MUNICIPAL HOUSES

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 42, 13 November 1920, Page 10

MUNICIPAL HOUSES

THE NORTHLAND SCHEME

COMMENTS BY WOMEN TOWN-PLANNERS

The Womon'e Committee of the Town Planning Association, which has specially interested itself in tlio housing question, passed the following resolution, at its fast meeting:—"Thai- wherever' public money is being used the house.; should Tic designed and tljo building supervised by a competent architect " The presidout of the committee (Dr. Platts-Mills) and the general soiu-tary of tlio association (Air. R. Hill) hi-ve addressed a loiter on tlio subject to tin' Mayor and members of' the C ity Cornell, from, which thn following cxtrncls arc mado:"-

"On behalf of the Town 7'lanning Association, wo desiro to congratulate tlio council upon its choice of n ■ ]iositiori at Northland for municipal houj-es, close to tho city and yet sufficiently far away to avoid all (lie unpleasantness of city life, a matter of the greatest imporlnneo wtore voung children art) concerned. Thei anpeot 3.? sunny and bright, tho outlook beautiful. . . .. AVe were, pleased to sen that a portion of the land is In bo sot aside as a resting place and playing ground for young children, and to hear the provision that is to bo made ft.r their safety in this little reserve. This will bo o. great boon in_ I future, ■ when, doubtless, every available tp.ice will be built upon. W hope to see the example of the council followed widely, ai'd small playing areas for children set nsido at, frequent intervals in all future planning*.

"The houses themselves wrro reiy invourably commented ■> pon, awl the architect is congratulated upon his effort to include all that is possible to givo comfort and save labour. In this connection the roomy built-in cupboards, and tho kitchen appointments, were specially admired. Here and there, however, are anomalies that point to a lack of co-or-dination between designer and builder. In two of tho houses-tho sHiing-cooin van completely spoilt by lack of window space; both sunshine, and a jlorious view were shut out by placing the only wuhlow in tho room in the wrong pisii'On. J his was so obvious an firor as to slrilco a depressing noto immediately upon entering the room. Some bedrooms had casement windows with no transom above, making it difficult to give without draught. All casement windows should have pusli-out transoms above, and all windows thonld be livido to open. The committee understands that in Some cases.tlio window space was reduced owing to expense; but it considers s that it would bo wiser to economise m tlio matter of door furnishings (bandies, otc) and tilos for tho grate, both ot which are good'"and suniewjiat ol.H.ar? U', rather than to shut out the sunshine anil the view, by cutting dywa tlio window space. , , "Another important error has been made in the neglect of tho lines so nccessarv for a Tvcll-pl&nncrl I'om. All doors should be the samo liciglit and picture mouldings should be placed at .the level of tho top of tho door frames. Iho wall ,papors, bn ilie wliolo, 'Aore aoinirsil, but flomc introduced a distinctly ia.-rnng roto, which might easily he avo«.led. It is considered that- economy could ho nuitfe iu v .using clio same pat\cniccr f.ei.uig papers throughout *i ie houses, ard eo purchasing in-bulk; thvre must bc considerable wastage in purchasing scpsifite papers, etc., for ct-ch li.ivse, and the matter is not conjjidorocj. to ho' a wise one. Tho interior littings, door etc., are of handsome design, nrid in good taste, and tho grain of tho wood was greatly admired. Oilintr the wood' improves its. beauty— varnish-destroys it. The kitchen arrangements are excellent. There should 1)« nocupboards under the sink.;, they are oarK. dillicuH to clcan, alTfl are m ttro way n the trap requires attention. Shelves aro preferablo. regret, to seo the combination cS\inuhroonr Snd Uraatory. Jt is not only inconvenient, but unpleasant and unhygienic, and although popular amongst a certain class of builders, is not in any wav to bo commended.,. ; ( . : , "on'. the "whole, we again congratulate von, sirs, upon the siicccss nehioved- so far at Northland. Although for many reasons it is impossible to build ideal houses at the present time, we must aim as high as possible, and in ovory ease, if sacrifico bo necessary, it must be in the direction of appearances, rather than (hat of health, comfort, and convenience.