MR. EDISON'S PLAN FOR CHEAP DWELLINGS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 60, 29 February 1908, Page 4

MR. EDISON'S PLAN FOR CHEAP DWELLINGS

HAS iIK HIT I*PON A PRACTICAL SCHEME ? Hitherto the great drawback to housebuying has been the cost of the house. Certain classes lind they have to pay from live to eighth undred pounds for a dwelling-place, and in many eases they decide it is heyond their means, and go oil paying rent. Now Air. Thomas Kdison. the wizard, of America, nnnounee* that lie has disposed of this didicutly by inventing a method whereby an eight or nine-roomed house r.m be built for C2DO.

Mr, Kdison's method is. one of marvellous simplicity. There are neither bricks nor beams nor slates used in his house, ami it cun be erected with le-s than a t« nth part of the labor expended in the ordinarv way.

Mr. Ivlisiiu's scheme (-.ills for the Use ill' concrete—a iiiKture of cement. sand, and crushed stiiiic. The inventor s making it «'t »f nickel-plated moulds tile sliapi- of tlit' house. These will lie set up ami )'asl enoil with trusses. Thai the concrete is to he pumped int i these moulds liy compressed air froiii two cylinders. The How of concrete into the moulds must lie rapid and continuiius, otherwise a line would appear wherever stoppi'd.

.HtiT left for six days. 'I"''" 1 !-' which tinii' till' concrete sets hard. tin 1 iron moulds tlic I a Ufii away. and tilhouse >1 mills llieri' complete. with nothing lsit-kiiifr siivc wooden frames for doors. windows, etc. 11l another six ikiv.-. siiys Mr. I'Mison, tin' house will !,!•' il rv mill lit for habitation. Not only will tin' walls, floors, lireplaces, chimneys. ami roofs lie tli'is made from concrete. but baths ami simiuar lixtures will lie east in plan's, ami pipes for heating and carrying electric wires will lie ]ilaeeil in position, before the eouerete is puni]ieil into til moulds ami then surrounded liv the m;iti-i-1 of which the hiiuse is liuilt.

.Mr. Kdison says any design can ii'; 1 ollowed- it is onlv a i[iicstiou of mak- 1 u- the moulds of'different shapes. ]tut ' lie is having tlie lirst made in the style t nf Francis 1., richly decorated with do -igiin that would be prohibitive because of their cost if they were made in stoe.e. The walls will be twelve, ten, and -ix i inches thick in various parts. The W- ! tcrior w ill lie handsomely orn nucule I. ! making no further decor.itioii iieee-.-iry after the niimlds are removed. The roofs will imitate tiling, and can V- ; colored to suit the owner's taste, an I j the interior can also lie colored to add ' to 1 lie ell'ect. The house will contain nine rooms an i a cellar, and will lie three storeys high.