D.—l

44

Police-station, Wanganui. —Plans for new police-station, Sergeant's house, and lockup have been prepared, and tenders are invited for the materials for their erection. The work will be carried out on the co-operative principle. Post-office, Palmerston North Additions. —Additions to this building were carried out by contract, and the work was completed in January, 1895, the cost being £109. The addition of two rooms to the Telephone Exchange was put in hand by co-operative labour, and they will be finished in about a month. Courthouse, Palmerston North. —The erection of this building was commenced in November, 1894, and is now just completed, and the first sitting of the Court will be held in it to-morrow, some fencing remains to be done. This building was erected on the co-operative system. Pol Ace-station, Palmerston North. —Preparations are in hand for the removal of the old Courthouse and police-station to new sites adjoining the site of the new Courthouse. Public Works Office, Hunterville. —A house and stable for the present accommodation of the department have been erected at Hunterville. The buildings have been designed with a view to their being used as a police-station when vacated by the Public Works Department. Courthouse, Hunterville. —Plans have been prepared for this building, and tenders will be invited for the supply of the materials required for its erection. The work will be done on the cooperative principle. Pipiriki School Buildings. —Preparations are in hand for erecting these buildings on the cooperative principle. Minor Alterations and Repairs to Buildings. —Bepairs have been carried out in the following buildings —viz., Courthouses at Patea, Marton, Bulls, and Feilding. Wellington-Marlborough-Nelson District. Government House. —Some improvements in the fire-prevention appliances were effected during the year Alterations to the laundry, and groom's quarters were carried out, and general maintenance attended to. Parliament Buildings. —The alterations in the grounds, painting, erection of new fences, warming and ventilation of the buildings by Blackman fans, lighting by electricity, improvements in fireprevention appliances, &c, referred to in last year's report, were finished in June, 1894. These works were partly carried out by petty contract, partly by co-operative, and partly by day-labour Departmental Buildings. —Extensive alterations were made in these buildings during the year With a view to increasing the accommodation, and improving the administration of departments, the partitions throughout the back wings, and in some other parts of the buildings, were removed, thereby creating a number of large rooms. These alterations have enabled the Working Eailways' Engineer and Locomotive staffs to take up their quarters in the buildings, thus saving office rent amounting to £700 per annum. The Eegistrar of Friendly Societies, formerly located in the annexe, is also now accommodated in the main building, giving up the whole of the annexe to the Stamp Department. Improvements in the fire appliances in the buildings have been carried out, and stand-pipes erected in the grounds. A more efficient check-system for nightwatchmen has also been introduced. A number of the rooms in the buildings were also thoroughly cleaned and distempered. Government Printing Office. —A new Tangye engine, capable of developing 170-horse power, has been placed in the engine room, and additional shafting and pullies erected, this being required for the increased electric-lighting and machinery A well was also sunk for the condenser The basement of the building has been whitewashed and fitted up throughout with shelving for stores, and the entrances to basement fitted with iron doors. Some improvements have been effected in the windows, and ventilators of the building, and a shed 45ft. long has also been erected in the backyard. Plans have been prepared for extensive additions to the building, these additions will bring the building up to the street-line, with an extended frontage, and they include a lithographic gallery The work of erection will be done on the co-operative principle, and preparations are now being made to commence the excavation of foundation. Colonial Museum. —This building was painted. The work, which was done by co-operative contract, was completed in September, 1894. Mount Cook Prison. —Brickrnaking is the only work that has been carried on during the year Terrace Gaol. —A new high-pressure boiler with tank has been fitted up. The gaoler's residence has been painted internally and repapered throughout by co-operative labour The warder's cottage and fencing were also repaired. Supreme Court, Wellington. —The fire appliances were renewed. The building has been fitted throughout with Venetian blinds, and some improvements effected in the ventilation and drainage. Post Office Buildings, Wellington. —Extensive alterations and repairs were carried out during the year, consisting of the following works Providing a separate sorting-room for registered correspondence, a new room for Chief Clerk, also better accommodation for the money-order clerks, and for the public at the delivery and money-order counters, including a new public entrance from Grey Street. Eepairs and improvements to the floor and walls of private boxes lobby, mail-room, despatch-room, closets, ventilators, &c. These works were all carried out by co-operative labour The fire appliances have also been put in an effective state of repair Telephone Exchange. —The ventilation has been improved, the female clerks' room finished and painted, and a shed has been erected for linemen's stores. Mount View Asylum. —A new dormitory, capable of accommodating twenty-one beds, has been erected, the work having been completed in September, 1894, and ten single rooms were built,