By Isle of Wight Observer
In the Isle of Wight Observer published on 17th January, 1857, Mr Hawkins of St Helens took issue with a Mr Young who, he said, had appropriated some common land for his own use. He claimed it was also happening elsewhere on the Island.
Mr Hawkins had already taken direct action against the highway encroachment by Mr Dawes that took place near his home – and was waiting for any legal repercussions. The final outcome was reported on 22nd October 1859, when in a hearing at Winchester, Mr Dawes was acquitted on two counts of obstructing a footpath. The Isle of Wight Observer said, of Mr Hawkins, “We should imagine that this result will keep that notorious character quiet for a little time at least.” Mr Hawkins had tried to stand for Parliament in May 1859, but was unable to proceed when he could not get a proposer or seconder for his nomination.
ENCROACHMENT UPON HIGHWAYS.
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To the Editor of the Isle of Wight Observer
Sir, – You know that Mr. Young, of Appley, has lately driven the people of Ryde and St. Helen’s out on a sea-wall path some seven feet wide. The wall is ten feet high, and in windy, wet, or frosty weather a man must be strong indeed safely to get over from Ryde to Puckpool.
Having property in St. Helen’s, I availed myself of an opportunity to call Mr. Young’s notice to the fact, protesting that if I lived in the parish I would have his railing pulled up, and a sufficient road to Springvale made good.
An encroachment of the same kind is found as you enter Sandown, a wall having been lately built there almost on the centre of the road. The turnpike to Chale, at its intersection with that of Niton, is being banked on in the same way.
…
The most beautiful prospect in the Isle of Wight is commanded from a point just above my house here. It is called Mount Delectable in very ancient maps. The highway thereto was last year stopped by Mr. W. H. Dawes.
The Island flourishes because it is beautiful. And why a man of taste like Mr. Young, and one of our Norman houses, begrudge that beauty I do not know. If a surveyor prove incompetent to defend it, ten abler men are waiting for his place. And the Law will decide for the public that I did well in levelling the fences and throwing down the wall erected by Mr. Dawes. Meanwhile, Sir, let it be known that road-robbery is as bad as highway-robbery; and that the appropriation of what has been immemorially the common right will be resisted as robbery.
I am Sir, your obedient servant,
THOMAS HAWKINS