Highways, etc. Act 1691

XXIII. Justices once a Year to settle the Rates of Carriages, and to certify the same.

Carrier taking above the Rate; Penalty £5.

And whereas diverse Waggoners and other Carriers by combination amongst themselves have raised the prices of carriage of Goods in many places to excessive rates to the great injury of Trade Be it therefore enacted by the authority aforesaid That the Justics of the Peace of every County and other place within the Realme of England or Dominion of Wales shall have power and authority and are hereby injoyned and required att their next respective Quarter or General Sessions after Easter-day yearely to assesse and rate the prices of all Land Carriage of Goods whatsoever to be brought into any place or places within their respective Limitts and Jurisdictions by any co[m]mon Waggoner or Carrier and the Rates and Assessements so made to certifie to the several Mayors and other Chief Officers of each respective Markett Towne within the Limitts and Jurisdic[i]ns of such Justics of the Peace to be hung upp in some publick place in every such Markett Towne to which all persons may resort for their informac[i]on And that no such co[m]mon Wagoner or Carrier shall take for carriage of such Goods and Merchandizes above the Rates and Prices so sett upon pain to forfeit for every such Offence the Su[m]m of Five pounds to be levied by distresse and sale of his and their Goods by Warrant of any Two Justices of the Peace where such Waggoner or Carrier shall reside in manner aforesaid to the use of the party grieved.