INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 12 February 1926, Page 2

INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS.

ANNFA L CONFERENCE. uv ti;i.i:c.il.u-!I —muss .vssx., copyright. DUNEDIN, February 10. The annual conference of the New Zealand Institute of Architects began this morning. Mr W. Al. Page presiding. A civic welcome was accorded the delegates. The Deputy-Mayor urged more intimate relationship between architects and public bodies, and congratulated the architects upon having a chair established at the Auckland University, which meant progress on scientific lines. It was deplorable that the “ Dollar Book of Plans” from America was so largely influencing the Dominion’s domestic architecture. Air Page, in reply, stated that it was very difficult to counteract this last influence. Ho understood that architects were responsible for only o percent of the houses in New Zealand, which was a great misfortune, and the cause of economic waste. He was convinced that, bad planning of bouses and other buildings was responsible for the loss of many thousands of pounds annually. The annual report and balancesheet. which wore considered satisfactory. were adopted. The membership was shown at 3(0, comprising 105 fjk. lows and 211 associates. After a long discussion, in which the net ion of the Health Department in

circularising hospital hoards throughout the oountrv and quoting 11 ridiculous.lv low fees ” for work done by the Public Works Department, a motion was carried tlmt a memorial protestiiu.: against the Aliuister of Education’s action in having all architectural work for schools done by the Public AVorks Department should he prepared as soon ns possible, to he forwarded to members of Parliament. The following motion was carried: — "That it ho a j;eeommondntion to the council to inaugurate an annual competition for the Atkins gold medal, to he awarded for the best building of certain classes (to he set annually) which have been erected during the preceding five years, and that the street architectural committee of tho 8.1.8. A. he requested to assess the designs submitted.” ARCHITECT’S CONFEREXC’E. DUNEDIN, February 12. At the concluding session of the Architects’ Conference this morning Air S. Hurst Senger, Christchurch, was elected President.