DWELLINGS AS THEY ARE AND AS THEY MIGHT BE.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 294, 14 August 1860, Page 4

DWELLINGS AS THEY ARE AND AS THEY MIGHT BE.

Mr. Joseph Dyer delivered a lecture at the School of Arts, on "Dwellings as they.are, and ias they might be." The attendance was limited. Mr. Caider occupied the chair. The lecturer opened his discourse with some prefatory remarks personal to himself and the course taken by him some four years ago, with regard to the subject of his lecture. He referred to the circumstance that the Quarterly Review devoted a considerable portion of its last number to reviewing upwards of twenty volumes just issued from the English Press on the subject of dwelling-houses for the people. The conclusions at which the reviewer had arrived were similar to those of the lecturer. Mr. Dyer read several extracts from the minutes of evidence recently taken before a select committee of the Legislative Assembly relative to the condition of the working classes. The effect of these extracts was to shew that the ''• dwelling' houses of the working glasses of 1 the city were altogether unfit for human habitations. . The lecturer cited the evidence of Mr. Justice Wise, to shew that unsuitable dwelling!houses, .and want of ■ homei 'comfort1 led ;to' itt-1

temperance. The opinion of Lord Shaftesbuvy was cited, to shew that an impure and malairious atmosphere -produced, a low physical condition, of body, and thus led to the use of stimulants. Mr. Dyer read some extracts from the last number of the Quarterly Review in advocaoy of the establishment of model dwelling-houses. The leoturer was in favor of building lofty houses rather than small cottages. An extract from one of Mr. Chambers' works, was read to shew the advantage of building houses on " flats" in preference to having the rooms for day use on one floor, and the sleeping rooms on another—the objection to this arrangement was that the air consumed during, the day in the lower rooms, ascended to the upper or sleeping rooms, and was inhaled after it had lost some of its vital property. He was surprised to fiud, in an almost tropical climate, the same style.of building as that which obtained, in the cold climates of Europe. He desired to see verandahs more in use in this colony. One of the chief causes of precosity' and depravity amongst the children of this city, was the result of their being so much in the streets. If the houses of the working classes were more comfortable —if they had verandahs —children might play under them, and be kept under the maternal eye. If he were a capitalist he should certainly. invest in the erection of improved dwellinghouses. It might be objected that if five or sis families lived under one roof, it would lead to personal inconveniences; this was not found to be the case in Scotland, where families were known to enjoy quite as much social isolation as in England. To afford the children in model dwelling-houses ample room for amusement, he would build to each story large balconies on which they might play and, be kept out of the street. The lecturer sketched out a plan by which model lodging-houses might be made not only very comfortable,' but also very remunerative. He had inspected Mr. Whittel's lodging-houses which he considered about the best of the kind in Sydney. He suggested the -purchase of Mrs. Terry's land in Pitt-street, and the erection thereon of model dwelling-houses. „..The lecturer proceeded to deal with the second portion of his subject—the erection of a sort of model lodging-house or club for the accommodation of single men. This was a speculation which would be sure to succeed. Mr. Dyer read a prospectus of a soheme of this kind. He had submitted to che Bishop of Sydney, the-Rev. Mr. Cuthbertson, and other gentlemen, and he might say it had met with their approval. The subject had occupied his attention for a long time, and he hoped it would occupy the attention of his hearers. The lecturer characterised the front of the School of Arts as a handsome dickey to a dirty shirt, and expressed a hope that before long better dwelling- house accommodation would be provided for the Secretary. A vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer, and the meeting dispersed.— Sydney Empire.