I am quite inefficiently aware that the Building executed, and I have several times been called upon by the Post Master to execute repairs, which have been done in due course; and with regard to the special case mentioned, it is quite possible I may have stated that it wanted a general overhaul and repair.
On the 12th September I called at the Post Office upon Mr. Hagland's special application, to view a temporary stable; this shed interfered with the view of the shipping, and the Post Master could not signalize with the ships of war, and besides he was in fear of fire; the shed was therefore removed; upon this occasion a conversation recurred about the house, some defective beams, the fastenings to the venetians, and repairs to the kitchen reef, executed a few months before, (on his application to Government), and some few repairs I may have promised to obtain sanction to effect in the usual manner.
I received no message from the Post Master that I remember on the morning after the Typhoon, the overseer has no distinct recollection of apprehending danger to any portion of the building, and whatever remarks he may have made to me on the occasion, did not induce me to think so either; but I was in so much dread of the failure of the ceiling, it is surprising none of his furniture was removed; besides a written communication would have instantly brought me to view the defects, when a remedy might have been applied in time to prevent any accident. With regard to the unsigned survey report the Post Master has enclosed in his...