LOWER HUTT AFFAIRS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11661, 27 October 1923, Page 3

LOWER HUTT AFFAIRS

"TOWN-PLANNING AND CIVIC

PRIDE."

ADDRESS BY MR A. LEIGH HUNT.

A very interesting address was given in King George Theatre, under the auspices of the Lower Hutt Progress League, on Thursday evening, by Mr A. Leigh Hunt, on “Town Planning and Civic Pride.”

The speaker has an excellent knowledge of "the subject, and showed very clearly the great benefits that can be derived by any community who car© to take the trouble to look ahead in matters pertaining to the lay-out of their town.

Statistics were given showing that the health of communities in townplanned areas is immensely better than m cities even as lightly populated as our own centres, the comparison being 7.97 per cent, for our own four main cities, and 5.2 per cent, for the townplanned areas of Hampstead, Letchworth, Bournville, and Port Sunlight in England. . It was demonstrated that sound, practical plana oould be mad© for the future betterment of the town that need- not cost the present residents anything more than a haphazard scheme would cost, and that would Save future generations enormous sums, besides being infinitely better from the outset.

Every aspect of the subject was dealt with, including roads, drainage, beautifying, buildings, transit, play and park areas, residential, factory, and business areas.

A strong plea was entered for the residents to endeavour, as far as possible, to build artistically-designed homes of permanent materials on sections of reasonable size facing streets that are planted with a number of wellchosen trees.

A number of lantern views were shown of properly-planned areas in different parts of the world, and in comparison many views showing the unfortunate lot of those who have to live in areas where no human being should be asked to live.

The fact that practically every country in the world has adopted a sound town-planning policy was mentioned as a proof of the intrinsic value of the scheme, and as a reason why it should be adopted in New Zealand. During the evening, Miss Pauline Shetlander gave a very pleasant rendering of the songs “Homing” and “Tbo Lilac Tree,” and showed her well-known elocutionary art to perfection in Robert Buchanan’s “The Perfect- State.”

A heartv rote of thanks to the speaker nnd to Miss Phot-lander concluded a _ very enjoyable and instructive evening.