TOWN-PLANNING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1161, 31 October 1917, Page 5

TOWN-PLANNING.

A BILL INTRODUCED. [From Our Own Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, October 30. . A Town-Planning Bill was introduced by Governor-General's Message this evening. The Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister in charge, explained that the Bill would not be proceeded with this session. R had been introduced at the request of a deputation representative of the chief cities of New Zealand, asking that provision should be made to deal with town-planning. The Bill was introduced for circulation among local bodies. It would interfere as little as possible with the sovereign rgihts of municipalities, hut would arrange that any borough or town district if necessary should be proclaimed a town-planning area, and thereafter the future interests of the district in connection with the layoff of roads, sanitation, drainage and water supply would be protected. Mr Massey said that the measure would not be proceeded with until after the war. The Bill was read a first time. The Bill proposes to set up a town-planning commission, comprising the Surveyor-General, the Engineer-in-Chief of the PublicWorks Department, the Government Architect, the Valuer-General, the Chief Health Officer, the UnderSecretary of Internal Affairs or his appointee, and three persons nominated by the Governor-General. These include one nominated by the Municipal Association of New Zealand and one by the New Zealand Institute of Architects. The commission will hold inquiries and make recommendations upon townplanning. No act of the commission will be binding unless approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs. Any borough or town district may resolve to create a town-planning area, and its council may prepare a town-planning scheme. Power is given to draft comprehensive by-laws to control building operations, the grouping of industries, residential areas and beaulification of towns.