386 Lieut. Brown on a Plan for Improving the 



the old mode of paving, the difference being the dressing the 

 stones, and substituting mortar for gravel; certainly, consi- 

 derably cheaper than the method adopted in many parts, of 

 laying a foundation of Macadamized stones. And to prevent 

 the necessity of ever disturbing it for any purpose after it 

 was once made, I would construct culverts * along the sides 

 of the streets, under the part now occupied by the surface- 

 gutters, large enough to contain the branch water-pipes, gas- 

 pipes, or, indeed, anything that could be conveyed through 

 pipes in or out of the houses. The tops of those culverts 

 should be of cast iron, about four feet long, and each length, 

 if necessary, (or wherever a joint or communication was re- 

 quired) should lift on or off at pleasure. The inspector or 

 workmen could thus, at all times, have easy access to the 

 pipes, without interfering with the street or house ; and any 

 accident could be amended cheaply and promptly, (the men 

 having day-light and room to work) without the expense and 

 annoyance of breaking up the pavement, which could never 

 be properly replaced. The upper surface of those cast-iron 

 lengths should be hollowed into the form of a gutter, in order 

 to carry the rain water from the street to the grating which 

 communicates with the sewer; and the bottom of the culvert 

 would convey any water that leaked through the joints, in the 

 same manner. 



For a new pavement, I would recommend the best material 

 (granite) to be used, as the cheapest in the end ; but in relay- 

 ing a street, the same stones may be used, after being dressed 

 or cut to the necessary form. I consider the best proportions 

 to be eight inches long, five inches wide ; and a foot, or as 

 much more as convenient, deep. If it was necessary to use 

 different sizes, they must on no account be mixed, but worked 

 into separate lengths or patches of pavement. 



* The mains as they are at present constructed, may run through 

 the centre of the street ; as they would seldom or ever want to be dis- 

 turbed, and they could be inspected when the pavement was worn out, 

 and in the progress of relaying ; or they could run along the sides, if 

 the culverts were made large enough ; of course the size of the side 

 culverts or gutters, depends on the situation and the quantity of water 

 required to be conveyed. 



