REPORT OF THE KEW COMMITTEE. xl 



increase should be made in the number of oil lamps, and the Committee 

 cannot but be sensible that in a building in ^vhieh so large a quantity of 

 papers and books is distributed, a corresponding increase in the danger of 

 fire has arisen ; this would be entirely obviated by the introduction of gas 

 into the building. 



"Limited as are the funds which are at the disposal of the Association, the 

 expense of the gas proposed to be used would be defrayed by the Committee, 

 and all they ask is that it should be laid on in the different rooms. The 

 Committee hope that as no pecuniary assistance is received by the Associa- 

 tion from H.M. Government, and that as the exertions of the Committee 

 have latterly been devoted to the great national object of verifying the 

 meteorological instruments used by H.M. Navy, this request will not be 

 refused. 



" Some time since, the Committee made arrangements through your 

 Surveyor, with the present tenant, for the occupation of two acres of the 

 land immediately contiguous to the Observatory ; the land has been enclosed 

 •with a strong paling at a very considerable expense. 



"In any future letting, the Committee hope they will be permitted to 

 take the two acres direct from the Crown, at such rent as your Surveyor may 

 consider fair and equitable ; and as some misunderstanding has at times arisen 

 as to the right of way to the Observatory, the Committee would feel obliged 

 in any future arrangements you may make for the letting of the land, that 

 the right of way should be specified. 



" I am also directed to acquaint you, that the Committee consider it 

 desirable the Building should be examined by your Surveyor, as some repairs 

 are required, which if not made at an early period, may ultimately cause • 

 considerable expense to the Government. 



" I have the honour to be, Sir, 



" Your obedient Servant, 

 (Signed) " J. P. Gassiot." 



" To the Hon. Charles Gore." 



2. Mr. Gore to Mr. Gassiot. 



" Office of Woods, &c., 27th March, 1855. 

 " Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th inst., 

 and to inform you in reply, that the Buildings of the Observatory being 

 under the charge of the Commissioners of Her Majesty's Works, &c., any 

 communication respecting its condition, or as to lighting it with gas, should 

 be made to that Department at No. 12 Whitehall Place, and I have therefore 

 transmitted copy of those portions of your letter which have reference to that 

 Building to that Office. 



" With respect, however, to the tenancy of the land adjoining the Ob- 

 servatory, I have to state that in the event of any change in the letting of 

 the Park taking place, your application, that the Committee of the British 

 Association may be permitted to rent it direct from the Crown, and a right 

 of way thereto reserved in the letting of the residue, shall receive attention. 

 " I am. Sir, 



" Your obedient Servant, 

 (Signed) " Chas. Gore." 



" J. P. Gassiot, Esq." 



3. Mr. Gore to Mr. Gassiot. 



" Office of Woods, &c., 11th AprU, 1855. 

 " Sir, — With reference to my letter to you of the 27th ult., 1 have to 

 acquaint you that I do not think it would be for the interest of the Crown, 



