Report of the Knaresbrough Rail-way Committee | Page 5

could not be removed, as heretofore, at the usual low rates. From these data, and the fact of three waggons three days each week from Knaresbro' towards Skipton, we believe the tonnage under this head in that direction will be three thousand tons annually, which being nearly the whole length of the line, or twenty-five miles at 3d. per ton, per mile, will yield a revenue of 937 pounds 10s. Being aware some doubt may arise as to the computation of this tonnage being correct, we feel no apprehension as to the result.
For while it must be admitted, that lead in this case ceases to be a back carriage, hence the expense of carrying corn from Ripon to Pateley-Bridge must naturally increase, whilst on the contrary, the expense by the Railway must as naturally decrease; these two circumstances in all probability will fully support the estimate, if not greatly exceed it.
We now come to the present principal trade of the town and neighbourhood of Knaresbro', which is that of dressing Flax and spinning Yarns; and what first takes our notice upon the subject of tonnage, is that of

FLAX.
This article during the latter period of the late war, was dressed and manufactured here in greater quantities than at present, probably owing to the profits upon it at that time being more adequate to the heavy expense of carriage, than they are now. The depressed state of the trade since that period has caused one flax-mill, turned by water, to be converted into a corn-mill, no doubt to the detriment of others in that line; and two more, turned by the power of steam, to stand still, and become useless; whereas, if carriage could be considerably reduced upon this article, and also in that of coal as stated already there remains little doubt but this useless property would regain its former value, and additional employment be afforded to the increasing population of the neighbourhood; an object at all times deserving the notice of the opulent and rich, and which of late, hath, with partial success engaged the united efforts of the legislature.
In calculating on the tonnage of this article we have it in our power to be more exact than on that of any named before, for every individual concerned with it, has made his own return, and which added together amounts to two thousand four hundred and forty tons, being for the town of Knaresbro', one thousand seven hundred; and for the neighbourhood up to Pateley-Bridge, seven hundred and forty. Hence the amount of revenue from this tonnage will be as follows:
Pounds s. d. From Bolton 732 0 0 Percy to Knaresbro' 2440 tons per ann. 18 miles, at 4d. per ton, per mile From Knaresbro' to Pateley-Bridge, which is 14.75 miles, but for safety sake is only taken at 12. 740 tons, 12 148 0 0 miles at 4d. per ton, per mile 880 0 0
Having pointed out the probable amount of revenue which the article of Flax will yield to the Railway; we shall next endeavour to exhibit how much will be saved between the present and the projected mode of conveying it to Knaresbro':
From Pounds 1 2 0 Hull, via B. Bridge, the present expense per ton, is And the time of coming from 10 to 21 days From 0 5 0 Hull to Bolton Percy, per ton Removing 0 0 9 from the boat into the waggon Rail 0 6 0 dues, 18 miles, at 4d. per ton per mile Waggon 0 2 3 0 14 0 dues, 18 miles, at 1.5d. per ton, per mile 0 8 0
By this statement it appears there is a saving of 8s. per ton from Hull to Knaresbro'; and nothing seems to prevent the same ratio holding good from Hull to Pateley-Bridge; besides should the Flax come from Hull on board the regular traders, it will in all probability arrive at the Wharfe mouth in two tides, and from thence to Knaresbro' in eight or nine hours; but should the trade of Knaresbro' attract the notice of the owners of steam vessels, its dispatch would doubtless be greater; and more in proportion it would benefit the trade of the place; in as much as cheapness of carriage and dispatch of goods whether manufactured or otherwise are the very sinews of commerce, and in such proportion as these are obtained, so will the wealth and prosperity of the town or neighbourhood be regulated.
In presuming upon any increase of tonnage on this head, we feel equally safe as on any other, or more so; for if the present mills turned by water, and spinning Flax were found insufficient, some corn-mills might easily be converted, and in lieu of them, wind-mills might be erected, for which purpose many fine situations present themselves on