[1] Chambers’s.
“Sir,
“Judging from a perusal of The Builder that it is your intention to give to the building world the first information upon all matters connected with its interests, I beg therefore to apprize you that at this moment, a bill is preparing very secretly (at least the ground-work for one) for Parliament, upon which it is presumed, as secretly will be obtained, a New Building Act.
“Whatever objections there may be (and I readily admit there are many) to our present Building Act, yet I do not think it requires altogether to be superseded.
“From private information I learn, that the majority of clauses in the intended new bill, are exceedingly arbitrary, and calculated only to oppress the Builders without the least additional benefit to the public, and indeed, I am of opinion that if adopted, it will prove a source of great inconvenience and expense to all parties in any way connected with building. I should, therefore, recommend a Meeting of speculative Builders immediately, to take into consideration the best means to oppose the bill in Parliament.
“I shall be most happy to give my best assistance in this matter, as also to forward the views of the proprietor of The Builder.
“I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
“John Reid, Surveyor.”
“90, Canterbury-buildings, Lambeth,
“February 14th, 1843.”