MISTRESS AND MAID.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1020, 9 January 1911, Page 9

MISTRESS AND MAID.

A BOLD EXPERIMENT AT THE : , GARPEIf CITY. . All those who are not so completely ongrossed by present-day affairs as to bo unable at odd moments to cast a- glance in the direction of England that is to be, in their vision of the future see the Garden ' City of. Letcliworth complete and thriving. ' They do not see it as I saw it yesterday—writes our representative—cold and comfortless in a drive of sleet, shut in by mists, and more, than normally subdued by reason of an enthusiastic acquiescence in the principle of early closing. But optimists and seers are not concerned with such details as muddy roads and dripping umbrellas. While I —1 also saw in the Garden City a place from which the future would reap the results of bold and splendid experiments ill. one of the most vital of all national affairs: tho housing of the people. For it was to witness tho inauguration of sucli an experiment that We had come down from London to be present at the ceremonial opening by Lady Aberdeen of "Homesgarth," the venture of'the Lctch- . worth Co-operative Houses, Limited. We came. to watch the beginning of a cooperative movement which may prove more revolutionary in its development than even the garden city ideal itself. It is'an experiment which aims at nothing "less than a solution of tho domestic servant problem.! An experiment, which seeks, on the one hand, to raise the status and to lighten the burden of the servant, and 011 the other to givo to householders tho economic advantages of a modified communal basis of living. In the concise terms of' the prospectus of the company—' :■ This projcct will commend itself to tho .mistress, because'(a) it obviates the necessity, of engaging private domestic service, witfi the anxiety and expense which'that necessity involves;'(b) her home, except during a very short-time in the day, will-l be occupied only by those whom she chooses as her 'personal friends and companions, and (c) she will be relieved of the frequent calls of tradesmen soliciting orders, since, the daily task of planning and preparing meals will be the business of the coMliion kitchen department. A greater variety of food-will also in this way be -obtainable, all labour and dirt incidental to the use of open fires may be avoided, and time saved for -more congenial occupations/. The: project will commend itself to the maid, because it will give her greater freedom and companionship, since the nature of her work arid-her hours will bo clearly defined, and she will be associated with others of her own sex and, age. Domestic service under these conditions will assume a new interest and dignity, which will mean higher efficiency. . The resultant economies which are expected are: (1) Saving in respect of wages and of maintenance and accommodation for domestic servants. (2) Saving in kitchen space and contingent expenses. (3) Reduction of work in cleaning and dusting. (4-) Reduction in cost of e'oal and such other commodities as may be purchased at wholesale prices, "Homesgarth" is not yet complote. The administrative building is there, and there are eight houses' Ultimately tlip buildings will form three sides of a quadrangle and a. part o£ the fourthlike a college square. Every house will bo

connected with the administrative building, where arc the common dining and tea-rooms, tho reading-room and smokingroom, by means of a cloister-way. Fireplaces are provided in all rooms for ventilation, and 10. enable those who wish to have open fires;, but each house is heated frgm-a central source. Other ser- ! 5 obtainable from tho. administrative ! department include telephone, garage for [ cycles, box-room accommodation, coal storage, and. window-cleaning. The four acres upon- which the houses stand are to afford facilities for tennis and croquet, and tho administration departments will be responsible for the maintenance of rhe lawns and gardens. Lady Aberdeen, Sir Richard Stapley, and -Mr. Ebenezer Howard—the pioneer of the city—all gave their blessing to tho undertaking, and Mr. Howard held out the promise that, while the present <?x----pfirimsnt was'designed for the "comfort?bly oft,' the principle was bound to adapt itself to the still more urgent requirements of less fortunate folk. Lady Aberdeen made no attempt to conceal tho fact that she could see the idea taking root and blossoming exceedingly in Ireland, and, indeed, warned Letchworth to look to iti laurels'.