Civic Trust Will Be Set Up Soon

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30710, 27 March 1965, Page 16

Civic Trust Will Be Set Up Soon

The Christchurch Civic Trust will be set up soon to concern itself with the civic needs of the community and advise on projects. It is hoped its membership will comprise the public and leading professional and businessmen.

The 18 aims and objects of the trust will include the promotion of a high standard of architecture, building and town and country planning, and the stimulation of public interest in the care for the beauty, history and character of the city. The trust will co-operate with local bodies and associations, and could, if necessary or if requested to do so, make representations or recommendations to the City Council, and act as an advisory body on civic projects. The chairman of the exploratory committee for the formation of the trust, Mr J. Oakley, said last evening that membership would be open to the people of Christchurch. It was hoped eventual membership would be as many as 2000.

The trust would be entirely non-political, Mr Oakley said. When a constitution and rules had been drawn up, a board of trustees would be appointed to manage affairs. This would probably take place at a meeting next month. Mr Oakley said the constitution had been very carefully drawn up along the lines of those of similar trusts in England, embodying all the best in these organisations. It was expected it would serve as a prototype for similar trusts

in other parts of New Zealand. The trust would be registered under the Charitable Trusts Act in May.

The other members of the exploratory committee for the Christchurch trust are: Mesdames D. Hennessy, E. Locke, R, Reynolds and R. France, and Messrs E. T. Beaven, P. J. Beaven, A. C. Brassington, J. A. Bretherton, J. Drennan, R. J. Hammond, H. A. Montgomery, C. C. Steele, T. W. C. Tothill, G. van Asch, M. Warren and the Rev. M. Underhill.