D.—l

54

APPENDIX C. ANNUAL REPORT ON BUILDINGS, BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT. The Government Architect to the Hon. Minister of Public Works. Sir, — 1 have the honour to submit the following report on the various building operations of the Department for tho year ended 30th June, 1922. Government Houses. Aucklwnd. —A benzine-store was ejected, and general renovations carried out. 'Wellington. —The main alterations and additions were completed early in the year. A new fire service was installed on the first floor, and various alterations, renovations, and repairs carried out. New Parliament Buildings. The buildings were practically carried to conviction before the end of the year. The balance of exterior marble was placed in position, and the whole of the interior marble work, including marble floor' of main entrance and first floor, and the marble stairs, was completed. A large amount of plastering, tiling, carpentering, painting, plumbing, asphalting, &c, was/required to finish the building, and this was practically all done before the end of the year. Granite steps to Public Gallery, Legislative Council, &c, were set in position. Three oak " Van Kannel " doors were erected at front entrances, and the handsome panelling of Cabinet-room completed. Two electric lifts were installed, and the electric lighting, bells, telephones, &c, were practically completed. All carpets ordered came to hand and were laid. A large quairtity of furniture was supplied! by various firms, but a larger quantity was made in the Public Works workshops, of better quality and at no greater cost. The seating contract for the Legislative Council was satisfactorily completed. The heating contract was practically completed. Various other works were carried out, and a large amount of rubbish, &c, removed from the grounds, while all machinery was dismantled and removed. Lawns and gardens were laid, and paths metalled. Only lawns arrd gardens on Museum Street frontage remain to be done. Old Parliament Buildings. Various alterations and repairs were carried out. Departmental Buildings. The maintenance and general upkeep of public buildings has been carried out as far as frrrrds would permit, including renovations, repairs, fittings, &c, to Departmental Buildings at Auckland, Hamilton, Whangarei, Taumarunui, Tauranga, Napier, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Wanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Greymouth, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. POST-OFITCES, ETC. Te Kopuru. —A new building was erected during the year. Waiotema.rama. —A new office was erected. Alterations, repairs, &c, were carried out to various offices in the Whangarei district. Manurewa. —New brick building completed and fittings supplied. Morrinsville. —Addition of telephone exchange and mail-room in wood. Henderson. —New building, in wood, commenced and completed. Residence attached. Fittings and furniture provided. Onehunga, Takapuna, and Devonport. —New automatic-telephone exchanges, in brick, completed. Aria. —New building, in wood, erected, and fittings supplied. Mangapeehi. —Old building purchased and converted into post-oifices ; fittings supplied. Whakahora. —New building erected. Owhango, Piopio, and Taumarunui.- -Alterations, &c, carried out. Te Te'ko. —New building (on skids) erected and fittings supplied. Whakatane. —Postmaster's residence erected. Tauranga, Te Puke, Otakiri, Ngongotaha, Whakatane, Waimana, Rotorua, Kalikati, and Mokai. — Renovations, alterations, &c, carried out. Rata. —New building, in wood, just completed. Taihape. —New telephone exchange, in wood, completed. Wellington: New Telephone Exchange, Stout Street. —The whole of the concrete foundations, including exterior walls up to street-level, have been completed, and asphalt damp-course put on. General Post Office, Kelburn Telephone Exchange, and Post and Telegraph Stores. —Sundry alterations, repairs, &c, have been carried out.