Turnpike and Parish Roads. 



S67 



harvest-money, it should be made up to them by presenting them 

 with a pair of strong-, serviceable half-boots every year, to be 

 given to them in the beginning of winter ; and, about Lady-d.iy, 

 there should be some gratuities distributed among them, in pro- 

 portion to their merit and conduct during the preceding year, 

 and Avhich we have found to be of the greatest value and encou- 

 ragement to the men, when awarded in the manner following, as 

 to the points of merit^ which may consist of — 



General good form and state of road ; 



Punctuality to hours of work ; 



Obedience and observance of instructions ; 



Consumption or saving of gravel, and extra assistance. 

 The attention of the sub-surveyor and sub- committee of ma- 

 nagement is called to point out those men who have merited 

 rewards under those several heads, as it will sometimes happen 

 that a man of superior skill will have his road in very good order, 

 and yet be inattentive to his hours of work. It would be hard 

 not to reward him for his good road, and yet he is setting a bad 

 example to another man, who does not possess the same skill 

 while at work, but would also wish to follow the example of the 

 skilful man, and pass as much time in the public-house, and less 

 on the road. To meet this difficulty in adjudging the rewards, 

 we will suppose two marks or crosses in favour of each sepa- 

 rate head of merit to be the maximum : one man may get two 

 crosses in his favour upon the first head, one on the second, two 

 on the third, and none on the fourth ; being five crosses in his 

 favour, and entitling him, say, to 25s., or whatever less sum each 

 cross of merit may be fixed at. When these are determined on, 

 the men are called together, and their different points of merit 

 read over to them, and also where they have been found wanting. 

 The practical advantages of these rewards have gradually but 

 steadily shown themselves in the punctuality and activity of the 

 men; and, above all, in the saving of materials, which has 

 amounted to more than tw^enty times the amount of the rewards 

 or gratuities given in the year. All this may appear complex, but 

 the slightest attention of a sub-committee of management, to re- 

 port to the trustees at their quarterly meetings, will very soon 

 render the whole perfectly simple. 



In treating this part of my subject, it is not my intention to 

 trespass in the smallest degree upon the scientific publications of 

 those who have made road-making their professional study, and 

 who have pointed out with mathematical precision the different 

 forms which each writer has considered best adapted under dif- 

 ferent circumstances, and in different situations ; but as an im- 

 proved form of road, and consequent improved surface-drainage, 

 is so intimately connected with the mile sy stern, I must hope for 



