D.—l.

WAIHOU AND OHINEMURI RIVERS IMPROVEMENT. Work on the Mangaiti-Tirohia section was completed. On the TirohiaNgararahi section both stop-banks were completed. No. 1 dredge was placed in commission on the lower Waihou River, and is still engaged there. The concrete retaining-wall at Netherton has been completed, and the construction of a floodgate is in hand. Works on the Hikutaia Stream and Ohinemuri River were continued. Generally the plant engaged on the works, consisting of dredges and drag-lines, has been maintained in good order. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. At Whangarei the necessary provision was made in the new Public Trust building to accommodate other Government Departments. At Auckland the provision of yard and storage accommodation at Penrose for the Public Works Department was in hand, and the necessary buildings will be completed this year. Land was acquired in Taumarunui to provide for the erection of residences for departmental officers. A site was acquired and a building erected as a residence for the District Engineer at Stratford. At Wellington a substantial addition to the main departmental Buildings was made by the erection of an annexe in the courtyard at the rear of the main building, thereby providing accommodation for a number of Departments. Additional accommodation for motor-cars was provided at Pipitea, and the old garage at the Government Buildings demolished. Additions to provide additional accommodation for the Land and Income Tax Department were completed. COURTHOUSES. New buildings were erected during the year at Balclutha, Te Puke, and Whakatane, and additions and alterations made to existing buildings at Gisborne, Wanganui, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Cromwell, and Invercargill. The usual necessary repairs and renovations have also been carried out where required. PRISON BUILDINGS AND WORKS. Considerable progress has been made during the year by the utilization of prison, labour on building construction and prison works. The quarrying operations at Auckland have again shown profitable results. The location of the quarry being within the confines of the prison makes it especially adaptable to the class of prisoner necessarily detained at Mount Eden Gaol. Good progress has been made on the Rangitoto Island Road. Further improvement has been effected at the Waikeria Farm. A successful programme of draining has been pursued whereby considerable areas of swamp land have been brought into cultivation. It is hoped to extend activities in this direction, as it is realized that this class of occupation offers the greatest scope for reformative work. At Hautu and Rangipo farm camps progress has been maintained. Results have proved fairly conclusively that this country has great potentialities, and it is hoped to enlarge the area under development. The essence of success in dealing with this class of country is a plentiful supply of labour, hence it is ideal for a prison undertaking, as it provides a healthful outlet for prison labour, and by bringing waste land into productivity is increasing the sum total of the assets of the Dominion. Splendid results have been achieved in connection with the road-construction works in the Waimarino district. Recently the Raurimu Spiral Road was completed and opened for traffic. Road maintenance work has also been carried out by prison labour on the WaimarinoTokaanu Road. Sawmilling activities at Erua were continued, and several capital improvements effected; but owing to the difficulties connected with the marketing of the timber and the accumulation of the stocks, it has been decided to discontinue milling operations.

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