Page:Victoria, with a description of its principal cities, Melbourne and Geelong.djvu/51

 prepared for such an undertaking, half of his business in the city was left undone; the streets were so full of heaps of clay, stones, and mud, and no pathway, he was compelled to return literally bootless. Nothing of the above is now to be seen, even in the latest formed streets, so exceedingly energetic and expeditious are the operations of the municipal body. Within the last year gas has been introduced, and all the streets, shops, and several private houses are now lit with it, a double row of lamps giving a most pleasing feature to this wide-streeted city.

The municipality extends over 9000 acres, 3000 of which are portioned off into public parks, squares, and reserves for national purposes. The suburbs contain about 5000 acres, much of which is private property, or daily becoming so as it is sold by Government. East and North Melbourne, Sandridge, Emerald Hill, and St. Kilda, are included in this municipality, though, from the increasing population, and the extensive buildings of the three latter, they will soon be formed into independent bodies. The suburbs are East Collingwood, Richmond, and Prarhan, and further off, or closely connected with the city, are the pretty villages of Hawthorn, Flemington, Brunswick, Footscray, and Brighton, in Hobson's Bay.

The population in January, 1855, within the limits of the municipality and suburbs, was upwards of 80,000, and the exact position lately determined is 37° 49' south latitude, and 14° 58' east longitude.