Town-Planning.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 69, 13 July 1914, Page 5

Town-Planning.

THE MAYOR INTERVIEWED CURVES v. STRAIGHT LINES. "I was very pleased to have had the opportunity of attending the lecture." stated His Worship the Mayor, Mr W. P. Kirkwood, to a representative of the "Stratford Evening Post," in reply to a request for an expression of opinion after attending the lecture on "TownPlanning," which was delivered at New Plymouth on Friday night by Mr W. R.* Davidge, P. 5.1., A.R.1.8.A., A.M.I.C.E. (London County Council). "My keenness to attend," continued the Mayor, "was stimulated by an address on Town Planning delivered by our late Governor, Lord Islington, at the municipal conference held at Wellington two years ago. After hearing Mr Davidge in his very interesting and instructive address, and noting the examples of modern Town-Planning as thrown on the screen during the eveningj several schemes are suggested to my mind whereby our town could be considerably improved, but in this matter there enters the financial aspect, which has necessarily to be taken into consideration, and we can only live in hope that the Carnival which will eventuate shortly will fill the coffers of the Beautifying Society, and thus enable something to be done on a larger scale than has been the case in the past." "Will you, Mr Mayor, tell us shortly the chief features put forward by Mr Davidge in his remarks?" "Well, let me see," he said. "Oh, yes. Described in a few words, the tenor of his lecture was in the direction of advocating plenty of open spaces, combined with picturesqueness in architecture and Town-Planning, while not losing sight of utility. A special plea was made in the laying-out of a town for curves instead of straight lines as applied to streets. Many illustrations thrown on the screen showed the pleasing effect of curves, which were most attractive, especially when they were margined by trees and grass. In certain places in America, the grass margins are carried right up to the front of the houses, without any fences at all, but, of course, allowing for the footpaths, which are cut through the grass. You can imagine what a fine effect that alone in certain residential portions, would have upon our town. Then, again, numerous lantern slides of garden suburbs in the Old World were screened, and in most cases these depicted' very artistic designs in architecture, while gardens and trees were never absent." ,

"Were you struck with any suggestion that might improve our Broadway at a minimum of cost, Mr Mayor?"

"Yes, I was particularly taken with some slides showing wide streets witli about one-third metalled, and either sides with grass, and with suitable trees planted at intervals, the whole effect being very pleasing. This : is an experiment that could be made on, say, Broadway South, between Celia Street and Warwick Road. I feel sura it would prove a sucess." The Reporter: "I understand you have always taken a very great interest in the affairs of the Beautifying Society and in the improvement of the town on a modified system of TownPlanning?" "That is so, and I shall continue to do all I can in that direction. Stratford must not be allowed to lag behind her neighbours, few of whom have the natural advantages for improvement that we have. What a wealth of opportunity is open to us in our river! What a splendid asset it is!' With the Patea running through the centre of Stratford we have a natural feature that would lend itself at any time for beautifying purposes. There shoiild be no reason why our town should not be as picturesque-—in time to come, of course—as our namesake in the Old Land. With our own efforts and Mount Egmont as a background, there should not be any town in the Dominion to excel Stratford from a picturesque point of view. That is what I would .like to see, at any rate. I don't think I have anything more to tell you just now." "I thank you, Mr Mayor, for your kindness in giving me such a pleasing interview. lam sure your remarks will be read with great interest by 'The Post's' readers. Good-bye, Mr Mayor!" "Good-bye, Mr Reporter. -I thank vou!"