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Tourist Department. Taumarunui District. —The large addition to the hostel at Waitomo was completed during the year, and the existing wooden portion altered and renovated. The additions comprise seven staff bedrooms,, twenty-one bedrooms, nineteen single rooms, bathroom, and lavatory. In addition, a main hall, lounge, sitting-room, smoke-room, boot-room, and kitchen have been provided. The basement has been fitted up as coal-stores and heating-chambers. Very extensive works were carried out to the grounds, and roads formed. A pumping plant was installed. Napier District. —Improvements and renovations have been carried out to bathhouses at Morere Springs, and at Napier offices have been fitted up and furnished for the Department. Nelson District. —Hut-construction at Mount Balloon was completed. Christchurch District. —At Pukaki Hotel a new drainage system, with septic tank, was installed, and new conveniences provided. Dunedin District. —The contract for the new Milford Sound Accommodation-house was completed in December, 1928, and was in use during the tourist season. The main building comprises two accommodation wings, and a central kitchen and dining block. The buildings, which accommodate sixty guests, were electrically lighted throughout, and every modern convenience provided. Two bridges were erected on the Milford Track. At Queenstown Tourist Park a new glasshouse, complete with boiler, propagating-frames, &c., was completed, and the tennis-courts renovated. Greymouth District. —A new office was provided and furnished for the Department at Greymouth. The Aimer Accommodation-hut was rebuilt and enlarged at Franz Josef Glacier, at an altitude of 5,500 ft. ; also the Burke Hut on the Haa'st Pass track. Department op Agriculture. Auckland District. —At Motuihi new piggeries were erected in concrete and wood. At Ruakura Farm the electrical system was changed over to the 230 voltage, and at Te Kauwhata Farm electric light and power was installed. Taumarunui District.—Furniture and fittings were supplied and installed at the Department's offices at Taumarunui and Te Kuiti. Tauranga. District. —Renovations were carried out to the Rotorua office, and fittings and furniture supplied. Gisborne District. —Office accommodation was arranged at Tolaga Bay, and fittings and furniture supplied. Stalls were erected at the Gisborne Winter Show. Stratford District. —Repairs and renovations were carried out to a number of buildings, and an office, with furniture, &c., provided at Opunake. Napier District. —Repairs, &c., were carried out to the Department's building at Hastings, and electric light installed at Woodville. At Wairoa, chemicals have been packed, crated, and carted from the Te Uhi blackberry experimental section. A shelter-shed was erected on the wharf at Waikokopu. Wellington District. —At Palmerston North office accommodation was arranged, and an implementshed and hothouses were erected for the Plant Research and Seed-testing Branches. Electric light and power was installed at Wallaceville Laboratory : steel shelving, &c., provided at the Department's offices, Dominion Farmers' Building, Wellington ; and renovations, &c., were carried out to the laboratories at Fairlie Terrace and Sydney Street, Wellington. Christchurch District. —At Fairlie Stock Inspector's house electric light was installed and various improvements effected. At Timaru new offices were provided and fitted up. Dunedin District. —Renovations, &c., were carried out to a number of residences and offices. Greymouth District. —Office accommodation was provided for the Apiary Instructor at Greymouth, and maintenance-works carried out to Waimaunga Experimental Farm buildings. Soldiers' Graves. A large number of soldiers' graves have been attended to, headstones and concrete surrounds being fixed as required. General. Renovations and repairs have been carried out to various departmental buildings, and furniture and fittings were made and supplied as required. In conclusion, I 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. Mair, A.R.1.8.A., Government Architect.

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