61

D.—l

Museum House has been fitted up as offices for the Public Health Department, and a new fumigation-shed has been built in the Museum grounds. A small post-office has been built at Alfredton. New drains and sanitary conveniences have been provided at the Masterton Post-office, and connections made with the borough drainage system, and similar work has been done at the policestation and Courthouse. A small post-office building—combined office and living-rooms—has been built at Pongaroa. Additions have been made to the Martinborough Police-station. The Carterton Courthouse is being removed, and additions and alterations are being made. A large amount of work was done in connection with the despatch of three contingents to South Africa —in repairs to troopship, shipping horses, and work at drill-shed. Preparation for illumination and decoration of public buildings in Wellington in honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII. involved a large amount of work. Marlborough District. Blenheim Departmental Buildings. —Considerable alterations have been made in order to give increased accommodation to the Postal Department. Some improvements have been made in the drainage of the buildings, and a wash-house built for the custodian. Two additional rooms have been added to the Postmaster's house at Benwicktown, and a report and estimate furnished for renewals to the Postmaster's house at Havelock. The constable's quarters at Havelock were inspected, and the erection of a new building recommended. The Wairau Native School has been repainted inside and out. Two rooms have been repapered, and some other minor repairs, &c, done. Coronation decorations for the Government Building, Blenheim, were prepared. Nelson District. Nelson Lunatic Asylum. —A new porch ha 3 been erected at the front entrance of the Auxiliary Asylum. An electric fire-alarm system is now being installed in the buildings. Various mainten-ance-works have been carried out during the year. Tenders for the construction of a storage reservoir were called for, but declined. Tenders have been received for the erection of outbuildings. The erection of a new post and telegraph office at Motueka has been completed. A contract for additions, repairs, and painting to the post and telegraph office at Collingwood has been completed. West Coast Districts. Westport. —The following buildings were completed during the year : Post and telegraph office, Denniston ; Gaoler's house, Westport; signalman's house, Karamea. Bepairs have been done to the Westport Courthouse ; bedroom repapered and a range added to the police quarters, Westport; repairs and shelving, painting and paperhanging, have been done in the Westport Post-office, and additions made to the night-mail room, and also some gravelling has been done ; a verandah has been built round the Denniston Post and Telegraph Office; at the District Surveyor's house, Westport, repairs, painting, plumbing-work, and fencing have been done; some sanitary work was done at the Westport Public Buildings by the Westport Borough ; repairs were carried cut at the Lyell Courthouse; repairs to the Magistrate's house and Warden's Clerk's residence, Westport, have been finished; additions and repairs to the Lyell Post-office are in progress; and also additions and repairs to the Westport Post and Telegraph Office. Greymouth. —A new gas-service has been provided for the post-office, and the drainage system connected to the new town sewer. Some renovation-work has been done to the Chief Postmaster's house. Hokitika. —A contract has been finished for the erection of a new office and strong-room at the Warden's Court. The ceilings of the post-office have been repaired, and some repairs to the flooring is partly done. It was found that the floor and wall-plates were in a worse condition than expected. Bepairs to the police-station buildings in progress last year have been finished. Considerable renewals have been made at the gaol matron's cottage. Plans have been prepared and materials have been provided for the erection of quarters for male attendants at the gaol; the work will be started shortly. Beefton. —An additional cottage for constable's quarters has been built. Some repairs to the sergeant's house has been done. Some repairs to and the painting of the Courthouse are nearly finished, having been delayed by wet weather. Brunner. —The Courthouse has been repaired and painted. Kumara. —The Clerk of Court's house has been altered, repaired, and painted. Some repairs, painting, and fencing have been done at the Courthouse. Some repairs, additions, and painting were done at the police quarters. Some new outbuildings were provided for the post-office, and repairs and painting done. Boss. —Some improvements have been made in the police quarters. Ahaura. —Some repairs to the Courthouse have been done, and some furniture provided. The building has been painted. Decorations were prepared for various public buildings at Westport, Beefton, Greymouth, and Hokitika, in honour of the coronation of His Majesty King Edward VII. Canterbury District. Departmental Buildings, Christchurch. —Covers for the seats and chairs have been provided. A strong-room, with fittings, has been built for Lands Department. 10—D. 1.