TOWN PLANNING

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 208, 28 May 1921, Page 7

TOWN PLANNING

PROVISION FOR IN FUTURE. The executive of the AVellington Town Planning Association, in its annual report, states that the-past year has been one of varied experiences so far as the association is concerned, and the executive feels that, everything considered, fairly good progress has been made. “For three or four months during the sitting of Parliament, constant efforts were being made to obtain town planning .legislation,” the executive states, "and about six months of the year were given up almost entirely to municipal elections. ’Che results in each case fully warranted the amount of work and time, involved. “The financial aspect has proved more serious than ever, and by reason of this the work of the association has suffered. ... In view of the financial stringency the executive is strongly of the opinion that, recognising that, municipal expenditure must meanwhile be restricted to urgent works only, the association should for the next year at least concentrate on the preparation of a development plan for the city of I Veilington, to embrace the Town Belt and outlying districts such as the Hutt Valle)' as far as Haywards. A recommendation has already been made to the City Council that a commission be set up to study the situation and prepare a plan, the commission to include representatives of the Town Planning Association. (The Government Statistician has stated that Wellington will have a population of 250,(100 in 20 years, and unless a plan is put into hand soon, instead of order and efficiency there will he a more chaotic condition of affairs than ever in the years to come. There are no arguments against rhe preparation of a development plan, for such plans are being worked in many cities in other lands.”

The report also mentions that the association ends the year with a debit balance of .£139 Ifes. Sd.. most of which represents debts incurred at (he election of 1919. It was hoped that the election committee would have a good surplus to baud over to the association, but the committee has just, paid expense*. The executive considers that steps will have to be taken immediately to devise some means of reducing expenditure, and H is probable that ft recommendation in this connection will he placed before (he members nt. the annua! meeting.