Page:History of Knox Church Dunedin.djvu/98

68 cottage and other buildings erected on it, was purchased for £550. It was decided at the same time to retain the old church building for Sabbath School and other useful purposes. Competitive designs for the new church were called for, and other steps taken to give effect to the decision of the congregation. But insuperable difficulties, which it is now quite unnecessary to describe in detail, arose in connection with the erection of a new church according to the plan first adopted, and it was not until April 1874 that the erection of the present building was begun according to plans and specifications prepared by Mr R. A. Lawson, who had been appointed architect.

The Building Committee charged with the carrying on of the work was composed of Messrs W. N. Blair (convener), E. B. Cargill, J. T. Mackerras, Gilbert Matheson, and George Turnbull. Mr Matheson rendered valuable service for a time as treasurer until his departure on a visit to the Home Country, when Mr Walter Hislop was appointed in his place. The committee found it advisable to let the work by separate contracts, all of which were fulfilled in a satisfactory manner. The principal contracts were as follow:—Foundations, Mr D. McGill; walls and spire, Mr W. Mercer; slating, Mr G. S. Williden; seating, Mr J. Gore; painting, Mr H. S. Fish, jun.; plastering, Messrs Philps and Edmunds; plumber work, Messrs A. and T. Burt; windows (lead lights), Mr T. H. Johnson; stairs and railings, Mr Julius Alberti; stone carving, Mr L, Godfrey; wood carving, Mr R. Francis. Carpenter and other work was executed by day labour. Mr R. A. Lawson, the architect, superintended the whole of the work of