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 fine 
Roman road, between Northwich and Middlewich, from a width of 
60 feet to 30 feet, with the consent—nay, strong approval—of the 
Highway Board. 
