D.—l.

The remaining expenditure was confined mainly to various minor works at Waikeria Borstal Institution, Te Awamutu, which, covered the erection of thirty additional cubicles to meet the urgent necessity of providing accommodation for increased numbers and the erection of a fourth dairy. The following shows the total annual expenditure on erection of prison and borstal buildings and works since 1922. Amount. ~ , , Amount. Year ended ™ Year ended £ 31st March, 1923 23,148 31st March, 1929 12,572 1924 . .. .. 27,259 „ 1930 .. .. .. 8,205 1925 .. .. •• 25,279 „ 1931 2,504 1926 .. .. •• 24,196 „ 1932 2,621 1927 22,812 „ 1933 2,026 1928 .. .. •• 22,359 Police-stations. The net capital expenditure on police-stations for the year amounted to £1,022. Lock-up accommodation was provided at Paekakariki and Westport, and offices at Tangowahine and Tuatapere. Sites for police-stations were acquired at Tikitiki and Waitotara. Post and Telegkaph Buildings. The Post and Telegraph Department's building programme continues to be greatly restricted. No new buildings are under construction, nor are any additions or alterations to existing buildings in progress, the inactivity being enforced by the abnormal financial conditions that prevail. The amount available for maintenance has been greatly restricted, and has been sufficient to provide for the most urgent cases only. The following is a complete review of the activities engaged in during the year : — The erection of new post-office buildings at High Street (Christchurch), and Westport; the reconditioning of the Chief Post-office building at Napier; and the reconstruction of the Hastings Post-office building, were completed. The second floor of the Napier building was adapted for occupation by the Department of Lands and Survey and the Lands and Deeds and Stamp Duties Departments, the portions occupied by the two last-mentioned Departments being made fireproof by the provision of a concrete floor and steel partitions, &c. The clock-towers on the Chief Post-office buildings at Gisborne and Timaru were found to be defective; and, as they constituted an earthquake hazard, they were removed. The clock-tower on the Masterton Post-office building was strengthened. The old post-office building at Courtenay Place, Wellington, was converted into shops and offices and leased to a private tenant. The post-office buildings at Papahaoa, St. Bathan's, and Wellington North were no longer required, and were disposed of. The remaining buildings on the former radio-station site at Awanui have now been disposed of. The station itself was closed in 1929 ; and the Engineer's residence was sold for removal in 1931. Areas of land were acquired as follows: Clydevale, site for post-office building; Mataura, extension of post-office site; Ngatea, extension of storage site. Areas of land no longer required at the following places were disposed of : Ahaura, Awanui, Buckland, Clydevale, Gorge Koad, Napier, Owaka, Patetonga, St. Albans (street-widening), St. Bathan's, Sydenham (street- widening), Wellington North, and Whatawhata. A contract has been let for the erection of the Dunedin Post-office. Mental Hospitals. The net capital expenditure for the year on mental-hospital buildings amounted to £28,756, being £17,182 less than that of the previous year. It is proposed to expend £80,000 for the current year, and plans and specifications are being prepared for further urgent works estimated to cost an additional £60,000.

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