House Boats.

Manawatu Herald, 23 December 1897, Page 2

House Boats.

Through the medium of the English illustrated papers our readers must be aware of the fascination that the house boat on the river Thames has for English people. And no wonder, when the matter is considered, as these boats are fitted up on punts with all the conveniences and handy contrivances to be found in yachts, and families live in perfect comfort and safety on them aa long as they choose. The houseboat to oar mind is an ideal summer residence, as not only is there a staging fore and aft and raised but < slightly above the water level, but the whole cabin accommodation is decked over and railed, making a small promenade and evening lounge. On a hot summer's evening to listen to the ripple of running water past your premises is most enjoyable and cooliog. The house boat demands likewise no arbitrary station ; it is towed by horse power to any spot desired by the inhabitants, and there remains until there is a desire for a change. The busy Londoner arranges for his house- boat to be at some spot on the Thames easily reached by one of the railway lines, and he then runs down of an evening to join his family. Could not such an institution be established on this river ? We think so, and believe it would certainly catch on. We were led to think this matter out by watching Mr Bauckhara building the flax punt he is at present engaged on. In it there is the shell of the future house boat, and if the punt waa made slightly wider and shallower the expense would not be any more, we should think, than that of building a cottage, and thon you have the choice of miles of sites where your house could be from day to day. We may imagine a houseboat, not too daintily fitted up, say with one large cabin for mealing and sleeping in, a smaller cabin aft for a ladies room, and a small kitchen with & kerosene stove, and there you have ample accommodation for holiday makers. The house-boat could be at the Foxton wharf, and then the occupiers would have only to step from the train into it, and afcer having duly provisioned and made themselves comfortable, could drift and pole to any desired spot on the river. Foxton need not be the only place of embarkation, as the houseboat could be sent to the Shannon Ferry or the Wirokino Ferry. The possibilities are great, as the fact of living on the river would hava far greater attraction to people than to change their residence on land ; the novelty would be great, and it certainly would be a more pleasing way of passing a holiday, as bathing and fishing would be at your door, and there would be, during residence, a freedom from dust. A houseboat would be in request for many months in the year, as after the six holiday months there would ba the shooting season. The idea is one that is worth thinking out, and could be tried without the expenditure of much capital.