Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/65

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Under this act the powers granted to the mayor, burgesses and commonalty, by charter, grants from the crown and preceding acts of parliament, are set forth; in which it appears they have jurisdiction down the Severn and Bristol Channel, to the two small islands called the Stipe Holmes and the Flat Holmes, distant from the mouth of the Avon about twenty-three miles; and that they and their lessees are also possessed of all the lawful wharfs and quays in the city and port of Bristol.

RATES OF ANCHORAGE AND MOORAGE.
The rates of wharfage, cannage and plankage, are fixed and very particularly enumerated in the first schedule of this act, but as they are arranged under upwards of four hundred heads, our limits will not permit us to do more than refer our readers to the act. Also by the act separate rates are fixed for the landing or shipping, and landing and weighing of goods, wares and merchandize, which are particularly set forth in the second schedule of this act, to which we likewise refer the reader; but the charges in the latter schedule are subject to the control of the magistrates assembled in quarter sessions, who can reduce the rates.

By an act of the 43rd George III. entitled,  'An Act for improving and rendering more commodious the Port and Harbour of Bristol,'  the mayor, burgesses and commonalty of the city of Bristol, and their successors; the master, wardens and commonalty of merchant venturers of the said city, and their successors, and several other persons were incorporated by the name and style of "The Bristol Dock Company," and were empowered to raise among themselves £250,000, in shares of £100 each; and a further sum of £50,000 to be borrowed on the credit of the rates and duties, for the purpose of improving the docks and harbour of Bristol, and for making a canal or entrance-basin in Rownham Mead, to the extent of six acres, with other works therein specified.