1714: 1 George 1 Session 2 c.11: An act to restrain all Waggoners, Carriers, and others, for drawing any Carriage with more than five Horses in Length.

WHEREAS in and by one Act of Parliament made in the sixth Year of her late Majesty,

[6 Anne c. 29.]

intituled, An Act to repeal a Clause in an Act of the seventh Year of the Reign of his late Majesty (for amending and repairing the Highways) which enjoins Waggoners and others to draw with a Pole between the Wheel horses, or with double Shafts, and to oblige them to draw only with six Horses, or other Beasts, except up Hills, It is among other Things enacted, That from and after the four and twentieth Day of June one thousand seven hundred and eight, no travelling Wagon, Wain, Cart or Carriage, wherein any Burthens, Goods or Wares Should be carried or drawn, other than such Carts and Carriages as were or should be employed in or about Husbandry or Manuring of Land, and in carrying of Hay, Straw, Corn, Coal, Chalk, Timber for Shipping, Materials for Building, Stones of all Sorts, or such Ammunition or Artillery as should be for the Service of her Majesty, her Heirs or successors, should at any one Time travel, be drawn, or go in any common or public Highway or Road, with above six Horses, Oxen, or Beasts, upon and under the Pains and Penalties, and subject to the Proviso therein mentioned: And whereas the excessive Weights or Loads laid upon Wagons or other Carriages drawn by six Horses, as aforesaid, are found by Experience to be so heavy and burdensome, that the Roads are thereby rendered almost impassable:’ For Remedy whereof, Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same,

[After Sept. 30, 1715, no Waggon, &c. shall be drawn with above five Horses, &c. in Length, under the Penalties in the Acts 6 Anne c. 29. and 9 Anne c.18.]

That from and after the thirtieth Day of September one thousand seven hundred and fifteen, no travelling Wagon, Wain, Cart or Carriage, wherein any Burthens, Goods and Wares shall be carried and drawn (other than and except as in the recited Act is excepted) shall at any one Time be drawn or go in any common or public Highway or Road with above live Horses, Oxen, or Beasts in Length, upon the like Pains, Penalties and Forfeitures, and subject to the Provisoes in the said recited Act mentioned, or in an Act made in the ninth Year of her said late majesty’s Reign, to render more effectual the said recited Act of the sixth Year of her said majesty’s Reign; the said recited Statute, or any Clause therein contained, or any other Statute to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

[The Exception in the said Acts shall not extend to threshed Corn or Coal. Farther Provisions relating hereto, 26 Geo. 2. c. 28 & 30. 28 Geo. 2. c. 17. 30 Geo. 2. c. 28. 31 Geo. 2. c. 34.]

II. Provided, and it is enacted by the Authority aforesaid, That the said Exception in the said Acts, or either of them contained, or in any other Acts whatsoever, shall not extend or be construed to extend to the excepting the Carriage of threshed Com and Coal.

[Altered by 5 Geo. 1. c. 12. 16 Geo. 2. c. 29. 18 Geo. 2. c. 33. 24 Geo. 2. c. 43.]

Source: Ruffhead, Statutes at Large, Volume 5.