"that there was no discretion alleged - that there was nothing whatever left to the Crown Agents by Executive Council to exceed a certain Boiler and Engine space, and that they were instructed that the Engines were to be spaced by reducing the H.P., if necessary.
"That instead of sending out two convenient sized Boilers which might have been placed entirely below the deck, as expected, one large Boiler had been sent, which is considered unsuitable for such a project above the deck, and necessitated the cutting of so small a Vessel, and materially weakened the vessel."
"That as a consequence the Supines Engines and Boiler must be rejected and returned to the Crown Agents, and that the vessel be lengthened by 18 feet at a cost of some thirty thousand dollars."
To these allegations the Crown Agents replied:-
"That the information on which they were called upon to act was such that they determined to be governed by the opinions of 'experienced practical men,' and with this object they placed the Requisition and Tracings on the hands of three first-class makers of Marine Engines, and requested them to furnish Designs according to their several interpretations of the intentions and requirements of the Colony as conveyed therein."