allowed to enter, and this will entail no hardship if suitable parking or garage space is arranged at the zone limit. After all, if the sea or a place of great natural beauty is worth visiting, it is worth a walk of a half a mile or so.
Dr. A. J. Butler, of Oxford, raises a curious speculation in ‘‘The Times. ’’ A study of the latest Agricul
tural Returns of the Ministry of Agriculture, figures which he finds “always interesting, if seldom cheerful, ’’ prompt him to enquire why they do not include statistics of the land lost to agriculture by building development, the construction of roads and railways, or by the dedication to public use of parks and playgrounds. In his opinion “these may be all for the good of the country, but they clearly make it less selfsupporting than ever, ” and he would like to have some measure of the reduction which results. It is a point, but if set down as a question in the “House, ” we doubt not that the Minister of Agriculture would refer the Hon. Member concerned to his colleague at the Ministry of Health, and the latter would probably explain that the value of the information would hardly be commensurate with the cost of obtaining it. At a time, however, when the acreage devoted to food production is diminishing, one shares the Doctor’s curiosity to know whether it is attributable solely to agricultural depression, or whether part, and if so what part, of the reduction is due to growth and spread of population. But the querist does not disclose what particular use he would make of the information if he could get it. Would it lead him, for instance, to advocate vertical expansion in our towns and cities as opposed to the present policy of lateral spread. There is something to be said in support of that view on account of increasing traffic and transport difficulties, apart from the question of preserving our arable acreage from constant nibbling.
Though the efforts of the Empire Marketing Board have been mainly directed so far to the important question of foodstuffs, it is evident that the raw materials of the Dominions are not to be forgotten. The special hoardings which have been erected in many parts of the kingdom now display some fascinating posters by Keith Henderson of forests overseas, thus drawing attention to such important Empire timbers as Australian Jarrah, Burma Teak, West African Mahogany, Canadian Spruce and Pine. It is desired to impress upon architects, cabinet makers and builders that the Empire possesses exceptional resources in fine grained and beautifully marked timbers, and that it is not necessary to look beyond the Empire confines to find the woods required for their several purposes. There is talk of holding, in the New Year, in conjunction with a timber conference, a special exhibition of Empire timbers, to be organised at the Imperial Institute, where there is already displayed and catalogued a great number of the more noteworthy Imperial timbers.
The recent competition for the Birmingham Civic Centre produced some exceptionally fine designs, but whether any of those favoured by the Assessor will ever be carried out is a moot question. Certainly some representative opinions, gathered in the Midland City last week, were extremely doubtful on this point. Only four Birmingham architects competed, probably for the reason that the result was more or less foreseen. While the excellence of the premiated and commended designs, qua designs, was not disputed, the cost of putting any of them into execution is likely to be an insuperable bar to their adoption. The predominance of foreign architects in the premiated and commended list was attributed to the important fact that they were not hampered by a knowledge of
Birmingham, of local sentiment or of the possibilities of securing and razing some of the modern and expensive buildings that exist within the prescribed zone. Consequently, they were able to produce excellent suggestions for town-planning the centre of the City regardless of the practical inhibitions which would influence local competitors or British architects acquainted with the City. In the circumstances, one can only regret that the competition was not limited either to local designers or to British architects who had the opportunity to study conditions on the spot. Whether such meritorious designs would then have been forthcoming is doubtful, but it is probable that they would have been more practicable from the financial standpoint. The real trouble is that Birmingham instituted this competition 50 years too late, and delays, so they say, are dangerous. The City fathers may, however, take courage and proceed with the successful design, in which case they will certainly achieve their purpose in securing a fine centre for their City and, probably, a finer centre than any other City in Great Britain possesses.
Considerable alarm has been occasioned in Surrey by the news that the War Office is endeavouring to obtain control or possession of most of the beautiful commons for which the county is famous. In the past the military authorities have had no difficulty in obtaining permission to use various commons for manœuvre purposes; and this sudden resolve on their part to acquire a rigid control, therefore, needs some explanation. The official view, we believe, is that land is changing hands very rapidly; the big landlords who were mindful of military needs are going, and that it may be difficult in future to get permission to manoeuvre over the common lands as in the past. What is feared, however, is that absolute possession by the War Office may mean the destruction of the beautiful trees and verdure which cover many of the Commons. If it was suddenly decided to make a new trial ground for tanks on one of these Commons, the whole district might be turned into a waste, and the nation would be deprived of another playground at the very time when the importance of playing-fields and open spaces is beginning to be recognised. It should be sufficient for War Office purposes to secure the right to pass over the Commons; to require more argues a sinister intention, and we are not surprised that Lord Midleton, himself a former head of the War Office, is leading the opposition to these far-reaching proposals.
Sir Reginald Blomfield, R. A., has written to The Times correcting a statement that the new Lambeth Bridge, on which the preliminary works have been commenced, is to be faced with granite. It was originally proposed to face the reinforced concrete spans with granite, but this idea was abandoned some time ago. Only the piers and parapet are to be constructed of granite.
Competition News
Edinburgh
A competition for designs for the large new buildings to be erected at Merchiston for the George Watson’s Boys’ College is to be held shortly by the Governors of the school. The present school has been sold to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and will necessitate the erection of a complete new institution on the Merchiston site at a cost of £200, 000. Mr. T. P. Warwick, F. R. I. B. A., 43 York Place, Edinburgh, has been appointed as assessor.
Southport
The Town Council is to invite competitive designs for a semi-open-air type of school, for 450 senior pupils, at Birkdale.
Dr. A. J. Butler, of Oxford, raises a curious speculation in ‘‘The Times. ’’ A study of the latest Agricul
tural Returns of the Ministry of Agriculture, figures which he finds “always interesting, if seldom cheerful, ’’ prompt him to enquire why they do not include statistics of the land lost to agriculture by building development, the construction of roads and railways, or by the dedication to public use of parks and playgrounds. In his opinion “these may be all for the good of the country, but they clearly make it less selfsupporting than ever, ” and he would like to have some measure of the reduction which results. It is a point, but if set down as a question in the “House, ” we doubt not that the Minister of Agriculture would refer the Hon. Member concerned to his colleague at the Ministry of Health, and the latter would probably explain that the value of the information would hardly be commensurate with the cost of obtaining it. At a time, however, when the acreage devoted to food production is diminishing, one shares the Doctor’s curiosity to know whether it is attributable solely to agricultural depression, or whether part, and if so what part, of the reduction is due to growth and spread of population. But the querist does not disclose what particular use he would make of the information if he could get it. Would it lead him, for instance, to advocate vertical expansion in our towns and cities as opposed to the present policy of lateral spread. There is something to be said in support of that view on account of increasing traffic and transport difficulties, apart from the question of preserving our arable acreage from constant nibbling.
Though the efforts of the Empire Marketing Board have been mainly directed so far to the important question of foodstuffs, it is evident that the raw materials of the Dominions are not to be forgotten. The special hoardings which have been erected in many parts of the kingdom now display some fascinating posters by Keith Henderson of forests overseas, thus drawing attention to such important Empire timbers as Australian Jarrah, Burma Teak, West African Mahogany, Canadian Spruce and Pine. It is desired to impress upon architects, cabinet makers and builders that the Empire possesses exceptional resources in fine grained and beautifully marked timbers, and that it is not necessary to look beyond the Empire confines to find the woods required for their several purposes. There is talk of holding, in the New Year, in conjunction with a timber conference, a special exhibition of Empire timbers, to be organised at the Imperial Institute, where there is already displayed and catalogued a great number of the more noteworthy Imperial timbers.
The recent competition for the Birmingham Civic Centre produced some exceptionally fine designs, but whether any of those favoured by the Assessor will ever be carried out is a moot question. Certainly some representative opinions, gathered in the Midland City last week, were extremely doubtful on this point. Only four Birmingham architects competed, probably for the reason that the result was more or less foreseen. While the excellence of the premiated and commended designs, qua designs, was not disputed, the cost of putting any of them into execution is likely to be an insuperable bar to their adoption. The predominance of foreign architects in the premiated and commended list was attributed to the important fact that they were not hampered by a knowledge of
Birmingham, of local sentiment or of the possibilities of securing and razing some of the modern and expensive buildings that exist within the prescribed zone. Consequently, they were able to produce excellent suggestions for town-planning the centre of the City regardless of the practical inhibitions which would influence local competitors or British architects acquainted with the City. In the circumstances, one can only regret that the competition was not limited either to local designers or to British architects who had the opportunity to study conditions on the spot. Whether such meritorious designs would then have been forthcoming is doubtful, but it is probable that they would have been more practicable from the financial standpoint. The real trouble is that Birmingham instituted this competition 50 years too late, and delays, so they say, are dangerous. The City fathers may, however, take courage and proceed with the successful design, in which case they will certainly achieve their purpose in securing a fine centre for their City and, probably, a finer centre than any other City in Great Britain possesses.
Considerable alarm has been occasioned in Surrey by the news that the War Office is endeavouring to obtain control or possession of most of the beautiful commons for which the county is famous. In the past the military authorities have had no difficulty in obtaining permission to use various commons for manœuvre purposes; and this sudden resolve on their part to acquire a rigid control, therefore, needs some explanation. The official view, we believe, is that land is changing hands very rapidly; the big landlords who were mindful of military needs are going, and that it may be difficult in future to get permission to manoeuvre over the common lands as in the past. What is feared, however, is that absolute possession by the War Office may mean the destruction of the beautiful trees and verdure which cover many of the Commons. If it was suddenly decided to make a new trial ground for tanks on one of these Commons, the whole district might be turned into a waste, and the nation would be deprived of another playground at the very time when the importance of playing-fields and open spaces is beginning to be recognised. It should be sufficient for War Office purposes to secure the right to pass over the Commons; to require more argues a sinister intention, and we are not surprised that Lord Midleton, himself a former head of the War Office, is leading the opposition to these far-reaching proposals.
Sir Reginald Blomfield, R. A., has written to The Times correcting a statement that the new Lambeth Bridge, on which the preliminary works have been commenced, is to be faced with granite. It was originally proposed to face the reinforced concrete spans with granite, but this idea was abandoned some time ago. Only the piers and parapet are to be constructed of granite.
Competition News
Edinburgh
A competition for designs for the large new buildings to be erected at Merchiston for the George Watson’s Boys’ College is to be held shortly by the Governors of the school. The present school has been sold to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, and will necessitate the erection of a complete new institution on the Merchiston site at a cost of £200, 000. Mr. T. P. Warwick, F. R. I. B. A., 43 York Place, Edinburgh, has been appointed as assessor.
Southport
The Town Council is to invite competitive designs for a semi-open-air type of school, for 450 senior pupils, at Birkdale.