First published in the Colonial Advocate, and Tasmanian Monthly Review and Register, 1 March 1828.
Improvements.
Mr. Archer, the Civil Engineer, has drawn a plan from the surveys of Mr. Frankland and others, of Sullivan Cove, with the projected alterations and improvements, which consist of a Government Dock and Timber-yard, Landing Quay, and Custom House. At the back of the Government House, from the Battery Road to the Commissariat Wharf, it is proposed to erect and throw out a Terrace or Quay, on which allotments of from 40 to 60 feet front are to be appropriated, for the purpose of building mercantile stores. Davey-street is to be carried through the present Government House Garden to the Commissariat Wharf — thus giving access to the store allotments back and front. The expence is estimated £80,000; but it is supposed, that it will be a great deal more. However, if the Home Government will lay out £80,000 for this very desirable improvement, there is no doubt the Colonists will find the rest. Messrs. W. A. Bethune, John Lord, James Grant, W. M. Orr, Charles M'Lachlan,and some others, have, it is understood, obtained reserves of allotments on the new line, to be given to them, on condition of building, should the plan be carried into effect which we hope will be the case.
A Chapel is about to be forthwith erected at Clarence Plains, and upwards of £100 has been subscribed by the inhabitants of that settlement. The Settlers are unitedly to come forward with cartage, which is to be valued as money and added to the subscriptions — to which the Government is to add as much more. Such acts merit the public commendation. It would be very desirable that a similar plan was adopted at the Green Ponds, Campbell-town, Richmond, Oatlands, and New-town; and there is no doubt, that if the inhabitants of those settlements would act in a similar manner to those of Clarence Plains, the Lieutenant Governor would afford a similar assistance, particularly for so desirable an object as the promulgation of Christian Knowledge.
Another Church is talked of, as being about to be built on the Hill between Hobart Town and New-town, for the convenience of those persons about to build and reside in the new streets — Arthur-street, Stephen-street, George street, Burnett-street, Frederick-street, William-street, Montagu Crescent, Pedders'-square, Henry-street, New street, and North street. — Lest the Public should not know where all these streets are, they are hereby informed, that they may find them in the bush, among the ten-acre allotments just this side New-town. The town is also extending behind the Roman Catholic Chapel, thence to Providence Valley, and behind Belle Vue, extending as far as the located lands on the Sandy Bay Road, many persons in town having allotments of various sizes, tenured upon the express conditions of immediate building and improvements. The Quit-rents, it is rumoured, are to be the same as those at Sydney; however, the want of positive information on this subject greatly retards the progress of extending the town, which would otherwise be most rapid. It is much to be regretted that that fine slope, generally called Macquarie Point, should be suffered to remain a desert waste, when it is so admirably adapted for the purpose of building; and it is also a pity that the Government Domain, excepting a few acres adjoining Loretto, is not thrown open as a Town Glebe or Public Common. — It can never be of any other use than it has been for the last ten years, while the town inhabitants have severely felt the want of pasturage for their milch cows and horses.
Among other public improvements in the town, we have to notice the erection of the New Prisoner's Barracks, by being raised upon those already built; by this addition the Barracks will contain several hundred men; also, the erection of a new wing, and mess-room, at the Military Barracks. The new wing is a long large building opposite the former one, the mess-room being opposite the Officers' Quarters, forming the square.
The improvements in the road in Davey-street are nearly completed; which consist of the carriage road being levelled by cutting down one side several feet, and raising the other. The N. E. side of Davey-street is now a terrace, the foot-path being 6 or 8 feet above the road. — Macquarie-street, leading to the new Female Factory, is also undergoing the same operation. We notice several good new houses in that quarter.
Mr. John Lord, a Gentleman recently arrived in the Colony, (owner of the ship Marquis ot Lansdowne), is about to erect a store, and construct a most commodious wharf beyond Mr. Bethune's store, on the Jetty. Mr. Lord will project his wharf over the bed of rocks, to obtain a sufficient depth of water for vessels of any burthen to lay alongside, which will be a great convenience to the mercantile body.
St. David's Church, so much admired by new comers, is being stuccoed, which will not only add greatly to its appearance, but add also to its durability.
The new Market-place was completed about the middle of January, when the gangs were withdrawn. No stalls have yet been erected.
A Gaol and barracks have been erected at Bothwell Township. An Inn is now erecting, and a Chapel is projected as the next work.
The new Female Factory, formerly Lowes' Distillery, at Cascade, is in rapid progress. — We propose, in our next number, to offer some remarks upon the management of the women in this establishment.
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