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that excess will be carried to the credit of the account, and enable tho
Vestry occasionally, (once in several years,) to reduce the rate to 3d. in
the pound.
THE ABOLITION OF THE METROPOLITAN TOLLS
Is a question which has occupied considerable public attention, and the
Vestry haying received a communication from the Royal Commissioners
appointed to enquire into the matter and receive evidence thereon, dated
27th July, inviting any statement in reference thereto, which the Vestry
might wish to make, such communication was referred to theFinance Committee,
by whose recommendation a statement, suggested by Mr.
Pascall, was forwarded to the Royal Commissioners in October, setting
forth that about 30 years ago the Metropolitan Roads Commissioners
caused the parish of Clerkenwell to be chargeable with the maintenance
of the whole of its roads, including Pentonville-road, Bagnigge "Wellsroad,
Goswell-road, and St. John-street-road, which were previously
turnpike Roads and maintained by tolls. That the cost to the parishioners
of repairing these roads ever since that period had been from
3d. to 6d. in the pound per annum, in consequence of the heavy wear
and tear on them, (being the principal thoroughfares of the parish,)
in addition to the cost of the streets and roads of the parish generally.
That the parishioners of Clerkenwell having to bear this burthen
for the benefit of traffic unconnected with the parish, it is exceedingly
unfair and unjust that they should have to pay a toll immediately on
entering the adjoining parishes of Islington, and St. Pancras, with a
horse or vehicle in carrying on their trade. Also, that the parishioners
having the burthen of these roads, were clearly entitled to the benefit
of the possession of the old toll-house and garden at the bottom of the
Pcntonville-road, which the Roads Commissioners had nevertheless
retained to the present time
A similar communication as far as relates to the toll-gate house was
at the same time addressed to the Metropolitan Roads Commissioners,
the result of which was that negociations were entered into between
them and the Vestry for this property to be given up to the parish, and
on agreement to this effect is being carried out.