D.—l.

APPENDIX C. ANNUAL REPORT OF BUILDINGS BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT. The Government Architect to the Hon. the Minister op Public Works. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report on the activities of the Architectural Branch for the year ended 30th June, 1938. During the period plans were prepared for buildings of an estimated total value of £1,091,500, of which one hundred and fifty-six contracts, totalling £444,100, have been let. Thirty-six other contracts to the value of £805,290, for buildings designed prior to 30th June, 1937, have also been let, making the total building contracts let during the year £1,249,390. In addition, contracts for mechanical equipment totalling £63,234 have been let. In addition to the above totals for buildings designed by this branch, a large amount of minor additions, alterations and repairs, and general maintenance of public buildings has been carried out by District Offices, and a considerable quantity of furniture and fittings has been manufactured in the Public Works Workshops for various Government Departments. The work of this Branch has shown a steady increase, but the inability to obtain draughtsmen with the necessary qualifications still proves a handicap, applications having been called as far afield as Australia. New materials are continually coming on the market, many of local manufacture, and use is made of them wherever circumstances permit after thorough consideration and careful investigation. Competition continues to be keen, and builders and merchants generally show a willingness in co-operating with the Department to produce a high standard of work. Work in connection with the development of the Air Force occupies the full time of a considerable section of the staff. Appended is a schedule of works, which includes maintenance work and minor contracts prepared in the various District Offices. Vice-regal. Auckland. —Repairs, renovations, and general maintenance were carried out. Wellington. —A new residence was erected for the Official Secretary, the old residence being demolished to make way. Extensive renovations and repairs and sundry alterations were effected. Post-offices. Whangarei.—A Postmaster's residence was erected, and repairs, renovations, alterations, &c., to thirteen buildings were attended to. Auckland. —The new post-office at Thames was completed; a residence was built at Kaipara Flats ; garages and stores were built at Te Awamutu and Pokeno. Extensive alterations and additions were made to ten post-offices. Taumarunui. —Repairs and renovations were undertaken at two buildings. Tauranga. —Repairs and renovations were carried out to five buildings, including additions and alterations to the post-office at Rotorua. A new post-office was erected at Waimana. Gisborne. —A workshop, garage, and linemen's building has been built at Gisborne, and the erection of an automatic telephone exchange there was commenced. Additions and alterations were made to two buildings. Stratford. —A new post-office and residence was erected at Mangaweka. Repairs and renovations, alterations, and additions were carried out at six buildings. Napier. —Additions, renovations, and repairs were carried out to three buildings. Wellington. —A repeater-station was built at Lyall Bay, additions were made to the Kilbirnie Post-office, new garages and stores were built at Levin and Eketahuna, a radio-transmitting hall was built at Tinakori, and extensive additions to the Palmerston North Post-office are in hand. Nelson. —A repeater-station at Blind River was completed. Alterations and additions were made to one building and repairs and renovations carried out at two. Christchurch — New post-offices were built at Belfast and Little River, new buildings in course of erection at Mayfield and Waikari were completed, a new telephone-exchange was erected at Geraldine, and new garages and stores at the latter place and at Amberley are in course of erection. A new residence at Waiau is nearing completion, and extensive additions, alterations, and improvements were undertaken at Duvauchelle and Waimate. In addition, repairs and renovations were carried out at fifteen other buildings.

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