ol exercised by an urban district council over streets and
buildings is to a very large extent exercised through by-laws which
they are empowered to make for various purposes relating to the laying
out and formation of new streets, the erection and construction of new
buildings, the provision of sufficient air-space about buildings to
secure a free circulation of air, and the provision of suitable and
sufficient sanitary conveniences. The manner in which such by-laws are
made and confirmed will be hereafter noticed. In general, the by-laws
require plans of new streets to be submitted to the council, and they
are required to approve or disapprove of these plans within a month.
They cannot disapprove of a plan unless it contravenes the provisions
of some statute or by-law; but if a person builds otherwise than
according to an approved plan he does so at the risk of having his
work pulled down or destroyed. Among the miscellaneous powers of an
urban council with respect to streets may be mentioned the power to
widen or improve, and certain powers incorporated from the Towns
Improvement Clauses Act 1847, with respect to naming streets,
numbering houses, improving the line of streets, removing
obstructions, providing protection in respect of ruinous or dangerous
buildings, and requiring precautions to be taken during the
construction and repair of sewers, streets and houses. An urban
council may also provide for the lighting of any street in their
district, and may contract with any person or company for that
purpose. If there is no company having statutory powers of supply
within their district, they may themselves undertake the supply of
gas, and they may purchase the undertaking of any gas company within
their district.

Public parks.

An urban council may acquire and maintain lands for the purpose of
being used as public walks or pleasure-grounds, and may support or
contribute to the support of such walks or grounds if provided by any
other person. They may also contribute to the cost of laying out,
planting or improvement of lands provided for this purpose by any
person, in their own district or outside that district, if it appears
that the walks or grounds could eventually be used by the inhabitants
of that district. An urban council may also provide public clocks or
pay for the reasonable cost of repairing and maintaining any public
clocks