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APPENDIX C, ANNUAL REPORT ON BUILDINGS BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT. The Government Architect to the Hon. Minister of Public Works. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report on the activities of the Architectural Branch of the Department for the year ended 30th June, 1925. During the period plans and sketches were prepared for new works of a total estimated value of £548,000, and tenders were accepted for buildings, since completed or under construction, of a total value of £269,849. Of the latter amount £166,944 represents works designed and estimated for prior to the 30th June, 1924, and £92,905 works designed since. In addition, a large amount of minor alterations and repairs and general maintenance has been carried out through the District Offices, and a considerable quantity of furniture and fittings has been manufactured in the Public Works workshops for other Government Departments. I have to report that the arrangement whereby this Department designs and erects secondaryschool buildings for the Education Department is working very satisfactorily, and the above totals include £111,540 estimated cost of schools designed, and £75,413 for work carried out or under construction. During the year a number of Hospital Boards elected to have their plans prepared in this office, and hospital buildings of an estimated value of £41,060 were designed for seven Boards, and contracts let of a total value of £13,987 on their behalf. There has been keen competition for Government work in the majority of cases, and the standard of workmanship has been satisfactory. The position with regard to the supply of timber and bricks has somewhat improved, but there is still difficulty in obtaining sufficient thoroughly seasoned timber. Labour generally has been sufficiently available, except for plastering-work, and delay in completion of buildings has been caused in many cases through lack of plasterers. The following is a schedule of the works carried out during the year Government Houses. Auckland and Wellington.—General repairs and maintenance as required. Departmental Buildings. Maintenance and general upkeep of buildings, including renovations, repairs, fittings, &c., to departmental buildings in larger towns. A contract has been let for a large extension of the Departmental Buildings, Wellington, consisting of a four-story temporary wooden building in the courtyard at the back of the main building, connected thereto by corridors. The top floor will consist of a large dining-hall, with kitchen, &c., for the use of the staffs of the various Departments. The other three floors will contain office accommodation. Post-offices, etc. Whangarei District. —Repairs and renovations have been carried out to ten post-offices. Auckland District. —General repairs, renovations, and alterations have been carried out to thirtytwo post-offices ; new post-offices have been erected, and fittings supplied, at Ngatea, Pokeno, Pukemiro, St. Heliers Bay, Silverdale, To Uku, and Waikino ; a large two-story brick post-office is in the course of erection at Paeroa ; and extensions have been made at Chief Post-office, Auckland, Matamata, Netherton, and Thames. Extensive additions and alterations have been made to eight automatictelephone exchanges. Taumarunui. —Renovations have been carried out to four post-offices ; and a new post-office erected at Mokauiti. Tauranga District. —Repairs and renovations have been carried out at ten post-offices ; at Whakatane additions have been made, and furniture and fittings provided. Gisborne District. —Extensive additions in brick and reinforce'd concrete are being made to Gisborne Post-office, and fittings are being supplied. A new building has been erected at Motu, and fittings supplied. Renovations were carried out to seven post-offices. Stratford District. —Additions and alterations were made to post-offices at Wanganui, New Plymouth, and Horopito, and general maintenance work done to thirty-four post-offices in the district. Napier District. —Renovations and repairs were carried out to twenty post-offices, and a large addition made to the garage at Napier Post-office. Wellington District. —The new Automatic-telephone Exchange, Stout Street, Wellington, is completed, and the fittings, including a large air-conditioning plant, are being installed. A two-story post-office, in brick and rough-cast, is nearing completion at Eastbourne ; a wooden-frame building with cement-plastered exterior at Pongaroa, and a wooden building at Ohau, are completed. Extensive renovations and repairs have been carried out to nine post-offices, and. general maintenance work to a large number of others. Nelson District.—Renovations and repairs were carried out to twelve post-offices, and a small post-office was erected at Flat Creek. Ohristchurch District.—New post-offices have been erected at Sprijigburn, Orari, Hawarden, St. Andrews, and Darfield, and a new post-office in brick is in course of erection at New Brighton. Extensive internal alterations and renovations have been carried out at the Chief I ost-office, Christchurch, and renovations and repairs to eleven other offices. Greymouth District. —Renovations and repairs carried out to fourteen post-offices. A new garage and store in brick has been erected at Greymouth Post-office. Dunedin District. —Renovations and repairs were carried out to fifty-two post-offices, and a new post-office erected at Tarras.