-526 PROCEEDINGS OP SECTION II. 



the source of supply gradually disappeared — became polluted and 

 finally was utilized as the vehicle of carriage of the refuse and 

 filth of the community. 



The first water sup|)ly was brought from a place near the city, 

 called Lachlan Swamps, by Mr. Busby ; the supply was by means 

 of a tunnel which ended at the junction of Oxford and College 

 Streets. 



Before the advent of the Botany water supply this tunnel sup- 

 plied the wants of the inhabitants. Up to the year 1850, the 

 water supply by reticulation was limited. From a report of the 

 City Water Committee, it would appear that the domestic supply 

 was chiefly drawn from private wells or public fountains ; the 

 applications for supply to liouses did not exceed four hundred and 

 seventy-six for a year, the revenue derived from same, being <£423. 



Macadamised roads, with the exception of the principal 

 thoroughfares, was a dream of the future. Access to what might 

 be termed the near suburbs, was to a great measure by unformed 

 tracks — this to a lai'ge extent was due to the greater part of the 

 population settling down near the centre of the city, tlie outskirts 

 being but sparsely populated. 



No system of underground drainage worth the name existed — 

 a few detached drains for conveyance of storm-water or house 

 slops from street gutters were constructed. The sanitary arrange- 

 ments were of a primitive kind — the common cesspit, with its 

 attendant abominations, was the rule — the refuse water passing 

 by either formed or unformed channels into the nearest water- 

 course, or over rocks as the case might be. Noxious trades of all 

 descriptions were carried on in the heart of the city, which, 

 from their very nature, could not be otherwise than detrimental 

 to the public health. 



The Public Abbatoirs were within the city boundary, on the 

 shores of Darling Harbour, but these have been transferred to 

 more congenial places. 



Street lighting and scavenging were confined within certain 

 limits. Street lamps were few and far between in 1850. The 

 Lighting Committee of the old City Council could not recommend 

 more than six lamps to be erected during the year. Scavenging 

 was confined to the principal thoroughfares — the house refuse being 

 disposed of in the most convenient manner possible. It should 

 be mentioned that the unoccupied area bore a good proportion to 

 that built upon — this, to a great extent neutralized the effects 

 which, from the surroundings, could not have been salutary. 



I have briefly, and am afraid imperfectly sketched tlie con- 

 dition of old Sydney with its imperfections, and will now desci'ibe 

 the condition of the city which was the outcome of a new order 

 •of things. 



