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APPENDIX F.

ANNUAL REPORT ON PUBLIC BUILDINGS BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT.

The Government Architect to the Hon. Minister of Public Works. Sir,— Public Works Office, Wellington, Ist July, 1909. I have the honour to submit the following report on the various buildings works carried out by the Department during the year ended the 30th June last: —■ Departmental and other Buildings. Government House, Auckland. —A temporary annexe for use in connection with the visit of the American fleet was erected in July, and removed in August, 1908. The main building was also thoroughly overhauled and put in good order. Departmental Buildings, Auckland (Additions). —This large brick building, the contract for which was completed in April, 1909, provides accommodation for seven Departments. The necessary office fittings and furniture have also been supplied. New Plymouth Departmental Buildings. —Plans were prepared and tenders invited for the erection of new Departmental Offices. Owing to their being so much above the estimate, however,, all tenders were declined. Public Works Store and Workshop, Auckland. —The old Public Works store has been removed from the railway-station yard, and re-erected as a workshop in the Public Works yard. The old Post-office building from Onehunga has been re-erected in Mount Eden Station yard for use as a Public Works store, and a railway-siding laid into the yard. Government Buildings, Te Kuiti.— The contract for erection of this building has been completed. Gisborne Departmental Buildings. —A high-pressure water-service for fire-prevention has been installed. Government Insurance Building, Napier. —The contract for erection of a brick building with Oamaru-stone front has been completed. Parliament Buildings, Wellington. —A new building has been erected for the purposes of a. Legislative Council Chamber, and includes all necessary offices in connection therewith. Extensive alterations and improvements have also been carried out in the main building. The old" lobby is being restored and converted into Committee-rooms and offices. The portion . known as " Bellamy's " is also being restored, and made available for similar purposes. Departmental Buildings, Wellington. —The May-Otway fire-alarm has been installed. Public Trust Offices'. —The contract for erection of this building was completed in April, 1909. Contracts for office fittings and furniture, and for an electric elevator, have also been completed. Seddon Memorial, Wellington. —The reinforced-concrete column faced with Coromandel granite was completed in June, 1909. A bronze figure to surmount the column is being modelled in England. New Vice-Regal Residence, Mount View, Wellington. —-Plans have been prepared for the erection of a new vice-regal residence at Mount View. During the month of June, excavation-work and clearing of site preparatory to erection of the building was put in hand. Customhouse, Nelson. —This building was erected by contract, and completed during the year. Burnham Industrial School.—A new brick building, comprising kitchen, dormatories, attendants' rooms, &c, is under construction. Railway and Public Works Offices, Greymouth. —A contract for the erection of this building was let in March, and is now in progress. Departmental Buildings, Hokitika. —The contract for erection of this building was completed in June, 1909. ' ~,,,, , , Hospital, Greymouth. —The new wing and administrative block has been completed. Hospital, Hokitika.—The erection of this building is nearing completion. Dominion Chambers, Dunedin. —The erection of this building for the Government Insurance Department is being done by contract, and is well in hand. St. Helens Hospital, Dunedin. —Additions and alterations were carried out by contract. Courthouses. Whangarei. —Two additional rooms and a strong-room have been built. Cambridge. —A new brick building has been erected. Te Kuiti. —The contract for erection of this building has been completed. Rotorua.— Additions to this building are in progress. ; Waitara. —A new Courthouse has been erected. Feilding The contract for erection of a new Courthouse has been completed. Palmerston Worth.— Additions 'and alterations have been made, including the provision of. a new Courtroom for the Stipendiary Magistrate. Lower Hutt. —A new Courthouse has been built. ~: . ... • [ . , ■• . ■ Wellington.— Extensive alterations and additions have been carried out at the Supreme Court.

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