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necessary, before the Materials could be ordered by the Crown Agents. In this case the prices named by me for the Sluice valves was only guess work as I considered that the cost would depend upon the class of valve recommended by Mr. Rawlinson.
There is one other question which I should wish to submit to Mr. Rawlinson. In his report on the Proposed Water Works Mr R. states.
"The Vertical valve well may be near to the Centre Line of the Bank and may be divided vertically as sketched, the Valves being placed in the dividing partition. The Midfeather in the valve well should be of cast Iron, the valves to be fixed in it as indicated. The water will fill the Inner Culvert, and rise in the inner half of the valve well. The outer half and Culvert will be dry when the valves are not open."
My intention was to have kept the whole of the valve well dry when all the valves are shut. I apprehend the difficulty which Mr Rawlinson anticipates in this is in making water tight the joints between the Sluice Cocks and the Masonry of the valve well. Should this be the case and Mr Rawlinson consider the use of the Midfeather preferable or indeed indispensable, it would be far better and safer for the Iron Work to be ordered upon drawings supplied by him.
In all probability the Iron Work will arrive from England before the Masonry is commenced, any required alterations to the Valve Well or Bye Culvert can therefore then be made.
I consider that in a large service like that proposed too great caution cannot be exercised in obtaining the very best description of Iron Work obtainable. This can doubtless best be done under the advice of Mr Rawlinson.
I have the honor to be,
Your most obedient servant,
W Morison
Surveyor General.