Registered at the G.P.O. as a Newspaper..

D E C E M B E R 1st, 1913. [10/6 P er A nnum , P ost F ree .

MATERIALS TO SPECIFYFOR

C oncrete Flo o rs:USftAFV O/J

s 4 T"E'S-

Concrete B eam s:

B rick W alls:

Triangle Mesh Reinforcement

“ Keedon Bars and Stirrups ”

Brown’s Patent Brick Reinforcement

Partitions & C eilin g s: Self Sentermffand Trussit”

A ll the above constitute the approved best in Reinforcing Materials

SOLE AGENT

HERBERT AINSW ORTH JOHANNESBURGP.O. Box 1553. Telephone No. 356. Telegrams: “ AINSCO.”

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December ist, 1913-

Structural SteelworkC O M P R IS IN G

Bridges Headgears Roofs Warehouses Tanks Smoke Stacks

Collapsable Gates, Verandahs, Steel Window Casements

J. Owen Jones & Co.66 and 67, Anglo=African— -------- House------------SMITH STREET, DURBAN

P.O. Box 602. Telephone 2270 . Te legram s: *•Structura l.”

Immediate Attention to a ll Enquiries and Orders.

iTrf<‘itrirfir[rTftf‘irr*r*r*r*r‘r ,r ‘m ‘*r*Tcr‘r*r,Tif*r‘r‘r 'f

December ist, 1913. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

P.O. Box 238, Capetown Teleph one No. 389, CapetownTelegraphic and Cable Address: “ 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

WAGON WOOD of every description

Queen’s Head, N .B . Tenax, Fleur de Lis, etc., Ridging, Guttering, Piping S C R E W S A N D W A S H E R S Cement, Twines, Cordage : &c.

M A R SE IL L E S and EN G LISH TILESA gents Socie.'e Generate des Ikntleries de M arseille

Roofing Ridge Cresting, Hip-Wall and Flooring Tiles,------Glass Roofing Tiles, Garden Tiles, Flower Pots------Large Stock of Holland (Dutch) and Grey Tiles, Marseilles :: :: :: 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 RANSO M E,d r a w i n g O f f i c e ,

Blue Printing a Speciality.

5 9 , M E 1 S C H K E ' S B U I L D I N G S ,

(Cr. Market & Harrison Sts.) JOHANNESBURG.

P.O. B ox 1301. Tel. Add. : “ Thistle .” Tel. No. 1.

P R E N T I C E & M A C K I EBuilders, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers,R ailw ay and Mining ------- Contractors. -------

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

W& OFFICE^ 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.

P A B C O S/S R O O F I N G

The Tea Room , Hum ewood Beach, Port Elizabeth.

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.

11. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, 1913.

Builders’ Plant For SaleU nion Buildings, Pretoria.

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

WEIGHTMAN & AMERY,FLINT LINERS for TUBE MILLS.

W e make P O L I S 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 Addtess :2027. 529. “ C A P STO N E .”

Consisting of Electric and Steam Cranes, 3 to 5 tons; Hand Cranes, l 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 Mixerand M otor; Complete Wood-working Plant.

' ..oQ 3tl ITRACTION 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—

PRENTICE AND MACIvIE,Box 1301, Pretoria.

C . W . G I O V A N E T T I ,Paperhanger, Decorator, Signwriter, Glazier, etc.,

PRETORIA, H - /

for Wall Papers, Paints, Oils, Varnishes, i -t t .Muralo, etc. Plate and Sheet Glass.,uj) o—- The Trade Supplied. -----------

err----------------------- • ------------------

124, CHURCH ST., PRETORIA.P.O.Box 781 . Telephone 387

—P . O . B o x ^ T 4 £ £ ? T e l e p h o n e 1 5 7 8

• I | I'jt tW . HAINE, L i m i t e d ,

Electrical Engineers <5 Contractors.

O f f ic 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 , JO H A N N ES B U R G .

f GENERAL ENGINEER, BLACKSMITH AND ORNAMENTAL b vWORKER V

_ Gates,In Wrought lron’ / ' \ \ ^ s ' Railings.-Brass and \ Balconies. Grilles.Copper. y ' Vanes, Staircases.

Casements, Constructional Work.

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

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.December 1st, 1913-

“ The African Architect ” Advertisers.iii.

The number indicates the page in this issue on which the Advertisement will be found ; where a (------ ) dash appearsit denotes that Advertisement does not appear in this issue.

PagoPage Page

Ainsworth, Herbert ... Front Cover Haine, W ilfred, Ltd. Harris & Hittinger Heddle, R.. & Co. ... Henderson & Gordon

ii... xiii ... xiii

... Inside Back Cover

Ransom e, Percy Regenga & Clichet Reid & Knuckey R ichards & Barlow Ruberoid ...

ixiiiiVi

xiv

Baerecke & Kleudgen iiiBeard, Ellis & Scott Inside Back CoverBegg, George viii Jenkins & Co.

Johnstone, W. F. ...... ... ..v iii, x

iii Sage F. & Co. Stowe, G- S.

xviJones, F. Owen & Co. Inside Front Cover

Chevers, Jesse C. ... iiiClark & Sons, Thom as C. Collins ...

iv

itti

Kinness' Patent Metal Stair Treads ... ix The Rowe Septic Tank ivCooke & Sons, Ltd., T.

Levson, Leon ... Inside Back Cover Union Granolithic & Asphalte Co., The ivDrew, Harris & Sheldon, Ltd. .... xiv United Engineering Co., Ltd. ... Back Cover .Douglas, Thom as ... Danvers & Co.

viiii

Doulton Ware xi

4 Oswald Bros. ... ... xviii

Vereeniging Brick & Tile Co., Ltd., The . ivGeneral Fire Appliances ... ... ... xiiGeneral Accident Fire & Life X V

ii Pabco S/S Roofing... ................................ iGwilliam. Fred Gabriel, Colin Gibson, J. G.

iiviii

Panpan — — — ••• ••• Pentland B lue H ydraulic L im e ... ... ii

viii Prentice & Mackie ... ... ... ... i W eightm an & Amery ii

Telegraphic Address“ CYLINDER.”

P.O. Box 937 T elephone 1756

REID & K N U C K EYCONTRACTING ENGINEERS, -------------BUILDERS.— ---------

Office and Works :—

CORN ER OF V O O R H O U T & A N D R IE S STREETS,

------- TROYEVILLE. -------

Steel Ceilings and Art Metal WorksThe use o f Chevers’ Art Metal for Ceilings and Walls does away with the risk o f dampness or cracking incidental to the use o f plaster or w o o d ; takes a low rate o f insurance, because fire -proof; inexpensive to b u y ; easily f ix e d ; improves the acoustic properties o f room s and h a lls ; offers possibilities in pattern com binations and decorative treatment unattained by any other material. Catalogues F r e e .

JE S S E C. C H E V E R SMANUFACTURER :: :: :: CAPE TOW N53, LOOP STREET P.O. BOX 529

:;

W. F. Johnstone & Co. jLIMITED, 4

Tim ber Merchants. jDURBAN, Natal : P.O. Box 138. jMARITZBURG, Natal : JOHANNESBURG: P.O. Box 1896. I

LARGE STOCKS OF PITCH & OREGON PINE, j

LYSAGHT’SGALVANIZED CORRUGATED IRON

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

BAERECKE & KLEUDGEN, Durban Agents,P. O. Box 819 Telephone 916

IV. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December ist, 1913.

SEPTIC TANKS DESIGNED ON THE LATEST PRINCIPLES OF THE BACTERIOLYSIS SYSTEM FOR SEWAGE PURIFI­CATION.

T H E “ R O W E ” A N A E R O B IC S E W A G E PURIFYING TA N KModerate in cost and effective in operation. Suitible for Subu ban Residences, (PATENTED)Farms, Schools, Hotels, Hospita s. Factories, Mines, Compounds, Villages or Towns

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

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

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

FOR ESTIMATES AND PARTICULARS APPLY TO THE

“ R O W E " S E W A G E P U R IF Y IN G S Y N D IC A T E , L T D .( Incorporated in the Cape o f Good Hope)

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 4 9, C o n s o lid a te d B ldg ,, JO H A N N ES B U R G ,

THOMAS CLARK & SONSBuilders and Contractors, J O H A N N E S B U R G .

COLD STORAGE W ORK A SPECIALITY.

P.O. Box 6277, Johannesburg.Telephone 2266.

Office & Works: 209, MARSHALL STREET.

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

Vereeniging Brick & Tile Co., Ltd.Wire-cut 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,

---------- J O H A N N E S B U R G . ----------

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

JOHANNESBURG.Office. : 54, SAUER’S BUILDINGS.

W ork. : POLLY STREET.

Telegram. : “ GraMtitkic."P.O. Pox 2665.Phone 2408. Contractors for all

kind, of

FLOORS AND SIDEWALKSCONCRETE, GRANOLITHIC,

ASPHALTIC & ASPHALTE, &c., &c.

MALTHOID ” Roofs a speciality.

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

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

Telephone 1475.

Estimates given frr any description of Stone, Slate, Marble or Granite Wor)[.

ARCHITECTS should always definitely specify this LACQUER-ENAMEL, together with PAR1PAN 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 cli mates. 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.

®Ij£ JVfriran JVrdjitrrt

M O N D A Y ,

D E C E M E E R 1st, 1913.

V olume 111. No. 7

M UNICIPAL E LE C TR IC A L BUILDINGS, SALISBU RY GARD EN S, SALISBURY, SO U TH E R N RH O D ESIA.View from Verandah looking towards Salisbury Township.

E rnest R ose, Architect.

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, 1913.

C O N T E N T S .

Page Page

EDITORIAL COMMENTS

Government House Competition Award ... ... 285Standard System o f Measuring ... ... ... 285South African School o f Mines and Technology ... 285Baker Scholarship ... ... ... ... 285Building in South Africa ... ... ... ... 285Another Comp ication ... ... ... ... 286Architects' Fees ... ... ... ... 286Measured Drawings ... ... ... ... 286Association o f Transvaal Architects' Reading Room 286

ASSOCIATION OF TRANSVAAL ARCHITECTS ... 291

ARCHITECTURE IN RHODESIA .................................... 292

THE CONDITIONS OF BUILDING AND ENGINEERINGC O N T R A C T S ...................................................................... 294

HSOUTH AFRICAN VIEWS IN ENGLISH CONTEM­

PORARY ix .

LEADING ARTICLE

Government Competition : Another View ...

GOVERNMENT HOUSE COMPETITION

A Review o f the Designs...

COLONIAL DUTCH ARCHITECTURE•j j- m

CORRESPONDENCE ...................................

288The Baker Scholarship.The South African Registration Bill.

ANSWERS TO ENQUIRIES 291 THE ATELIER QUESTION

Richards & BarlowGLASS MERCHANTS.

yirtists in L E A D E D G L A Z I N G

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

jjgents in South Africa for H o p e ’ s M e t a l C a s e m e n t s L u x f e r P r i s m a t i c L i g h t s William Morris’ Stained Glass

Long Street, Cape Town.

See the Xmas Number of the Builder.

ReadyDecember 15.

December 1st, 1913. IHE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

Institute of South African Architects.

Assoeiatioit of Dransbaal Sreljiteets.(IN C O RPO R ATED UN D ER T H E A R C H IT E C T S ’ PR IVA TE ACT, 1909).

T H E COUNCIL. 1913:

re s ilie n t: W. H. S t u c k e , f . r . i . b . a .ilire-fih'caitients: H erbert Ba k e r , f . r i . b .a . J. F. B e a r d w o o d , m . s . a .

lit embers o f Council: G. S. B urt A n d r e w s , m. s. a . P. E agle . M. J. H a r r i s , m. s .At-R. H ow de n , a . r .v .t. a ., m . s. a . W . L u ca s , f . r . v . i . a .

G. W . N icolay , m. s .a W al t er Re i d , f. r . i . b . a . H. G. V e al e , m . s . a . E. H . W a u g h , a . r . i . b .a . , m . s .t te n is tr a r : C ecil A l d e r , lic . r . i . b . a .

femsbaai Institute of JVrebiteets.COUNCIL, 1913.

|Jrcsibent: R- H o w d e n , a . r . v . i . a . , m . s .a . \ t t i V ,Otce-^prcaibenta : F. W St o k e s , f . s . i . J. W a t e r s o n , f . r i . b .a .

lion- §>ecretanr: M. J. H a r r i s , m .s .a .Hott. ®reasurer: D. M. S in cla ir , m .s .a .

Connell: J- F. B e 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 e id , f . r . i . b . a . W . H. Stucke , f .r . i . b . a . P. E. T reeby , m . s . a . H. G. V e a l e , m .s . a .

^ccrctsum : C. A ld e r , lic . r . i . b . a ., Box 5606, Johannesburg.

Council: F. J. I n g .

Jiatal Institute of ^reljxteets.^president: C. W. M e t h ve n , f. r . s . e . , m . i . c . e ., f . r . i . b . a

iTtre- JIrcaibent: S, G. H udson , f .r . i . b . a .Itou. ^ecrctarn an5 (Treasurer: H : E. C hick .

M. H olm es . T homas R e a d . J. J. H. X iTbRe . G. T. H u rst .W . C. E. R obartsuTT f

®(je Cape Institute of #.reljiteets.* COUNCIL, 1913-14:

ppreaibcnt: F. K. K e n d al l , f . r . i . b . a .Oke-pSresibent: A rthltr H. R e id , f . r . i. b .a .

Itou. # errctarn attii ®veasurer: 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 o r s y t h .

(A ssocia tes)— J. M o r r is , lic . r . i . b.a . H ugh A. M cQ ueen . W . A. R itchie - F allon .

J. D. A n d e r s o n .

- —

®Ije ^oeietu of J.reljiteets [Bitcorporntcft 1S95]. ^outlj African liranefj.Jprcsibent: G. W. N icolay .

O icc-fresibcnt: C. H. S t o t t .Jlfon. Jskrretarii: D. Iv o r Lewis., Jljon. ®rcasuccr: 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 r t o n . M. J. H a rr is (ex-officio).

THE SOUTH AFRICAN INSTITUTE OF QUANTITY SURVEYORS. (1™ r3',led)T H E COUNCIL, 1913-14:

pp re s ilie n t : E v e r a r d W h it e .

Oice-^rcsibenf : D . A. M cC u b b in .

I jo n . O icc-p residen ts : J- F>. A n d er so n , Durban. A. T. B a b b s , Cape Tow n.Council: H . A. A d a m s . N . T . C o w in . F . D . H ic k m a n . T . M o o re . W. E . P u n t is . J . Q u a il .

Jtjon. S ecre ta n j anti ® v c a s u r e r : J- W. C o w lin g , f . s . i ., 813, Park Street, Arcadia, Pretoria.

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, 1913.

'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 IE LBuilder & Contractor

Office and Works :

8, PROVIDENT BLDGS., FOX ST., JOHANNESBURG’Phone 116 P.O. Box 478

P.O. Box 524. Telephone No. 966.

Office and Workshops :6, JOUBERT STREET, SOUTH.

George Begg,BUILDER AND CONTRACTOR,

JOHANNESBURG.

JENKINS & CO.

*B d o n e ! ! ]

1 ^ D E R S O N ;:

I 1

Lk W '

: «EVERYBODY'S

USING

HL

I t1 I T l

If

2, 5 SQUARE FLE1f n

S o OIRECTIOHS FORlW” 6

O 0 H O O j

JOHANNESBURG, CAPE TOWN and at DURBAN.

A D V E R T I S EI N T H E

A FR ICAN A R C H I T E C T

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.

Box 5573. ’Phone 1718.

GIBSONConcrete Building Blocks

GIVE

The MAXIMUM of Strength and Durability

------------ with the MINIMUM of Cost. -

A PERFECT IMITATION OF CUT STONE. Guaranteed non- porous and damp-proof. Price 1 0/- per sup. yard.

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

Full Particulars from :

J. G. GIBSON, SARATOGA AVENUE, near NIND St.. DOORNFONTEIN, JOHANNESBURG.

V ol. 111. No. 7.] DECEMBER 1st, 1913. [10/6 Per Annum post free.

EDITORIAL COMMENTSWe extend to all our readers our best wishes for a

happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Government House Competition Award.Discussion on the award of the Assessors with

reference to the Governor-General’s new residence in the Cape Peninsula still continues rife. We under­stand that the Minister has consented to meet a depu­tation from the Architects’ Institutes. With that exception little news of any note has transpired in connection with the award.

Standard System of Measuring.Wre believe that steps are being taken by the

Institute of Quantity Surveyors, in conjunction with the National Federation of Building Trade Employers in South Africa, which will result in all practising architects being in possession of a copy of this work. The adoption of the standard system will, we believe, in the near future, be almost unanimous throughout South Africa. As we remarked in a previous issue, its use will tend largely to improve the process of tendering, eliminating entirely that speculation which has been somewhat prominent in the past m South Africa. Already several prominent architects have signified their willingness to adopt the system in response to a circular sent out by the Builders-’ Federation to all architects.

South African School of Mines and Technology.It has been brought to our notice that the archi­

tectural classes at this Institute are combined with instruction on other matters, a condition of affairs which does not commend itself to this journal. To our minds the study of architecture should be entirely separated from any other subject, and it is our belief that what is wanted in Johannesburg is a Chair of Architecture. We understand that an attempt has been already made to have this carried into effect, but without success. We have also been informed that the attendance of students at the architectural

classes which are now receiving instruction have been meagrely attended. Perhaps the absence of a Chair of Architecture is the reason for this, and we would advocate that steps be taken immediately to enlist the sympathy of our education authorities.

Baker Scholarship.Our article in the November issue of “ The

Architect ” in connection with the Baker Scholarship has received general commendation, and we are hoping to hear Mr. Baker’s views in connection with the matter at an early date. In the meanwhile we trust that the Transvaal Institute of Architects will give our suggestions serious attention.

Building in South Africa.The disastrous strike in July, and the still

unsettled state of affairs on the Rand, on account of the closing down of mines and the set-back in trade generally, is responsible for a decline in the erection of buildings. Nevertheless, there is nothing to be pessimistic about. The building statistics for the year in Johannesburg show out a decent average as under : January, £86,775 ; February, £ '112 ,8 2 9 ; March, £ '83,422; April, £ '134 ,722 ; May, £ '112 ,0 3 4 ; June, ,£ 102 ,6 71; July, £ 10 3 ,18 4 ; August, £62 ,798 ; Sep­tember, £87 ,834 ; October, £78 ,221.

As a matter of fact prominent business men are optimistic 111 their belief that with the entry of 1914 trade conditions generally will improve in the part which is most adversely affected now, namely, the Central Transvaal. So far as the coastal towns are concerned, prosperity seems to have 'struck Cape Town, after an extreme dullness extending over several years, and the same remarks might be said to apply to Port Elizabeth, East London, and Durban.

From information supplied from reliable authority, the building trade in these last-named towns keeps well up to the average, for we are also informed that coastal builders have applied from time to time through their Federation for skilled artisans. It is curious, however, to relate that .men in Johannesburg show a decided disinclination to go to the coast. Even

2 8 6 THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, 1913.

although suffering from want of work, the}- hang on in the expectation of striking a job at £ 1 per day, which seems to be the chief attraction.

With the unification of the various Municipalities in the Cape Peninsula we believe rapid and consistent progress will be made in that centre. Dwelling-houses are at a premium at the present time, and we believe that the architects there will be kept uniformly busy in designing cottages, etc. Anything in the nature of big undertakings is conspicuous by its absence, and most of the work at the present time going on consists of alterations and additions, and the erection of cottages.Another Complication.

Architectural competitions in other lands besides South Africa seem to result in many and varied com­plications. Read the following comment from our contempprary, “ The Architects’ and Builders’ Journal,” on the new Capital City of Australia: “ It is being realised through experience (the necessary vigour of imagination having been lacking) that the creation of a Commonwealth capital city is not an enterprise that should be undertaken with a light heart—nor with a light purse. Really the Australian Government has acted throughout with extraordinary ineptitude, even for a Government. It deliberately deprived itself of the best architectural advice, and denied itself the advantage of obtaining designs from the organised architects of the world simply because it was too stiff-necked to recede from a false position. Then, from the painfully narrowed field of choice, it had perforce to accept the work of outsiders—that is, of men who, by reason of their nationality, were out­side the Empire. As a matter of art this is no great disaster ; but as a matter of sentiment it carries with it a considerable degree of poignancy. The affair went from bad to worse when an attempt was made to pick out for use the best features of what a lay writer calls the ‘ premeditated ’ designs. One hardly knows how to characterise such procedure. The kindest thing that can be said about it is that from first to last the whole thing has been badly bungled. Of course, the attempt by the Home Affairs Depart­ment to devise a scheme of their own, made up of ‘ points.’ frpm the premiated designs, was foredoomed to produce a sorry hotchpotch. Equally, of course, this miserable result has provoked a storm of adverse criticism. Having brought matters to this pretty pass, the Government are now asking Mr. W. B. Griffin, the Chicago architect who got £ 1,7 5 0 for the first-premiatted design, to go to Australia to help them out of the trouble. It is to be imagined that he will think twice before undertaking so unenviable and so invidious a task.Architects’ Fees.

In our editorial notes last month we had something to say on architects’ fees and the light in wihch they are regarded by some Judges. The plaint is not only confined to South Africa, and public authorities and others who are of the belief that architects’ fees are exorbitant would do well to study a communication addressed to the “ Brooklyn Eagle ” by Mr. Woodruff Leeming, apropos of the commissions to be paid for the proposed New York County Court-house. Mr. Teeming writes : “ The cost to an architect of pre­paring his drawings and specifications and seeing that

they are properly carried out, in offices run on the best business basis, is at least one-half of his com­mission. This, however, applies only to the general class of building, and not to public and monumental work. The cost is then as high as 75 per cent., of the architect’s commission. The United States Govern­ment prepared a statement which was submitted to Congress (Senate Document 916, Sixty-second Con­gress, second session), which gave the average cost of preparing drawings and specifications alone, exclu­sive of superintendence or any other field expenses, for the years 1905 to 19 11 , inclusive, to be 6.2 per cent. This was for preparing the drawings for the buildings erected by the United States Government and done by the supervising architect of the Treasury, a man known for his great executive ability, and therefore done with the greatest economy possible. Reports have been submitted by the State Architect of New York showing that the cost to the State for preparing the plans and specifications made in the State Architect’s offices exceeds 6 per cent. The cost to the New York Central Railroad for preparing the plans for their new station has exceeded 6 per cent. Therefore, an architect who is able to prepare the plans for a ten million dollar building at a cost to him of less than 6 per cent, of the total cost of the building must run his office in the most economical manner possible, and take his chance that the work may cost him more than his entire fee.”Measured Drawings.

We have pleasure in acknowledging, through the kindness of Mr. E. Austin Cooke, Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Cape Institute of Architects, a presentation copy of the Institute’s “ Portfolio of Measured Drawings of Old Dutch Work in South Africa.’’ The Portfolio is a decidedly useful and interesting production, and consists of the elevations of the Old Wine Cellar, Groot Constantia, details of passage and other features. The other set of drawings show the doorways at Groote Schuur, the Old Castle, and other prominent and old buildings in and around the Cape. The work reflects the utmost credit on all concerned, and we recommend members of the profession and young students throughout South Africa to secure a copy. Some three or four sheets will be added each year, which will be duly forwarded to each subscriber. The complete port­folio will consist of from twelve to fifteen sheets, and these are available at the moderate price of 10s. 6d. Copies can be obtained from Mr. Cooke, whose address is : South African Association Chambers, 6, Church Street, Cape Town.Association of Transvaal Architects Reading-room.

The Registrar of the Association of Transvaal Architects has asked us to advise all members of the Association that in future the doors of the reading- room will be kept locked by order of the Council, in consequence of the loss of numerous articles during the past few months. Any member may obtain a key from the Registrar on payment of the actual cost, namely, two shillings, and members obtaining such are requested to kindly see that the doors are secured on their vacating the room. The Council has no desire to prevent members using the room, but it has reluctantly been compelled to take this step for the protection of the members’ property.

December 1st, 1913. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. 287

The African ArchitectO 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 E C E M B E R 1st, 1913.

“ THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT”

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GOVERNMENT COMPETITIONSANOTHER VIEW

iJL*[This contribution by a well-known architect, not

resident in the Transvaal and not a competitor, has been sent to us for publication. We deem it of sufficient importance to give it this prominence.— Editor, “ A. A. ” ]

• • IA

THE most interesting topic of conversation in architectural circles in South Africa at the moment is undoubtedly that of the recent report of the Assessors on the competitive

designs for the proposed Governor-General’s residence at Cape Town. The dissatisfaction which has in the past been expressed by competitors and others in regard to competitions promulgated by the Govern­ment has been only too evident, and reached its

zenith on the publication in “ The Star ” of the report over the names of Messrs. Stucke, Baker, and Eagle. The contents of this report were such as to irritate and annoy almost every member of the profession in the sub-Continent to such effect that representations to the Minister of Public Works, in the form of, I believe, unanimous resolutions, were forwarded by such architectural organisations to Pretoria.

The outstanding points in these resolutions were the unsatisfactory results of Government competi­tions, the disappointing result of the Assessors’ efforts on the Governor-General’s residence 'competi­tion, and a request to the Minister of Public Works to receivg a deputation of architects forp/the,cpurpose of discU^sing competitions generally.

The first point of importance is the fact that the Minister has graciously consented to reeeiWf this deputation which consists of the professional men mentioned in another page of this issue.

To my mind the consent of the Minister to receive this deputation is a matter of the utmost importance to the profession, as the results following on a fair and unprejudiced explanation by the delegates are, from knowledge of Sir Thomas Watt, certain to be beneficial to the future prospects of architects in South Africa.

I am' unaware of the minor points which will be; 2BW ujnr.’ %submitteMu^o . the Minister, but the desirability of placing tfier matter of the recent residence competi­tion in,Fa secondary position in the discussion, in favour of future competitions, is of the utmo'st import-

3 <)ance. To sum up, the general opinion regarding the Assessors" report on the Governor-GeneralVPesidence competition is that the results are deplorable and tactless ; the main object of the deputation should, therefore, be to obtain an understanding with the Government that there will be no repetifipp_of the blunder. There is in this, as in almost every com­munity, a certain proportion of its members who are only too ready to resuscitate every atom of*,,soiled linen for years past, but it is with every satisfaction that I note this element is absent from the members constituting the deputation.

It is hardly necessary for me to remind the depu­tation that to some extent the future of Government competitions depends on the nature of the arguments they submit to the Minister.

2 8 8 THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December ist, 1913.

To the Editor, “ The A frican A rch itect."

(As the Assessors in making their award did not observe the usually recognised course and state the outstanding features in the designs that so com­mended themselves, as to warrant these being premiated, this detailed review—in numerical order— of the thirty-three designs, from a well-known member of the profession who was not a competitor, will be read with special interest.—Ed.)

As the problem was essentially one of plan, and the external treatment meant the elevations—through the conditions of competition, and the known prefer­ences of two of the assessors—were generally neces­sarily of a very similar character, the remarks which follow relate solely to planning.

No. 1 .—The position of His Excellency’s rooms is good for business visitors, and for access to the first floor; while intercommunication is fairly good—the ball, dining and drawing-rooms being not badly placed —though the positions for the billiard-room and of Her Excellency’s room would not answer for State functions.

No. 2.—A pretentious plan, but on the whole not really good. The ballroom is on a slightly lower level, with its attendant inconveniences, the drawing-room far from readily accessible from the entrance, and the first floor badly broken up with corridors, areas, and recesses. His Excellency’s rooms, however, are well planned, with separate external business and private entrances.

No. 3.—The entrance with allied circular hall, and the crush hall adjacent to the ballroom entrance, are fine features;, but the unfortunate placing of the ballroom on a lower level, in conjunction with the staircase and first floor planning, and the nature of the inter-communication, are among the points which mar this design.

No. 4.—A highly compact design, in which unusual success has been secured in the matter of dignity, allied with suitable access and desirable privacy in regard to the various sections. His Excellency’s rooms are well placed for business, and Her Excel­lency’s particularly so for the ball, and drawing-rooms, as well as for the State suite on the upper floor.

No. 5.—In this design the nature of the require­ments of the planning has not been grasped; for

instance, His Excellency’s rooms for the transaction of business have been divided between the ground and mezzanine floors.

No. 6.—His Excellency’s rooms are well placed for business, and in ready communication with the State suites, which are planned in a separate wing on the same level. Access to the ballroom is poor, while there is a lack of convenience between Her Excellency’s rooms and the drawing and ballrooms.

No. 7.—The ballroom has loggias on the two sides with ante-rooms at the ends, and is practically en suite with the drawing and dining-rooms; while His Excellency’s rooms are well arranged for business. Good compact planning prevails on the first floor.

No. 8.—(Premiated.)No. 9.—The feature in this plan is the placing of

the State suites, and the direct access thereto from the main entrance by a central staircase. Theseparate external entrance to their Excellencies’ rooms, as well as the position of these, and the en suite character of the reception rooms are good.

No. 10.—This is a plan with a more than usual number of good points. Among these are staircases specially well placed to serve the first floor, and Her Excellency’s room has the great advantage of directly adjoining the drawing-room, with an allied staircase to the State suite above. His Excellency’s rooms, however, are badly placed for business.

No. 1 1 .—(Premiated.)No. 12 .—The intercommunication in this desire is

very commendable, and also generally the access to the principal rooms; while the separate external entrance to His Excellency’s rooms would be a great advantage.

No. 13 .—Another instance similar to the first premiated, of the ballroom being at a lower level. Her Excellency’s rooms are in a good position for busi­ness, and the access from the entrance to the drawing and dining-rooms respectively is good. The first floor is well planned, especially re the State suites.

No. 14.—This plan, in common with several others suffers from the ballroom being at a lower level— having steps down from the entrance hall, and up to the loggias. The dining and drawing-rooms are well placed m regard to the entrance.

December ist, 1913 THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

No. 15.—Here the drawing and dining-rooms are in unusually convenient proximity, and there is good direct access from the entrance to the drawing-room, and also for Her Excellency both to the drawing-room and (by private stairs) to the well-planned and readily accessible State suite on the first floor. Among the great disadvantages are the ballroom being under the drawing-room, and a long ill-lighted and ill-ventilated corridor to the bulk of the bedrooms.

No. 16.—Their Excellencies’ rooms are generally well placed, and there is good inter-communication for the drawing, ball, dining, and billiard-rooms; while the planning on the first floor, and the staircases thereto, are good.

No. 17.—This is a very weak design, but with some good points, and the author’s lettering shows he prominently thought of the possibility of the King and Queen occupying one of the State suites, and of the desirability of a separate staircase for Their Majesties.

No. 18.—A plan which would furnish some striking effects at State functions. The ball, dining, and drawing-rooms are relatively well placed, but the access to these rooms from the main entrance is far from good. Much success has been secured in regard to Their Excellencies’ rooms, and the first floor shows some fine planning.

No. 19.—Among a number of good points are the relative positions of the drawing, dining, and ball rooms, though the position of the latter would at times mean much congestion in the adjacent corridor. The first floor leaves much to be desired.

No. 20.—In this case the entrance and staircase, as well as the access to the ballroom, appeal to one; but the scattered planning of Their Excellencies’ rooms, and the distance from the entrance, in con­junction with the nature of the intercommunication generally (except for Their Excellencies between ground "and first floor rooms) would seriously tell against this design.

No. 2 1.—This plan has a number of excellent points, including the relative positions of ball and drawing-rooms, and convenience of access for Their Excellencies to drawing and dining-rooms ; but is weak m matter of access to His Excellency’s room for business, and in staircase accommodation.

No. 22.—The main entrance is poor, and also the access therefrom to the ballroom ; while, on the other hand, the separate external entrance to His Excel­lency’s rooms is very good. But the want of privacy for their Excellencies between their ground and first- floor rooms is very marked.

No. 23.—Their Excellencies’ rooms on the ground floor are well arranged with private stairs to first floor, but the intercommunication generally is bad.

No. 24.—Here is to be seen one of the best planned ballrooms, entirely encircled with corridors and lounges, and with Their Excellencies’ rooms well placed for both the ball and drawing-rooms ; but on the first floor the corridor planning proved too much for the author.

No. 25.—In this design the ballroom again appears on a lower level, and in addition to this great disadvantage, ready intercommunication is otherwise

lacking between the various reception rooms. The entrance halls and access from Their Excellencies’ rooms to the ballroom are excellent features ; and the first floor shows some good planning.

No. 26.—In the main this is a splendid conception, though weak in certain details. The first floor has been specially well considered, and the State suites particularly so, with good access via the principal and private staircase.

No. 27.—The planning of Their Excellencies’ rooms in regard to the public, with separate external entrance, and in relation to the ballroom and first- floor rooms, is undoubtedly good. The ballroom suffers in matter of access and the State suites are poorly arranged.

No. 28.—Simplicity, linked with practical conveni­ence, is the keynote of this plan. His Excellency’s rooms have an external entrance, and all the principal rooms are directly en suite, not only with'themselves but with Their Excellency’s rooms. There is weak­ness in the staircases and corridors being so generally common to various rooms.

No. 29.—This is a very stately plan, characterised by spaciousness on both the ground and first floors, and particularly effective in its entrance hall extending across the building. The ballroom and drawing-room are well placed, and in close private touch with Their Excellencies’ rooms ; while the detachment of both the ball and billiard rooms is especially good. Certain details, as the planning of His Excellency’s rooms for business, leave room for improvement.

No. 30.—This plan has much in common with the first premiated, which will be referred to later.

No. 3 1 .—Has some remarkable features in the entrance and staircase, and in the rambling corridors.

No. 32-—(Premiated.)No. 33.—A plan in which en suite arrangements,

halls extending from entrance to garden fronts, and staircase disposition, are splendid. Their Excellencies’ rooms are well situated for both business and access to ball and drawing-rooms; while the first floor with its State suites, etc., is masterly planned.

The Premiated Designs

It now only remains to review the three premiated designs, viz., Nos. 32, 11 , and 8, and in the light of such to express a conviction on the matter.

No. 8 (Third Premiated).—The supreme feature on the ground floor in this design is the central corri corridor, extending from either side of the entrance hall (of a width of eight feet), at the respective extremities of which are placed the dining-room and the drawing-room. The ballroom, immediately facing the entrance off a lounge hall, with loggias at either end ; His Excellency’s rooms directly accessible off the central corridor, and the proximity of Her Excellency’s room to the drawing-room, are good features. Their Excellencies’ access to the State suite on the first floor is fairly direct, but there appears no internal access to the ballroom except from the entrance hall, and no private lavatory accommodation has been planned for Their Excellencies on the ground floor. In addition to the distance (some two hundred feet) to be traversed from the dining-room to the drawing­room, weakness is evident in placing the billiard-room

289

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

off the central corridor, between the entrance hall and the dining-room, and in proximity to one of the only two staircases in the main block. These staircases, moreover, are the only provision (except the stairs in the kitchen block) for reaching the first floor gener­ally, including access to the State suites. On the first floor the planning generally is fair, with entrance halls to the State suites which adjoin the head of the two staircases respectively. But the outstanding weak­nesses in regard to this floor are : Firstly, that the only communication all housed thereon have with the ground floor of the principal portion of the house is by the general staircases referred to. That directly from the wing in which Their Excellencies!, suite is situated lands alongside the drawing-room, and that from the opposite wing alongside the dining-room and breakfast-room. Secondly, that a practically con­tinuous and slightly broken corridor, varying only from six to eight feet wide and some three’ hundred and thirty feet long, traverses this floor almost from end to end of the building, and lighted in the main block mainly from moderate-sized internal courts, and without access therefrom to any balcony, loggia, or flat for an open view to relieve the monotony.

No. 11 (Second Premiated).—The characteristic of this design is that the method adopted by several competitors of placing some rooms on a lower than the principal entrance level, herein reaches its climax, for drawing-room, ballroom, dining-room, and billiard- room—practically en suite—lie about ten feet below. Access is gained to these rooms down a central flight of steps embodied in the main staircase, which directly faces the entrance hall.

In spite of strong efforts, resulting in a number of good points, to overcome the obvious disadvantages of this method of planning on two levels (including a private stairs for Their Excellencies’ alongside Her Excellency s room), the poverty of the arrangement prominently forces itself upon 'one. Apart from the question of differences of level, there is great weak­ness in this plan in the cramped position of the only direct entrance to the drawing-room, and in this being close alongside the door in the return wall of the adjacent billiard-room.

On the principal entrance level, in direct touch with the entrance, Their Excellencies’ rooms are highly convenient for business visitors, and the provi­sion of two private staircases for the State suites is an excellent thought, but the course of access to these staircases from the entrance hall via return corridors is not good—that to the State suite reserved for dis­tinguished guests being past the housekeeper’s room and the servants’ stairs. The placing of the State suites on the first floor, entirely separate from the general bedrooms, with a private corridor between them, is, however, very good, but the planning of the rooms of these suites is far from commendable.

No. 32 (First Premiated).—This plan has much in common with No. 8—the third premiated—and embodies many of its features, plus something of the main characteristic of No. 1 1—the second premiated. The entrance leads into a long gallery thirteen feet wide, which overlooks the ballroom seven feet below the main floor level, and has at its respective ends the dining-room and drawing-room, one hundred and ninety feet apart.

290

Except m the direction of some commendable detailed features (whose merit is shared in common with many of the designs), no essentially distinct points in its favour seem to demand mention ; save perhaps the planning of the several rooms of the State suites, which is excellent. Weakness, however, is writ large. For instance, not only are His Excellency’s rooms so placed that there is lengthy access from the main entrance ; but the office door is reached just past the entrance to the drawing-room, and at the foot of the staircase that leads direct to a State suite ; and moreover, these rooms for public business are right on the line of communication from Her Excellency’s room, both to the drawing-room and to the said stair­case. In another direction the entrance hall is very much restricted ; and the nature of the access to the ballroom, and to the loggias beyond, down flights of steps at its ends, is far from dignified. This want of dignity is probably most marked in the two staircases situated behind the dining-room and drawing-room respectively, and that are reached by return corridors six feet wide from the long gallery. These are the only staircases provided in the main block, and each would be used by all in common to reach the numerous bedrooms above. The accessories of that adjacent to His and Her Excellencies’ rooms on the ground and first floors have been referred to, while the staircase that best serves the other State suite starts from a hall common to the billiard-room. In these, and other ways, the possibilities of privacy within the house for Their Excellencies and their distinguished guests are very limited. In the event of a great State reception or levee, it is impossible to see at what point upon the plan it could be held with becoming fitness of access thereto.

As to the first floor, beyond the planning of the State suites, this generally is open to considerable criticism. Here the dominating feature, with) all its evident objections, is a continuous corridor about two hundred feet long and six feet wide, dependent solely on top lighting (except for the glimmer which would find its way to the centre via a narrow lobby on one side), and terminating at each end in the wall of a return corridor of similar width, by which the stair­cases to the ground floor are reached. In addition to serving the State suites of His Excellency and distin­guished guests, situated at the head of the staircases, this is the sole means of communication available for some nineteen bedrooms and allied bathroom, etc., accommodation, including access to a paved flat over the ballroom from the lobby referred to.

As a result of experience based upon some know­ledge of country mansions in general, and several vice-regal and consular residences in particular, there is fullest concurrence in the assessors’ judgment (in so far as the designs they have premiated, and particularly the first, is concerned), viz., “ that every submitted has such deep-seated faults that a Govern­ment House, which would be satisfactory both aesthetically and practically, could not be built from any of the designs without such radical recasting as would amount to a new design.’ ’ But it is absolutely impossible for the writer of this review to see on what general basis, or specific grounds, such a sweeping condemnation as has been passed on the whole of the designs submitted is deserved.

December 1st, 1913.

December ist, 1913. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. 291

Of the total number of designs submitted, at least fourteen were well worth careful consideration ; while nine or ten would be available for the final selection of six. In the assessors’ list (and not involving the three premiated designs) there are two ; and beyond that list of six, at least four which show intimate knowledge of a vice-regal residence. And the success with which the authors of these have embodied the stipulated requirements in their designs, proves that with very few, if any, amendments ; and no unreason­able modification of plan (and these generally of an order that apply to all accepted competitive designs) there are the possibilities of realising on the slopes of Table Mountain the essential attributes for a dignified Government House for the Legislative Capital.

The designs so referred to comprise varying types of treatment on the lines of the Government’s expressed wishes ; yet either, with but slight adjust­ment, would not only surpass that in the Administra­tive Capital, but—I venture to submit—very fully embody the ideals of the assessors as set forth in the statement accompanying their award. And, moreover, as far as one can compare the drawings with executed works, the outstanding designs are divided between well-known practitioners and new and promising masters ; and the erection of either of these would infuse newness of life into the architecture of South Africa.

ANSWERS TO ENQUIRIES

So m an y e n q u ir ie s a r e m a d e p e rs o n a lly a t th is office co ncern in g m a n y m atters conn ected w ith th e pro fess ion , that w e now f e n d it ex p ed ie n t a n d o n ly po ssib le to a n s w e r these through th e m ed iu m o f t h is jo u r n a l . in fu t u r e , th e r e fo re , m em bers a r e r eq u es ted to s e n d t h e ir e n q u ir ie s d ire c t to th e E d it o r o f “ T h e A fr ic a n A r c h i t e c t P . O . B o x 4(151, Jo h a n n e s b u rg .

“ AFRICANDER.”—Before publishing your busi­ness card in our columns we should like to have it endorsed by the Registrar of the Association of Transvaal Architects. Your proposal' appears to us as merely an advertising move.

“ QUORUM.” —We shall be pleased to do anything to assist the Association to raise a quorum, but why not ask your Council to instruct its Registrar to take all necessary steps to bring the members together. Has such action been taken ?

“ B .J.”—The architects for the South African School of Mines and Technology were Messrs. Howden and Stewart, the builder Mr. Colin Gabriel. The present structure is only part of the original scheme.

“ QUERIST.” —Your question should receive the attention of a lawyer. We advise you to endeavour to secure a settlement out of a court of law, however. If a Board such as we advocated in a recent issue were appointed an immense amount of trouble and expense might be avoided.

“ CLERK OF WORKS.” —You were quite right to keep the builder to his “ spec,’’ which no respectable contractor will seek to avoid.

“ SURVEYOR.” —Your tale is a good one but— chestnutty ! Did you ever hear of the baker who could “ measure u p ” his job without the aid of a surveyor ? He struck an Irishman who did the brick­work, and who got paid for the measurement outside and inside of the addition to the bakehouse ?

“ TRADER.” —Now, do you think we run adver­tisement pages for fun ? Because we don’t. We will be glad to quote you our rates, and this journal is a business-getter !

“ G.T. ” —We see 110 reason why you should not utilise secondhand matchboarding for the ceilings in the re-erection of your outbuildings ; if anything, there is less liability of the joints opening as the wood will probably be thoroughly dried-out.

“ COMPETITOR.” —For correspondence regarding Governor’s Residence, Cape Town, see last month’s issue of this .journal.

“ J.M .T .” —Libellous.“ BUILDER.” —Will reply in our next issue.“ UBIOUE. ’’—As far as we can ascertain there are

five separate institutions of architects in South Africa, viz., the Association of Transvaal Architects, the Transvaal Institute of Architects, the Cape and Natal Institutes of Architects, and the Society of Architects (South African Branch).

ASSOCIATION OF TRANSVAAL ARCHITECTS

A special general meeting of members of the'Asso­ciation of 1 ransvaal Architects was convened for Wednesday, the 19th November, at 8 p.m. The meeting was called for the purpose of dealing with the following : (a) To consider the advisability of amending By-laws Nos. 29a and 29b, dealing with amounts payable, and when payable, by members for annual subscriptions, and to pass such resolutions, if deemed necessary, to give effect to any amendments thereof ; ^b) to consider the Assessors’ report as pub­lished in 7 The Star ” of October 15 th, 19 13, regarding the competition for the proposed Government House, Cape Town,.and if deemed necessary to pass any reso­lution cjealing with such matter.

It is regretted that in consequence of there being an insufficient number of members present to form a quorum no meeting could be held, hut with the consent of the eighteen or so members present, an informal debate on the aforementioned matters took place, Mr. G. W. Nicolay occupying the chair.

A lively discussion ensued as to the inability of the Association to bring about any alteration in its By­laws in consequence of the Act necessitating a voting body of one-third of the enrolled members being present or partially represented by proxy. During the course of the discussion the Registrar explained that the Council had unsuccessfully endeavoured, not only by obtaining legal advice but by an appeal to the Minister for the Interior, to bring about an alteration in the subscription by-law, to take effect from the 31st December, 1913. The same answer had been received in such case—one-third of the members on the roll must be represented at the meeting.

The second portion of the agenda formed the subject of some slight discussion, but in view of the fact that this subject was in the hands of the dele­gates of the different architectural bodies, no informa­tion was offered by the Councillors or the Registrar.

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December rsf, tqt'L? ') 2

M U N ICIPAL E LE CTRICAL BUILDINGS, SALISBURY GARDEN S, SALISBURY, SO U TH ERN RHODESIA.VIEW OF PRIN CIPAL FAC AD E

E r n e s t R o se , Architect.

ARCHITECTURE IN RHODESIAThe subject of present-day architecture in

Southern Rhodesia, and the work of architects, must be regarded in a different spirit from that which has been so cbmmon in the past few years. Notable advancement has been made throughout Rhodesia, and much beautiful work is being done, but whilst we praise the architects of to-day, we must remember that they are only following a movement that was started by men like the late Francis Masey and others.

Masey’s works are well known in the capital of Rhodesia, as well as other parts. He was one of the first to design a building with the central court successfully, which principle to-day governs most buildings in the country. His works, which are the admiration of all who love well-defined styles of architecture, will stand as a lasting memorial of his architectural genius.

One of the last buildings to be completed this year in Salisbury is the Municipal Electrical Offices. The

main facade would appear to be a favoured style in Salisbury. The external part of the front is plastered, and the whole is finished in white. The ground floor of the building is occupied by the staff as offices and show rooms, whilst the upper portion of the main facade is the engineer’s residence. The Power Station itself forms a back block. The offices have a verandah at the front, and the engineer has an open balcony above. Above the balcony the building is formed into three panels, fluted pilasters being used to form these. In the centre of the two outer panels is a door and window combination, which allows one to pass on to the balcony after sliding the lower sash to the head of the frame and opening the small door below. When the shutters are closed the whole acts as a door. The centre panel has two large sash windows. The gable, in the centre, makes a simple connection with the trygliph cornice, and the Muni­cipal Shield further assists in connecting these two styles, the whole forming a rather attractive front.

December 1st, iQ13. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. 293

ON DITThat "Balaam ’s Curse” has created a profound

interest and impression all over South Africa.

That a prominent member of the profession posted quite a few extra copies Home.

That it is wondered why ?* * * *

I hat Messrs. Burt Andrews and Cecil Alder would do well to have a look at a few more foundations.

sjt ^That the profession is wondering when they are

to hear something more about the “ Registration Bill.”

sjcThat the builders would like to hear of the

inauguration of continuation classes for instruction to clerks of works.

* * # *That again it is wondered why.

That the plans of a new Park Station are—where they have been for a long time !

%

That the approach to the present one requires the agility of an acrobat—not an architect— to elude the cabs on a busy day.

That it is said that though the railways 111 the Transvaal provide practically the only profits derived throughout the system, Joyful Johannesburg is unworthy of a handsome new station !

# ❖ 'fi ❖

That everyone says—Poor Johannesburg !* * * *

That an attempt is to be made in the near future to secure a uniform “ Conditions of Contract’’ throughout South Africa..

* * * *1 hat the promoters of the scheme have tackled a

big job.* * * *

That they will soon find it out !

That Messrs. Baker—and Stucke—and Eagle are still alive, and

Ihat it is wonderful !

That the members of the deputation which arranged to wait on the Minister of Works on the 14th November are still kicking their heels in Johannes­burg.

That Architects Hurst and Paton, delegates from Natal, took a flying leap from the train at Durban when they received a telegram postponing the date of the visit to the Minister.

That the Cape Institute has at last appointed two delegates to visit Pretoria.

That they wonder if the Secretary to the delegates has arranged for the cinematograph man to attend on the occasion of the delegates’ visit.

Ihat the apathetic feeling amongst members of the Association of Architects in regard to a reduction of their annual subscriptions is surprising.

*5* 'fc ^ t4

That the Cape Institute would receive a shock if its members realised the time and work put into the Draft Act by the Association Council.

m 'e >!<That the lack of interest displayed by the profes­

sion 111 the Association reading-room is deplorable, and

That their experience in other countries is the difficulty of obtaining access to the architectural periodicals, which are invariably in use. and

^That the Johannesburg excuse of “ too b u sy” is

not applicable in the case of every registered architect in the Transvaal.

That the feeling against the non-award of the Baker Scholarship this year is so strong among the younger members of the profession that they have committed themselves to contribute a liberal sum to any fund which may be raised that will, in some measure, compensate for the sorry disappointment that has been caused.

* * *

Ihat as one of the two unsuccessful candidates for this Scholarship has already proceeded to Europe under highly favourable auspices, there is the more reason why a fund should be immediately raised on the lines of your correspondent’s appeal to enable the remaining candidate to receive further architectural training amidst classic masterpieces.

DETAILS

We are in a position to state that the deputation which the Minister of Public Works has been pleased to offer to receive consists of the following delegates : Association of Transvaal Architects: Mr. J . F. Beard- wood, M.S.A. (Vice-President), Mr. Walter Rice, F.R.I.B.A. (Member of Council and Past President), Mr. H. G. Veale, M.S.A. (Member of Council and Past President) ; Transvaal Institute of Architects: Mr. R. Howden, M.R.V.I.A. (President), Mr. Frank Emley, F.R.I.B.A. (Member of Council), Mr. P. E. Freeby, M.S.A. (Member of Council and Past Presi­dent), Mr. J . Waterson, F.R.I.B.A. (Vice-President and Past President) ; South African Branch of Society of Architects (Lond.) : Mr. G. W. Nicolay (President), Mr. M. J. Harris (Member of Council and Past Presi­dent), Mr. J. A. Moffat ; the Natal Institute of Archi­tects : Mr. G. T. Hurst (Member of Council), Mr. Paton ; the Cape Institute of Architects : Mr. W. A. Ritchie-Falloon (Member of Council) ; secretary to delegates: Cecil Alder, Lic.R.I.B.A., P.O. Box 2266, Johannesburg.

THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, ;<ji p294

The Conditions of Building and EngineeringContracts.

Being an Explanation of the Clauses of the General Conditions of Specifications and the Legal Decisions affecting them.

Specially Contributed to ‘'The Architects & guilders' Journal” by E. J. Rimrhbf, M.Eng., B.Sc., A.M.Inst.C.E., oj Lincoln's Inn and the Northern Circhit, Barrister at Law, and Kenneth G .’Tftomas, B.A., LL.B. [Cantab.), i '

Uiii . '! I 0 0V * arenthetical numbers in the text refer to cases noted at the end o f exfeh section.

i , , ADDITIONS, OMISSIONS AND VARIATIONS

The clauses dealing with these subjects usually provide : (i.) that in executing the world¥He Contractor shall make such Alterations, Omissions and Variations as the Engineer shall direct him to make ; (ii.) that no Alteration, Omission or Variation shall annul or invalidate the Contract but shall be taken to be made under the Contract ; (iii.) that no such additions or variations shall be deemed to be extra work1 and that the Building Owner shall not become liable to any charge in respect of them unless the instruction for the performance of the same shall have been given in writing by the Engineer nor unless such instruction shall state that the work is to be the stibject of an extra or varied charge ; (iv.) that the: vhlti.e of such extra work shall wherever practicable''fie1 feed uponbefore it shall be commenced but that ther-value in every case shall be determined by the Engineer, whose decision shall be final and binding, but who, in making such valuation shall be guided by the prices for analogduit "'construction set out in the bill of Quantifies So far as applicable; and (v.) that if it is necessary to execute extra work “ by the d ay” the prices "Set out in the Schedule of Wages shall be applied.

There are generally provisions requiring the Con­tractor to present his claims for extra work at specified intervals (usually monthly) and his claim for extra worjs “ by the day ” each day, with an exact list of persons employed. These provisions usually make the presentation of such claims on prescribed forms and within the fixed periods a condition precedent to the liability of the Building Owner to pay such claims.

An addition to or variation from the contract work may be one of three things: (a) It may be part of the original work contemplated by the contract and necessary for its proper fulfilment in accordance with the plans and specifications. If so, it will be impliedly included in the contract price and not the subject of an extra charge, (b) It may be an “ extra ” —that is to say, not either expressly or impliedly included in the contract price, but' of a nature collateral with the contract work so as to be, by the above provisions, subject to all the conditions of the contract. It will,

•d , [■.therefore, be necessary, in order to satisfy the condi­tion of the contract, that it is ordered in writing by the engineer, and is claimed in time and manner prescribed by these conditions, (c) It may be work so entirely outside the contract work that the order for it and the work under it will be given and done, respectively, outside the conditions of the contract. (16 )

The engineer is, by the provision of the contract set out above, in effect, made the judge of the question whether additional work to be done is an extra or part of the original contract work, because it is required by the provisions that the building owner shall not becomevliable to any charge in respecUof it unless the engineer shall give an order in writings, It has been said that “ the engineer” is, under such a clause, the supreme judge as to extras and altera­tions. (17.)

The question whether the work is an extra?! or wholly outside the contract work is a question of law, and therefore carihot be conclusively decided by the engineer. I ic

Extra Work Within the ContractUnder the provisions set Out above, the absence of

an order in writing is fatal to a coni factor's claim for extra work unless fa) the building owner interferes with the discretion of the engineer in determining what shall be deemed an extra, or (b) the building owner, himself or in his engineer, waives the condi­tion that the order shall be in writing.

A recent case (18) illustrates an interference by the building owner which makes this provision inapplicable. During the progress of the work the building owner insisted upon the execution of certain works which he alleged were included in the contract, but which the contractor maintained were extras. It was held that an arbitrator was justified in assuming an implied promise to pay for the work although no order in writing was given.

A building owner may expressly waive the condi­tion that an order for extra work shall be in writing, but whether he can impliedly do so appears to "Be a difficult question. The mere knowledge of the building owner that work is being done without an

December 1st, 1913. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. 295

order in writing does not appear to be enough to con­stitute a waiver because it is not for him to decide whether the work is an extra or not. On the other hand, in one case it was said by Lord Justice Turner :“ I think it would be a fraud on the part of the company to have desired by their engineer these alterations, additions, and omissions to be made, to have stood by and seen the expenditure going on upon them, to have taken the benefit of that expenditure, and to refuse payment on the ground that the expendi­ture was incurred without proper orders having been given for the purpose.” ( 19.)

It is submitted, therefore, that if the engineer informed the building owner that certain work was to be subject to an extra charge, the building owner would not then be able to set up in defence to an action brought to recover the amount, that the order was not in writing. Thus a progress certificate which notifies the building owner that money has been paid in respect of work collateral with contract work may possibly preclude the building owner from setting up this defence. It must not, however, be thought that the progress certificate in such a case is an order for extras—it is, in its relation to the question under discussion, merely an intimation to the building owner that extra work has been done and certified for. If the building owner is a public authority bound to contract under seal an order for extras, unless given in the form prescribed by the contract, must itself be under seal, and there can be no waiver of the condi­tion unless under seal. (20.) (See also Introduction.)

A final certificate by the engineer is usually con­clusive and binding upon the parties to the contract, and the fact that orders for extras have not been made in writing, although so required by the contract, will not justify a refusal by the building owner to pay upon a final certificate which includes charges for extras. (21.)

Extra Work Outside the Contract

It is impossible to lay down any definite rules for testing whether additional work is outside the original contract or not. It is a question of the interpretation of the contract and therefore one of law. If the work cannot be said to have been expressly or impliedly contemplated by the plans and specifications nor of a nature collateral with the contract work it will be deemed to be the subject of a new contract. A11 illustration of this has been furnished by a case referred to above (16) where ships’ stores (spare masts, yards, sails, etc.) were held to be outside the contract for the building of a warship. Work winch is ordered after the final certificate has been given, whether cognate to the contract work or not, appears to be made under a new contract, as also does work of repair after completion which is not provided for by the Defective Work or Maintenance Clauses. (See post, Chapter III.)

The conditions of the original contract do not apply to extra work which is the subject of a new contract, and therefore the compliance with the provisions set out above is not a condition precedent to a claim for payment. There is an implied term of the new contract that the contractor shall be paid for the work. The arbitration clause does not apply to such a contract, and the amount to be paid may, if the con­tractor wish it, be assessed by a jury. Moreover, the

existence of a new contract may waive the conditions of the original contract. For example, in a case where the contractor agreed to build certain houses by a certain day subject to a penalty clause for non­completion, it was held that the ordering of other houses to "fee finished within a reasonable time waived the original penalty clause, and applied the condition of completing within a reasonable time to the original as well as the new contract. (22.)

Two defences are open to a building owner to a claim for payment for work under a new contract ordered by the engineer : (a) That the engineer who ordered the work was not authorised by him to enter into a new contract, or (b) that being a public authority the agreement is not valid because not under seal.

In resjoect of the first of these two defences it may be successfully urged that the engineer is merely an agent for the building owner to order extras 111 a particular manner and not for entering into new contracts outside the original contract. This will be a good defence provided that the principal (i.e., the building owner) has not ratified the contract so entered into by the engineer. Sufficient ratification would, it is submitted, be the payment of money under the contract or a submission to arbitration as to whether the work is an extra or not.

[In order to protect the building owner against claims made in respect of new contracts entered into by the engineer, the authors suggest that a clause might be inserted in an engineering contract stating in unambiguous terms that the engineer shall not be deemed to have power to enter into any new agree­ment on behalf of the building owner unless expressly authorised by the latter, and that any such agreement shall not be binding upon the owners or the subject of any clainj by the contractors unless the instructions for its performance shall have been given in writing by the engineer and unless all the terms of the contract are reduced to writing and signed by the engineer. It might also be well to add that any such new agreement shall be deemed to incorporate all the clauses of the original agreement which are applicable, including the certificate, maintenance and arfeitration clauses.]

If this defence is successful the contractor may sue the engineer for breach of warranty of authority if he thinks, and has reasonable grounds for thinking, that the engineer was authorised to make such a contract on behalf of the building owner. In respect of extras, however, the authority of the engineer is so clearly laid down in these clauses (viz., that the order must be executed in writing) that the contractor must be held to have the fullest knowledge of it.

(With regard to the invalidity of contracts made with public authorities which are not under seal, see Introduction, ante, p. 357-)

Payment of Extra Work

These provisions of the contract also prescribe the manner in which the payment for extra work or deduc­tions for omissions shall be computed. They are to be valued by the engineer, who shall have regard as far as possible to the prices set out in the bill of quantities and schedule of wages.

Where the work executed as extra work is exactly analogous to other work which has been done, and

2 9 6 THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, 1913.

which is priced in bills of quantities, the engineer will use this price for the valuation of-the additional work. Where there is no work exactly analogous the engineer will take the price for similar work in the bill of quantities and add to or- deduct from it what he con­siders proper, having. regard to the greater or less difficulty experienced in executing the work. For example, there may be- a price in the bill of quantities for excavation of a class of material at a certain level. If so, excavation at the same level of the same class of material will clearly be exactly analogous and, therefore, subject to the same rate of payment, but excavation at a different level or of different material may lead to a variation in the rate of payment.

If there is no price in the bill of quantities for work at all analogous to the additional work ordered then the amount of payment for it may be arrived at in several ways : (1) The value of the work may be decided upon and agreed by the contractor before the work is commenced ; (2) the contractor may present a statement of the prime cost of all labour and materials to the engineer, who will allow the addition of a certain proper percentage for profit and adminis­tration; or (3) the contractor may present a statement of the days and hours of employment bf men and plant in executing the work, upon which statement the amount to be-paid will be arrived at by reference to the “ Schedule of Wages ” 335 (4) (d) attached to the contract.

It is usual to make the final decision of the amount one for the sole discretion of the engineer, using his skill, judgment and experience as a valuer, and there­fore not subject to revision by an arbitrator.

It may be noted generally that when a building owner requires alterations in the work, but does not wish them to be carried out by the original contractor, that unless the original contract contains a clause permitting the building owner to employ other con­tractors or workmen on the site the original contractor can claim to carry out such alterations.

OmissionsOmissions for which a deduction in pried may be

made by the building owner mean omissions altogether from the contract work. A building owner is not entitled to withdraw work from the contractor and give it Jo another to be carried out, unless the con­tractor has failed in his obligations under the contract.

Omissions from the contract work may cause a serious loss to the contractor. As has been explained in the introduction, a contractor very often requires to expend considerable amounts of money in 1 on costs,’,’ i.e., staff, temporary works, etc. He calcu­lates these and distributes them over the prices in the bill of quantiles on the assumption that the whole of the work in the bill o f. quantities is going to be carried out. If some of the work is omitted, he will stand to lose those “ on costs,” for which he has looked to the omitted work to repay him. An extreme example may be given in the case where a contractor undertakes to construct two dry docks, and for which it is necessary to erect a temporary coffer dam. He will naturally distribute half the costs of the tem­porary dam over the price for each dock, and if the building owner decides to omit one he will lose half the cost of erecting the dam.

The question therefore arises whether the con­tractor may recover from the building owner the loss

on his ‘‘ on costs ’ ’ account due to omissions from the contract work, and further, whether he may recover loss of profit on the work he anticipated would be done. There is usually a clause in every important contract to the effect that the building owner shall not be liable upon a claim for loss of profit, but the ques­tion whether a contractor can claim upon his “ on costs ” account is generally left open. Although it is quite clear from the provisions of the contract set out above that the omission of work does not invali­date the contract, it is submitted that a contractor would have a good claim for loss of “ on costs ” in a case where there was any serious and considerable omission from the original contract. It is upon the representation that the work is going to be of. a given magnitude that the contractor expends money upon staff and temporary work, and he is therefore entitled to require the building owner to compensate him if this representation proves to be untrue.

Cases Referred To in the Text(16) Russell v. Sa Bandiera: (1862) 32

L.J.C .P. : 68; 13 C.B. (W.S.), 149; 134 R.R. 488.—R. contracted to build, for the Portuguese Govern­ment, for a lump sum a warship of the class A .i. 13 years at Lloyds and to deliver the same by a Tertain specified date “ fitted, found and equipped in manner similar in all respects to that which is practised with ships or vessels of the same class in H.M.’s Navy under contracts with the Admiralty, except machinery, armament, furniture, stores, plate, linen, glass, crockery and optician’s instruments.” Any extras were to be ordered in writing and the price thereof was to be previously agreed. R., at the request ofS. ’s solicitor (and without prejudice to his right to be paid for them if not within the contract) supplied certain other articles which S. claimed were necessary to the complete equipment of a warship of her class built under a contract with the Admiralty. The arbitrator found that articles of this class—spare masts, yards, sails, etc.—were not usually supplied by contractors to the Admiralty, but were supplied from Government stores to vessels when going out on active service. Held. That the said articles were not within the contract and that R. was entitled to be paid for them as a quantum meruit.

(17.) Goodyear v. Weymouth Corporation (1865) 35 L.J.C.P. 12.—A contract for the erection of a market house contained the clause that no deviations in the way of extras or omissions should be made without the written authority of the defendants’ architect ; that no.claim for payment for extras should be made without such written order being produced ; that proportionate payment should be made from time to time on a certificate of the architect that the pay­ment was a proper one ; and that the architect’s opinion as to the value was to be final, as also his decision as to the value of extras and additions, which was to be regulated by the contract price. The archi­tect certified for payment of a sum in which extras and additions were included. Held : That neither of the parties could raise the question as to whether there was a sufficient order in writing for the said extras and additions ; that a pump, drain, etc., though separately ordered, came within the meaning of works connected with the contract ; and that the architect’s decision as to their value was final. Willis, J ., said, “ The certificate of the architect is an answer to all

December 1st, 1913. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. IX.

the questions, both as to the claim for extras under the contract and the claim for works said to be inde­pendent of the contract, for which the plaintiffs claim the right to be paid, without the ordeal of an adjudi­cation by the architect.”

(18.) Molloy v- Liebe (1910) 102 L.T. 616.—L. contracted to construct certain buildings for Mi, and the contract contained a clause that no extras were to be paid for unless an order in writing from the employer and the architect was given for the same. M. insisted on the execution of certain works which he maintained were included in the contract, though L. asserted that they were extras. No order in writing was given for such works. On appeal to the Privy Council it was held: That an arbitrator was justified m inferring a promise on the part of M. to pay for the works either as included ni the contract price or as extras.

(19.) Hill v. South Staffordshire Railway Co. (1865) 12 L.T. 63.—During the progress of the work an account was delivered by the contractors to the building owner, in which was included an account for extras charged for by day work and time. These accounts were the subject of much discussion between the parties, but no settlement was arrived at. Ultimately the engineers refused to certify, but it was held that the contractors were entitled to payment for alterations and additions claimed upon the account, although no proper orders had been given.

(20.) Lamprelle v. Billericay Union (1849) 3 Ex. 283, 18 L .J. Ex 282.—L. contracted with theguardians to build a workhouse for a specified sum, and the contract required that any orders for extras should be given in writing by the architects. Addi­tional work was done without such written authority, and L. claimed for payment for such work. It was urged that though for want of written instructions L. might have no remedy under the contract, yet, as the defendants had accepted the additional works, L. had a right to be paid for them on a quantum meruit. Held : That he was not so entitled, as the defendants, being a corporate body, were incapable of making a new contract by post.

(21.) Connor and Olley v. The Belfast Water Com­missioners.—The contractors executed certain altera­

tions and additions. The orders for them by the engineer were not in writing, nor were accounts sent in for them as required by the contract. The engineer, however, gave a certificate for the extra work, and it was held that this certificate precluded the defendants setting up either variance of the conditions of the contract as a defence to payment of the certificate.

(22.) Thornhill v. Neats (i860) 8 CB.N.S. 831.— Facts sufficiently set out in text.

(From the.Journal of the Society of Architects.)

SOUTH AFRICAN VIEW S IN ENGLISH CONTEMPORARY

From The Journal of The Society of Architects

THE NEW LAW COURTS, CAPE TOWNNew Law Courts, to be erected in Cape Town, had

been projected for many years, and in 1898 the Public Works Department got so far as to have complete working drawings prepared for a three-story building, to be built on the present site. Want of funds pre­vented further action and there the matter rested until 1907, when competitive designs were invited from South Africa only. The successful competitors were Messrs. Hawke & McKinlay, who had been successful in the competition for the new University Buildings in Queen Victoria Street. Funds being available, draw­ings were at once prepared by the architects for putting in the foundations, and the work was entrusted to Messrs. A. B. Reid & Co.

During the progress of the work of excavation it was decided to provide a basement, consisting of storage rooms, and this being approved of, the trenches and area were sunk lower, resulting in water difficulties being encountered, while at the south-east end of the site quicksands had to be dealt with ; but all difficulties were overcome.

The Public Works Department kept a constant watch on the work as it progressed, the architect of the Department then, Mr. A. G. Howard, M.S.A., had to pay periodical visits to ensure that Government’s interests were being protected ; Mr. Skinner was

“ Non-Slipping ’ ’ FACTS ARE CONVINCING During the past 2 year

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X. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, 1913-

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engaged as Clerk of Works, which post he still holds. Upon the completion of this portion of the work, progress was stayed and everything was held in abey­ance, the only expenditure being due to the necessity for pumping.

'Seme two years ago a contract was let to Mr. Benning for the erection of the superstructure, and the work is now nearing completion, with very satis- faetdt^ results.

- l -» b r * o ;X 3 l i ■■ ■ ■■' ■■■* -■ — ■ .) ••-"Ulr,• t - • •

GREATER CAPE TOWN’S NEW MAYORThe first meeting of the Amalgamated Council of

Grea^ej Cape Town took place on September 8th. The first act was the election of a Mayor, ^nd the lot fell on Mr. John Parker, F.R.I.B.A. It js. yery gratifying to see the first Mayor of the new regime drawn from the ranks of the architectural profession, and South African architects must feel proud of the distinction.

Whether Mr. Parker will make a satisfactory Mayor or not remains to be proven, but prognostics seem to point to the former conclusion ; atyany rate the Council can congratulate itself upon having elected a thoroughly honest business man, one well acquainted with Cape Town and its suburbs, and of all Municipal work. As an architect he has made his napie in the Peninsula (not to speak of areas beyond that) and he lives and will continue to live m buildings which shall declare his name long afte/lie has ceased to exist.

The buildings are varied in style, sdfhe appealing to one man’s taste and some to othetsy but like all architects he has moved along independently and impressed his own ideas on his work, without being swayed 'fry outside advice. I am sure we all wish him every success in his new sphere of action.

f " ' >w A. G. HOWARD, M.S.A., Cape Town.

TRANSVAAL NEWSSince the great Johannesburg strike in July there

has been some diminution in the volume of building, and many architects are finding their well-matured schemes hung up. Nevertheless, there is still con­siderable activity and several large works are in progress, viz. : The Institute of Medical Research, £33,000, the Nfew Synagogue, £18 ,670, the Town Hall, £330,000',' And the extension to Central Head Offices of South; African Railways, about £25,000. About seventy WdW houses are being erected'-e^ery month. T he Town'Hall is the most important building in Johannesburg, th'e stone work is nearly finished and the edifice profftises to eclipse any of its sisters in other towns, and the public are evincing the greatest interest in the building. It should rank amofigst the finest Town Hall Buildings in the world. In addition to the Municipal Offices there are the great hall to seat 3,000, a lesser hall (upstairs) to seat 950, and running parallel to the great hall is a line of fine reception halls of a total length of 130 feet, and very ample provision is made for crush halls, boggias, lobbies, lounges, lavatories, bars and cloak rooms, and in these respects the building will be, in the writer’s experience and opinion, almost without a rival.

The building fraternity is finding continual trouble since the Union through the steady influx of Cape people (i.e., coloured people of half-caste and mixed blood), these people are tolerably goBd builders', 'and good enough for cheaper work, and much employed as they accept less wages by half than the average European, and are thus prejudicing the position of the European most seriously. At present this invasion is kept in check by the strong prejudice of the home-

£)orn European property owners who form the majority of our population, but in time the inevitable will happen as it has SiThe Cape, transfusion of the races

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December 1st, 1913. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. xi.

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will take place to a large extent, and gradually more toleration will be extended and the field of the “ pure white” correspondingly limited. There are even now one or two coloured "arch itects” who are capable draughtsmen and can design well enough to suit the taste of the poorer districts.

Johannesburg is gradually becoming the emporium of lower Africa from the Congo F*ee State to the Cape. It is well situated, geographically, the climate is about the"mildest and most equable in the world, and .cqyiverging railways from all^the ports and the remotest interior lead more or lpss directly to this centre. The result is the erectiojpj ,of. warehouses on a much vaster scale than ever yet si^n here. In the last six months about twelve large wholesale ware­houses (have been constructed, and, in addition, some large manufacturing buildings have been erected- The reason is the great growth of distributing trade, the cheapest motive power in the world, and the presence of a large population which afford industries a good foundation to start with.

Pretoria building appears to be quietening with the completion of the great Union Buildings and other great public structures with which that city is now liberally adorned and endowed, but all over the Union the Government continuously carry out schools and Other public buildings at an average value of some­thing like a million or so a year. The latest projec- tipp is. the Governor-General’s residence at the Cape for (which a competition has been held in the Union, and which has just closed but is not yet decided. The assessors are : Messrs. Herbert Baker, W. H. Stucke, and P. Eagle (Government Architect).—E. H. Waugh, M.S.A., Johannesburg.

________ "tqi'o-1

COLONIAL DUTCH ARCHITECTURE

Mr. F. R KendaTl, F .R .I.B .A ., in the course of a lecture before the National Society, at Rondebosch, says, nearly all the old country homesteads are built in the shape of an “ H,” a very simple device, which lent itself well to the circumstances, as it allowed each room to be well lighted, and roofed ih a single span. The house then consisted of two parallel blocks, one some twenty feet or so behind the other,

with a connecting link at right angles. This latter portion was used as a central hall extending from front to back, being lighted by door and windows at each end, giving on to the front and back stoeps. By this arrangement it was possible to get some addi­tional windows in to the middle of the hall frorqMhe two little side courtyards, which were formed between the front and back blocks.

Another plan—more common 111 the Cape Peninsula —was that somewhat in the shape of the letter " U,” but with square corners. Here again the hall extended along the cg^tre from front to back, the two side wings running parallel with it, and adjoining it. In this case the problem of roofing the building was'not quite so simple, as it was practically necessaTV-to form, a break in the regular system of single pitched roofs, and lover the back portion of the hall with a flat.

The ground plan of certain other houses is in the form of the letter “ T ” —but these are houses of less significant size.

The stoep became a necessary adjunct—often at the back as well as at the front of the house—and this was sometimes covered by a pergola supported upon columns or piers, so that it was possible to grow vines or other creepers over the stoep. This was a delightful natural arrangement for providing shade in the summer, and allowing the sun’s rays to pene­trate to the walls and through the windows in the winter, when its warmth was welcome.

The indigenous woods were commonly used for the constructiopal beams, such as ceiling joists, etc., and werg; only roughly wrought. For the more important joinery it was usual to employ teak, which was imported from the East Indies. Probably there were no carpenters among the settlers, so that snip’s carpenters had to be secured when they were avail­able. No doubt the doors, shutters, etc., are from their hands—whereas the rougher work might'hare been done by unskilled workmen.

The danger from fire owing to the thatched roofs was soon realised, as we find it common to have a layer of brandsolder above the ceiling of the ordinary rooms, to form a protection to the rooms of the house should the thatch take fire. The ample space enclosed by the high pitched roofs then became available for

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X I 1. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, 1913.

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storage purposes, and this loft was approached by a step-ladder from the outside, leading to a door in one of the gables.

The Town Houses

Where houses stood close together the .danger of fire “spreading was naturally increased, and this was doubtless the reason why in town houses the flat stone roofs soon seem to have replaced the early thatched ones. The Cape authorities, when communicating with “ The Seventeen’’ ' at Middelburg in. 1737> mentioned that “ some of the houses were old, low, and in disrepair, and that people were encouraged to build them better, higher, and . under flat roofs to prevent them being totally ruined by fire.” The town houses thus partook of a different form—usually being two storey in height as ground was more valuable— and often with an observatory raised above the level of the flat roof. This was doubtless for the purpose of sighting the.arrival of ships, from home ..or from the East, as they, of course, played a very important part in the life of the town.

The windows were often shuttered, and the shutters . were usually solid and not louvred, having the centre filled with a good strong panel, often very attractively moulded. As the shutters were solid and fitted only to the bottom sash, it may be concluded that they were used only for protection from thieves or wild animals, and not for the sake of shade.

The many other little domestic touches which were so highly appreciated among the Dutch people of the time were much in evidence in these early houses— such as the delightful wrought iron work to the shutters m the form of catches, bolts, hinges, etc., or the brass handles, escutcheons, etc., etc., to the doors.

I he idea of the screen which commonly divided the dining hall from the vestibule was a Batavian importa­tion, and soon became a regular feature.

Furniture was sometimes imported—but was often made locally elaborate pieces often having inlays of ebony or ivory from India.

No doubt from these brief remarks you will under­stand some of the ways in which the limitations of a new country dictated the lines which could best be followed in building houses. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the two together have produced some very pretty solutions to the problems of our daily life.

The mechanical work of the building was chiefly done by slaves—many of whom were imported from Madagascar ; but it is regrettable that so little is known of the individuals who designed and supervised the handiwork of these old buildings. It is believed that a certain locksmith was detained on his way to Batavia by Van der Stel to do the metalwork for Groot Constahtia—much to the indignation of “ The Seven­teen ” in Amsterdam.

December 1st, 1913. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

CORRESPONDENCEL e tte rs f o r th is section sh o u ld be w r it te n on one s id e o f th e p a p e i only. T h e

tv l i t e r m a y adopt a n a ssu m e d n a m e f o r p u rp o ses o f pu b lica tio n , but h e m u st in a l l ca ses f u r n is h h is r e a l n a m e a n d a d d re s s to th e E d ito r .

T h e E d it o r cannot be h e ld resp on sible fo r a n y v ie w s e x p r e s s e d by h is co rres­po n d en ts.

To the E ditor, “ The A frican A rch .tect. ’ 'THF BAKER SCHOLARSHIP

Sir,—It is highly gratifying to find that, even in the midst of the contentions re the Government House Competition, that the non-award of the Baker Scholarship on the second occasion of its availability has evinced so much interest, both through your valued columns and in general conversation. As to the effect of the unfortunate decision on the student life of South Africa for some years to come, I think there can be no question; and the letter from Messrs. Pilkington and McQueen—terming themselves archi­tectural scholars—is a contribution to the subject which it is trusted has already been closely studied by many, and surely there ought to be no insurmountable difficulty to render dignified encouragement on the lines to which they refer. In fact, it is hoped that your next issue will show that a start has been made in that direction.—Yours, etc.,

ARCHITECT.November 22nd. 1913.

To ttie Editor “ The A frican A rch itect.''THE SOUTH AFRICAN REGISTRATION BILL

Sir,—The vast area of this country and great separation of the larger centres by distance is proving a real lion in the path of promoting an Architects’ Bill before Parliament. This is greatly accentuated, in my opinion, by the voluminous and too extensive characters of the most recently proposed Bill, which in its latest form is the work of some of the enthusiastic members of the Association of Transvaal Architects (i.e., the only registered body). This proposed Bill seeks to entirely embrace all the liberties and opinions of anyone calling himself an “ architect ” whether practising or salaried. Regis­tration and proper qualification is aimed at, but these important details are being drowned in a mass of other matters irrelevant to them, and the Bill is of a very composite and mixed character, and will prove to be a bolus which Parliament will have difficulty in swallowing, checking and limiting as it does the energies of a profession which has never before been so treated.

Having had experience of two Registration Bills, one here and one in Australia, I feel certain that the substance is being lost for the shadow, and the very complexity of the interests involved and assailed in the Bill will prove to be the leaks whch will sink the ship.

There is no reason why one Institute should have complete control of the profession apart from the

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important matters of registration, qualification and misconduct. It would not ultimately help the spirit and practice of architecture. Each University in Great Britain, for instance, confers degrees and controls itself, but does not control any of the profes­sions for which it trains candidates, neither does any Society exercise such a dictatorial domination.

Our Union Bill should be cut in two—the first and separate Bill should establish a Council which can deal with registration,, qualification and misconduct, and proper appeal should be allowed from decisions of such a Council.

The Second Bill should establish a South African Institute of Architects under Charter m which membership should be voluntary. The first estab­lishes a judicial body, and the second a body dealing with professional interests which at times clash, and no man should be forced to belong to this body if against his interests or his convictions. The first is clearly in the interests of the general public, and the second in the interests of sections of architects, probably numerous, and should on no account be forced on individual protestants.

EDWARD H. WAUGH, M.S.A. Johannesburg, 24th September, 1913.

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XIV. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, 1913.

AN EXPOSED ROOF AT KALK BAY.

RUBEROID ROOFINGSTANDS THE TEST.

R uberoid R oof Talks. No. 7. A Severe Test.Can you imagine, in this country, a more severe

test on the soundness of a roofing than that portrayed in the above illustration ? This Pavilion at Kalk Bay being exposed to the full force of the wind and sea, the builders realised that only the very best roofing material would be able to stand the very severe strain it would often be put to. They chose Ruberoid on account of its weather­proof qualities, and Ruberoid has stood the test. Our latest report is that this roof is as sound as when first laid; neither rain, sea or wind renders a single repair necessary, not even to the extent of a coat of paint.

If you are building in an exposed position send to-day for the Ruberoid book of facts and a sample of Ruberoid Roofing free on application to—

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THE ATELIER QUESTION

Extracts from a communication from Mr. H. Battle Cox, A.R.I.B.A. (Atelier Laloux, Paris), read at a meeting of the Guild of Architects’ Assistants.

In France there is no “ question” concerning ateliers, but in England lately there seems to have been some misunderstanding owing to the timely good work of several well-intentioned and enthusiastic patriots belonging to our profession who deem that one of the finest institutions for the progress of our art would be the introduction into England of a similar education for architectural composition to that obtain­ing in France owing to the existence of the well- organised system of l ’Ecole des Beaux-Arts.

All the principal architectural ateliers in Paris are in connection with the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, and it is

this central body or National School of Fine Arts that is, generally speaking, responsible for all the work done in the ateliers.

An architectural atelier in Paris in connection with the Ecole is of a two-fold nature:—(i) The preparatory atelier, where projects are set by the patron or pro­fessor for the students to work out together as prac­tice for the admission competition into the Ecole; (2) the atelier for those students who are received into the Ecole, and who render in the atelier the projects set, not by the patron or professor of the atelier, but by the professor of theory of architecture of the Ecole.

The preparatory ateliers vary considerably. In some the patron visits for an hour once or twice a week; in others, the patron is there the whole of every afternoon. In these ateliers students of 15 or 16, to 27 or 28, and sometimes 29 years of age are working together and helping each other. Some are learning their orders, some learning to cast shadows, and others doing small projects similar to those generally set at the “ concours d’admission ” ; but all are work­ing in the same atelier, and, owing to the accepted “ camaraderie, a young fellow just starting his orders can ask for and may expect to get friendly assistance from any of the other comrades who may be able to help him. The atelier in this way gives a great deal of education irrespective of the patron.

The atelier is the seat of the students, and is run by themselves. The patron does not generally occupy himself with anything but the gentle criticism of the work done. In the ateliers for students received into the Ecole the age limit for the Ecole is 30. No man can participate in any of the advantages of the Ecole, the Grand Prix de Rome included, after thirty yeais of age. In these ateliers they render or draw out for presentation the sketch for the project whiah they have done at the Ecole “ en loge,” that is, in a separate little box where each man is supposed to work.entirely alone, and this sketch or “ esquisse ” is, as a rule, done within twelve hours, and constitutes the student’s idea for that particular architectural problem or pro­ject. He leaves a copy of the “ esquisse en loge,” and takes a copy to the atelier which he studies and works out by the aid of the whole atelier with the patron at the head; but he has to keep to his original idea as expressed in his sketch left “ en loge,” and for this reason the patron has to help the student to develop his idea and not what would be the; idea of the patron. From this it will be easy to see that as the student sees all the other students’ solutions, the strongest atelier will offer him the best education, which depends more on the strength of the student than on the strength of the patron.

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December 1st, 1913. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. xv.

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XVI. THE AFRICAN ARCHITECT. December 1st, iQ13 -

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THE PLATE GLASS PROBLEM IN SHOP ARCHITECTUREA correspondent in “ The "Times, in the course

of an article on “ 1 he Development of Shop Architec­ture,” says the vast size of a modern “ store” demands windows of a proportionate expanse, and the ta sk of the architect is at once to provide such windows and to ensure that they shall not be too blatantly obtrusive. A really successful effect can be achieved only by the nicest calculations. An error in proportion or construction which might escape notice in a shop-front of moderate dimensions becomes uncompromisingly obvious when magnified to the scale entailed by a building such as Harrods.

Fortunately (for the “ store” is becoming an increasingly prominent type of enterprise) the know­ledge how "to handle this problem is rapidly making headway, and high praise is due to the architecture of some of the new “ stores,” of which there have been several striking examples put up in London within the last few years. The new building of Wbiteley’s is one of the most recent. Selfridge's, again, is a handsome building which forms in several ways an interesting contrast with Whiteley’s, but both buildings alike represent highly successful solutions of the problem how to handle the large plate-glass window. Another good solution to the same problem 'is provided by Waring’s premises, which have been modelled on

Hampton Court, and as a last example of a handsome “ store” mention should certainly be made of the delightful Renaissance building of Debenham and Freebody.

But if the designer of a “ store ’ knows that his building is bound to attract attention through its mere size, the shop architect should not aim primarily at producing anything which is too obviously meant to be “ showy,” or the result will be a street made up of incongruous, clashing, and over-bold structures. Fortunately the architect can in many cases reckon upon the sympathy of the best class of tradesman. It has now come to be realised that the better goods are in quality the more important it is that they should be shown in an artistic setting, and, further, that stlch goods are shown at an actual disadvantage if they are crowded too much together. The 200 yards or so of Old Bond Street between Piccadilly and Old Burtington Gardens contain four examples of first-rate shop architecture Bevond which it is not necessary to go. The first example is the tobacconist s shop of Messrs. Sandorides, with its four exquisitely moulded arches and the rich .ironwork which fills the upper part of these arches'. The second example is the shop of Messrs. Duveen. The elegance and richness of the French woodwork which forms its frame are exquisite, and though the windows are often bare of any goods whatever, the handsome panelling leaves one almost indifferent as to whether any priceless obiets d’art are being shown or not. The shop of Messrs. Crichton next door is the third illustration. This shop is really a masterpiece on the part of the late Mr. Flockhart.

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December ist, 1913. SHE AFRICAN ARCHITECT.

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

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

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