This book offers a general introduction to and analysis of the history, theory and public policy of Australian local government systems. Conceived in an international comparative context and primarily from within the discipline of political studies, it also incorporates elements of economics and public administration. Existing research tends to conceptualise Australian local government as an element of public policy grounded in an 'administrative science' approach. A feature of this approach is that generally normative considerations form only a latent element of the discussions, which is invariably anchored in debates about institutional design rather than the normative defensibility of local government. The book addresses this point by providing an account of the terrain of theoretical debate alongside salient themes in public policy.

Contains brief references to Aborigines derived from secondary sources.

Georgian Britain - Georgian Australian - Victorian - Federation - Between the wars - Beyond the 1950s - Future directions (includes energy conserving and solar design); Interiors - Colonial kitchens - Gardens - Terrace - Portable house - Queensland style.

This book is the first comprehensive analysis on the history of infrastructural development and urban policies in Lagos since the colonial annexation to date. I think that the author faced almost three challenges to write it. It was necessary to consider a long term analysis (one century and a half), to take into consideration the growing size of the city – the biggest in the south of the Sahara since the 1960s – and, finally, to inquire into three key infrastructural sectors: water supply, electricity supply and transportation system. Both fascinating and depressing issues for town planners and officials; Lagos is probably one of very few cities with more than five million inhabitants without mass transportation system.

The Ming dynasty was China's golden age, producing much of the nation's finest ceramics, textiles, literature, and paintings. In recent years collectors have also recognized the Ming's achievements in furniture design, particularly intricately shaped, ingeniously engineered hardwood pieceswhich display an elegant sophistication in material and craft. Chinese Classical Furniture provides a richly illustrated introduction to this world of the Ming furniture. After summarizing the history of Chinese furnishings, the author explores the materials used and techniques employed in the construction of Ming chairs, stools, tables, cabinets, stands, andbeds. A full catalogue of the existing styles of each type is provided, together with woodblock illustrations from Ming novels to establish how the furniture was arranged in houses of the time.