The Sun.
London, England, 1835-02-03 00:00:00

WALES.

The land revenue in Wales, Monmouth, and Chester is
aliout 5,0001. per annum. Mr. John Wilkin is receiver, and
his net average emolument on the collection is 4001. per annum,
Mr. Wilkin has also 400/. per annum retired allowance, as
senior clerk in the Tax-office, and 3001. per annum as In-
spector of Fines and Penalties belonging to the Crown ; and
he has apartments unfurnished at the house used as an office
in Spring-gardens.
He gives securities, one in 5,0001., and himself in 10,000/.

Since his appointment in 1819 some legal proceedings have
been instituted for the recovery of arrears due to the Crown,
and these proceedings have been removed into the Court of
Exchequer, where the suit is not yet determined.

. - .
The witness also describes some cases in which consider-
able encroachments had taken place on wastes belonging to
the Crown.

He states the " arrears" which he considers as due to the
Crown in North Wales to amount to between 50,000 L and
60,0001. on a rental of about 3.0001. per annum.
In South Wales the arrears are 4,600/., and they are nearly
irrecoverable.

He ascribes these arrears and irregularities in North Wales
to the neglect of former receivers.
It appears, at the same time, that there is some difficulty in
ascertaining and distinguishing- the just rights of the Crown,
and of individuals ; and Mr. Wilkin is of opinion that the ap-
pointment of a commission to ascertain these rights would be
an expedient measure, and indeed, that if such a commision be
not appointed, the rights of the Crown will ultimately be nearly
lost in North Wales.

Your committee, however, do not immediately recommend
the appointment of a commission, which must necessarily be
expensive, as it appears to them that the Commissioners of
Woods may institute an inquiry on the spot ; and if they
find that serious difficulties do exist in defining the boundaries
of Crown lands and of private property, or that parties capable
of giving information are unwilling to come before them for
that purpose, they may, if the subject should be deemed of suf-
ficient importance, bring it under the notice of Parliament,
with the view of being empowered to institute a more efficient
inquiry.
Mr. Roberts, resident at Carnarvon, states, that he is well
acquainted with the localities and customs of the highland part
of Wales; that the rights of private property are as clearly
defined in unenclosed tracts of land, as if they had been en-
closed, and that claims are set forth on the part of the Crown
which are undefined in their nature and extent, and vexatious
towards the freeholder.

The same witness describes the present state of the ferries
over the Menai Straits ; arid he considers that the general in-
terests of the two counties of Carnarvon and Anglesea P"-e
in-
jured by the mode in which these ferries
.are ef—..uucted, and
that the lessee of the Crown claims an 7
within certain limits from Car -ctusiveright of ferry
Carr to Barris, which inter-
feres with that fair com,--
,etition which would be 'advantageous
to the public,

Thi; alleged right has been the subject of a private action.
He is of opinion, that if the lense of the ferry from Car-
nation to Barris be granted to Lord Boston, the public will
not have that regular and proper accommodation for passing
the Straits of Menai which they have a right to expect.
Upon this point your committee have to observe that rights of
ferry belonging to the Crown ought not to be granted on
lease to private individuals who may derive emolument
under sack grant; as, in whatever form such leases may
be framed, persons frequenting the ferry can seldom obtain
redress without great difficulty and expense where the ferry is
improperly or negligently conducted, and that wherever it is
practicable suoh ferries ought to be vested in Paritamentary
trusts, under such regulations as will insure that the whole
profits arising from the ferry (with the exception of such rent
as may have been formerly paid to the Crown) shall be em-
ployed in supporting and improving the ferry for the public
advantage. The inconveniences complained of at the ferry
between the counties of Carnarvon and Anglesea might be
best obviated by an act of Parliament empowering trustees
to establish a public ferry in the situations most convenient
for forming communications between Carnarvonshire and An-
glesea, with power for the trustees to purchase (if it should
be deemed necessary) the lease granted by the Crown to Lord
Boston, and any private rights of ferry which might prevent
their making such arrangements for the ferry as will be found
most safe and convenient for the public.