Expenditure in respect of the structural alterations involved was defrayed in the financial year 1906-7.
of the Service has amounted to 3867. 15s. 11d., of which 44/. 4s. 5d. falls upon Post Office Votes.
The cost was somewhat over-estimated.

The total cost

Complaint was made that the health of the Officers suffered owing to the inadequate heating of the Customs "boxes" in the various docks comprised in the Port of London, and as the only means of meeting the difficulty, Electric Radiators have been supplied, the Insurance Companies interested in the properties objecting to other modes of heating. Unforeseen Expenditure was incurred in connection with the laying of a Water Main to the Customs Burning Ground.

i

Total Estimate

Expenditure to 31st March 1906
Balance

£. s. d. 5,200 4,696 6 10

When the Estimates for the year were under consideration, it was
calculated that the full amount applicable to the service would
have become chargeable by 31st March, 1905. This expectation
was not however realised, the present remanet charge being the
result. The saving on the total estimate is due to the low
tender accepted.
Increased accommodation was badly needed owing to the growth of business. Structural alterations have been made

with this view.

£. 503 13 2

To meet the requirements of the Liverpool Corporation, a new Main was fixed involving an excess on the Estimate.

Dredging operations carried out by the Admiralty had endangered the stability of the structure, and a retaining wall and other works had to be executed to ensure its safety. A wooden building was also erected at the same time for look-out purposes.

The

The former premises were very inconveniently situated for Customs business, and strong representations were made by the Sunderland Chamber of Commerce and Shipowners' Society on the subject. Accommodation is accordingly being provided in a building in course of erection for Mercantile Marine purposes in a central position in the town. expenditure this year is nearly wholly in respect of the proportion of the cost of the Site chargeable to the Custom House. The requirements of the year were in excess of anticipation.

27.

CLASS I. continued.

VOTE 8.-REVENUE BUILDINGS-continued.

STATEMENT OF EXPENDITURE FOR NEW WORKS-continued.

OBSERVATIONS.

Deferred, pending the settlement of the question of extending the building.

When the work came to be carried out, it was found that less accommodation would suffice than had been originally proposed.

Requirements under this head are uncertain.

The existing arrangements were unsatisfactory and subject of complaint: improvement was urgently called for.

Complaints were made of the inadequacy of the heating arrangements. Hot-water apparatus and radiators have been

introduced.

Rendered necessary by the increase of business.