TOWN PLANNING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18703, 8 May 1924, Page 11

TOWN PLANNING.

NECESSITY IN AUCKLAND. RESERVES IN SUBDIVISIONS. AMENDED • REGULATION URGED. The imperative necessity for the adoption of a town planning scheme supported by legislation for its enforcement is urged by many in ' Auckland. This action •is considered necessary to eliminate , the strong dissatisfaction /created "by conditions relating ' to" the subdivision of property for- residential purposes. Auckland with its ' rapidly expanding ; suburban settlement, is more -intimately concerned with ; such a proposal * than the other centres of the Dominion. Recent complaints regarding delays and vexatious requirements ; connected with subdividing, properties; accentuate ' the need for . town planning. ;; ' ' 1 , ; i; The ; Government regulation providing .fortthe. setting ' aside .of 5 . per , cent, of every area of land above • four acres subdivided for residential settlement is held by members of the . legal profession to be ultra vires. Discussing the matter yesterday, a solicitor who has had considerable experience in connection with subdivision schemes, stated that the , statute law on the point was section 3 of the Land Laws' Amendment Act, 1912. . This section required that a scheme plan should be; submitted ito the Minister, showing roads and reserves proposed .to be made. The Act did riot: confer ; specific power to require reserves -or to fix an area. A regulation issued subsequent ,to the .passing of th© Act provided for the setting aside of an area up to 5 per cent, "of bloaJts exceeding four/ acres. v t . This regulation, ; it was contended, was ultra vires, said " the solicitor. It was also vexatious to people desiring 'to subdivide, and to the local authority concerned. . The . Government • was insisting on reserves ; being made in: cases where the local authority, did not desire - them, and V there was no .redress unless the owner of the land undertook expensive litigation and had the matter decided by the Court 'of Appeal, i There was • extreme dissatisfaction over the matter, added * the speaker, and', action should / certainly be taken to remedy the position.' This could bo done .by adopting a proper .system Tof town planning.^ Tho suggestion,that such an important matter could be governed by a Government regulation was ridiculous. The question plainly merited thorough investigation with a : view to passing . legislation that . would provide for the best interests "of -the public, and oncourage subdivision. j