D.—l

45

Maintenance, general repairs, or repainting, &c, have been effected at the following : Napier, Hastings, Havelock, Ongaonga, Hunterville, Takapau, Port Ahuriri, and Ormondville. Eltharn. -Alterations to provide additional exchange accommodation were made. Inglewood. —The interior has been repapered and painted. New Plymouth. The interior of telephone exchange has been repainted and additional garage accommodation provided. Minor repairs and renovations have been carried out at Marakopa, Okato, Patea, Stratford, Urenui, Whangamomona, Waitara, I law era, Kaponga, Manaia, and Rahotu. Wanganui. —The erection of the new automatic telephone exchange has been completed. Additions to the money-order office arc in hand, and extra lavatory accommodation has been provided. Several, other offices in this district have been repaired and efficiently maintained. Tiraumea Post-office. —A new office lias been erected by day labour. Alterations, additions, and efficient maintenance were curried out at the Eketahuna, Foxton, Te ll.oro, Tinui. and Feilding offices. Khandallah Automatic Telephone Exchange. The contract for the erection of this building was completed early in the year. General Post Office. -A number of rooms and corridors, including the Postmaster-General's room, tea-room, kitchen, and social hall were renovated and painted. The roofs were repaired and painted. The heating-apparatus was overhauled and an additional radiator was installed. The electric-light system was overhauled, and additions were made thereto. Other minor repairs, renovations, and installations were carried out. Paekakariki. This new post-office building was erected during the year by contract, and a water-supply was laid on. Pongaroa. —Additions and renovations were effected to this building. Lower Hutt. —The electric-light system was installed, and general repairs were effected to the building. A fence was shifted, and alterations were effected to the telephone exchange. Rongolea. —Additions were erected by contract, and electric light was installed. Levin Post-office. -Alterations were effected to the gas fittings, and a new gas-stove and screen was installed. The office was painted and repaired, and several >f the rooms were papered. Kelburn Automatic Telephone Exchange. The contract for the erection of this building was commenced early in the year, and the contractor completed the work in connection with the necessary excavation, laying concrete foundations, &c, and laid about three courses of brickwork around the building. The work on the contract was then discontinued, and nothing has been done since for want of material. Post and Telegraph Stores. —Several small repairs and installations were rallied out' during the >''' iU '- Palmerston North Post-office. Repairs were effected to the skylights, and additional private letter boxes were supplied and fitted. Additions were erected to the despatch clerks' social hall. Featherston Post-office. -New drainage system was installed to connect with the borough system. At several other offices both in and out of Wellington minor repairs, alterations, renovations, and installations; as well as general maintenance, were attended to. Nelson. —A sanitary drain has been laid to connect the building with the new sewer. Coliingwood- Lavatory accommodation has been provided, comprising septic tank, sanitan drainage, windmill, and tank-stand; alterations to'existing outbuildings, and the existing drain converted into a storm-water drain. Takaka Post-office. —A glass partition has been erected to separate the mail-room from the telegraph-room. Motueka.- The wall between the public space and mail-room has been partly removed, and a new counter inserted in the opening; new private letter-boxes and posting-slots built in ; collapsible iron gate fixed to main-entrance porch ; mail-room, Postmaster's office, public space, and main-entrance porch renovated. General maintenance has been effected at Motueka, Wakefield, Murchison. and Port Nelson offices. Westport. The contract for connecting with the town sanitary system was completed, and general maintenance of all offices in the Westland District was attended to. Christchurch. —This building was effectively maintained, and numerous minor alterations for the. convenience of the officers were made. A contract has been let for extensive additions, but not yet commenced. St. Albans.- --The interior of the residential quarters was papered and repainted. Riccarlon (Upper). -A contract for the erection of a new post-office has been let. The work has not yet been commenced. Waiau. —A hot-water system has been installed. Rakaia. —Renovations, including painting the interior, were carried out, and a building for housing the newly installed gas plant was erected. Timaru. —The work in connection with the additions and alterations to Timaru Post-office was commenced on the sth May. The. various outbuildings were removed from the site of the additions, and excavations for the foundations dug. The concrete foundations were commenced on the 4th June. The old stone sewer was removed, and a new 4 ft. circular sewer laid the full width of the building. The brickwork was carried out to the first-floor level. All necessary window and door frames have been fixed in position. All floor-joists were fixed and braced. A contract was let for the supply and delivery of doors, windows, and frames, and is well under way. A contract for the manufacture of cast-iron columns was also let. Rangiora. —A contract for additions has been let but not yet commenced, The following additional offices were effectively maintained, renovated, and repaired during the year: Akaroa, Ashburton, Culverden, Fairlie, Kaiapoi, Lyttelton, Mayheld. Pleasant Point. Puaha, and VVoodend. Cromwell. —New strong-room door, partition, and shelving erected, and Postmaster's residence improved.