75

D.—l

Defence Department. Auckland District. — A new drill-hall and rifle range were completed at Ponsonby, and extensive, alterations, repairs, and renovations carried out to other drill-halls, barracks, &c. At the, Waikato Camp, Ngaruawahia, the following works started the previous year were completed : Magazines Nos. (i and 7 : three cottages for married men ; Ordnance Depot, and offices and fittings for same. New worlcs completed comprise : Roading access ; erection of fences ; ploughing, harrowing, and sowing of swamp land ; oil and forage stores ; sheds, latrines, septic tank, cookhouse, reel-shed, pipe-line, concrete paths, &C. The single men's quarters were converted into a, hospital. The. following works are in hand : Magazines Nos. 8, 9, and 10 ; roading ; railway back-shunt ; S.D.A. magazine, Ordnance workshops, butcher's shop, and coal - store. Electric lighting has been installed in all buildings. In addition to the above, general maintenance-works have been carried out, and assistance has been given to the Defence Department on many occasions as required. Wellington District. —At Trentham Camp the whole of the buildings have been changed over to the 230 voltage, and four 25 h.p. motors installed. Extensive repairs and renovations were carried out; also at Defence Headquarters, Buckle Street, this building also being changed over to the 230 voltage. At, Palmerston North a, gun-shed, store, and office were erected. Repairs and renovations were carried out to other Defence buildings as required. Nelson District. —Repairs and renovations were carried out at the drill-hall, &c. Christchurch District. —A portion of the Crown Brewery has been fitted up as a, drill-hall for Naval cadets. Various maintenance-works have been carried out. Dunedin District. —Various repairs and renovations have been carried out to a, number of drill-halls, barracks, (fee. Tourist Department. Tauinarunui District. The contract for the extensive additions to the Waitomo Hostel is being satisfactorily carried out and is practically completed. This is virtually a new hostel, the old portion being a comparatively small wood building. The "addition" is of reinforced concrete, with tiled roof, and is fitted with the most modern equipment for the comfort of tourists. The building has electric light, an electrically equipped kitchen, central heating, modern cold - store, appliances, refrigerator, <fee., and an up-to-date steam-laundry, At Toka.a.nu Fish-hatcheries the garage has been enlarged, alterations and renovations carried out to the office and men's quarters, and a kitchen and maids' quarters provided. New lluming and weir-gates have been installed, and roads and fences attended to. Napier District. —At the Morere Baths extensive improvements and renovations have been carried out. Nelson District. —A hut has been erected at Mount Hora and cleaning-work completed. Dunedin District. —Huts for tourists have been erected at Glade House, MeKinnon Pass, and on Ben Lomond, and tool-shed at Quecnstown Park. At Lake Te Anau a new slipway has been constructed for the Department's steamer. A contract was let for a large new hostel at Milford Sound, and the work is in hand, the framework for the laundry having been erected. Department of Agriculture. Auckland District. —At Ruakura Farm a six-roomed residence has been erected lor the Farm Manager, and electric light installed. Electric lighting in other building has been overhauled. Renovations were carried out at Te Kauwhata. Napier District. —Renovations were carried out at Woodville and Port Ahuriri. Wellington District. —Considerable alterations and renovations were carried out in the Dominion .Farmers' Building to provide new offices for the Department. Repairs, (fee, were done at Wallacevillc Laboratory ; new laboratory, Sydney Street; the fumigation-shed, Bunny Street; and the Biological Laboratory. At the Massey Memorial Agricultural College, Palmerston North, a cowman's cottage was erected. Nelson District. —Renovations, &c, were carried out for the Department at Motueka and Blenheim. Greyinouth District. —At Waimaunga Experimental Farm a, workman's hut was erected, and an office, was fitted up for the Field Instructor at Greymouth. Dunedin District.- —Repairs and renovations have been carried out to six buildings. General. Renovations and repairs have been carried out to various departmental buildings, and furniture and fittings were made and supplied as required. In conclusion, 1 desire to place on record my appreciation of the co-operation of the, district, offices, and the efficient and loyal manner in which the members of the architectural staff carried out their duties. John T. Man;., A.R.L.8.A., Covernment Architect.