85

D.— 1

Wairoa. —The main office and tower were completed under contract. Opotiki. —A contract was let for the erection of a new office. Eltham. —Extensive alterations, additions, and repairs were completed during the year. Manaia. —A brick office, with residence, was completed during the year. Wanganui. —A building alongside the existing office was purchased and altered to suit postal requirements. Ohakune. —Additional accommodation has been provided. Taumarunui. —Additional accommodation has been provided. Ongarue. —An office building has been erected. Ohura. —A contract for an office building was let, and its erection is in progress. Tikokino. —The erection of an office building was completed under contract. Taradale. —.An office building was completed under contract during the year. Clive. —A new office building was erected by contract. Otane. —A new wooden building is in course of erection. Hastings. —Damage to brickwork of clock-tower was repaired. Carterton. —Additions (in brick) were completed. Eketahuna. —Additions (in brick) are in progress under contract. Kaiwarra. —The erection of a brick post-office is approaching completion. Lower Hutt. —Alterations and additions were carried out during the year. Palmerston North. —Alterations and repairs were effected. Porirua. —An office in wood was erected. Rangiwahia. — A wooden building, including residence, was erected. Shannon. —A wooden building, including quarters, was erected. Wellington General Post Office. —This building has been practically completed, and will shortly be opened, though there will still remain to be done by the contractor several alterations to the old building to adapt the accommodation therein for use conjointly with the new building. The contractors are Messrs. J. k A. Wilson (Limited), of Wellington, and the works have been satisfactorily carried out by them, the contract price being £96,923. The foundations, which go down to the hard blue clay beneath the beach, were constructed by day labour under the direction of the Public Works Department. The three street frontages have walls faced with Tonga Bay granite—a durable and excellent buildingstone. The building has five floors, including a basement for the Parcels Branch. The design is massive and bold, with thick, solid, and substantial walls, constructed to resist earthquake-shocks. Steel riveted framework enters largely into the construction, which is throughout fire-resistim:. Electric elevators are provided —one for the public, one for the staff, and two goods-lifts for parcels and letters. The fittings and conveniences for the transaction of postal and telegraph business are of the latest and most approved description, and the space afforded to the public is ample for many years to come. In the public office three telephones for the use of the public at a small fee are provided, and in the vestibule a slot telephone will be available for public use at all hours. The administrative head and office staff of the Department have accommodation on the second floor, and a suite of rooms is there provided for the Minister in charge, the Postmaster-General. Wellington Telephone Exchange. —Additions were made during the year. Bull; Store, Wellington, —A contract for the erection of a large brick building on the Thorndon Reclamation was let in April, and the work is now in progress. The store is designed and will be equipped for the convenient handling of the large and increasing volume of material imported for postal and telegraph purposes. Takaka. —A residence for the Postmaster is being erected. Motueka, —Additions and renovations are in hand. Murchison. —The erection of a post-office was completed during the year. Westport. —The erection of a new post-office in brick was completed, and clock installed. Granity. —A new office was completed under contract. Amberley. —The new building was completed during the year. Ashburton. —Extensive alterations have been made to accommodate Telegraph officers. Culverden, —The erection of a building was completed under contract. Fairlie. —An additional room and porch have been built. Leeston. —A new building has been completed. Lyttelton. —Alterations and repairs have been effected, and the clock-tower raised. Pleasant Point. —A contract has been let for the erection of an office, and the work is in progress. Sumner. —Additions have been made to the existing building. Sydenham, —The new brick-and-stone building is approaching completion. Timaru. —The clock-tower has been raised. Waimate. —A new office has been built, and the old office converted into business premises. Dunedin. —Some steel ceilings were fitted, alterations made, and a public telephone bureau erected. Balclutha. —The erection of a new brick office was completed. Kaitangata. —A new office (in brick) was completed during the year. Green Island. —A new office (in brick) was completed and opened. Owaka. —Additions and alterations were carried out under contract. Hawea Flat. —A new building (in wood) is being erected.] Port Chalmers. —The post-office building was renovated. Balfour.— -The erection of a new building is approaching completion. Riverton. —A new building (in brick) was completed under contract. Awarua Wireless Station. —Foundations have been excavated and concrete-work commenced.

16—D. 1.