D.—l.

APPENDIX C.

ANNUAL KEPORT OP BUILDINGS BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT. The Government Aechitect to the Hon. Ministeb of Public Woeks. Sir,— I have the honour to submit the following report on the activities of the Department for the year ended 30th June, 1933. During the period plans were prepared for twenty-two new works, of a total estimated value of £71,729, of which thirteen contracts to the amount of £31,233 have been let. In addition, nine contracts, amounting to £39,037, for buildings designed prior to the 30th June, 1932, have also been let, making the total value completed or under construction £70,270. The latter total includes £9,355 10s. for secondary-school buildings and £1,649 for hospitals. The above figures do not include work for the Government Life Insurance building, the preparation of plans for which has been steadily proceeded with, special attention being paid to earthquake resistance. The policy of specifying building-materials of New Zealand origin wherever possible has been adhered to, imported material being used only when all sources of local supply have been exhaustively considered. New Zealand manufacturers continue to show improvements in their standards of workmanship and at prices comparable with overseas. The drop in prices of materials and reduction of labour-costs have been satisfactorily reflected in Government contracts. The financial stringency has reduced work to a minimum, and only the most urgent works have been put in hand as funds became available. Vice-regal Residences. Auckland. —General maintenance was carried out. Parliament Buildings. Renovations were effected to corridors on the second floor ; a suite of offices formed and renovated for the Hon. Minister of Employment. Post-offices. Whangarei. —Renovations and repairs were effected to twelve post-offices. Auckland. —Extensive alterations were made to the second floor of the Chief Post-office to provide for Stores Branch, luncheon-room, and kitchen. At the garage in Stanley Street a new office, luncheon-room, and night-watchman's room were provided. The exterior of the Stanley Street store was painted. Renovations and repairs were effected to forty-two post-offices and residences. Taumarunui. —Minor repairs were effected to twelve post-offices and extensive repairs carried out to one post-office. Exterior renovations were made to three post-offices and drainage extensions to two post-offices. Tauranga. —Alterations, renovations, and repairs were made to Rotorua Post-office. Renovations and repairs were effected to eight post-offices. Gisborne. —Consequent from damage by earthquake, the clock-tower and gables of the Chief Post-office were demolished and the building repaired and strengthened. Renovations and repairs were effected to six post-offices. Stratford. —A hot-water system was installed in the Marten Exchange. Defective steel sashes in Patea Post-office were replaced by wooden sashes. Alterations and additions were made to the Chief Post-office, New Plymouth, and repairs and renovations were effected to fifteen post-offices. Napier. —The Chief Post-office at Napier, having been restored, was opened to the public on the 16th August, 1932, and the top floor subdivided for the Lands and Survey and Land and Deeds Departments. The additions to the Hastings Post-office were completed, and the building opened to the public on the 10th October, 1932. Repairs and renovations were carried out to seven post-offices. Wellington. —The old Courtenay Place Post-office was converted into shops, the telephone exchange at the same place was fitted with boilers for an air-conditioning plant, and the windows reglazed with wired glass. Alterations were made to the mail-room of the General Post Office to provide a new cart-dock. The chimneys and coping of the Wellington South Post-office were removed, and the tower of the Masterton Post-office strengthened. Boiler-rooms and air-conditioning plant were fitted up in the Miramar and Lower Hutt automatic-telephone exchanges. Painting and repairs were carried out to four post-offices and residences. Nelson. —The automatic - telephone exchange at Blenheim was reroofed and a pumping-plant installed in the Postmaster's residence. Repairs and renovations were effected to nine post-offices. Christchurch. —The clock-tower of the Timaru Post-office was demolished, the clock reverting to the Borough Council. Renovations and repairs were carried out to fifteen post-offices and residences. Dunedin. —A new strong-room was erected in the Chief Post-office, Invercargill, for the State Fire Office. Renovations and repairs were effected to twenty-three post-offices. Greyrnouth. —All outbuildings and fencing at the new post-office at Westport were completed. Renovations and repairs were made to fifteen post-offices and residences.

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