ARCHITECTURE

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 117, 11 February 1926, Page 6

ARCHITECTURE

INSTITUTE IN CONFERENCE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, February 10. The twentieth conference of the New Zealand Institute ot Architects was opened to-day with a meeting of the council, over which Mr. W. M. Page (Wellington) presided. A civic welcome was extended by the DeputyMayor (Mr; W. B. Tavernor), who congratulated the institute upon having a Chair of Architecture at Auckland College, which, he said, would result in educational progress on scientific lines. He was of opinion that New Zealand would develop a distinctive style of architecture in the future. He deplored that the dollar book of plans from America was so largely influencing the domestic ’ architecture of the Dominion. Replying, Mr. Page said he understood that only 5 per cent, of the houses in New Zealand were designed by the country’s architecture. This was a great misfortune and a great economic waste to the country, as bad planning meant a loss of many thousands of pounds yearly. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. The membership was shown at 316, comprising 105 fellows and 211 associates. After a long discussion a nation was carried that a memorial protesting against the Minister of Education’s action in having all the architectural work for the schools done by the Public Works Department should be** prepared as soon as possible and forwarded to members of Parliament.

The following motion was also carried: “That it be a recommendation to the council to inaugurate an annual competition for the Atkins gold medal, to be awarded for the best building of certain classes (to be set out annually) which have been erected during the preceding five years, tnd that the Street Architectural Committee of the R.1.8.A. be renuested to assess the designs submitted.”