ANNUAL ADDRESS. XI. 



living factor in the welfare of the State shortly after the inaugur- 

 ation of the Commonwealth, a consummation devoutly to be 

 wished for. 



All the examples of civic government quoted are the results of 

 development, and the general trend of such development has been 

 in the direction of unification of the principal services which con- 

 tribute to the health and comfort of the ratepayers under one 

 controlling body. The original scheme of the London County 

 Council might be cited as an example of attempting too much in 

 the direction of consolidating civic government. This scheme 

 included the whole of the vestries or local councils outside the 

 City of London, and the administration of all internal affairs 

 of such bodies was found to be unworkable, and it is believed that 

 the object now is to administer the larger services, leaving the 

 minor interests to be administered by the local bodies as hereto- 

 fore. It would appear therefore that as a preliminary measure to 

 any future scheme of Local Government, that a measure dealing 

 with the amalgamation of the different services which partake of 

 a civic character, under one controlling body, would commend itself 

 for consideration. 



The ideal form of municipal government would include the 

 control of services connected with sewerage and drainage, water 

 supply, lighting (gas or electric), tramways, markets, abattoirs, 

 artisans' buildings, baths, roads and streets with bridges etc., 

 street cleaniug, refuse destruction, parks, wharves for civic pur- 

 poses, fire brigades, lodging houses. With such works the 

 municipal engineer and surveyor of the future will have ample 

 scope to display his ability, and considering the advantages which 

 have been provided by the State in connection with the Technical 

 College and Engineering School of the University, there is every 

 hope that qualified men will be available to take up the duties. 



The consideration of the site for the Federal City may be 

 productive of good in the direction of inaugurating a system of 

 Local Government on a broad and firm basis. It is to be hoped 



