The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-20 00:00:00

Abolition of the Surrey Turnpikes,

A deputation waited upon Sir George Grey yesterday, at
the Home Office, to present a memorial signed by the parishes
of Bermondsey, Rotherhithe, and Horselydown, against the
continuance of the toll upon the Greenwich a.nd Woolwich
Lower-road. The deputation consisted of J. Locke, Esq.,
M.P., A. H. Layard, Esq., M.P., the Hon. P. J. Locke
King, M.P., Mr. James Cowan, Mr. Gaywood, Mr. Naylor
Mr. James Thornhill, Mr. Harding, Mr. Hughes, and Mr
Bradford.

The petition complained that by the continuation of the
Greenwich and Woolwich Lower-road Turnpike Trust,
after the removal of the New-cross toll gate, which is to be
abrogated on the Ist November next, a great injustice will
be done to the inhabitants of Woolwich town ; inasmuch
as the inhabitants of Greenwich will be able to receive goods
by road without being liable to a turnpike tax, whilst the
next town, Woolwich, will, by the continuance of the toll,
have to pay a heavy exaction upon all goods going by road
into that town. The petition concluded by praying that
the Greenwich and Woolwich Lower-road Turnpike Trust
might be extinguished as provided for in last year's annual
act, so that the roads may be turnpike free on and after let
of November next.

JOHN LocKE, Esq., M.P., briefly introduced the deputa-

tion to Sir George Grey, and explained that it would have
been much more numerously attended but for the fact of
several gentlemen having been suddenly summoned to the
Guildhall as witnesses in an important case. He then, in a
speech characterised by great force and lucidity, explained
the injustice which would bo inflicted upon the residents of
Woolwich, as well as other parishes trading with that town,
by the continuance of the toll upon the road in question
after the abrogation of the gates at New-cross and other
places,which would take place in November next. Bermond-
sey and Rotherhithe, he said, thought it an extremely hard
case that they should have to pay a rate of 6d. in the pound
to maintain and repair the road, and yet be unable to send
merchandise to the town of Woolwich without having to
pay a toll. Camberwell and Peckham made the same com-
plaint. For 20 years that trust had been kept alive by an-
nual bills, and the time had long since gone by when it
should have been paid off. There was a debt at the pre-
sent time of £2,400.
Mr. G. HARDING, as representing Camberwell, also urged
the necessity for the removal of the toll in question.
Mr. BARING explained to the deputation the reasons why
the toll had not been included in the bill.
Some conversation ensued, in which Messrs. Hughes,
Bradfield, and Locke, M.P., took part.
Sir GEORGE GREY asked what proportion Woolwich was
prepared to bear of the expense.
Mr. HUGHES said he saw no objection to the amounts of
contribution from parishes being proportionate to the ad-
vantages gained by the respective places.
Mr. BRADFIELD urged that it was quite within the power
of the Home Secretary to introduce a clause in the bill
throwing the onus of keeping the roads in repair upon the
respective parishes, and allowing the toll upon the Green-
wich and Woolwich Lower-road to be kept up for two
years, so as to pay off the debt.
Sir GEORGE GREY said that it would greatly simplify
matters if the respective parishes would come to some
mutual agreement by which the desired end might be ob-
tained; at the same time the suggestion of the deputation
should receive every consideration, and assured them that
the Government would do its best in the matter in the
interests of all parties concerned.
Mr. BRADFIELD then thanked Sir George Grey for having
been the means of throwing open ten miles of road in the
metropolis, and the deputation withdrew.

SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE—This day.

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LONDON, May 20.—Wind this day at noon—South-
•Westerly; moderate breeze and fine weather.
CARDIFF, May 18.—Wind W.S.W.—Arrived—Estella,
from St. Nazarre.
PORTSMOUTH, May 19.—Wind N.W.—Sailed—Her
Majesty's ship Serpent, for the Cape of Good Hope, with a
vessel in tow.
SOUTHAMPTON, May 19.—Wind W.—Arrived—Poonah,
screw steamer, from Alexandria.
PLYMOUTH, May 19.—Wind S.W.—Sailed—Her. Ma-
jesty's ship Liverpool, for St. Petersburg ; P. Pendleton,
for Toronto.
BRISTOL, May 18.—Wind N.W.—Arrived—Dauntless,
from Jamaica.
QUEENSTOWN, May 19.—Wind S.W.—Arrived—Jenny,
from Porto Rico.