D.—l

58

Post and Telegraph. Te Kopuru. —An estimate of cost of repairs has been made. Paparoa. —Tenders have been called for the erection of building. Aratapu. —A new building has been erected by contract and furnished. Dargaville. —Tenders were called for the erection of a post-office in brick, but were declined, as the foundation was deemed to be unsuitable for brickwork. Tenders have been again called for a building in wood. Pahi. —The building has been examined, and an estimate of cost of repairs, &c, made. Waiwera. —The buildings have been repaired and painted. Whangarei. —Some additional furniture has been provided. Kamo. —Bepairs and painting are in progress. Auckland Chief Post-office. —The extensive alterations in progress last year have been continued. Every branch has now increased accommodation, and independent entrances to the various offices have been obtained. Some further alterations are projected. Some fittings have been provided. The building has been painted inside and out, and the lighting of the centre space has been improved. A contract for the erection of a caretaker's cottage in Princes Street has been completed. Newton.— Alterations in the public room have been made, also some repairs to wash-house and drains have been done. Onehunga. —The erection of the new building has been completed. Otahuhu. —A contract for additions has been completed. Mercer. —Some furniture and fittings have been supplied. Manukau Heads. —The foundations have been repaired and some painting done. Paeroa. —The buildings have been painted. Waihi. —A contract to enlarge the mail-room and build additions to the residence is nearly completed. Te Aroha. —Some furniture and linoleum have been provided. Hamilton. —A new brick building has been erected to replace the one destroyed by fire ; furniture and fittings have been supplied. Booms for the Agricultural Department have been provided in the building. Rotorua. —Some work has been done on the residence and drainage. Te Puke. —A tender for the erection of a new building has been accepted. Coromandel. —A shed was built for store and stable and some repairs done. Kaivhia. —A new building has been erected by contract and supplied with fittings and furniture. Tolaga Bay. —A contract for the erection of a new building has been finished; fittings and furniture have been supplied. Ongarue. —A small temporary post-office has been built. Gisborne. —The erection of the new brick building has progressed slowly, but it is now well advanced, and should be finished in a few months. Wairoa. —A contract has been let for additions and alterations. Native Schools. Te Ahitahu. —The roof has been covered with iron and the building painted. Kerepehi. —A contract for the erection of a separate school and residence has been completed. Ahipara. —Tenders are to be called for the removal of this school as soon as good weather sets in. Whareponga. —The erection of the school has been finished, and maintenance has been duly carried out. Parawera. —A contract for the erection of a separate school and residence has been completed. Takahiwai. —A contract for the removal of the combined school from Taiharuru to Takahiwai was completed in January. Motiti. —Tenders were received for removing a school from Judea and re-erecting it at Motiti, but were declined. Nothing further has been done. Te Waetu. —A petty contract for additions, repairs, and painting has been completed. Whangara. —A contract for the erection of school is m progress ;it was somewhat delayed in deciding about position of site. Mangonui. —A contract for the erection of school is progressing very slowly. Torere. —A contract has been let for the erection of school, and the materials have arrived on ground. Omaio. —A contract has been let for erection of school, and some of the material is now on the ground. Te Kahe. —Tenders were received for erection of school, but were declined. Gaols. Mount Eden Gaol, Auckland. —Considerable progress has been made with this building. The concrete first floor has been laid ; a large quantity of building-stone is ready. The work on the chapel has been stopped at present. A contract has been let for the manufacture of steel doors. A design for Gaoler's residence has been prepared. Gisborne Gaol. —Some additions and alterations to the Gaoler's residence have been completed. Auckland Asylum. The contract for additions to the male wing has been completed. Some small repairs have been done. Some work has been done for the better ventilation of the old female wing. Plans have been prepared for a new wash-house and drying-closet, and for converting old wash-house into a dormitory. The erection of the drying-closet has been started by the Asylum staff.