THE CHEAP COTTAGE PROBLEM.
[To ass EDITO6 01 raR " Srscraros.1 Srn,—North Durham and Surrey are as the poles asunder, but I sent the Spectator twin-cottage plan to the former district as a suggestion in regard to some projected colliery cottages. Our local builders—Messrs. Joseph Burnett and Son, Birtley, R.S.O., Co. Durham—make the following comments on your plan : (a) they do not consider the cottages cheap; (b) your plan would not be passed by their Rural District Council ; (c) your ground-floor rooms, not being rectangular, would displease the Northern housewife on the score that her fitments and "linoleum as planned" would not adjust them- selves to another, and rectangular, abode in the event of removal. On the nice question of parlour v. kitchen-sitting- room they proffer no opinion, but proceed at once to an alternative plan, covering the same ground-area, of which their drawing and estimate are annexed. The latter provides
an ordinary builder's profit ; and bricks are obtainable in their particular district on the spot at a price which concrete blocks could not compete with.—I am, Sir, &c.,
W. E. M.
Estimate for Pair of Cottages— Excavation and bricklayer work ... £117 18 0 Carpenter and joiner work ... ... 112 4 0 Slater and lead work (to chimney) ... ... 26 0 0 Plastering work... ... 22 0 0 Painting and glazing ". ". 9 10 0 £287 12 0 Bricklayer's work prices are based at bricks on site, 28s. per 1,000.
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