View report page

APPENDIX,
Extract from the Minutes of Evidence given before the Commissioners
appointed to enquire as to the best means of affording relief to
the Inhabitants of the Metropolitan Districts, 'within six miles of
Charing Cross, by the Abolition of Turnpike Gates and Toll-Bars.
Friday, March. 25th, 1859,
Present.—Right Hon. Charles Viscount Eversley in the chair,
Colonel the Hon. Edward Gordon Douglas Pennant, M.P., William
Battie Wrightson, Esq., M.P.
Mr. George Aldridge, Mr. Paget, Vestry Clerk; Mr. Boulter, Mr.
Pierre Poley, Mr. William Hodson, and Mr. Eustace, are called
in and examined as follows:
1781. (Chairman to Mr. Aldridge ) I believe you attend from
Clerkenwell?—Yes. In introducing the deputation from Clerken well,
I may state that we attend to express our opinion, as you are aware, in
reference to the toll question. I hold in my hand a Report which was
drawn up by the Deputation when they met in Committee, and submitted
to the full Board last night.
1782. What Board do you allude to?—The Vestry Board of Clerkenwell.
In this Report there is a resolution which was agreed to by
the Committee, and submitted to the Board, who approved of it unanimously.
Our clerk will just read the resolution, which embodies our
views as nearly as possible, and I think it will be understood better than
by my describing them.
( Mr Paget.") The resolution is as followsResolved, that this
" Committee are of opinion that both the propositions submitted to the
" Toll Commissioners are objectionable, and consider that the proper
" course would be for each parish to maintain its own roads, as Clerken"
wrell has done for nearly 30 years, particularly as such roads have
" become public streets by being built upon on each side, and the houses
"subjected to rates, which was the principle applied to Clerkenwell,
" and which subjected the parish to the charge ; but in the event of
"Royal Commissioners recommending that a tax be levied upon horses