HEARTH AND HOME

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18678, 29 April 1926, Page 4

HEARTH AND HOME

(By Builder.) "Builder" invites contributions from readers on any matter of interest which they might like to propose. Correspondence on tariotis subjecta pertainin* building will also be accepted. NOTES. At 4 p.m. on May 6th tenders close for additions in wood to Church, Heathcote. Messrs S. and A. Luttrell are the architects. The date on which tenders will close with Messrs Dawe and Willis for the municipal concert hall has been altered to May 4th at 4 p.m. Messrs Collinß and Harman, architects, will receive tenders until 4 p<m. to-morrow for additions to hous© in Fulton avenue, Fendalton. An old-style Maori chapel will be built in wood at Te Waipounamu College, Ferry road. Tenders will be received until 4 p.m. on May 4th at the office of Mr It. Lovell-Smith, 134 Hereford street.

Mr G. W. Haines, architect, 176 Hereford street, is calling tenderefor tho erection of a residence in Riocarton. They close at 4 p.m. to-morrow. For painting and decorating the Masonic Hall, Gloucester street, tenders will be received by England Bros., architects, 169 Hereford street, until 12 o'clock on Saturday. Up till noon yesterday the erection of 58 houses had been authorised by the City Council for the month of April. These figures justify an anticipation that those for the complete month will be nearly a record. Several of the dwellings will be over, £IOOO in value. Mr F. Williamson, has secured the contract for additions to Ballin brothers' factory in Byron street, Sydenham. These will involve an outlay of £2500. A four-storev building will t>e erected shortly in Colombo street west, near Kincaid's, for. Mr J, A. Redpath. The building will be used for shops and offices.

Scientists have just discovered that radium exists in the trunks of petrified trees found in Western Colorado, and a process has been perfected for the extraction of thi3 most precious of all metals, which promises to increase the world's meagre supply.

As the winter approaches the number of labourers for- the building trade alshows an increase, but many of the men offering apparently do not appreciate that the occupation pf building trades labourer may be really classed as semi-skilled. A greater degree of skill nnd special knowledge is required by the bricklayer's labourer, and it is .therefore not surprising that the demand for this class of labour frequently, exceeds the supply. This, at any rate, Is the experience of Christchurcb builders.

Additional safety precautions against the collapse of buildings, aTe being enforced by the City Engineer. Architects designing new shop and office buildings in the City are now required to submit to the City Engineer's office, details showing the basis of their calcultaione on such aspects as strains, stresses, loads, reinforcement, and quality of concrete. Previously they had been required to supply particulars in the design showing th 6 result of their calculations, bub it was not customary to show figures concerning how they attained their conclusions. Trunks of elm trees which were used in London more than 100 years ago as water-pipes, have been discovered in Bed Lion square, and Devonshire street, Holborn. By the early part of last century tho New River Company had laid underground many miles of wooden pipes for distributing water in the metropolis, and those found in Holborn probably formed a part of their system. The trunks, which were discovered about two feet bolow the surface of the road by mem engaged in excavation work preparatory to the laying of an electric cable,"were in a good state of preservation. They were in lengths of about eight feet, and had a bore of fiom six to eight inches. Similar trunks have bean found in different parts of Lon<Jon in recent years. Mr Rodney Alsop, P.E.1.8.A., of Melbourne, receutly made a long tour of Southern Europe. In Italy he wandored among the celebrated villa gardens, and found beauty in many unique forms which will inspire some contemplated house and garden designs here. The Italians appeared to him to excel in the fearless use of colour in their ex-1 terior designs, and in the marvellously painstaking carvings and paintings of the interiors. From the colour contrasts much was learned to show that we have been too timorous, in . this bright climate, in the use of bold tints. Reds, oranges, blues, and violets, are freely used by Mediterranean builders, and in our climate these can be emulated by the doft and practised designer. But in" the past we have been bound too much to the English tradition of quiet tones, which are far too sombre in our strong sunlight.—Australian "Home Beautiful."

WORLD'S OLDEST TREE. Attention has recently .been directed to what is believed to be the oldest tree in the world—the famous bald cypress in the Cemetery of Santa Maria del Tule, a small village in Oaxaca, Mexico. Eminent botanists have estimated the age of this tree as between 5000 and 6000 years (says the "Newcastle Weekly Chronicle"). Professor Asa C*ray, an American scientist, made his calculation of its age by examining another bald cypress which had been felled. He found 670 consecutive rings on a section of trunk measuring only 14ft in circumference, or 4ft Bin in diameter. The Santa Maria cypress is 26ft in diameter. Its age, as reckoned by him at 5000-6000 years, is much greater than that of the famous Oratava dragon tree at Teneriffe, 4500 years; a sequoia tree in California, 4000 years; and a tree in Senegal, also estimated at 4000 years. How fleeting seems the life of man, with his three score ears and ten, compared writh that of some of these veterans of the vegetable creation which were growing green 2000 years before the birth of Christ, and are still in the land of the living.

DESIGN COMPETITIONS.

ONE RESULT CRITICISED

(By W.H.W.)

All of those with a love of good architecture, a desire for the preservation of its beat characteristics, and its future development on Bound lines, wll be very disappointed with the nevr Arts building at the Auckland UniverSlt |ho idea has often been emphasised that if architects have not enough originality to design something fresh, they should be content to use historic forms, accordng to tradition and artistic precedent, and not contort beautiful details into weird conceptions of their own, and call the result an architectural design. Such a practice may bo followed by new members of the profession, either out of bravado or ignorance, in ordinary work; but that they should have any chance of success in open competition is a mockery and a scandal, and should not be tolerated either by those who know better, or by the community. If this design is the best that was offered, it is certainly not good enough in elevation to have the distinction of actual erection as a building of such importance. If the plan were so extraordinarily good as to win premier place in the competition for its authors, in spite of this dreadful elevation, then it was worth the while and the expense of those in authority obtaining another elevation to fit it. As it is, the conception has no dignity, grace of line, beauty of proportion, or purity of detail.

No wonder the Newcastle , Council (N.S.W.) recently allotted the work of designing its new town hall to a prvate architect instead of calling for a competition, if competitions are going to result in such work as this. The Councillors do know that they are getting something architectural, wherefis they never know what strange influences adjudicators will respond to. The irony about this design is that the adjudicator, Professor Wilkinson, was the selected member of the architectural profession to award it premier place, but it would be safe to say that not another member of the profession would subscribe to his decision. We would advise the University authorities promptly to bring about its demolition ere it is finished, as otherwise they must become and remain the lailsihing-stock of the Dominion. Attention might be drawn to the fact that Auckland will be in good company as patrons of "frenk" architecture, as Newman College, Melbourne, is even more atrocious than the Auckland University building, and Sydney is not by any means free from extraordinary architecture. .

CARE OF PICTURES. DIRECTIONS FOR CLEANING. Pictures are not cared for nearly as much as they deserve. Too often they are hung up as soon as the tenant enters the house, dusjted occasionally, and now and then have the glasa washed and the frames wiped. To look their best, pictures need as much attention as the rest of your furniture. They should be dusted frequently with a soft cloth that will not mar the frames, and both the frames and glass washed at regular intervals. To wash the gloss of pictures, dust first very carefully, then take a small basin"of warm water to which has been added one tablespoonful of methylated spirits. Wash the glass with this, flrsL wringing your cloth fairly dry, taking especial care to remove all stains or flymarks. Dry with a soft cloth and, if you like, give a final polish with a chamois leather. Ebony frames should be washed in warm, soapy water and rinsed with clean water. In each case wring your cloth out fairly dry, for too much moisture will sJ>oil the frame. A final rub over with furniture polish or pure olive oil will give it a good appearance and tends to preserve the wood. Gilt and Brass. Gilt frames need careful attentioni Dust them carefully and wash with a sponge wrung out of. equal quantities of methylated spirits and water. Polisli with n chanlois leather. If the frame is very dirty, peel two or three onions and boil them, in a pint of water. Strain the liquid through a fine muslin and use it while it is Warm. This is excellent and will also keep away flies. Frames of inferior gilt will not stand more than careful dusting with a soft brush. Any piece,that may have slipped off can be covered with a little gold paint. If you have brass picture chains, do not leave them for long without attention, as they soon get discoloured. If thiß happens, brush off all the dust and put them into a hasin of boiling water to which a handful of soda has been added. When the water is ooltl. take them out and wash them with soap and hot water. Rinse them and hang them up to dry, giving a final polish with a chamois leather.

BORER PEST. USE OF CREOSOTE. "Builder" has received a communication from H. R. Wilkinson, Chertsey, asking a number of questions on mat-j ters vitally affecting many house-] owners. The enquiries are as follows:—! (1) What would be the approximate cost—labour excluded—of creasoting every piece of timber used in, say, the! average five-roomed bungalow? (2) How would this treatment affect the surface in reference to painting, staining, etc.? (3) Do you think this treatment would make the building borer-proof? (4) In general, what do you think ot the idea—its advantages and disadvantages? The reply of "Builder" to these queries is as follows: — (1) Cost of creohot© would amount to approximately £6O. (2) No oil painting or could be done on top of the stain left by using creosote. (3) Such treatment would undoubtedly be the most effective guarantee known against borer. (4) An answer to this question will be given in a special article to appear in next week's "Hearth and Home" columns.

"Xi u shalt be _ served thyself by ev / sense of service which thou rcnderest" so sings "NO-RUBBING HELP." _ —3

UPSTAIRS SHOPS.

NEW VENTURES IN SYDNEY. (rftOM CUE owS corßespokdekt.) SYDNEY, April 22. Upstairs shops serve to strike yet another new note in Sydney's changing life. The aim is so to equip theui as °to make them as popular as the shops with their fronts now on th© street levels. While Sydney shoppers are eomewhat conservative in regard to changes of this sort, the new idea, if it can be popularised, will at least be 01 pecuniary benefit to men who are puttin" their capital into city business premises, for it stands to reason that) if a row of shops, resplendent with brilliant lighting and attractive to look at, can be got within the compass of one building, it is likely to be more profitable than buying up portion or a street at the present extraordinary prices for city property. The first of the upstairs shops in the citv was opened in Pitt street a couple •of"years ago. They occupied three floors of a building partly used for. a bank. The shops, built atid equipped on the most modern lines, faced spacious corridors on each floor. As upstairs shops have now made their appearance in one or two other quarters of the city, it can be assumed that the original venture has proved a success. Now George street is to have its upstairs shops. The measure of success which attends them will be watched with special interest by property interests, for the location 6f them is not as advantageous as the busy shopping block between King and Market streets, which is the site of Sydney's pioneer upstairs shops. The latest Upstairs shops will be opposite Margaret street, a comparatively quiet thoroughfare nowadays, running down from Church Hill and connecting with George street and with Pitt street, through Hunter street. While, however, it is used to-day mainly by traffic to the inter-state and coastal shipping wharves. Margaret street will be a very busy thoroughfare in a year or two, for it will lie one of the main outlets from one of the principal underground railway stations. It is safe to assume, therefore, that it is the potential value of this neighbourhood as a shopping centra, rather than its existing value, that has been responsible for the erection of Sydney's latest upstair* shops in this quarter; The block will have five floors of modern shops.

THE BUILDER'S SOLILOQUY. To cut, or not to cut, that is the queat. tion. Whether 'Us not better in the end To let the chap who knows riot the worth ' Have the work at cut-throat price, Or, To take up'arms against his competition, And, by opposing cut for cut, end it. To cut —and by cutting put the other cutter Out of business —'tis a consummation Devoutly to be wigh'd. 'To Cut—to slash— Perchance myself to get it in the neck— Ay, there's the rub; for when one starts To meet the other fellow's price, 'tis like as not He'll find he's up against it good and hard. ! To cut and slash is not to end the confusion, And the many evils the trade is pestered with; Nay, nay, Pauline; 'tis but the forerunner Of ./debt and mortgage such course portends. 'Tis well to get the price the work, is worth, And not be bullied into doing it For what So-and-so will do it for. Methinks I'll make N the customer understand . ' My work is It, the only It worth having; < j And, having him on the String, I'll clinch the argument with fine specimens; i ThUs will I gather good business. Price-cutting doth appear unseemly, , And lit only for the man who knows not | What Ms work is worth, and who, ore | long, By very stress of making vain com- j parison Twixt bank account and liabilities, Will make his exit from the business.

STEEL OFFICES. MANY ADVANTAGES. Foremost, among ,the reasons to which must be attributed the Tapidly increasing demand for nll-steel equipment in both large and, small commercial buildings is undoubtedly the security it affords against the outbreak of fire and the minimising of the disastrous results attending upon a serious conflagration, should one occur in spite of precautions, A building cannot be deemed thoroughly fire-resisting so long as combustible materials are employed for interior fittings and furniture. The property of fire-resistance, so eminently possessed by steel furnishing equipment, is, however, by no means its sole recommendation. Steel is essentially a permanent material, and even under rough wear-and-tear the appliances constructed from it suffer much less from depreciation than do those of more fragile composition. This obviously means a considerable reduction in ultimato cost, which really counts for more than initial outlay. Other general advantages that may justly be attributed to steel furniture, provided, of course, that the constructional methods and workmanship in production are sound, include durability, protective qualities against water, dirt, rats, and other destructive vermin, strong resistance powers against thieves, and immunity from effects of climatic conditions. In addition, there are also the numerous particular advantages attached to separate pieces of furniture and fittings, such, for instance, as the great assistance rendered to the systematic organising of offices when provided with specially designed filing derices, store shelving, cabinets, etc. The manufacture of metal furniture ind fittings covers such an extensive iange that the "all-steel" office can, if desired, now become an accomplished fact. The modern productions in metal (asements and sashes, single or double steel doors and frames, metal partitions, j (tc., make it possible for structural finl iihings in steelwork to be adopted in- ! siead of the ordinary timber joinery, j-while as regards interior equipment tlere is practically no limit to the available items, which include counter fionts and screens, safes, and strongroom door's, desks, office tables, chairs, filing cabinets of many types, cupbjards, lockers, shelving,, plan-'files and drawers, paper baskets and trays, ote.