Text of Petition to the Governor - 17th Feb. 1847
Text of the Petition to the Governor - 17th February 1847
To His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand
The humble petition of Joseph Percy and Son
Showeth,
That your petitioners, by a variety of unforeseen misfortunes caused by the Native Rebellion in the Hutt soon after the contract was taken for the bridge.
Humbly presumed to present to your Excellency's Notice, the difficult position in which we are placed as regards the Completion of the Job by the time specified, being bound under a penalty of Twenty Pound per week for the Non-completion of it in that time. We have but very little money, and to (sic) short a time to complete it in. The great and Sudden advance of Wages and the Scarcity of Hands, Since the Contract was taken, has Completely Ruined us.
Likewise the decay of all the Timber of the Old Bridge which was Intended to be cut up and used for the Joist and floor of the New One, and for the Cattwater (?), as Specified the new timber which will cost Thirty Five Pounds, also the double Expense of Iron Plates and Bolts for the Superstructure. Not being able to get such long lengths of Totara Timber as Specified. Iron at the Time when the Contract taken was £14 per Ton, now its £28 per Ton.
We therefore humbly Solicit a favour from your Excellency for a fortnight or three weeks more Extension of Time to complete the job in a Workmanlike manner, and if it should please your Excellency for a little more Money to Complete it in a Workmanlike manner, as we have spent all that we are possessed of, and in debt to the full ammount of what we have to receive.
Humbly relying on Your Excellency's well known humanity
Your Petitioners
(Signed Joseph Percy and Son)
Amount petitioned for was £180.7.6d
Petition was accepted with conditions (2nd April 1846)
1. To receive £90.0.0 for groundwork when complete.
2. Abutments finished and frame in progress another payment.
3. Final payments upon completion of Bridge.
Signed by Superintendent