"There was a slight difference of opinion in the Academy in 1879 as to whether the Treasurer should be allowed almost automatically to act as the Academy's architect, as hitherto seems to have been so, and the decision was in the negative. It was agreed, however, that he should continue to hold a watching-brief over the buildings and a Surveyor (
R. Phené Spiers) was then appointed to report to him and supervise any duly appointed work." [Hutchison, p.121.]