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APPENDIX C. ANNUAL REPORT ON BUILDINGS BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT. The Government Architect to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1915. 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 the 30th June last: — New Parliament Buildings. The contractors have carried the whole of the walls up to the limit of the Coromandel granite facing, all of which is in place except entrance steps and side walls thereto. Brickwork is in progress for most of the second story, but there has been delay in obtaining the marble specified for facing the walls of the two upper stories. The laying of concrete floors and staircase is in hand, and most of the steel framing required is on the site. Marble is now being quarried at Sandy Bay, and the rough blocks should be coming on the site during the next month or two. A bronze statue of the late Right Hon. Mr. Seddon has been erected on a pedestal opposite the main entrance to the new building. General. Government House, Wellington. —Renovations and repairs to small detached buildings, fences, and grounds were the only works undertaken during the year. Government House, Auckland. —Additions and alterations to repair damage caused by the fire of last year were carried out, and the electric wiring overhauled. Departmental Buildings, Auckland.— -Internal alterations to permit of the more convenient allocation of rooms were carried out, and fittings supplied. An electric elevator was installed in the building. Mount Albert Industrial School. —The dining-room and veranda are being extended under contract now in progress. Motuihi Island. —Various improvements have been effected in the main quarantine buildings, a cottage for the caretaker erected, and dog-kennels provided. Tauranga Departmental Buildings.- -Plans have been prepared and tenders invited for substantial additions to the existing buildings. Gisborne Departmental Buildings. —A fine block of buildings in brick was completed under contract, and fittings supplied. Taumarunui Engineers Residence. —A wooden building within the Railway Reserve was erected. Wellington Departmental Buildings. —Additions of no great importance were made to some of the detached buildings during the year. Government Printing Office. —One contract for additions was completed early in the year, and another contract for more extensive additions on the Featherston Street side has been let. The work is in progress. Public Works Store, Pipitea. —The new store was completed and occupied during the year. Nelson Departmental Buildings. —Various repairs and improvements have been carried out during the year. Special School for Girls, Richmond. —A contract has been let for the erection of cottage homes, and the work is in progress. Westport School of Mines. —An extension of the building was completed and occupied. Ghristchurch Departmental Buildings. —Fittings for various Government Departments were provided and fixed in the new building. Provincial Buildings, Christchurch. —A contract was let for additions, in brick, to the strong-rooms. Mount Cook Hostel. —A house for the Chief Guide was built, and quarters-for the other guides are in course of construction. The old hermitage has been dismantled. Chatham Islands. —A building comprising Courthouse and Post-office is in course of erection at Waitangi, also a residence for the Magistrate. Otekaike Special School. —A contract has been let for the erection of special school buildings. Some of the timber is being cut from plantations on the estate, and the work is well in hand. Invercargill Departmental Buildings. —Minor alterations have been carried out, and sanitary drainage installed. Post-offices. Hikurangi. —A wooden building was erected under contract, and equipped. Kawakawa. —Extensive alterations to the old post-office building were carried out. Whangarei. —Small additions were made, and the whole building renovated. Dargaville. —A new building in brick was completed early in the year. Auckland. —Water-service was installed, lighting and pneumatic-tube installations overhauled, a small lift put in, and minor alterations carried out. Auckland (Old Post-office). —Gas and electric lighting services were overhauled, and partitions built to facilitate letting portions of the premises. Mount Eden. —An automatic telephone exchange in concrete and brick is being erected under contract. Remuera. —A handsome two-story building in brick was completed under contract. An automatic telephone exchange is being erected under another contract. Ponsonby. —The erection of an automatic telephone exchange in concrete and brick is proceeding under contract.