It is obvious, that the formation of this distinct central authority will be best effected by the introduction of a separate Bill, while the plan of empowering the magistrates to appoint county surveyors would naturally form part of a general Bill for amending the laws relating to Turnpike Roads. Your Committee have weighed, with much attention, the comparative advantages of an attempt to amend these laws by supplemental enactments, and of the comprehensive plan of endeavouring to embody in one Act of Parliament all that is valuable in the old laws, with the addition of such new regulations as are acknowledged to be desirable. The Committee of 1811 were impressed with the expedience of “combining the old and new regulations into one general code, divided into two branches, one regarding the Highways, and the other regarding Turnpike Roads,” though they considered that “it would require more time and labour than those who have not had some experience in the drawing up of such laws can be at all aware of.” “Your Committee do not hesitate to avow their opinion, that unless this task, however arduous be accomplished, the laws relating to roads must remain in an incomplete, uncertain, and inconvenient state. They cannot doubt that the House will agree with them that the promotion of such a measure is deserving of legal assistance on the part of his Majesty’s government, to those who are disposed to apply their time and attention to the undertaking; and they indulge the hope, that if the House shall think fit to reappoint a Committee for the same object in the next session of Parliament, much may be found done for the preparation of such a bill.” Your Committee themselves have not been inattentive to many of the amendments which they think it ought to embrace, some of which they proceed to particularize for the consideration of those members whose attention may be drawn to the subject of this Report. There is no object which appears more deserving of regulation than the expense attending the passing and renewing of Turnpike Acts. This might be lessened by comprising in a general Act such customary clauses as are applicable to all trusts, and by dispensing with the attendance of witnesses in London to prove the notices required by the orders of the House; but a still greater advantage would be gained by extending the period of the duration of these Acts, and providing for their renewal without the payment of fees. A general commutation for statute labour appears to be required, both for public advantage and private convenience. The amount of composition might be levied as a rate; and it will become a subject of consideration, whether some better principle may not be laid down for apportioning the money thus collected between the highways and turnpike roads.