The writer is directed by the Board of Trustees to ask for a reply to their letter of 15 December 1909. Fr Purcell is asked what arrangements he has made regarding the properties from which he receives rent. The writer call to Fr Purcell's notice that if the properties are not kept in good repair then "Mr Pauling, the great benefactor of your mission may cease to take further interest in the work at St Ives".
[The letter ends at this point - it is an unsigned draft]
Thanks Fr Kerby for the CAFOD collection. Bishop wishes he had had a word with the matron, she may have known John Marden. Advises Fr Kerby to do a good painting and repair job on the house as it is getting tatty.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)John Smith has responded to Fr Nesden regarding those nominated for the Bene Merenti Medal. Thanks for accepting, in principal, the funding for Cathedral repairs. Contact Peter Wilson regarding the re-roofing Fr Nesden has.
Clark, Alan Charles Rev DD (1919-2002)Requests assistance from the Poor Mission Fund. He has had repairs in both the House (flooring fell in) and the Studio (had to make flooring good for any new tenant). The £35 is beyond his ability to meet; he has not asked for many years; would Canon Tonks put in a good word for him?
Purcell, James Rev (-1942)Thanks Canon Tonks for putting his application before the Finance board. Mission income is:
Endowment £10.8.9 quarterly = £41 15
Rent studio - £10 per annum = £10
Rent Yard - £5 per annum = £5
Collections / Altar Fund c. 7/- per week = £16 16
Total is £73.11.0 per annum
Studio, let in May to an artist, vacant for many months before that. Describes the rotting floors and ascribes it to the severe flooding of 1912.
Thanks for £20 towards cost of repairs.
Purcell, James Rev (-1942)Fr Purcell omitted to say in his last letter that the work has been done to his satisfaction.
Purcell, James Rev (-1942)Fr Purcell enclosed Mr Skeeles account for the Studio repairs. If everything is in order he'd be pleased to have a cheque, at the convenience of the Finance Committee.
pencil annotation on side 2 listing 5 prices totalling £8.4.6
Progress report on work being done on The Studio. Not yet complete - roof done; painting remains to be done. Builders will get round to it when they can. No rent received from Mr Cotman - can Fr Tonks get it from him?
Purcell, James Rev (-1942)Responding to a letter of the day before, Fr Purcell declines to have anything to do with the matter. "With deference" he suggests that Trustees make decisions and bear the cost of them in relation to this property. Being asked "To settle it in the interests of the Mission" only means he must bear the cost - he declines. It is not the lease, but the need to assist with repairs. Also suggests that the diocese bears the cost of consulting Mr King.
Purcell, James Rev (-1942)Fr Purcell is adamant that the Board of Trustees are not helping his Mission by their propositions. They should tell Mr Skeeles whether or not they are going to support his suggestion. Their inference that Fr Purcell is responsible for the neglect of the properties does not go down well. They can think that if they wish, but whether they are justified to do so is another matter. Fr Purcell states that his knowledge of Mr Pauling is that he would not accuse anyone, openly or covertly, of such neglect. Neither would he think that St Ives is in a position to spend money on repairs. Caustically, Fr Purcell says he might be mistaken that an objective of the Board is to assist Poor Missions ("with barely sufficient income"). Does the board say it is his fault and he must "personally pay the expense?".
Purcell, James Rev (-1942)He has read Mr Cotman's letter forwarded to him by Fr Tonks. Fr Purcell details the many problems in the state of repair of the Studio. Consulting Mr Skeeles it is apparent that the water ingress through the roof is very bad and makes the place untenantable in wet weather. It will require more than just replacing the slates. Fr Purcell says "my exemplary predecessors don't seem to have troubled their heads about the property beyond getting the money for them". He is completely ignorant of the terms of the sub-let tenancy and "my exemplary predecessors have not left any statements to guide me". He has just learnt from Mr Cotman that another arrangement had been made for the lease directly with the Trustees, of which Fr Purcell is completely ignorant. He finishes by saying "I am afraid £5 is a material consideration here".
Purcell, James Rev (-1942)Reminding Fr Tonks that Mr Skeeles is requesting assistance for repairs, which he says was not in good repair prior to becoming tenants. Fr Purcell does not want the role of landlord - he will accept rent for the benefit of the Mission, but if the diocese should take the rent directly then fine so long as they make up the difference to the Mission. St Ives does not have the surplus to make up such difference; neither should the parish priest have to use his "meagre income" meet such expenses. Fr Purcell then refers the matter back to the owners!
Purcell, James Rev (-1942)Studio - wooden building, slated roof, lighted by a skylight. Roof has sprung, especially around the skylight, this now lets in water. Describes work in estimate from Mr Skeeles dated 3 June 1910.
Builders yard and sheds - blacksmith's forge in shed - tenant wishes to remove two feet of brickwork to facilitate access when storing cement. Tenant asks for 11/- the amount paid for repairs to the window - if granted he will execute roof repairs at own cost.
"The Studio was the former church and is now let to Mr F G Cotman for £10 per annum. The yard is let to Mr Skeeles for £10 per annum."
Headed "Paid by Fr Wilson". Three headings - Church, Studio, House. It lists a few items of expenditure of maintenance/repair for each heading between Oct 1907 and April 1909.
Not signed or dated. Assumed to be written by Fr Wilson.
Writing from the Studio, St Ives. Enclosed a rent cheque for £15. Work done to the room has made him considerably more comfortable. Pleased to see [Fr Tonks?] if he is in the neighbourhood. p.s. "I never can remember the dates for paying such."
Cotman, Frederic George MrWriting from a Fulham, London address. Fr Tonks will agree with him that something needs to be done with the roof of the Studio . It could not have bene in structural repair when he took it over.; quite untenantable. "This is very distressing to me as I have a good deal of work to accoplish in the room." He cannot be expected to bear the burden of repairs.
Cotman, Frederic George MrWriting from a Fulham, London address. Studio keys are with Mrs Claude Smith - The Cross (Tailor). Mr Skeeles knows the trouble - he is my neighbour and a builder having a yard at the back. Unable to say when he can get to St Ives to meet Fr Tonks.
Cotman, Frederic George MrFrederic Cotman, returned last Thursday to find the roof of the Studio so "distressfully", wishes to know who is bound to do the repairs. He does not want the burden of the whole of the outside repairs on his shoulders. Mr Jackaman, his lawyer in Norwich, made a mistake in his transaction with Mr Day who acts for Mrs Smith. Cotman will do his duty but wants fair play. Fr Purcell knows of this case. Cotman cannot stand the expense and asks for an interview with Fr Tonks.
Cotman, Frederic George MrFormal estimate for work to be done to the Studio, East Street, St Ives.
- Wrought iron tie rod - 15/-
- Remove slates above skylight, replace lead, relay slates, make good - £2.0.0
- Clean down, paint skylight twice, replace broken glass - £1.0.0
- To prepare, stop up, paint twice whole outside of building - £4.0.0