PLANNING OF AUCKLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19626, 3 May 1927, Page 9

PLANNING OF AUCKLAND.

SECURING CO ORDINATION. THE NEW ASSOCIATION. OBJECTIVES OUTLINED. ASSISTING LOCAL BODIES. The Auckland Town Planning Association, which has as itvs primary object the creation of an enlightened public opinion concerning civic affairs and especially with reference to the planning of the metropolitan area, was inaugurated last evening, when a well attended meeting at the University College instructed the provisional commattee to make sir* rancements for calling a general meeting of members as soon ,as possible. It was announced that th-3 local bodies of Greater Auckland h*id displayed considerable interest in the movement, while a large measure of privata support was also forthcoming. TJiie chairman, Mr. H. E. Vaiie, read a latter from Mr. A. S. Bankart. who intimated his intention of becoming a life member-St a fee of £25, if three other citizens would do likewise. The aims of the association were explained by Professor R. M. Algie, who said the subject of civic interest and town-planning was an important one for the community, because many of their problems became matteis of history. Many people were too concerned with the present and the futuro was left to look after itself. The rapid growth of cities in these days made it essential that the people should deal with troubles not merely as they arose, but that they should plan far enough ahead to avoid them. He foresaw the coming of Greater Auckland, and with the arrival of increased powers for the local government authority would came increased responsibilities. Were these responsibilities to bo shouldered by a few enthusiasts who really cared and was the mass of th<> people to remain apathetic, or would (heir civic government be supported by a body ef enlightened public opinion ? he asked. Enlightened Public Opinion. It would be the business of the association to create an enlightened public opinion concerning civic affairs, and indirectly this would result in a healthy civic government. At. an instance of how the absence of a body of public opinion could retard the development of the city on sound lines, Professor Algie referred to the delay of eight years in the. final selection of the site of the University College, pointing out that by reason of the delay the college had obtained only half of the brandings it would have acquired had the site beers accepted when it was originally offered. Could anyone say now that Grafton Bridge was wide enough to carry all the traffic which desired to make uko of that outlet! Yet, when the bridge was first, mooted, the City Council had been criticised on the grounds that public money was being wasted in giving it its present width. The civic aqua re trouble of the past two years afforded another instance of the netid of a, body of enlightened opinion. The great issue for the association, Professor Algie continued, was the enforce ment of co-ordination in the various loo&i schanies of town-planning in Auckland. In tibia respect, the Town Planning Act was defective, but public opinion, if it was given full expression, could remedy that defect. The association would have to see that a full civic survey of the isthmus was made, for, without such u survey, no scheme for the whole are" could be devised. The information which would bo derived from the survey would have to be co-ordinated and made available to those requiring it, while, from it, experts would draw up a plan for the whole area. Proposed Constitution. Outlining the proposed constitution of the association, which it was later announced was modelled upon that of a simi. Jar association which hud done valuable work in Chicago, Professor Algie said membership wiiuld be open to all persons who could become either life, ordinary or awsociato members. There would be a general council of 200, represcnta- ! trve of every organisation in the met to- ! politnn area and of the best brains in the community. Elected by the rank and file of the association, would he an executive which would be subdivided into groups, each under a group captain. Each group would devote its energies to some particular phase of town planning, snch as drainage, streets, recreation areas, tic., and would attach experts to itself in it* work. Professor Algie said it was hoped to have a very large membership and to carry out the work of the association at least £IOOO would tee required in the firiit year. It would he necessary to establish a civic bureau where full information con• earning thsi development of the city would I,<j maintained and classified and for this work a staff would be necessary. Ill© movement was supported by Mr. W. J. Holds worth, the keynote of whm* remark# was the coordination of all the local areis of the city into one whole and the urgency of New Zealand taking to heart the lessons ol the older countries and avoiding the mistake* they had mads in this development of their cities, mistakes which many of them now found it impossible to remedy. fn his opinion, the tendency in Auckland had been t® go against the natural advantages cf th* metropolitan are* rather- than to take advantage of them. Effect of Environment. The effect of environment on the growUt of the rising generation *u vtrosed if the Rev. A. M. N(block, who said im> man could rise higher than hit esivirwUßicfit. In iul his travels through Russia, Germany, 1 ranee, Africs> an< the Far East he had never scea « fairer sight than the entrance to Auck Land by the Waiternata Harbour, on t fine summer morning, but there was a rmU awakening wb.ee one beheld the- dSngrness ■'.{ many of the city and suburban street*, j ib« wooden houses and the absence of th# | beautiful ..a math of the city architecture { A number of questions were answert4 by t!>« chairmstt and the reso!at--«a h* j ror,«fd gh'iisg th« provisional commits | inuructionn to tail tW forst goner*! meet | ing of members, v- ,-■ { The major, ty of th»se ptmehl I their intcn'. --r-. of be. *<:.og swa»»»* *