156 ARRANGEMENT OF TOWNS. [CH. I. 



" Cox's Basin"), a dark coloured trap-rock, apparently con- 

 taining steatitic matter, and doubtless connected with one of 

 the disturbing operations, to which this fractured country 

 has been exposed. 



Beyond the ferry, the road crosses Emu plains, a level 

 tract, here about a mile in width, and intervening between 

 the river and the base of the mountains. This flat consists 

 chiefly of gravel — composed of large pebbles, for the greater 

 part quartzose ; and in sinking a well, a bed of them was 

 found, in which many were nearly spherical. 



A township has been marked out at the ascent of the new 

 road, the question as to the most eligible situation for a town 

 on Emu plains, having led to the construction of the new 

 pass. The growth of towns depends very much on the direc- 

 tion of great roads, and must be more certain, and the allot- 

 ments consequently more valuable, when the most eligible 

 line of thoroughfare is ascertained and opened, in the first 

 instance. Such works of public convenience should precede, 

 as much as possible, the progress of colonization. The plan 

 at least should be well considered, before the capital, or the 

 labour, which is the same thing, is applied. Buildings and 

 other improvements can then be commenced with greater 

 certainty of permanent value. " Les depenses utiles sont 

 economic," said Guibert, but in new countries, the economy 

 will much depend on the permanent vitility of works, for 

 which, in most cases, the necessity should be foreseen. With 

 the example of so many old countries for our guidance, ob- 

 structions to the spread of population in a new one, should be 

 removed, according to plans of general arrangement, keeping 

 in view the best distribution of towns, with respect to local 

 advantages, and the best sites for all public buildings requisite 

 for the towns still in embryo. The most advantageous general 

 lines of direction should be ascertained for the roads — that the 

 public means may be applied with certainty to their substan- 

 tial ijuprovcmcnt, by removing obstructions and building 

 bridgf'S. On gocxl roads, there is greater inducement to indi- 

 viduals to erect inns ; and in well arranged streets to build 



