THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1919. TOWN-PLANNING.

Otaki Mail, 12 February 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1919. TOWN-PLANNING.

It is most gratifying to find that many in Now Zealand arc at last alive to the importance of town-planniug, a matter that, in ths past, has been but iittie before the public, and bus been treated by the bulk of the people of this country as but "another fad." A town-planning conference and exhibition has been organised by the Government of New Zealand, and will be held at Wellington, commencing on May 6th next, when delegates from all the cities and' boroughs of the Dominion are expected to assemble. Some of the objects of the conference are set forth as wilder: : 1. To discuss it series of illus, tratctdpapers on the principles of-town-planning and housing and their application to Dominion conditions, -compiled by delegates . possessing expert knowledge of some portion of town.planning. Work. , ; . L'. To consider the legislation necessary to carry into effect the principles lot' town-planning and the means of I Securing permanent organisations for 1 town-planniug and advancement.

1 < '■',. To collect and arrange for exhibition plans, models, photos, diagrams, etc., relating lo (own-planning ucttvities in various countries, and the growth of Dominion cities. 4. To inaugurate competitions forhousing for workers, industrial villages, garden suburb*, civic improvements, artistic advertising, photographs of civic beauty contrasted with civic ugliness. p:iinting's of towns and cities. ■ and to exhibit the drawings and models i submitted. 1 5. To bring before delegates and the public, by means of moving pictures and lantern illustrations, the progress which has been made in the develop l merit of garden cities and garden suburb's, the convenience and beautifies*! t ion of cities, ami, by contrast, the necessity for immediate improvement in tin" Dominion cities and towns. There is a good deal of misconception as to what town-planning really is. It is aptly described by one as "the conscious ordering by cities of their social, economic, and civic growth exprosed in architectural form and by artistic appeal through the best men to the best qualities in mankind, dust at this opportune time, when there is tin awakening of interest in iliis mailer, Mr A, Leigh Hunt, of Wellington, who has been >•>:•■ of the foremost fighters for town-planning in New Zealand, has iss i a booklet, entitled "Town-planning: What is it ."' In this really excellent work, the writer points nut several reforms that are related to town-planning in its wider souse, as under:—'• (a) Decent homes for till decent people; (b) cheap suburban transit facilities by tram or rail; (c) expenditure of public funds in a way which will give value; (d) planning ahead to moid costly blunders of the past: te'i awakening in the citizens

...i |..i.-i . .i- ; .1 .i ~.>.. ii i i, H in in.; ■..../...-..■.- the spirit oi civic patriotism and a full souse of their responsibilities; (f) vigorous policy of land settlement; (g) progressive hydro-electric power policy; fit) parks, open .spaces and larger school playgrounds; (i) beautifieatioii of our cities by tree-planting, etc.; (j) and last, but not least by relegating to the outskirts of our civic and political life the extremists of both sides: the revolutionary Bolshevik, and the hidebound Conservative." Mr Hunt's little book contains a fund of useful information concerning this all-import-ant.subject. It is cleverly and attractively written, 1 and is calculated to have it .most helpful effect in stimulating interest in a subject that has enormous possibilities, and is being stressed by thoughtful men throughout the world to-day. We would advise all interested to secure a cony of Mr Hunt's booklet, which may be seejired,.from all book-sellers at the modest price of sixpence, the proceeds being devoted to