DURHAM AND NORTHUMBERLAND. 218

Xnit the following additions and alterations offormer plans. I am well convinced that anyinstitution dependent upon voluntary subscrip-tions and information would be useless andineffectual. I therefore suggest that a petitionbe framed, praying his Majesty’s Governmentto grant an Act of Parliament upon the fol-lowing grounds.

That an office be established at Newcastle,Shields, or Sunderland, (whichever may befound most convenient,) having a clerk oragent at the remaining two places; to be re-gulated by five or more commissioners ap-pointed for that purpose, and under the im-mediate direction of a master superintendentor inspector.

That this establishment should be providedfor by a rate upon the coals, mutually affectingthe proprietor and lessor. This rate would becomparatively trifling, and ultimately of no pe-cuniary consideration to either party, as itsdifference would not be felt by the consumer.Calculating therefore, on the least possible Scale,upon the annual exportation of one millionof Newcastle chaldrons from the ports on theTyne and Wear, which by reference to theaccount of exportations we may fairly pre-sume, and including the land sale collieries,