Summary
The quarantining of lands for parks and gardens occurred from the early years of Melbourne’s settlement. In this, the colony was influenced by Britain’s efforts in the early 19th-century to address urban sanitation, public health and social accord through establishing public green spaces in its often overcrowded industrial-era cities.
The administration of parks and gardens for public recreation and wellbeing is typically a municipal responsibility. While this pertains to the upkeep of green spaces, this City of Melbourne by-law, published in 1942, demonstrates that it also extends to regulating the behaviour of those who use the parks and gardens. It gives insights into the social practices and organisation of the time, but also reflects the period’s morality and social attitudes; point 2, for example, decrees that ‘No person shall … cast-off clothing’, a directive to which the current era clearly gives the lie, a quick glance at any city park during the sweltering months revealing copious flesh a-baking. More seriously, the prohibition of fires was critical when parks were scythed rather than mown and watering systems were virtually non-existent.
By-law No. 260 was printed in the ‘Victorian Government Gazette’ on 6 April 1942. The version in the collection, shown here, is printed in water-based black ink on linen and adhered to two wooden rods.
The sign begins ‘City of Melbourne By-Law No. 260 A By-law of the City of Melbourne made under the Local Government Act and numbered 260 to provide for the protection and control of the tree reserves and gardens garden plots lawns and ornamental plantations in or upon any street or road.’
