D.—l

XIV

improvements have been effected at Porirua, Seacliff, and Waitati, and the damage caused by fire at Sunnyside has been repaired. Works in progress or contemplated include two separate blocks of buildings at Tokanui, each of which will accommodate fifty patients ; day-rooms for male and female patients at Porirua ; dormitory and single rooms, and an annexe with quarters, at Sunnyside. A male admission block is in progress at Seacliff, and additional accommodation for female patients is proposed. Hospitals. The expenditure last year under this head was not large, and took place principally in connection with the St. Helens Hospital at Christchurch and the Eotorua Hospital. On the current year's vote provision is made for the St. Helens Hospitals at Auckland and Christchurch, and one or two other minor works. Agriculture. During the past year a considerable amount of land drainage was carried out at Euakura Farm of Instruction, and as the work has proved of great value both to the farm itself and as a demonstration to the settlers it will be continued during the present year. Better accommodation is to be provided at the livestock quarantine-stations at Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttelton, the present buildings being more or less out of date. Improved accommodation is specially needed in view of the probable influx of live-stock from Great Britain as soon as the present embargo on account of foot-and-mouth disease can be removed. School Buildings. The expenditure out of the Public Works Fund on school buildings during the past year amounted to .£121,954. Of this amount nearly £108,000 was paid in grants to the respective governing bodies to provide for new buildings, additions, equipment, and sites for public schools and residences, trainingcolleges, technical and secondary schools, and University colleges. The balance was expended on works, carried out directly under the control of the Government. At the Boys' Training Farm, Nelson, the water-supply system was extended, and the erection of three new cottages for the staff was commenced ; the Wellington Receiving Home building was enlarged, and the property, which for some years has been leased for the purposes of Te Oranga Home (Girls' Reformatory) at Christchurch was purchased. Additions to the existing buildings were erected at the School for the Deaf, Sumner. Buildings were provided for seven new Native schools, and four old ones were enlarged. For the current year, with the extension of settlement, demands for new school buildings will certainly occur, and it is necessary to meet these as far as possible. Similarly, additions to existing school buildings will in many cases require to be made because of the increase of children in average attendance. New buildings are being provided for the Auckland Grammar School, and a grant has been made towards the cost. An extension to the Medical School buildings at Otago University is being erected, and in this case, too, a grant towards the cost has been made. By reason of the increase in the number of children at industrial schools additional accommodation is necessary. At the Special School, Otekaike, the buildings for which preparations have been made must be put in hand, and this will require considerable expenditure. Workers' Dwellings. The expenditure under this head during the past year amounted to £41,741, as compared with £46,455 expended during the preceding year. The demand for dwellings is increasing, and. in order to meet the requirements an authorization of £100,000, and a vote on account of same of £92,000, is proposed for the acquisition of land, road-formation, and erection of dwellings.