TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3981, 7 December 1891, Page 2

TOWN IMPROVEMENTS.

' Hall-street has been recently im- | proved by the erection of a substantial ' buiiding in the half timber half ' concrete style, as a residence aud office by Mr C. Tilleard Natusch, i architect. Th • main entrance, on the west side, opens into a hall 19fc (Jin long, by 7ft 6in in width. The ball is well lighted by handsome side and fanlights, filled in with cathedral , tinted glass, Upon the left of the , hall is a convenient dining room, with windows on two sides, one of which opens to the verandah. Next to this room is the office, 19ft x 12ft, well lighted and having a separate entrance upon the east side of the house. At the end ot the hall is a well fitted bathroom and lavatory and on the south side a small drawing room with windows airunged to obtain a view of the setting sun. Tbe kitchen and scullery are conveniently fitted with quick rotary pump drain boards and cupboards, convenient) storerooms being attached. The bedrooms are gained by a flight of stairs having handsome walnut balustrades and handrails of simple but pleasing design, one of the posts forming the standard for a gas lamp from which the hall and staircase are lighted. Two of the bedrooms are provided with fire places, and all arc well-lighted, airy rooms, the principal one having a wimlow opening on to the balcony, from which a splendid view may be obtained. With the exception of the hall, all the rooms have distempered ceiling 3, those of the office, drawing and dining rooms being further embellished wilh circular and other bands. All the rooms on the ground floor with the exception of the kitchep, have dadoes formed with oilcloth, the same being very effective, and what is more to tbe point, lasting and economical. The walls are formed of 6 inch solid concrete, finished on the exterior with cement plaster and dressed totara battens secured to the studs and plates. This method of construction has the advantage of making the house cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and at the same time is less liable to damage by earthquake than a building constructed eitheir entirely of wood or brick. Mr Natusch informs us that the cost is only i 0 per cent tuore thjn wood. The space between the outer walls and lining and between the partitions has been filled with sawdust to , stay the progress of fire should such unfortunately occur at any time. To prevent sound penetrating from room < to room, strips of felt have been fixed | to the studs and upper floor joints. , We might mention in conclusion that the carpenter and joinery work his been faithfully carried out by Mr C. E. Dauiell, the plumbing and gasfitting by Mr D. Pickering, the concrete and brickwork by Mr E. Arnold, and tbe painting and decorating divided between Messrs Cole and Payne and Mr G. Haskell, sU the work, being exceedingly well done.