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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 April, 1916. 1 have the honour to submit the following report on the various building-works throughout the Dominioji carried out by the Department during the nine months ended 31st March last :— New Parliament Buildings. The slow progress made has been due to the delay in obtaining suitable marble for the exterior facing of the walls. The completion of a substantial tramway from the quarry to the sea put an end to the delay, and the steady delivery of marble is now enabling the works to be energetically pushed on. Probably there will be no further slackening of the work, although some difficulty is still being experienced in obtaining certain steel sections from Great Britain. The brickwork of the chambers, lounge-lobby, and internal rooms and corridors has been carried up nearly to wallheads, and some portions of the buildings have received their concreteroof coverings. General. Government House, Wellington. —Renovations, painting, and improvements in the grounds were carried out by the staff. Tauranga Departmental Buddings. —Extensive additions in brick have just been completed under contract, and are now occupied. Gisborne Departmental Buildings. —Fittings and equipment were made and installed. Te Puia Springs. —A new bathhouse was built by day labour. Wanganui State Goal Depot. —Additional accommodation was provided under contract. Weraroa Experimental Farm. —Further accommodation for learners was provided. Government Printing Office, Wellington. —A contract for substantial additions in brick is still in progress. Hector Observatory, Wellington. —Concrete foundation for seismograph was put in and the instrument bedded. Somes Island Quarantine Station. —A cottage for the caretaker was erected. Nelson Departmental Buildings: —A contract was let for the erection of a residence for the '«tiretaker. Special School, Richmond. —The erection of two large cottage homes was completed under contract. Provincial Buildings, Christchurch. —Additions to strong-rooms in brick have been completed under contract. Mount Cook. —Quarters for the chief guide were erected, also a building for the other guides. Materials for the Haast Memorial Hut were carried to the site and the building erected. Otekaike Special, School. —The new school, three cottage homes, and clubhouse were carried to completion under contract. Some of the timber used was sawn on the site. Chatham Islands. —A combined post-office and Courthouse building was erected, also a residence for the Magistrate. Post-offices. Awanui Radio Station. —Tenders are in for the erection of an Engineer's residence. Kohukohu. —A contract for extensive additions was arranged. Auckland. —Fire service was installed and improvements to the lighting carried out. Waipu. —Substantial additions were made and the buildings renovated. Thames. —The mail-room was considerably enlarged and renovations carried out. , Cambridge. —Alterations and additions were carried out under contract. Frankton. —Electric light was installed. Hamilton. —An automatic-telephone exchange in brick and concrete was erected under contract, and alterations made to the post-office. Patumahoe. —A new building in wood was erected by contract. Mamaku. —A new office in wood was erected under contract. Rotorua. —A battery-room and minor conveniences were added. Whakatane. —A tender for the erection of a wooden building has been accepted. Gisborne. —A temporary money-order office was erected. Ohingaiti.—A new office in wood was erected under contract. Kaponga. —Extensive additions were carried out under contract. Wanganui. —Some alterations and renovations were carried out.

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