leads to a great waste of public money?—I think it leads to a great waste of public money.
And also to a great waste of property in horses and carriages?—I think it does.
Has any estimate ever been made of the extent of that loss?—There can be no accurate estimate of a loss so universal as that of the waste of horses and carriages by bad roads; but the Committee of 1811 estimated the saving which would be made to the country by putting the roads in a proper state of repair, at a sum equal to five millions annually.
What remedy would you propose to cure the defects of the the general system of road management?—My opinion is, that the only cure would be to have people of a better station of life placed over them in the direction of this business; that each county or large district in the country ought to have an officer in the character of a gentleman, to oversee the surveyors of the district; not only to direct them what to do, but to see that the work is judiciously and honestly executed; and I think a very small proportion of the sum now wasted by bad management would pay for such an establishment.
Would you alter the trusts?—That would be a great advantage, if the trusts could be consolidated; but there are objections to that, and very serious objections.
Local objections?—Yes, such as the debt upon each trust.
Do you propose the appointment of those overseers to be with the present commissioners of the roads?—Certainly.
Do you propose any general inspection to be established over the whole system of road-making?—I should think it a public advantage if there was some inspection or controlling power in some quarter or other, to prevent the general surveyors from being improperly appointed; but whether that controlling power should emanate from the government, or the authorities in the county, I am not a judge.
