Page image
Page image

H.—7

84

1748. Mr. Gore.] Do you say that these measurements were taken for the purpose of making final payment?— Yes. 1749. Were you on the work when the final payment was made?— No. Mr. Gore : I may say that Mr. Dick is an expert in figures, and his figures may be depended on. The other foreman, who came afterwards, could not be depended on so well, so measurements were not taken by him. As I have already said, Mr. Dick's measurements were taken for the purpose of the final payment, because they extend over a considerable time. The Chairman: It is a matter for explanation, and we shall find out from Mr. Brindley why these measurements were made. Mr. Gore : Whether the final statement was based on them. Witness : There were some portions shown in the plan—for instance, this back wall, at the back of the centre block, is shown as a 2ft. wall, but this portion was made 2ft. Gin. All those sort of extras we kept account of, in case there was any dispute afterwards. Mr. Brindley and I each kept accounts; and it appeared afterwards that his account tallied with mine. That is the reason why he initialled that account of mine. 1750. The Chairman.] I understand you to say that you were not employed on the northern ambulatory ?—No ; I was employed on this central block. 1751. We have not examined the foundations of that portion of the building. Let us know if there are any footings put in that portion of the work that you had to do ?—Yes; they were all put in under Mr. Brindley's supervision. 1752. You say that there is a footing at the base of the wall? —There is a footing in there. 1753. There is a footing under the central block? You say that it has been put in as shown on the plan?—l cannot say for it being exactly as shown in the drawing. If there was any difference it was a lower footing. The top of the footing may be the same size as the other, but I do not recollect about that. I know that all the footings are in, and that Mr. Brindley was very particular about having them in. 1754. The footings were put in like that ?—Just like that. 1755. Was timber and boxing used ? —Oh, yes ! that was all boxed. 1756. Does that apply to all the foundations that you put in ?—I think in a portion of the back wall here [indicating on plan] there was some alteration —this was filled with loose stones in some way. 1757. Were you employed at any of the side ambulatories, either north or south?— No. 1758. Were any drains put in under the concrete wall while you were there?— No. 1759. Were any arrangements made for carrying off the drainage ?—None, except these stones. The ground was slipping and the back was filled in with loose stones. The foundations were pretty deep —down on the rock in there. 1760. Down to the rock, you say ?—Yes. 1761. What sort of rock?—A sort of green-like rock; like what you get down near the beach. 1762. Was it papa —a soft rock? —It is something like the natural Caversham stone. 1763. Who set the foundations out ? —Mr. Brindley and myself. Every foundation I set out Mr. Brindley set them off in conjunction with me. 1764. Who instructed you as to the depth of the foundations ?—Mr. Briudley. He brought the sections. We had all the plans there. He had them all drawn out. He took the levels and gave them to us. 1765. Did you work to his instructions both as to level and dimensions?— Yes. Whenever there was any difference we kept an account of it; such as that account there. 1766. Mr. Mountfort.] Did you superintend the brickwork in the centre block ? —A portion of it. 1767. How high did you go do you think ? —Up to the dining-hall. I came from the back of the centre of the building up to here [indicating on plan]; nearly up to the eaves. I recollect putting in this part [pointing out on plan]. 1768. Who superintended the underneath work before you began ? —I think Mr. Gore had it in his own hands. 1769. What sort of bond did you use ? —I think it was an English bond. 1770. You think it was an English bond ?—lt was just according to the specification. 1771. You say you think it was an English bond?—l think so. It was done according to what was specified, but it is so long ago that I do not recollect exactly. 1772. Of course, you do not know what was the original bond?— Mr. Brindley always said English. 1773. You ordered either English or Flemish bonds?— English. 1774. The work having been in progress before you went there, you found it so, I suppose, and continued it; and you think it was an English bond ?—I think so. There is an hoop-iron bond— two feet or something. 1775. Do you recollect anything about cement courses ?—There is a cement bond. 1776. Whereabouts was that cement bond?—l think at each floor; at all events, right round. 1777. Were there any other bonds, except those at the floor lines? —I think there was. 1778. I mean any cement course bonds. For instance, there would be one there [indicating on plan] ; at the next floor do you put in another cement iloor bond ?—My recollection does not bring me to that. 1779. Your work went to a very good height ? —I think cement was used where the hoop-iron bonds came in. There was a lot of cement used; ] know that. 1780. All the hoop-iron bonds have been done, I understand you to say, according to specification ?—lt was, every bit of it. 1781. Mr. Skinner : Will you look at the plan and say if the walls of the central portion were carried up as figured ?—I cannot detect any difference,

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert