INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

Evening Star, Issue 15020, 31 October 1912, Page 3

INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE OTAGO BRANCH. Eleven members of the Otago Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects attended the annual general meeting held last night in Brown's tea rooms. Mr J. A. Burnside" (president) occupied the chair, supported by Mr B. B. Hooper (secretary and treasurer). From the annual report we make the following extracts:—-The membership consists of 13 fellows and 10 associates, an increase in all of seven members over the numbers for last year. The hint that was thrown out in the last report —viz., that the senior assistants in tho different offices should be induced to join—has evidently borne fruit. The annual meeting of the institute was held in Wellington on November 22 of last year, and was attended by Messrs Burnside, Wales, and Hooper. Mr Atkins, of Wellington, was elected president for the ensuing year, Tho chief subjects of discussion were students' training, registration, and competitions. Professional etiquette in its different aspects also occupied some time, and resolutions were passed calling upon all members to uphold the rules and traditions of the institute and profession. The number of committee meetings held since the last annual meeting was eight, the general meetings six, and the special meetings two. The attendance on the whole has been very good, though your committee regret that tho younger members have very seldom put in an appearance. It is tobe hoped that in the coming session they will take, a more lively interest in the matters of the branch, and realise that meetings are as much for them as for the seniors. Four papers were given during the last session, in the winter months, and were much appreciated. A feature of these meetings has been that, with very few exceptions, all the members present have joined in the discussion after, with no little profit to themselves and the others. It is to be hoped that this year will be even more successful in this respect than last. The hon. secretary will be glad to receive offers of papers for next winter, and thus be saved the labor of hunting up contributors. The list last year is as follows :—(1) ' The Verandah in Domestic Architecture ' (Mr Burnside) ; (2) ' Some Thoughts Raised by Recent Travels in Europe and America { (Mr Salmond); (3) ' Modern Requirements and Style in Architecture ' (Mr Petre); (4) ' Town Planning' (Mr Coombs). The subject of registration has received a great deal of attention during the past year, and it is hoped that next parliamentary session at the latest will j see it an accomplished fact. As you arc aware, two special general meetings were held—one to discuss the proposed Bill, and the second to meet the secretary, Mr Beauchamp-Platts, who had travelled down from Wellington to explain matters in connection with it. His trouble in doing so was much appreciated, as he was thus able to make clear all doubts and ambiguities. A conference of members of the institute with the Prime Minister was held on August 26, at which our president (Mr Burnside) was present as delegate. As to students' training, a good deal of trouble has been gone to by the Special Committee in Wellington and others in connection with this, but at present the matter seems to bo in abeyance. Undoubtedly the great point now is to obtain registration, when students' training on a proper basis must follow as a natural result. The holiday list was drawn up by the committee and approved by general meeting, and it is hoped that members will do their best to keep to the same. Members will have been pleased to see the first number of the institute's 'Journal,' which appeared in April. It is hoped that, a start having been made, the publication will be regular. Any members having papers or items of interest are earnestly invited to send them to the hon. secretary, who will forward them for publication. Another matter of interest is that affiliation with the R.1.8.A. became an accomplished fact a few months ago. A paper on ' Architectural Hygiene,' prepared by a special subcommittee consisting of Messrs Salmond (convener), Wales, and Coombs, was presented to the Medical Association as a contribution from the branch to a special tuberculosis number of the ' Witness.' The next annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute is to be held in Dunedin on 27th November. As this is the first time we have had this honor, your committee trust that members will make' a point of attending and of doing all in their power to make the visit of the various delegates as interesting as possible to them. Your committee desire to congratulate members on the increased building activity noticed during the past year, and trust that this state of affairs may continue and increase still more.

The President moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. He remarked that at the conference on registration in August, which he attended, the Prime Minister was interviewed, and he assured the deputation that the proposals would have his earnest and favorable consideration when they came forward. The members of the deputation were very well received, and there was a good prospect of registration being put through, if not this year, next year.

Mr F. W. Petrc seconded the motion, and ifc was carried without discussion. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President. Mr P. Y. "Wales ; vice-president, Mr J. L. Sahnond; secretary and treasurer, Mr B. B. Hooper • members of committee, Messrs E w' Walden, F. W. Petre, and L. D. Coombs.

Mr Wales took the chair and moved a vote of thanks to Mr Buniside Cthe retiring president) and Mr Hooper (secretary) for the efficient manner in which they had performed their duties duritiothe year.

Mr E. Anscombe was elected a fellow of the institute.

Committees were set up to further the arrangements in connection with the annual meeting to be held in Dunedin in November.