D.—l

36

Canterbury District.

Sunny side, Asylum. —A contract for the completion of the south main entrance block, and for building new male day-rooms, was let on the 5th November, 1891, and was finished on the 30th June, 1892. Fire-prevention services have been fitted up, both outside and inside the buildings, and the warders' rooms supplied with electric alarm-bells._ Preparations are in hand for painting the dormitories and corridors, and for heating the dormitories by steam. Departmental Building, Cathedral Square, Ghristchiurch.—A contract for considerable additions and alterations to the Post Office was let in February, 1892, and completed in October last. Some minor repairs have also been effected during the year. Post Office, Ashburton. —A contract for alterations and additions to the Post Office was let in April last—amount, £238 10s.,—and the work is nearly finished. Post and Telegraph Office, Waimate.—A contract for the erection of a new Post and Telegraph Office was let in May, 1892, and completed in October. A clock-tower and bell-turret were added to the building and completed in December last. Courthouse, Bangiora.—A contract for the erection of this Courthouse was let in February last, and the work is in progress. Courthouse, Little River.— A contract for the erection of a Courthouse at Little Eiver was prepared and advertised. Tenders have been received, and are now under consideration. General Bepaws. —Eepairs to roofs, drains, &c, have been carried out at the following buildings during the year, viz. : Supreme and Eesident Magistrate's Courts, and Police Station, Christ church; Post Office, Lyttelton; Courthouse, Timaru ; and Police Stations, St. Alban's, Papanui, and Ashburton.

Otago District.

Doctor's Residence, Seacliff Asylum.— The erection of this building was let in four separate contracts for the following several classes of work —viz., carpenters' and plasterers' work, bricklayers'work, painting and paperhanging, and plumbing; the aggregate amount being £983. The works were begun in February last, and are progressing satisfactorily. The building is now well advanced towards completion. Seacliff Asylum Water-supply.—A contract was entered into for the supply of cast-iron pipes for the Seacliff Asylum water-supply, amount £1,107. It was completed in June, 1892. Police Station, Naseby.—A contract for the erection of a Police-office and quarters at Naseby, in cement concrete, was let in March last; amount, £574 14s. lid. The work is in progress. Police Station, Waikaia.—A contract for additions to this Police Station was let in April last, amounting to £220 18s., and the work is in progress. Repairs, do. —Various repairs and renovations have been done at the following buildings, viz.: Courthouses at Lawrence, Gore, Palmerston South, and Dunedin; Police Stations at Dunedin, Lawrence, and Kaitangata; Gaol at Oamaru; Post and Telegraph Offices at Dunedin, Port Chalmers, Milton, Oamaru, and Kaitangata; Customhouse at Dunedin, and the Quarantine Stations at Port Chalmers; the total expenditure on these works during the year amounting to about £1,260. , ,.,.,. Invereargill Post Office Buildings.—A contract for an additional wing to these buildings was entered into in February, 1892, for £3,696, and completed on 6th April last; and contracts for the erection of a strong room and clock-tower were let in October, 1892, and April, 1893, respectively, the amounts being £225 and £594. The former was completed on the 13th March last, and the clock-tower is in progress. A contract for a tower clock has been advertised, tenders being due on 6th July next. The specification requires that the clock is to be wholly manufactured in the colony.

MAEINE.

Stephen Island Lighthouse Tower. —A contract for the construction of the iron tower for this lighthouse was prepared by this department, and let to the lowest tenderer, Messrs. Beany and Sons, Auckland, on 3rd February last; amount, £689. The specified time for completion is the 3rd instant, and the contract is now practically finished. The work has been executed in a very satisfactory manner. Parua Bay Wharf Bepairs (Whangarei). —A contract for this work was let to Mr. Joseph Beasley on the 21st March last, amount £97 10s., and it is now in progress. Mangapai and Maungakaramea Wharves Bepairs Contract (Whangarei County). —Contract let to Mr. C. E*. Hay ward, jun., on the 21st March last; amount, £47; nearly finished. Various matters connected with harbours, wharves, &c, throughout the colony, have been examined into and reported upon during the year.

ENCLOSUEES.

This report is accompanied by the usual appendices, viz. ;— 1. Statement showing length of railways authorised, constructed, surveyed, &c. 2. Diagram showing mileage of railways open each year. 3. Maps of the North and Middle Islands, showing railways opened and in progress. I have, &c. William II. Hales,

The Hon. the Minister for Public Works. Engineer-in-Chief.