245 



bay is aa intermediate principal, 9in. by 6Jin., notched into the 

 ridge piece. The side timbers or puriins are tenoned into the 

 principals. 



Above these are oak rafters, 5^in. by 3in., laid flatwise and 

 covered with boarding. The east bay is divided up into panels 

 by the insertion of additional ribs, and these are covered by oak 

 slabs about 2^in. thick, forming the backs of the panels, and each 

 slab extends over two or three panels. 



The roof of the Hungerford Chapel was framed and panelled 

 in much the same way, but with more mouldings and carving; 

 while the eastern half was very richly coloured and gilt. The 

 timbers of this roof were in a very defective condition, rotted 

 away at the ends and sunk in several places, while some of the 

 panels were crumbling to powder. 



Some few years ago an attempt had been made to repair part 

 of this roof, but in a very imperfect manner, as I found thin 

 pieces of deal tacked on to the panels, and a great many of the 

 carvings had been replaced with yellow pine instead of oak. 



Both of the roofs, I may observe, although span shaped inside, 

 were made lean-to outside by putting timbers and boarding from 

 the centre up to the clerestory wall. 



Previously to my being called in, it had been a matter of 

 serious consideration in the parish whether it was possible to 

 repair the old roofs, or whether entirely new ones must be formed. 

 I stated in my report that — " In answering these questions it is 

 " clear to my mind that as regards patching or repairs to the 

 " present roof the cost would be money thrown away, as probably 

 " in a few years the question would again have to be considered. 

 " On the other hand I can see no reason for requiring an entirely 

 " new roof. However well it might be constructed, and however 

 " carefully the details of carving or moulding are copied, there 

 " would be the loss of all that interest to the parishioners and of 

 " those who appreciate the good old work about the Church 

 *^ which the present roof possesses ; and as an architect I have 



