[To THY EDITOR OF THE " SPECTA.TOR.1 SIB, —With reference to
your interesting article on the above subject in the Spectator of March 2nd, I should like to inquire how far these by-laws have any binding force. An unreason- able by-law is without legal force (at least, in so far as it is unreasonable). It might well be contended that the necessity of superimposing a concrete foundation on solid rock is quite unreasonal le Also, it might clearly be argued that in the country it is the height of unreason to forbid thatched roofs in an absolute manner, so as to allow no exceptions. I know that it would be expensive to carry such points as these into Court, and that the result would be doubtful. But I have a suspicion that (without having recourse to extreme measures) a man of a little means, who has a competent lawyer to advise him, can erect many buildings that the local surveyor will start by condemning, but will not really be able to prevent.—
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