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was none from any other quarter, though I had looked for at least some on the part of land owners, who might naturally be expected to resent such a limitation on the right of property. To their credit, however, they, tacitly or expressly assented to a measure which may thus be regarded as universally recognized to be necessary.
27. (V.) "An Ordinance to authorise in certain cases judicial investigations into the cause of fires" sufficiently explains itself. The effect of this measure has so far apparently been beyond anticipation; as the number of fires, which had become very serious, very largely diminished immediately after the law came into force. It remains to be seen whether this comparatively happy state of things will continue. If so, I apprehend that the result will be largely due to greater care in the selection of insurance risks and decreased recklessness of competition among insurers.
28. The principal of the twenty-six Ordinances which have already been passed this year are as follows:-
(A.) "The Praya Reclamation Ordinance, 1889," is a measure for facilitating a great scheme of Reclamation along the whole of the western front of the Town of Victoria extending for 3,051 yards. By this project 57 acres will be added to the Town including a Praya or Esplanade 70 feet wide, together with other streets of an aggregate length of 5,518 yards. The cost estimated at $2,921,365 is to be defrayed by the proprietors (including the Government) of the land now facing the sea, who will in return receive the reclaimed land opposite to their frontage. As the profits on the work are expected to be large, it is probable that the great majority of the frontage proprietors will accept the terms offered. In the case of dissentients the expense of carrying out that portion of the work in which they decline to participate will fall on the Government.
29. Though it is hoped that the public Treasury will gain largely by this work: (1) from the difference between the cost of Reclamation and the value of such of the reclaimed land, as will belong to the Crown; (2) from the building sites which will be rendered available at the West of the Town by the removal of earth required for the Reclamation; and (3) in rents and rates from the large area added to the Town; the principal objects of the scheme were:-(1) to afford an opening for relief from the present over-crowding of the population; (2) to bring the front of the Town in immediate juxta-position with deep water in the place of the present foreshore which is for the most part silted up and often extremely noxious; and (3) to improve the appearance and increase the mercantile convenience of the Town front by the provision of better buildings, and of a wider Praya more adapted to the requirements of a vast and growing commerce.
30. The carrying out of this great scheme, which is due to the initiation of the Honourable C. P. CHATER, does not appear likely to present any serious engineer- ing problems, and the successful solution of such as there are may be regarded as only a question of time. The principal difficulties are in connection with the financial arrangements and the due adjustment of private interests and claims. This portion of the subject, which has already occasioned much consideration and a large correspondence, is likely to require the careful attention of the Government for some time to come. But while it cannot be expected that all of the many concerned will be completely satisfied, nor that during the progress of the works there will be an entire absence of complaints on the score of inconvenience, I do not permit myself to entertain a doubt that when the whole is completed the undertaking will be almost universally regarded as having been a great and lasting benefit to the community.
31. (B.) The Building Ordinance, 1889," is an elaborate measure of 89 clauses, intended to meet a want which has been of late years more. and more seriously felt, viz.:-The means of compelling greater attention to security and sanitary requirements in the construction of buildings.
32. (c.) "The Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance, 1589," is intended to make better provision for the acquirement of land for public purposes, and constitutes a tribunal of arbitration for the award of compensation. One of the principal objects of the measure is to facilitate a contemplated experiment having for its object a permanent improvement in the sanitary condition of the Town. A large portion of the population is densely crowded in houses, which are without yards or windows at the back, and which as regards ths of the rooms are in perpetual and complete darkness. It is proposed to acquire one or more portions of land covered with such houses and to re-sell them (1) either after the replacement of the present