6 APRIL 1912, Page 16

[To TUE EDITOR OF TIIR . 13PEOTATOR."J SIR,—The usual dimensions of

the studs used in the erection of the wooden houses which abound in America and Austral- asia are 4 x 2, and the same is the case with wallplate.e, and these are found to be strong enough for two-story houses. The space between the weatherboards and lining is sometimes filled in with sawdust, which is an excellent non-conductor of heat and sound. The roofs are covered with shingles or galvanized iron, with closeboarding underneath. The iron is in some cases painted red for the sake of appearance.—I am,

P.S.—The sawdust, like the timber used in the construction of tho house, could easily be rendered non-inflammable.