SURVEYORS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 August 1924, Page 4

SURVEYORS.

AIEETING OF INSTITUTE. TOWN PLANNING. (.11Y TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.) NELSON, Aug! 20. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute of Surveyors was held, to-day, Mr A. H. Bridge (president) being in the chair. The following delegates were present: Messrs 'J. H. Tresider (Dunedin), P. R. Wilkinson (Blenheim), H. Richardson (Blenheim), A. H. Bridge (Auckland), C. H. Bridge (Christchurch), W. O. Smith, S. T. Siddon, H. L. Dyett, W, 0. Beere, H. E. Greig (Wellington), J. W. Spence (Stratford), L. C. Sladden (New Plymouth), A. Cooke (Gisborne), M. H. Miller (Okawa), W. E. Wall (Wanganui), J. G. Littlejohn, J. E. Menzies, F. I. Ledger, A. F. Waters, N. Kensington (Nelson), T. R. Burt (Auckland), and W. T. Neill (SurveyorGeneral). The annual report showed a total membership, including students, of 318. At the last annual meeting considerable dissatisfaction was expressed with the new survey regulations, and during the year the council had been very active in the matter. All branches were asked to register their objections, and with the data thus gained a list of objections . was prepared and the council interviewed the SurveyorGeneral. Much correspondence passed, and eventually it was agreed that the Surveyors’ Board would reconsider the regulations in September next. The council had arranged for its views to be fully represented. The matter of town planning had been considerably advanced during the year. A special committee had reported on Australian Acts and Bills to the August meeting of the council, and combined local committees were set up at Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington, representing the three institutes—architects, engineers, and surveyors. As a result a combined central town planning committee was' set up in Wellington to consider the suggestions sent in by the above three local committees. This central committee held a number of meetings, and as a result a Bill was drafted, covering their recommendations, which it was anticipated would be taken up by the Government of the day 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 of procedure, with district boards to do the actual work. By this means it was hoped that towns of the future would be laid’ out on proper town planning lines. While the machinery suggested should reduce to a minimum the necessary procedures, 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 the necessary detailed legislation suitable to the requirements. The central committee had reached its decisions unanimously, and the fact that three important institutes were behind the movement should have great weight with Parliament and facilitate the passing of the Bill.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet the president said the institute could claim to have had a successful year. He referred to the large amount of outstanding subscriptions, and hoped- the sum would soon be considerably reduced. As to town planning, he said it appeared that the authorities. were beginning to recognise that the . institute’s • recommendations were not without merit. Air Sladden seconded the resolution, congratulating the institute on what had been accomplished during the year. The election of officers was declared as follows: Vice-president, Air F. I. Ledger (unopposed); council, Alessrs W. C. Wall, E. C. Barker, F. H. Waters ; auditor, Mr W. S. Wheeler. A referendum on the question bf the council taking action in the direction of limiting the number of cadets to be articled to any one licensed surveyor lesulted in the proposal being adopted by 108 votes to 14. A further referendum was taken, and resulted in the institute favouring one cadet to each suiveyor. On the motion of the president, seconded by Air Watt, a resolution was affirmed- that the matter be referred to the Surveyors’ Board and that it be asked to give effect to the recommendations.