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2445. Do you think if it had been l^in. out you would have noticed it ?—I think I should have noticed that. 2446. Do you think that this back wing could have been built l|in. out of level? —That is, the back wing of Block No. 1, north ? 2447. It is the south side of the north airing-court?— There are some very rough stones set out there. 2448. There are no courses shown there ?—I do not think that could have been built that much out. 2449. If it is proved that there was a difference of 4-J-in. at this point between that string-course and that window ?—lt could not have been built that way. 2450. There is a difference of ljin. between this window and that window : do you think that that part could have been built in that way?—No, Ido not. That could not have been done on account of the number of courses of bricks which had to be put in. We always brought work up to a level for the bedding of stone bands. 2451. But supposing that that is not the case now, what do you suppose is the cause of it ?—- That is a question as to my opinion as an expert, and I think should not be asked. 2452. What I want to get out is whether you were satisfied that that part was built in line?—■ I am quite satisfied of that. 2453. If it had been more than lfin. out of level it would have been noticed ?—Certainly. 2454. You used an ordinary measurement level?—We had the use of a small Sin. level. Mr. Gore : We always checked the line with a bricklayer's level besides. 2455. The Chairman.'] So far as alignment goes, you do not think that the kink in the walls from this point to that [indicating on plan] which is said to be 16in. to 18in. could have been built without it being noticed ? —I do not think so. 2456. Are you surprised to hear that there is this kink in the wall ?—Yes. I was surprised to find it when I went up there. 2457. Have you been up to the building lately?— Yes. I went up the other day and had a look at it.

Fbiday, 24th Febeuaey, 1888. Aethue Thomas Beindley recalled. 2458. The Chairman.'] There is one more question I should like to put to Mr. Brindley : Do you know the back concrete-wall of the ambulatory?— Yes. 2459. Had any cracks shown in that before the building was completed ?—Yes; one or two cracks had shown there before any brickwork was put on it at all. 2460. Was that near that recess [indicating on plan] ? —On each side of it; just in the sides here. There is a letter of mine to Mr. Lawson calling attention to it before any brickwork was built on it. 2461. What was done to the cracks at that time? —I think there was some cement put into them; they were not very wide. 2462. Was that in the corners ? —Near the corners. There is a letter of mine in my letter-book with a sketch showing the position of these cracks. 2463. Mr. Mountfort.] Your letter does not show any sketch, but it refers to it?— Yes, there is a sketch. 2464. The sketch shown relates to the angle-turret ? —There is another one besides that. Ido not recollect the exact date, but I have an idea that there is a letter of mine in that book about these cracks. I remember reporting the matter to Mr. Lawson. It would bo about February, 1883. [Letter read.] You see there is a sketch there. 2465. Did you take notice of these cracks during the construction of the building to see whether they increased afterwards? —Yes. They did increase slightly, but not very much. We filled them up with cement, but the cracks showed again through the cement. 2466. Did any other cracks show before the building was completed ?—Do you mean with regard to that block ? 2467. Yes?— Towards the end there was a crack showing in the brickwork in the recess of the back wall. 2468. There is a back view of it [showing on plan] ?—The crack was in the return side of this. There was also some in the cement-floor of the ambulatory underneath. 2469. In the basement ?—Yes. 2470. You have seen cracks in that wall lately ?—Yes. 2471. Had any of those shown up in the brickwork before you left ? —No. 2472. The wall then appeared to be intact ? —Yes. 2473. How long had the building been completed when you left. Was it occupied?— Yes. It must have been six months, I should think. The laundry contract went on after the patients went into that part of the building. 2474. Then there was nothing particular to be noticed before you left ?—Except the crack in this return one that I am speaking of. 2475. What size of crack was that ? —I should think it was about -J-in. wide at the bottom. We could only get into the lower storey through the patients being in the building. If I remember rightly, it showed more on the inside then.' 2476. I understand that after you have been examined you wish to make a statement in writing ?—Yes, merely for my own satisfaction ; but I will not give in a statement unless you like. 2477. Perhaps you had better state now what you wish to say?— There is one matter that I should like to have cleared up, and that is in regard to the dismissal of Mr. Dick. How that came