470 THE BUILDING NEWS. JunE 7, 1872.
eyer, for troubling you with this is that the letter in
question, so far as our design is concerned, conveys
from beginning to end an entirely erroneous impres-
sion, and is, in many points, a total misrepresentation of
facts. We can only credit ‘* A Competitor ” with having
obtained his information, at the best, second-hand. and
we should advise him another time to give a little per-
sonal inspection to a series of designs before he pro-
ceeds to criticise them. In the first place a distinct
charge is conyeyed that the strict letter of the instrue-
tions has not been adhered to by us, an assertion which
we most emphatically deny, and one which we challenge
any one to prove on an examination of our plans. We
have shown but one front instone. We have given the
required accommodation in every instance. We get a
principal entrance in the main thoroughfare of the
town (Market-street), and have no such thing as a
passage though the site anywhere; and as to the ques-
tion of cost (which is dwelt on so forcibly) our esti-
mate is within the prescribed sum, and it has yet to be
proved that our design cannot be carried out for the
sum. We offer not the least objection to Mr. Paley’s
expressed opinion that none of the designs worth any
notice whatever can be carried out for the £10,000,
especially as Mr. Paley’s own work is generally of a
costly character, but we most certainly do object to “A
Competitor " placing his judgment against ours, either
On a question of cost or any other.
The basis of our estimate was fixed on a building
for the most part of a precisely similar nature, con-
taining a hall of the same dimensions with oflices
beneath, which we are,now carrying out, the accepted
tender for which was £6,800—the buildings at Chorley
having in addition a block of four shops, &c. We have
only to add that a feeling of sorrow for the ultimate
fate of competition amongst architects was fully equal
in our minds to any personal annoyance we may have
felt in perusing your correspondent’s letter. If protests
such as this are to follow a competition that has been
most fairly dealt with throughout, and at last decided
by an eminent member of the profession, we despair
of ever witnessing a satisfactory solution of the pro-
blem of competitions, and should think that to obtain
a high-minded architect who will undertake to act as
judge in such a case, will soon become a matter of no
small difficulty, and a very thankless office in itself.
The animus engendered by disappointed expectations
is too evident in such letters, and could hardly be more
clearly avowed than towards the close of the one in
question, where it is suggested that ‘it may afford
some satisfaction to the disappointed competitors to
learn that it is not probable that any one of the pre-
miated designs will be carried into execution.” Such
a sentence needs no comment. We are, however, quite
unaware of any such likelihood, and can only hope
that ‘“ A Competitor ” is as far out in his information
in this case as he most certainly is in the rest of his
letter.—We are, &c., Lapps & PowE.tu,
(The authors of the first premiated design.)
4, Chapel-street, and 5, Great James’-street,
Bedford-row, W.C., June 5.
————__4——___
WATER SUPPLY AND SANITARY
MATTERS.
Camprince.—Mr. J. F. Bateman, C.E., who has
been consulted by the syndicate appointed by the
University with regard to the diversion of the
sewage of the town from the River Cam, has sub-
mitted an exhaustive report. He estimates that the
proposed diversion may be carried out at an expense
of £32,000, the place of the deposit resultant from
the diversion being Chesterton Common.
MARGATE.—A considerable district of Margate is
about to be placed under the new sewage filtering
system of M. de Chastelain. The Royal Sea Bath-
ing Infirmary, Royal Crescent, and the Clifton Baths
will be first dealt with. It is stated that under the
new arrangement two large receivers could be placed
in the Dane, whither the sewage from all parts of
the town will be taken, filtered, and the effluent
water then conducted by surface pipes to whatever
spot may be thought desirable for emptying into the
sea.
Tue Freer Sewer.—At their meeting to-day
Gixidss) the Metropojitan Board of Works will
iscuss a report from the Works Committee recom-
mending that, with a view to relieve the Fleet sewer
of the excess of storm waters, anew line of sewer
be constructed from the present outlet of the Fleet
sewer at Blackfriars-bridge to King’s Cross, along
a route somewhat parallel to the old sewer, and that
on the completion of the necessary drawings and
specification public tenders be invited for the works,
‘This intelligence will be satisfactory to the inhabitants
of King’s Cross and its vicinity, whose cellars are
periodically floodedin stormy weather in consequence
of the insufficiency of the existing sewer.
Weymovutu.—The Local Government Board has
consented to the Weymouth Local Board borrowing
£25,000 for drainage works, according to Sir John
Coode’s plan, and without sending a Government
inspector, as usual.
———_—___
The Opinione publishes a letter of Giustiniano
Nicolucci, on the discovery in the Terra di Lavoro
of atomb dating from the stone age. The letter
goes into details: the writer says that the stone
weapons found in this sepulchre are remarkable in
point of workmanship, and denote talent and skill on
the part of the workman who fashioned them.
Aintercommunication,
a
QUESTIONS.
(2577.]—Albert Durer’s Engravings.—How
can I distinguish copies from original engrayings by
Albert Durer? Is the water-mark of the paper any
guide? Three in my possession are marked respectively
“A, M.,” “D, Riaw” (?), and “ Vienne.”—Kapra.
(2578.]—Chureh Varnish.—I met in a specifica-
tion the name of “church varnish,” Could any of
your readers inform me if such an article exists, and of
its quality? I thought, perhaps, on account of the
many church restorations, a certain kind has been
used; hence its name, Is it better than copal 2—
POLIsH.
2579.]—Size.—Is size a good thing to use for stain-
ing churechwork, and is it always used by architects
and painters for staining and varnishing? Is it a
universal law in the trade that it shall always be used ?
—PAINTER,
(2580.]—Competition Drawings.—If no design
exactly suits in a competition, should there be a fresh
one, or should the best design and the one the most
according to the instructions given be accepted, and
afterwards altered to suit the requirements? Would
this be fair for the other competitors 2—H. W. X.
[2581.]—Old Bricks.—In the churchyard wall at
Horton, Bucks, are some good, sound, well-burnt
bricks, of a red colour, and which are remarkable for
their size. Some bricks measure 14}in., 14in., 13}in.,
and 13in. long respectively. They all seem to be 4in.
deep and 44in. thick. The usual length is about 13in.
The bond is very irregular. Occasionally there is one
course of headers and stretchers alternately, while the
next course consists of a header and two stretchers
alternately ; but this is very rare, the bricks being laid
at random to all appearance. I should be glad if some
correspondent could inform me of the reason for
making such large bricks, about how old they may be,
and whether such specimens are often seen,—H. W. P.
REPLIES.
2564.]—Practice of the Profession.—TI shall be
glad to see an answer to the query of ‘ C. C.”—H. B.
[2572.)—Elm in Joinery.—Im default of a better
reply, I send what follows. In Tredgold’s ‘t Carpentry ”
it is stated that ‘elm is not useful for the general
purposes of building, but from its durability in water
it makes excellent piles and planking for wet founda-
tions. It twists and warps much in drying, and shrinks
very much both in length and breadth.” ‘The shrinkage
in length is not corroborated by Mr. Couch, for the
piece experimented upon was exactly 4ft. long both
before and after seasoning. It shrank, however, one
forty-fourth part in breadth and thickness, its trans-
verse section being llin. x llin, when first planed for
experiment. Gwilt says: ‘For the general plirposes
of building it is of little value, and it rarely falls to the
lot of the architect to be obliged to use it.” In
Chambers’s ** Cyclopedia” the wood of the common
small-leaved or English elm is said to be prized by
joiners for its fine grain. In another work, the timber
of the elm is alluded to as being well known as a
valuable material for many purposes of the country
carpenter, such as cart-building, water-wheels, &c., but
no mention is made of any supposed fitness for house-
building. As a trifling incident, but somewhat to the
point, I might add that I once had a tool-chest made
of deal with stout elm ends, and in a few days the elm
shrank so much that the tray was firmly jammed in the
chest. Although itis not easy to get at exact data, as
much depends upon seasoning the particular species, &c.,
I think the inference is that for good joiner’s work the
wood of this magnificent and truly British tree should
not be used. The best description, however, being
tough, compact, durable, not liable to split, and possess-
ing the power of resisting moisture, it is a question if
it would not do well for treads toa factory staircase.
—Nove.
————
PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.
Puntic Hearty Briu.—Sir C. Adderley asked the
first Lord ofthe Treasury, on Thursday week, whether
the Public Health Bill, jrelating to a subject which
the Government pressed on the diligent attention of
& commission three years ago, and had twice advised
her Majesty to recommend to Parliament for im-
mediate legislation, and which was now being post-
poned to other Government measures, might not
have a morning devoted to its consideration in com-
mittee. Mr. Gladstone said he was entirely of
opinion with his right hon. friend as to the im-
portance of the measure, and he was most anxious to
arrive ata time when it could be dealt with in the
manner the Government was adopting with regard to
the Ballot Bill, and would also adopt with regard to
the Scotch Education Bill—that of giving the whole
of the valuable time of Parliament, so far as it was
not interrupted by other business not of a legislative
character, wnich the Government could not alto-
gether control. It would be far better to deal with
it in that manner than by devoting to it a fragment
of time, in which it could not be properly disposed of.
BreMINGHAM SEWAGE Bruu.—Mr. C. Forster
moved that the order for the third reading of this
Bill be read and discharged, and the Bill be reecom-
mitted.—Sir R. Peel said that the stage had been
fixed for Thursday, and that this motion irregularly
anticipated it. The Speaker ruled that the motion,
being for a discharge of the order, was not irregular.
Sir R. Peel strenuously protested against the course
taken. Lord Henley saidthat the object of reecommittal
was merely to make some alterations. On the third
reading the right hon. baronet could talk as many
hours as he liked, and move the rejection of the Bill.
Sir. R. Peel again appealed to the Speaker on the
point of order; and the Speaker again ruled that for
the purpose of discharge au order might be antici-
pated. Mr. T. Collins thought that if the course
taken was in order, the Standing Orders ought to be
altered as speedily as possible. On the question
being put, Sir R. Peel moved the adjournment of the
debate until the following day, which was agreed to.
ee
LEGAL INTELLIGENCE.
A Disrrict SurRvEYoRsS’ QvuEstIon. — POWER
(APPELLANT) Y. WIGMORE (RESPONDENT).—This
Was an appeal to the Court of Common Pleas on the
4th inst., from a decision of Alderman Sir R. W.
Carden, and it arose out of the following cireum-
stances :—51 arches were built under a public way,
which proved the outside of a square for buildings on
the site of Newgate Market. ‘The appellant was
district surveyor, and he .went 15 or 16 times to in-
spect the arches, and to measure them, they being of
unequal dimensions, to see whether they were in
accordance with the provisions of the statute. He
contended that each arch was a ‘separate structure,”
and that for each arch he was entitled, under the
Metropolitan Buildings Act, to afee of 10s. Sir R.
W. Carden decided that only one 10s. fee was pay-
able for all the arches, and this was the decision
appealed against. Mr. Justice Willes said that if
the arches formed a viaduct they would constitute
one building only, but in this case they seemed to be
intended to be appropriate to various buildings. He
was of opinion that the arches appropriated to each
building should themselves be considered to be a.
“separate structure,” for which a separate fee was
payable. How many such buildings there were to
be was a question of fact which it would be remitted
to the Alderman to ascertain, and he would award
the appellant a fee for each separate building.
Judgment accordingly.
————— ee
STAINED GLASS.
SALIsBuRY.—A stained glass window has just
been placed in the chancel of 8. Martin’s Church,
Salisbury, as a memorial to the late Rey. W. W.
Tatum, for 39 years rector of the parish. The sub-
ject is the two SS. John. Under the figure of
John the Baptist is represented the Baptism of Our
Lord, and under the figure of 8. John the Divine,
the Last Supper. The window is the work of
Messrs. Clayton & Bell.
—_—__o—__—_
CHIPS.
Mr. Gilbert Scott has been engaged to prepare
plans of the new Conservative Hall proposed to be
erected on the site of the old houses opposite the
Post Office, Stamford, recently purchased by the
Conservative Club.
An exhibition of old masters is now open at
Amsterdam. MM. Six, van Loon, Pallandt, van
Weede, van Dyckyveld, have each lent a portion of
their valuable collections. The catalogue enumerates
nearly 350 chef-d'euvres.
On Saturday the foundation stone of a new
Wesleyan school was laid at Cheetham. The di-
mensions are 65ft. by 40ft. The building will be of
brick, and will accommodate 400 children, at a cost of
£3,500, including site.
New Church of England Schools are being erected
in York. ‘The plan is H-shaped. The area occu-
pied by the building is over 4,000ft., and the cost
£2,000. Accommodation is provided for 500 children.
A new (Roman) Catholic Chapel was opened on
Sunday at Pathead, Ford, N.B. Itis in the simplest
style of Gothic with lancet windows, and three-light
windows in the east gable.
The foundation stone of anew rectory-house at
Oakford was laid on Thursday week. ‘The cost of
the works will be £3,000. Mr. Wood, of Lurley, is
the contractor.
New works for Messrs. Hayward, Tyler & Co, at
Crawley Green-road, Luton, have been commenced
by the contractors, Messrs. Smart Brothers.
The Albert Gold Medal of the Society of Arts has
this year been awarded by the Council to Henry
Bessemer, Esq., “for the eminent services rendered
by him to Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, in
developing the manufacture of steel.”
The work of restoring the parish church of Kirby-
moorside will shortly be commenced, from plan
prepared by Mr. G. G. Scott, R.A.
An application for permission to borrow £18,000
for sewerage works has bees made to the Metropoli-
tan Board of Works by the Fulham District Board.
