Turnpike Trustees: The annual meeting the Totnes and Bridgetown Pomeroy Turnpike Trustees was held on Friday last, at the Seven Stars Hotel. K. Durant, Esq., occupied the chair, and there were also present Messrs. H. Robinson, W. J. W. Bastard, W. Flamank, J. Flamank, John Creed, John Maye, Elias Ford, T. Michelmore, J. Goodridge, W. F. Windeatt, R. Bowden, Vickary, W. Page, Moysey, J. Harris, Rendell, and C. C. Wills, Rev. J. H. Whiteway, Rev. W. C. Johnson. etc. From the statement of accounts read by the Clerk it appeared that the revenue received on tolls amounted £2,242 10s, and that the balance in the treasurer’s hands on the 31st Decr. last was £3,356 19s 3d, of which sum £534 had become due as interest since that time. Mr. John Creed moved that the resolution to let the repairs of the roads by contract in respect to section No. 5, which included a road from the Newton Abbot Railway Station towards Chudleigh, be rescinded. The road, he said, was in a very bad state, and he thought the only way to remedy it would be for the trustees to take it into their own hands. The Rev. J. H. Whiteway seconded the motion. It was stated by Mr. Vickary that the contractor had done all he could to keep the road in repair, and if the trustees enforced the contract upon him, he would be ruined. After some discussion, in which Messrs. Robinson, Windeatt, and Michelmore, and the Rev. W. Johnson took part, the motion was carried, but it was afterwards discovered that the notice to rescind had not been given in a proper manner. Messrs. W. Flamank, J. Creed, and T. Michelmore then gave notice that at the next meeting they would move that the resolution for letting roads by contract be rescinded. Mr. Creed, in the absence of Mr. Pinsent, drew the attention of the trustees to the question as to the reduction of the tolls. He believed it would a great boon to the public, and he therefore proposed that the tolls should be reduced from 9d to 6d, and from 1s 6d to 1s. The Clerk read a letter from Mr. Belfield, the Chairman of the Finance Committee, who was much opposed to the reduction of the tolls. Mr. Bastard expressed himself as of the same opinion as Mr. Belfield. Mr. Creed then withdrew his motion. Mr. Robinson regretted the course taken by Mr. Creed, as he intended seconding the motion. He thought a resolution should be placed upon their books that they would reduce the tolls whenever consent could be obtained. The Rev. W. C. Johnson was in favour of reduction of the tolls, he believed it would increase their finances. Mr. W. Flamank, Mr. Windeatt, Mr. Vickary, Mr. Michelmore, and Mr. Ford, spoke in similar terms, and Mr. Creed then proposed that a committee — to consist of Messrs. Creed, R. Robinson, R. Durant, W. Flamank, J. F. P. Phillips, and the Rev. W. C. Johnson, be appointed confer with the owners of the deeds poll, and report to the trustees. Mr. Michelmore seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. Robinson proposed, and Mr. Creed seconded, that the clerk be instructed to give the necessary public notices for the reduction of the tolls at the next letting, in May. The motion was carried. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings, and the trustees adjourned. [see other issues on other dates]
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Referenced
GRO1036 Devonport: Thomas Pinsent: 1782 – 1872