228 COMMISSION OF CONSERVATION 



In regard to the location of farms, little, if anything, could be 

 done to alter the position of farm buildings already erected in the 

 territory developed for agricultural purposes, but in all undeveloped 

 or unimproved territory the location and grouping of farm buildings 

 so as to secure the closest settlement practicable, the provision of 

 radial highways and the reduction of unnecessary length of roads 

 would be important matters to consider. If it should ever become part 

 of a government policy to encourage re-settlement of abandoned farms, 

 or to reclaim and settle marsh areas in older territory the question of 

 planning the location of new buildings would be part of a scheme. In 

 all such cases regard should be paid to the questions of highway de- 

 velopment, the situation of schools, co-operative and distributive 

 facilities, and social centres. 



The classification of land should be another important feature 

 in schemes. Before a scheme was prepared for a township, a survey 

 should be made to ascertain the character of the land included, its 

 suitability for different kinds of farming, or, if unsuitable for farming, 

 whether it should be made a timber or other kind of reserve. The 

 nature of the scheme would be greatly influenced by the facts ascer- 

 tained in this survey. Areas could also be restricted for residential 

 or other purposes. 



A scheme could include provisions for fixing the areas best adapted 

 for the erection of factories and prevent their location in other areas 

 more suitable for agriculture or residence. Incidentally this would 

 have its influence on the width and form of construction of the streets 

 serving such localities. In making such provisions owners of land 

 would have to be consulted, but, even if they objected, they would 

 have no title to claim compensation in this respect, if the Provincial 

 government decided that the restriction was reasonable for the pur- 

 pose of the amenity of the district. 



In many rural districts there are villages and railway depots which 

 suffer from bad approaches, or there is need for consolidation of 

 schools or for provision of co-operative facilities, which are appropriate 

 matters to be dealt with. 



(b) Proper Sanitary and Hygienic Conditions — What is 

 meant by the objects of proper sanitary and hygienic conditions 

 will have been gathered from the facts given and arguments used in 

 preceding chapters regarding the need for improvement of such con- 

 ditions in rural areas. There are certain matters which come within 

 this category which have also a relation to the object of convenience. 

 For instance, when the widths of roads are fixed to suit the traffic 



