Punt for New Ferry Clutha.

Nearly ready, to be placed at the Howk.

Punt for Upper Taieri Ferry.
In progress by contract.

Road to Barracks.
Formed partly by military, and partly by daily labour; a contract has also been taken for metalling.

Iron Wire.
Ordered from Britain for the construction of bridges and ferries.

J. T. THOMSON,
Chief Surveyor.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS REPORT.

Public Building Department,
15th April, 1862.

Sir,—I have the honour to forward a report of the works under this department for the half-year ending the 31st March.

Taking them in the order they stand in the Appropriation Ordinance, the first is Her Majesty’s jail, which has been completed under the original contract, and some necessary additions to the building nearly finished under a subsequent contract. It should be remarked however, that this building, though it might have answered for many years the former state of things, appears now greatly inadequate, and that a jail on a much larger scale and adapted to the altered state of the Province is urgently required.

The works at the hospital have not as yet taken any permanent shape, and have by a pressing necessity been confined to providing quickly for the reception of an increasing number of patients, for whom two large two-story wards have been erected and another still larger is in contemplation; meantime it has been found necessary to fit up the Immigration barracks as a supplementary hospital.

It is hardly necessary for me to state how desirable it is that another and more eligible site for the hospital were determined, and the erection of a proper building commenced. The hospital at the gold-fields is far advanced, and will shortly be finished. As to the lunatic asylum, your Honor will remember that a portion of the building was tendered for early in the season, according but the Government moved by several considerations, declined the contract at that time. I would respectfully recommend that this building be proceeded with as early as possible.

The works following in order may be reported, with some exceptions, as all in a forward state, and some completed. I enumerate them as follows, premising that piers, which (including those in the Dunedin harbour,) were planned and contracted for through this department, have been now transferred to the Provincial Engineer.

The several pilot station houses are completed.

The gold-fields’ buildings are not yet sufficiently supplied, but every endeavour is being made to render the accommodation sufficient and comfortable against the winter.

The central police station requires improvement, in dividing and fitting up a portion of it for the Commissioner’s offices. A four-roomed house for quarters is also wanted.

SURVEY MEMORANDUM.

The following shows the disposal of the Survey staff, but I cannot give a statement in figures without returns from all the surveyors, and they can scarcely do justice to themselves unless at the end of the season, at the time I give the annual report.

Mr. G. Hately has been engaged in triangulating east and west Waitahuna district, Waikouaiti, and Pomahaka. Mr. W. C. England in triangulating Otepopo district. Mr. James M’Kerrow in making a reconnaissance survey of the Western and Lake districts, also in ascertaining the latitudes, longitudes and true meridian, of starting points in these districts.

Mr. W. P. Smith has been engaged in the district road surveys of Tokomairiro, and in laying off rural sections in Hill-end district. Mr. C. B. Shanks, in laying off town sections at the Molyneux, and rural sections at Waitahuna district, and now in laying out a township at the Waitahuna.

Mr. F. Howden in laying off rural sections in Hawksbury and Pomahaka districts. Mr. James Mitchell in laying off sections in Oamaru and Hill-end districts. Mr. William Arthur in laying off rural sections in Hawksbury and Moeraki districts. Mr. Robert Grigor in laying off rural sections in Oamaru and Waitahuna districts, now in laying out a township at Tuapeka; and Mr. Wilson in laying out rural sections in Akatore and Claredon districts. The extent of work cannot be ascertained till the season is closed, but I have no doubt that average work will generally be attained to.

Extra surveyors, Messrs. Mountfort and Moran have been employed to lay out the townships of Kaitangata, Greytown, and Upper Taieri Ferry.

J. T. Thomson,
Chief Surveyor.

11th April, 1862.