358 RECORDS OP THE ACS^TRALIAN MUSEUM. 



The Colonial Secretary's reply, bearing date 17tli April, IS-iV, 

 covered an explanation''^ by the Colonial Architect, a lengthy document 

 giving measui-ements and details of work done, and from which we gather 

 that the building had progressed but little beyond the basement. 



Up to the 25th May, 1847, the cost had amounted to £1,028/14/8, 

 thus" : — 



In 184fi. For Excavation and Masonry £(ii-i 4 



,, 1847. ,, Masonry and Thnber .." 384 14 4 



^1,028 14 8 



leaving unexpended a balance of £1,971/5/4 of the original £3,000 voted, 

 which Mr. Lewis anticipated would be enough to carry up the walls and 

 roof of the building. 



The next trouble to be faced by the Committee was that of money, 

 as we learn from the following letter: — 



Australian Museum, 



(5th June, 1847. 

 Sir, 



By direction of the Committee for manaf^'iny The Australian Museum 

 I have the honor to state to you for the information and consideration of 

 His Excellency the Governor, that from a statement made to The Com- 

 mittee by the Colonial Architect, they have every reason to Vielieve, that 

 the sum already gi-anted (^3,0(X)) for the erection of tht- Museum will be 

 entirely expended by the end of the curi'ent year, at which time the body of 

 the Building will have been carried up and roofed in, agreeably to the very 

 exact estimate framed by Mr. Lewis at the commencement of the Work. 

 To carry out, however, the original design adopted by The Committee, a 

 further svim, estimated by Mr. Lewis at ii2,000, will become necessary, 

 and, accordingly. The Committee respectfully beg that His Excellency 

 would be pleased to direct that a sum to that amount be placed upon the 

 Estimates of The Public Expenditure now about to be laid before the 

 Legislature, for this service. 



I have the honor to be. 

 Sir 



Your most obedient humble servant 



(Sgd.) Robt. Lynd, 



Honory. Secretary. 



A minute attached to the letter, by the Colonial Architect, explained 

 that tlie sum voted for the completion of the design would have siTfficed 

 had it not been for an increased wages bill. An estimate of an extra 

 £1,000 was given as the sum necessary to complete " the interior accord- 

 ing to the original plan;" and to provide an internal <rallery and extei'nal 

 portico, as desired b}- the Committee, a further £1,000, together making 

 the sum asked for by Lieut. Lynd. 



Both the gallery (the present Mineralogical Galleiy) and the portico 

 were subsequently erected (PI. xlvi.). The latter was still in existence 

 when 1 joined the Museum Staff (PI. xlvii.),and beneath it my predecessoi-, 

 Dr. K. P. Ramsay, had a large aviary. This portico was demolished in 

 1892, when the North Wing was enlarged. 



78 Letter 47/2888. 6th April, 1847 ; Minutes 17th May, 1847. 

 '" Minutes, 25th May, 1847 ; Id., 14th September, 1847. 



