HOME-BUYING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 741, 14 August 1929, Page 14

HOME-BUYING

Hints for Prospective Purchasers

There are even more things to think ‘ about when buying a house than when ; building. In building, the architect‘ and builder both watch the little de‘i tails, but in buying the purchaser hasl to watch all those little details him-‘ self. and to find out in his own way‘ whether the house is all it seems to be. Examine the rooms carefully, and test them in a. practical way. Are the walls sound-resisting, or would they interfere with the privacy of your home life? - It is most important that the walls of a house, both interior and exterior, should be, as near as possible. soundproof. Parents should be able to entertain at night without waking or disturbing the children. How can they be natural it every little noise penetrates a thin wall to disturb a sleeping baby or child? The bedroom walls particularly need attention, Movements and noises in the bedroom shbuld not disturb other people in the house. What is there more worrying than to be kept awake because someone in the next room has rome home late and opens a. squeaky door or drops a book? Other rooms. also. should not be annoyed by the romping of noisy childran at their games. Detective walls and floors are ten times worse after three years, so beware!

Are the drains in order? Does the loot leak anywhere? Are there plenty of cupboards? Are the floors strong, or is there any Sign 06 white ants or borer?

“'indows. too. should be thoroughly examined. If they are old. can they be proper-15' fixed so that they will not rattle in the least bit of wind. “'hat Is the exterior‘ brick Work iike? There are many kinds of bricks and many “drink their own weight in water." Avoid substances which will tend to dampness. ' These. and a. hundred other questions, the intending buyer should ask himself.

Don‘t be attracted by :1, pleasinglooking house. and then find that‘the root leaks over every bed and table: Examine it well beforehand. and you won't, have cause to regret the purrhase.

SENSIBLE ASH TRAYS

it was. of course. men who set afoot the theory that cigarette ash was good for carpets. Fortunately, just when the theory was on the point of being exploded. women took to cigarettes and the old idea was allowed to live. more or less unchallenged. The fact remains. however, that the dropping of cigarette ash about is an untidy and dirty habit. and is usually done only because es‘n trays are seldom at hand. The person who invented the ash tray fixed to a. ribbon of suede leather weighted at. each. end to lie on the arm of a chair may have thought he (or she) was a public benefactor. whereas no more horrible contrivance has ever been invented. No, the only possible ash trays which will ever save our carpets and rugs from doing duty as ash receivers are the type which are now fast coming into use—the kind which are 13in to 30in high; stand on a firm base. and which cani be set Within easy reach of oue‘Sl (hair. Many varieties of these ash receptacles are now available. some! of them 0! real decorative value. ,

A reinforced chimney STOft high was recently built by the \Veher Chimney Company, of Chicago. for a Japanese firm. At the bottom the outside diameter of the chimney is 42ft Sin. while at the top the inside diameter is 26ft 3iu. The shell is 29ft Gin thick at the bottom and Tin at the top. This huge stack rests on a. truncated cone of concrete 95ft in diameter at. the base, 42ft in diameter at the top, and 17ft high at the top, concaved to 7ft thick at the centre. The foundation contains 2,711 cubic yards of concrete, while the reinforcement required for the footing and chimney weighed 530 tons. Jam which has been laid aside and has got hard and sugaryaud unfit for use can be made as good as when newly made if.it is put into the oven for a. little while till the sugar melts, and then left to cool.

Oriental and other plates used for decorative effects may be securely hung by the following method:— String three strong white dress hooks on a. piece of cord. taking care that the hooks all face the same Way. Fix them at equal distances round the plate, so that the hooks clip on the edge and the string forms a triangle on the back of the plate. Draw the cord as tightly as possible and tie the ends very firmly. Make a. leap with the ends and hang on a brass-headed naill . To make a labour-saving polish for linoleum. dissolve one ounce of fine glue size in a pint of hot water. stirring with a stick until all is liquid. “'ash over linoleum first with a damp flannel. \Vhen quite dry apply the glue mixture all over. using a large dry flannel. Do not tread on the floor until it is dry. The result is a nice polish which Will last :1 long time.