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Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1926, Page 2

It appears that, the time is arriving when the local authority should consider the question of drawing up hnildin« regulations for the town. According to the comment of the. man in the street, it was expected something might have been said at the last meeting of the Borough Council cm the matter. However, there is time and a. degnee of reason for action. The town is growing in importance ns a centre, and there should be some control with regard to building proposals. Heretofore builders have had a very free hand both in the designing and in the carrying out of their work. The streets are often littered in a very unsightly way over an indefinite period, and generally any type of erection is put up without cheek hv the authorities. There are many unsightly fences in prominent parts of the town which do not add to the attractiveness of the surroundings. Although there are several brick buildings in the town, and a handsome structure oT that material is in course of erection, perhaps the time is too soon to make regulations for a brick area, but the subject is worth discussing to see exactly "hat is the nature of public opinion on a matter which involves ' both public safety and security. As I regards the ordinary type of building whether for business or resident in. purposes, there should be, certainly, some regulation, so that in the principal parts of the town, there wil: he some regulation governing the type of building to Ik- erected. This precaution is necessary to avoid anything consdered of an unsightly nature going up in prominent, places. It is an essential procedure, in fact, th.? first step in regard to town planning. The local Council has the matter in its own hands, and many similar towns, in size, to that of Hokitka. have regulations in force which safeguard the position. Something of a like character should he inaugurated here, and now that attention has been drawn to the matter publicly, it is hoped there will be the necessary development on a matter affecting the welfare of the town.