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APPENDIX F.

ANNUAL REPORT ON BUILDINGS BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT. The Government Architect to the Hon. the Minister of Public Works. Sir,— Public Work,-; Otfice, Wellington, Ist July, 1913. 1 have the honour to submit the following report on the various building-works throughout the Dominion carried out by the Department during the year ended 30th June last: — New Parliament Buildings. The foundations and basement have been completed. The conduit in Sydney Street was finished during the year. Bowen Street has been widened, and similar work in Museum Street is in progress. The brick walls up to ground-level, and granite facing of basement walls on .Museum Street, are practically finished, all the stone required being on the ground. Owing to bad ground met with in the line of the old gully in Sydney Street some of the foundation-work was carried to a depth considerably greater than was anticipated. In the conduit along the closed portion of Sydney Street, sewer-pipes, storm-water pipes, and gas-pipes have been laid, and provision made for connecting up electric power, lighting, and telephone cables, also watersupply, without breaking up the surface of the grounds. The rearrangement of the grounds is practically completed, and ornamental boundary-walls have been built. Most of the work following on the widening of Moleswortli and Charlotte Streets has been completed, only a little kerbing and wood-blocking remaining to be done. A large amount of taking up and replacing of gas. water, and drainage pipes, also foundations of destroyed buildings, was involved by the rearrangement of the grounds. An old iron building standing on Sydney Street, and the Parliamentary destructor, have been removed to new sites. Complete plans and specifications for the first portion of the proposed new building, with detailed schedules of quantities, have been prepared, and tenders invited for the erection of the building. General. Aiviinui Wireless Station.- —The erection of the station masts, engine-shed, store, and officers' quarters was completed during the year. A satisfactory water-supply was provided from two deep boreholes. Departmental Buildings, Auckland. —The May-Oatway fire-alarm system has been installed, and minor repair works attended to from time to time. Artillery Stables, Takapuna. —A building of steel and timber framing is in course of erection under contract. Departmental Buildings, Hamilton. —The contract for the erection of these was completed, and the offices are now occupied. Artillery Stables, Hamilton. —The site near Frankton Junction has been levelled, and building operations under contract are in progress. Huntly Brill-shed. —A wooden building is being erected under contract. Paeroa Defence Buildings. —Regimental offices and equipment-store were erected by contract. Gisborne Departmental Buildings. —Tenders are being invited for the erection of new build ings in brick. Morere Bathhouses. —Erected and equipped by day labour. Artillery Stables, Napier. — Erection of buildings under contract has commenced. New Plymouth Deeds Office. — A 'trick building was c pleted and occupied in March last. Stratford Departmental Buildings. —The erection of a two-story building in wood from plans prepared by Mr. E. M. Blake, F.R.1.8.A., is approaching completion. Stock Inspector's Residence, Opunake. —A wooden building is in course of erection. Government Insurance Offices, Wanganui. —.A. new brick building was completed and opened in April. •"* State Coal Depot, Wanganui. —Additions are in progress. Government House. Wellington. —New stables and garage have been erected, and an old building adapted for use as a coachman's cottage. Departmental Buildings, Wellington. —The two stacks of old strong-rooms at either end of these buildings have been strengthened by the addition of 9 in. of brickwork around each side. and the fixing of additional fireproof doors. The usual minor repairs have been attended to during the year. Posted Built Store, Wellington. —The erection of this building under contract is approaching completion. Tenders for the installation of the cranes and elevators have been received. Government Printing Office. —A contract has been let for an addition in brick, and manyminor works have been carried out by the Public Works staff. Public Works Store. Pipitea. —Tenders are being invited for the erection of a new store. A residence for the Storekeeper is practically completed. Dominion Museum. —A temporary building of iron has been erected for the accommodation of Maori exhibits. Artillery Barracks, Nelson. —The erection of the buildings under contract was begun. Public Trust Offi.ce, Greymouth. —A brick building was erected by contract. Hokitika Departmental Buildings. —A substantial extension in brick is approaching completion.

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