ARCHITECTS IN CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 95, 16 January 1919, Page 7

ARCHITECTS IN CONFERENCE

ANNUAL"'GATHERING IN WELLINGTON. The thirteenth annual meeting, of tho Council of the' Now Zealand Institute of Architects was opened in tho Art Gallery, Whitmore Street, yesterday. Mr. C. Lawrence occupied the chair. It had been proposed to. hold the meeting on November 27, 1918, but the epidemic had mado .an alteration in tho date necessary. ' . •

Tho Mayor, Mr.. J. V. Luke,, attended at i 0 a.m., and extended a civic welcome to the delegates. Ho spoke of the growing influence and importance of the institute, nnd of its Rood work iu. the 'education of students. The municipal' authorities had heard much ot.the 'needs of tho people in housing and. sanitation, and of the sciences connected with what was known'as town-planning, and he felt sure- thnt ..the jocal .authority could count, on , tho expert .-.help of. the institute nnd its members, in the works required to advantfo the welfare of the community. ...'."'•''

The Education Committee in its annual report' recommended that tho certificate of the. Canterbury College School of ..Art be, in accordance with its .application, recognised us, being equivalent to and accepted in substitution ol' the institute's "intennediato" examination, so long as the collego maintained a. standard of teaching and examination (in. tho subjects covered by tho. certificate) satisfactory to : the institute. , ..

A deputation from tho. executive- of the New Zealand Builders' Federation, headed by Mr. W. 11. Bennett (presi* deiit'H ropreaentativo) waited upon tho institute to convoy to it tho fraternal greetings, of .the federation and to speak of a few mntters of common interest. The chairman of the council reciprocated on behalf of- members the good wishes of tho .federation.

Some discussion took pliico regarding the practice of builders supplying plans and specifications for liitildings.Members considered this practice to be opposed to the interests of tho' profession.

Suggestions were received from tho Wangnnui and tho Taranaki branches that, .tho-institute: should . take steps to. check this - practice nnd to point out to persons likely to build tho disadvantages of a system that would enable builders to conduct: their operations" without proper supervision. . These suggestions were approved and tho council \vas empowered to take further action as required.

The secretary reported that tho council had suggested to tho Board of Trade that the architects should bo represented on the Timber Industries Committee, which was considering matters iu which the architects were in-, tiniatdly concerned. An unfavourable reply had been received. The council decided to interview the Minister of l'oresty outhe point. Tho members of the institute helda smolco ■ concert iii the Art Gallery Inst night. ;■ ' :

Tho annual general meeting of members will bo held this morning.