RAILWAY COMFORT

WOMEN & CHILDREN

GENEROUS FORETHOUGHT

Wellington has waited a long, long time for its newr railway station, but now it is an accomplished - fact it is truly "some station," and its provision for women and children is "notable. All the arrangements show a generous forethought for the comfort and convenience of women and the safety and happiness of children. . Presumably the. idea is that all parents travelling: with children, whether mothers coming in from the suburbs or from up-country, either to spend a day in town or to pause while waiting for ferry steamer, plane, or Home boat, may find a safe and happy place for their children to be cared for if they wish to leave them while they are occupied in the city. . THE CHILDREN'S QUARTERS. The children's area is entered through pale green wrought-iron gates in open design, but quite impervious to any adventurous little spirits who might want to investigate on their own. The first door opens on the room given up to the care of the little wardrobes. Coats and hats have little coathangers and hooks in professional style, each adorned with some animal, and the card given to the parent has the animal inscribed on it, so there is no need for names or confusion. There is ample room for a large number. Opposite is the first sleep room,, for infants; pale blue and green in colours, warm, comfortable, safe, and with matching cots with the latest equipment. Another sleep room is for the older children, with a- lively dado of fascinating animals, and an observation place for'the nurse to see that all is well with the more lively visitors. The large nursery is a wonderful place, high above the trains, which are always such a fascination for little boys and girls, and-with graduated steps up to the wide windows, which are protected, outside with iron bars. There is a wonderful view of shipping, harbour, and mountains from this room, and all the sun that Wellington is favoured with must shine into it. Primrose and palest- green are the' colours favoured, and there is a wide blackboard set in the wall so that those who want to draw their infantile designs can do so without doing any harm, for a cloth will remove everything. On the dadoes and on all the curtains are charming studies of animals,'" so no end of fun can be "gbt out; of them when there is nothing else to do. Folding glass doors lead to the play area on the roof, which is guarded by a wire fence, impervious to the best efforts of the adventurous and too small in the mesh for' a foothold. There is a sand-pit where the little ones will have the most entrancing silver sand to play with, and at one side is a shelter for tricycles, scooters, and other joys of the small boy. The kitchenette has'an electric stove, a refrigerator, and a steriliser for bottles and food vessels of all kinds. This has wall cupboards, and a steel sink, and every possible modern convenience. This can be said of the lavatories, as they are adapted perfectly for the little visitors, and there is' a. supply of hot and cold water for the basins. The nurses' office has its desk and other fittings, and in the linen cupboard, besides the usual equipment, there are rompers and oVeralls for the guests to use while in the nursery. The kindergarten furniture is of the latest type, with chairs arid tables 'in' assorted colours, blue, red, green,; mauve, etc. The primrose and Rreen tones are adhered to in most of t'.ie rooms, while the cork linoleum is 0* matching tones. FOR WOMEN TRAVELLERS. The women's warm and charming waiting-room is a delightful place. This room is panelled in heart of New Zealand'beech, a strikingly beautiful wood, and the circular mirrors are framed with the same wood. The chairs are upholstered in brown .leather, and a writing table is provided. There is an artistic fireplace with, a very modern clock above it; the clocks throughout the building are as interesting as those

in Broadcasting House in London, all electric, and of interesting and unusual designs. The lavatories in this [ part are very well arranged, and all the hand basins have hot and cold water, soap powder, and paper towels. Upstairs there is a very modern drawing-room, for people who are spending some time waiting and get their meals in the dining-room. There is a large, handsome circular table and small matching ones, three chesterfields, and comfortable padded chairs, all well upholstered. Primrose and brown are the leading colours, the curtains being the same with bordering of henna. All the curtains and materials everywhere were imported from England. Chromium fit--j tings are used everywhere, and the most modern of lighting, diffused bu: ample for reading or writing. The radiators are all covered with carved and polished wood, so there is nothing to be seen but what is artistic and pleasant. Next to the drawing-room there is a small hospital, which is Btted in modern style with ambulance supplies. The lavatories on this floor have baths, including one-for infants, all with hot and cold water, showers, and plunges. Reseda,-Chinese red, arid black are alj used ".with- discretion in the decor, and show up the plain primrose tones of the floor and walls. The whole scheme.is such as to call for cordial congratulations for the men who designed -it entirely, except for a few.adopted suggestions made by Dr.-Cnamptaloup and Miss Enid Wilson (Free Kindergarten), who had been. asked7.to7look .over the arrangements and. criticise them. STAFF ACCOMMODATION. The staff girls and women are fortunate people. They have a delightful room on the'fourth floor.with a loggia outride. .'This is -fitted : with a long counter,,tea and coffee urns, and with good washing-up:.arrangements with steel sinks. There is. a restroom, quiet and; tasteful,; an -^'excellent' place for coats and hats, all with proper hangers, while the lavatories are fitted with hot and cold water.' An automatic lift is provided for the sole use of the girls and; the mothers who are taking the children to their rooms, so there.is jjo . dragging up long stairs for anybody. The large staff room is suitable for entertainments and dances. THE MAIN DINING-ROOM. Very finished indeed was the main dining-room today with- long tables with immaculate-• white cloths, and vases for the-opening affair. Hanmer marble is ■ round, - the -walls: in dado fashion, with bronze caps and bases. The walls are sbft * green, and the chairs brown.with green leather seats. The cork' linoleum is''iri.y these tones also. A long polished sideboard is on one side of the room, and the windows are handsomely- curtained,1 while the lighting is-particularly artistic, in opal and chromium ..fittings. A peep into the kitchen showed two cooks, in white cpps -and suits; already at work,7 while, imany-.waiters and waitresses were doing ytheir. part. The main cooking -is by gas' and steam, with a special electric stove for pastry and cakes. ■ What would appeal to most women is the good arrangement for the continual removal' pf refuse, which is put into a container which moves on and is replaced by another. There are electric dish washers, sandwich and bread cutters, ice cream cans, and it would be difficult to think of anything that was' left out. There is a little room for preparing vegetables, an immense pot washer, a linen cupboard, basement store-rooms, and manager's and head waitresses' rooms. The public cafeteria has chairs and tables in red and black, with a good serving counter to , match. - \ Greatchromium urns.and fittings add much to-the appearance of -these rooms, which are entered from the platforms and are easy of access. Patriotic Wellingtonians will be glad indeed that the reproach of many years will be removed from the city, for the discomfort, in eaflier days was undoubtedly very great, and makes the present contrast the more delightful and gratifying to city pride.

A teaspoonful of lemon juice, put into the water in which rice is being boiled, will make1 it white and keep the grains separate.