CHURCH AT LYTTELTON.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 169, 1 April 1854, Page 7

CHURCH AT LYTTELTON.

We Ggive below the " Report "of the Architects appointed to examine Lyttelton Church. We are authorized to strtte that the^probable cost of the proposed alterations and repairs will amount to something less than £500. Christchurch, March 17, 1354. Sir.—ln corrpliance with your request, we have examined the dilapidations of the Lyttelton Church. We consider they have arisen from the defective slate of the brick-nogg.ings, the panels of •which, from the shrinkage: of the timber framing, and the vibration of the building in high winds, have beccme loosened. In order to obviate danger from the defective state of the brickwork, we propese that the original intentionoof". f" the Ar chitect should be partially carried out, in boarding the interior surface of the bricknoggiug of the west front, and clear story, with 2inch plank secured by screws to the framing. This will prevent the bricks from falling inwards. To prevent them from

falling outwards, we propose to fasten 1J in. fillets with screws to the outer faces of the timbers, overlapping the joints of the brickwork panels with the framing. In order to reduce the vibration to the smallest possible amount in a building exposing so large a surface, in proportion to its base, to the action of the wind, and to lighten the strain on the framing, we propose to strip the slating off the roof and substitute shingling instead. We propose also to strengthen the building transversely, by bracing the tiebeams and shafts together, by an additional pair of braces under each of the main trusses secured to the tie-beams with iron straps and bolted to the shafts ; also to secure the ends of the tie-beams to the plates and shafts, by means of heavy iron knees secured with bolts to the tie-beams and shafts. To strengthen the building longitudinally against^'strains, we propose to erect buttresses to the east and west points, and to secure the heads and feet of the timber arches of the nave to the shafts and string-course. The whole of the brick-nogging should be carefully examined, and where found to have become d.sjoinced to any great extent it should be cut out and reinstated. These precautions will secure the building against all danger from the causes above-mentioned. We are, Sir, your obedient servants, H. I. Ceidland, E. Dobson, Bexjm. M. Mottntfoet. Henry Sewell, Esq.