Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/44

22 1802, he estimates that to improve this navigation and drainage, it would cost £63,921, but of which sum only £6,063 related to the navigation.

In the year 1825, Mr. Rennie was again employed to examine this navigation and drainage, with a view to make further improvements. He directed that the sluice at Ferraby should be lowered 3 feet, making it 4 feet above low-water-mark at spring tides; that the river for three hundred yards from the sluice should be widened to 48 feet at bottom, and from thence to Cadney, 30 feet; that a lock of 6 feet rise should be made at Thornton Beck, and the bottom of the navigation, from this lock to Bishop Briggs, to diminish from 20œ feet broad to 15 feet. He estimated those improvements at £69,200.

The navigation and drainage is under the management of commissioners, who have power to raise £5,000, on security of tolls, to be applied for the improvement of the navigation and completing it to Bishop Briggs.

By the act of 6th George IV. it is stated that the sum of £12,000 raised by virtue of the act of 42nd George III. had been expended, and that the commissioners, in addition to this sum, had also incurred a debt of £7,500.. To liquidate which debt, and for the further purpose of improving the drainage and navigation, the commissioners have power of raising, by assessment, not more than £3,000 in any one year.

By the act of 42nd George III. the new rates and dues, substituted in lieu of the above, are as follows:—