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17
head outside the building, so that both can be sluiced out with water, or in case of
mishap with the water fittings the tenements would not be flooded. The w.c.'s are
fitted with the "Oatley Patent overflow soil and anti-syphonage pipe junction," so
that should one w.c. become blocked the others will not be put out of action, or w.c.'s
at a lower level than the one used, flooded. The rain water and sink wastes discharge
into gullies having cleaning caps, so that all short lengths of drains can be
cleaned, and manholes are placed on the main drains at all bends and junctions.
The whole of the water used will be stored in Alexander's patent self-cleansing
air-tight cisterns, placed in the roof space, and easily accessible.
The staircases and tenements will be lit by electric light, and a proposal is being
considered for the latter being supplied by means of penny-in-the-slot meters.
The Elevations will be carried out with a brown glazed brick plinth for one
storey, and yellow stock brickwork above, picked out with red quoins and bands, and
a small amount of brown Portland stone in the gables. The roofs are constructed
on the Mansard principle, and covered with green slates.
In this class of building, the plan is of necessity the first consideration, but in
the external design of these dwellings, the monotonous repetition of small windows
has been overcome by the introduction of boldly massed gables of distinctly
picturesque outline, obviously influenced by the remains of ancient work to be found
in the old coast towns of East Anglia.
The rents to be charged for tenements will be 8s. 6d. for the three-room and 6s. 6d.
for the two room sets, and there are in the buildings five cupboards, which it is
proposed to let to tenants at 3d. per week. The total annual rental for the three blocks
will amount tc £1,530 15s. This rental, taking the total cost of erecting the buildings
and the value of the two plots of land at £22,917, and allowing for all rates, lighting,
supervision, and collection of rents, empties and losses, insurance and sinking fund
to reproduce the total outlay at the termination of 60 years at 2½ per cent., repairs
and incidental outgoings will produce an interest of 3.3/5 per cent, on the total
outlay.
The question of the tenants purchasing an interest in the dwellings has been
reported on by the Architect who is taking some considerable interest in the question.
He states that if tenants will pay an extra shilling per week, they can practically
purchase a long leasehold interest in their houses in the space of 30 years. They
would of course, still have to contribute towards the rates and taxes and the
keeping up of the premises, but this could all be provided for, the Vestry keeping
that in their own hands, and also charging for the work done in administering the
Estate. The matter is in abeyance until the buildings are nearly complete.
c