Page:Ruffhead - The Statutes at Large - vol 7.djvu/693

 A. D. 1756. Anno vlcefimo nono Geo RGir IL C. 22. ' and from thence by the Weft Side of the faid Hundred Feet, or Neiu Bedford River, to Richard Har- ' 7-ifon's Wa(h, below Ox Willow Load, and then along the faid Load to the Old Bedford Bank, and fo ' along the Eaft Side of the faid Bank to The Nine Holes Sluice aforefaid, are, except certain Parts or ' Parcels thereof, which are herein after defcribed and excepted, fubjetft to be overflowed by Tides and ' fmall Frelhes, and are in Danger of being rendered ufelefs. to the great Damage and Iinpoveriflimcnt ' of the Owners and Proprietors of fucli Ground, and to the Lofs of the Publick ; ' May it therefore ' pleafe your moft Excellent Adajefty, that it may be enaded, Sec. "" Commiffioners impowered to imbank the River, and lay Tunnels, making Satisfaflion for Damages. " Differences to be adjufted at the Qiiarter-Seffions. Commiinoners are to meet twice a Year, a]]d " make Orders concerning the draining and preferving the Low Grounds, and to appoint proper Of- " ficers, who are to give Security. Where Ditches ihail be filled up, Pofts and Rails are to be erecfted. " An Acre-tax, not exceeding i s. 6d. to be laid on the Fens and Low Grounds, for the two firfl: Years ; " and for every Year after, not exceeding i ;. per Acre. Days for Payment to be appointed. Proprie- " tors of the Crops of Hay on Middle Moors, to pay two Thirds of the Tax, and the LelTees one Third. " Commiffioners may borrow Money and alTign over the Taxes. The Taxes may be levied by Diflrefs " 3nd Sale. Tenants to pay the Tax, which is to be allowed in their Rent ; except wb.ere there is a " Leafe fubfifting of three or more Years. Penalty of making a Way over the Wafnes. Owners neg- " ledting to fcour their Dikes, and lay proper Tunnels, after Notice, Colledlors may caufe the fame to " be done, and levy the Charge. Penalty of damaging the Banks. For want of Dilfrefs Offender to be " committed. Accounts to be audited yearly ; Officers to attend, and verify the fame on Oath. Ac- " counts when palled to be entered in two Setts of Books, isc. Tunnels for taking Water out of the " River into the Waihes, not to be laid more than two Feet below the Surface. On Death, toV. of " Commiffioners, others io be chofen. Number of Commiffioners not to exceed thirty-one. Elections " to be regiftered. Qualification of Commiffioners. Refervation of the Rights of the Confervators of " Bedford Level" CAP. xxn. An Aft for draining and preferving certain Fen Lands in the Ifle of Ely and County of Norfollt^ lying between the Hundred, Foot River and the Oufe, and bounded on the South by the Hard Lands of Mepall, TVicham, Wentvoorth, Wkhford, Ely, Dotvnham and Littleport -, and for impowering the Governor, Bailiffs and Commonalty of the Company of Confervators of the great Level of the Fens, commonly called Bedford Level, to fell certain Lands lying within the Limits aforefaid, commonly called Invefied Lands. ' "^X/HEREAS certain Fen Lands and low Grounds lying and being in the feveral Parillies of ' VV Mepall, Wicham, Coveney, JVentworth, Wichford, Downham and Littleport, ar d in the Town- ~ " "' ' " ^ « . .., ., . . pgj-j^ oi Jp'elney in the faid Ifle nd Denver in the faid County of sabouts, and which are bounded as follows ; that is to fay. From the South Bank of Nciv Bedford River, commonly called The Hun- dred Feet Bank, at the Bottom of Mepall Green along the Edge of the faid Green and Skirts of the high Lands, to a certain Place called IVichaiii Hive or Hitbe ; and from thence along the Skirts of the high Lands to the Bottom of JVolbey Hill; and from thence round the Edge of the high Lands to Grunty Fen Drain near Iflchford Town's End ; and croiiing the faid Drain, along tlie Side of the high Lanos to Beale Farm at the Bottom of Ely Field ; and from thence round the Skirts of the high Lands of Ely and Dovcnham to a certain Place called Dawnham Hive or Hithe; and from thence along the Side tain Houfe called IVood's End Houfe ; and from the faid Houfe alotig the Skirts of the high Lands to Littleport Caufewiiy ; and along the faid Cauieway to the hard Lands at the Bottom of Littleport " Field; and then round the Bo: torn of the faid Field and- hard Lands of Littleport to a ceriain Place ' called Littleport Knoll, and fo round the Edge of ihe faid Knoll ; and along the Skirts of the high ' Sewer to the Weft Bank of the River Onfe, at a Place called Littleport Chr.ir; and frcin thence along ' the faid V/eft Bank of the River Oife to Denver Sluice ; and from the faid Sluice along the South B..nk ' oi Neiv Bedford River to the 'Sonom oi Metiall Green aforefaid, except the imbanked Grounds fdr- ' rnerly oi Edmund Skipwith Efquire (now belonging to Fitter 5wm// Efquire) lying on the North Side of ' the River Oufe, are frequently very much annoyed with Waters, through ihe Defcdt cf their Out- ' falls to Sea, to the great Damr.ge and Impoveriihment of the Owners ot fiich Lands, and of the ' Inhabitants of the feveral PariThes snd Places where the fame do lie : And whereas _ the faid ' Fen Lsnds and low Grounds cannot be drained and preferved without the Aid of P.arliament ; ' May it therefore pleafe your Majefty, that it may be enacled ; and be i^. euacled by the King's molt Excellent Majefty, by and with the' Advice and Co.ifent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, 2od Commons, in this prefent Parliament affembled, and by the Authority. of the fame, That the L."rd Vox.. VII. 4 R Biihop
 * and acrofs the upper End of the faid School Ground to The Hundred Feet, or New Bedford River ;
 * Lands to an ancient . Sevvfer, called The Croft River; and then along the Nopth Bank of the faid