SPECTATOR COMPETITION No. i8o Report by Allan 0. Waith

Describing living accommodation in newspaper advertisements has become a fine art in recent years ; even a roadmender's hole could be described as " small unf. acc., handy buses, looks on to Park Lane, gas, elec. and tel. . . ." and so on. The usual prize was offered for tempting and not wholly untruthful advertisements for the letting of four of the following : Nelson's Column, Stonehenge, St. Paul's, Covent Garden, Blackpool Tower, Piccadilly Circus Tube Station, the House of Lords.

Competitors certainly enjoyed themselves acting as agents for other People's property. Not unexpectedly, Nelson's Column towered above the rest in popularity, but distance seems to have lent no charm to Blackpool Tower, which came a poor seventh.

A few descriptions like " ex-naval officer of high standing wd. share ace. with one other . . . " and, for Stonehenge, " owner must sacrifice," were common to a great many entries but most had some item which was all their own. One of the neatest of these was J. P. O'Donovan's note (on Piccadilly Tube Station) " view any time except 4.30-6.0 p.m. We expect a rush for this property, so do not delay."

I recommend a prize of £2 to R. Kennard Davis and £1 each to D. R. Peddy, Miss M. Chisholm, and Miss M. J. Lackey, the last of whom has what the house-agent would describe as " a unique approach " to both Stonehenge and St. Paul's.

PRIZES

(R. KENNARD DAVIS)

Nelson's Column

IDEAL JUMPING-OFF PLACE FOR BACHELOR ! Available for Single Tenant of Good Standing, Detached Accommodation, Capital Site, famous London Square, stone's throw National Gallery, surrounded Ornamental Water, pleasing Statuary. Present Occupant well-known Nobleman.

St. Paul's

TO LET, Furnished (Services), MAGNIFICENT SEVENTEENTH., CENTURY BUILDING, convenient City, Fleet Street (suit Newspaper Proprietor) : Comprising fine CENTRAL HALL, domed, adorned tasteful Sculpture, adaptable Ball-Room (organ) or Rink : elegant Sanctum : Gallery, superb outlook : ample Cellarage (part occupied), usual offices. Apply Messrs. Dean & Chapter.

Stonehenge

AT GREAT SACRIFICE by Late Owner. Famous Old-World Edifice, Ecclesiastical Style, combining solid construction with ample ventilation, and simple design with period charm. Wide views open country, frequent bus services.

Piccadilly Circus Tube Station

" THE WARREN," a Sub-urban Home in London's Shopping Centre. Extensive Premises, Minoan Palace Style, built on Modern Lines, all- electric, hygienic, tiled walls, lifts all floors, perfect 'temperature-regula- tion,

(D. R. PEDDY)

Nelson's Column

Part possession dignified period residence overlooking Whitehall (upper storey permanently occupied former naval person), handy for transport, Theatres, shops, etc. Water supply, outside sanitation and lighting free of charge. Suit bird-lover.

Piccadilly Circus Tube Station

Modern basement apartment select neighbourhood, very convenient for transport. Excellent changing facilities. Handy for theatres, etc. Several entrances. Own shops. Porters. Company's own lighting ; entirely electrified ; efficient escalator service. Reinforced against air raids. Broad outlook ; suit bird lover (part possession only).

House of Lords

Exclusive detached Gothic residence overlooking river ; adjacent Commons. Tastefully upholstered, partly in wool. Ideal retired poli- tician, high churchman, etc., or as debating society headquarters. Not suitable bird lovers. Permits to view from Black, Rod & Co.

Covent Garden

Spacious, well-upholstered house in central position with adjoining garden, containing stalls, pit and large vegetable and flower plot. Balcony end box-room. Excellent view of ornamental Fonteyn, Swan Lake, etc. For purchase with fittings inc. curtains.

(Miss M. CHISHOLM)

Nelson's Column

Gent. wd. exchg. for Bsmt. or Gr. Fl. UNIQUE Pied-a-Terre (no perf. cond. lab. says. lux. bath (shrs) blcny extnsv. opn view off Inn rd but convt London. St. pign fncr. Write H. Nelson. Box 1805. Stonehenge GRIESLY BAND of Dreary Arvon have To Offer: Vacant Possession. Absolutely Unrivalled Period Property. Well-designed. Substantial. scientific ventilation, ideal bomb-protection, good communications. Mellowed stone. Sun-trap. No low ceilings (needs decorating). Ample garage space. Early Visit Advisable. Sacrifice.

Piccadilly Circus Tube Station

CALLING ALL HOTELIERS Chance pick up old est. prof. con. Ideal Receiving Position. ACCOM. 1,000,000. Smth. rng. all elec. in own ground. V. Ige Hall-Lnge with amp. elks (ad). Friendly Neigh- bourhood. Apply L.P.T.B.

House of Lords

Executry Bargain. Interest COUNCILS-AUTHORITIES-HOSTELS. Conversion planned. Easy reach South Bank. Immediate inspection urged. Keys from Upper Housekeeper, Westminster, S.W.1.

Nelson's Column Ex-naval officer wd. share airy pied-a-terre in C. London sq., com- manding superb views in return for occasional standing-in ; suit bird watcher/pigeon fancier.—Apply H.M. Ministry of Works.

House of Lords

Overlooking Thames, adjacent commons. Miraculously preserved. Grace and judgment displayed in this noblemen's seat ; extensive library and ancient galleries, with unusually spacious parlour, two lobbies and own Bar. Suitable for parties. Short summer let.—BACkwoods 850.

Stonehenge

Sacrificial offer. To let unfurnished, Salisbury Plain. Charming compact wooden bungalow built recently, with unique old-world rock garden.—Druid, Mona, N. Wales.

St. Paul's

Long leases offered from time to time to,carefully selected tenants at nominal rent in commodious well-designed City block. Accommodation gravely limited but adapted to tenant 's personal needs. Quiet neighbours. Highest references required. Some preference is given by trustees to sailors. Services.—Particulars from the Deanery, St. Paul's, London.

Many other competitors produced excellent single adverts, or one particularly beguiling phrase, but would not have succeeded in dispos- ing of all four of their properties in such a competitive market. The following—and many others for which there is insufficient space—deserve quotation.

Nelson's Column

Unique opportunity for single gent to share with one other (very quiet), Small, secluded Pied-A-Terre in heart of Metropolis ! Magnificent views,

novel approach. Suit athlete or pigeon-fancier. (ALICE HALL) Covent Garden

JUST IN THE MARKET. Very attractive historical, fully adapted, architect-designed residence, in extensive garden. Central London yet rural atmosphere. Ample accommodation for, servants, cars, or could be partly converted to business, etc., premises at low cost. Open to view daily.. (JOHN PALMER)

Blackpool Tower

Outstanding residence : unintorrapter views all sides : 10 sec. sea, shortest route : verandahs : lift : in heart of busy N. resort, yet remote from roar of traffic, neighbours, etc.: only 520 ft. from shops : TV mast. (GRANVILLE GARLEY)

Piccadilly Circus Tube Station

Magnificent modern residence ; all cons ; telephone ; escalators to all floors ; splendid ventilation system ; frequent trains to all parts of London ; admission to view by tickets obtainable in entrance hall.

(NANCY GuNTER)

St Paul's

Furn. ace. in Wren-designed London residence, built to .house large family. Spacious living-room. First-class sleeping facilities. All main services, inc. unlimited and inexpensive supply of gas. C.h. Clerical

staff if required. (REV. P. A. SCHOFIELD)

House of Lords

Ancient aristocratic seat. This house of character is solidly timbered, labour-saving, and in perfect decorative order. Superior situation over- looking extensive Commons—perfect Eden, unique old church, hill and

healthy eminence known as Charles Hill. (MRs. M. E. FossEY)

(Miss M. J. LACKEY)