180 The Farmer^ s Business Handbook 



a greater load does so at his peril, and is liable 

 for all damages that occur. 



A town is liable for any damage which may 

 occur from failure to use ordinary care to keep 

 its roads and bridges in passable condition, but 

 is excused in cases of extraordinary snow or 

 flood or some other cause beyond its control, 

 known in the law as an " act of God." When 

 highways or bridges are defective it is the duty 

 of the town, through its proper officers, to make 

 repairs at once or as soon as may be, and it is 

 liable for any damage which may be suffered by 

 any person by reason of its neglect or refusal 

 so to do, if the officials knew, or by reasonable 

 diligence might have known, of the defect and 

 have then delayed an unreasonable time before 

 remedying it. 



The law does not require that every highway 

 shall be of the same standard of excellence, but 

 it must be such a highway as is suitable for the 

 needs of the public in that locality and under 

 the surrounding conditions. 



IV. SIDE -PATHS 



We may also note the gradual spread of the 

 so-called "side-path" laws, which provide for the 

 construction and maintenance of paths along 

 highways for the use of cyclists. These laws 



