EARTHQUAKE BY-LAWS

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1934, Page 11

EARTHQUAKE BY-LAWS

AIMS OF TOWN PLANNERS. "HOUSING POSITION ACUTE.” "The lessons to be learnt from the Hawke’s Bay disaster have not yet been, capitalised, and pressure is being maintained to endeavour to get a uniform set of by-laws throughout the Dominion, so that all buddings can be built to a definite standard of safe construction,” states the annual report of the Town Planning institute of New Zealand. “There is also room for much to be done in making safe existing buildings, and it is hoped that the coming year will see owners, both public and private, taking more active steps in this direction. “A considerable amount of valuable work has been accomplished by the branches in connection with the organisation of work of a useful and permanent nature. It is hoped that the subsidy recently reintroduced will stimulate activity in the - building industry and its allied trades. This institute has always maintained that a great deal of valuable and constructive work can be done, provided it-is properly controlled, and there is no doubt that the housing position is getting acute in many districts in the Dominion.

“It is with extreme regret that we again have to state that the Government hag not yet seen fit to make an .appointment to the office vacated by Mr. J. W. Mawson. Your council feels that until this is done, the many important schemes that should be reported on by an expert cannot go forward, and the work of the Town Planning Board is practically at a standstill. “Considering the difficult times through, which we are passing, the membership figures must be regarded as very satisfactory. Your council desires to express its appreciation to members for their loyalty and co-operation. On July 31, the membership figures stood at members 107, honorary members 79, student members 3, honorary fellows 5; total, 194. The year’s accounts reveal a small surplus, but it will be noted that only one issue of the journal was made during the year,, which partly accounts for the reduced expenditure. It is proposed to retain, the reduced rates of subscription for the current year, and to budget for expenditure on this basis. • “Only one issue of the journal was made during the year, but it is confidently anticipated that there will be at least two issues this coming year. An issue Is ready for press now, and will be published this month. Future pubheations will be made as finances permit. Once again we desire to extend our thanks to Mr. J. W. Mawson, honorary editor, for his continued ardstance, and your council feels sure members appreciate the aigh standard he maintains. “The first award was made recently in connection with the competition for the best paper on some subject allied to town planning. Mr. H. F. Butcher was the winner for his pamphlet ‘The Coordination of Railways and other Transportation Agencies.’ The thanks of the Institute are due to Professors Knight and Cull and Mr. J. W. Mawson. who acted as adjudicators, and also to all those who contributed papers.”