220 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



of the Board, which is charged with the expenditure of this 

 fund, is a guarant}^ that the annual appropriation will reach 

 the maximum of its efficiency. 



The importance to all our people, and especially to those 

 engaged in agricultural pursuits, of the State highway act 

 of 1893 and its amendments, which are now codified in 

 chapter 47 of the Revised Laws, makes it appropriate on 

 this occasion to speak somewhat at length on its more 

 important details. 



The whole business of the State highways is in the hands 

 of a commission of three persons, who receive liberal salaries 

 and are accomplished experts in their si)ecial work. They 

 are required to devote their entire time to the business of 

 the commission, and have suitable allowances made them 

 for a secretary, clerk hire, engineers and other incidental 

 expenses. One of their important duties is the collection 

 of statistics relative to the public highways of counties and 

 municipalities, and the conducting of such investigations as 

 they may deem expedient. County and town officers are 

 authorized to consult with the Board without charge, thus 

 giving it really an educational function. It is required to 

 prepare maps of the State, showing municipal boundaries, 

 public ways and State roads so far as practicable, and to 

 collate geological information for the purpose of determining 

 where materials for road building may best be procured. 

 It must also annually hold at least one public meeting in 

 each count}^ for the discussion of questions relating to })ub- 

 lic ways. It is required to make an annual report to the 

 Legislature. These reports deserve the careful attention 

 of our citizens, for they are among the most valuable and 

 interesting of our public documents. 



The damages sustained by any person whose land is taken 

 for the State highway are, in the first instance, assessed by 

 the commission itself, and are to be paid by the State. But 

 the owner may a})peal to the superior court of the county 

 where the land lies for an assessment by a jury. The con- 

 struction of all State highways is under the supervision, and 

 subject to the approval, of the commission itself, and the 

 expenditure for roads is to be faii'ly apportioned by the 



