D.—l.

Point Dorset Battery. —A survey was made of this site, plans prepared, and excavation and roadmaking started. Plant for hauling gravel up the hill, mixing concrete, and pumping water is being erected, and fair progress is being made. A tide-recording station was erected on piled foundation here to get data for the mean sea-level. Defence Store, Buckle Street.—X new armourer's shop is being erected here. Alexandra Depot Grounds. —Parade levelled; flagpole erected; slip on Mr. Murphy's side secured; fence and gates erected; road metalled along western parade; new brick latrines completed for Defence headquarters; old building renovated and made into office for clerks; Military Depot repaired. Trentham Rifle Range. —Firing-points grassed; large amount of turfing and top-dressing done; drainage altered; caretaker's cottage enlarged; repairs done to competitors' quarters: targets put in order, &c, on both Seddon and Collins Ranges. Christchurch. King Edward Barracks. —A new armourers' workshop has been erected at the drill-shed; caretaker's quarters drained. Fort Jervois, Ripa Island, Lyttelton. — Fighting-station. —Owing to settlement of ground, several ruptures have taken place in the walls, allowing the surface water to get through and destroy the electric installation between fighting-station and gun-pits. This has been all thoroughly overhauled and repaired. Otago. Harrington Point. — The searchlight-emplacement has been completed. The Defence Road from the Lower Kaik to Taiaroa Heads has been put under repair. Taiaroa Heads. —D.R.F. Station has been covered overhead, connected with telegraph, and pedestal built. The excavation previously made for 6-in.-gun emplacement has been filled in again, as the site is abandoned. The excavation has been started for a 12-pounder battery at Howlett Point. The usual maintenance has been attended to. CONTRACTS. A complete schedule of the contracts entered into during the year for constructing railways, bridges; supplying hardwood timber, ironwork, and other bridge-material; erecting station buildings, public buildings; executing repairs to public buildings; constructing lighthouses, wharves, and other marine work; as well as contracts for the supplying of all stores and other materials connected with public works, is given in Appendix C. I have, &c, R. W. Holmes, Engineer-in-Chief.

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