BUILDING TRADE.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19177, 7 December 1927, Page 13

BUILDING TRADE.

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION.

TOWN PLANNING ACT

Interesting correspondence which ha» passed between the Town Clerk and the Canterbury Master Builders' Association was read at last night s meeting of the latter body. Mr G. D. Simpson presided over an attendance of 19 members.

The president said that he took the view that it would be very unwise for local bodies to withdraw support from the Technical College. ''We get value for our money," he said.

Reporting for the General Committee, Mr W. H. Winsor (secretary) said it had been decided to recommend that the Dominion conference of the Federation be opened on Tuesday, February 21st, in Christchurch. The report was adopted. It was decided to strike a levy of £■l Is per member for the entertainment of visiting delegates. The Allied Building Trades Association wrote inviting nominations for offices, to be received before the general meeting on December Bth. The matter was left in the hands of the president and secretary to make a suitable nomination to the executive. Petrol Tax. Correspondence was received from the New Zealand Federation with respect to the Motor Spirits Taxation Act. The letter stated that it would be observed from Clause 8 that provision had been made for refunds of Customs duty in respect of spirits used otherwise than for motor vehicles registerable under the Motor Vehicles Act. Mr Winsor: That lets us out for concrete mixers.

Mr J. W. Graham said some of the concrete mixers were registered. |

Mr W. Glue said a builder's trailer was liable to a fee.

The Christchurch Tramway Board offered to the Association for nothing a number of old points and crossings of manganese steel. Mr Simpson: It's not often we get something for nothing.

It was decided to thank the Board for its offer, which would be accepted. Moro Information Wanted. Correspondence was received from the Town Clerk with reference to the letter from the Association asking for more definite information regarding the operation ,of the Town Planning Act. The Association's letter stated that as it was intimately affected by the manner in which the Town Planning Act was administered by tho Town Planning Committee, it was, therefore, desirous of receiving more definite guidance, insofar as the defining, more distinctly, of what were considered to be industrial or residential . reas, etc., were concerned. The Association also respectfully asserted that the present administration of the Act in Christchurch, by such a small committee, only very slightly representative of the variety of interests involved, did not tend to the efficient working of the Act. The Association suggested that something on the lines suggested by Cr. A. W. Beaven, that a map be prepared showing the industrial and residential areas in different colours, would be of great benefit to builders.. The Association was quite willing to afford any assistance in its power to the City Council or its committees, in connexion with town planning, or any other .subject of special or technical interest affecting the building industry. • The Town Clerk's letter was as follows: In reply , to your letter stating that your Association is desirous of receiving more definite guidance as to what are considered to be industrial or residential areas, I am directed, by the Town Planning Committee of the Council to inform you that steps are at present being taken with regard to the preparation of a civic survey map as the Act. This map, when prepared, will give all information concerning industrial and residential areas, etc. In reference to your Association's offer to afford any assistance in connexion with the administration of the Act, the Committee will be pleased to avail itself of this should opportunity arise.

"Some of the points in our letter were politely ignored," said Mr Winsor. Messrs C. S. Luney and A. C. Kose were nominated for membership.

It was agreed to hold the next meeting on the third Tuesday in-January. The chairman, secretary, aud Mr Graham were appointed to represent the Association at the Dominion conference. Mr Simpson returned thanks for the confidence reposed in ..him. The secretary was appointed to represent the Association in the forthcoming case affecting apprentices, coming before the Arbitration Court. It was decided to forward a letter of congratulation to Mr W. Williamson on his election to the Tramway Board.