Catalogue description Kennet and Avon Canal Navigation Company

Incorporated by act of 17th April 1794 (34 Geo III, cap.90) as "Company of Proprietors of Kennet and Avon Canal Navigation".

By Act of June 1813, this company purchased shares of River Kennet and River Avon Navigations.

Under Great Western Railway Act 30th June 1852 No.1, Kennet and Avon Canal Navigation was transferred to Great Western Railway Company, Great Western Railway Company to pay to each registered proprietor of Kennet and Avon Company 6/- per share annually. Shares were apparently originally £100 each.

In 1851, Great Western Railway Company, by agreement with Kennet and Avon Company, leased Canal in consideration 6/- per share per annum (see 32nd half-yearly Report for 30th June 1851).

By Great Western Railway (Various Powers) Act 1867, Section 110 etc., payment was capitalised by issue of £6 Great Western Railway Original Canal Stock entitled to guaranteed dividend of 5% per annum for each share. Power to convert this stock into Great Western Rent Charge Stock was given by section 111.

In 1870 this stock was included in conversion of various other stocks into Great Western Railway Rent Charge Stock, which was consolidated under Section 21 of Great Western Railway Act of 1st August 1870.

After 1947, the Navigation came under the jurisdiction of the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive.