INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1969, 28 January 1914, Page 11

INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

. ;;;>-■: '- AXNUAL MEETING. ■. '■ ;■ At tlie annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, held at Auckland, th© following delegates wore present: Mr. P. Y. Wales (.Duiwdin), tho president; Messrs. Chatficld, Atkins, and Mount ford, past presidents; Mr. W. A. Gumming, vice-president; Messrs. Morran and I'ierco (Auckland), Messrs. M'Kn.v, James,. Greenish, unci Lawrence (Wellington), Mr. Hurst-Sos-«er (Canterbury;, Mr. J. W. Rough (Southland); Mr. R. J l .' Bacon, hen secrotary; and. Mr. W. Beauehamp-Platts, secretary. There ■ wore also present the following members of the instituto as visitors:—Messrs. Hunter, Baddeley, H. L, Wade, De Montalk, Wiseman, (Goldsborough), Daw. Abbott, and Norman AVatlo (alt of Auckland), and Mr. H. Clemson (of I'auranga). . Tho council's annual report etilogiso-d the work done by the committee, which had been in charge of the Architects' Registration Bill, aVid whoso labours had resulted in tho passing of the New Zealand Institute of Architects' Act, 1913. This Act is regarded as a very valuable measure, as well for the public as tho profession. It incorporates the present instituto, giving it perpetual succession, and granting to its members registration, lega.l status, and the right to prescribe qualifications for admission'to its ranks. It also creates within the institute a permanent committee of architectural education, which is charged with the education and training of all-'students, and the conduct (subject to the approval of the council) of the examination of entrants.

The Act gives the institute the rightto manage its own affairs, make its own regulations, discipline its members, to regulate generally the practice of the profession, anil provides a penalty for all persons, othor than, bona-fido memfcors, who seek to describe themselves as registered architects, or who make use of tho membership letters F.N.SU.A. or A.N.Z.I.A.

Tho first register is to be compiled by a special board, consisting of three persons appointed by the Governor-in-Council and threo by the institute. Tho Act seta forth tho qualifications for registration, and at this meeting the council <<itwted the following as it's representatives:—Mr. P. \'. Vales, Otajw (president of tho institute), Mr. A. Atkins, Wellington (past president), Mr. S.' Hurst-Seager, Canterbury. Beforo concluding the discussion of the report, the council, passed ttiianimously, and with acclamation, a.very hearty vote of thanks to -the Hon. tho Attorney-General for hjs very valuable help in guiding the Bill through tho. House.

Tho annual reports of tho several district btanobes were also read, and showed that good work had been dour in the interests' of the profession, and lectures given to students and others during the year.

The committee's report on the training of architectural students was fully discussed. Tho proposition in the. report to utilise the technical' schools wherever wrscticable was adopted. It was considered probable that the ordinary- syllabus of the technical schools could bo extended.to cover certain subjects 'necessary for'a student'of architecture. ■ : . ■ . . ■ .

. The personnel of tho commixed includes: Messrs.' Lawrence, Bacon, Greenish.. Stair (Wellington), ITurstSeaccor {Christehureh), Allsop .Auckland), HonMr (Piniedin), and Wilson ilnvercargill), and ii.i duties were extended to those ■■ of the Committee of Architectural Education. .

Propositions wore brought forward reCnrdine the esamination in architecture, .vrtiicli in n fow years will iH?qftni<v.:U)jdf>r: the Act, the only aocoss 4o tiia Aspnoin.teship of tho Tnstitntc, and a preliminnry osaminntion in_ general knowledge.' in the ab'sdiKv-ef-a' Slifficient eollep;c traiiiiiis, was deemed necessary to. ensure the future practitioner havtne a ftood foundatio nin-general cdncittion. Increased facilities for α-fohttccttiral education at tho TechuicM Sehaols, and the regular train his of architectural students ia tlje science and history of their future avocation shou-Id, says the report, lead to a higher appreciation 1)V tho public of architecture as an art. It shoukl bo remembered that architecture is the most vital of the arts with which a civilised community lias to do. Tho work of the men who practise it n a. most ia-iportant factor in the o:n----largemcnt of ttio public mind or aestlieties ;geftes';illy ? and the prevision of an efficient training for these men cannot fail to act in the best interests <jf tlio Dominion's future.

During "tho previous yciir the then president, Mr. Alfred Atkins, of WeilinetoUj expressed his desire to prqvido the first gold niedal for competition anjoiiKst members, and also to ofFo/ in-iaoa for a competition for the design of tho tnedal. This was accepted and the author of tho prizo design was Mr. P. Hoist, A.N.Z.1.A., of Invorearglli; Mr. Atkins now asked tho council's acceptance,'in addition to tho first cold medal, of tho' dies for the medal and also to be. permitted to found a silver medal, and bronze medal, as first and second prises respectirclv, for the best essay on an architectural or cognate subject illustrated by the author's own sketches, to bo competed for fay students or associates of the institute who are not and have not been in praetico on their own account.

Mr. Atkin's generous offer was accepted with appreciation, and ]io was accortM a very hearty vote of thanks. Ine Committee of Architectural Education was appointed to frame tho conditions for tho medal essay. Mr. John Mitchell, an old and valued member of .tho Auckland branch, now retired from active practice, was, on the rccomniendatjon of his branch, made a lifo honorary fellow of the institute. In connection ivitlv competitions for designs for new buildings, several sots of conditions, now being published by promoters were"-.brought before the notieo of the council. The institute lias adopted a set of "JRccnhtions for Ar-.ohitectural-Coiiipetition," provided those m use by the Boyal Institute of British Architects and members do »ot compete unless, tho'conditions governing s.n.v competition are substantially in accord with tiscso "Regulations." lit the two sets of conditions under review it was resolved to use every effort to have- thorn amended so that members may be able to compete, and to warn members that, in future, ■ tboy must not take part in any competition the conditions of which aro not eatisfac* tor.v.

,!ho Boynl Institute of British Architects, London, wrote asidng if."the institute would bo williiiß to conduct certain nf its examinations locally, to which tho secretary was "directed'to reply in tho affirmative.