Wanted—"A Room of One's Own"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22741, 29 May 1937, Page 6 (Supplement)

Wanted —"A Room of One's Own"

r PHE recent discussion by the City Council on the need for one-roomed flats, draws attention to a problem which is becoming urgent. Perhaps the position is scarcely realised by those with homes of their own, but the shortage of accommodation for "roomers" must be nearly as acute as it is for houses. Scores of men and women who dislike the lack of freedom or the choice of food or some other aspect of boarding, prefer to take a room where they can live in independence and have tlio kind of meal they want. But to do this now, means a rent of from 12s 6d to £1 a week for one room alone. Add to that tho cost of

Here is a clever way of soloing the short lipstick problem: Melt the stick and dip match-ends in it. You'll be surprised at the clear-cut outline these "matches" give your lips.

three meals a day, light, heat, etc., and you have an expenditure which only a few can afford.

Yet even at 12s 6d, a room within the second section is usually either poor in size or doesn't fit the bill in regard to locality. Beyond the second section there is, of course, a much greater choice, but that means adding tram fares of three to five shillings a week to the rent, so that tho basic cost of tho room remains approximately tho same

In many cases, theso "bed-sitting-have a kitchenette attached.

By RAKIURA

' Some of these have to be seen to be | believed, and even the best of them i often consists of a mere alcove with a i tiny cooker and a more or less primi- . tivo wash-hand basin with a bench and ; perhaps a dingy cupboard. Bathrooms, ■ of course, have to be shared, and one i trembles sometimes to calculate just lioav many inhabitants of one household may have to depend on this essential part of the home. But, as landladies point out, they have their living to make, rents and taxes are high, and what are they to do'{ I have myself seen recently, dozens of these "bed-sitting-rooms." In size, of course, they vary, but many are small and without outlook, and frequently they lack a fireplace or even a point for a heater. Comfort under these circumstances is not particularly easy to attain, yet for tho sake of having, in tho words of Virginia Woolf, "a room of one's own," tho "roomers" put up I with the inconvenience. A room, particularly for a woman, seems to fill some inner need which for that particular type, is quite unobtainable in a boarding-house, however excellent it may be. Women need something they can call their own, something that holds the personal clement and that offers a certain amount of freedom and privacy in which to entertain friends. The need for a tremendous amount more accommodation of this kind is pressing, but with the present shortage of houses, the problem merely becomes more acute, so that any desirable room is snapped up practically as soon as it is advertised. Indeed, one lady to whom 1 was speaking the other day stated that by 7.45 a.m. a room she had advertised in that morning's Hkrai/d was taken. Another said that within two hours her bed-sitting-room was snapped up by a woman over tho 'phone, without even being seen 1 Four walls of their own, a fire, and independence—these are what the "roomers" seek. Attention to their problem merits serious consideration, and it is encouraging to note that the position has at least been given limelight by the City Council. But the chief—and only—help, ultimately, must be practical, and for tho sake of those who want a home of their own, however small, let us hopo it will be given.

are taking care of the food, and architects are now taking care of the noise, comments Miss Worthen. Doors and switches do not click, windows open and close without a sound, and kitchens and pantries are carefully separated from the wards. Floors are resilient; they deaden sound and rest the poor feet of the nurses. Instead of smooth, shiny surfaces that throw back the sound waves, walls have soft surfaces that absorb sound. Colour in floors and ceilings also does away with light reflection. Blues and greys and soft, absorbent surfaces absorb the light, and give that restful atmosphere that is such a boon to any patient.

Waiting-rooms, particularly outpatients' waiting-rooms, will occupy Miss Worthen's attention. She plans to mako them cheery instead of dreary, and provide comfortable chairs instead of hard benches. She says the waitingroom should be designed to put the patient in a good frame of mind by the time ho or she sees tho doctor.