D.—l

XXVI

The Department is giving careful consideration to the open-air type of school — i.e., a building one side of which can practically be thrown open if weather conditions are suitable. Arrangements have been made to note from time to time the effect of this type of school on the health of the pupils as against the Department's normal type of fresh-air building. The greater part of the secondary- and technical-school building work was carried out by the Architectural Branch of the Public Works Department. The following table shows for the year ended 31st March, 1927, the amount expended by the Department on new buildings, additions, sites, and teachers' residences: —■ £ Primary schools .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 190,940 Secondary schools .. .. .. .. .. .. 93,878 Technical schools .. .. .. .. .. .. 30,060 Training colleges .. .'. .. .. .. .. .. 6,349 Universities .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 23,208 Native schools .. ... .. .. .. .. .. 11,430 Special schools .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,510 Free kindergartens .. .. .. .. .. .. Nil Massey Agricultural College .. .. .. .. .. 9,104 Total .... .. .. .. .. £368,479 LIGHTHOUSES. The policy of gradually improving the lighting of the coast-line and adding to the efficiency of the existing lights has been steadily pursued during the past year. A new automatic light of considerable power has been installed at Kaikoura to give an additional aid between (Jape Campbell and Godley Head, and to mark the Kaikoura Peninsula and adjoining foul ground. A smaller light was erected at Sail Point in Kaipara Harbour, and the beacon at the mouth of the Piako River was completed. The apparatus has been procured and a start made with the erection of a powerful automatic light at the North Cape. The preliminary excavation has been completed, and it is anticipated that the light will be in operation very shortly. The apparatus for the conversion of Manakau South Head to automatic operation has been received, and will be installed as soon as the North Cape is completed. Provision has been made for the erection of a new powerful revolving light for Cape Egmont and a flashing light for Kahu Rock during the ensuing year, and orders have been placed for the necessary outfit. It has also been decided to erect an automatic light on the West Head at the entrance to Tory Channel, and to replace the existing oil-burning leading-lights by range light of a more modern pattern. At Dog Island two new and up-to-date cottages have been erected for the keepers, and the buildings, &c, at other stations have been well maintained. A new diaphone fog-signal has been erected at Godley Head with satisfactory results. HARBOURS. At Westport considerable expenditure has been involved in the protection and conservation works between the Buller River Railway Bridge and the overflow above Organ's Island. The quarry has been fully manned during the year. Extensive service lines and bridging have been carried out, and a large quantity of heavy stone