8 
Arterial Drainage 
a statement of the amount of compensation proposed to be paid. 
If the owner assents, a deed is to be drawn up to that effect 
and deposited with the Clerk of the Peace, and the agreement i& 
thence to be binding on all parties for ever after. If, however, 
the proprietor dissents, the matter is referred to two Justices (or 
by consent to arbitration), who are to determine whether the 
proposed improvements will cause injury to the adjoining 
owner, and whether such injury is of a nature to admit of a 
money compensation ; and if they so find, they may make an 
order giving the applicant power to proceed with the work and 
may assess the amount of compensation. 
Twenty-nine districts, containing a total of 74,912 acres, and 
ranging from 246 acres in extent to 11,000, have availed them- 
selves of the powers afforded, the average charge of the Inclosure 
Office in granting the first sixteen orders, as given by Mr. Grant- 
ham, having been 42Z. 9^. IQd. each. The cost of the works 
executed has varied from 21. to 5Z. an acre, and the annual 
charge from 3s. to 8s.* 
Having been professionally engaged in obtaining provisional 
orders for two districts under this Act, and subsequently carrying 
out the works, I can speak with confidence as to the extreme 
facility and economy in obtaining the order, and the courtesy 
and assistance rendered in the matter by the Inclosure Office 
and their Assistant-Commissioner, Mr. Grantham, in Avhose 
pamphlet on this subject will be found full particulars of the 
working of the Act. 
Under the Improvement of Land Act (27 & 28 Vict. cap. 14), 
passed in the year 1864, any landed owner having a limited 
interest may, with the consent of the Inclosure Commissioners, 
borrow money and charge his estates with its repay ment over a 
number of years, for any works of permanent improvement, 
including all works of drainage, the improvement of water- 
courses and their outfalls, embankments from rivers or the sea, 
the irrigation or warping of land, building bridges, the erection 
of weirs, water-engines for sawing or other purposes, the con- 
struction of wells, ponds, or reservoirs, or any similar works 
which will increase the value of the land for agricultural pur- 
poses. By an Act of the last Session (40 & 41 Vict. cap. 31) 
this power is still further extended to the construction of reser- 
voirs and works necessary for the water-supply for domestic and 
farm purposes on the landowner's own estate, or for the supply 
of villages, sanitary authorities or other persons, and gives 
power to collect and receive rents or tolls for the same. It 
* 'TIic Land Drainage Act, 1801.' By R. B. Orantham (Clowes and Sous)^ 
Appendircs A and B. 'Rcjiort and Miuutcis of Evidence of Committee House of 
Lords on Conservancy Boards, 1877.' 
