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Progress, Volume XIII, Issue 4, 1 December 1917, Page 84

This competition, which was set by Mr. Leslie D. Coombs, A.R.1.8.A., of Dunedin, drew four designs, viz;—“Cookeasy,” by Eric Wiseman, with Messrs. Hoggard and Prouse and W. H. Cummer, A.R.1.8.A., of Auckland; “Efficiency,” by Joseph F. Ward, Avith Mr. Reginald Ford, Wanganui; “October Morn,” by Nigel Walluutt, Avith Messrs. Mahney and Son, of Auckland; and “Reveille,” by Harold L. White, AAdth City Engineer’s Department, Auckland. As stated in the conditions, this competition aams set to stimulate the practical side of a student’s knoAvledgc, and has been judged by the people aaJio arc intended to use itthe ladies. The designs Avere submitted to four different, ladies, Avith the following result: —“Efficiency” has

room is a drawback. “Reveille’s” is a very well thought-out plan on the whole. In “Efficiency’s” design the tradesmen would look straight into the kitchen a drawback, I think. The two sinks mean more work, and arc not necessary. Tiles on floor suitable for warm climate, but cold for Dunedin. “Cookeasy’s” plan is a very good one, but there is a want of cupboards, drawers, etc., showing, and very few modern conveniences. None of the plans show an electric or gas iron a very great help to a busy housewife. It was very hard to decide, which would be the easiest worked, just looking at the plans. Now, if I had stood in the centre of any of the kitchens completed I would have decided so much easier.” Mrs. T. A. Walker, of Wadestown, Wellington, says;“Having gone carefully through the four plans of kitchens submitted, 1 have no hesitation in saying that T consider the plan by “Reveille” the one that would be most easily worked by a woman

tAvo firsts, “October Morn” and “Reveille” a “first” and “second” each, and “Cookeasy” has lavo “seconds.” The prize therefore goes to “Efficiency.”

Competitors Avill, no doubt, be glad to know Avhy they Avcre placed in the above positions, and to assist them the comments of the lady judges arc given beloAV.

Mrs. A. B. Speight, of 164 Forbury Road, St. Clair, Dunedin, Avrites: —“After consideration, I have decided that “October Morn’s” kitchen has the most conveniences, and Avould be the easiest Avorked. The oiled wood is easier to keep clean than the white enamel which one or two of the others have specified. The clothes drying rack is a great convenience, also the ironing table and cookery bench with the pastry slab. The Avant of a range Avould be felt here in Dunedin. Space has been left for that, but both gas and range would be an improvement. I would place “Reveille” second. The built-in cabinet is very handy, but I Avould prefer a separate pantry quite away from the scullery. Having to go through the pantry into the dining

Avithout assistance. “Efficiency” and “October Morn” have gone very thoroughly into detail, and the plans have been most carefully thought out, but I am inclined to think that the plan of “Efficiency” is more suitable for a house of 8 or 9 rooms, and where help is kept. As no Avoman Avith a house of only sor 6 rooms Avoidd think it necessary to have tAvo geysers in connection with the kitchen arrangements, and the china of a house of that size could quite easily all be Avashed in one sink. The arrangement of door on to porch is not too good a one, as unless the door Avcre closed there would be a constant draught between it and the stove, Avhich Avould not be very comfortable for anyone standing at the sink. The plan of having no architraves or mouldings is a capital one, and the idea of no corners for the accumulation of dust should appeal to the heart of all good housewives. “October Morn,” which I place second, has also gone very fully into details, and there is very little he has omitted in the Avay of convenience, but I have rejected this plan principally on the ground that in a house of 5 or 6 rooms a fairsized pantry with safes would be all that is neces-