I would imagine that side packing would be rammed in afterwards to make the stone stand exactly plumb and also perhaps to align the tops to the correct position for the lintel. As to packing underneath the stone, It might have been easier for them to dig the holes a little deeper than needed (labourer) and then pack them back up to the correct depth for the particular stone they were erecting (surveyor). I can just imaging the conversation between them:
Surveyor: Just dig all these holes I've marked on the plan 9 foot deep and I'll adjust them to the correct depth later.
Labourer: Right y'ar, guv. (then under his breath) effin' bosses, thur ahl the effin' same. We do ahl the effin' graft an they ger ahl thu effin' credit.
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