Page:Report from the Select Committee on Steam Carriages.pdf/230



Mr. John Macneil. 6 September, 1831. over it and breaking up the surface, and the Steam Carriages would be able to go with greater velocity if they were not interrupted with droves of cattle; besides, it would be easy to fence it off from fifteen to twenty feet, without injury, to property; and the expence of making a solid mad of twelve or fifteen feet would not be very considerable.

But have you any doubt whatever that Steam Carriages can be brought into practical use, with great benefit to the public, even on the present lines of turn pike roads?—I am quite convinced they can.

Would the wear of such roads as you have described, be much affected by the greater or less velocity of the Steam Carriages?—It would be hardly affected at all, on a good road, by increased velocity; if any thing perhaps rather less.

Do you propose in your scheme of toll that weight should be the basis of toll, but that the wheel be an 'index to the weight?—Yes, that is the principle on which I have suggested the scale of tolls.

How would you check the frauds of proprietors of Steam Carriages, by their placing a greater weight in proportion to the breadth of tire?—I conceive the use of the Steam Carriage would be for passengers solely and their luggage; if the weight was ascertained in the yards at London. Birmingham, or Shrewsbury, the intermediate traffic would differ very little, for persons going short distances would go by the Coaches as at present.

Would you suggest that a license should be granted to Steam Carriages, limiting the number of passengers they should take in proportion to the breadth of tire of the wheel?—I think it would be quite as much as the Road Trustees could expect; and by marking in large characters the width of wheel on the Carriage, it would be a great preventive to the proprietors altering the wheels.

Do you think that considering the infant state of this invention, that the Road Trustees would practically suffer any great injury or inconvenience by merely for two or three years placing Steam Carriages, whatever weight they may be, on a level with