Some interesting details of the reform in plumbers' work were
given at the annual dinner of the Plumbers' Company on Tuesday. The Master, Mr. Bishop, told the guests that the plan of giving certificates to all plumbers who would register themselves and prove their competency, had worked unexpectedly well. The men themselves had taken to it ; twenty-six counties were covered by the organisation ; and it is intended to ask Parliament for an Act enabling the Company, among other things, to withdraw a plumber's certi- ficate for misconduct. We hope that power will be granted. It is not the usual course, but a plumber's business differs from every other handicraft in two respects. It directly affects health, and it cannot be regulated by mere competition. The customer not only does not understand, but he cannot even see what it is he purchases.
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