Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/206



Mr. J. McAdam. 25 August, 1831. after it; or two Carriages after it, would it be two of three tolls, or one only?—Two or three tolls; where a Steam Carriage' conveys passengers by drawing 25 August another Coach they would each pay the toll of four horses, this is a matter still in its infancy; in many Acts, such as the Lemsford Mills Act; a toll of half-a-crown was introduced for any Carriage drawn or propelled by Steam.

Would not this inconvenience arise from the Clause you have read in the Metropolis Tolls Act; it would be-a premium given in favour of one description of Steam Carriage over another, though the injury done to the road might be in favour of the one less taxed, as in the case of a Steam Carriage carrying 20 passengers, and another Steam Carriage drawing a Carriage containing the same 20 passengers?—In that case the toll would certainly be an unjust one, and require revision; it was a point not settled and it was put in merely to commence the toll, and call the public attention to it. I beg leave to observe, that if these Carriages come into general use, they would necessarily require a still greater perfection in the surface of our roads, and also in the levelling of the remaining hills; as good surface and little inclination is to them of the greatest importance.

If that is the case, would it not be necessary to lay considerable rate of toll upon those Carriages, for the purpose of affording the means of executing those improvements?—It is found, that lowering the hills, and improving the surface of all the roads, is productive invariably of a great increase of thoroughfare; and although lowering the hills might be attended with the first expence, any excitement that would induce the Trustees of the Roads to keep them in good order, would be at the same time productive of economy, a good road being always the cheapest.

Do you not suppose, if those Carriages were in general use, the very action of the wheels upon the roads would prevent the necessity of such frequent repairs as are required at present?—I should think that the absence of the horses' feet in a great degree upon the roads, would be a very considerable saving;