas James,
Sharp, Parsons & Company,
Parsons,
Callaway,
Daniel,
Stibbard, Gibson & Sykes,
Powers, George,
Safford, Frederick,
Wheeler,
Hooper & Company,
Powers & Sons,
Horne & Son,
Ritchie,
Powers, George Walter,
Powers, Edmund,
Hills, A.J.,
Waller,
Gregory,
Easton,
Coventry, Sheppard & Company,
Cooper,
Lindsell, Arthur Knox,
Hollams, Son & Coward,
Daintree & Jewson,
Wayman,
Powers, Charles Tower,
Daniell, A,
Whyman, W

Hooper & Fletcher, St.Andrew Biggleswade, business, companies, family disputes, business correspondence, money, Westminster St.Stephen's Club, auditors, Birmingham, business accounts, bookkeeper, Park Place Road Club, St.James, Kings Cross Albion Mills, York Road, City of London Leadenhall Street, legal papers, brick manufacturer, Faversham, fees/charges, Blunham South Mills, Tempsford Mill, Hooper & Company, TRANSPORT, wheat, malting, Bedford Swan Hotel, wills, employment, markets, trade, debt, corn, banks, Biggleswade Holme Mills, MILLS, LANGFORD, solicitors, City of London Mincing Lane, household furniture, freehold property, BIGGLESWADE, creditors, timber merchant, slate merchant, St.Neots, Cambridge, company director, sales figures, agricultural prices, baker, Gamlingay St.Mary Street, Gamlingay