Utilizing of River Sand.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43386, 10 November 1908, Page 2

Utilizing of River Sand.

I N view of the increasing activity of the building trade, and also of he sensible increase in the cost of timber, it is satisfactory to learn of a remarkably clever appliance which has been introduced into the Dominion, and also into our own town, in the shape of a contrivance for transforming our common river sand into building material. We refer to the new cement bricks now on sale at Messrs Rowe and Devey’s establishment. These bricks, composed of river sand and cement posses peculiar recommendations. Being 20in long by 10 wide and 9 high, they are equal to 15 ordinary bricks. They are hollow so as to insure air space, and they are very d urable. Not only can they be used for building a house throughout, but, the chimneys can be moulded in cylindrical sections, reinforced,-and. the inside of the walls may. be papered directly on the brick. Elegant design- are moulded for the ornamental portion of buildings, for the lintel and base, wash-houses can have their copper built in and their floors laid down in 'this this material, and baths can be constructed and finished with an enamel surface. It is practicable foi .a house of four rooms to be built by four men in one week, out of these bricks, in fact it is being done. Two men with the one machine can tuin out 100 bricks per hour, equal to 1,500 ordinary bricks. The bricks work out at, 10s P er hundrea cheaper than ordinary bricks. It will thus be seen that this industry has a very great future befoie it. For flooring for cowsheds, for garden paths and gutters, for walla and grave fences, for drains an# steps they are in valuable,and wil certainly have a great demand in the near future

Messrs Rowe and Devcy invite: inspection of the coin ir which they have built up in these bricks to show ,vhat can be done.