additional expense in forming them into the cubical shape now recommended?—There would certainly be an additional expense in the preparation, because there would be more work required in the dressing, and many stones must be rejected which are now used; but I think the additional expense would be very well bestowed.
Are you of opinion that great injury is done to turnpike roads by the heavy weights carried in waggons upon them?—I am.
Are you of opinion that any breadth of wheels for those waggons will justify the present exemption from tolls?—It certainly ought not.
In what manner would you recommend that the tolls should be apportioned to the weights carried by waggons on those roads?—I am of opinion that the most advisable mode would be to apportion the tolls to the weight carried on each wheel, without reference to the breadth, provided it is not allowed to be less than four inches.
For the purpose of assessing the tolls in this instance would it not be necessary that the waggon should be weighed at every turnpike gate?—There ought to be a power to do it, but there might be a check by means of toll tickets, similar to what is done upon navigable canals.
With a view of establishing good roads generally throughout the kingdom, and of keeping them in repair upon the most economical plan, what limitation would you propose as to the actual weight each carriage should be allowed to carry?—I should think it should never exceed four tons, which should be a ton upon each wheel; when it exceeds that weight the best materials which can be procured for road-making must be deranged and ground to pieces.
