W PBW

T h e “ KEEDON”System is a simple method o f rein­fo rcem en t f o r C olum ns and Beams, and used in con ju nction with Triangular Mesh Reinforce­ment for floors, forms an ideal combination.

SELF-SENTERINGandTRUSSIT METAL forPARTITIONS,CEILINGS,&c.BROWN’s PATENT BRICK REINFORCE­MENT.

[10/6 P er A nnum , P ost F ree .

’ »

SOLE A GE NT :

H E R B E R T A IN SW O R T H JOHANNESBURG’Phone 3 5 6 :: P O Box 1553 :: Telegram s: “ AIN SCO ”

Reinforced Concrete Beams in New Warehouse “ Keedon ” System.

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

J. Owen Jones & Co.S T R U C T U R A L E N G IN E E R S

65, 66, & 67, ANGLO-AFRICAN HOUSE

Smith St., DURBANP.O. Box 602

W O R K S : U M G E N I R O A D

Telegrams : “ STRUCTURAL.” Telephones: 2270 & 2533

Sole S.A. Agents for THE BERGER MFG. CO.’S REINFORCING SPECIALITIES

L A R G E S T O C K S C A R R I E D O F

RIB-TRUSThe Best R einforcing and : : Furring Plate : :

R IB -T R U S !s mad? ° f Open. Hearth Sheet Steel, in lengths of 4 , 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 feet and ------------------ is 24 inches wide. Gauges stocked : 28, 26 and 24.

R IB -T R U S adapted for roofs, floors, walls, partitions, ceilings, silos—in fact, for every purpose --- -------------- for which concrete or plaster and lath can be used.

The rigidity imparted to the plate by the ribs is so great that no support or centering whatever is needed on short spans, while concrete can be applied easier and quicker than is the case with anv other furring plate. J

W R I T E F O R P A R T I C U L A R S A N D P R I C E S

February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. 1.

P.O. Box 238, Capetown Telephone No. 389, CapetownTelejraphic and Cable Addre s : “ D A N V E R S ,” Capetown

DANVERS & CO.G E N E R A L I M P O R T E R S

6, Bree St., CAPETOWN

W A G O N W O O D o f every description

Queen’s Head, N .B . Tenax, Fleur de Lis, etc., Ridging, Guttering, PipingS C R E W S A N D W A S H E R SCement, Twines, Cordage t &c.

MARSEILLES and ENGLISH TILESAgents Socie.'e Generate des Tuilleries de MarseilleRoofing Ridge Cresting, Hip-W all and Flooring Tiles,------ Glass Roofing Tiles, Garden Tiles, Flower Pots-------Large Stock of Holland (Dutch) and Grey Tiles, Marseilles :i :: :: Patterns :: :: ::

Colonial Hardwoods — Toledo Steel in Bars, all sizes and qualities for Drills, Chisels, Miners’ and Stone Cutters’ Tools — Crucible Steel Hammers of all descriptions — American Bush Hammers — Spades, Shovels, Picks, Navvy Picks, Platelayers’ ■ —• Picks or Hammers, &c. ■ . ■ —

’Phone 3410. P .O . Box 671.0

P ER C Y RANSOM E,D r a w i n g O f f ic e ,

Blue Printing a Speciality.5 9, M E I S C H K E ’3 B U I L D I N G S ,

(Cr. Market & Harrison Sts.) JOHANNESBURG.

P.O. Box 1301. ‘ Tel. Add. : “ Thistle.” Tel. No. 1.

PRENTICE & MACK1EBuilders, Electrical and M echanical Engineers,R a ilw a y and M ining ------- Contractors.

Agents for Garrick & Ritchie, Waverley Engineering Works, Edinburgh.

T ofhce:5 127, SCHOEMAN STREET, PRETORIA.

PABCO S/S ROOFING is the well-known and thoroughly tested Malthoid Roofing towhich is applied a special surface of Asbestos.

South African Agents: HIRSCH, LOUBSER & CO., Ld., Johannesburg; WM . COTTS & CO., Durban; MOSENTHAL & CO., East London and Port Elizabeth ; MITCHELL, COTTS & CO., Capetown ; and ANGLO AFRICAN CO., Rhodesia.

PABCO S/S ROOFING

W A T E R P R O O F : C O O L : A T T R A C T I V E : P O R T A B L E : F IR E R E S IS T IN GLight Green, White or Terra Cotta. Easily Laid.

The Tea Room, Humewood Beach, Port Elizabeth.

11. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914-

Builders’ Plant For SaleU nion Buildings, Pretoria.

B Y P R I V A T E T R E A T Y .

Consisting of Electric and Steam Cranes, 3 to 5 tons; Hand Cranes, I to 7 tons; two 2-ton Overhead Travelling Cranes with track; Electric Portable Hoists, 30 and 40 cw t.; Steam Portable Hoist; 6 h.p. 20-inch Stone Crusher; Stone Sawing Machine (by Anderson); Stone Planing Machines (by Coulter), with spares; Portable 10 h.p. Robey Engine and Boiler; Electric Motors, from 5 to 50 h.p.; Concrete Mixer and M otor; Complete Wood-working Plant.

TRACTION PLANT: Two 10 h.p. Fowler Engines; 30 Trucks, various sizes from 6 to 10-ton capacity. Side and end­tipping trucks; 18in. gauge Track, 161b. rails, points and crossings; Turntables, etc.; Wood and Iron Buildings, various sizes. A large variety of miscellaneous Plant and Stores. To be seen and inspected at Pretoria. For further particulars apply to—

P R E N T IC E A N D M A C K IE ,Box 1301, Pretoria.

C. W. GIOVANETTI,Paperhanger, Decorator, Signwriter, Glazier, etc.,

PRETORIA,for Wall Papers, Paints, Oils, Tarnishes,Muralo, etc. Plate and Sheet Glass.----------- The Trade Supplied. -----------

124, CHURCH ST., PRETORIA.P.O.Box 7 8 1 . Telephone 3 8 7

WEIGHTMAN & AMERY,FLINT LINERS for TUBE MILLS.

W e make P O L IS H E D G R A N I T E C O L U M N S , M E M O R I A L S , &c., from our own Transvaal Granite Quarries : : G R E Y , R E D or D A R K B L U E .

Designs and Estimates Free. Your own Designs made to order. First-Class Workmanship Guaranteed.

P .O . Box ’ Phone Telegraphic Address :2027. 529. “ C A P S T O N E .”

P.O Box 142. T e l e p h o n e 1578

W . HAINE, L i m i t e d ,Electrical Engineers «S Contractors.

O f f io e a n d S h o w r o o m ;

C r E L O F F & J E P P E S T R E E T S , J O H A N N E S B U R G .

GENERAL ENGINEER, BLACKSM ITH AND O R N A M EN TAL W O R K E R

In W rought Iron "Brass and Copper.

G ates, Railings,

B alcon ies, G rilles, Vanes, S ta ircases,

Casem ents, C onstructional W ork.

Cor. VON BRANDIS & ALBERT STREETS, J O H A N N E S B U R G .

February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. in.

“ The African Architect” Advertisers.The number indicates the page in this issue on which the Advertisement will be found ; where a (-------) dash appears

it denotes that Advertisement does not appear in this issue.

PagePage Page

Ainsworth, Herbert . T rout Cover Haine, Wilfred, Ltd. Harris & Hittinger Heddle, R.. & Co. ... Henderson & Gordon

ii............................. 318

xii... Inside Back Cover

Ransome, Percy Regenga & Cuchet Reid & Knuckey Richards & Barlow Ruberoid ...

ixiiiivi

xiiiBaerecke & Kleudgen iiiBeard, Ellis & Scott Inside Back CoverBegg, George .. ... viii

Jenkins & Co. . .viii, x Sage. F. & Co. xivJohnstone, W. F. ... iii Stowe, G. S. xivJones, F. Owen & Co. Inside Front Cover South African Granolithic and Asphalte

Chevers, J esse C. ... iii Co. ... ...................... xClark & Sons, Thomas ivC. Collins ... ivCooke & Sons, Ltd., T. ix

.Ivinness’ Patent Metal Stair Treads ... ix The Rowe Septic Tank iv

Drew, Harris & Sheldon, Ltd. ................ 318■r. y*

Douglas, Thomas ... Danvers & Co.

... viii ... i

xi N-orth, A. J. xiii Union Granolithic & Asphalte Co., The ivUnited Engineering Co., Ltd. ... Back Cover

Etlielwyn Shave ............

General Fire Appliances ...

Inside Back Cover Oswald Bros. ... xviii

Vereeniging Brick & Tile Co., Ltd., The .. ivxii ' '

General Accident Fire & Life X V •Pabco S/S Roofing...Giovanetti, C. W. •... ii ... ... ... iGwilliam. Fred ii Paripan iv

viii Pentland Blue Hydraulic Lime ... ... iiGibson, J. G. viii Prentice & Mackie... ... ... ... i Weiglitman & Amery ii

♦ Telegraphic Address “ CYLINDER.”

P.O. Box 9 3 7 Telephone 1 7 5 6

REID & K N U C K EYCO NTRACTING. ENGINEERS, -------------BUILDERS.--------------

Office and Works :—

C O R N E R O F V O O R H O U T & A N D R IE S S T R E E T S ,

------- TROYEVILLE.1

t W. F. Johnstone & Co. jLIM ITED, »

Timber Merchants. jDURBAN, Natal : P.O. Box 138. !M ARITZBU RG , N atal: jJO H AN N ESBU R G : P.O. Box 1896.

LARGE STOCKS OF PITCH & OREGON PINE.

Steel Ceilings and Art Metal WorksThe use of Chevers’ Art Metal for Ceilings and W alls does away with the risk of dampness or cracking incidental to the use of plaster or wood ; takes a low rate of insurance, because fire-proof; inexpensive to buy; easily fixed; improves the acoustic properties of rooms and halls; offers possibilities in pattern combinations and decorative treatment unattained by any other material. Ca t a l o g u e s F r e e .

JE S S E C. C H E V E R SMANUFACTURER :: :: :: CAPE TOWN5 3 . LOOP STREET P.O. B O X 5 2 9

LYSAGHT’SGALVANIZED CORRUGATED IRON

Used by the South African Railways. LASTS A LIFE-TIME.

BAERECKE & KLEUDGEN, Durban Agents,P. O. B ox 849 Teleplioiie 946

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

P ™ I / * % " T A A l | X O ' d e s i g n e d o n t h e l a t e s t p r i n c i p l e s o f t h eI I I MX f t l y L BACTERIO LYSIS SYSTEM FOR SEW AGE PURIFI-

On'l’IONa

T H E “ R O W E ” A N A ER OB IC SEW AG E PURIFYING TANKModerate in cost and effective in operation. Suitable for Suburban Residences, (PATENTED)Farms, Schools, Hotels, Hospitals, Factories, Mines, Compounds, Villages or Towns

DR. M ARLOTH , PH .D ., M .A ., Professor of Chemistry, says it had been satisfactorily dealt with by the septic tank, os all the complex organic matter had been completely broken up and rendered harmless.

C. A . FERGUSON, E s q ., General Manager of the Randfontein Central Gold Mining Company, Ltd., writes : In reply to your letter asking fo r a report on the four Anaerobic Sewage Purifying Tanks installed on this Company’s property, I have pleasure in stating that the system ivorks satisfactorily, and is an effective way o f dealing with the disposal o f sewage matter.

M R. JAS. R. FARQUHAR, Secretary of the Cape Marine Suburbs, Limited, writes : It is now some 3 2 years since you built the Septic eUank fo r us . . I have pleasure in stating that we have had no trouble with it . . it has given every satisfaction.

FOR ESTIM ATES A N D PAR TICU LAR S APPLY TO TH E

“ R O W E ” S E W A G E P U R I F Y I N G S Y N D I C A T E , L T D .( Incorporated in the Cape o f Good H ope)

T e le p h o n e 166 or Box 292, K R U G ER SD O R P , a n d a t 419, C o n s o l id a te d Bldg., JO H A N N E S B U R G ,

THOMAS CLARK & SONSBuilders and Contractors, J O H A N N E S BU RG.

COLD STORAGE WORK A SPECIALITY.

P .O . B ox 6277, Johannesburg-.T eleph one 2266.

Office & W orks: 209, MARSHALL STREET.

---------- T H E ----------

Vereeniging Brick & Tile Co., Ltd.Wire-out and Pressed Building Bricks,Fire Bricks, Fire Clay, Blue Paving and Stable Bricks, Salt-glazed Pipes, and F it t in g s of a ll dim ensions.

Head Office : L E W I S & M A R K S ’ B U IL D IN G S .

Corner President and Simmonds Streets,JOHANNESBURG. ---------

P.O. Box 4480. Telegrams: “ COVER.” Telephone No. 166

JOHANNESBURG.Offices: 54, SAUER’S BUILDINGS. Works : POLLY STREET. Telegrams : “ Granolithic.”P.O. Pox 2665.’Phone 2408. Contractors for all

kinds idFLOORS AND SIDEWALKS

CONCRETE, GRANOLITHIC, ASPHALTIC & ASPHALTE, & c„ &c.

“ MALTHOID ” Roofs a speciality.

C. COLLINS,S T O N E M E R C H A N T and C O N T R A C T O R .

O ffice: 252 , COMMISSIONER STREET, JohannesburgWorks : Commissioner, Green, Fox and Berea Streets.

Telephone 1475.

Estimates given fc r any description o f Stone, Slate, Marble or Granite W ork■

ARCHITECTS should always definitely specify this LACQUER-ENAMEL, together with PARIPAN FILLER for priming and Undercoating, for the Painting of all Walls, Ceilings and Woodwork in Houses and Public Institutions. Already used in several leading South African Hospitals. Paripan has a reputation of 25 years. GLOSSY or FLAT (dull). White and all colours. Durable in all trying climates. Artistic and both qualities are sanitary and washable. Sole Makers : RANDALL BROS., London. South African enquiries for Booklets, Prices and Colour Charts should be addressedto S. PARKER-FOX, Mansion House Chambers, CAPE TOWN.

February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. v.

JrE S T A B L I S H E D 1 8 8 5 .

CLAIM S PAID

£ 5,000,000A SSE T S

£ 2,000,000B Y A P P O I N T M E N T

G E N E R A LACCIDENT, FIRE AND LIFE ASSU RAN CE CORPORATION,

LIMITED.Fire, Workman’s Compensation, Fidelity, Personal Accident, Sickness, Guarantees and Bonds, Automobile, Life Insurance.

BU I L D E R S and Contractors should note that the General has been favoured with Large Insurances from the South African Manufacturers* and

Master Builders Association, Ltd. ; also from the principal Municipalities throughout South Africa. The business of all Members should therefore be placed with this Corporation in order that the greatest benefit may be obtained.

THE “ GENERAL” IS THE ONLY INSURANCE COMPANY HOLDINGHIS MAJESTY’S ROYAL WARRANT.

BRANCH OFFICES—JOHANNESBURG : Commercial Exchange Buildings, Main Street.DURBAN : Natal Bank Buildings, West Street.PORT ELIZABETH : Cuthbert’s Buildings, Main Street.

j HEAD OFFICE FOR SOUTH AFRICA :

General Buildings, Greenmarket Square, Cape Town.South African Manager: T. K. OGILVY MITCHELL.

sjfi ~ = = = = = = %

VI. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

C O N T E N T S .

PageEDITORIAL COMMENTS

Metropolitan Conceit ... ... 309And an Instance ... ... 309The Association Annual Meeting ... ... 309And Another Special Meeting to Reduce the Sub­

scriptions ... ... ... 309Where we fail ... ... ... 310

THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE PROFESSION ... 310

REGISTRATION OF ARCH ITECTS AND FEES ... 3 10

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ... ... 310

LEADING ARTICLESThe Registration Movement in Great Britain ... 311Critical Synopsis of the Society of Architects’ (Lon­

don) Draft Regulation Bill ... ... 312

A COMMENT ON THE RECENT COMPETITION FOR THE GOV.-GENERAL’S RESIDENCE AT CAPE TOWN 313

ASSOCIATION OF TRA N SV A A L ARCHITECTSNomination for 1914 Council ... ... 314Council Meeting ... ... 314

SOUTH AFRICAN COTTAGES ...

TRADE NOTES

RECOGNITION OF TRADE UNIONS

THE M ASTER BUILDERS’ FEDERATION AND THEIR WORKMEN

TORONTO ASPH A LTE SPECIFICATION

THE CONTROL OF ARCHITECTURE

LABOUR’S FOLLY

Page

314

314

315

315

316

318

318

THE H ERBERT BAKER ARCH ITECTURAL SCHOLAR SHIP ...

A PEEP AT THE CATHEDRAL OF CH ARTRES, FRANCE

BUILDING OPERATIONS—Methods of Contracting

Richards & BarlowGLASS M ERCH ANTS.

ylrtists in L E A D E D Q L A Z IN G

All kinds of Modern and Antique :: W I N D O W G L A S S ::

y?gents in South Africa for

H o p e ’ s M e t a l C a s e m e n t s William Morris’ Stained Glass

Long Street, Cape Town.

C E R E S I TAll Builders and Contractors use

CERESIT CEMENT AND CONCRETE WATERPROOFER

in preference to others, because Ceresit is in Paste form and therefore is the most effective and the simplest to use. It requires no skill—no extra labour, and is quite inexpensive.

Obtain the interesting Ceresit Booklet free from : —

A. H. JOHNSON & Co., Ltd.,Corner Von Brandis and Main Streets,

JOHANNESBURG.

Tower Buildings, West Street, 20 22, Dorp Street,

DURBAN. CAPE TOWN,

February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. v n .

Institute of South African Architects.

ssoriattoit nf transbaal Architects.( I N C O R P O R A T E D U N D E R T H E A R C H I T E C T S ' P R I V A T E ACT, 1 9 0 9 ) .

THE COUNCIL, 1914:President: J- F. B e a r d w o o d , m. s . a .

Pice-presidents: G. W . N icolay , m . s . a . W . Re id , f . r . i . b .a .JRentbers of Council: S. C. D o w s e t t , m . s . a . M. J. H a r r is , m . s . a . R. H o w d e n , m . s . a . a . r . v . i a

D. I. L e w is , m . s . a . W . L u cas , f . r . v . i . a . D. A. McCubbin.H. S t u ck e , f . r . i. b . a . H. G. V e al e , m . s . a . E. H . W a u g h , m . s . a ., a . r i b a

Registrar: C ecil A l d e r , lic . r . i . b . a .

©ransbaal Institute nf Architects.COUNCIL, 1913.

p r e s id e n t : R- H o w d e n , a . r . v . i . a ., m. s .a . iTice-presidents : F. W S tok es , f. s . t. J. W a t er s o n , f . r i . b .a .

Hon- ^ecretarn : M. J. H a r r i s , m .s .a .H o n . treasurer: D. M. S in cla ir , m .s .a .

Council: b F. Be a r d w o o d m . s . a . G. A. H. D ickson , f . r . i . b . a . G. G. F leming , lic. r . i . b . a . W . R eid , f . r . i. b . a . W . H. S t u ck e , f .r . i . b . a . P. E. T reebv , m . s. a . H. G. V e al e , m .s . a .

derrrtarn: C. A lde r , lic. r . i . b . a ., Box 5606, Johannesburg.

Jlatal Institute nf Architects.president: C. W. M e t h ven , f . r . s. e ., m . i . c. e ., f . r . i . b . a

Sire-president: S. G. H udson , f .r . i . b . a .Hon. decretanr and Treasurer: H. E. C h ick .

ffiounril: F. J. Ing . M. H olm es . T homas R e ad . J. J. H . L ubke . G TW . C. E. R o b a r t s .

J. D. A n d e rso n .

Ujn Cap* Institute nf Architects.COUNCIL. 1913-14:

president: F. K. K e n d al l , f . r . i . b . a .Uiee-president: A r t h u r H. R e id , f . r . i . b . a .

Hon. dee re tarn and Treasurer: E. A ustin C ooke .(Council: ( Fellows) - W . J. D elbridge , a . r . i . b . a . F. R. E. S l a d d in , lic . r . i . b . a . A l e x F orsyth

( Associates) - j . M o r r is , lic. r . i . b.a . H ugh A. M cQ ueen. W . A. R itchie - F allon .’

^nrktn nf Architects [Biu'orporatrtt 13115]. ^ nut It African fBranrlj.p r e s id e n t : G. W . N icolay .

Pirc-| )resident: C. H. S t o t t .H on . S e cre ta ry : D. I vor L e w is . H on . Treasurer: S. C. D o w s e t t .

Council : J- F. B e a r d w o o d . D. M. B u rto n . M. J. H arr is {ex-officio).

TH E SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF Q U A N T IT Y SURVEYORS. ( lnT 9pM ted)THE COUNCIL. 1913-14:

president: E v e r a r d W h it e .Hire-president: D. A. M cC ubbin .

Hon. Sire-Presidents: J. D. A n de rson , Durban. A. T. B a bb s , Cape Town.Council: H. A. A d a m s . N. T. C o w in . F. D. H ickman . T. M oo re . W . E. P untis. J. Q uail .

Hon. derretaru and Treasurer: J. W. C o w lin g , f . s . l , 813, Park Street, Arcadia, Pretoria.

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

JENKINS & CO.

A D V E R T I S EIN THE

AFR IC A N A R C H I T E C T

'Phone 1255. P.O. Box 1605, Johannesburg.

Thos. DouglasBuilder and Contractor.

Workshop and Office

FORD & COMMISSIONER STREETS, FAIRVIEW.

C O LIN G A B R I E LBuilder & Contractor

Office and W orks :

8, PROVIDENT BLDGS., FOX ST., JOHANNESBURG’Phone 1 1 6 P.O. Box 4 7 8

P.O. Box 5 2 4 . Telephone No. 966 .

Office and Workshops :6, JOUBERT STREET, SO U TH .

George Begg,BUILDER A N D CONTRACTOR,

JOHANNESBURG.

Box 5 5 7 3 . ’Phone 1718.

GIBSONConcrete Building Blocks

G IVE

The M A X IM U M of Strength and Durability

------------- with the M INIM UM of Cost.--------------

A PERFECT IM ITAT IO N OF C UT STONE. Guaranteed non- porous and damp-proof. Price 1 0 /- per sup. yard.

GIBSON’S PRESERVING SOLUTION FOR WOODprevents injury from ants and rot and is fire-resisting.

Full Particulars from :

J r flRSON S A R A T O G A AV E N U E , near NIND St.. * D OO R N FO N TE IN , JO H AN NESB UR G

These Building Blocks are made by Gibson’s Patent Machine. Makes Blocks from 1 to 12 feet, and of any required depth or design.

May be leased by arrangement.

Vol. III. No. 9.] FEBRUARY 1914. [10 /6 P er A nnum post free .

EDITORIAL COMMENTSMetropolitan Conceit.

Time was, not so long ago, when it was the habit of the London practitioner to look down upon the

country architect, and—for all we know—perhaps the strong consciousness of Ins superiority to the provincial practitioner lingers even to this day. The characteristic is possibly peculiar to dwellers in any metropolis a harmless if occasionally irritating form of conceit. We doubt, however, whether any London professional journal would to-day allow its columns reflect that conceit in regard to the “ provincial.” The case appears to be different in regard to the “ colonial." There are 450 architects in South Africa, more than half of whom are men of English training, and many of whom are men of marked capability. Despite this fact, we now and then happen across remarks which show that the architect who has crossed the Equator, or lives south thereof, is regarded as “ ipso facto ’’ below standard.

And an Instance.

The Builder (London) devotes a leaderette in its issue of December 19th last to the recent competi­tion for the Governor-General’s residence at Cape­town, and quotes from the correspondence and articles published in our columns. The article concludes as follows: “ Evidently either the architects of South Africa fail to attain to a high standard, or competi­tions are imperfectly conducted there—we do not know which." That the former is not the case, “ The Builder ’’ will not need assuring; the statement of such an alternative is proved unjustifiable on reading

the facts which it has actually quoted! We wonder whether “ The Builder” would so unwarrantedly intro­duce that alternative in the unlikely event of a similar series of experiences befalling an equally numerous body of architects in an English county! Of course, we realise that we are merely “ colonials.” 'The Association Annual Meeting.

The principal event of professional interest in this month will be the annual general meeting, on February 27th, of the Association of Transvaal Architects. Nominations for the various honorary offices and Council have been rather numerous this year, and a strongly contested election seems to be pending. Added to this is a certain expectancy with which the retiring Council’s report is awaited. This, although the year has passed with scarce a ruffle on the surface of the placid waters. Perhaps that’s why!And Another Special Meeting to Reduce the Subscriptions.

There will be a prologue to the proceedings on that date in the shape of another special general meeting to alter the bye-law relating to subscriptions. We have lost count—but think this will be attempt number six. Registrar Alder’s application to the Minister of the Interior (published in our last issue) seemed to us a clear statement which could admit of no legal or logical refusal to gazette the reductions resolved upon by the Association on February 28th, 1913. After reading the Minister’s official reply, which is dated April 28th, 19 13, we can only express our astonishment that the Council have allowed so long a time to elapse without any endeavour to carry out the will of the Associaion by testing the Minister’s decision in the Courts.

Where W e Fail.

Our November issue contained a leading article under the heading of “ Balaam’s Curse, ’ dealing with 1 he outcry which had arisen from the profession in regard to the Assessors Report m the competition for the Governor-General’s residence. We are gratified to note that the course of action we recommended was that actually adopted by the delegates who waited on the Minister at Pretoria, with, it is reported, results more satisfactory than expected. The recognition by the Government of an Advisory Board, representative of the whole of the South African architectural pro­fession, will be a vast step towards future reforms. It now, however, remains for the profession to carry out its part of the undertaking, and constitute that Board. This is the remaining necessary step to clinch the understanding arrived at by the delegates with the Minister. Two months have since elapsed, and nothing further has been done. Why is it that the best work for the profession at large is always carried forward to a certain stage and then shelved? The reduction of the subscriptions, the Union Registration Act, and now the “ Advisory Board,” have all gone that way. This is where we fail!

3io THE AFRICAN

THE EMPLOYMENT OF THE PROFESSION

We publish on another page of this number a letter from the Business Manager of the Braamfon- tein Company, Limited, and m view of the importance to the profession of the subject under consideration we consider that some of the facts which caused us to comment in our January number should be made public. The position, in brief, is one which is only too familiar to Architects in Johannesburg, namely, the execution of professional work by unqualified persons. In the case we had brought under our notice a few weeks ago a specification and plans of a resi­dence proposed to be erected in Parktown West had been prepared by a person styling himself thereon as a Quantity Surveyor, but this gentleman, we are in­formed, is not on the membership roll of the South African Institute of Quantity Surveyors, nor is he registered as an Architect. There are certain clauses in this specification which are detrimental to an owner. For example, one clause provides that all disputes are left to the Quantity Surveyor for absolute finality in settlement. The arrangement thus made might possibly involve the owner in all manner of difficulties. The Transvaal Courts will not recognise the word “ Architect” as applied to any person unless that person is registered as such, so that the Quantity Surveyor’s evidence as an Architect could not be admitted. We noticed that in several clauses of the specification that the owner will supply materials; now as the owner is the estate agent who is selling the property, we submit that the transaction is unfair both to the owner and the person buying the building, and could easily lead to vast differences of opinion

on structural and architectural points to be finally settled by the Quantity Surveyor without further appeal. We are pleased'to learn from the Braamfon- tein Company that they have no knowledge of the matter, but at the same time we do think that the Company owning one of the best, if not the best township m or around Johannesburg should endeav­our, by means of their conditions of sale, to allow for the design and erection of buildings in their township being carried out by properly qualified persons, firstly m the interests of the architecture of the suburb, and secondly in support of the profession.

We believe that the Company insists on the employment of an Architect in schemes in which they are financially interested, but they should have gone further and aimed at the other buyers as being of equal importance to the residents of Parktown and Parktown West in regard to the manner and method of construction of good-class residences. We did not wish to infer that the buildings mentioned in our previous issue were being erected for the Braamfon- tein Company, and on again reading the matter we do not think it could reasonably be taken that way.

ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

REGISTRATION OF ARCHITECTS AND FEES

We are glad to learn that a draft Bill has at last been drawn up for the registration of architects; but whether it will pass the House is much doubted, even by its drafters. Its weakness lies 111 the possibility of its giving a legal status to a great many who are not really architects but practise as such, and therefore could not be excluded from the scope of the Bill. At present these persons have no defined status, what­ever they may choose to call themselves. This is an evil which we fear will have to be faced, and architects must be contented with such benefits as the Bill will confer in future. It ought, if worthy of its name, to be able to prevent any more unqualified men from joining the ranks, and this will at once raise the status of the profession, which will continue to improve as the few unqualified in it continue to disappear by the efflux of time. We trust that fears of the fate of the Bill will not be realised, but that it will duly pass. Another matter for congratulation is that a revised scale of fees has also been drawn up and will be put into force as soon as it has been approved- by the general body of the Royal Institute. We trust that m preparing this scale the interests of the juniors have not been lost sight of.—“ Indian Engineering.”

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

In future the “ African Architect” will be pub­lished about the middle of each month instead of on the 1st. The change is desirable and rendered necessary on account of the principal happenings taking place at a time which renders our reports of the proceedings rather belated.

February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

The African ArchitedO R G A N O F T H E A S S O C IA T IO N O F

T R A N S V A A L A R C H IT E C T S . ( ( D ) )

FEBRUARY, 1914.

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THE REGISTRATION MOVEMENT IN GREAT BRITAIN.

RECENT developments of the Registration move­ment in Great Britain are of concern to South African architects, not only because many of us are bound by jjersonal and professional

interests to the old country and are thus directly affected, but also on the general ground that every colonial public adopts British usages, and that in any general movement to establish new usages colonial parliaments are most largely influenced by the prece­dents innovated under British legislation. An Architects’ Registration Act for the Union of South Africa—an amplification of that existing in the Transvaal Province of the Union—is in the final stages of preparation, and is to be presented to a coming session of our parliament. On these considerations we trust it will be clear to our oversea confreres that, in dealing with the Registration movement in Great Britain, we in no wise trespass beyond the field of our readers’ particular interests.

For many years the two leading architectural organisations in the old country—the Royal Institute and the Society—held divergent policies on the ques­tion; the Society alone holding consistently to a Registration policy since the date of its formation in 1884. The growth of the Royal Institute in its provincial membership gradually brought about a change which resulted first in an apparent converging of the two policies, next in a futile attempt by the Institute to rope the majority of the practising architects in the United Kingdom into its own ranks, and ultimately in an attempt to amalgamate the two institutions. That attempt also failed, the well-meant scheme of the two Councils being opposed by the members of both bodies; by those of the Institute because of an unwillingness to allow even a limited number of their rival confreres to receive,

emeritus, the appellative F .R .I.B .A .; by those of the Society because the terms of amalgamation really meant their absorption, voiceless and voteless, with­out adequate guarantee for their Society’s policy— “ a lion and lamb amalgamation.” From thesenegotiations the two bodies emerged, distinct in entity, but pledged to Registration both. Latest reports, however, go to show that the Royal Institute is now dropping Registration in favour of a movement to obtain a further supplement to its own Royal Charter; the Society holds to its original course, and has taken a forward step by publishing the text of a Bill to be jiresented to Parliament in the coming session.

Stripped of non-essentials, the Institutes’ pro­posals amount to obtaining Royal sanction for its members—Fellows Associates and Licentiates—to entitle themselves “ Chartered Architects.” If, as seems to be the case, this is put forward as the solution of the problem for which Registration was devised, the mountain would appear to have laboured and brought forth a somewhat ridiculous mouse!

The Society’s proposals are embodied in a Draft Bill, the full text of which appeared in the “ Building N ews” of January gth last. It may be of some significance to note that there is no conflict between the two sets of proposals—i.e., both might be brought into effect. Possibly the Society is to have the honour of achieving that for which it was primarily founded. We congratulate the Society upon this seeming, and wish we could do so more fully in the sense of commending the details of its proposed measure. Those of our readers who intend to study those details will find the “ Critical Synopsis ’’ of the Bill, appended to this article, of some instructiveness.

3 11

3 1 2 1 ME AFRICAN ARCHIiECT. February, 1914.

There is excellent historic authority for maintain­ing that a good law-maker should also be a good prophet. We in the Transvaal have gained some experience which enables us to play the role of prophet with a moderate degree of certainty. Much of the effect of passing the Society’s Bill can probably be forecasted by merely recalling what took place here upon the passing of the Transvaal Act. In this light it appears probable that in the first flush of “ Registration ’’ conditions, and of the contributions thereunder demanded from practitioners, the Insti­tute, the Society and other voluntary organisations will suffer some diminution of membership: in the case of the Society this may be regrettably heavy. We say regrettably, having regard to the present admirable efficiency of the Society for further good work, and having regard to the probability that it will soon afterwards be realised that Registration should have been considered as but merely the preliminary —or at best as a means—to many further necessary reforms. To obtain these further reforms no power to expend funds for initiating further legislation has been vested in the proposed “ Council,” but even if that power be added in the Bill, it is not sure that the Society’s representatives will carry the vote of the “ Council ” for the purpose. An evil will arise in that, despite all that the Act may contain to the contrary, the “ Council ’’ will be regarded as the chief authority on all matters of practice, it being represen­tative of the largest body of practitioners—inasmuch as members of the Royal Institute of British Archi­tects and of the other voluntary bodies as well as all the “ unattached ” practitioners will be thereunder enrolled and represented. The evil to be feared in such event might be avoided by placing the represen­tation on a democratic basis, i.e., by making the Council entirely responsible to an electorate empowered to hold meetings, etc., for the purpose of expressing its views. The manner of election prescribed will tend mostly to the appointment of men in comfortable practice—ornamental and accom­plished gentlemen no doubt, but rarely satisfactory in our experience as representatives for the great majority, who are of course average practitioners. That the average practitioner gains certain experi­ences which the man with a big comfortable practice never knows of, and which make the former the more useful to his fellows as a representative, is by way of becoming a common-place with us in these parts! We are afraid that the “ Council of Architectural Educa­tion and Registration of the United Kingdom,” as proposed to be constituted and elected, will prove to be a final and insuperable obstacle to all further reform.

In support of our view that the Bill as drafted does not spell the last word in the reforms desirable and attainable, we may refer to the leading article in our January issue, where certain conditions obtain­

ing in our own and other professions are contrasted. I his proposed Registration measure is for men, not for angels, and architects would be more than human if—noting that the surplus funds are to be devoted to education—some objection does not arise to their being thus taxed to assist in further crowding their already overcrowded profession. Selfish, no doubt! but it would seem only fair to propose that for every sum devoted to such a sacrifice of self-interests, there should be at least an equal sum available towards furthering the advancement of the contributor. It is a law of existence! Except under such proviso the ‘ annual renewal fee ” can hardly be justified. Benefit

to the taxpayer is a general principle of taxation. Where, as in this case, the “ benefit ’’ is only arguable on patriotic grounds, it would not be surprising if in Parliament a plea were put forth to appropriate the funds to the State, which latter is after all the chief paymaster for technical education.

We shall be sorry if our remarks are regarded as destructive criticism. On the contrary it has been our desire, in detailing the subject for the information of our readers, to offer such comment as at this stage of the Society’s Bill may be helpful to those entrusted with its further preparation for Parliament. We trust that the Society may meet with all the success which its many years of disinterested work so richly deserve, and that the measure in its adopted form may be one of lasting honour to its sponsors because of lasting benefit to the profession.

CRITICAL SYNOPSIS OF THE SOCIETY OF ARCHITECTS'

(London) DRAFT REGISTRATION BILL

Those of our readers who have read the preceding article and desire further details will find thefollowing critical synopsis of some interest.Briefly, the draft Bill provides for the establish­ment of a “ Council of Architectural Education and Registration of the United Kingdom,” consisting of nominees appointed by the Privy Council, by the Councils of the Royal Institute of British Architects, the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland, and the Society of Architects, plus “ direct representatives” elected per postal ballot by the registered practi­tioners. Other architectural institutes or educational bodies may, with the consent of the Privy Council, be later added to the constituent bodies represented on the Council; and it is further provided that any con­stituent body which, in the opinion of the Council, has “ diminished in importance ’’ may be deprived of representation. The Registration Fee will be three pounds at the date of passing the Act; and for those enrolling afterwards one pound plus examination fees, except in the case of Colonial and Foreign prac­

February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. 3 i 3

titioners, who will have to pay “ not exceeding five pounds ’ ’ ! The subscription takes the form of an “ annual renewal fee” of one pound. South African members of the Royal Institute of British Architects and of the Society of Architects will be interested to learn whether the preferential consideration given to their Home confreres in the Transvaal Act (and in the Draft Union Bill) are to be reciprocated. Clause 19, Sub-section 3 appears to forecast the official enrolment at the date of passing the Act of all members of both those bodies; but Clause 32 casts a doubt upon this, inasmuch as therefrom it appears that only members residing in the United Kingdom are intended to be included in any such initial regis­tration, the inclusion of Colonial and Foreign members therein has clearly not been contemplated. Clause 27 adopts the very excellent clause embodied in our Draft Union Bill (but unfortunately omitted from the Transvaal Act) which debars unqualified persons from recovering fees; the difficulty in regard to certain necessary provisos being overcome by barring any prejudice to the rights of the professional members in several specified Institutions of Civil Engineers and Quantity Surveyors. The funds may be devoted to the routine expenditures connected with Registration and upon architectural education. The powers of the Council include the making of any bye-laws and, by implication, the determining of what is unprofessional conduct. This, it will be remembered, was one of the rocks on which recently, in our own Parliament, the Accountants’ Bill was wrecked. It is peculiar that all reference to unprofessional conduct is confined to a short statement of the penalty therefor at the end of one of the Clauses (18). The procedure to be followed in cases of alleged unprofessional conduct is not specified, and the right of appeal from the decision of the Council therein is no.t provided for: Clause 37 providing for appeal to the Privy Council only in case of any matter which the Council has “ failed” to do, not against what it has done, e.g., in removing a name from the Register! The scale of fees is not included in the Bill. Benevolence, Sick Benefit, Unemployment and Life Assurance—provided for in our Union Bill—do not appear, being doubtless covered by the operations of the Architects’ “ Approved Society ” under Mr. Llovd-George’s Insur­ance Act. No provision is made for general meetings of the registered practitioners—either for consultative or deliberative purposes, or for the purpose of electing the “ direct representatives ’’—and none for devoting any portion of the surplus funds towards any public furtherance of their professional interests.

A COMMENT ON THE RECENT COMPETITION FOR THE GOV.-GENERAL’S RESIDENCE

AT CAPE TOWNMr. E. FI. Waugh writes the following to “ The

Journal of the Society of Architects’ : —There has been great turmoil in architectural

circles over the report of the three assessors in the competition for the proposed residence of the Governor-General at Capetown. The assessors were Mr. P. Eagle (Government Architect), Mr. W. H. Stucke (President, Association of Transvaal Archi­tects), and Mr. Herbert Baker (the well-known designer of the Union Buildings, Pretoria). Some thirty designs were submitted, and they are generally conceded to have reached a high level of excellence. The assessors’ report, however, condemned the lot as not good enough, and only awarded premiums because they were bound to do so. The most stinging part of the report was that which characterised the whole of the architects competing as not having sufficient knowledge of great houses of this class; and when we remember that among the competitors are several men of very large experience in this very class of work, it will be seen why the report has been so bitterly resented. It is felt'by onlookers and competitors alike that many of the competitors possessed more actual experience of this particular class of work than at least two of the assessors them­selves, and some of them equal experience with the third assessor.

The prize was awarded to Mr. Douglas Hoets, who was employed for a considerable time in making designs for the same building when it was thought that the Public Works Department would carry it out. It appears that the Minister of Works had undertaken that his staff-men should not be allowed to compete, and this condition seems to have been violated.

At the time of writing, each architectural insti­tute, including your Branch, have nominated delegates to form a deputation to the Minister, who is willing to receive it. Messrs. Nicolay, Harris, and J. A. Moffat are our Society’s delegates. The lines to be followed by the deputation are not yet finally settled, but it is likely that the whole method of conducting Government Competitions will be reviewed, and better arrangements asked for the future.

The Minister has already refused a request by the Cape Institute to have the designs referred to another board of assessors, and he has warmly defended Mr. Eagle, whose appointment as assessor, after he had prepared designs was criticised by the Natal Institute.

The designs themselves are in the main very beautifully executed, and the level in this respect is higher than ever. Most of the elevations follow the somewhat unconventional style of the old Dutch period at the Cape, with wavy gables and white walls, or else a sort of adaptation from Italian or Spanish villas and houses, skilfully adapted to suit the Cape, and the great natural architecture of the mountain behind the site.

Mr. Theophile Schaerer (Ecole des Beaux Arts), M.S.A. (allied with Mr. Gibson), secured the second premium.Johannesburg, December 3rd, 1913.

3 H rHE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

ASSOCIATION OF TRANSVAAL ARCHITECTS.NOMINATIONS FOE 1914 COUNCIL.

The Registrar of the Association of Transvaal Architects has handed us the following complete list of nominations for Council of the Association for the year 19 14 :—

Nominations for President: J . F. Beardwood (Practising), G. W. Nicolay (Practising).

Nominations for Two Vice-presidents: M. J. Harris (Practising), J . A. Moffat (Practising), G. W. Nicolay (Practising), W. Reid (Practising) E. H. Waugh (Salaried) .

Nominations for Nine Members of Council: D. M. Burton (Practising), W. J. Campbell (Practising), W. Fait Conner (Practising), J . C. Cook (Practising), P. R. Cooke (Practising), J . S. Donaldson (Practis­ing), S. C. Dowsett (Salaried), G. G. Fleming (Prac­tising), M. J. Harris (Practising), C. Hosking (Practising), R. Howden (Practising), D. I. Lewis (Practising), W. Lucas (Salaried), D. A. McCubbin (Salaried), S. P. Hill Mitchelson (Practising), J. A. Moffat (Practising), E. M. Powers (Practising), T. Schaerer (Practising), W. Shanks (Practising), D. M. Sinclair (Practising), W. H. Stucke (Practising), H. G Veale (Practising), E. H. Waugh (Salaried), C. T. Wickee (Practising).

SOUTH AFRICAN COTTAGES-We illustrate in this number several views of Mr.

Arthur Callow s house on the Houghton Estate Ridge, Johannesburg. Situated as it is with that marvellous northern view obtainable along the whole length of this ridge, and fitting in delightfully with its surround­ings, his house is one of the beauty spots of the neighbourhood.

The plan is interesting in many ways, and has been cleverly arranged to harmonise with an irregular and difficult site. The natural formation has been made the most of, and the building is equally interest- mg from all sides. 1 he usual back quarters so gener­ally apparent in most houses, and on which clients are rarely willing to spend money, are here cleverly masked, and would be difficult to find unless one were guided to them. A well-gravelled road leads to the main entrance, and as one nears it one catches sight oi a sunk garden ending in arches through which a wonderful view of miles of low-lying landscape and the distant Magaliesberg Mountains is obtained. Proceeding through the sunk garden one approaches the front of the house along interesting pathways and up flights of steps. A picturesque stoep, so planned that the occupants are cut off from view from neighbours on either side, occupies the greater por­tion of the front of the building. In front of this stoep are terraced walks, one of which we illustrate. Lower down the side of the hill the rougher work for a formal garden has already been carried out, but will not be completed till later in the year. The interior of the house is in keeping with the outside, and of course planned to suit the owner’s require­ments. Time is still needed for creepers to soften down something of the newness of the building, but each year should add further charm to what is already a particularly attractive composition. The architect was Mr. Frank Emley, and Mr. D. F. Corlett, honorary treasurer of the Master Builders’ Associa­tion, carried out the work.

ASSOCIATION OF TRANSVAAL ARCHITECTS.COUNCIL MEETING.

A meeting of the Council of the Association was held in the Board Room, Winchester House, Johan­nesburg, on the 21st of January last. The members present were: Mr. W. H. Stucke (president, in the chair), Messrs. W. Reid, E. H. Waugh, J . F. Beard­wood, G. W. Nicolay, M. J. Harris and R. Howden.

The Registrar produced an official-looking docu­ment prior to the commencement of the meeting, which proved to be a permit from Colonel Truter authorising the holding of a meeting of the Council, this being necessary owing to the conditions of Martial Law.

After the minutes of the previous meeting, held on the 3°th of December, 1913, had been read, the following motion, moved by Mr. Waugh and seconded by Mr. Howden, was considered: —

(a) That in view of several meetings which have been held to consider a reduction in subscriptions, and which have been rendered abortive through the absence of a quorum, the Registrar be instructed to place this matter before a special general meeting on the same day as the annual general meeting, and to take action to obtain the necessary quorum of members.

After some discussion the motion was agreed to.It was felt by the Council that not enough

publicity was given to the business dealt with at Council meetings, and the following motion, tabled by Mr. Waugh, was approved:—

(b) That it be an instruction to the Registrar to forward a report of Council meetings to the “ African Architect ” for publication.

The Council resolved that a set of measured drawings, received from the Cape Institute of Archi­tects, should be placed in a portfolio in the Board Room for the use of the members.

An application for registration received from Mr.1 . G. Ellis, of 93, De Vilhers Street, Johannesburg, was considered, and as Mr. Ellis had passed the qualifying examination as an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects, the application was approved.

The business of nominating a president, two vice- presidents and nine members of the Council for the year 1914 was then dealt with, and resulted in the following being put forward as the Council’s nomina­tions:—

President: J . F. Beardwood, M.S.A.Vice-presidents: G. W. Nicolay, M.S.A., W Reid,

F.R.I.B.A.Council: S. C. Dowsett, M.S.A., M. J. Harris,

M.S.A., R. Howden, M.S.A., A.R.V.I.A., D. I. Lewis, M.S.A., W. Lucas, F.R.V.I.A., D. A. McCubbin, W. LI. Stucke, F.R.I.B.A ., H. V. Veale, M.S.A., E H. Waugh, M.S.A., A.R.I.B.A.

TRADE NOTESThe latest trade report issued from the Depart­

ment of Mines and Industries furnishes some interest­ing reading. In the Transvaal, nine Municipalities approved of plans to the value of £84,614, as against £ 10 1 ,0 13 for the previous month, showing a decrease of £16 ,399. Eight Municipalities in the Cape Province

February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. 3 i 5

approved of plans showing an estimate value of 4.36,403, while Bloemfontein passed 164,735. In December a record was created in the Durban Munici­pality by passing no plans at all during the month of December. The report deals extensively with the recent industrial disturbances which took place previous to the New Year. Signs are not wanting that building work in the Transvaal has fallen off.

RECOGNITION OF TRADE UNIONS1 han the South African Master Builders’ Federa­

tion no organisation in any part of the world has more thoroughly brought into recognition Trade Unions and their right to protect the interest of the working man. It was one of the strong points adduced by the late Mr. W. R. Poynton, who founded the Federation, that as employers were entitled to combine for then- own interests and protection, the right to do likewise could not be denied to the workmen. Each was neces­sary to the other. We have had very considerable experience of Trade Unions, and we know that it is far preferable and more easy to deal with a represen­tative body of workmen than to adjust matters with the individual. We trust, therefore, that the Building Trade Unions will see that their ranks are strengthened by good men, and we can prophesy that so long as this is the case there will be little difficulty in adjusting the differences in the Building Trade. During the recent troubles some statement was made that wages might be reduced, or other alterations made in the working agreements. As a matter of fact, after the treatment doled out to the Building Trade Employers, one could scarcely have blamed the Federation for adopting such a retaliatory course. In not doing so furnishes another instance of the fairness of the Federation and its consideration for the work­men. The remarks of Mr. Kirkness, during the recent trouble, at the final meeting with the men clearly exemplified this. The statement had been made, said Mr. Kirkness, that the Federation reserved to itself the right to bring about new conditions other than those existing prior to the strike, and it had been hinted that a reduction in wages and alterations in hours might be formulated by the Federation, but he assured the artisans that this was not the case, and that the present working agreements would continue to be observed until application had been made by either party for an alteration thereon. We advise the men to ponder and be thankful for these remarks. 1* urther, they should study deeply the excellent work­ing conditions under which they are presently carrying out their several trades.

THE MASTER BUILDERS’ FEDERATION AND THEIR WORKMEN

One result of the recent general strike has been the meeting of the Master Builders’ Federation and the workmen representing the artisans in the Building Trade.

The official report of the Executive Council, con­tained m the most recent issue of the Master Builders’ Journal, provides most interesting reading. We must presume from the correspondence furnished from Pretoria Building Trades Federation that if the general strike had been successful, very little

sympathy would have been felt by the men for Building Trade employers. We deduce this fact from the statement contained in a letter from the Trades Federation in Pretoria to the Master Builders’ Asso­ciation of that city, where the officials of the Trade Unions seek to condone the fact that they did not give reasonable notice of downing tools as “ inviting an ultimatum from you (the Master Builders’ Associa- tion), provoking a dispute between the two bodies, thus defeating our aims.” Such senseless clap-trap we have not the slightest patience with. Reasonable notice apparently can only be expected when it is to suit the aims of the employees or their responsible leaders, but no commiseration enters into their minds when jobs are held up and loss of time as well as financial losses fall to the lot of the employer. We must admit that the attitude of the Builders’ Federa­tion was dignified throughout, but to our minds it involves a very considerable loss of dignity to any self-respecting man to have to discuss such a quibble as is raised in the letter of the Pretoria Building Trades Federation. Neither can it be expected that the sympathies of the Building Trade employers can be looked for in the future if the artisans do not show some signs of reciprocity. This strike has been an object lesson In more ways than one, and we trust that the men, through their Unions, will place their destinies in the hands of leaders who have some common-sense and sympathy for their employers. We admire the firmness of the Master Builders’ Federation in refusing to recognise or conduct negotiations through any organisation except one formed entirely of operatives 111 the Building Trade.

The current “ Journal of the Society of Archi­tects ” (London) contains the following reply to Mr. Waugh’s letter on the South African Registration Bill.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN REGISTRATION BILL Sir,—Mr. Waugh’s letter on this subject, in the

November issue of the "Journal,” can hardly be intended to attract any comment in his own country. His views are well-known here, and have, so far, not proved acceptable to the majority of the profession 111 the Transvaal. His letter is possibly intended to influence the trend of the Registration movement in Great Britain. On that ground you will no doubt permit me to say that Mr. Waugh, the able and respected chief of the Johannesburg Municipal Archi­tectural Department, has (in my opinion) voiced a one-sided opinion of a very wide question.

Here in the Transvaal Province of the Union of South Africa, we have had an Architect’s Registration Act since 1909, and the profession in Great Britain would be well advised to profit by our experience— of what to avoid in such an Act. It is with the attempt of his Transvaal colleagues to profit by that exoeri- ence, and their desire to remove the deficiencies of that Act whenever Parliament may extend the Registration principle to the whole of South Africa, that Mr. Waugh finds his quarrel.

South African architects are nearly all in favour of Registration. Those practising in the Transvaal have, however, grasped the shadow and missed the substance. They pay five guineas registration fee, and five guineas annual subscription to the Statutory Association.” The Association can

316 THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

elect a Council; the Council registers, and can deprive of registration for certain offences. Its funds have accumulated to one thousand pounds, and they must continue to accumu­late, for nothing can be done—under the Act—save pay the cost of meetings and a Registrar's salary! Estate Agents, Building Societies, Builders, all continue to advertise, offering plans of buildings, etc.; and, although the title “ Architect” is protected, anyone calling himself Civil Engineer, Structural Expert, etc., can carry out and draw fees for archi­tectural work. Under the Act the Association may not, except under risk of being “surcharged ’ ’ for any cost incurred, make any representations to the public or other authorities or to individuals in the general professional interest—and this at a time when the question is being agitated as to whether Municipal and Government buildings should be carried out by salaried departments. Our scale of fees not having been included in the Act proper, but brought in as bye-laws, has been set aside by the Courts. When I add to this that there are 175 architects registered under that Act in this Province, irrespective of the numerous students, improvers, and assistants who do not need or desire to register, and that five attempts to obtain a reduction of the subscription have failed owing to the inelastic draughtmanship of the Act; your readers will commence to see that we have some grounds for dissatisfaction—even under Registration!

The “ pure ” form of Registration which we thus have in the Transvaal, and which Mr. Waugh would extend to the 450 architects resident in the Union of South Africa, is just so much taxation without corres­ponding privilege or powers of representation. Why the majority Voice of a statutory Institute of Archi­tects should be gagged by Statutory limitations, your readers can easily judge.

We in the Transvaal have learned that what is wanted is not so much the registration of architects, as the power to prevent unqualified persons earning fees for architectural work; further, that this and other injustices to architects will continue until wide Statutory powers are vested in a representative Institute of Architects.

I trust that Registration in Great Britain—when it comes—will be of a form more potent for the good of architecture than that which finds its nearest analogy in the conditions under which a cab-driver obtains and retains his licence!

M. J. HARRIS, M.S.A.,Past President, S.A. Branch.

Johannesburg, November 27th, 1913.

TORONTO ASPHALT SPECIFICATIONS

Specifications for the supply of asphalt for the city of Toronto for the year 1914 have been issued by City Engineer George C. Powell. The following por­tions will be of interest to municipal and highway engineers and road contractors:—

All asphalt herein shall be obtained by heating crude natural asphalt or crude asphaltic petroleum without the admixture of any other material to a temperature of 400 degrees F. until all the Water and light oils have been driven off, and the refined asphalt thus obtained must meet the following requirements, viz.:—

1. It shall contain not less than 90 per cent, of “ Bitumen.’ ’

2. Not less than 98.5 per cent, of its “ Bitumen’ ’ shall be soluble in carbon tetrachloride at air tempera­ture.

3. Not less than 65 per cent, of its ‘ Bitumen ’ ’ shall be soluble in standard petroleum naptha at air temperature, and the word “ Bitumen,’ ’ as used in these specifications, shall signify and shall be taken to mean 1 any hydrocarbon, or hydrocarbons, soluble in carbon bisulphide at air temperature.

4• Jt shall not contain more than 15 per cent, of fixed carbon on ignition.

5. Fifty grams of refined asphalt, when heated in an open flat-bottom cylindrical dish, 2f inches in diameter and i j inches high, shall not lose more than 5 per cent, of matter by volatilisation at 325 degrees F. in twenty-hour hours.

6. It shall not be softer than sixty penetration ‘at 77 degrees F. (Dow Machine).

7. It shall not be- harder than that which will require more than 15 per cent, of flux, calculated on the percentage of “ Bitumen,” to produce an asphaltic cement of forty-five penetration at 77 degrees F.

8. The flux used in the preparation of the asphaltic cement above mentioned, will be any suit­able standard flux having a specific gravity at 6 degrees F. between 0.9395 and 0.9722.

9. All asphalt herein shall be subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Works and be tested at destination.

An affidavit must be submitted with each tender, showing where the material was mixed or the source of supply, and also stating where it is refined and the method of refining, and further stating that nothing whatever has been added to the crude natural material.

The asphalt must be shipped in strong, light packages, capable of being handled in all tempera­tures, and the gross weight must be marked on each barrel or container. In addition, a list must be forwarded prior to each shipment showing these weights, and upon arrival the weight of each barrel or container will be checked on the city scales. Should any discrepancies in the weights appear, then the weights as shown on the railway manifest shall govern, for establishing gross weights.

Tenderers must submit a sample lot of not less than two pounds of refined asphalt, together with an analysis of the same, made and certified by a properly qualified chemist, of each class tendered upon at least forty-eight hours before date set for reception of tenders, samples to be addressed to the Commissioner of Works, City. Hall, Toronto, plainly marked as to grade and class and by whom submitted. These samples will be subject to the approval of the Com­missioner of Works, and will be taken as a guide in considering any asphalt required or delivered under this contract.

The percentage of “ Bitumen ” found by analysis of the samples submitted with the tender, shall be taken to be the “ minimum percentage ” of “ Bitu­men ” which the proposed grade of asphalt shall contain, and the award shall be made on the price per ton of “ Bitumen” calculated from the percentage of “ Bitumen” thus found.

February, 1914.

C O T T H G E -flRCIIITECTORt

SOUTH R E P IC R

TM£ RESIDENCE: OF=~

a.GflUUP esqOh NOO&HTQn RIDGE

bESlGHED BY

p p a n K e m l &v

F.R.I.B.A

Southf.LEVflTiort

THE.PORCM

February, 1914.

TH

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FRIC

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THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, IQH-3i8

DREW’S, Hi\RRIS & SHELDON, Ltd.Agents in the Transvaal, O.F.S., Natal and Rhodesia

— for —BRITISH LUXFER PRISM SYNDICATE

S H O P F R O N T C O N T R A C T O R S Electro Copper Glazing and Pavement Lights ■

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SERVICES

THE CONTROL OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

THE USE OF LINE

Several signs indicate that a proper architectural control over new London will soon be established. Lord Curzon’s protest against our modern styles of building shows that the desire for such a control is becoming widely felt. Several interesting points were put before one of our representatives recently by a well-known member of The Society of Architects. “ Line is what is most wanted at present,” he said.“ All streets look at any rate passable if they have harmony of line. I do not mean absolute uniformity, because this produces dulness. But no building ought to be put up so as to defy its neighbour’s lines. There may be variety in detail, but the larger elements of construction which strike the eye should run together and blend. If this were done, difference of the colour facings would not so much matter. The popular reinforced concrete front would go next to a brick front under these circumstances.

“ I believe that the secret of London’s new ugliness lies in this neglect of line. Its cause is a very simple one. It is due to the mixing up of all the trades and businesses which now constitute com­merce . If each trade or business was carried on in a single locality, it would be easy and natural to create harmonious streets. I his is the secret why old London was really a fairly beautiful place, as far as any town can be beautiful- For one must remember that the general level of architectural beauty m a town—that is to say, the level in dwelling-houses and offices—must always be comparatively low. 'I he highest architectural beauty is only to be found 111 special buildings at any time. But when all affiliated tradesmen lived close to one another, then the houses they worked in could be constructed, and were con­structed, on more or less the same lines of convenience, with a resultant aesthetic harmony. If the eye got the effect of a street it would pass over the details of difference between individual houses and the bits of bad taste, which under any supervision will alwavs endure. This effect is to be got from the use of line.” —“ The Standard.’’

LABOUR’S FOLLY“ As was expected,’’ says the “ Transvaal Critic,’

“ The Town Council supported the Town Engineer (Mr. G. S. Burt Andrews) in his action with regard to George Walmesley, foreman plumber of the Munici­pality. Walmesley, who was a member of the Federation of Trades’ Executive, went out on strike, and was arrested at the surrender of the Trades Hall. Upon his release on bail he reported for duty, but was informed that his services were no longer required. The Water and Fire Brigade Committee decided that Walmesley should resume, but the Town Engineer stood manfully to his guns. Owing chiefly to the forceful action of Councillor Simson, a member of the Water and Fire Brigade Committee, matters were speedily brought to a head by the enforced dissolution of the committee and the election of another. It stands to common sense that the Water Committee, above all, should be as far removed from industrial trouble as possible, and it will be a bad day for the town when committees have the power to break or make appointments. The photo of Mr. Burt Andrews appears on the front cover, by kind permis­sion of the “ African Architect.” We congratulate the Town Engineer on his firm attitude, and also those Councillors who loyally gave him their support.”

So do we.

EMPLOYMENT OF ARCHITECTS

To the Editor, “ The African Architect."

Dear Sir,—We note on page 303 of a recent issue of your paper that certain residences are being erected in Parktown West (by inference for the Braamfontein Company, Limited) without the services of an architect being employed.

We would like to state that we have no knowledge of this matter, as no houses in which our Company is interested are being erected without the employment of an architect, and there can therefore be no question that our Company “ plays the game by the profes­sion.”—Yours faithfully,

Transvaal Consolidated Land and Exploration Company, Limited,

Secretaries.C. E. WARD,

Business Manager.

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February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

P.O. Box 1552 .

Telegrams :“ Coordinate.”T. Cooke & Sons, Ltd

18, STRAN D STREET, CAPE T O W N .Every Requisite for Draughtsmen.

DRAWING, TRACiNG AND SUN PRINTING PAPERS A SPECIALITY. ___________ Catalogues free on application.

THE HERBERT BAKER ARCHITECTURAL SCHOLARSHIPThe Trustees have prescribed subjects for the

competition to be held in 1914 for this Scholarship, the successful candidate will receive a Scholarship of ^250, and will be required to spend not less than seven months at Rome under the direction of the British School at Rome. The Trustees may allow portion of this period to be spent at Athens under the direction of the British School at Athens. During the remaining portion of the Scholarship period the scholar is required to make his headquarters at London for at least three months under the super­vision of the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects. On completion of the period of his Scholarship he will be required to exhibit the results of his studies in such manner as may be required by the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and will be required to make a similai exhibition m South Africa, when and where the Trustees may appoint.

The competition is open to all British citizens of no more than thirty-three years of age, who have spent a period of six years or more in. the stud}' or practice of Architecture, of which period not less than four years shall have been spent in South Africa.

Forms of application for candidature are now ready, and may be had from the “ Trustees of the Herbert Baker Architectural Scholarship, Box 1088, Johannesburg.” All forms must be Tilled in and delivered to the Trustees on or before the 1 5th March, 19 14 > early application is therefore advisable. Full information as to the scope of the Competition will be sent to those whose applications are approved by the Trustees.

The work of all approved candidates must be sent to the Trustees on or before 31st August, 1914.

A PEEP AT THE CATHEDRAL OF CHARTRES, FRANCEBy LOWELL MASON, Durban.

It was our good fortune to linger awhile in the small but thriving town of Chartres, which surrounds the richest of all the Cathedrals of Europe.

What more stupefying contrast than that of lively and fashionable Pans and the old-world visage of Chartres. Paris, which we had just left, with its modern movement, glaring, gesticulating, chattering, animated in its own empty fashion. Chartres, on its hillside, with the river wending its way at the base, gives one a feeling of the comfort derived from the modern, and yet is in contact with a past so great that it gives a character to all its surroundings. The mind is in repose and stimulated in such a spot.

We arrived at Chartres a little before sunset. After arranging affairs at the hotel, we strolled through the town, then down to the river, and as we wandered in the failing light on the bank of this sluggish stream we saw the last gleams of evening reflected in its dark water; above this, low, rambling masses of houses, with here and there a glimpse of a modest lamp. Far away above these dwellings,feathering into the sky, the long, dark masses of the Cathedral dominated all things. Its two spires now fined away to points m the darkness, while between them the silver streak of the new moon appeared. Day by day we wandered in the sombre light of its interior, the whole lit up by glorious stained windows, whose effect is best seized just before sunset. Broad patches of ruby, amethyst, emerald, topaz, and sapphire lie upon the pillars and flags. When one sees, as here, the great place such colour occupies in the general architectural effect, one realises that such a question is no unimportant element in architecture.

The foundations of this great monument of archi­tecture were laid down in the 10th century, and the

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THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, iQ14-

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bell towers commenced in the nth century, but most of the building was destroyed by fire about 1194. In the following century the Cathedral was rebuilt by Bishop Pierre de Maincy, and consecrated in the presence of St. Louis and the Royal family of France.

The plan is in the form of a Latin cross, consist­ing of a nave, with side aisles, a transept with side transepts and a large choir with double aisles, and an apse at the east.

The entire length is 422 feet, and the height is 106 feet from floor to apex of vaulting.

The eastern and western transept, like the south front, are flanked by square towers, ornamented with grotesque figures. The harmony of the exterior is most striking when it is considered that the decora­tions were executed in succession, during a period of nearly five centuries. There is throughout the same character of nobility, grandeur and power.

The western or principal facade is more remark­able for its grandeur than for its decorations. It consists of a triple doorway of the 12th century, above which are three fine Gothic windows of the same period, which are again surmounted by a magnificent rose window of the 13th century. Above this is an elaborately carved gallery containing sixteen statues of the Kings of France and a statue of the Virgin between two angels bearing torches.

All the upper part of the facade was completed in the 13th and 14th centuries. The triple doorways which open into the nave are decorated with 719 statues or statuettes representing scenes from the life of Christ.

Those sculptured on the Capitals represent scenes from His infancy and His public life; on the Tym­panum and the lateral bay to the left side, the Ascension.

The statues ornamenting the central doorway represent the glorification of Christ, those of the right doorway the glorification of the Virgin, and there are also allegorical figures of the arts and sciences. Above the left doorway is a carved Zodiac and figures representing the twelve months of the year.

To the right of the principal front is the old tower, one of the most admirably proportioned con­structions in France. The transition from the solid masonry of the base to the elegant and delicate tracery of the tower and spire is so beautifully effected as to awaken the just admiration of the student of architecture.

The lower part of the new or northern tower is of the same period as the old, as far as the gallery of the Kings. At the third storey begins the architecture of the 15th century. The fifth and sixth stories are in the Flamboyant style, and above the seventh storey,

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“ Rok ” R oofing and Dampcourse.

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February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. Xi.

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which is reached by a staircase of 378 steps, is an octagonal lantern with sixteen arcades surmounted by gables. This lantern contains the Tocsin bell, which was cast in 1520, and weighs five tons. A crocketted spire surmounts the whole.

This Cathedral is noted for its beautifully stained windows, containing some 130 examples.

Amongst them are three large rose windows of great magnificence. These rose windows contain remarkable stone tracery, and are nearly forty feet in diameter.

On entering the Cathedral one is in a state of semi-darkness. The rich colours of the glass produce an obscurity which it takes a little time to get accus­tomed to. But, attention directed to the windows, one finds them not only beautiful, but mysteriously beautiful.

A true appreciation of the extraordinary delicacy of these windows is only to be had by examining them from the aisle roof. One can there see the minute pieces into which the glass has been cut—about 120 pieces to the square foot.

So great is the beauty of the general impression of the colour associated with the rhythm of the archi­tecture that it provokes general enthusiasm and delight. While this is truly justified, the full beauty of the work is not seen until it is brought to light by a close attention to small details, which alone reveals the science of design that makes the work so successful.

BUILDING OPERATIONSMETHODS OF CONTRACTING

At a recent meeting of the Cape Institute of Architects, Mr. Babbs read the following paper:—

The subject of this paper is a very elementary one, and the contents will be well known to the senior members of the profession. But to the junior mem­bers and to the public—which often betrays a lamentable, and sometimes ludicrous ignorance of the methods and practice of contracting for building—it is hoped that this simple exposition of its mysteries may be of some value. It is not intended to deal with

the preliminary and important subjects of the neces­sity of an architect, and the conditions of his employ­ment. It will be assumed that all that has already been decided. It may be safely said, however, in passing, that quite one-half of the troubles and disputes which have arisen in building in this country are due to the absence of an architect. The indi­vidual or committee who would build is in a fair way to secure immunity from difficulty by the employment of an architect of known reputation as to skill and probity. The starting point of this paper, therefore, is at the point where the site has been decided upon, the architect chosen, the class and style of building to be erected settled, the drawings of which, having taken their more or less perilous course through the municipality or other authority empowered to deal with them, have been finally approved by all con­cerned. It is intended to take up the story from that point and pass in review the various methods adopted to secure the erection of the proposed building, at once, let us hope, the dream of the architect and the future delight of its owner, and the completion of which shall leave no unpleasant memories.

Peculiar and Difficult

Building contracts are peculiar and difficult for

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Fitted throughout Boys’ High School, Girls’ High School, Johannesburg ; and many other Government Schools in the Transvaal, Etc., etc.

xn. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

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many reasons, of which the following may be regarded as the most outstanding: First, that the contractor chosen for any given work is not, as a rule, chosen because of his skill and competence in the particular work to be done, as in the days-of old, but because, among the number of contractors who tender, he happens to be the lowest, sometimes, be it said, by chance. And second, because the building owner, not understanding all the technicalities and intricacies required in a building, and not knowing, when the building is complete, whether he has obtained all that he should have obtained, is under the necessity of employing the expert advice and skill of an architect, who, in: the carrying out of his duties, occupies in the main the three-fold position of (i) advisor to the owner; (2) his agent for the carrying out of -the work; and (3) the arbiter or umpire as between the builder and the owner—interests which are often conflicting. It therefore follows that the question of securing good workmanship and a satisfactory building- devolves upon the architect, and the methods he adopts to secure that end become of great importance.

Aims to be securedThe principal aims to be secured in any method

of contracting for the erection of buildings may be briefly summarised as follows: (r) That the building owner will g«t all that is provided for and no more. (2) That the contractor shall be paid all he is entitled to, on the fairest possible basis, and no more. (3) To secure that the building erected shall be fit for the purpose for which it is designed, of the best workmanship, cbnsistent with the specification, and in strict accordance with

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February, 1914. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. xii

THE RUBEROID ROOF.Ruberoid Roof lalks No. 6,

House, Johannesburg, entirely roofed with Ruberoid.give you in this Talk a few important facts about Ruberoid Roofing—facts that have

been proved by the best test of all— the test of time.Study these and consider if Ruberoid is not just the roofing you want for the building you are now engaged upon.Cl) The colours of Ruberoid, Grey, Red or Green are

permanent being an integral part of the roofin'* substance. This saves the expense o f the usual annual paint'ng.

(2) It is essentially a permanent roofing, suitable for the largest Warehouses, Factories, Public Buildings, etc., being weather proof and highly fire-resistinf, and yet its low cost and light weight makes it also just the roofing for Bungalows, Farm Buildings or S ables, etc.

(3) Its durability is another proved fact, the first Ruberoidroofs of 20 years ago are still giving entire satisfacti n f t ) w tand show no signs of deterioration. Ruberoid in t ’ f / 0 v ) , s \ Clfact improves with age by becoming harder and more leathery.

MAY WE SEND YOU THE RUBEROID BOOK OF FACTS AND A SAMPLE.

A 'post-card will bring them to you.S. SYKES & Go., Ltd., Johannesburg, Durban,Bulawayo and Salisbury. R. B. H END R Y & Co.,Capetown. DUNN & »CO., East London.G R IF F IT H S & Co., Port Elizabeth.____________

the drawings. (4) That all unnecessary expendi­ture is avoided, and that the greatest possible value is obtained for the money expended. (5) That the incidence of the risks incidental to building opera­tions is properly placed, so that no party to the contract bears an undue share. (6) That sufficient elasticity is provided for the carrying out of variations to the contract without distrubing the terms of the contract. (7) That provision is made for the avoid­ance of disputes, and in the event of unpreventable disputes arising that the readiest and most economical method is adopted for their settlement consistent with justice.

With these desiderata in mind we proceed to the consideration of the various methods adopted in order to see in general terms how far the above require­ments are met. Passing by the simple method in which the contractor is employed to do the work required, and is allowed to charge on a basis of cost of labour and materials expended, with such profit as he may think himself entitled to, which, needless to say, in these days is only adopted in the case of minor works and repairs, we come first to the system of executing work upon an agreed percentage payable to the contractor over the ascertained first cost. This is a system of which the writer has had experience both in England and South Africa, and is one in favour of which a good deal is to be said, and which in fact may be regarded as altogether an ideal one, where the necessity of a contract for a fixed amount does

M adrid's magnificent new H otel, T heR itz, u p o n w h ic h n o l e s s t h a n 3 t o n s o f

- W ere used in the decoration o f bedroom s, bathroom s, etc.

What is “ B.P.D.” ?“ B.P.D.,” or Burrell’s Powder Distemper (Washable), is a new washable Water Paint, which has for the last three years been gaining popular favour in many

parts of the world.It is supplied in powder and is prepared for use by simply mixing

with water.Because “ B.P.D.” is supplied in powder, it is much cheaper than other Washable Water Paints which contain some 30% of water. "B .P.D .” is washable, and this, combined with its antiseptic qualities, renders it unrivalled as a sanitary paint for Dwelling Rooms, Offices, Hospitals, etc. “ B.P.D.” is made in 65 beautiful

colours.

Insist upon having “B.P.D”

For samples and particulars apply to

AJNORTH■-- - - - - - - - - - & C o . - - - - - - - - - - - -

COLONIAL MUTUAL CHAMBERS

P.O . Box 101 0

CAPE T O W N

%t

xiv. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

Office : 6, VICTORIA MANSIONS, C/r ELOFF & PLEIN STREETS.

P.O. Box 6696.’Pli:ne 73.

Telegrams : “ FITTINGS."

JOHANNESBURG

Manager for S.A. :R. INNES A B R A H A M S.

FREDK. SAGE& Co., Ltd.

CONTRACTORS FOR METAL & WOOD SHOP FRONTS BANK AND OFFICE FITTINGS

SHOP F I T T E R S

BRASS, NICKEL PLATED

A N D M ET A L W IN D O W

FITTINGS STOCKED.

DESIGNS W ILLIN G LY

SUBM ITTED and ESTIMATES

FREELY G IVEN .

. not exist, or where, owing to the wealth of the client, the final cost is not of the first importance — a condition unhappily too rare in this work-a-day world. The clerk of works keeps a complete record on the woiks of a>ll the men employed, the wages paid, and the materials delivered, and this is entered into books kept by the contractor and duly checked by someone such as a quantity surveyor, or. other person having a knowledge of building conditions, as something beyond mere accountancy is required to check errors. A percentage is added to cover the cost of plant and office expenses, and a further percentage for profit.

Objections to the System

The objections to the system may be stated as follows: (a) 1 he cost is not known until the comple­tion. (b) Great difficulty is experienced m providing a proper check on the work done at the shops of the contractor, unless a. clerk of works or inspector is kept there too; unless all the joinery is maqle at the works, which is neither good nor economical, (c) It is difficult to charge the contractor with the cost of errors caused by his negligence in carrying out the work. (d)) The risks of building practically all fall upon the owner, including those due to rises in prices of labour and materials. (e) There is little or no incentive to economy in carrying out the work either in materials, labour or plant.'

The great advantages are: (a) That better work­manship is secured, there being no obligation on the contractor to restrict the cost, (b) The owner reaps the benefit of any fall in prices, (c) The possibilities of disputes arising are reduced to their, lowest mini­mum, in fact they can only arise on the grounds of bad workmanship, damage through negligence, and delay.

Schedule of Prices

The next method to which I would call attention is that of executing work on a schedule of prices. These are of three kinds: (a) A schedule supplied to the contractor, who fills in, by competition or other­wise, the prices which he proposes to charge; or (b) A schedule of prices is supplied, previously drawn up by a surveyor, and the contractor states his percent­age on or off the schedule; and (c) A schedule obtained by a previous approximate measurement of the work required, put out to tender, and on the basis of which the actual work done is re-measured as it

proceeds. The second system is that adopted by the War Office of Great Britain and other large public bodies for the carrying out of their minor works and repairs, and which should be adopted by the Public Works Department of this country in place of the rather cumbersome method which now prevails for such works. The third system, you will be interested to note, is that adopted in the erection of one of the noblest and choicest of modern buildings—the new Liverpool Cathedral—and was also the system under which the Simons Town Docks, in common with other similar works, was carried out under the British Admiralty.

(To be continued next month with discussion by Architects and Builders, and Mr. Babbs’ reply.)

Screened Stone.Village Main Reef Stone Crushing Works

Stone for Re-inforced Concrete, Granolithic and Asphalte W ork, Road Mak'ng, Walling, Automobile and Carriage Drives, Garden :: : : Paths, Golf Greens, Etc. ::

Any quantity ready for delivery by Rail, at my own Siding ; or by my own Vehicles,

anywhere in Town or Suburbs.

Prices and further particulars from

G. S. STOWE, mi Mech EE n g in e e r a n d C o n tr a c to r ,

104, Cullinan Building, JOHANNESBURG.P.O. Box No. 5 4 6 5 . ’Phone No. 2 7 1 8 .

February, 1914. :HE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

The ONLY “ The African Architect ”

Mediums forand

“ The S.A. Master Builders’

Trade Advertisements Federation Journal.”

s'pecialisis in

Colonial-made Furniture Shop and Office Fittings------------ ESTIM ATES SUPPLIED FREE. -------------

BEARD, ELLIS & SCOTT-------- (Late with Gordon Mitchell & Co.)---------

Workshops : 160, Anderson St., JOHANNESBURGP.O. B O X 5 2 1 5 'PH ON E 4 4 9 3

Telephone No. 2577. Box No. 5184.

HENDERSON & GORDON,— Builders and —General Contractors.

Workshops and Offices :C O R N E R B E R E A & C O M M IS S IO N E R S T R E E T S ,

JO H A N N E S B U R G .

For use in Factories, Stores,

Warehouses, Barns, Garages, Schools, Stables, etc., etc.

Suitable for A N Y Sliding Door.

“ L O C W lL ” TU BU LAR BALL-BEARIN G FITTINGS FOR

SLIDING DOORS ™ FOLDING PARTITIONSFor Illustrations and Particulars, apply to

P.O. Box 3 6 6 . O S W A I D R R O S Tel. Add. :Tel No 1 3 4 4 . U J VV C V L ily U I W D . , “ D E L A W S O .”

97 -99 , HOUT STREET, CAPETOWN.

The Carriages being entirely enclosed by the Track, it is i m p o s s i b l e f o r the doors to jump or do any other than run

freely and truly.

Bills of Quantities, Reports,ETC.

AC C U R A TELY A N D PROM PTLY

T Y P E DBY

ETHELWYN SHAVE,19, MEISCHKE’S BUILDINGS, JOHANNESBURG.

’Phone 4659.

OU'gnsfrgal |£eainrWE are Newspaper, Magazine, and General Printers, Lithographers, Bookbinders, Steel, Copper, Brass and Process Block Engravers, Manufacturing Stationers, Artists, Show Card and Poster Designers and Address Illuminators.We do the whole of the work in our own factory.We carry the largest stock of raw materials for Printing in South Africa.Our factory organization provides for the employment of high skilled labour only. The proper division of labour cannot very well be accomplished in a small print shop.

IT W IL L PAY Y O U T O

A D V E R T I S E IN T H E “ A F R I C A N A R C H I T E C T . ”

Crusher Station, recently constructed at our Doornfontein Works (or the Modderfontein “ B” G.M. Co., Ltd.

Structural SteelworkO F E V E R Y D E S C R IP T IO N C O N S T R U C T E D L O C A L L Y , O R I M P O R T E D , A S R E Q U I R E D

Large Stocks of Steel Joists, Channels,Angles, Tees, Plates, Bars, etc., etc.

Designs Prepared. Quantities Taken Out. Estimates Given at Shortest Notice

SPECIALISTS IN HEATING AND VENTILATING INSTALLATIONS.V _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. February, 1914.

G E N E R A L M I N I N G B U IL D IN G S , M A R S H A L L S Q U A R E ,

T e l e g r a m s : “ A R M A T U R E ,” P h o n e s : 3484, 3485. JOHANNESBURG.

( Established 1888.)

P .O . B o x 1 0 8 2 . W o r k s ’P h o n e 2 4 8 4 .

W orks .— N E W D O O R N F O N T E I N .

United Engineering CoLIMITED.

Printed by the “ Transvaal Leader,” Harrison Street, Johannesburg, for the Proprietor, Jas. T. Brown, 17 and 18, Provident Buildings. Pox Street, Johannesburg.

Journal of the SA Architectural Institute PUBLISHER: University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg

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