Editorial Comment

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 3, 1 November 1918, Page 349

Editorial Comment

One of the most perplexing problems of modern times has been— and still is —the shortage of houses. And, in this country, in common with other new lands, it is one which will be intensified, rather than relieved, by the dawn of peace. For the influx of immigrants, added to the return of thousands of soldiers, will mean the coming of a host, the individuals of which will demand roofs over their heads. There is only one possible solution of the problem, and that is to build, build, build more homes. We are accustomed to hear those who build in these expensive times, referred to in critical terms by wise men from all points of the compass. Yet these builders of homes are benefactors. There is an Eastern proverb that a man to justify his existence must tame a horse, plant a tree, and beget a son. In the Anglo-Saxon version, the taming of the horse might well be altered to the building of a house, and the Government of New Zealand should encourage this worthy ambition by using its influnce to keep the cost of raw materials within reasonable limits.

The Shortage of Houses.

The finished portions of the Parliamentary Buildings at Wellington afford an excellent example of what can be done with a locally quarried material when those concerned put their hearts into their work. Tn this instance the material is Takaka marble and the success which has attended its use in the huge building is a matter for congratulation. Some picked panels which were used in the lounge are beautifully marked. In fact connoiseurs claim that these slabs of New Zealand marble are equal to the very best Italian marble. And there are many more such slabs in the Takaka hills. The supply of the stone is practically unlimited, as a casual visit to the locality will prove. The Takaka Range rises abruptly to the westward of Motueka in Tasman Bay, and continues in a northerly direction to Separation Point between that bay and Golden Bay. Spurs and offshoots branch and all terminate on the sea front. It is from one of

A Splendid Example.

these bluffs that the stone was quarried and is still being quarried for the Parliamentary buildings. But the whole of the Takaka Range shows outcrops of marble. It is in fact a marble mountain. From a quarry near the summit of the road which crosses the range to link Takaka with Motueka, marble was won with which to build Churches in Motueka and Takaka. White marble was chosen for both buildings and it was used in the rough with most pleasing effect. There are four colours of marble in these mountains however white, black, dove coloured and grey and all take an exquisite polish. The formation of the hills where the marble comes from is unusual. It suggests intense volcanic activity in ages past and quite deep extinct craters are to be seen of varying extent and depth. Reports by experts have been unanimous in declaring the marble to be of good building quality. It is only on the question of profitable working that doubts have been raised. Now that the stone has been given prominence in an important national building an increased demand should follow resulting eventually in a more extensive working of the existing quarries and the opening up of new ones. That the Dominion possesses a valuable asset in these mountains of marble there can be little doubt.

To the average person the idea of townplanning is of an intricate and ornate laying-out of grounds, parks and streets, and planning of massive buildings. But the art of town-planning is really a simplifying rather than an elaboration of detail. It can be applied to a hamlet with as much success as to a city. In fact, a town-planner is quite as necessary a person as an architect when any laying-out of grounds and planning of buildings is in view. So much is this realised that many modern architects are townplanners too; and the combination invariably results in excellent work being done. But always it must be remembered that simplicity, not elaboration, is the end in view, even in planning such a city as the Federal City of Canberra. An example of the application of town-planning to a suburban scheme is that of Kurralta Park, a suburb of Adelaide. The area was one of 120 acres adjoining a railway. It was originally intended to be subdivided, with 40 feet roads adjoining the railway, and other streets intersecting at awkward angles. There was no provision for parks or for dealing with through traffic; in fact, it appears to have been quite a badly -planned place. However, Adelaide has a Town-planner (Mr. Reade), formerly of New Zealand, and the South Australian Government sent the plan to him at the request of the Surveyor-General. The amended scheme which the Town-planner prepared met with the approval of the Railways Commissioner, the Surveyor-General, the District Council, and the owners of the land. Briefly, the new plan secured for the residents a new station site with a spacious "Place" 72 feet wide for street traffic and station purposes, as well as extra width for station buildings, etc. The width of roads adjoining the railway was increased to 66 feet, and a main traffic avenue. 66 feet wide, will provide a new direct route to the sea from the city of Adelaide. Drainage reserves also were provided, and a creek diverted to remove danger of flood •

Simple TownPlanning.

ing. In addition to all these benefits, five acres of park and recreation reserve were secured and have been transferred free to the District Council of West Torrens. The whole of this advantageous replanning was secured, be it remembered, by simplifying, not by elaborating. •

At the present time New Zealand is importing asbestos tiles from Australia, in the making of which, report has it, a certain amount of New Zealand asbestos is used. It is some years since asbestos was mined and worked in the upper Takaka Valley, and after a brief trial, the working of it into marketable asbestos was abandoned and the raw material shipped away. Whether this is still being done or not, the fact remains that New Zealand asbestos is the real article. It has not nearly so long a fibre as Italian asbestos, it is true, but this is no impediment to its successful manufacture. In Canada, a similar short-fibre asbestos is worked, and, as a matter of fact, the methods of working it are being shown in a film picture now being exhibited in New Zealand theatres. Some day, no doubt, New Zealanders will make a commercial use cf their minerals, and New Zealand asbestos roofing tiles and building sheets will no doubt be among the articles made. Special facility for the successful accomplishment of this work is offered in the Takaka Valley, for at Terakoke, at the seaward end of the valley, there are extensive cement works belonging to the Golden Bay Cement Company. What more desirable combination than that of asbestos and cement could there be for the making of asbestos sheets and tiles? Yet New Zealand is still importing her commercial asbestos from overseas countries.

N.Z. Asbestos.

Building houses of wood has become a habit in New Zealand, as it has in Queensland. In the latter State, the people express their preference for the wood, as being cooler and lending itself to prettier effects in cottages. The Queenslanders build their houses high above the ground, to allow a free passage of air beneath. In the older and more southern States of Australia where colder conditions are apt to prevail, very little wood is used. Brick and stone are chiefly used. New Zealand's use of wood, originated, of course, in the days of severe earthquakes, when it was felt that brick buildings would speedily become disintegrated and fall in rains. The advancement in concrete work in buildings has disposed of most of those fears, especially as regards one-floor or two-storey residences. The heavy increase of building timber, due to the cuttingmills having to move further into the forests away from the railways, and to other causes, all of which will not be removed after the war, has caused the thoughts of builders to turn to other materials. And always concrete obtrudes. This material is especially suitable and economical at seaside resorts, and in valleys where river-sand is obtainable. And, moreover, its use does not affect the timber-mills appreciably, for the interiors of concrete houses are best finished in New Zealand woods, while timber is still necessary in the ceiling and roof work.

Concrete Dwellings.