D.—l.

APPENDIX C.

ANNUAL REPORT ON BUILDINGS BY THE GOVERNMENT ARCHITECT.

The Government Architect to the Hon. the Minister op Public Works. Sir, — I have the honour to submit the following report on the activities of the Architectural Branch for the year ended 30th June, 1939. During the period plans were prepared for 423 buildings of an estimated total value of £1,891,459, and 291 contracts, totalling £648,829 have been let. Fifty-one other contracts to the value of £280,134 for buildings designed prior to 30th June, 1938, have also been let, making the total value of building contracts let during the year £928,963. In addition, contracts for mechanical equipment totalling £43,186 have been let. In addition to the above totals for work designed in this branch, buildings have been designed in connection with railway-construction, main-highway works, hydro-electrical works, and other activities of this Department, which are referred to in the other sections of this report, and a large amount of minor additions, alterations and repairs, and general maintenance of public buildings has been carried out by District Offices, including work in connection with fitting up accommodation and the provision of furniture and fittings for expanding office requirements for other Departments. The work of this branch continues to increase. From the beginning of this year all my staff has been brought under one roof in the temporary building in Whitmore Street, thus enabling a more efficient organization of activities to be inaugurated, but the continued shortage of competent draughtsmen has restricted the output. A wider use of local products has been possible, and designs and finishes have been evolved to enable the maximum use to be made of New Zealand materials and manufactures. Both manufacturers and merchants have responded to the changed conditions with an enthusiasm which is gratifying, and a surprising number of products formerly imported are now being made locally, and, with few exceptions, are quite up to the standard of imported articles. The prevailing shortage of skilled craftsmen is reflected in higher prices and a smaller number of tenders being received, but by proportioning the work in different areas, as far as possible, to the number of men available there have been few instances where no tenders were received. Despite the adverse conditions as to labour, the general standard of workmanship and finish has been reasonably maintained, but difficulty is being experienced in getting buildings erected up to time. Appended is a schedule of works, which includes maintenance work and minor contracts prepared in the various District Offices. Vice-regal. Auckland.—Repairs, renovations, and general maintenance were attended to. Department op Agriculture. Auckland. —At the Ruakura Farm of Instruction a dairyman's cottage was built and a laboratory building and a stock overseer's cottage are in course of erection. Alterations and extensive additions were made to the farm office. A shed, yards, and cottage were built at the Karamu Experimental Farm to enable experiments in facial eczema to be carried out. At Mount Albert Plant Research Station a large laboratory building was erected, two glasshouses arc in course of erection, and an insectary has been commenced. Renovations were undertaken at the Te Kauwhata Horticultural Station. Taumarunui.—Renovations, repairs, and additions were effected to one cottage. Tauranga. —A laboratory building, together with sheep-yards and holding-pens, were built at the Mamaku Experimental Farm. Stratford. —New dining and staff quarters were built at Flock House, Bulls. Wellington. —The new laboratory building at Wallaceville and a new dormitory block at Feilding Agricultural College are approaching completion. Nelson. —A tobacco-redrying-plant building was completed at Motueka, and alterations and maintenance repairs were carried out at three buildings. Christchurch. —Renovations and repairs were effected at throe buildings. Dunedin. —Repairs and renovations were undertaken at nine buildings. Grey mouth.—A cottage, storage shed, and milking-shed were built at Westport. Air Department. Auckland.—At the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base, Hobsonville, two wings were added to the single airmen's barracks and the messing accommodation and kitchen were added to ; twelve bomb-stores, two large equipment stores, and a timber hangar were completed ; a Public Works office

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