to arrange preliminary matters.
Your Excellency will perceive from the Committee's letter and the copies of correspondence attached thereto, that the Committee wished to be made acquainted with the views of Government in the event of the successful Architect being a public servant, and how to act should such be the case, one of the competing Architects being Mr Pope, an officer in the Surveyor General's Department; who, with the sanction of Sir John Davis, sent in his proposals.
Accordingly, the Chairman wrote an official letter to the Government, requesting that the gratuitous services of Mr. Pope might be given. A copy of this letter is attached hereto.
The answer, by the Colonial Secretary, copy of which I herewith enclose, appears to me very clear (I beg Your Excellency will have the kindness to note it specially); as it is therein set forth, that the contemplated service is not a Government work, that Government being large subscribers, an officer of theirs would superintend the work in a certain degree; but, that the Architect employed for the preparation of the plans, specifications, working drawings, should be appointed by the Committee, who, in the event of his being a Public servant, could not in justice be called upon to execute such services as a Government work.
I must here explain to Your Excellency that I was not aware that this correspondence had taken place, and was consequently ignorant of the facts therein stated; that I was directed by Sir John Davis to prepare the requisite plans, specifications for the erection of the building (with his entire aid and concurrence). I did so, and I admit that much of my public time was occupied, but I do not imagine that Your Excellency will consider that a bar-