ARCHITECTS' AFFAIRS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 133, 2 December 1915, Page 5

ARCHITECTS' AFFAIRS

CONFERENCE IN WELLINGTON

FINAL PAYMENTS ON CONTRACTS.

The Institute of Architects resumed its sittings yesterday, when a iong letter from Mr. La Trobe, Director of the Technical College, was read. This letter stated the conditions upon which students in architecture could be taken at the college and the facilities that could be granted them in pursing 'the course of studies requisite for their profession. This afforded Mr. Hurst Seager an opportunity to state that 'the appointment to the proposed chair of architecture in the University of New Zealand should be held by a man with a degree in architecture. There was no such man in New Zealand to-day. He held that architecture was a subject in which the public should be induced to 'take an interest by the establishment of university extension lectures. This would lead to the founding of the proposed chair of architecture. Mr. La Trobe's letter, he suggested should be referred to the Wellington branch for discussion and consideration. Mr. A. Atkins concurred. To this the council-agreed. The appointment of Mr.' S. Hurst Seager, F.E.1.8.A., F.N.Z.1.A., as assessor in connection with the proposed art gallery for Wanganui, was notified, and the consent of the council for him to act was granted. MAINTENANCE. A complaint was made by the Master Builders' Federation that architects were adhering too rigorously to the maintenance condition, i.e., the withholding of final payment on contracts for the full period of ninety days for small jobs, describing this as "unnecessary and inflicting a hardship." Mr. Hurst Seager said this was a matter of the utmost importance to employers and ■to architects. The size and nature of the work were immaterial. He moved in effect thai, the request for modification of conditions be not acceded to. Mr. J Crichton seconded.—Carried. The Master Builders also wrote, requesting that contractors should be present when tenders are opened. This was objected to by several members. Finally, Mr. Hurst Seager moved, and it was carried, "That it be. regarded as a practice by members of the Institute to open tenders, to make a list, and to communicate the same to clients before making any announcement to contractors." It was agreed that the use of blue prini-a, complained of by the Master Builders' Federation, was objectionable, and that they should be discontinued. LOYALTY OF MEMBERS. In his concluding address the President refeirrai to the honour dons in electing him as first president under the Act of 1913. He referred to the founding of the institute in 1905. The institute had already done splendid work for the profession, and was destined to do much more. He dealt in some detail with the legislation in the interests of the profession.

Speaking of tho "unhesitating loyalty of members," Mr. Chatfield asked : " What happens if the roughest, uneducated specimen of Labour is approached and asked rightly or wrongly to do something contrary to the regulations or instructions of his trade union ? Ths answer is, 'No; I must stand by my union and its instruction at any personal sacrifice if necessary.1 How much more should we, professiug a very high profession, one that embodies skill, knowledge, education, and the attributes of refinement, as men of honour and gentlemen, stand by the rules and regulations and code of ethics we ourselves have mode; and in doing so to stiffen up him of the weak knee."

Next year would require very careful finance, the past two years having involved heavy liabilities and expenditure in legislative and other matters. He made feeling reference to the members of tha profession who had volunteered or had already gone on active service. He thanked Mr. Beauchamp Platta for his secretarial work. The chairman was thanked for his address. A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE. A question raised by Mr. Goldsbro, of Auckland, viz. : " Is an architect en- [ titled to a payment for ordinary duplicates of 1£ per cent, from employers, there being no contractor, as works were not carried out, but duplicates having been ordered by employers and supplied by architect." The council fully considered the matter in committee and resolved that a reply be given in the affirmative, Mr. Goklsbro's action in making the charge being endorsed. The new council was elected as follows :—Messrs. Ashley Hunter (Auckland), Wm. Crichton (Wellington), C. J. Mountford (Canterbury), E. W Walden (Otago), and E. R, Wilson (Southland), vice-presidents; G. S Goldsbro, W. A. Cumming, and G. W. Allsop (Auckland), J. H. M'Kay, J. Charlesworth, and C. A. Lawrence (Wellington); S. Hurst Seager, G 4. Hunt, and W. A. Clarkson (Canterbury), J. Salmond and B. Hooper (Otago), C. H. Roberts (Southland), elected members of council.

The new council then met and elected Mr. dimming, of Auckland, as president of the institute.

Mr. Hurst Seager was appointed editor of the Journal of the New Zealand Institute of Architects.