CHARMING HOMES

—» — THE CITY BEAUTIFUL. WEALTH OF NEW IDEAS. EXPANSION IN THE SUBURBS. One of Sen hears the advice: '"See roar own country first." It is very sound, but the adage might be given a more parochial application: "See your own City first.'' How many of the permanent "residents of Christcharch realise the loveliness of their City, particularly at this time of the year? Visi tors appreciate it and are good enough often to tell us their impressions, nod sometimes to sing our praises in other places, but it is doubtful whether everybody in Christchureh or even a majority realise that this City has no equal in the Dominion in the attractiveness of its suburbs. Wellington has its colourful hillsides, with their clusters of homes, Duncdin its atmosphere of dig nity and charm, and Auckland its beautiful suburbs such as Eemuera, where sub-tropical palms give a to f ueh for which Christchureh cannot hope, but the environs of Christchureh arc studded with magnificent homes, in settings of sylvan loveliness, and every year it reaches further out into the fertile plains and embraces more groves of trees and scenes of rural beauty. It is the only City of them all that has no bounds set to its expansion. Two and a half miles' journey from the

S.ju.ire in half a dozen diy .-;:.--ti-' wid iand one almost in the cuui.try, but rapnilv the«e areas arc coning int.-.the fit v. As Christchurch pushes :urtner afield good roads are the latest town-planning idefis._ r';orpaths are taking shape, and subdivision 1.1 in full swing. Within the boundaries of what mav be called Greater Christchurch the "builder and the landscape gardener are lormiug l--'.v suouros before our eyes. Spring Flowers and Sylvan Charm. With tho sap rising in tho trees, the poplar, the willow, and the elm are burgeoning into tender leaf, a dozen shades of yellow greet the eye irom hundreds of clumps of narcissi and from the Kowuai and other flowering trues, which are now in full bloom, while the flowering cherry covers the whole range of pinks. A visit to the Riccar-ton-Fendalton district, where expansion is most marked just now, is well worth while, Architects and landscape gardeners are usually credited with a keen aesthetic sense—in fact, a proper appreciation of what is beautiful is one of the essentials of their profession. But builders are usually associated in the mind only with ideas of bricks and mortar and all that is strictly utilitarian in the world of construction. Such a conception is speedily banished in a brief tour of the suburbs, where it is soon realised that more than a faithful adherence to blue prints has been necessary for the creation of such homes. Some of the builders would like a closer association with the planning and lay-out, and it has been suggested that the ideal arrangement, for endowing the new home with the maximum of charm would be a conference between the architect, the builder, and the landscape gardener before the site is touched. The exchange of ideas would conduce to greater harmony in the whole design. A Flat Roofed Bungalow. The modern bungalow lends itself to a wealth of ideas which have found expression in the suburbs of Christchurch. Here and there one encounters a bungalow residence with a flat roof, typical of Eastern countries. In Haglev avenue, for instance, there is such a dwelling, with a balcony right round tho second storey. Splendid lawns bounded by curving paths, with shrubs and here and there a birds' bath or sundial, complete the picture. The frontage is a low stone wall surmounted by pillars, with spreading aubretia adding a bright touch of colour. Rather novel is the letter-box in the gate pier, and the home is altogether a very charming one. There is a drawback to these flat roofs. There can be no insulation space such as is given by tho ordinary attic. In marine suburbs one sees a considerable number of these flat-roofed houses, bat they are never likely to come into general favour. The atmosphere in the bedrooms on the top floor suffers by its proximity to the roof. . Close to the bungalow mentioned, in Kilmarnock street, there is a big twostorey dwelling, in concrete, owned by Mr F. Wilding. It is also in Eastern style, and the flat roof carries a big water tower. The steel windows are smaller than usual, and are typical of those designed in countries where the snnlight is stronger than it is here. The concrete construction gives coolness, and, with its white effect and stone gateposts, this residence has a charming simplicity. In the same street a typical bungalow with high-pitched attic and tiled roof furnishes as wide a contrast as is obtainable anywhere. There is also a bungalow such as may be seen in any American city. Only a very small portico faces the street, for this is the back of the dwelling. It is painted in a dark colour, with white strapping on the gables. A motor ride through this part of Christchurch cannot but convey the

impression that it is a very desirable suburb to live in, and that the fertility of the soil gives the amateur gardener the fullest scope for his hobby.

The Southern Atspect. A little further along Kilmarnoch street, which has only been selected at random for these brief sketches, is a bungalow with a southern aspect, considered a good point by many builders. The rear of the house, where the occupants spend most of their time, is in sunshine all day, which, no doubt, Ls appreciated by the children. Tho sleeping room upstairs is approached by a narrow staircase. Several beautiful homes are going Tip on the Deans subdivisions close to the Boys' High School. The new street which gives access runs up to the front entrance of the school. Maori nomenclature has been used in this locality, for here we have Rata. Maitai, Totara, Puriri. Hinau, Miro, and Rimu streets and Kahu. Kotare, and Weka roads. Many of the sections back on to a part of the Avon which has the closest associations with the founding of the first Canterbury settlement, and here it still flows placidly through the reeds and rushes which have grown on its banks from time immemorial. A stonethrow away is the lovely vista of the Bush itself, now .displaying all the pretty shades of green. The scene h more"rural than suburban, for the old farm bui'dings are surrounded by sheep which feed contentedly on the early spring growth. The buildings are used as dressing sheds by the pupils of the school, who spend as much of their time a>s possible in the summer month* in the baths nearby. Every yard of this favoured locality is steeped in history, and a block of stone near the river stands on the site ot the first built in Canterbury. It was erected bv Mr William John Deans in 1*43. Rooks flap lazily overhead on their way to the Fendalton rookery. In the stream young trout choose the sunny spots on the floor of stones. and bas'K there undisturbed. Some or the quietude of this locality will disappear when all of the sections on the subdivision are built on. but its beauty will be translated into new forms. Adding to Nature's Charm.

Street corners have been rounded, and the streets themselves have been planted in trees. The various types of homes erected and in course of construction will add a new variety to the charm given by Nature. On one corner stands a desirable dwelling of two storeys, the upper of roughcast and the base of brick, with a slate roof. Clinker arches have beautified the entrance porches, and the large bay window*, with their big expanse of plate srla&s, allow ingress to a maximum of sunshine. The surrounding lawn ha* been nicelv laid out, and the vf-rv low brick fenr*>. having gates 5° match, hide-s none of the beauty ot the «ite from th* street. The well-cboaen le«dlighu impart a obann to Urn \tnd+

work obtainable in no other way. Nearly every house- in this suburb lias a .sun roof, and at This time of year they are given their maximum use. Ono ui the now houses, not yet finished, ha- prominently displayed the slogan: "Own Your Own Home." From on©" of the dwellings a wonderful view of the Boys' High School ar.fi spire is obtainable. Stone fences, in which the fullest use of colour has been made, arc very popular in Kiccarton, it i< noticed. Mr C. S. Luney has almost completed the erection of one of the finest houses in Christchurch in this locality on plans prepared bv Mr 13. J. Ager. Mr Welsford is the owner. The dwelling is of brick, with u slate roof, and the exterior Is plastered in a warm colour. On the north-west end there is a shelter for cars, with massive pillars. A dormer window in the attic makes a break in the roof, and gives the house a third storev. The home is of lowgable tvpe, having a gutter down the centre, 'and the windows are large and made of plate glass. The brick tence is unusually low. Brick ou a Wooden Frame. Quite a contrast with other houses in this suburb is the brick-skinned structure. The outer walls are tied back to the wooden frame with wire. Such houses give all the advantages of a home completely built in brick in the matter of appearance and maintenance costs and the warmth in winter so much appreciated by the people who live in houses of this material. In complete contrast with this is a wooden dwelling with the base painted a dark colour, green roof, and green gables. •. Building is going ahead in Hamilton street, where many of the sections have an area of an acre, and often considerably more. Landscape gardeners will find a good deal to occupy them in tins locality shortly, when these big allotments are being laid out New streets, running off Hamilton street have been made, and soon the City will be pushed further in this direction. One of trie houses hereabouts has a gable cut oft in gambrcl style. A big movement up Burnside road, winch runs parallel to Hamilton street, is certain to develop before long, tor the land is high and the aspect sunny. Trees add beauty to the locality, and sewering is in progress When it is remembered that the centre of the City is within two and three-quarter miles, it is easy to realise the potentialities of Upper Fendalton as a populous suburb. Already round the tram terminus there is plenty of evidence of the expansion which is taking place, and what is expected. When a builder undertakes the erection of his own home, one may expect to see special features introduced and tho residence in Clyde road which Air W P. Glue, president of the Canterbury Master Builders' Association, is now erecting for himself is both distinctive and beautiful. It illustrates how concrete is able to hold its own with all other materials in the construction of a modern home. The exterior surface is of very fine roughcast, with old ivory plaster. The gable soffit breaks the line between the two storeys, bv throwing a shadow which softens ihe front of the dwelling. Constructed in Whitney style, the balcony windows give 95 per cent. of opening, and the bay window on the ground floor is of enormous size. The glass used has been specially selected for its quality of not distorting the vision. Marseilles tiles, red in colour, have been used in the roof. A deeper colour thaif the old ivory gives a variety which harmonises with the whole to the piers and capping of the concrete fence, and base and window sills of the house. A window box constructed of concrete outside is of neat design. This is unquestionably one of the finest homes in the whole of Christchurch, and it is one of a row of four fine dwellings, the one on the adjoining section being of similar construction Two have slate roofs, and concrete, with a smooth surface, is the material that has been used in the third, while the fourth is a brick house, All four have low fences of permanent construction, a new feature having been introduced in one, which has been panelled in brown compo with pebble "dash." Crushed shell is one of the materials used in the compo, and the pebbles have been "dashed" on to the concrete and flattened. Massive slate hoods over the various apertures in the brick house give it a Tudor appearance. Tho windows of this house are of distinctive design, and all four homes have been much admired. Without the effective gardening schemes which have been given expression, they would have much less than their present charm. In Georgian Style.

One house in Fendalton is in Georgian style, and is somewhat similar to Bishopscourt. Concrete, with a compo finish of rougli texture, has been used for the structural work. All windows have green shutters, and a doorway is surmounted by a rope mould. Wrought iron hinges of large pattern on this door impart an impression of strength and age. The discolouration of the Wooden door by the rust from the hinges heightens this effect, and possibly no effort has been made to remove the stain for this reason. The base of the bouse is black, and the high-.pitehed roof is of slate. Slabs of stone have been utilised to make crazy pavement. Where a formal effect is desired, the interstices are concreted, but in other cases, and in this instance, the. grass is allowed to grow through. Bands formed by red brick* on end appear above the compo surface of the chimneys. Wing walls on either side, without "gates, allow glimpses of vistas of beautiful lawn. There is no front fence. Improvements might be made with advantage to some of the garages now being built in the suburbs. They are scarcely in keepine with the beautiful residences, costing £2OOO to £4OOO. which they serve. One of the gems of Fendalton is fin old English cottage in Holm wood road, in which the eaves have scarcely any overhang, and the windows have what architects call an "eyebrow" effect. Built with a roughcast exterior, this cottage has a shingle roof which has achieved the object sought of giving a thatchlike appearance. The ceilings are heavilv beamed, _ and antique bronze lamps' are used for lighting, while an old ship's lantern hangs in the front porch. A cottage such as this might hare delighted Brick paved paths and an old rustic bridge over a stream are also features of a home which is uniqu" for Chrisxehnreh, if not for Zealand. The cottage is occupied by Mr J. Bates, jun. Blind streets in residential areas are not alwars regarded with disdain, and Desmond' street, near Hagiey ParK, which is lined bv fine residences, t- ai: example of what quietude may be obtained in thi» way close to the buatt* of tnffi*