SURVEYORS CONFER

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 45, 21 August 1924, Page 9

SURVEYORS CONFER

TOWN-PLANNING PROPOSALS

BACKED UP BY THREE IMPORTANT INSTITUTES.

fBX TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

„ NELSON, 20th August. Ahe annual meeting of the New Zeaj stltute °f Surveyors was held to?ay, Mr A H. Bridge (president). being m the chair. The following delegates mre P rf e"fc:-Messrs. J. H. Tresider (Dunedm) P. R. Wilkinson-(Blenheim), A. Richardson (Blenheim), A. H. Bridge (Auckland CH. Bridge (Christchurch), & n nmthj S> T- Siddon> H- L- Dvett i W\°-- T Be£ l;?> and H- E. Greig (Wellingfc"L J" W. Spence (Stratford ,L. C. j SladdenJNew Plymouth), A. Cooke (GisI borne), M. H. Miller, W. E. Wall (Wangamu), J. G. Littlejohn, J. E. Menzies, i-'. I. Ledger, A. F." Waters, and N. Kensington (Nelson), T. R, Burt (Auckland), and W- T- Neill (Surveyor-General). . The Mayor of Nelson (Mr. W. Lock) extended a welcome to the delegates. The president said that Nelson had been chosen for the meeting place this year out of respect to a very old member of the institute, and one who had done much good work—Mr. F. I. Ledger. The annual report showed that the total membership; including students, was 318. The matter "of 'town planning I had Been considerably advanced during ! thff year. Combined local committees i had been set up at. Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, representing three - institutes—architects, engineers, and surveyors.- As a result a combined central town-planning committee was set [up in Wellington to consider suggestions sent in by the three'local' committees, -liiis central committee held a number of meetings, and as,a result a Bill was-draft-ed covering their recommendations which it was anticipated would be-taken up by the Government, and, it was hoped, made law this session. The main feature of the legislation proposed, was the formation of a central board to lay down rules and procedure, with district boards to do the a-tual work. By this means it was hoped that towns of the" future would be laid out on proper town-planning lines. The central board would have the. assistance of an expert town planner, who would study local problems and assist the central board in the preparation of necessary detailed legislation. "The central committee reached its decisions unanimously," it was-stated.•■•■'■'•The fact' that three important institutes are behind the movement would .have great, weight with Parliament and facilitate the passing of .the Bill.." The council had been actively engaged" in. safeguarding., the rights of surveyors in connection with the proposed . Engineers' Registration till. Ihe necessity of an Alignment Act and Classification of Roads Act had been brought before the Surveyor-General. In moving the adoption'of the report and balance-sheet, iho president said that the institute could, claim to have had ■ a successful year. Mr. Sladden seconded the resolutioncongratulating the institute on what hadbeen accomplished. Some discussion took place regarding the proposed Alignment Act and Classification of goads Act. Mr. Littlejohn,'as one intimately concerned''with street alignments, said that he considered that no Act was required more than one of this nature. The lack of such an Act caused no end of trouble. " The Sur-veyor-General remarked that the ques-" tion of- an Alignment Act was receiving the very serious consideration of the Department. '

The election of officers resulted as follows:. —Vice-president, Mr. E. I. Ledger (unopposed): council, Messrs. \tf C Wall, E. C. Barker, F. 11. Waters; 'au.dC tor, Mr. W.S. Wheeler. •

A referendum on the question of- the -council taking, action1 in. th'o direction'of limiting the number of cadets to J c articled to any one licensed surveyor resulted in the proposal heing adopted liv 108 to 14. A flirtlior referendum taken resulted in the institute favouring one ca.let to each surveyor. On the motion of the president, seconded by Mr. Watt it was decided that theniateter be referred to the Surveyors' Board, and it be asked to give effect to the recommendations.. ' - ,