432 REPOKT— 1891. 



from the store ; while in a shop the large ground-floor window- 

 is a sine quel non, but as yet is rarely treated in a satisfactory 

 manner in combination with the superimposed structure. As 

 a rule every inch of frontage is used for glass, and an ordinary 

 heavy brick or stone front is piled on top, apparently resting 

 on nothing. The requirements of modern trade prohibit large 

 and obstructive piers, therefore the upper stories must be 

 lightened to combine and harmonize with the void below. If 

 this be done effectively, a distinct type of elevation is evolved, 

 that at once proclaims the class to which it belongs. And in 

 this way I might enlarge on all the different kinds of city 

 buildings. The hotel for residence requires abundant balconies, 

 while street dwellings, instead of being stereotyped in two or 

 three stock patterns, might be as various as their occupants. 

 But these are points of detail on which I cannot enlarge on the 

 present occasion. Nor shall I allude to the question of " style," 

 otherwise than to state my conviction that by following the 

 hints I have given, and so meeting as perfectly as possible the 

 practical needs of every-day life, we shall more surely evolve a 

 style of architecture suitable to our habits and climate than in 

 any other way. 



The proper use of materials is another section of the sub- 

 ject on wiiich much could be said ; while public monuments, 

 sculpture, and external colour decoration are themes that de- 

 mand a separate paper. It must, however, suffice for the 

 present that I have simply referred to them. 



In order to carry out some of the suggestions made in this 

 address, a competent guiding authority, possessed of initiative 

 powers, is a necessity. This at present does not exist in any 

 Australian city. The City Councils, through an official, see 

 that their Building Acts are adhered to ; but these are restric- 

 tive in scope, and purely regulative. Something is required like 

 the General Council for buildings and improvements that has 

 existed in Paris for upw^ards of two centuries, nominated by 

 the Government, and composed of the best specialists the 

 country can boast ; but unfettered by the severe restrictions of 

 the Parisian Building Ace. A similar Council has been sug- 

 gested for London by the President of the Eoyal Institute of 

 British Architects, in the Neiv Bevietv for October, 1890. Such 

 a body should be empowered to reserve sites for future public 

 buildings, and initiate city improvements, not piecemeal, but as 

 part of a complete scheme to be realised section by section in 

 the course of years. The saving in outlay by prevision would 

 be immense, and the value of individual properties would be 

 proportionally increased. Is it too much to hope that some 

 day the suggestion may be realised ? 



It is, however, well to have an ideal ; and in my paper on 

 "The Laying-out of Towns," and in this address, I have 



