DESIGNS OF BUILDINGS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 73, 19 December 1919, Page 8

DESIGNS OF BUILDINGS

IN MAIN STREETS OF THE CITY. The Finance and Property Committee reported to the City Council last night l;liat it find referred to tho Legislation Committee the question of framing legislation giving power to the council to determine thu designs and other architectural features of buildings in the main streets of the city "It is time that legislation was obtained enabling the council to insist on certain designs for buildings to be erected in the main streets," remarked the Mavor (Mr. J P. Luke). "Tho question cromxid up in Willis Street, where tho council spent a considerable amount of money h widening the thoroughfare. We have some very fine buiMiiigs there, and then toi: see a building of meagre fiharaoter that does not conform to the general appearance of the surrounding buildinau." Councillor W. H. Bennett: Are you soinu' to restrict the number of stories? The Alavor: That will be one.of the matters for the committee to consider. Questions relating to verandahs, aud uniformity mid appearance of buildings in the niivj -streets will be dealt with bv. tho .con'.i.ktee. It is a political matter, but tilt committee will havo sufficient r«sDonsibility to do justice to it. "Councillor R. A. Wright said there was no intention of restricting the height of buildings. Tho mntter had arisen because a certain building had ,been built too low in 11 main street of the city, "It is a pity," lie said, "that in some of tho main streets'of Wellington we havo some little 'shanties, although thev are built of concrete, which do not rallecf. credit on some ofthe other buildinue round about them." "There is a public call as well as an individual call in regard to the erection of buildings in the main streets, and as soon as wo have power to detenmno Msiens the br-tter it will bo for tho city, said th<; Mayor. Is there nnv other country where such a law obtains? asked Councillor J. W. Thomnson. . The Alavor: Wo nra breaking new c-rouiid-wc have *o progress. Councillor A. It, Atkinson thought tho council should have some power to prevent the disfmurement of the streets by the "meanness" or "freakishncss" of any landowner. "Town-planning would be a fnrce." he remarked, "if a public body did not have power of this sort." The report was adopted.