NEW PLYMOUTH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 171, 10 July 1908, Page 4

NEW PLYMOUTH AFFAIRS.

QUESTION IN THE HOUSE. i AVelliugton, Thursday, a lu the House tliis afternoon ill'. Okcv ,-r asked the Minister for Public Works ; why the several amounts appropriated . by the House during last session hail 5 not been expended. The Minister replied: . "The several buildings referred 1 j in . the hon. member's question are as In: ' lows:—(1) Police station; (2) post of i lice; (3) new departmental buildings: « (4) courthouse (additions); (o) gaol . (drainage); ((j) gaol warder's cottage; : {?■) secondary school (grant); (S) uilice for Agricultural Department; (!>) dei partmcntal buildings (renovations); , (10) courthouse (additions and renovations). The position regarding the various items is as follows:—(1) This work had to await a decision as to site for departmental buildings mentioned ill -Nrt. 3; the matter has now been 'settled, but up to the present the architectural stall has been unable to take iu hand the preparation of plans, etc., owing to extreme pressure of work. This work will, however, be taken in hand as_ early as possible. (2) The vote for this work has been expended and the building completed, (,'i) Tnere wa* dillicultv in determining the question of a eite for this building, but it was ultimately decided to erect it on the land now occupied by the police sergeant'; residence. This involved the purchase ot the adjoining section, so that the residence could be removed thereto. The land has now been acquired, and the Government Architect instructed to put in hand the preparation of plans for the new luiilding. The contract will also include the removal of tho sergeant's residence to the adjoining section. (-1 i liefore this work can be put in hand the Deeds Registry Office adjoining must !>" removed. The new Deeds Registry Office will be in the proposed new departmental buildings, and until this building is completed the Deeds Office cannot lie dispensed with. (5) This work is prae- , lieally finished and file vote expended. ; (0) The expenditure of this vote has : been entrusted to the Prison Depart- ' liient. (7) This vote has been expended, j the ainoniA having been paid over to tile ( High School Board. (8) Subsequently to ; the provision of this vote it was decided , | to provide accommodation for ilie Agri- . cultural Bepartnicnt in the departmental buildings, so that separate aw-oiinmida-lion will not now be required, (it ami III) ] The District "Engineer has been instruct- j ed to put these two works in hand, and |. is now preparing the necessary contract I v papers lor the invitation of tenders." f