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careful examination and from a careful which I have made in company with the Acting Assistant Surveyer General, I am of opinion that it will be impossible much longer to delay necessary to keep the building in habitable state. About 20 per cent of the Battens, Purlins and Rafters in the roof require removing, while all the Dormers and Lanterns are in a decayed state from exposure to the weather.
the Tie Beams themselves which are of course of hard wood appear to be sound but the use of English Timber for rafters and purlins both in the construction of Government House and Government Offices has been an endless source of difficulty from the impossibility of keeping out the White Ants. To make a thorough job it will be necessary to strip the whole of the roof, a service which can only be undertaken during the cold weather, and which will occupy from 3 to 4 months.
From Mr Clark's No 134 of 29th July to your address I see he is of opinion that the Battens are too small and mentions that in some places they are only...