Year to try to find out what is causing the water erosion.

The experts will scale the roof of the landmark Hamilton building and take photographs of the copper joints to see where the water is getting through.

The recent "roofle'' prize draw for a condominium raised $150,000 to repair the Cathedral, giving administrators the cash to carry out a detailed assessment of the building.

Water is seeping itno the building, particularly from the South side, which is eroding the stonework, and electrical repairs will need to be carried out.

Canon Keith Wassell said: "We are planning a visual inspection. We know we have got to make sure the gutters, the down spouts and soakaways and all clear and fully working.

"When the architect does the visual inspection, it is quite high up, and he is going to take photos to see if any of the copper seals (are damaged). We are moving one stage at a time.

"Obviously he will go to the more accessible parts first and he will also go where more of the problems are occurring.

"Hopefully in this study process, we will be able to address what we find and sort it.'' He said the architects, from local firm Cooper and Gardner, may call in experts in copper roofs.

The architects will try to remedy problems which have remained at the cathedral, despite a $3 million upgrading carried out in the early 1990s.