D.—l.

34

EOADS AND BEIDGES. Westland. Bridge and Approaches at the Kanieri Forks (Boads to open up Lands). —This contract was completed in January last. The bridge consisted of two 20ft. and three 30ft. spans on sill piers. Bridge over the Mahinapua Greek and Approaches (Boads on Goldfields). —This contract was finished on 2nd September, 1892. The bridge consists of three 20ft. and two 30ft. spans on piles. Bowen-Okarito Boad (Widening and metalling the track for Dray Traffic). —The first five sections from the Big Waitaki southwards, a length of 4 miles 41 chains, were completed in August and September, 1892, at a total cost of about £1,380. A further distance of 10 miles of formation, viz., from 7 to 17 miles, and one mile of clearing, from 17 to 18 miles, were set out, and let during the year to twenty-one co-operative parties, averaging about seven men to each, and the work has been completed. The total cost was about £3,200; and the average wages earned amounted to about 9s. Bd. per day of eight hours. PUBLIC BUILDINGS. Auckland District. Government House. —Necessary repairs were effected during the year, comprising the replacing of some of the plaster ceilings with wooden ones, and making good the front foundations and houseblocks, which were found to be much decayed and unsafe. The kitchen stoves and hot-water arrangements were also altered, and put into satisfactory working order ; and the maintenance of the building and grounds generally has been attended to. Admiralty House. —The repairs and painting of the outside of the building referred to in last annual report were completed. During the year the grounds have been trimmed up to a uniform surface, and the soil-drain to sewer has been taken up and relaid. Departmental Buildings. —Some fittings were constructed for the Native and Customs Departments, and various minor repairs attended to. New Prison, Mount Eden. —During the year the female wing has been completed. The wall between the male and female courts is also finished, and as soon as the old gate is removed, the wall built in and the court-yard formed, the female wing will be ready for occupation. The heavy stone stair entrance on the east side of the male wing has been erected, and this wing was occupied in September last. Avondale Asylum. —The erection of a cattle byre and farm-building was commenced in February, 1892, and the work was satisfactorily completed in December last at a total cost of about £600. The labour was done by Asylum patients under an experienced instructor. The work of laying out and asphalting the airing courts has also been completed, except a coat of tar and sand required to finish them. The works of a new system of drainage and irrigation were commenced in December last and are making fair progress. Post Office, Auckland. —The drain to main sewer being defective was opened out and relaid in cement, and various minor repairs were effected in the building. A landing-wharf, with fumigatingshed, required for disinfecting purposes in connection with mails, was erected at Mechanics Bay in October last, at a cost of £274. Supreme Courthouse. —Maintenance and repairs attended to. Courthoitses and Police Stations. —At the Eesident Magistrate's Courthouse buildings, Auckland, a new chimney was built in the clerks' room, the soil-drain was taken up and relaid, and the strong room in the Lands and Survey Office was extended at a cost of about £200. A new Courthouse was erected at Mongonui, at a cost of £264 17s. 6d. Some furniture and fittings were provided for the Courthouse at Whangarei, erected last year. The Native Land Court building at Thames was repaired, and some painting done to same, at a total cost of £249. Some repairs were attended to in the Police Stations at Newton, Auckland, and Hamilton, and also at tho Police Barracks, Auckland. A contract for the erection of a police station and lock-up at Dargaville was let in March last, amount £311, and the work is now in progress. The maintenance of various other buildings throughout the district has been attended to. Taranaki-Palmerston-Napier District. Courthouse, Hastings.— A contract for the erection of a Courthouse at Hastings was let to Mr. J. Adams, on 20th May, 1892; amount £576 155.; it has been finished. Conrthoitse, Stratford. —Tenders were invited in March last for the erection of this Courthouse, and four were received, ranging in amount from £384 to £497. The Justice Department, however, considered that a larger building was required at Stratford, and it was decided that the matter should stand over pending further appropriation for the work. All the tenders were therefore declined. Goitrthouse, Danevirke. —The erection of a Courthouse at Danevirke was let to Mr. Alexander Milne, on 3rd May, 1892, and has been completed; amount £380. Post Office, Danevirke. —A contract for the erection of a Post Office at Danevirke was let to Mr. A. E. Munro, and is now in progress ; amount £511. Additions, Waverley Post Office. —A contract has been prepared for these additions, and will be advertised immediately. Courthouse, Palmerston North. —Tenders for competitive designs for this building (estimated to cost about £1,500) have been invited by advertisement, and are due on 6th July next. Bepairs. —The roof of the Courthouse, Palmerston North, was repaired, and the Courthouse at Patea was painted. Wellington District. Government Hcntse. —Early in the year tho pipes and drains throughout the building were thoroughly examined and repaired where necessary; and about the same time (in May, 1892)