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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 87

Dunedin, 9th February, 1871. To the Secretary for Land and Works

Dunedin, To the Secretary for Land and Works.

Sir,

In reply to a memorandum of His Honour the Superintendent, dated 5th ultimo, regarding the Oamaru and Kakanui stone, we have the honour to report that it has been largely used in this Province for the last ten years. The oldest structure known to us which has been erected with this material is the bridge at Oamaru, whose span is 24 feet, and width between parapets 18 feet. The style of masonry is squared, dressed on beds and joints, and scabbled on face, excepting cornices and parapet, which are tool-dressed fair. This bridge was erected in 1860, and by recent inspection has been found to be in perfect condition, the stone having indurated with the years of exposure.

Structures of much greater importance and extent have, since that date, been erected of the same stone, from the several quarries of the district, amongst which may be mentioned—
1st.The building in Dunedin intended for the Otago University, of finely dressed masonry, ornamented with Corinthian and composite columns, order on order, with highly ornamented entablatures and parapets.
2nd.The Bank of New South Wales, a building of four stories, of elaborate Italian style, masonry finely dressed.
3rd.The first Church of Otago, of Gothic or decorated English style, to which is attached a lofty tower and spire, round which are clustered pinnacles of bold and light design.page 5
4th.The Otepopo Bridge, of four spans of 42 feet each. Masonry squared, face rock work, with finely dressed cornices and parapets.

Several Other smaller bridges have been erected, but which it is needless to specify. Many buildings have also been erected where the partial use of the Oamaru and Kakanui Stone has been availed of, an example of which is the Provincial Government Buildings.—an extensive pile, the walls of pressed brick, and parapets, cornices, and window and door facings, of the above. The erection of these structures has extended over these last eight years, and in none of them is there any disintegration of the material to be detected. In the oldest, the arisses are yet sharp, and the tool marks fresh; and even in the most exposed parts, such as the copings and south-west walls, the stone has indurated with time, presenting no appearance even of incipient decay. Exceptionally to this (but only in two or three cases) must be mentioned the detection of an inferior stone allowed to be put in by insufficient inspection, a contingency in future easily guarded against by persons of experience.

During the period of ten years, the stone has also been much used in graveyards as headstones and monuments. Having inspected all those in the Dunedin Cemetery, we have to report that the oldest even of these show no signs of deterioration; but, on the contrary, have been hardened by time and exposure, the lettering and tool marks are as sharp and distinct as on the day on which they were cut.

This stone has also been used largely in the construction of public and private buildings in Oamaru and adjacent districts, and in the more remote portions of the Province it has been used for sills, lintels, cornices, quoins, and parapets in buildings erected with brick or bluestone.

As the stone is to be found abundantly over a district of twenty-five miles in length, and eight in breadth, it is practically inexhaustible; and though strata of inferior qualities exist, yet the nature, colour, and characteristics of the approved stone being now so well known to the professional men and practical artificers, and quarrymen of the district, no danger in its use can be run if selections be made under intelligent supervision.—We have, &c,

(Signed)

J. T. Thomson,

Civil Engineer. (Signed)

G. M. Barr,

Engineer of Roads and Works.