14 CONSTRUCTION AND MANAGEMENT OF SMALL GASWORKS. 



course, suffered in consequence, and, in etiect, the gas com- 

 pany had to re-metal it from end to end, at its own expense. 

 The county suryeyor is sometimes inclined to be a small 

 autocrat in his way, and to look upon anyone who disturbs 

 the crusts of the roads as a sort of trespasser or interfering 

 busybody, rather than as engaged in supplying an impor- 

 tant public service, and is apt to treat him accordingly. 

 Sometimes he rules that the company should pay is., or 

 some other fixed sum, per yard of trench, to cover reinstate- 

 ment, and I have known many cases where the surveyor's 

 bill exceeded the cost of excavation. 



I do not claim that the gas company should overlook 

 the importance of reinstating the surface in its original 

 condition, or in these days of bicycles and motor cars, of 

 avoiding " camel humps " or loose stones. The latter are a 

 particular source of danger. But in its own interest it 

 is not likely to be so foolish as to neglect this point, 

 because if any accident happens, the local authority does not 

 accept the responsibility. The claim for damages is certain 

 to come on the gas company, if the slightest excuse exists 

 for it. It is a great hardship if the gas company is 

 indirectly made to pay for the use of the roads, by having 

 to effect a substantial improvement on the previous condi- 

 tion, or to make up a first-class road in places where a very 

 indifferent one was previously tolerated. 



If the surveyor is opposed to the gas company, on 

 personal or other grounds, he can put it to great incon- 

 venience and ruinous expense. The unsatisfactory nature 

 of these sections of the Act is illustrated by the amount of 

 litigation to which they have given rise, and by the vague 

 and contradictory constructions that have been put upon 

 them by various authorities. Law is altogether too expen- 

 sive a luxury for the mall company, <u the expenses of a 



