THE REGENT EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 96, 17 January 1919, Page 6

THE REGENT EPIDEMIC

AND THE HOUSING PROBLEM AN ARCHITECT'S VIEWS In hie presidential address yesterday the retiring president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (Mr. C. Lawrence) made brief referenco to the recent influenza epidemic, and went on to say: "In addition to the termination of the war the year past will he memorable to the inhabitants of the Dominion for the loss of life and suffering caused through the .epidemic. It is, however, to the credit of the people that when the need arose and the call came they were not found wanting in their care of the sick and those who required assistance. What the scourge was, how it was brought here, and what were the causes contributing to its spread have-not been finally decided. There- is no doubt, huwever, that the congestion and overcrowding which has in recent years taken place in the cities and towns of the Dominion did in a large measure help to propagate the disease. However, that this was not the only cause is proved l by the fact that it was not confined to the crowded cities, but- was also found in the open spaces of the country. There is no doubt that the state in which numerous families live, ify it did not contribute to the spread or the disease, is not .in the lest interests of the people themselves or the community at largo. It is to' be noted with satisfaction that during the last session of Parliament amendments have made to the Public Health Act, amendments whicli give local bodies increased powers for the inspection and cnulemnation of buildings which are ii.sanitary, and it is to bo hoped that the powers so given may be used to the best interests.of the public. A.-Royal Commission has been appointed to in-" quire into and report on the causes of the epidemic, its spread, the steps to be taken in case of further visitation, and 1 the housing surroundings and health of the masses. The members of the Commission are all well known, and are men highly respected in their walks of life, but the Commission would, we think, have been strengthened by the inclusion of professional men who may have made hygienic town-planning and other problems relating to the health and well-being of the people their close study.

"We know only too well that the conditions under which a large number of the workers live are deplorable, and it has seemed almost hopeless under the complicated conditions and restrictions which have in the past surround d the problem that aiiy amelioration could be looked for. Impossible laws, unnecessary and vexatious bylaws, combined with the economic aspect have brought about suburbs of dingy and squalid streets and mean and depressing houses and surroundings, demoralising their inhabitants and conducing to inefficiency. Happily it'is now recognised that this problem must be faced in some satisfactory manner. Many serious • problems will arise in laying out the land for, and tho preparation of, the designs for such houses. Not only is. it essential that. the houses should be healthy, comfortable, sufficiently .segregated, pleasant to look at externally, convenient internally, and as varied in design as possible, but account must also be taken of tho most rigid economy and the shortage of mitny building lines once thought essential. We believe that for such a scheme it will bo in tho best interests of the public as well as ourselves that competent architects should be employed, and that within reason they should have a free hand not only in-tho design'of the houses, but also in the general lay-out and town-planning of the areas tc be dealt with. It would be well that this institute took steps to appoint a committee to lay before the Commission the views of the institute on, tliis matter, and by ©very .means to endeavour to impress on the members of the Commission and, the controlling authorities the necessity for the employment of men skilled in work of this nature."