542 REPORT — 1891. 



desirable in almost all respects. The accidental circumstance 

 that some one had erected stores or hotels at fords near river- 

 flats has, in some instances, led to the establishment of towns 

 in places where they are actually submerged by floods every 

 few- years. In these cases it is plain that no account was 

 taken of the levels. 



In work under the second head, where private property is cut 

 up, there is, as a general rule, no restriction, beyond provision 

 that each street shall be at least so many feet wide, and that 

 each allotment shall have a certain minimum superficial area. 



I venture on the following general suggestions : — 



(a.) That all land intended for subdivision into town lots be 

 carefully contoured before any scheme be decided on. (This 

 in general need not entail great expense.) 



(b.) That every design for subdivision show clearly the 

 contour-lines, and be submitted to a competent civil engineer 

 for his approval before being acted on, so that surface-drainage, 

 sewerage, and road-communication may be adequately pro- 

 vided for. 



(c.) That, if there is a Health Department, every design be 

 submitted to that department for its approval from a sanitary 

 point of view. 



(d.) That suitable mininmm areas be decided on in accord- 

 ance with the circumstances of the particular cases, no allot- 

 ment for residential purposes being anywhere less than 2,500 

 square feet. 



(e.) That widths of streets and lanes be fixed by law at 

 certain minima in accordance with the varying conditions. 



The question of public reserves should, of course-, be care- 

 fully considered, and these made ample in the case of Crown 

 townships. In private subdivisions the local authorities would 

 generally have to attend to this matter. Possibilities of water- 

 supply would naturally also require careful attention. 



The whole subject has recently received the careful atten- 

 tion of the Victorian Institute of Surveyors, of which I have 

 the honour this year to be the President, and I forward under 

 separate cover copies of papers read by Captain Keily, C.E., and 

 myself on the question. You will note that Captain Keily has 

 treated the subject exhaustively, and carefully considered its 

 aesthetic side. 



I think that the Government Architect should in all cases 

 be consulted as to the effect likely to be produced by the 

 arrangement of the reserves for public buildings, &c., but would 

 again repeat that the health of the people appears to me to be 

 the paramount consideration. 



