TOWN-PLANNING VALUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19384, 20 July 1926, Page 13

TOWN-PLANNING VALUE.

A TRIBUTE TO AUCKLAND. " OASES IN THE DESERT." PROPOSAL FOR ASSOCIATION. A suggestion that a town-planning association should be instituted in Auckland has been made by Mr. S. Hurst Seager, president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects. "The term, town-planning, is a little misleading," Mr. Hurst Seager said. "It is like Gothic art, with which the Goths had nothing to do; but it is the nearest term we can use, and may be defined as the conscious ordering by cities of their social, economic, and civic growth, expressed in architectural form, and by artistic appeal through the best men to the best quality in mankind." Auckland, he thinks, would be well disposed toward the objects of such an organisation. "It is delightful to notice the pretty little spots with which the city is bejewelled. These little parks are restful places, each like an oasis in a desert of buildings." Subdivision Reserves. The existence of the parks, contrasting so well with conditions in other cities where miles of buildings were passed without one sight of green grass, reminded him of a provision that had been made in the Lands Act, that where large blocks were sub-divided, a proportion should be set aside as reserve. " There is just the danger," said Mr. Hurst Seager, " that some local authorities may misconstrue the object of this legislation, and determine that such reserves should be sold back to the owners, and the capital used for the purchase of large recreation grounds. The object of the act is to have scattered throughout the country just such oases as those which beautify Auckland. It is an important feature of town-planning." It was his hope, he said, that in every town in New Zealand there should be a town-planning association, consisting of the organisations which existed co-ordinat-ing and co-operating together to form one strong body so that the interests of each organisation might be recognised and encouraged by the rest. A list of organisations that existed in Auckland should be prepared, showing the town-planning activities which they should safeguard. Association's Constitution. The object was to have a delegate from each existing organisation to form a townplanning association, and each organisation would then become, in a manner, a special committee in charge of one • or other town-planning activities. "It seems to m« it is better to , work in this way than to attempt to found an independent town-planning association," he added. " Town-planning covers so much, and is so wide-reaching that no one association can possibly represent all its interests. It would be necessary only to appoint an independent chairman and general secretary. " The town-planning association, representing all the associations of the town, would be able to gain full knowledge of any local matters. All New Zealand town-planning associations could then become federated and could speak with no uncertain voice on any Dominion interest, and place their views with some force before the Government." Work As Advisory Body. " This session," said Mr. Hurst Seager, " it is hoped the Town-Planning Bill, now being prepared by the Minister of Internal Affairs, will be converted into an act by which the municipal authorities and the statutory authorities will be constituted as town-planning boards. Such, boards should be the controlling authority for any town-planning schemes, and it appears to me that it is well to have a town-planning association which will act simply as an advisory body and will urge the town-planning board to do what citizens generally think should be done in the interests of the town." As a motto for the association, he suggested : " Look after the small things and the big things .will look after themselves." " Town-planning does not call for trans-, formations at one great sweep," he remarked. "When the association notices a small thing that requires attention, it should act at once. Napier has been quite transformed by the efforts of one enthusiast who limited himself to the one task of inducing people to take away their fences and let their gardens help in the beautifying of the streets."