ROADSIDE WASTES. 297 



waste, and that the Surveyor of Highways is justified 

 in removing any obstruction.* 



In 1878, I proposed a clause in the Highway Bill of 

 that year for remedying the defect of the law, by extend- 

 ing the summary remedy for obstructing a highway to 

 obstructions on the roadside waste, beyond the fifteen- 

 feet limit ; but the Government of the day refused their 

 assent to it. It was not till some years later that there 

 was another opportunity of advancing the question. In 

 1888, I proposed an amendment of the Local Govern- 

 ment Bill, declaring it to be the duty of County 

 Councils to protect the roadside wastes, in the case of 

 main roads committed to their charge. The amend- 

 ment was, in the first instance, opposed by the Minister 

 who had charge of the Bill, but the feeling of the 

 House was so strong in its favour that the Government 

 found itself compelled to give way, and the amendment 

 was adopted and became law. 



The measure which has passed the House of Commons 

 for the constitution of District Councils, contains a similar 

 provision in respect of roadside wastes in the case of 

 roads which will be under the control of these new local 

 authorities. The question, therefore, is in a fair way 

 for final settlement, and it is to be hoped that it will 



* I hear on going to press that Mr. J. T. Brunner, M.P., a 

 member of the Commons Society, has been successful in obtaining 

 the removal of a mile and a half of fencing, which had reduced a tine 

 Roman road, between North wich and Middle wich, from a width of 

 60 feet to 30 feet, with the consent nay, strong approval of the 

 Highway Board. 



