Transactions - North of England Institute of Mining and Mechanical Engineers Volume 29

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 Excerpt: ... although not taking an active part publicly in the pro fession, he yet, in conjunction with the late Mr. Marcus Scott, his brotherin-law, and Mr. T. Macdougall Smith, carried on an extensive practice as civil and mining engineers in London. Having previously been engaged in connection with the mines of the Forest of Dean, he was, under the Act 1 and 2 Vict., c. 43, for regulating the opening and working of mines and quarries in the Forest of Dean, in the County of Gloucester, which received the Royal assent on 27th July, 1838, appointed by the Government Commissioner on behalf of the Crown, his colleagues being John Probyn, Esq., of Gloucester, selected by the Free Miners, and John Buddle, Esq., the eminent colliery viewer, who was the third Commissioner or Umpire. The inquiry extended over three years, and in July, 1841, the Commissioners made their award, which, by order of Her Majesty's Commissioners of Woods, Forests, and Land Revenue, was in the same year published, and the task of preparing the award and accompanying map for publication devolved on Mr. Sopwith. On frequent subsequent occasions Mr. Sopwith acted professionally for the Government in connection with Crown properties. From 1845 to 1871, a period of twenty-six years, Mr. Sopwith was chief agent of the W. B. Lead Mines, belonging to the Beaumont family, the representative of which is, and was during the greater part of Mr. Sopwith's connection therewith, Wentworth Blackett Beaumont, Esq., M.P. The first twelve years of this period Mr. Sopwith resided almost constantly at Allenheads, and here, in the' midst of the workmen and their families, he was ever busy in promoting the interests of his employer, but in so doing did not forget the well-beiug of those acting under him, whether as agents...