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XIII

and a distinguished member of his profession, to act as assessor and award the premiums. Colonel Vernon went very carefully into the merits of the various designs, and his report has already been published. Judicial. Courthouses. —The principal works undertaken were new buildings at Taumarunui, Opotiki, Waverley, and Petone ; and additions at Gisborne and Timaru. For the current year votes are asked for new buildings at Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Waipu, Auckland, Otorohanga, Ohakune, Eaetihi, Wanganui, Masterton, Takaka, Greymouth, Cheviot, and Methven; for additions at Hamilton and New Plymouth ; and for converting the police-station at Warkworth into a Courthouse. Gaols. —The principal expenditure last year was in connection with the new wing at Mount Eden, Auckland, the gaol at Invercargill, and the policegaol at Gisborne. The new votes include warders' cottages at Invercargill and Wellington, and provision for a reformatory farm. Police-stations. —The expenditure under this head was chiefly in connection with the erection or purchase of country and suburban stations. Owing to the increase of population in newly settled districts and the need of better buildings in the older settlements, a number of new structures were required, and during the year new stations were completed at Wellsford, Parnell, Frankton, Pongaroa, Otaki. Jolmsonville, Motueka, Blackball, Greymouth (police-gaol), and South Invercargill. Substantial additions were made at other stations, and suitable residential properties were purchased at Reinuera, Waitara, and New Plymouth (Fitzroy). Sites for new stations were also acquired in different localities. On this year's estimates provision is being asked for the erection of a number of very necessary buildings, some of them to replace rented premises, which are frequently inconvenient, and are responsible for a somewhat large annual charge against the Police Department. Among the more important works that are being proceeded with under last year's votes, and which will soon be completed, are additions to the Mount Cook (Wellington) Police-barracks, and a gymnasium and other accommodation at the Police-training Depot at Wellington South. Post and Telegraph. The expenditure on Post and Telegraph buildings is on the increase. The largest outlay last year occurred in connection with the new General Post Office in Wellington and the new Chief Post-office in Auckland, the expenditure on these two buildings during the year having amounted to £66,777. Other important offices that have been in hand are those at Helensville, Avondale, Mount Roskill, Frankton, Wairoa, Bull's, Westport, Waiau, Christchurch (Ferry Road), Addington, Rakaia, Waimate, St. Kilda, and a number of others. A valuable property has also been acquired at Wanganui. Owing to continued expansion of business, provision will have to be made for a considerable expenditure on building account this year in order to afford sufficient accommodation for carrying on the work with satisfaction to the public. As will be seen, there are large appropriations on account of the new buildings at Auckland and Wellington ; also votes for new buildings at Wellesley Street (Auckland), Ponsonby, Te Aroha, Hotorua, Manaia, Blenheim, Westport, Sydenham, Akaroa, Balclutha, and Kaitangata, and for a bulk-store at Wellington. Provision has also been made for new buildings at a number of other places. Votes are provided for the purchase of new sites or sites and buildings at Kawakawa, Hikurangi, Otahuhu, Raglan, Tokaanu, Wellington North, Adelaide Road (Wellington), Little River, and Ravensbourne.