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Enclosure in Appendix H. ANNUAL REPORT ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER WORKS, NORTH ISLAND. The Architect to the Engineer in Charge, North Island. Sib,— Public Works Office, Architect's Branch, 31st March, 1882. I have the honor to report, for your information, relative to the work I have been engaged upon during the year 1881—82. No large new works have been undertaken or entered upon this year, although orders have been received to prepare plans for several large public institutions; the most important being a new central penal establishment to be erected at Mount Cook (Wellington), a new building to be used as an auxiliary asylum at Auckland, and a new gaol for the same place. It is proposed to construct both the prisons of fire-proof materials and construction, the great bulk of the material required, to be produced by prison labour ; that at Wellington to be of brickwork, and that at Auckland of scoria stone. The asylum is to be built of wood, with a corrugated-iron roof. Preliminary operations have been commenced at Mount Cook, by preparing a site for brickyards and for the manufacture of bricks, &c. ; also by converting that portion of the Immigration Depot lately used to confine the Maori prisoners, into temporary quarters for the accommodation of the hard-labour gangs, who will be employed at, and on the proposed works. Designs are in course of preparation for the proposed new gaol at Auckland, and, when completed, will provide accommodation on the separate-cell system for about 230 prisoners. Designs have been made for the following new buildings, the most important being additions to the lunatic asylum at Wellington; new auxiliary asylum at Auckland; residence for the Medical Superintendent, Wellington Asylum; new post offices at Castlepoint and Alexandra; a new courthouse at Masterton; and warders' cottages at Wellington Gaol. In addition to the above, plans and specifications have been prepared for alterations and additions of greater or less magnitude to various Government buildings—namely, to post offices at Carterton, Opunake, Hawera, and. Napier; Mount Cook, for temporary prison; stables, Government House ; and Ministerial residence, Tinakori Road. The following contracts for new buildings and works have been completed since my last report: New police-station, Tinui; lock-ups at Mercury Bay, Mongonui, and Carterton ; alterations, additions, repairs, &c, to police-station at Ohinemutu; post office, Auckland; Government House stables ; Government Printing Office, Wellington ; new laundry and gas service, Auckland Asylum ; temporary post office, Wellington ; painting Ministerial residence, Wellington, and public buildings, Gisborne; repairs to quarantine station, Auckland ; minor alterations and repairs at asylums, Auckland and Wellington ; repairs to Government Buildings, Tauranga ; repairs to kitchen, and fencing, at Parliament Buildings. The undermentioned works are in progress: New post offices at Alexandra and Castlepoint; dwelling-house for Medical Superintendent, Wellington Asylum; warders' cottages, HM. gaol, Wellington; alterations and additions, Mount Cook temporary prison ; post offices at Opunake, Carterton, and Hokianga; temporary post office, Wellington ; repairs to Parliament Buildings, comprising contracts for painting, &c, inside and out, new gas service, renovating, and additional accommodation. Many miscellaneous works have been executed, such as general repairs to public buildings, Wellington ; courthouses at Thames, Patea, and Palmerston; addition to station, Paeroa; fencing courthouse, Wellington; additions to H.M. gaol, New Plymouth (by prison labour) ; and various works of a like character. The total expenditure for the North Island has been, — £ s. d. Judicial ... ... ... ... ... 7,243 7 5 Postal and Telegraphic ... ... ... ... 932 12 11 Lunatic asylums ... ... ... ... 7,498 12 0 Hospitals ... ... ... ... ... 140 4 11 Quarantine stations ... ... ... ... 970 17 6 Miscellaneous repairs, alterations, furniture, &c. ... ... 15,557 1 8 Total ... ... ... ... 32,342 16 5 I have, &c, P. F. M. Burrows, The Engineer in Charge, North Island, Wellington. Architect.