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143
Tenders for the work were advertised for, and that of Messrs.
.C. W. Hobman & Co., at the sum of £229 9s. 4d. was accepted
and the work is now completed.
On the occasion when Dr. Hoffman inspected the crypt he had
suggested that similar holes should be made in the side aisles of the
???urch to find out, if possible, whether there were vaults containing
???ains. On the representations of the Churchwardens, however, it
as agreed that he should first report on the latter matter to the
???Lome Office, who would send down a communication to the Church???rdens
directing what action should be taken.
The Under Secretary of State wrote insisting that explorations
should be made under the aisles of the church with a view of
???certaining whether there were human remains between the arch of
???e crypt and the side walls of the church.
On the 2nd March, 1900, it was reported that the necesary ex???avations
had been made in the side aisles of the church and that one
??? two coffins about three or four feet below the surface had been
discovered, the ground was perfectly dry, and the coffins were earth
??? earth interments. No vaults were discovered.
A communication was made of this fact to the Home Secretary,
???nd he was requested to arrange for a representative of the Home
Office to inspect the church before any decisive action was taken in
the matter. No definite decision with regard to the human remains
supposed to be beneath the aisles of the church has as yet been com???aunicated
to the Overseers. It is anticipated, however, that further
???xplorations will show that very few coffins have been interred
here.
The following amounts have been paid by the Overseers to the
Churchwardens, on account of and in part payment of the expenses
???ncurred by them in the removal of the human remains in accordance
with the Order in Council, viz.:—
18th December, 1899 £2000
12th March, 1900 £495 4s, 0d