TOWN PLANNING.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18927, 16 February 1927, Page 11

TOWN PLANNING.

MEETING OF NEW BOARD. MINISTER OUTLINES REGULATIONS. [THB PBBB3 Special SenfesJ . WELMNGTON, February 15. Tho first meeting o£ the recently appointed Town Planning Board was held today, the Hon. Mr Bollard, Minister for Internal Affairs, presiding. There, were also presont: Messrs W. E. Bush, \V. M. Page, 0. B. Norwood, A. H. Bogle, P. J. Nathan, S. Blackleg W. T. Neill, C. J. McKenrJe, J. I. if air, G. P. Ncwton, B. 11. Hammond, and Dr. C. E. Htfrcus. After welcoming the members of the Board, the Minister said, they would, havo plenty of scope for doing splendid work in the remodelling of our cities and boroughs, and in the laying out of new ones. Ho had been pleased to be associated with the passing of the Act, an Act which was looked upon—and rightly so—as one of the most important measures passed by Parliament, for many years past. The Government looked forward with great interest to tho bringing into operation of the provisions of the Act. The first business of the Board would bo to cpiisider the town planning regulations. The legislation which bad been passed, was not perfect by any means, and it would be for the Board to suggest any amendments which it thought desirable in orderthat the Act and the regulations should be improved? Future Benefits. The Minister said that, of course, members of tho Board and tho public would not expect to see immediate results from the work which had now been inaugurated, but he was sure thai future generations would appreciate the improvements and benefits which would flow from the deliberations of the Board and the provisions of the Act. The benefits would be Beon in the case of both tho ■ larger centres and' of tho smaller towns, but more especially in tho case of the latter. Thero was a misapprehension in respect of the functions of the Board and the carrying out of the Act. In some quarters it was apparently' thought that tho Board was going to alter everything. That was not so, but thero was much room for improvement in the planning of our towns. With regard to reserves, the present position was that the Lands Department demanded that C per cent, of lan,d in the case of every sub-division over five acres should be set.aside as a tesefve. Some of the Borough (Councils had adopted this practice,. but at present there was no unanimity in practice, and members of the Board were asked to give their views on tho matter. Mr Bollard then summarised the chief provisions pf • the Act and the regulations. It was required that a civic survey map be prepared showing the existing state of things, also.a provisional town-planning scheme, setting out any new proposals. The Town Planning Board might require suqh alterations as it deemed proper ,to. be made in the new proposals. Provision was mado for the lodging of objections and for the hearing of such objections. The Sur-vevor-General was anxious that' the Board should give an expression of opinion relative to the existing practice of mnking reserves when land was subdivided, especially in the case of land outsldo boroughs. The Board then resolved itself into a committee to deal with the regulations and certain preliminary matter arising under the Act.