D.—l

XXIV

Preliminary work has been commenced in connection with the erection of new chief post-office buildings at Dunedin and Napier ; also, it is intended to proceed as soon as possible with the erection of new buildings at Courtenay Place (Wellington), High Street (Christchurch), and Taumarunui, and with extensive additions to the existing buildings at Greymouth, Masterton, Nelson, and Waipukurau. The growth of the Department's motor transport continually demands the provision of suitable facilities for the storage of petrol. The modern method of providing storage in a tank placed underground and delivering by means of a pump has been adopted at a number of places. During the year new post-offices were erected at Castlecliff, Leigh, Portobello, Te Mata, Uruti, Waimiha, Waiuta, and Miramar (automatic telephone exchange) ; residences for Postmasters at Porangahau, Te Karaka, and Waiuku ; workshop-store-garage buildings at Frankton Junction and Timaru ; and garages at Clyde, Foxton, Newmarket, Pukekohc, Putaruru (purchased), Ruawai, Tolaga Bay, and Warkworth. Increased accommodation was also provided at Courtenay Place (automatic telephone exchange), Frankton Junction Railway, Hastings, Levin, Lower Hutt, Palmerston North, Putaruru, Richmond, Wellesley Street, and the erection of a new post-office building at Waverley is under construction. The following additions and alterations have been authorized: Cromwell (addition and alterations); Gore (addition) ; Hawera (addition) ; Matamata (alterations) ; Milton (alterations) ; Mokauiti (addition) ; Papakura (alterations) ; Pembroke (addition and alterations) ; Radio-Wellington (addition) ; Te Teko (addition) ; Waipukurau (addition and alterations) ; Walton (addition and alterations). Sites for storage purposes were purchased at Blenheim and Napier ; the area of the post-office site at Carterton has been increased by the acquisition of additional land ; and at Palmerston North an area of land adjoining the post-office site was taken over from the Department of Agriculture. Mental Hospitals. Avondale : Alterations have been carried out to the kitchen, men's lavatories, and Nurses' Home ; and, in the main building, necessary alterations have been made to provide quarters for the Matron. A new veranda has been completed for No. 8 Ward, and various repairs and renovations carried out as required. Puhitahi. (Men's Quarters) : The erection of a dormitory, dining-hall, kitchen, bathroom, and lavatories was completed during the year. All buildings are of wood on concrete foundations. Electric light has been laid on to the new site and installed in the various buildings. A windmill has been provided and tanks erected for a temporary supply of water pending the bringing in of a gravitation scheme, the headworks of which are now being proceeded with. Tokanui: A contract was let for the erection of three villas for female patients, and the work is in hand. A mortuary building, in concrete blocks, has been completed. Al4 ft. road, 18 chains in length, has been formed and metalled, to give access to the projected buildings. A 20 ft. bridge has been constructed, and general maintenance-works carried, out as required. Porirua : A new Nurses'' Home, a two-storied brick building containing over one hundred rooms, is being erected by contract, the roof now being on. A new six-roomed residence, in wood, for the Assistant Medical Officer has been erected by contract, and road, &c, formed. The whole of the buildings have been rewired for the 230 voltage, and extensive repairs, renovations, and additions carried out. The water-supply has been augmented by the installation of new mains, pressurereducing tank, and. by the raising of height of the dams. Nelson and Stoke : General maintenance-work has been carried out. Sunnyside : Alterations are being made to the boiler-house and a new chimney being erected. General maintenance-work was carried out as required. Hornby : A residence has been erected for the Assistant Medical. Officer. Templeton : The new villa unit, commenced the previous year, has been completed, and an addition made to the day-room. A water-tank to supply this building is in course of erection.