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115
their liability to repair. No travelling "wanes" carrying
goods were to be drawn by more than five horses in length,
and a number of minor directions were given.
From this time the Legislature added such numerous
regulations affecting highways to the Statute Book, that
they cannot be separately noticed here.
Bearing in mind that the Vestry had formerly required
to be satisfied of their legal liability to repair roads within
their own parish, it is not surprising to find that they
resented the claims made upon them to bear the cost of
repairing highways miles beyond their jurisdiction.
The first recorded payment was made under protest:—
Tuesday, 7 May, 1672.—Mr Nehemiah Arnold High Constable
Applying himselfe unto the Vestry this day, and produceing a
Warrt signed by Nine of his Matles Justices of the Peace for ye
County of Midd's for the Levying of the Sume of Tenn Pounds
upon the Inhabitants of this Parish towards Repayreing the
Bridge at New Brainford over ye River Brent in the sayd
County The Vestry takeing ye same into their Consideration
and not findeing anie president for makeing a Taxe of the like
nature And for preventing the Clamour of the people in this
case have thought fitt and doe accordingly Order That the
Churchwardens doe pay the sayd Sume of Ten pounds unto the
sayd High Constable out of such moneys as are remayneing in
their Hands as Churchwardens of this parish And the same
shall be allowed at the passing of their Accompt.
In 1686 a precept appears to have been made upon the
Vestry, requiring them to contribute to the cost of maintaining
bridges outside the parish, a liability which was
strenuously resisted. A conference with the Churchwardens
in the parishes forming the liberties of Westminster was
arranged (.3rd February, 168 6/7), but was not successful in
procuring relief from the charge. The minutes for
Thursday, 5th May, 1687, record, with reference to a fine
levied upon the parish for the cost of repairing the Bridge
at Brentford, that:—
Upon a debate of the whole matter concerning the ffine of 100 £ sett
upon the whole County whereof 58 £ is already leavyed in this
Parish and being informed that the Sheriffe is intended to leavye
the other 42 £ likewise in this Parish It is thereupon ordered
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