Page:The Building News and Engineering Journal, Volume 22, 1872.djvu/140

 124 THE BUILDING NEWS. Fes. 9, 1872. Our Office Table. Tue Lonpon AnD Country BAnkinc Company.— The usual half-yearly meeting of this Company was held on the Ist inst. The net profits during the half- year ending December 51st, 1871, amount to £98,098 5s. 11d. The usual dividend of 6 per cent. for the half-year was declared, together with a bonus of 34 per cent. The present dividend and bonus added to the June payment make 18} per cent. for the year 1871. Soutm Lonpon Tramway Exrenston.—On Monday week the tramway cars commenced running over the new line of tramway laid from Camberwell to New-cross, and frequent journeys were made during the day, The entire route from New-cross Junction with the Greenwich tramway, vid Peck- ham, Camberwell, Walworth road, and the Elephant and Castle to Westminster and Blackfriars Bridges, is now made at low fares; and the route from Cam- berwell-green over Vauxhall Bridge to Pimlico will shortly be opened. THe Varvation (Mrerropouis) Act, 1869.— At the last meeting of the guardians of the Hol- born Union, a letter was received from the Local Government Board, in reply to a communication from the guardians, stating that the Board were of opinion that the 53rd section of the Valuation (Metropolis) Act, 1869, fixes the duration of the valuation list for five years, and that the words “from any cause,” in the 47th section, applied to those cases only in which the hereditament had been actually increased or reduced in value from some cause since the valuation list was settled. Mr. Pranopy’s Girr to rue Lanourine Poor or Lonpon.—The trustees of the Peabody Donation Fund have published their annual statement of pro- ceedings for the year ending 31st of December, 1871. Under the first trust five groups of buildings —at Spitalfields, Islington, Shadwell, Westminster, and Chelsea—have been erected, affording accommo- dation, collectively, to nearly 600 families; and the trustees also possess a site at Bermondsey on which they contemplate building. The accrued rents and investments of this trust, after deducting its ad- ministra'ive expenses, amounted at the close of the past year to £32,922 18s, 3d. This sum, added to the original fund of £150,000, makes the property of this trust now amount to £182,922 18s. 3d. The second donation of Mr. Peabody, to the amount of £200,000, became available for building purposes in 1869, and to this sum will be added, in 1873, in accordance with Mr. Peabody’s bequest, a further amount of £150,000. Out of this fund were purchased the site at Chelsea, and the Magda- len Hospital estate at Blackfriars-road, described in the report of last year. On the last-named property, the buildings then in course of construction, were completed in August last, affording tenements to 300 families, for which applications were and con- tinue to be largely in excess of the accommodation available. How To Fasren Rusper to Woop anp Merat. —As rubber plates and rings are nowadays used almost exclusively for making connections between steam and other pipes and apparatus, much annoy~ ance is often experienced by the impossibility or imperfection of an air tight connection. This is obviated entirely by employing a cement which fastens alike well to the rubber and to the metal or wood. Such cement is prepared by a solution of shellac in ammonia. This is best made by soaking pulverised gum shellac in ten times its weight of strong ammonia, when a slimy mass is obtained, which in three to four we will become liquid, without the use of hot wa This softens the rubber, and becomes, after volatilisation of the am- monia, hard and impermeable to gases and fluids. Tue Freemasons AND THE ComPLetion or S. Paut’s.—It has been resolyed by the Lodge of An- tiquity to contribute the sum of twenty guineas to the fund for the completion of the internal decora- tions of S. Paul’s Cathedral. By acting thus, the members of that lodgeare both contributing towards a national undertaking and also doing appropriate honour to the memory of Sir Christopher Wren, who for many years was master of the lodge. Indeed, among the relics in the possession of this lodge, which is one of the oldest and most important in the craft, are some beautifully-wrought candle- sticks presented by Sir Christopher Wren, as well as the mallet used by Charles II. to lay the foundation-stone of the present S. Paul's, and made out of a piece of wood from old §, Paul’s. If other Masonic lodges follow the example set to them, the whole edifice will be a monument more worthy than ever alike of the nation and of Sir Christopher Wren. Tower For Sewer VENTILATION aT EvrnAm, —The parishes of Lewisham, Plumstead, Charlton, and adjacent localities, have suffered very much lately from sewer gases entering the houses, and discussions are taking place as to the best means of obviating the nuisance. Mr. Lloyd, district repre- sentative at the Metropolitan Board of Works, has given the opinion that nothing but legislative enact- ment and heavy expenditure can thoroughly prevent the evil, especially during the heavy winds. Atten- tion is being directed to the arrangement in use at Eltham, in which town a tower has been erected communicating with the sewer. In the building are 120 gas-burners, which have the double effect of consuming the noxious gases and creating a suction draught. Above the gas-burners are trays of char- coal, which the heat beneath is said always to keep in order, charcoal having the property of being inert as soon as its pores are filled withdamp. Woolwich is also suffering from sewer gases, the arrangements for ventilating the outfall sewer by means of the large Dockyard shaft having been stepped since the closing of the Dockyard and consequent extinction of the fire. Carvep Oak Decoratrons.—During the past week there were exhibited in the large room of the Society of Arts a series of carved oak decorations, executed for C. B. Bright, of Bolton Hall, York- shire, by carvers in the employ of Messrs. Hindley and Son, Oxford-street. The carvings consist of illustrations of animal life in Britain, past and pre- sent, in panels. As there were sixteen carvers, English and foreign, engaged in producing the va- rious carvings, the ability displayed in their execu- tion is very varied. Some are spirited, and others tame and mechanical. The whole were produced under the superintendence of Mr. Geo. Lock, the artist of the firm. A Yanrezr “Notion” iw Buripine.—The Albert-hall, the new Midland Railway Station, and, in short, all the largest buildings, ancient or modern, which are covered by single span roofs, are to be far outdone, as to the latter particular at least, by our American cousins. According to the Boston Com- mercial Bulletin it has been determined to erect in that commercial capital of New England a building of “proper” size for great meetings. ‘ The ground plan is to be a parallelogram 822ft. in length by 422ft. in width, measuring 347,506 square feet in area, or a trifle less than eight acres. Throughout the space not a single post, pillar, or support of any kind will obstruct the view from end to end. The roof, consisting of a double system of self-support- ing trusses, will fspring ina gentle curve directly from the foundations, constructed on piles driven 35ft. into the ground, the two segments meeting at the ridge, and forming a graceful arch, at an eleva- tion above the floor of 172ft. Similar segments will spring from the grovnd at either side uniting with the side segments, forming an immense Mansard pavilion, with the graceful lines peculiar to that style of architecture. The trusses supporting these end segments of the roof will run the entire length of the building, having a clear span of over S800ft., and knitting the whole roof into a substantial self- supporting structure. From the foot of the arches on either side and end, will rise perpendicular but- tresses 53ft. high, at which elevation the curve of the trusses will leave a space of 18ft. between the outer line and the line of the buttresses. This space will be floored, forming an outside promenade with an elevation of 50ft., a width of 18ft., and a total length equal to double the combined length and width of the building, or half a mile.” Cass or Construction AND PRAcTICE, ARCHI- TECTURAL AssociAtion.—The subject for the next meeting of this class, which will be held on Fri- day evening next, (16th inst.) will be ‘ General Practice.” The following are the questions to be worked out by the members of the class:—1. State briefly the general law of contract. If a verbal one has been acted on, what is the effect? What is the result of a breach of contract, and what acts con- stitute it? 2. In the event of a contractor becom- ing bankrupt, when the works are about half done, what steps would you take; money having been paid on account, and the quality of the later work not being up to your standard? 3. What clauses should be inserted in a building contract, with refer- ence to “extras andomissions,” to protect the several interests of employer, architect, and builder? 4. What regulations have to be observed in the metropolis, relative to the construction and use of underground rooms, and cellars under the street? 5. State the rules relative to the formation of new streets. 6. Describe the course to be adopted by the adjoining owner, and the negotiations ensuing thereon, when a building owner has raised a party- wall without notice. MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. MonpbAyY.—INSTITUTION OF SURVEYORS.—8 p.m. TUESDAY.—INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.— “* Account of the Bridge over the Gorai River on the Goalands, and Extension of the Eastern Bengal Railway.” By Mr. Bradford Leslie, M. Inst. C.E. FRIDAY.—ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION.—Meeting of Class of Construction and Practice ; subject: ‘General Practice.” 6.30 p.m. Meeting of Class of Design; subject: “Details of Fittings to Study in a Country Mansion.” 8 p.m. CrvIL AND MECHANICAL ENGINEERS’ Socrery.—* On Some of the Peculiari- ties of Modern Railway Construction.” By Mr. James Morrison, Assoc. Inst! C.E. 7.30 p.m. ——>——__ Grade Aetws. —_o—_. WAGES MOVEMENT. WoRCESTER.—The carpenters and joiners of Worces- ter and Malvern have lately made a unanimous request to their employers to concede the nine hours’ system, and an increase of pay to 64d. per hour. DupLey.—The length of time given by the brick- makers to the employers to consider whether the nine hours’ movement should be introduced into the brick- yards of Dudley, Tipton, Oldbury, and West Bromwich has expired. The masters decline to adopt the nine hours’ system, but offer them one hour per day the first five days of the week, and two hours on Saturday. The men’s demand was in reality for twelve hours’ reduction per week, and the masters have offered seven. INVERKIP.--The strike of the quarrymen and labourers still continues at Inverkip, and nearly all the workmen have left the district. The labourers in Kennedy's quarry have, however, resumed work on their own terms—51 hours per week, at the same rate of wages as before the dispute. WisHaw.—tThe quarrymen on the Wishaw estate held a meeting on Saturday afternoon, when they re- solved to memorialise their employers to advance their wages from 54d. to 6d. per hour, and to reduce their hours of labour from 57 to 54 per week. An answer was requested by Thursday (yesterday), and if unfavour- able, a strike will probably have resulted. STRATHMORE.—The operative slaters of Arbroath, Letham, Friockheim, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Glamis, Meigle, Alyth, Coupar-Angus, and Blairgowrie, lately intimated to their employers that they wished an ad- vance of 1d. per hour upon their present rate of wages, A meeting of employers and delegates from the differ- ent districts was held in Dyce’s Hotel, Forfar, on Saturday last, when it was agreed to grant a rise of 4d. per hour on and after the Ist of April next, with the usual country allowances. CARLISLE.—The master carpenters and joiners of Carlisle have granted to their workmen the nine hours’ limit, to commence on the Ist April. ‘The master plasterers have also granted the nine hours, to com- mence on the Ist of May, and an adyance of Is. per week, but the rise in wages not to take effect until the Ist of May, 1873. Some of the master painters have refused to grant the short time, and the painters are out on strike. W ALsALu.—tThe operative bricklayers of Walsalland neighbourhood have memoralised their employers for a reduction in the hours of labour to 54 hours per week, yiz., from six to five o'clock on the first five days of the week, and from six till one on Saturdays; work after that hour to be reckoned at the rate of time and a half up till five o'clock, and from that hour till six in the morning at double time; and further, that the 6}d. per hour paid during the winter months be the standard rate of wages throughout the year for all skilled arti- sans, the rest of the men to be raised accordingly. These arrangements are asked as from the 1st of May next. EpINBURGH.—A meeting of the marble and slate masons of Edinburgh and Leith was held on Saturday, to consider the state of the trade. It was unanimousiy agreed to request the employers to grant the 51 hours a week at the same weekly wages. Ayr.—A meeting of the operative joiners of Ayr was held on Saturday evening, at which it was unani- mously agreed to ask the employers to reduce the hours of labour from 57 to 51 hours per week—nine hours on the first five days of the weeck,and six on Saturday ; and also to raise the wages from 54d. to 6d. per hour. ABERDEEN.—The operative masons of Aberdeen have accepted the offer of the masters of 51 hours per week at 6d. per hour, and, in order to make the present weekly wages, they are to be allowed to work 52 hours as they please. BiRMINGHAM.—In the Rim and Mortice Lock Furni- ture Trade a circular has been served to all those masters who have refused to comply with the circular forwarded to them, dated the 18th January, 1872, requiring arise of 15 percent, upon the present wages, piecework or by the day, to take place on and after the 11th day of March, 1872; that, should they not comply with the terms re- quired, the men employed in the various branches of the rim and mortice lock furniture trade will cease work on the 24th day of February, 1872,ntil the required rise is given.