METROPOLIS TURNPIKE ROADS ACT AMENDMENT BILL.
Mr. G. HARDY moved for leave to bring in a bill to amend the acts relating to the turnpike roads in the neighbourhood of the metropolis north of the Thames. He was acting on the part of the hon. gentleman the member for Petersfield (Sir W. Jolliffe), whose absence they all regretted, in bringing this bill before the house. The metropolitan roads had been under the management of commissioners, and in the year 1850 a Royal commission had sat to consider the question, and they had recommended the removal of about 26 principal gates and 56 side gates, which existed on the north side of the metropolis, or a reduction in the tolls. He would take that opportunity of stating, in order to give full opportunity for the urging of objections to this measure, that he hoped to have the bill read a second time before Easter, and then sent to a select committee, and when the bill came back to the house there would be an opportunity of challenging any of its clauses.
Sir G. GREY, on the part of the government, cordially supported the introduction of the bill, which was calculated to aid in removing a burden which had pressed very heavily on particular districts.
Lord ENFIELD was glad that the hon. and learned gentleman had taken such a decisive step to put an end to the grievances which had often been urged unsuccessfully upon them. Leave was then given to introduce the bill.