AUCKLAND BRANCH OF ARCHITECTS' INSTITUTE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 35, 9 February 1906, Page 4

AUCKLAND BRANCH OF ARCHITECTS' INSTITUTE.

AKNTJAL MEETING. * OUTGOING PKESIDENTS ABD^ The 25th annual meeting of tk**»., land branch of the New Zealand ft* , tute of Architects was held fcstS in the Victoria Arcade, Mr E X* (president) occupying the chaiij The election of officers for the eiunri " year resulted as follows: Preside^ B R. M. Watt; vice-president, Mr T ? honey; treasurer, Mr A MotZ! - secretary, Mr H. L. WadeThe outgoing president, Mr E. Bart ley in his valedictory address the fact that 26 years had the formation of the institute. qS% of the original nine architects and L surveyor now remained—Mr E. Bell Wv! left the colony about four years 'as» Mr F. Hammond, who had retired from business; and their humble servant In referring to the progress niadein' their profession, Mr Bartley .also'lJ. attention to the growing Auckland. Since 1880 the pop'uktiol, had grown nearly threefold, while th* growth of tinancial prosperity J ; shown by the balance-sheets of qL Auckland Savings Bank. From 5301 depositors with a credit balance «r £157,923 in 1880, there were in 1905 jg many as 35,459 depositors with a'credit balance of £934/274. In 1880 theaccumulated profits amounted to £181 , '* i but in the last balance-d«eta £1,013,726 represented the amount "jin. ' der the same heading. This, in slfot showed nearly a seven-fold increase of depositors, and nearly a sixfold h, crease in the other figures. Since 188 a also the consumption of gas in. the city had increased nearly six tiqtM As further evidence of the rapid gnjwtli of Auckland and suburbs, it was obJt necessary to drive through the, nuts of newly-formed streets and roacls, to witness the vast, numbers of i villas which had been erected, more especially during the last 15 years, villas of considerable size and variety of design ail colour. It could not now be said, uit used to be, that the Auckland villa designs were of the same type and monotonous in colour. He had visited tSe South several times, and he could gay without fear of contradiction that the designing and colouring in Auckland would compare favourably with thqseijf any district in New Zealand. In matter of bricks Auckland was a long way behind the other towns of Ifew Zealand. They had proof in the building in which they wer.e assembled (the Victoria Arcade) that good bricks could be made in Auckland, but how 'yn& f{, he asked, that they could not get t^' same quality of material to-day'? Tfojj bricks of to-day were not as goojT as they were 23 years ago, when th? Tiis-! toria Arcade was built; they did noV • keep their colour as well, and were hot as durable. This was a serious lo§s, both to them and the public,, for it meant that s they were constantly being driven back on the monstrous eompo. It was lamentable and a disgrace to Auckland to think that, if = they ■wanted a good facing brick th«y bad to send out of Auckland, for it. ing to the profession, JSix Bartley said that remarkable' progress had been made in' sanitary appliances and. mpthods during the past 20/years.Witi ■.■• regard to the recent deadlock^ththe builders, he felt sure that wjiejjt'tßeT , were got accustomed to the, new ceradi* tions would be found good and fair for -, all parties. Architecture was not only one of the most important, but also one of the most ancient oi the sciences, and the mastery of the profession' required constant care and thoughtful study. Their profession was one which provided unrivalled pleasures for mankind, and as they cquld not all be great they should all strive to be greater architects than they were. (Applause.) At the conclusion of • the address, which -was received ■with enthusiasm, a vote of thanks was passed to $r '' Bartley, after which he formally in« stalled Mr Watt, his successor in the president's chair. At the invitation ot l _ Mr Watt, the members adjourned ttf the adjoining room, where supper wM laid, and a very pleasant musical evening was spent, Messrs. A. Wiseman end-' Hunter contributing pianoforte solos,and accompanying the vocal items wW<*'were rendered by Messrs. Bartley, CUBH' ming, Holt, Goldsboro', and De MontaHt' Several toasts were proposed and dnljP7 honoured. Mr Watt, in thanking the members for the honour conferred upon him tbi his election to the chair, expressed tbe, 1 hope that that esprit de corps whifk should exist amongst members of the profession would not be found wanting and that the coming year would be a very happy and prosperous one for them. Mr Watt, on behalf of the members, thanked Mr Bartley fpr hie gift, to the institute of. his portrait, whieh'. he had caused to be placed on the wall, of the room. A very enjoyable evening, was then brought to a close by all joining in "Auld Lang Syne" and "God Save' the King." " ."' ; r — | ,3a