INDOORS AND OUT

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 266, 5 August 1932, Page 6

INDOORS AND OUT

During the past twenty-five years about £60,000,000 has been spent in Britain in repairs to public buildings made necessary by the decay of stonework caused by atmospheric impurities. a • • Timber Trade Improving. Large numbers of inquiries and an unusually substantial proportion of cash payments for orders are reported by Wellington timber merchants. They state that, within the past month, trade has improved to a marked extent. It is expected in several- quarters that the increased activity in the Industry may shortly reflect itself in an upward price movement. New Building in Dunedin. _ announced In Dunedin that negotiations have been completed for a valuable property in George Street to change hands, and that definite arrangements have been made to proceed with the construction of premises suitable for all kinds of social functions. The deal, which completed recently, involves a freehold property between Hanover and Frederick Streets. The new owners announce that an expenditure of close on £20,000 will be involved. Without Benefit of Subsidy. A prominent Wellington wholesale and retail firm was pleasantly surprised tlds week when it received tenders for several hundreds of pounds worth of alterations for the purpose of earthquake resistance. So moderate were the prices quoted that it has been decided to proceed with the work without the benefit of the subsidy on labour. Resin as a Varnish. , . „ Recently ways have been found of so modifying resin that it is in china wood oil for example. This combinatlon yields a varnish similar in an respects to ordinary varnishes, but possessing greater durability, hardness, elasticity, resistance to water, and so on. Not only does the new type varnish possess these valuable qualities, but it can be made to dry hard for a second coat in a time comparable with that required by lacquers.* * Staircase Appearances. The modern house, especially of that type which is built on a plan of somewhat limited area, brings the staircase into prominence as soon as the front door is opened. This is a part of the house which can be either dignified or drab, according to the care which is exercised in regard to its furnishing. Wooden stair rods are now more popular than brass, but many women prefer carpet clippers, which are fixed at each side of the carpet, and obviate the unpleasantness —an’d danger—of the carpet slipping. With these simple but ingenious devices there is no accumulation of dirt as there is beneath stair rods, so that the business of cleaning the staircase is materially simplified.