T>.—l

54

Valley to Moonlight; track from Hatters Terrace to Haupiri; road approaches to Teremakau Rail-way-bridge ; Brown's Terrace Track ; damage to county roads by floods; track and bridge near Nine-mile Bluff, and Cobden Seven-mile road; also Grey Valley main road to the Junction, and the Nelson Creek, Notown, Orwell Creek, and Waipuna Creek, roads; the Ahaura Eoad Bridge; Oparara-Karamea and Lyell Creek extended roads; and Waimangaroa Denniston Track. Miscellaneous. —Vauious Distbicts. The following works were also reported on during the year for local bodies or other departments : Eangitikei Eoad Bridge, at Bull Town ; Eangitikei Eoad Bridge, at Vinegar Hill; Kiwitea Bridge, near Feilding; Makino Stream, Borough of Feilding; Jordan's Ford bridge-site and design, Marlborough District; and Capburn Suspension-bridge and Miller's Flat Bridge, Otago (plans and specifications prepared) ; and various other works. PDBLIC BUILDINGS. Auckland Disteict. Government House. —The house and outbuildings were painted by a co-operative party, the work being finished in November last, and a small additional coach-house was built. Various repairs were also effected during the year. Admiralty House. —This house was put into a good state of repair, and leased for a term of five years, from the Ist July, 1895. Departmental Buildings, Auckland. —As the caretaker's quarters in the basement were found to be unhealthy, quarters were provided for him on the first floor, involving the addition of two rooms to the building, at a cost of £150. The work was completed in April last. The ordinary maintenance repairs have also been attended to, and the caretaker has kept the building in very good order. Auckland Gaol, Mount Eden. —Two warders' cottages, with outbuildings, were erected with timber from the female wing of the old gaol, and the ground around them put in order. The work of excavating the foundations of the centre block of the new gaol was commenced in January last; it is in solid rock in many places and will take a comparatively long time to complete, but some of the stone taken out will make building stone. All the prisoners not otherwise employed are occupied in dressing stone for the building, and there is a good stock of dressed stone on hand now. Avondale Asylum. —The concrete tank for manure from the farm buildings was completed in April, 1895, and piggeries were erected. The electric fire-alarms were overhauled and put in order, and an extra telephone-wire laid direct to the turncock's house at Kyber Pass reservoir. Also all the doors of the building were altered so as to open outwards. Some additional irrigation drains on the farm were laid in November and December last. A blacksmith's shop was built adjoining the boilerhouse ; the dining-room for males was painted, and various minor works of repairs and maintenance were attended to. Plans were prepared for a large addition to the male wing of the main building to be erected in brick. A tender has been accepted, for the supply of bricks required, and the work of erection will be commenced this month. It will be carried out under the co-operative system. The Auxiliary Asylum was destroyed by fire on the 20th December, 1894, and is now being replaced by a new brick building. Tenders were accepted for the supply of bricks, and the carpentry and joinery materials, and the work of erection is in progress. The whole of the brickwork has been completed and the other works are well advanced. About two months more should see the building completed. All the works of erection are being done on the co-operative principle. An average of fully twelve artisans and seven labourers have been employed, and thirteen artisans and eight labourers are at present at work. Supreme Court, Auckland. —The back basement stairs gave way, and have been renewed. Some of the rooms and corridors were cleaned and distempered, and dado painted, and the library is being enlarged by adding the Council's room to it by a door of communication. District Court, Auckland. —The erection of a caretaker's cottage, which was put in hand in February, 1895, was finished in May, the work having been done on the co-operative principle. The mantelpieces of the Courthouse building were falling out, and were reset, and other repairs attended to. The fire-prevention service was also improved. Magazines, Mount Eden. —Some alterations were made to the magazine-keeper's house and two rooms added, the work, which was done on the co-operative principle, being completed in April, 1895. The city water was laid on to the magazines in July last, and some small repairs were done to the small magazines. Post- and Telegraph-office, Auckland. —The telegraph cellar was concreted. A porch was erected inside the public room to stop the draught. The roofing-slates, which were dropping off and dangerous to life, were all taken off and securely reiixed. The main soil-pipes having been undermined by rats, had to be taken up right through the whole length of the building and foundations and relaid. They are now laid with a good bed of concrete under them. L'onsonby Hall, Auckland. —The large double-chimney was blown down in July last, and was rebuilt. The ceiling of the hall has been painted and various small repairs effected. Native Hostelry, Mechanics' Bay, Auckland. —These buildings have been painted and renovated, at a cost of £121. The work was completed in December last. Departmental Buildings, Coromandel. —The blocks and bottom-plates, being rotten and infested with the white ant, were removed, and renewed with heart of totara. The Post-office accommodation has been enlarged, and the outside of the buildings painted, the whole being finished about the end of November last.