227
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Enders
was attended with
the same result, clearly showing the insufficiency
of the estimate. Under these circumstances,
the Architect was ordered to carry
out the work. The Church was somewhat advanced before Trustees
were appointed, and it was only at a later period that they found out that the work
was done by piece-meal, when, after some delay, he obtained a contract for the foundations, and subsequently another for the Brickwork and roof, both of which were approved by Sir John Davis, although upon both a loss occurred, and was anticipated.
It would appear that the community were not consulted as to the design, and that they knew nothing of the above facts; the only information they received was contained in the circular of 10 July, 1844, and in the Ordinance, upon the tenor of which they only supposed that the Church was estimated to cost £6,900, that the Government prepared to pay £4,600, or two-thirds, and that they would have to pay the remaining £2,300 or one-third.
It was not until the completion of the building that they discovered that the sum of £6,900 was quite inadequate. Up to this time Sir John Davis had assumed the whole management, and it appears to us that the Community have reason to complain of the course adopted by H.M. Government in this respect, inasmuch as, in the event of the cost of the Church exceeding the amount of £6,900 (and, as has been stated, the lowest tender did so to the extent of £3,000), they would have no legal claim upon Government to supply the deficiency.
We cannot suppose, however, that H.M. Government would allow the Community, under any circumstances, to suffer by the acts of H.M. Servants, especially of one holding such high and extensive powers as H.E. Sir John Davis.
We would also beg Your Excellency's attention to the fact that the design of the