HOLLOW HOUSE-WALLS.
[To smo Eorroa or THE " SpeorsToo."]
Sm.— My experience of hollow walla disposes me to agree with Mr. Thackeray Turner and the Spectator, and against the opinion of Mr. J. Dugdale-Madley, whose letter appears in your issue of March 23rd. I have owned three houses with hollow walls. In the first case my tenant said that rats had taken possession of the cavity, and he could not stop in the house unless they could he got rid of, which I did by removing some bricks in the outer wall and pouring hot gas tar into the cavity. In the second case, where the walls were about three feet below the ground-level, water got into the cavity and I could not keep paper on the wall, which I had to remedy at great expense. In the third case, there was a small gas escape, which got into the cavity and made itself felt in various places according to the direction of the wind. The plumber at various times spent hours in trying, unsuccessfully, to find the leaking pipe, and I eventually had to cut off the gaspipes and instal electricity, as the scent of gas became unbearable. I have found no compensating advantages from hollow walls, but I think it is an "abominable practice."—I am, Sir, &c.,
Hiles; House, Middlesbrough. Amos Higro.s.
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