H—4s

(6) BUILDINGS FUND (See Appendix, page 76) Although no further buildings were completed during 1947-48, additional expenditure an works in progress amounted to £12,965. The major portion of this expenditure was in respect of the Nelson assembly hall and offices, which were officially opened on 17th April, 1948, just after the close of the financial year. The first progress payment had also been made on the Bluff assembly hall and offices, and the balance of this item concerned payments on a small central pay office building at Gisborne and alterations to the Napier assembly hall. As the Gisborne office was urgently required, it was officially opened on Saturday, 28th February, 1948, although not fully completed. Additions, costing £154, completed during 1947-48 were mainly for extensions of facilities at Greymouth.

The total book value of buildings erected (less depreciation) or in progress as at 31st March, 1948, was £44,817, an increase in value of £12,252 as compared with 31st March, 1947. The following buildings are included in this total: —

The Commission has also indicated its readiness to build a modern assembly hall and offices at the Port of Oamaru (union membership, 53) when a suitable site for a permanent building is provided. With the completion of these buildings the Commission will have carried out the programme which it initiated in 1943-44 of providing urgent new and improved waitingroom and office accommodation at ports where Harbour Boards, on whom the primary responsibility fell for the provision of such accommodation, were prevented, through financial difficulties, from fulfilling their obligations. In all, assembly hall, locker, shower, and cafeteria facilities will have been provided for approximately 800 waterside workers at six out of the twelve secondary ports in New Zealand. The estimated final cost of this programme is £75,000. For the year ended 31st March, 1948, the Commission has appropriated £15,000 from National Administration Fund (see Section (e)) to Buildings Reserve, making a total of £65,000 in that account. \

15

Port. Type of Building. Union Membership, 31st December, 1947. Date opened or Position as at 31st March, 1948. Wellington .. Labour engagement shelter 1,891 Completed 19th June, 1941. Napier Assembly hall and offices .. 220 Opened 2nd September, 1944. Westport .. Assembly hall and offices .. 83 Opened 16th March, 1946. Timaru Central pay office 114 Opened 23rd May, 1946. Greymouth.. Assembly hall and offices.. 122 Opened 19th October, 1946. Gisborne Central pay office 95 Opened 28th February, 1948. Nelson Assembly hall and offices .. 75 Construction almost completed—opened 17th April, 1948. Bluff Assembly hall and offices .. 230 Construction commenced. Total 2,830