420 Sir W. CongrevS on [June, 



to each other than 40 feet, or about a diameter of one of the 

 gasometers ; and that if they are nearer, a strong brick traverse 

 should be immediately erected between them, similar to those 

 used in the powder works at Waltham Abbey. I am decidedly 

 of opinion also, that these gasometers should not be suffered to 

 exist nearer than from 50 to 100 yards to any dwelling-house, 

 without being similarly traversed. 



But under such restrictions, I should consider the safety of the 

 town as well provided for in respect of the gas works, as by that 

 regulation relative to the quantity of gunpowder allowed to be 

 stored in any warehouse, which limits that quantity to two 

 barrels. 



In carrying this restriction, as to the size of the gasometers, 

 into effect with as little inconvenience as possible to the com- 

 panies, I should recommend, as the readiest and cheapest mode, 

 that where larger gasometers exist, their altitudes should be 

 diminished, or, at least, that they should not be allowed to work 

 these gasometers above a certain altitude ; and that if the 

 expence of reducing their depths were desired to be dispensed 

 with, some permanent stop should be applied to them to prevent 

 their rising above a certain height, so as to contain more than 

 the limited quantity of gas. I should recommend also, that 

 where these gasometers are, as in many of the establishments is 

 the case, nearly close to each other, every other one should be 

 taken out and removed to a distance ; nor need this involve any 

 necessary increase of ground on the spot where the gasometers 

 are now placed (the purchase of which, in some cases, might be 

 impracticable), but merely a removal of these gasometers to a 

 distance ; the communication with the retorts, &c. being, as it 

 may be, without difficulty, effected (and as, in fact, it now is at 

 the South London Works), at a distance by pipes under ground. 

 I should also recommend, that a general regulation should be 

 enforced to prevent any gasometer being placed within 50 yards 

 of any retort or other part of the works in which fire is used. 

 Such appear to me to be the principal regulations necessary as to 

 the size and situation of the gasometers ; and it was on these 

 principles, in a reference lately made to me by the Lords Com- 

 missioners of the Treasury, of an application from the Imperial 

 Gas Light and Coke Company, for permission to purchase an 

 additional quantity of land, that I recommended that this per- 

 mission should be granted, although it had, in passing the Acts 

 of Parliament, been considered desirable to limit the grants of 

 lands, that the works might not be erected on too large a scale. 



My view of this subject is, that it may be quite right to limit 

 the quantity of gas generated in particular works ; but that I 

 certainly would not limit the quantity of ground on which the 

 apparatus, for its generation, is to be erected. 



With reference to the particular construction of the gasome- 

 ters and gasometer houses, from all that I hare been able to 



