Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/227



Mr. John Macneil. 6 September, 1831. The above question refers to a Steam Carriage carrying its load; if the Engine Carriage were of the 6 September, weight of four tons, drawing a second Carriage of the weight of six tons, thus dividing the weight over eight wheels, would the effect on the road be less injurious provided it was four and a half tire?—I think the injury would be less, provided the Engine had the power to propel itself, and draw a Carriage with six tons after it, without a slipping of its wheels.

Carrying this principle further, if the load were divided into two Carriages, each to weigh three tons, thus dividing the load over twelve wheels, would not less injury still be done?—Decidedly, particularly on weak roads.

If under these circumstances you can diminish the pressure on the road by multiplying the number of wheels, should not care be taken so to frame the tolls to be levied as not to discourage the use of those Steam Carriages, whose greater number of wheels could be least injurious to the roads?—I think that would be regulated by the mode I have suggested of charging toll.

Have you seen Mr. Gurney's Carriage, and examined its effect on the roads?—I have seen it.

What state were the roads in, at what velocity was it going, how many persons did it carry, and what was its weight?—I do not know the weight of the Carriage, there appeared to be eight or ten people on and about it; the road on which I saw it was excessively bad, one of the worst in the country; the velocity was probably five or six miles an hour. Were there other loaded Carriages passing along the road at the same time?-Several, both Coaches and Waggons.

Did you remark the effect of the Steam Carriage on the road, to see that it did less or greater injury than the other Carriages?—I could not perceive any difference.

If there had been any great difference, you would have perceived it?—As far as leaving a track behind, which would have been perceived. I could not