2(56 
ROAD CLUE. 
It is very evident, that roads are materially damaged by the 
over-loading of narrow-wheeled carriages contrary to law; and the 
general turnpike act expressly declares, “ That no waggon, or other 
four-wheeled carriage, having the fellies of the wheels of less 
breadth than six inches, shall pass on any turnpike road with more 
than four horses; nor any cart, or other two-wheeled carriage, 
having the fellies of the wheels of less breadth than six inches, shall 
pass on any turnpike road with more than three horses; on pain 
that the owner of every such carriage shall forfeit 51. and the driver 
(not being the owner), 20s. to any person who shall sue for the 
same.” But however punctually the laws relating to highways may 
be observed and enforced, it tnay be further remarked, that a 
constant and unremitting attention is requisite, for the due ordering 
and preservation of the roads; and, that all surveyors should be 
careful to cause all obstructions and nuisances to be removed, the 
ruts and quarters filled and levelled, and occasional supplies of 
stone and gravel laid thereon, in such a manner as to render the 
surface of the roads smooth, regular, and easy, (the neglect of 
which has been found extremely prejudicial and inconvenient): 
it might therefore be very proper, that each parish should leave a 
sufficient number of labourers for that particular work; and that 
each of those labourers should be appointed to take care of a cer¬ 
tain portion or extent of road, and to keep the part allotted to him 
in perfect order: such management would effectually preserve the 
Toads, and prevent the necessity of more expensive repairs, which 
must otherwise be frequently wanting. 
If the method prescribed by the general road act, of the 
13 Geo. III. for the stating and settling of surveyors’ accounts, 
was more strictly observed, instead of the manner too generally 
adopted, of passing those accounts, without any previous examina¬ 
tion, at the special sessions held annually for the highways, when 
(by reason of the short time allotted for the business of that meet¬ 
ing) it is impossible for the magistrates to enter into a thorough 
investigation of such accounts; it might have a very serviceable 
effect upon the conduct of surveyors, by compelling them to a more 
punctual and regular performance of so necessary a part of their 
duty: it is therefore to be wished, that the magistrates who attend 
at such special sessions, would resolve in future, that all surveyors 
shall render a full and particular account, as well of all work and 
duty performed by teams an,d labourers; as also of all assessments, 
compositions. 
