Obituary MR G. A. J. HART

Press, Volume C, Issue 29537, 12 June 1961, Page 15

Obituary MR G. A. J. HART

The death occurred in Christchurch on Friday of George Alfred James Hart, a life member of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. He was 85. Mr Hart was born near Birmingham in 1876, and as a child came with his parents to Christchurch where his father set up practice as an architect. Mr Hart returned to England to study architecture, and later became a licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects. He then married and returned to New Zealand. With the Registration Act of 1913 he became a foundation member of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. He became an associate in 1914, a fellow in 1924, and in 1949 a life member. In 1915 he was one of the founders of the Christchurch Architectural Students' Association and was lecturer at the Canterbury University College School of Art for 2'6 years. Many prominent architects of today owe their success to his personal help and guidance. Mr Hart won the awards of the Canterbury Society of Arts for sketching in 1899 and awards at the Canterbury Jubilee Industrial Exhibition in 1900. With his partner, the late Mr Reese, he won a competition in 1919 for the design of workers' homes. Some of the better-known buildings he designed in the city are the Builders' Chambers in Gloucester street, the fountain at the intersection of High and Cashel streets, the war memorial in the Cathedral precincts, the crematorium. and Millers. Ltd.’s building, which was built in 1936. This latter building was probably one of the most advanced buildings in NewZealand of its time. In civic planning and beautifying, Mr Hart gave unstintingly of his time and talent. He was a past-presi-dent of the Beautifying Society and frequently judged in the garden competitions. He was also a member of the civic beautification committee of the City Council and the Metropolitan Towm Plannine Committee, which preceded the present Regional Planning Authority. His main sporting interest was athletics, and he was a successful short-distance runner in the nineties. Mr Hart is survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son.