TOWN-PLANNING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2241, 19 February 1921, Page 2

TOWN-PLANNING.

LECTURE BY MR. LEIGH HUNT

Mr A. Leigh Hunt, president of the Wellington Town Planning Association, delivered 'a most interesting address in the Town Hall on Thursday evening on the subject of ‘‘Town Planning.'’ The address was given under the auspices of the Borough Council, Chamber of Commerce, and Beautifying Society, and the Mayor (Mr John Chrystall) presided. The Mayor, in introducing Mr Leigh Hunt, referred to him as an expert in town planning, and accorded him a hearty welcome to Poston, and hoped his lecture would result in improving the civic ideals of the community. He referred to the good work Mr Leigh Hunt had done as president of the Wellington Town Planning League. Mr Hunt was welcomed with a hearty outburst of applause. * Mr Hunt said he did not come before the meeting as an expert in town planning, but as an enthusiast, and if his address would assist in furthering local efforts in the way of planning or beautifying, he would be well satisfied. He pointed out the value of individual effort in smell* matters, and the same argument applied to the League of Nations. Individual effort "was necessary to success in community life, and so in .the national aspect —the League of . Nations could not be a success unless the nations carried out their obligations. In every-day life the need was apparent that every person must give some consideration to his neighbour. When people were educated up to taking their neighbours’ feelings into consideration, a great deal had been achieved for the good of the general community. Coming to the quest ion of town-planning, the speaker said the matter was merely one of looking ahead or planning for I lie future. This was well demonstrated in the provision made by the original company which acquired land in New Zealand. So far back as 183!) this company planned the city of Wellington, and came to the conclusion as there was a splendid harbour there, a large city would come into existence some day. That being so, they set aside a belt of 1,000 acres round the site of the city, and they all knew of the benefits of this provision to-day. But in their large cities, a good deal of haphazard building had gone on without much regard to order, and many towns were in need of re-or-ganisation. I 1 ’or instance, if reorganisation work was to be carried out in Wellington, an expert would draw up a plan which would suit the topography of the country, and future buildings or improvements would have to ho carried out according to that plan, using as much as possible the existing streets and other important buildings. Every year there would be a further step towards the realisation pf the plans of the expert, and in the course of time the scheme would be complete. One of the benefits of town planning would lie the ruralising of their towns and cities —to do away with the congested areas, and encourage the people to live as far away from the business centres of their cities as possible. They should, in fact, be encouraged to live in the distant suburbs, and instead of larger tram fares being imposed in such cases, these people should receive tram subsidies, so that they would not be handicapped by living at a distance from the city centre. Town planners were agreed that in the laying out of a town the contour,of (lie country should be thoroughly studied, and t ho most suitable positions set out for the industrial area, (lie business and residential quarters. instead of dumping buildings and factories down anywhere. This latter position was confronting the city of Wellington to-day, and it was regretted that the City Council failed to give much assistance in bringing about a belter state of affairs. Mr Hunt emphasised the great need of parks and reserves about our town, and -o arranged in the large centres that they would lie available to the whole of the community. The housing question, and the erection of homes with ample space and yard room about them, was one of the necessities of the times, and made for a healthy people. The speaker touched on the importance of permanent materials in future construction. J lie utility of timber was limited to a comparatively short period <>£ years. Permanent materials were much more preferable in every way. and should he encouraged in all future building. He believed that if the people as a whole were housed under the best conditions it would improve the standard of citizenship, and leave its mark on posterity. Mr Hunt made reference to Poxton, and said he was indebted to Messrs Perronu (Beautifying Society) and Smith (Chamber of Commerce) for showing him round. He was sure there was a good future before Foxtou. He had been much impressed with his visit to the seaside, which was a splendid asset to Foxtou. He complimented the Beach Improvement Committee for the work they had done at the seaside, and urged townspeople to link up and co-operate with the Committee and continue the planting of trees in the locality. He also suggested the introduction of sand yachts, a form of vehicle provided with sails, which could skim along the beach propelled by the breeze, and afford great pleasure to those participating. Refusing to Easton Park, he commended the generosity of the donor of the land, and said he was pleased to know that the

beautifying of same would be carried out on a definite plan. He was much impressed by fhe width- and cleanliness of the main thoroughfare, and suggested that portions of each side could be put down in grass plots. At the main entrance to the town he had noticed that flax refuse had been dumped, whirl! would not give a favourable impression to the visitor. Such spots should be beautified. He was very favourably impressed with Ihcjinoi public school and environment, and paid a compliment to those who were placed in charge offline. In all these matters the unanimity of the whole community was essential, and the people should pull together for the common good. At the conclusion of his main address Mr Hunt number of views which were shown. These depicted the ideals of the townplanner.* Some of the views were of English cities, constructed during the war,., and exhibited some splendid ideas of up-to-date planning. The long straight streets, with houses arranged on either side, were noticable by their absence, and curved streets, with rounded corners, and playing areas in close proximity to each block of houses, took their places, and were relieved by avenues and plantations of trees. In contrast, slides vcie shown of congested areas in different cities, and some even in New Zealand towns, the conditions being a handicap on the young lives of; these neighbourhoods. Some diagrams showing the death rates in congested areas as compared with those under improved conditions, were very striking. The diagram clearly demonstrated that improved living conditions, air space and sunlight would save the lives of thousands of babies annually. Mr Hornblow proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer, and hoped his instructive address would prove an inspiration to all to assist in improving and beautifying their home town. He said the local people were indebted to the Maoris for some of their endowments. He said that there was a strip of land across the river at Matakarapa which, if acquired, could be converted into a beauty spot and path for the pleasure of future generations. Mr Perreau (Beautifying Society), in seconding the motion spoke of the work and aspirations of the .Beautifying Society. The Mayor expressed his personal appreciation of the lecture and the good work being accomplished by the League. Mr Hunt, in replying, thanked Mr Reid for his manipulation of the lantern, and said his efforts to arouse public enthusiasm in this subject was a pleasure.