Proposal to complete the dam and bridge across the Yarra Yarra River Proposal to complete the dam and bridge across the Yarra Yarra River

13th December 1839. Mr Frederick Manton. Proposal to complete the Dam and Bridge across the Yarra Yarra River. Melbourne 12 Dec 1839. His Honor C. J. La Trobe Esq. Sir, It occurred to me that the water at the falls of the Yarra Yarra River in the Town of Melbourne now running to waste, might be made available & valuable for the purpose of a Flour Mill, by the Completion of the Dam & Bridge commenced by Govt. and cutting a Race or Mill Stream on the opposite side of the River, am I beg leave to make the following proposition to your Honor, trusting it will meet with Your Honorable consideration, but before doing so I beg to bring to your notice, that beside the great convenience the completion of the Bridge will be to the Public, the advantage to Govt will be proportionately great in making available a considerable quantity of Land at present of little value, it will also place at the disposal of Your Honor, the labour of a number of Lascars who can be otherwise employed in works of Public benefit - my proposition is as follows - (margin) copied + sent on the 17th Dec.