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omitted, but as this work has been throughout and remains under the immediate charge of Mr. COOPER, it will be necessary to refer to him should further explana- tion be required.

Par. 10. The increase in the Estimate of the quarters for the Hospital Staff from $43,000 to $75,000 is thus accounted for. On my arrival I found the foundations practically completed to the level of the ground floor. On these foundations an expenditure of no less a sum than $12,800 had been incurred. The designs were prepared and it was practically impossible to deviate from thein to any considerable extent without incurring additional expense in altering the founda- tions. As the Government was committed to the work there appeared no other course open than to complete them as economically as possible and the contract was let by public tender. I can, however, but regard this building as altogether on too large and extravagant a scale for the purpose for which it is intended.

14. The item for Public Laundries was increased from $20,000 to $25,000, as it was at the time thought necessary to provide more accommodation than was originally contemplated. I should add however that since the Estimates were framed, and I have had the opportunity of going carefully into the question, I have come to the conclusion that much remains to be done before works of this nature can be carried out on a large scale. A Committee of the Sanitary Board has recently sent in a preliminary report, and the subject is still under consideration. In my opinion the experiment should be tried on a moderate scale in the first place. If any wholesale attempt were made to change the present methods to which the Chinese laundrymen are habituated, it is not unlikely that a failure might ensue, with the result of a large waste of public money.

15. I can give no explanation of the increase in the Estimates for the Epidemic Hospital Hulk. This vessel is being constructed under the direction of the Harbour Master.

16. As regards the proposed New Gaol I should add that my attention has only recently been directed to this important matter, but it is now receiving my most careful consideration.

Par. 12. I will prepare with the least possible delay a statement of Public Works sanctioned, in progress and in contemplation with the estimated cost of each, the amount expended to the 31st December, 1889, and the estimated expenditure during 1890. This can best be done in connection with the preparation of the Public Works Estimates for 1891, and I have to request that I may receive early notice of any works beyond those already sanctioned which the Government con- sider should be included in next year's Estimates. From recent correspondence I take it for granted that provision must be made for improved Gaol accommodation.

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17. On 4th instant C.S.O. I received instructions to submit plans of, and include in next year's Estimates, the increased accommodation required for the Post Office, Supreme Court, Registrar General, Inspector of Schools, Sanitary Board, as well as the Central Police Station. I may as well at once state that I have seen no papers and no information has yet reached me respecting some of these requirements; and the maturing of plans and preparation of Estimates for what will probably end in a proposal for New Courts of Justice, and New Govern- ment Offices, must involve a vast amount of labour. I do not see how it is possible without neglecting important works already sanctioned to include these Buildings in next year's Estimates, nor do I see how in addition to the works already sanctioned it would be possible to undertake these additional Buildings in 1891. In justice to the Engineering Staff as well as to myself, I must remind