The object of extending the work thus far, was, in order to secure the back carriage of the lead, which is produced on a large scale in that neighbourhood, besides the excellent lime for agricultural purposes made at Greenhow-Hill, and the very excellent stone to be had there for making and repairing of highways; together with the inexhaustible quantities of stone for all purposes of building, which by the accounts we have of it, cannot be excelled; and also the produce of many flax and cotton mills, all of which are turned by water, and hence more likely to increase in number than diminish; the quantity of tonnage to be found in that direction, at a comparatively small expense in obtaining it, added to the tonnage of the lower end of the line, would, undoubtedly increase, not only the utility of the work, as regards the country in general, but give a preponderating quantity of tonnage in a descending direction; the advantages of which were so obvious to your Committee, that a survey nearly upon new ground was undertaken, and continued under very favourable hopes, till at length it was brought
within the compass of both plans and sections, and exhibited to your Committee about the latter end of January, 1819.
From which data, and what more Mr. Palmer was able to give Mr. Telford from his own observations, your Committee requested Mr. Telford to give his estimates of the most advantageous manner of communicating this place with the navigable part of the river Ouse at Acaster Sailby, (this being at that time the point fixed on at the lower end of the line) either by a double Rail-way only, or by a double Rail-way to the Brook Crimple, and hence by a Canal to Acaster Sailby, taking the water from this brook as a supply, and forward from Knaresbro’ to Pateley-bridge, by a single Rail-way, with passing places.
The separate expenses of each, as furnished by Mr. Telford, are below:—
MR. TELFORD’S ESTIMATE.
| £. | ||
| 4¾ miles, with 116 feet fall. | From the lowest part of the Bond End, at the bottom of the High-Street, in Knaresbro’, to the Brook Crimple, on Ribston-Green, a double Railway | 15,794 |
| 9m. 1140 yds. with 82 feet fall. | From the Crimple Brook to Acaster Sailby, a Canal | 68,628 |
| Add Ten per Cent. for Contingencies | 8,442 | |
| 92,864 | ||
| 20 m. 142 yds. with 198 feet fall. | From the same point in Knaresbro’ to Acaster Sailby, by a double Rail-way | 60,000 |
| 14¾ m. with a fall of 11 feet per mile. | From the same point in Knaresbro’ to Pateley-Bridge, with Passing-places | 38,830 |
In the foregoing estimates Mr. Telford has considered the Canal, with its locks and bridges, as suitable for the Humber Sloops, and the Rail-way sufficiently strong to admit of one ton and a half being carried by one waggon.
When it was originally intended for the lower end of the line to commence at Acaster Sailby, it was unknown to your Committee that an Act of Parliament existed, levying duties on merchandise on the River Ouse, after the same had passed the Wharfe mouth towards York; for the better information of the public, we insert as much as relates thereto.
ACT OF THE 5TH OF GEORGE II.
“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.”