THE LAYING OUT OF TOWNS. 585 



pleasing effect of handsome buildings erected round a graceful 

 curve. Whenever the natural features are favorable, as following 

 the bend of a sea frontage (as in this instance), of a river, or wind- 

 ing round a hill to obtain an easy gradient, we think that curves 

 should be made, as the advantages gained exist for all time, and 

 more than counterbalance the disadvantages of irregularity of 

 block and the increase of survey work involved in their use ; but 

 we are scarcely prepared to advocate their use where straight lines 

 will answer all purposes. Speaking as surveyors, we should like 

 every township in the province to be laid out in curves, as this would 

 make a great increase of survey work of an interesting character, 

 but we can scarcely e.xpect to arrange these matters to suit sur- 

 veyors only, and public opinion is apt to place utility before beauty. 

 Whilst recommending the chessboard plan generally as a basis, 

 we should, of course, deviate fi"om it whenever the natural features 

 indicate the desirableness of doing so. Every different site should 

 have its own design, and to the experienced surveyor the proper 

 place to run the streets will be apparent on a careful inspection. 



WIDTH OF STREETS. 



Three-chain streets should, we think, rarely be admitted, as they 

 separate the sides too widely and make them almost like portions 

 of distinct towns. We have some instances in South Australia 

 where this has been the effect, and we are inclined to think that 

 two chains is about the maximum that should be allowed, while, 

 at the same time, the width should rarely be reduced to less than 

 a chain and a half and never less than one chain, as it is impossible 

 to foresee which streets are destined to become leading thorough- 

 fares. 



SUBSOIL. 



It also appears to us tliat Mr. Sulman attaches undue importance 

 to the necessity of a pervious subsoil for the site of a large town. 

 We would not think of rejecting an otherwise favorable site for 

 this reason only, as in these days the question of deep drainage is 

 only one of time. For example, the subsoil of Adelaide is a stiff 

 clay soft, to 60ft. thick, and yet during all the years that Adelaide 

 existed without deep drainage it was always considered a most 

 healthy city. When the site is unsuitable, through being badly 

 situated for drainage, the more pervious the subsoil the better, but 

 where a town is naturally well situated for drainage the character 

 of the subsoil is, we think, of but secondary importance. 



Who should design towns ? 



ARCHITECTS DESIGNING TOWNS. 

 We are not insensible to the advantage of consultation amongst 

 the members of the three ju-ofessions of architect, engineer, and 

 surveyor, so as to produce the best design for a proposed town. 



