OUR ARCHITECTURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6622, 11 September 1908, Page 5

OUR ARCHITECTURE

LORD PLUNKETT SAYS IT IS CONTEMPTIBLE,

“It is contemptible/’ said. Ilia Excellency the Governor in referring to colonial architecture, when opening the Manawatu Art Society’s exhibition on Wednesday night. “There is ono _important form of art which people in New Zealand might strive to cultivate,” he said; “that is, architecture. I don’t, of course, refer to any town in particular —to Palmerston, or Auckland, or Wellington—but to New Zealand generally. There is nothing more contemptible than the average house which is perpetrated in Now Zealand. Why, your houses here are just about equal to those erected in the more respectable portion of the East End of- London; even Bromley can beat anything you have got here. Of course, I recognise that one of the great difficulties is that most of the people have not had the to see and appreciate the grand architecture of the Old World, of Florence, and those other great places, and even of tiro charming little country towns in the Old Country. Of course,” continued his Excellency, with ,a smile, “although I am an absurdly enthusiastic Irishman, I must confess that Ireland is a similar sinner also in the matter of architecture, and that many of the modern houson are abominations. There ought to be some better houses here. They are all exactly the same—the same tin roof, painted the same red, and probably tho wrong red; tho same drab mud colour on tho front, and the same horrible tin thing to hold the water in at the back. X can’t think that these abominations are built purely for the purpose of saving money. You can’t bo 60 needV in Palmerston North. lam not trying to abuse New Zealand, because you all know that I have very great regard for tho country and its people. lam simply referring to this one point, which demands attention.” His Excellency referred to one or two charming houses which he had seen in the neighbourhood of Palmerston, and a number in the Hawke’s Bay district. He suggested that Palmerston might at some time have an architectural exhibition, wherein could bo exhibited designo for houses. It would bo tho first hold in New Zealand.