JAPANESE TOWN PLANNERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 97, 26 April 1922, Page 9

JAPANESE TOWN PLANNERS.

1 VTSITOHS TO AUCKLAND. I ! ( N T(.;UR OF IXVESTIGATIOX. An interesting visitor on an interesting mission is Mr. Akira Yanagis-awa, who, accompanied by his wife, arrived in LAi.ckland by the Niagara this morning. i>lr. Yariagisawa. who is expert adviser to the Japanese Central Town Planning Committee, and the Tokyo local committee, is connected with the Japanese Home Department, and by profession is an architect. Unfortunately Mr. .Yanagisawa. or his charming little wife, who w;as arrayed in the picturesque kimona of her native land, speak very little English, and a conversation under the circumstances was almost impossible as the reporter's knowledge of Japanese was even more imperfect, but notwithstanding the visitors made it clear that it was their intentio n to spend about two weeks in the Dominion to inquire into tow n planning matters, and that they were or their way to Wellington. Referring to the last month spent in Australia and Tasmania, both visitors appeared enthusiastic as to what had been done by the Commonwealth authorities in an effort to improve conditions in the large, cities. They thought Sydney was very similar to Tokyo in one respect, but it was some considerable time before the similarity was made known to the interviewer. Then the 'exclamation, comprising one word, "congestion," from Mr. Yanagisawa, made his meaning clear. They also visited Canberra, the future seat of Commonwealth Government, at which they expressed pleasure, but Mr. Yanagisawa remarked that of all the Australian cities, Melbourne was the most 'beautiful.

It was their intention to proceed to San I'rancisco after leaving New Zealand, and so continue their observations throughout the Great Republic. Mr. Yanagisawa remarked that torni planning was a matter that had received considerable attention of late years in Japan, and had made much progress. The subject was now regarded as highly important by the Government, which had been much indebted to England in. this connection. It was to collect data for his Government that he was now; visiting the Dominion. He remarked that Auckland reminded them very much of their native land, "lie same climate in summer," he said, ami then with a shrug of his shoulders, "but you have cold winter time." The latter remark received the opprobrium of Madame Yanagisawa, who gave a sympathetic shrug. "We have good time. Thank you very mooch. Good j bye," murmured the demure little Japanese lady, as the reporter withdrew. A passenger remarked later that the little visitors, *ho are a honeymoon couple, caused considerable interest in. Melbourne, where the gorgeous kimonas 'of Madame Yanagisama attracted much attention, and many women reporters interviewed them, but unless they had a more or less working Knowledge of the Japanese lauguage ' their assignment could not possibly have been as pleasant as at otherwise would have been was the impression of the Auckland interviewer.