of which has its own rate of toll, and none of which is disposed to give too much facility to the other companies.
To such an extent does this difficulty prevail that Mr. Morton told the Select Committee of 1883 that so long a time is spent in correspondence and arranging a suitable rate of toll, that very frequently the traffic passes away before a suitable rate can be arranged for it. There is one worthy exception to this rule; for since 1897, The Grand Junction Canal have entered into arrangement with the other companies forming the route between London and Birmingham under which they can quote Through Tolls.
Through Routes.Numerous examples might be given to illustrate the way in which different canal routes are broken up into pieces of greater or lesser size, some owned by independent companies and some controlled by railways.
Mr. Lloyd, speaking before the same committee, gave the following particulars as to the number of distinct Canal Companies upon the principal through routes:—
| I. London to Liverpool (3 Canal Routes). | ||
| | Via Shropshire Union | 9 different Canals and Navigations |
| Via N. Staffs, and Bridgewater | 9 Companies.[1] | |
| Via Warwick and N. Staffs. | 10 Companies. | |
| II. London to Bristol (4 Canal Routes). | ||
| Via Kennet and Avon | 3 Companies. | |
| Via Wilts, and Berks | 5 Companies. | |
- ↑ The Grand Junction Canal Co. in 1894 purchased the Grand Union and the Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Union Canals—thus reducing to seven the number of companies on this route.
