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40

8.M.; wrought-iron fixed, 6,6001b.; hoop-iron, 3,2001b. The weather during the year has been veryadverse to progress. Government Printing-office. —This contract is now on the eve of completion. A few items of work yet remain to be completed, such as the steam lift, and distempering the walls, which was delayed as the walls were not dry enough. The building will be heated by means of hot air, under Mr. Asbury's patent process : the contract for this work was completed by Mr. Asbury in January. The brick-carting contract for this building has been satisfactorily completed : the number of bricks carted was 1,097,000. The contract for supplying engines and boilers and all the new shafting and hangers, &c, required for the new printing-office is now nearly completed: the boilers are in position, the shafting is fixed, and the engines will be finished in a very short time. Steps are being taken for the early removal of the machines now in the old office into the new one, whero foundations have been prepared for them. Additions to Wellington Hospital. —These consist of a children's ward and rooms for the attendants. The work was satisfactorily completed on the 28th October. A small contract for laying 12in. drainage-pipes from the hospital, to connect with the town sewers, was also completed on the 18th September, and answers its purpose completely. Telephone Exchange. —A brick building for this purpose has been erected within the grounds attached to the departmental buildings. Its quick completion was a matter of importance, and it was finished in the short space of fifteen working days. A watercloset and coal-shed were afterwards built in connection with it. ■ Post and Telegraph Office, Wellington. —On the morning of the 28th April this building was partially destroyed by fire, the outer walls and inner walls and safes of brick being left standing. Arrangements were at once made to prepare a temporary post-office, and the necessary alterations and additions were made to the premises occupied by Mr. W. E. Williams; additional flooring was laid, office-fittings erected, walls distempered, gas laid on, and other minor works done, the whole occupying the time from the 19th May to the 14th June. Plans were prepared at an early date for the restoration of the building, and tenders were called for the work. None of these were accepted at the time,'but eventually the work was let on the 4th February, 1888, an arrangement being made by which the building of the clock-tower in brick was added to the contract. The work so far is progressing slowly, but when more materials are delivered it will, it is expected, be carried on with more speed. The Davy motor, which was partially damaged by the post-office fire, has been substantially repaired, and it will be used in the restored building for its original purpose—that of driving the dynamo for the electric light. Sundry gas-fittings, recovered from the fire, have also been repaired and will be used again. General Assembly Buildings. —During the month of July alterations were made to the Speaker's and Press reporters' gallery, so as to give reporters a better view of the House. Other minor improvements and additions were also made.' Photographic Gallery Contract. —The lease of the old photographic gallery expired during February, 1888, and it was necessary to provide another on Government ground : this was done by contract, and was completed during March. Departmental Buildings, Wellington. —For the purpose of fire-prevention a complete system of waterpipes has been laid around and within these buildings, fitted with the necessary fireplugs and sluice-valves, hose-pipes and branches, &c, and all connected with the town water-supply. A firebrigade, composed of a number of the officers in the buildings, has been organized under Captain Hume, and has been taught the use of the various appliances by means of periodical practice. The bric.k safes in this building have also been altered in such a way as to render them more absolutely fireproof than before. The offices in occupation of the Property-tax Department have been materially altered by throwing several rooms and part of a passage into one, so as to facilitate inspection of work. Government House and Ministerial Besidences. —Various alterations and small additions have been made to these during the year. Porirua Lunatic Asylum.- —An excellent water-supply has been provided for this establishment: the water is thrown at the rate of 1,500 gallons per hour, by a No. 5 hydraulic ram, into a 6,000---gallon reservoir, situated on the top of a hill about 80ft. above the building, to which the water is conveyed by gravitation. Stand-pipes and hose for a fire-service have also been fixed at the asylum. Sundry Small Works have been executed at Lower Hutt Post-office and Courthouse; Museum, Wellington ; and Police-station, Featherston : and a post and telegraph office has been erected by contract at Herbertville, the work being finished on the Bth August. Nelson and Maelbokough. Lunatic Asylum and Hospital, Nelson. —Fire-extinguishing appliances have been provided for both of these buildings, and the lunatic asylum has been connected with the town water-supply. Government Buildings, Blenheim. —The whole of the exteriors of these buildings have been well painted. liepairs to Public Buildings generally. —During the year various small repairs have been effected in the different offices in Nelson and Marlborough. Westland. The works under this heading have been small during the year. The principal items are— Additions to police-station, Westport; laying on gas to Government Buildings, Westport; repairs to police-station, Charleston; erection of police-station at Brunnerton; repairs to police-station