"An Act for rendering more effectual an Act passed in the 13th year
of the reign of his late Majesty King George the First, entitled an
Act for improving the Navigation of the River Ouse, in the County of
York:--
"That from and after the 24th day of June, 1732, all and every the
goods, wares, and merchandises, and other commodities, carried and
conveyed on the said River Ouse, above Wharfe mouth, except such
manure, dung, compost, or lime only, as shall be water borne, and
used and applied in tillage; and also except all timber, stone, and
other materials, made use of in or about the works necessary for
improving of the navigation of the said river, shall pay the tolls or
rates following, that is to say,--
"For every ton of wines and groceries, almonds, Areack brandy, cyder,
cydar egar, hops, fish oil, line-oil, Florence oil, Seville oil, and
turpentine oil, rum, spirits, tobacco, vinegar, bacon, hams, sides,
and pork; cases and chests by measure, china, coffee, cork, drugs,
and medicines; dyers' ware, (except logwood, copperas, and alum);
flour, glass, (except green glass bottles); haberdashers' wares,
household furniture, iron wrought, linen, linen-drapers' wares,
lemons, oranges, and nuts; leather and calves' skins; mercery ware,
silk and woollen, paper white and books, garden seeds, salt, tea, and
woollen-drapery ware,--two shillings and sixpence respectively;--and
so in proportion for any greater or less quantity. For every ton of
cheese, flax, pewter, soap, marble, bell-metal, brass battery, and
copper, two shillings respectively, and so in proportion for any
greater or less quantity.
"For every ton of oak, bark, corn of all sorts, earthenware, green
glass bottles, iron cast and unwrought, lead white and red; paper,
cap, white, and brown; grass-seeds, beans and peas, rapeseed, stone,
tallow, tin-plates and wire; timber, oak, ash and elm,--one shilling
respectively; and so in proportion for every greater or less
quantity.
"For every ton of alum, copperas, logwood, brimstone, bricks, tiles,
coals, hemp, hay, lime for building, lead, and turfs,--sixpence
respectively; and so in proportion for any greater or less quantity.
"For every firkin, pot, cask, or other vessel of butter, one penny.
For every hundred of oysters, one penny. And that all other goods,
not herein particularly rated, shall pay ad valorem, such rates or
duties as shall be ascertained by the said commissioners, appointed
by or in pursuance of the said former Act."
Soon as your Committee had clearly ascertained the existence of this Act,
and its consequent increase on the tonnage of flax, a deputation went
down to the Wharfe mouth, to examine the river, as far up as Bolton
Percy, and found from their own observations, but more particularly from
the information they collected, that vessels of seventy tons burden can
navigate the river, nearly always once in twelve hours the whole year;
and that, if a little improvement was made in the river at three places,
which are rather too shallow for vessels of this burden, they might pass
at all times without interruption; the deputation were also of opinion
that the improvement was practicable at a moderate expense. This
deputation also examined the line below Bolton Percy, (see the map {12})
and found it passed through the estate of Sir Wm. Milner Bart. near his
residence, and over lands in his own occupation, consequently more likely
to meet with his opposition than his approbation.
Under these accumulated circumstances, your Committee decidedly
recommended a double Rail-way, to commence at a bend in the river, near
Bolton Percy, (see the map) which will shorten the length of the original
line about one mile and a half, and lessen the expense of the project at
the same time; thence in a line, nearly straight, to Bow-Bridge, passing
on the South side of the village of Wighill, and close to the North end
of the village of Walton. Thence in a circuitous direction towards
Wetherby;--but if the line was permitted to pass from the North end of
the village of Walton to the North side of Ingmanthorpe, the seat of
Richard Fountaine Wilson, Esq. distant from his residence about four
hundred yards, it would pass over very suitable ground, and shorten the
length of the line five-eights of a mile more. By either of these lines
it would cross the great North Road, near the Drover's Inn, then proceed
on the North side of the village of Little Ribston, and by the banks of
the River Nidd, sufficiently high to avoid the broken parts, crossing the
said river by a bridge, near St. Robert's Well, and thence proceeding
along the Eastern side of the town of Knaresbro', ascending, in an
uniform manner, to the level of the bottom of the High-Street, commonly
called Bond-End; where it will most conveniently pass behind, or on the
West side of Mr. Wm. Clayton's house; or, if more desirable to the owners
of property at this point, it is possible to pass it under ground, and
enter the valley of the Nidd without affecting or destroying any
property, except two or three old houses belonging to Mrs. Stubbs. The
line, for a single Rail-way, will then wind along the North bank of the
valley, till it crosses the Nidd by another bridge, the clumps of trees
on Scotton Moor; from this point it will keep on very favourable ground
along the South side of the river, passing half way between Killinghall
village and Killinghall bridge; thence through the middle of Hampsthwaite
village, and close by Wreaksmill crossing the Nidd again below the
village of Birstwith; after which it winds along the North bank of the
River Nidd to Pateley-Bridge.
Your Committee having stated their reasons for abandoning the project of
a Canal, and recommending that of a Railway, and having also pointed out
the adopted line, the next duty which presents itself to their notice is
the Revenue;--the nature and quantity of Tonnage which is likely to come
upon the line, and within the limits of its attraction;--and give to each
such a charge as will equally benefit the various consumers. Such as we
conceive to be of the most general importance, first attracts notice,
which is the article of