1823.] Gas Light Establishments. 423 



in the metropolis be transmitted to the person charged with the 

 general inspection of them, but that no new work, nor any exten- 

 sion of old works, should be proceeded upon until regular plans 

 of them shall have been laid before the inspector, and until the 

 sanction of the Secretary of State shall have been procured by 

 him for their proceeding. 



It is but right that 1 should take this opportunity of stating, 

 that I have received every facility and attention on the part of 

 the directors of the different companies to my requests for infor- 

 mation ; but I have not yet been favoured with plans, such as 

 those above-mentioned, without which it is impossible to enter 

 with that accuracy into all the details of such a survey, which 

 the magnitude, risk, and general importance of these works 

 demand. It is indeed evidently the interest of the companies 

 concerned, to furnish as early as possible, before they under- 

 take new works, plans of their intended operations, inasmuch as 

 prevention is better than remedy, and that it is easier to make 

 alterations in a drawing than in a building ; nor can I refrain 

 from repeating, that it is much to be regretted that such an 

 arrangement was not lono- since carried into effect, as the tho- 

 rough security of the town and the perfect organization of the 

 system might have been insured, at a much less expense to the 

 companies than will now be ultimately required. 



On this part of the subject it remains only that I should state, 

 that having thus far, at the request of the government, devoted 

 myself to the consideration of this important public concern, I 

 am ready to proceed in giving my best assistance in seeing that 

 those preventions, which I have suggested for the safety of the 

 metropolis, are properly carried into effect, in the performance of 

 which I should feel it incumbent upon me, equally upon public 

 grounds, to consult the interests and accommodation of the 

 companies as far as it could consistently be accomplished with 

 reference to the primary object, the convenience and security of 

 the public. 



On the subject of the coal gas works, it remains only to be 

 observed, that there are several private gasometers erected for 

 the lighting of manufactories and other buildings, where the 

 operation is confined entirely to the particular premises, such as 

 the Royalty Theatre, Messrs. Ward and Ainger's, south side of 

 Blackfriars-bridge, and many others. 



There are other coal gas works also formed, not only for the 

 purpose of lighting particular premises, but which extend 

 their operations by the sale of the gas for lighting the neigh- 

 bouring buildings also. 



And there are other private establishments created entirely 

 for the sale of coal gas to the public. The mains of some of 

 these works extend to very considerable distances. The Rat- 

 cliffe Company, for instance, have three gasometers, and have 

 brought their mains nearly up to the Tower of London. Ano- 



