GARDEN CITIES AND SUBURBS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1992, 24 February 1914, Page 6

GARDEN CITIES AND SUBURBS.

, AN INTERESTING LECTURE.

BY DR. JAS.. BARRETT, C.M.G.

There was a large and interested audience, at the Concert Chamber of the Town' Hall last night, when Dr. James Ban-eft, C.M.G., of Melbourne, delivered a lantern lecture on "Town Planning.'* His Worship tho Mayor (Mr. 3. P. Luke) presided, and introduced the lecturer. In tho course of his very interesting remarks, Dr. Barrett said that town planning was unheard of a hundred years ago, for tho reason that there was not the need of town planning then. The majority of the' population in the Old Country was then engaged iii agricultural pursuits, and was consequently healthy. To-day only 9 per cent, in, the Old AVorld indulged in agriculture, and this was to a great deal duo to the advanco of the Oversea Dominions, for the agriculturists found they could bo better recompensed for their labours in Canada, Australia, and tho'Argentino than in England. England's factory system arose through the need for /manufacturing concerns, and buildings, with no regard for sanitation, wore erected.. Before it could be realised, vast masses were aggregated together.•■'■' The.economist and statesman thought this, was an excellent arrangement, and it was—so long as-the commercial side was looked at.

National Physique at Stake.

It was'soon, realised, said Dr. Barrett, that tho national physique was undergoing' a change, and; slowly the conviction arose that the factory system had brought a crop of disadvantages, and that physical and moral degradation was . approaching. Thoughtful, people took the matter in hand, and the spirit of tho "garden city"' arose, for it was realised that healthful surroundings should be provided for tho artisan. The "garden city movement" bad. only come into its own during the last ten or - twelvo ,years. It started in England, but soon spread to Germany, where great success had attended the movement. In England there was only one garden city,:Letchworth, designed to carry 30,000 people, but there were many garden suburbs. The advocates '' of the "garden city" were amazed at tlie progress "of the .garden suburbs, because there were over'2oo in;, England now. Towns were'being reconstructed in Germany, so that avenues were never allowed to run . straight for more than ■200 yards. At every 200 yards an archi-tectural-feature was built. All political parties, proceeded tho lecturer, were agreed -that town-planning was a national scheme. In order to save expense when'planning garden cities, the construction of roads was' ah important .point, and so primary, secondary,, and residential roads were constructed. The primary roads, carrying the main traffic, were naturally tho most costly, but by tho scheme no unnecessary expenditure in metalling and kerbing was involved. This was a good scheme, for looking round Wellington that day he realised what, enormous sums had been needlessly expended.

Views of residential roads were thrown on the screen, showing a pathway, a belt of trees.and shrubbery, and only a small portion in the centre metalled.. By this means cost of construction Was reduced, having , effect on tho rates "and rents, and workmen's [cottages could be profitably let for 4s. 6d. and.ss. 6d. a week. Views of a nuiiiberof garden suburbs and cities were shown. Saving the Race. Coining to the human side, it was eloquently demonstrated that tho garden cities were saving life to a great extent. The death rate of Liverpool was 20 per' 1000; Port Sunlight, 8 per 1000; Letchworth, 4.5 per lOoO; and Bethnal Green, a densely populated area, 25 per 1000. Town planning generally restricted eleven houses to the acre, but in parts of old Melbourne houses were'built at the rate of 72 to the aero. Tho history of all Australasian towns was that when 'laid out plenty of open spaces were provided, but as the town grew these were swallowed up, and had to bo bought back at enormous 'cost, and in restricted areas. ; This was owing to Jack of control and guidance in tho past. , Speaking of the playgrounds and play l leaders • of America, the doctor said'that under, this system the curse of football was not encouraged. He said the curse advisedly, because thirteen were encouraged to play, while thousands looked on. Each country, realised that the massing of people produced criminals and bad conditions,- and each country adopted a plan of its own to meot those conditions. Perhaps, in. Australia, a separate'plan would be devised and adopted. (Applause.) ' ' Hon. J. Allen's Appreciation. The Hon. James Allen (Minister of Defence .arid Education), in proposing a vote of. thanks to the lecturer, said that it gavo him great pleasure to have heard J)r. Barrett's very'instructive and interesting -lecture. He thought, as Dr. Barrett said, that they were all groping.- invthe dark, and New Zealand, like.the> : rest of the countries, had done 'something.towards, bettering the life of the people in this community. He knew there was a groat deal-to bo done, and he hoped statesmen hero would realise fully the* responsibilities that rested upon their shoulders,'especially in regard to the life of the-citi-zens. He quite agreed that in democratic countries, if democracy: was to remain', they must have the best heads upon the best shoulders, in directing all concerns. /'.' He hoped they would be able to add to the work which was being done, and hoped they would be .ahle'.to show, the world that, even in the production of garden cities, they might be able to devise legislation which they might be proud of, and which the world would thank them for. (Applause.) ~- > Dr. Trilby-King seconded tho. vote of thanks to Dr. Barrett, and said it was perfectly evident that his humanitarian work had travelled in many directions.. The motion was supported by the Mayor and carried with acclamation. ,