I).—-1

wliile at Wanganui a blacksmith's shop was added to tlie building. Pending the erection of a suitable building at Auckland, a temporary workshop was built at Newmarket. A list of new buildings and of alterations to existing buildings which it is considered will be required in the next decade has been carefully compiled, and the work will be carried out strictly in order of urgency. While there is still much lee-way to be made up in the provision of buildings, the work is proceeding steadily. In addition to the buildings already mentioned, structures were erected at Ohau, Okaihau, Ruawai, Tuatapere, Waitahuna, Awakino (lineman's residence) ; and the Department contributed towards the costs of erecting and agreed to meet the cost of maintaining a new building at Maungatapere. Additions were made to the post-office buildings at Albany, Hanmer Springs, Hikurangi, Matata, Moray Place (Dunedin), Newmarket, Patetonga, Queenstown, and Raetihi. At Castlepoint a building belonging to the Marine Department, and at one time used as a lookout station, was removed to a suitable position, and fitted up as a post-office. In order to provide for future expansion, additional land* was purchased at Wanganui and Pahiatua. For storage purposes, land was acquired at Port Ahuriri. Extensive additions and alterations to the Chief Post-office building, Palmerston North, are in hand. Provision has been made for a new building at Auckland for the accommodation of stores and workshops. Alterations to the buildings at Hastings and Masterton are also contemplated to meet increased work, while provision will be made for several automatic-exchange buildings and for additions to existing automatic-exchange buildings. Plans for a new post and telegraph office at Dunedin, in which provision will be made for housing other Government Departments, are now in course of preparation. Owing, however, to the necessity to secure accommodation elsewhere for Departments at present housed in the old Post-office building, and the need for testing the foundations for the new building after the existing building is demolished, it will not be possible to invite tenders until about June next year. A new post and telegraph office at Napier is required, for which plans are now in course of preparation. Mental Hospitals Department. At Auckland, alterations and renovations were carried out and a new bakehouse provided. Laundry machinery is being installed. At Tokanui a new female admission block was completed and occupied; renovations of the buildings on the property (excepting Unit No. 1) were carried out; additional implement-shed and stable were erected ; additional lavatory accommodation was also provided. Renovations were carried out at the Superintendent's residence, and to sundry cottages, as well as at the laundry and milkstore. At Porirua five villas have been erected for accommodation of patients, and the erection of a new residence for the Medical Superintendent is in hand ; two new day-rooms and additional lavatory accommodation, and a three-storey additional building have been erected. A new kitchen and dining-room were provided ; street lighting installed in the grounds ; and the foundations for a neuropathic unit completed. At Hokitika a new villa to accommodate thirty-eight patients has been erected, with the necessary furniture and fittings. Improvements at B and F Wards have been authorized. At Nelson alterations and improved lavatory accommodation at El Nido Ward were completed. At Stoke a new closed villa was completed, and the dam for water-supply was repaired and enlarged. An outfall sewer was constructed, and two reservoirs for water-supply were relined with concrete walls. General renovations to farm buildings and attendants' cottages were carried out, and motor-garage was enlarged.

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