the theory of city design. 97 



Discussion. 



Mr. H. G. McKinney, m. Inst. c.E, — The paper is very compre- 

 hensive in its character and bears every evidence of careful 

 thought and skilful preparation. Any criticism therefore which 

 I have to offer relates to matters of detail and to the order in 

 which action should be taken. 



The first point to which I feel disposed to take exception is the 

 place given to the paragraph devoted to the preliminaries of 

 design. I concur in Mr. Knibbs' opinion that "a preliminary 

 topographical and contour survey of the whole of the site is 

 essential" but I should have preferred to see this point brought 

 in near the beginning of the paper and greater prominence given 

 to it. The site selected for the Federal Capital is almost certain 

 to be in hilly country, and the contour of the ground will be a 

 factor of the first importance in settling the character of the street 

 system or systems, which should be adopted. Examination merely 

 of the headings under which Mr. Knibbs has discussed the subject 

 shows how much depends on the contour plan. For instance the 

 important question of the positions of radial centres is one which 

 will depend in a very large measure on the natural outlines of the 

 ground, as will also the question of the advantage or propriety of 

 adopting curved streets. 



As the immediate object in view in establishing the Federal 

 Capital is to provide Houses of Parliament and offices for the use 

 of the Federal Government, it appears to me that all other objects 

 should be subordinated to this. I quite concur in Mr. Knibbs' 

 opinion that all possibilities of extension should be provided for, 

 but I think that in attempting to make definite provision for 

 various possible developments there would be some risk of losing 

 sight of the main object which should be kept in view. 



In his statement regarding the fixing of radial centres, I think 

 more stress might be laid on facilities for water supply and drain- 

 age, and on the location of railways and main roads, but Mr. 

 Knibbs may very justly say in regard to this, that the magnitude 

 of the subject compelled him to condense his remarks. 



G— Oct. 2, 1901. 



