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XIV

Gaols. —Only a comparatively small amount of work was done in connection with our gaol-buildings. The principal work in hand has been the erection of the Mount Eden Gaol, Auckland, repairs and drainage at the Terrace Gaol, Wellington, and some alterations and repairs at Gisborne. The estimates this year provide for the continuance of the work at Auckland, for Gaolers' residences at Dunedin and Westport, new gaol at Invercargill, and sundry minor works. Police-stations. —The principal work under this head last year was the completion of the new station at Auckland, on which the total expenditure has amounted to £7,170, of which £6,088 was expended during the late financial year. The other principal works were new stations at Cambridge, Mokau, Kimbolton, and Kaikoura; new quarters at the Thames ; and additions or extensive renovations at Pukekohe, Dannevirke, Opunake, Manaia, Normanby, Marton, Wellington, Ahaura, Greymouth, Kaiapoi, Christchurch, Southbridge, Timaru, and Fairlie. The principal works provided for this year are new stations at Hamilton West, Gisborne, Feilding, Akaroa, Waikouaiti, Arrowtown, Roxburgh, Outram, and Invercargill; new quarters at Waipawa, New Plymouth, Nelson, Westport, Timaru, Queenstown, and Bluff; purchase of additional land at Kaiapoi; and additions or extensive repairs at Dargaville, Aratapu, Warkworth, Auckland, Ngaruawahia, Gisborne, Napier, Clive, Inglewood, Hawera, Waverley, Kimbolton, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt, Blenheim, Lyell, Reefton, Hokitika, Cheviot, Rangiora, Southbridge, Glenavy, Caversham, Lawrence, and Winton. Post and Telegraph, The principal expenditure on Post and Telegraph buildings occurred in connection with the following : New offices at Parnell, Mangaweka, Masterton, Petone, South Wellington, Renwicktown, Wakapuaka, New Brighton, Mosgiel, Miller's Flat, and Bluff; also additions or extensive renovations at Te Aroha, Hamilton, Hokitika, Ashburton, and Mataura. This year provision is made for new offices at Dargaville, Aratapu, Ponsonby, Onehunga, Karangahake, Hamilton, Tarawera, Gisborne, Inglewood, Opunake, Wanganui, Feilding, Levin, Wereroa, Eketahuna, Takaka, Denniston, Kaikoura, Papanui, Sumner, Ashburton, Temuka, Shag Point, Caversham, Naseby, and Gore; and for additions or extensive repairs at Auckland, Otahuhu, Rotorua, Wairoa, New Plymouth, Hawera, Palmerston North, Nelson, Greymouth, Christchurch, Lyttelton, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, Clyde, Cromwell, Alexandra, Roxburgh, and Kaitangata. Lunatic Asylums. The expenditure on new works at our asylum buildings last year was almost exactly the same as during the previous year —namely, £17,712, against £17,667. The principal expenditure was again in connection with the Porirua Asylum, which absorbed £11,096. The other items do not call for special mention. This year another substantial vote is provided towards completing the Porirua Asylum, and also substantial, though smaller, votes for additions, and steam, electric light, and other appliances atSeacliff, additions at Auckland, Wellington, and Nelson, and minor works elsewhere. Schools. The amount voted for school-buildings last year was £84,700 —namely, £25,000 under the Consolidated Fund and £59,700 under the Public Works Fund. The expenditure amounted to £74,257 —namely, £25,000 under the former and £49,257 under the latter fund. This year we ask for a total vote of £80,555—namely, £25,000 under the Consolidated Fund and £55,555 under the Public Works Fund. As honourable members are aware, the bulk of this money is intrusted to the several Education Boards for expenditure, the only works directly controlled by the Government being the industrial and Native schools, and school for deaf-mutes, &c. Native schools were erected last year or are now in course of erection at Parengarenga, Tapuaeharuru, Oromahoe,