6 REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE. 



hot-water piping, the condensation has been much lessened, 

 especially in the Staircases. In the absence of a definite 

 system of ventilation, some means should be adopted of 

 admitting air to the rooms. The windows are not of a con- 

 venient form to ensure their being opened. I have on previous 

 occasions suggested the propriety of having smaller opening 

 ventilators in the windows that could be easily worked, and I 

 see nothing at present to alter that opinion. 



In recapitulating the matters before mentioned, we may 

 divide them into two classes (i) those absolutely necessary to 

 be done for putting the building in a fair state of repair and 

 (2) those for finishing the interior. 



To the first class belong the repairs to the stonework, the 

 adjustment of the lead work, the repairs of the slating, the new 

 lantern lights, new snow trellis, the rain water spouts, the new 

 ceilings and repairs to plastering, the ventilators ; and to the 

 second class, the colouring of the walls, etc., the drains to the 

 w.c's., etc. 



I estimate the approximate cost of the first at ;^ 1,848, and 

 the second at j£i2)°- The amount is no doubt a very large 

 one, and one you may not be in a position at present to face, 

 but the work may, if you think fit, be done piecemeal; for 

 instance, the most pressing matters might be undertaken first, 

 viz., the repairs to Stonework, Leadwork, Slating, Plastering, 

 Ventilators, and colouring the interior walls. This could be 

 done for about ;^385, leaving the rest (of which the lantern 

 lights form the greater part) to be carried out at some future 

 time. 



I need hardly tell you how much I regret to have to make 



a report of this nature, on a building such as the Museum, 



which should scarcely at this time have cost the Trustees a 



penny in repairs. 



I am, yours faithfully, 



Frank W. Rich, 



I, Eldon Square, Newcastle-on-Tyne, 7th December, 1897. 



As soon as this report had been carefully considered in 

 Committee, it was resolved that a printed copy should be sent 



