D.-l.

Courthouses. In last year's Statement a reference was made to a review of all proposals for rebuilding old and out-of-date Courthouses. It has been found that with the difficulties surrounding the supply of materials and skilled labour little material progress has been possible. It was anticipated that the new Courthouse at Invercargill would have been completed and in use some time ago, but it was found exceedingly difficult to obtain supplies of required materials. The internal fittings are now coming to hand, and it is hoped to be able to arrange for the formal opening within a few months. The erection of a rebuilt Courthouse at Omakau is well in hand, and a contract has been let for a much-needed new building at Ruatoria. In conjunction with other Departments additions are being erected at Opotiki. Many major proposals were in hand, but these have been deferred in view of the present war situation. Health and Hospital Institutions. During the year an additional fifty-eight beds were made available at Queen Mary Hospital, Hanmer, by the completion of the new male block. The boilerhouse was also completed, and work on the new laundry and staff cottage is being proceeded with. In connection with the activities of the St. Helens Hospitals, work on the tenniscourt and roadway at the Invercargill hospital has been commenced, and at Wellington properties adjoining the hospital were purchased as a first step towards increasing the facilities available. Extensions to the nurses' cottage at Wellington were also completed. On the dental side, repairs and alterations were carried out to the hostels for dental trainees in Wellington. Plans for the new hospital bathhouse and sanatorium at Rotorua were also proceeded with, and this work is being expedited to meet possible requirements in relation to sick and wounded soldiers returning from overseas. In order to meet the immediate requirements of sick and wounded soldiers, however, special emergency hospitals at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch are being provided, and work on these hospitals is now nearing completion. A clearing hospital at Aotea Quay, Wellington has now been completed. The expenditure on this accommodation was met from War Expenses Account. Mental Hospitals. The renewal and extension of essential services, such as water-supply, drainage, telephones, roading, fire-fighting, laundries, kitchens, &c., have been carried out as circumstances demanded. Accommodation has been provided for occupational-therapy work at several institutions. Erection of the Nurses' Home at Kingseat has been continued, and a villa for male patients at Tokanui has been completed. The erection of three male villas at Ngawhatu has continued, and these buildings should be ready for occupation at an early date. At Templeton a start has been made on the erection of a villa for male patients at Jenkin's Farm ; and at Hokitika a new Nurses' Home and butcher's shop are in course of construction. Police-stations . The police-stations at Rotorua and Port Chalmers were completed, and new stations were erected at St. Heliers Bay, Cheviot, Runanga, and Miramar. New offices have been provided at Levin and Waimate, and lock-ups have been erected at Clyde, Lawrence, and Mokau. Contracts have been let for a new police-station at G-lenavy and for a residence and offices at Temuka, and these works are now in hand. A site for a police-station was purchased at (Hen Eden (Auckland), and residences were acquired for a Sub-Inspector at Northland (Wellington) and for a constable at Lower Hutt,

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