242 HIGHWAYS AND HORSES. 



At the present day there are very stringent laws 

 in existence as to the working of road locomotives ; 

 these were epitomised by Mr. Thomas Aveling. 

 Road Locomotive Acts were passed in 1861, 1865, 

 and 1878, for the use of owners and drivers, and 

 were introduced into the Highway Act. The altera- 

 tions made in the last Act related to the form of 

 engine wheels, the consumption of smoke, the use 

 of the red flag, and the times specified for travelling. 

 It is undoubtedly the case that local and other 

 authorities regard steam traffic upon common roads 

 as a nuisance, to be put down if possible, and to 

 be impeded when extinction is impossible. 



Traction engines are, of course, very apt to frighten 

 horses ; but this would not be the case were suitable 

 steam carriages used, burning smokeless fuel, or made 

 to consume their own smoke and steam, and so 

 constructed as not to alarm horses by any great 

 singularity in their appearance. But, of course, 

 traction engines fulfil a very useful purpose in agri- 

 culture, and to do so they must move from place 

 to place. I think that they might be compelled to 

 travel on the road of a night, or early in the morning 

 before people were about. With regard to the con- 

 sumption of smoke, the Act says that — 



Every locomotive used on any turnpike road or highway shall be 

 constructed on the principle of consuming its own smoke ; and any 

 person using any locomotive not so constructed, or not consuming, 

 so far as practicable, its own smoke, shall be liable to a fine not 

 exceeding five pounds for every day during which such locomotive 

 is used on any such turnpike road or highway. 



Regarding the limit of speed the Act goes on to 

 say : 



Subject and without prejudice to the regulations hereinafter 

 authorised to be made by local authorities, it shall not be lawful to 



