The foregoing illustration, may help to correct the statements which have been made as to the conduct of railway companies in the capacity of owners or workers of canals. Not only the Kennet and Avon canal, but, it is probable, all the other canals which have been taken over by the Great Western Company, must have been closed years ago if they had remained in the possession of the canal companies. The public have, in fact, had the opportunity of availing themselves of the water carriage when it was to their interest to do so, just because the railway company took over the canals and kept them in working order. Though every railway company owning or managing a canal may be compelled under the Section cited on page 193 to keep it in repair, only one application for that purpose has been made to the Railway Commissioners. This is scarcely consistent with the loose, unverified accusations as to the shortcomings of railway companies. Besides, it is not true that the whole canal system has passed under the influence of railways. Of the 3,029 miles of canals in Great Britain, 1,592½ miles are owned or managed by other than railway companies.[108] An examination of the map prepared by Mr. Abernethy, C.E., for the Select Committee of 1883, shows, that south of a line passing through Worcester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Hull, there is scarcely a canal of any importance, with the exception of the Kennet and Avon canal, between Bath and Reading, permanently, temporarily, or partially in the hands of a railway company. [108] Appendix to Report of Select Committee on Canals, page 214, “These lengths are exclusive of the River Thames, Severn, Wye, Humber, Wear, and Tyne in England; the Rivers Clyde, Forth, Tay, and the Caledonian Ship Canal in Scotland; the Shannon and other navigations in Ireland.” According to Mr. Taunton’s Report, the canals and navigable rivers in England, Wales, and Scotland under control of railways are 1,447 miles as against 2,335, which are independent of railway companies (Appendix 228.)