OUT FOR BEAUTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 34, 3 May 1927, Page 9

OUT FOR BEAUTY

EFFICIENCY TOO TOWN-PLANNING ASSOCIATION FORMATION IN AUCKLAND The Auckland Town-Planning Association, with objects devoted to the encouragement of a proper civic pride and spirit, and the planning on proper lines of the metropolitan area, was formed at a meeting of some seventy citizens at the University Hall last evening. Mr. PI. E. Vaile was chairman. Professor Algie said his only claim to address the meeting was that he was a strong convert to the necessity for the suggested organisation. The complexity of local city organisation was such that there were only two alternatives, one that the governing body was left entirely to its own devices, the other that the body was kept up and supported by public interest. Unfortunately, though, the case had been otherwise up to the present. There was now a distinct tendency toward apathy. He did not want the council or the public to think the proposed association was going to run the engineer’s department, or even act as a glorified ratepayers’ association, adding another fear to the berated council. TOO MANY OBLIVIOUS There were, however, too many oblivious to what had gone before, and not the least interested in What was to come afterwards. This spirit must be combated. Cities grew quickly, and Auckland was doing that. It was even now costing huge sums to remedy mistakes of the past, and these must not be repeated. FAULT IN ACT Traffic difficulties in particular were referred to by the speaker, who went on to state that the Town-planning Act, though excellent in its way, gave planning control to the local authorities. Was it possible to expect all the bodies in the Auckland area to properly co-ordinate? The reason for the formation of the association was to help toward co-operation and coordination by developing public opinion. Their object was not political, but the association must develop a public opinion for the time when it was required. If there had been a well-developed public opinion they would never have had the Civic Square chaos.

The association would prepare information on matters of city interest, and encourage a properly-balanced opinion. The association would have p, genera! council of a hundred. There would also be an executive, with groups dealing with drainage, traffic, education, water, and everything that effected public life. They must establish a bureau of civic information. Auckland never lacked civic spirit, and the association’s object was to inform and direct that spirit. LED ONCE—NOW LAGS Mr. W. J. Ho Ids worth said New Zealand, a leader in so many reforms, had lagged L»ehind in town-planning. There had been a tendency to blame the forefathers for the present position, but they had not been able to foresee the growth. Now they knew that Auckland must be a big city, and no more lack of anticipation must be evidenced. To stand on Mount Eden and look round was to realise that really there was no dividing lines in Auckland area. The multiplicity of small local bodies, each working on its own small schemes, did not work for future good results. If the foundation was laid now the citizens of the future would* benefit from the foresight of the present—even if the present did not make anything out of it. ( The Rev. A. M. Wiblock said that in city planning Nature was the great provider of ideas and ideals. Auckland seemed to have done its best to shut out nature, to mar it and despoil it. His other remarks are reported elsewhere. ADVISORY, NOT ANTAGONISTIC A general discussion arose during which it was pointed out that the scheme locally was based on the same ideas as the eminently satisfactory and far-reaching one in Chicago, whicli was a permanent advisory committee to the governing body. It had taken years to get to that stage, but it worked amicably hand in hand with the local authorities. The formation of the organisation was unanimously approved, and a further meeting will be called to proceed with the organising of the large general council. Mr. A. S. Bankhart advised the meeting by letter that he would become the first life member at £25, if three others would join him. The association’s subscription schedule is £25 for life members, £1 Is for ordinary members, and 5s for associate members.