Fire-Engine House and Hose-Reel.—New police Station have been erected a Fire-engine House and a Bell-tower, under contract with Mr. Gilbertson, and the whole has been completed in a very creditable manner. The Engine House has been made large enough to contain the fire-engine, hook and ladder carriage, and hose-reel, with a room overhead in which the Brigade may hold their meetings.

The New Hose-Reel has also been completed, the design being an improvement from the one obtained from Dunedin. It was manufactured by Mr. H. Balme, and is well and strongly made; it is now lodged in the old Engine House.

Gaol Additions and Alterations.—These, which were mentioned in last year's report as being contemplated, are now completed in a very substantial manner by the contractor, Mr. J. Scott. The increased accommodation is found to be of the greatest convenience, and the Gaol, I should hope, will answer all our requirements for a long time to come. It has, however, a fault common to nearly all Provincial Gaols, viz., that we cannot yet classify and keep apart the different classes of prisoners.

This state of things points to the necessity of some central penal establishment, to which the worst criminals could be sent and there confined, so as to be entirely separated from the ordinary class of prisoners.

The alterations now enable us to keep entirely separate the female prisoners, and their accommodation is much improved.

I have to report, while on this head, that the dwelling-house attached to the Gaol appears to be too small for the Gaoler and his family. A very moderate addition would remedy this defect, and I should recommend its being carried out as soon as possible.

Government Wharf, and removing Buoy Rock.—Only a portion of the money voted under this head has been expended in making what were absolutely necessary repairs, which consisted of driving a number of new piles wherever the old ones were most decayed or worm-eaten, and in repairing the floor of the wharf where necessary. It was considered advisable that Mr. Balfour's Report on Nelson Harbor should be received and considered, before making any extensive additions to the wharf, or in expending any money on the Buoy Rock. This report has very lately been received, and will demand careful consideration.

Queen's Warehouse.—This building, which was ordered from England, is constructed of corrugated iron walls and roof, with cast-iron pilasters, which carry the iron framing of the roof, and also the wooden beams and joists which support the upper floor, which is of wood. It is now being erected by contract by Mr. J. Scott, and is nearly completed. The foundations, which are of stone, were let under another contract to Messrs. Jennings and Simpson, the pitching of the ground floor being included in their contract. This work they are now about to proceed with.

The fitting of the ironwork of the building is not of that satisfactory character which I should have expected of Messrs. F. Morton and Co.; but the whole, when completed, will be a substantial, commodious, and durable building.

Swinging Apparatus for the Correction of Ships' Compasses.—This structure has been completed in what I hope will prove to be a substantial and durable manner, the piles being of sound black birch, covered below water with Muntz-metal, to protect them from marine worms.

The original contractor, Mr. Robert Carter, failed to carry out this work, which was finally completed by Mr. W. Akersten in a satisfactory manner.

New Hospital.—This building would have been much nearer completion than it now is, had the contractor, Mr. T. Good, not been delayed on more than one occasion by the want of materials. In the first instance he was disappointed in the delivery of the timber, and he is now waiting the arrival from England of the cast-iron spouting and curved corrugated plating for the verandah roofs. Some time was also lost for the want of a proper supply of slates. The building, however, is now approaching completion, and will, I think, fully realise my expectations, for convenience and general adaptation to its intended purpose. Although the sum voted for this building last year has not all been spent, there have been incurred several extra items of expense beyond the actual contract price, such as earth excavation to obtain material for foundations and space for detached buildings, also a few extra windows between the wards and nurses' rooms, skylight, &c., &c. There will also be required a washhouse and dead house, and provision must be made for these and all the necessary internal fittings and furniture, which were not included in the first specification.

The ground around the buildings will also require to be levelled and formed, and drained, and well covered with a good layer of fine clean gravel. Some work will also be needed to form and gravel the road, trim and clean the fences, erect gates, &c., &c.

Buildings for Lunatics and Poor.—It has been found necessary to make a few alterations, repairs, and additions to these: one or two small rooms have been added, and also an inclosed yard for the male lunatic patients. Application has been made by the manager for increased accommodation for the female patients, and I have already submitted for approval a plan and estimate for an additional female ward, which it is most probable will be found to be required when the subject is brought under consideration.

Foot-bridge on Maitai, in Nile-street.—After the contract for this bridge had been let, and the work commenced, a very heavy flood occurred in the Maitai, higher than before known, which made it evident that the bridge as designed would be too low; it was therefore arranged to heighten the piers and lengthen the approaches, at an increased cost. Mr. Gilbertson, the contractor, has just now finished his contract as far as the wood-work is concerned, and as soon as the necessary earth-work, now in hand, for the approaches, shall have been completed, the bridge will be open for public traffic. A few days will effect this.

Maitai River Banks—Protection of Roads and Bridges.—The flood above spoken of has compelled our attention to this work, the most serious damage having been inflicted just above Collingwood Bridge, where a considerable amount of land was carried away, so as to encroach on the roadway and threaten the safety of the southern approach of the bridge. At a point a short distance above Bridge-street Bridge, also, the banks have been much damaged, the mischief being aggravated apparently by the rush of Brook-street stream at its junction with the Maitai.

I have planned for protective works at each of these places, and the work is being proceeded with at the first two.

I propose to erect, at the junction of the brook, a breakwater similar to one built a few years ago in the Maitai, for the purpose of checking the force of the smaller stream, and confining its action to the near side of the bed of the Maitai. This work is now advertised for tender.