CALDER AND HEBBLE NAVIGATION.
31 George II. Cap. 72, Royal Assent 9th June, 1758.
9 George III Cap. 71, Royal Assent 21st April, 1769.
6 George IV. Cap. 17, Royal Assent 31st March, 1825.
THE River Calder rises in the mountainous district north of the town of Todmorden, running along a most romantic and deep valley, called The Vale of Todmorden, where in many places the river, the turnpike road, and the Rochdale Canal, are within a few yards of each other; having passed Todmorden, it runs by Mytholme and Hebden Bridge, to Sowerby Wharf, about two miles from Halifax, where the Calder and Hebble Navigation commences. The Hebble is a small but rapid stream, which, rising above Ovenden, passes round the north and east sides of the town of Halifax, and falls into the Calder below Salterhebble. The course of the Calder, from the commencement of this navigation, is in an easterly direction, by Elland, Kirklees Park, near which place it is joined by the Colne, and Sir John Ramsden's Canal; from hence it passes by Dewsbury and Horbury Bridge, to Wakefield; at a quarter of a mile below Wakefield Bridge it terminates, on entering the Aire and Calder Navigation at a place called Fall Ing.
This river was rendered navigable by making cuts and locks for the purpose of passing mill weirs, &c. under the authority of an act of the 31st George II. entitled, 'An Act for extending the Navigation of the River Calder, to or near to Sowerby Bridge, in the parish of Halifax; and for making navigable the River Hebble, Halig, or Halifax Brook, from Brooksmouth to Salterhebble Bridge, in the county of York.' Mr. Smeaton surveyed the proposed line in 1757, and it was carried into execution, under his superintendence, by commissioners appointed in the act, whose qualification was a landed estate of the annual value of £100, or a personalty to the amount of £3,000; any nine of whom were empowered to act.
Authority is given to raise money, for the purpose of carrying this act into execution, at five per cent. interest, on security of the tolls granted, which were as follow.
