674 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION H. 
crockery, or rather of light aluminium plates and dishes, 
&c.; thus solving both the cooking difficulty and the still 
greater one of washing-up. In that case, three-fourths of 
the domestic work of a house would be eliminated, and the 
kitchen might be reduced to the smallest dimensions, 
sufficient only for the preparation of a light or occasional 
meal, or special dishes that the co-opcrative kitchen would 
not ordinarily supply. The relief to the oppressed house- 
keeper would be so great that it really appears to me 
worth while to try the experiment in‘ the neighbourhood 
of one of our larger cities. As a commercial speculation, I 
believe it would pay handsomely. 
It will be noted that I have only referred to two rooms 
for family use, the hall, and the dining-room. In many 
cases, the master and the mistress will need a private room 
of their own: the man for reading, study, smoking, or con- 
verse with male friends; and the lady for special feminine 
visitors, for needlework, for retirement when tired, or for 
reading and writing, orstudy. In America, where the servant 
difficulty is still more acute than with us, a small room open- 
ing off the hall, called “The Den,” is provided for the former, 
and a little boudoir for the lady. Butthe latter often prefers 
to use her bedroom, as it is larger and more airy, saves a 
separate room, and, as arranged in America, makes a good 
sitting-room. ; 
This brings us to the sleeping quarters; and in warm 
climates, if these can be arranged on the ground-floor, much 
labour in running up and down stairs is saved. A bed- 
toom in the States, is usually a fair-sized apartment, and 
except for the bed and dressing-table is quite unlike bed- 
rooms in Australasia. The rest of the typical bedroom 
furniture is invisible, and a couch, easy-chairs, and a table 
or two complete the équipment, making it into a com- 
fortable sitting-room. The washing apparatus invariably 
consists of a large fixed lavatory basin, with hot and cold 
water laid on, enclosed in a cupboard, so that all pipes may be 
left visible and accessible (they are of nickel-plated copper), 
and towels may be hung up to dry. Owing to the severe 
winter climate, these cupboards are always to the inside 
of the building to prevent the pipes from freezing, and 
hence they have no light or ventilation, except from the 
room itself. With us it would be better to place the 
lavatory cupboard next the outer wall, and put a window 
in it. I have noticed that fixed lavatories are being 
introduced into the newest houses in Hobart; but are placed 
in the bedrooms. This I consider a mistake, as however 
