BUILDING HOUSES BY THE MILE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9704, 29 January 1910, Page 4

BUILDING HOUSES BY THE MILE.

Under this title there appears in the American "Review of Reviews" a sketch of "Roadtown," a new system of dwelling construction, devised by Mr Edgar S. Chambless, of New York Ciiy. Perhaps it may be somewhat anomalously described as a skyscraper laid on its side. This continuous house will provide its tenants with water, heat, light, power, and transportation. A noiseless railroad will take the place of an elevator. By such organisation men will be able to live in the country at the rent now paid for second-rate city apartments, and enjoy all ti;e benefits of electric power, light, Jieat, gas, hot and cold water, sewerage, irrigation, vacuum for sweeping, power, mechanical refrigeration, telephone, and message and parcel delivery. They will have libraries schools, churcaes, theatres. Light farming work will be combined with labour at the city desk. The preparation of food will be by wholeoale, and meals will be ordered by special cars from serving centres. The dishes will be returned to the serving station, and kitchen drudgery will be practically abolished from the home. The cost of building and equipping ajmile of Roadtown is put at 833,200 dollars.