| Reference number | NLB/19/364 |
| Alternative reference number | NLB/19 p210-213 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Copy letter from Arthur William Rucker, to the Principal Assistant Secretary, the Department of Science and Art, South Kensington, S.W. |
| Date | 28 August 1899 |
| Description | Presumes his correspondent has already received from the Treasury a copy of the enclosed Clause for the protection of Government Observatories [not attached], which was approved by the Chairmen of the Committees of the Houses of Lords and Commons respectively. Has been informed by Sir Courtenay Boyle that the clause has been introduced into the Bills of which a list is subjoined [not attached]. The Treasury have also informed Rucker that the Clause is to supersede the Kew Clause in the Act of 1898 of the London United Tramways Company. Suggests the Department of Science and Art enquire of the Brompton and Piccadilly Railway Company whether they intend to construct their line in accordance with the Clause for the protection of the Royal College of Science inserted into their act, in 1896 or 1897.
Three Government Departments are interested in the matter [protection of Observatories and Laboratories]: the Office of Woks on behalf of the Kew Observatory and Government Chemical Laboratory, Admiralty on behalf of Greenwich Observatory, and the Science and Art Department on behalf of the Royal College of Science. Many electrical railways may effect the interests of all three departments and it is desirable that instead of taking independent action in each case, they should act in common. Sir Boyle has suggested the three departments should agree to appoint one official and one scientific adviser with whom the Board of Trade might communicate.
Suggests the Departments concerned come to an early agreement as to whether they propose to act independently or in common.
It is desirable action should be taken early enough to ensure that the right of appeal to the Board of Trade is not affected by the Companies having already got to work and possibly entered into contracts because no appeal was lodged. |
| Extent | 4p |
| Format | Carbon |
| Physical description | Typescript |
| Access status | Open |
| Related material | For copy of the clause and list of bills into see NLB/19/360 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | Name | Dates |
| NA6673 | Rucker; Sir; Arthur William (1848 - 1915) | 1848 - 1915 |