89

D.—l

APPENDIX P.

ANNUAL EEPOET ON BUILDINGS BY THE GOVEKNMENT ARCHITECT. The Government Architect to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1914. I have the honour to submit the following report on the various building works throughout the Dominion carried out by the Department during the year ended 30th June last: — New Parliament Buildings. In December last a contract was let to Messrs. Hansford, Mills, and Hardie for the erection of the superstructure of the first portion of the new building on the foundations and basement prepared by the Department. The contract sum is £151,639, and the time fixed for completion expires in December, 1915. Good progress has been made with the work, notwithstanding that several months had to elapse before the steel for stanchions and girders arrived from Britain. The contractors started without delay on the preparation of Coromandel granite for the facing of the ground-floor story, and have installed power and machinery for sawing the stone, as well as four large electrically driven derricks for moving and setting the steelwork and granite. Granite gate-piers and wrought-iron gates have been erected at three entrances to the grounds, and smaller gates at three intermediate entrances. General. Government House, Wellington. —A motor-garage has been built, racquet-court erected, and minor works attended to. Departmental Buildings, Auckland. —Structural alterations to improve the arrangement of offices were made, and an electric elevator is being installed. Government House, Auckland. —ln May last portion of the main building was seriously damaged by fire. Eepairs have been started, small additions made, and a new electric-lighting service installed. Parliament Buildings. —A squash racquet-court has been built, a tennis-court is being laid down, and parts of the ground have been planted. Government Printing Office. —A contract for substantial additions in brick was let last year, and the work is well in hand. Departmental Buildings, Wellington. —Alterations to strong-rooms and chimneys were completed. Marine Store, Wellington. —The erection of a brick building was completed under contract. Post and Telegraph Store, Wellington. —This large brick building was completed and occupied early this year. Public Works Store, Wellington. —A contract for the erection of this building was let and good progress is being made. Public Works Workshop, Wellington. —A commodious brick building was erected under contract during the year. Storekeeper's Residence, Wellington. —A residence for the Public Works Storekeeper was erected at Pipitea. Gisborne Departmental Buildings. —A contract was let for the erection of this important block, and the work is now in progress. Morere Bathhouse. —This building was completed and water-supply laid on. Public Works Store, Gisborne. —A store for the Gisborne district was erected during the year. Stratford Departmental Buildings. —The erection of this block was completed under contract, and the offices were fitted up. Opunake Stock Inspector's Residence. —Erection was completed under contract. Hokitika Public Buildings. —A substantial building in brick was completed during the year. Westport School of Mines. —A contract has been let for an extension of the building to provide a new furnace-room. Christchurch Departmental Buildings. —This large block was completed during the year, and is now fitted up and occupied. Public Trust Office, Christchurch. —Additions and alterations were completed. Mount Cook Hostel. —The erection of this large building in concrete was completed during the year. Caversham Industrial School.- —The laundry was reinstated, and drainage and water services installed. Invercargill Departmental Buildings. —The top floor was renewed, and minor alterations carried out. Post-offices. Kaitaia. —A wooden building was erected by day labour early in the year. Awanui. —Alterations and additions to the building purchased for postal purposes were carried out by day labour. Rawene. —Necessary additions were made under contract.

12—D. 1.