TOWN PLANNING.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1919, Page 6

TOWN PLANNING.

ATMS AND OBJECTS OF THE COMING CONFERENCE

Mr 3- Hurrt Scager, of Christchurch, organising director of the town-plan-ning confeerneo, and exhibition, which is to be held in Wellington next month, met some of the Borough Coucillors, lncal architects, and others interested in the matter of town nlanning, at the municipal chambers yesterday morning. The Mayor (Mr C "H. Burgess-) introduced the visitor to those present. Mr Seager expressed his pleasure at (he opportunity of meeting those inin the subject and of laving before them the aim and objects of the conference The first necessity was a itrong body of public opinion in support "of a town planning association. The idea was to embrace all those organisations at present existing for tli'; purpose of improving and beautifying towns into an association that would have some authority to be able to exercise some control over schemes of town planning, and each organisation would then be" able to help and encourr.ue the others. He jointed out that it was proposed that t.hore interested in particular departments of town building should be induced to join in such a scheme so that, for instance, surveyors and civil engineers would look to roads, nceount.ants to civic finance, architects to housing and civic architecture, emiMnyew and industrial associations to the welfare of industries, the Educational Institute could deal with the question of inculcating town planning principles in schools, and so on. The object was to have a delegate from each existing organisation to form a Town Planning Association, and each organisation, would then become in a manner a special committee in charge of one or other town planning activity. No association, unless it touched the whole of the interests of the town could possibly represent all its interests. Suc-li an assoc'ation would be able to speak with some authority and would command the attention of civic, authorities. It was hoped that the Bill, which was prepared for submission to Parliament next (session, would make, llie municipal authorities and the statutory authorities, associated with them, into town planning boards, and so give the control required, the associations would then act as advisory bodifes to the Board, and urge what should be. done in the interests of town*. He stated that wherever he had gone associations had been formed and he hoped New Plymouth would follow the, example of other : places Mr Seager pointed out one of the most plarmg mistakes made in the laying out of moist towns, which was the position of the industrial sections in relation .to the means".#,transit. Town planning was something more than'town beautifying, it was an economy proposal as well. , e The spanker then detailed many of the subjects' which will be considered at the forthcoming conference and the arrangements made for the papers introducing t.hnu and the discussion of them subjects are all to be introduced bv experts in their particular depart' inputs. The exhibition portion of the conference would embrace drawings and photographs and ancient and. modern cities, sngeestions for civic utilities and ndornmcnts, commercial buildings, original and present-day plans of domestic towns, nlans and suggestion? for lionsill", embracing farm btiiMinss, also domestic furniture and appliances, sanitary science, health diagrams, etc A competitive element :s being introduced into the exhibition and designs are invited for nil outline of a scheme for a garden city, n garden suburb, elvte improvements, workers' homes, photographic studies, posters and advertisements, and paintings. Those present expressed pleasure at bavins heard Mr Seager and svmpathv with the proposals put, forward, and it was that the Ma.vor should en.ll a meeting of representatives of the different local associations With a view to fomiinp n town nlnnnincr association. Mr Seager was accorded a vcv hearty vote oi thanks for his address.