the country it passes through, is low and flat; there is, however, a little elevation near Market Weighton, and a lock on the Warren at Wolsea, besides the sea lock at its opening into the Humber.
The act for executing this useful work is entitled, 'An Act for draining and preserving certain Commons, Low Grounds, and Carrs, in the parish of Market Weighton, and other adjacent parishes in the East Riding of the County of York; and for making a navigable Cut or Canal, from Market Weighton to the River Humber.' By this act certain persons are appointed as trustees or commissioners for executing the work and other purposes connected therewith, to have the direction and management of the drainage and navigation, and from time to time to tax or assess the owners and occupiers of the low lands, according to the number of acres they occupy, for the benefit they receive from the said drainage, such acre-tax not to exceed forty shillings per acre; the proceeds to be employed in maintaining and completing the same. They are also empowered to inclose part of the commons or waste lands, for defraying the tax. They also have power to take away, if necessary, certain drains or sewers, and, if requisite, others may be substituted and maintained out of their funds. The locks, to be erected, are not at any time to pen up the water higher than within 3 feet of the surface of the land. The commissioners are empowered to demand for the navigation of the main drain or canal, the following
TONNAGE RATES.
For all Groceries, Goods, Wares, Merchandize and Commodities | 4s 0d per Ton. |
For Stone | 1s 0d ditto. |
For Manure | 0s 6d ditto. ditto. |
For Coals, each Chaldron containing Thirty-two Bushels | 2s 0d per Chaldron. |
For Lime ditto | 1s 6d ditto. |
For Tiles | 2s 0d per Thousand. |
For Bricks | 1s 0d ditto. |
For Wool, each Pack containing Sixteen Stones | 0s 8d per Pack. |
For Wheat, Rye, Beans, Pens, Lentils, Barley, Oats, Malt, or any Seeds or Grain whatsoever | 0s 8d per Quarter. |
For Flour, each Sack containing Five Bushels | 0s 6d per Sack. |
And so on in Proportion for a less Distance than the whole Line, as may be agreed on by the Commissioners.
Certain persons having agreed to advance money for the immediate execution of the work, it is provided, that they shall receive a share of the rates, equal to the proportion of money by them so contributed, together with interest on the sums advanced.