QUEEN ELIZABETH'S LODGE.
51
the repairs of the Lodge up to April, 1899. Since that date
the restoration has been accomplished, and the Epping Forest
Committee have issued some statements respecting it, which may
appropriately be reprinted, in order to make the story of this
excellent piece of work complete.
In the Report presented to the Common Council on the
25th January, 1900, the following statement occurs :—
" On the 17th April last (1899) we reported to your Honorable Court as
to the proposed additions and alterations of Queen Elizabeth's Lodge with
the object of strengthening the structural condition and improving the
external appearance of this historical and interesting building, and enlarging
the Museum established there by the Essex Field Club (which has received
much public favour) in accordance with the reports furnished to us by Mr.
J. Oldrid Scott, the eminent architect, and we recommended that your
Honorable Court should make a special grant of £500 towards the cost,
which recommendation was agreed to by your Honorable Court.
" Mr. Scott's approximate estimate for the work, made in May, 1897,
was £750; but after your Honorable Court had agreed to the Report, we
communicated further with that gentleman, and he submitted drawings and
specifications of works, and stated that, in consequence of the increase in the
cost of labour and materials, his estimate must be increased from £850 to
£950. We accordingly invited Tenders for the work, and accepted the
lowest, being that of Mr. Arthur Porter, at the sum of £797, and a contract
was entered into with him for the work.
" When the external plastering was removed, it was found that in several
places the timbers had seriously decayed and weakened the building, and Mr.
Scott reported that it was desirable, if not essential, that some renewal of the
timbers should be undertaken ; which work was not included in the contract.
We, therefore, authorised Mr. Scott to do what was necessary with regard to
replacing the timbers, and to provide additional sanitary accommodation.
" The works included in the contract are nearly completed, but it will be
necessary to provide better means of warming the Lodge for the protection of
the building itself and of the exhibits in the Museum, possibly by means of
hot-water pipes. The annual expense of heating will, we have every reason
to believe, be increased but slightly, if at all."
In addition to the suggestion that the building should be
warmed by hot-water, the Council of the Essex Field Club asked
the Committee to favourably consider a request that a small
room should be set apart, in which curatorial work could be
carried on. It was found that the scullery at the base of the
great staircase could be so adapted at a cost of about £50, and
the Club offered to contribute this amount out of the Museum
Fund. The whole of the work of restoration was accomplished
by the summer of 1900, and in the report of the Epping Forest