PLANNING OF TOWNS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19986, 30 June 1928, Page 13

PLANNING OF TOWNS.

NEW ZEALAND DIRECTOR.

LONDON EXPERT APPOINTED.

LEADING AUTHORITY ON WORK

[by telegraph.—special REPORTER.J WELLINGTON. Friday.

The Cabinet to-day appointed Mr. John W. Mawson, of London, to the position of Director of Town-Planning, in succes sion to Mr. R. B. Hammond, who has resigned to enter into private practice. In making tho announcement of the appointment, the. Prime Minister, Mr. Coates, expressed regret that it had not been possible to appoint a New Zealander. "The position," he said, "had been advertised throughput the Dominion and applications were received and carefully considered. Among the gentlemen who applied was Mr. Mawson, and it was felt by the Government that his qualifications were of such an outstanding nature that an effort should be made to obtain his services. It was believed his appointment would be in the best interests of town-planning at the present stage. Negotiations have resulted in his accepting the position for a period of five years, and he will probably take up his duties toward the. latter end of September."

Mr. Mawson is one of the leading authorities in the town-planning world, being a member of the well-known English town-planning firm of Messrs. Thomas Mawson and Sons. London. He has prepared and carried out schemes not only in various parts of England, but also in Canada and other parts of the world. Not only does his work speak for itself, but he is considered to be one of the leading lecturers on townplanning. His organising and administrative ability is considered to bo exceptional.

' "The result," said Mr. Coates, "will place town-planning in the Dominion on a sound footing and will also give an opportunity to our young New Zealanders to obtain that essential experience in carrying out and preparing, under the guidance of Mr. Mawson, town-planning schemes, thus qualifying later to succeed Mr. Mawson in his important position." 'lt has been suggested," added Mr. Coates, "that the Town-planning Act interferes with private rights. The Act is primarily for the purpose of requiring town-planning schemes to be prepared. The legislation does not alter the essential functions of local bodies, but merely ensures that those functions shall be exercised in accordance with a scheme and not haphazardly. In order to safeguard private interests provision is contained in the Act giving persons the right to claim compensation where their lands may be injuriously affected by a town-planning scheme."