3 August, 1831.
only two or three persons, and it would be excessive to have to pay 2s.; there is no reduction if it is no bigger than a wheelbarrow; being propelled by machinery, it will be charged double.
How many Private Bills have been introduced this Session in which Steam Carriages have been specially taxed?—I have fifty-four, which I now produce; I understand there are others.
Have any of them passed into a law?—Yes, some of them have.
In your opinion, what proportion of the tolls should horses and carriages be chargeable with?—Taking the average of the amount of tolls throughout the country, it will be found that where a horse pays a penny not drawing, he pays about three-pence when he is drawing; in that case the toll upon the coach is nominally put upon the horse (it says, so many horses drawing); four horses drawing will be a shilling; four horses passing through, not drawing, will be four-pence; in some cases it is three half-pence a horse when not drawing, and six-pence when drawing; but in general the proportions appear to be, three eighths the toll placed upon the horse, and five-eighths upon the carriage; three half-pence a horse not drawing, and six-pence drawing, gives three-fourths; but the mean is about three-eighths and five-eighths; so that the toll is virtually about five-eighths on the carriage, and three-eighths on the horse. I have previously stated that I have had horses weighed, and found the average about 10 cwt. each horse; therefore, if a Steam Engine weighs 10 cwt. it should pay only as one horse when it passes through not drawing, and as one horse drawing when it has any thing attached to it; a 10 cwt. Steam Engine cannot propel more than one horse can draw; therefore the weight drawn cannot exceed a certain quantity. If the weight of the Engine exceeds 10 cwt and not 20, it should pay as two horses; if it exceeds 20 and not 80, it should pay as three horses; if 30 cwt. and not exceeding 40, it should pay as four horses; and so on.
