HC Deb 10 August 1888 vol 330 cc306-7
MR. ANDERSON (Elgin and Nairn)

asked the Lord Advocate, Whether it is the case that crofters in the Island of Lewis, though assessed for the upholding of roads and bridges in the Island, have no voice in the management of the Road Trust, which is composed of the proprietrix's factor and a few nominated large farmers; whether it is the case that no meetings are held of the Trustees; that no accounts of the Trust are ever printed or published; that crofters in several districts, though assessed, have no public roads to their townships; whether it is the case that William Gillanders, in the employment of Lady Matheson, the proprietrix, is the collector and treasurer to the Trustees at a yearly salary of £40; and, will the Government include the management of the roads in the Island of Lewis in the proposed Local Government Bill for Scotland?

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. H. A. MACDONALD) (Edinburgh and St. Andrew's Universities)

I have received to-day the following telegram from Stornoway:— The Lewis Road Trustees are annually elected in terms of Section 80 of the Ross and Cromarty Road Act, 1866, which limits the qualification to tenants rented at no less than £50 per annum, four Trustees are annually appointed by the Parochial Boards of Lewis, and four nominated by the proprietor, the proprietor and factor being Trustees ex officio in terms of the Act. Meetings are held, when necessary, in addition to the annual statutory meeting, and the accounts are audited and open to inspection; but to save expense, and as the Act does not require it, they are not printed. All lands and heritages in the Valuation Roll are assessed in terms of the Act. Several townships have no road to them. The Trustees have no power under the Act to construct new roads or bridges. William Gillanders, accountant in Lady Matheson's employment, is clerk, collector, and treasurer to the Lewis Road Trustees, the salary attached to these combined offices being £30, and not £40 as stated. The roads within burghs are managed by the Police Commissioners alone. Remarks only apply to landward district.