1920.] 



The Equipment of Small Holdings. 



803 



problems. The [Ministry is satisfied that without excessive 

 cost, but by good design, which in a cottage means right 

 proportions and a wise use of materials, the new homesteads 

 mav l)e made both substantial in construction and pleasing 

 in appearance. 



Architects employed by Councils are recommended to study 

 very carefully the special conditions of different localities where 

 building is proposed, and so to draft their specifications as to 

 avoid unnecessary expense through specifying rigidly certain 

 materials or treatments w^hen satisfactory and less costly 

 alternatives may be found. It is not considered advisable to 

 impose upon builders any standard form of contract. In many 

 districts it is difficult to obtain satisfactor}' inclusive tenders 

 for the execution of work on small holdings. It may be a 

 better plan to adopt a form of building contract under w^hich 

 the builder tenders a fixed sum for his services, supervision, 

 use of plant and profit, the ascertained cost of materials and 

 labour, including insurance, being paid separately by the 

 employer. Such a contract would obviate any re-adjustment 

 of conditions which might otherwise ])e required, owing to 

 recognised advances of the cost of labour and materials as the 

 work proceeds. A form of contract in outline, as circulated 

 to County Councils in October, 1919, is no longer to be had, 

 but another form, circulated to County Councils on 30th 

 [March, 1920, provides for a fixed profit to the builder, calcu- 

 lated on a percentage of the prime cost of the work as agreed 

 at the outset, with the addition of bonus to the builder in the 

 shape of a proportion of any saving effected by him on the 

 agreed prime cost. A form of contract prepared on this 

 basis can be supplied by the [Ministry for the information and 

 assistance of County Councils. Variations to suit local or 

 particular circumstances should be made in consultation with 

 the Council's Legal Adviser. 



General instructions are given as to questions of site and 

 disposition. In the case of a newly created group of small 

 holdings there will usually be greater freedom in the choice 

 of sites, both for houses and buildings, than can be the case 

 on, say, an isolated 10-acre farm. Questions of general policy 

 must be carefully considered and the rival merits of various 

 dispositions and groupings nicely weighed. Yery often in 

 choosing the lay-out of an estate for small holdings, regard is 

 paid only to the agricultural aspects of the scheme, the 

 possibilities of any groupino- of cottages and buildings being 



