Page:Remarks on the Present System of Road Making (1823).djvu/149

 *Perhaps it might be resisted; it will be unfortunate when that happens to be the case, but when the good effects of it begin to be seen in the country, I think those objections would be got rid of.

Do you believe that the first effects of such consolidation would be a diminution of expense?—I am quite certain of that.

How is that diminution of expense to arise?—By introducing a much better mode of management, it would occasion more regularity in the mode of keeping accounts, it would introduce a diminution of expense materially in horse labour, and in various other things; that I think, upon the whole, the diminution of expense by such regulation would be found very great indeed.

Do not you believe that the present system of maintaining roads is the means of a continued increase of expense in the debt and tolls throughout the kingdom?—I think the debt is increasing very much throughout the kingdom and that the debt is perhaps greater than gentlemen in parliament are aware of; at present tolls are increasing.

Do you consider that there is a corresponding improvement in the roads, in proportion to the increase of the tolls and debts?—By no means; my belief is, that where the greatest expense is there the worst management is, or rather, that the worst management produces the greatest expense.

Then, in your opinion, a great improvement might be effected on the roads in general, which might be accompanied in the end by a gradual diminution of debt and tolls?—Certainly, I think so.

Can you give any information as to the total amount of general debt on the roads now existing in England and Wales? After inquiring by all the means that an unauthorized individual could do in different parts of the country, and ascertaining, as nearly as I could, the amount of debt upon a great number of trusts; I have been inclined to believe that the debt at present amounts to about seven millions in England and Wales.