Obstructing the highway

Edward Mascall and William Gunn, carters, of Hunsdon, were summoned for obstructing the highway at Hadham Cross, Much Hadham, on December 18.   Neither of the defendants appeared.  P.S. Lee said at 7.45 p.m. he saw a wagon loaded with straw and drawn by two horses standing on the footpath near the Bell public-house.  Behind the wagon was a cart loaded with straw, to which one horse was attached.  It was a very foggy night.  At 8.40 p.m. he returned, and found the wagon and cart still there.  The defendant, Mascall, who was in charge of the cart, came out of the public house, and afterwards fetched the defendant, Gunn, out.

When told they were obstructing the highway and that it was dangerous to traffic, the former said he was baiting his horses.  The loads of straw projected over the road.  There was a good draw-up, but it was not generally utilized.  Witness had received several complaints, and found it was no good cautioning the men.  He had not cautioned these particular men before.  The Chairman said the traffic in the village was now abnormal, as there were a great many horses about.  It was very important that there should be no obstruction.  Each defendant would be fined 1 shilling and costs 4 shillings.