TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE), BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, HON. R. HEATON RHODES.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, H-02

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1915. NEW ZEALAND.

TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE), BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, HON. R. HEATON RHODES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts Department to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,-' Wellington, Bth June, 1915. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts for the year ended the 31st March, 1915. , I have, &c, R. Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER OP TOURIST AND HEALTH EESOETS. Sir, — Wellington, Bth June, 1915. I have the honour to submit herewith my report for the year ended the 31st March, 1915. I have, &c, B. M. Wilson, General Manager. The Hon. E. Heaton Ehodes, Minister of Tourist and Health fiesorts. It might naturally be expected that the world-wide war now raging would cause an almost absolute cessation of tourist traffic to and within New Zealand. It has certainly for the time stopped nearly all traffic from overseas, but the fact that the revenue of the Department from all sources compares favourably with other normal years goes to show that, despite the many heavy calls on them in other respects, the people of New Zealand have still largely availed themselves of the opportunities placed in their way of visiting and enjoying the scenic attractions and health resorts of New Zealand. Tho decision of the Union Steamship Company to curtail the service between Melbourne and the Bluff has also had a detrimental effect on the Australian traffic. In place of a weekly steamer there is now only a three-weekly service. The actual revenue for the year was £26,630, a decrease of £3,477 compared with the previous season —£30,107. I-H, 2,

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The following statement gives in detail the revenue at the different resorts during the past two years, and the financial position of each : — Receipts for Department op Tourist and Health Resorts, Financial Years 1913-14 and 1914-15> 1914-15. L9lB-14. Te Aroha — £ £ Bath fees, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 834 936 Games, library fees, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 235 202 Tea-kiosk .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 147 121 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 101 80 1,317 1,339 Rotorua— Sanatorium fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,812 2,020 Out-patients' fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 531 407 Bath fees, pump-room, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 2,165 2,446 Dry massage and electrical treatment .. .. .. .. 595 632 Water-supply.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,496 1,540 Electric-light charges .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,418 3,237 Games, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 414 424 Round trip : Launch fares, guiding-fees, &c. .. .. .. 2,436 2,957 Sale of mineral waters .. .. . . .. .. . . 206 172 Launch licenses, wharfages, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 16 54 Sulphur royalties .. . . .. .. .. . . . . 177 Sales of old electrical plant .. .. .. .. .. .. 224 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 402 461 Miscellaneous . . . . .. .. . . . . . . 89 177 Trout-fishing and game-shooting fees .. .. .. .. 851 1,261 14,431 16,189 Waitomo Caves— Accommodation and admission charges, &c. .. .. .. 3,503 3,775 Hanmer Springs— Sanatorium fees (building destroyed by fire) .. .. .. 674 1,218 Bath fees, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 486 44.9 Tennis-players, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 74 82 Tea-house .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 156 156 Water-supply .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54 85 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .'. 82 71 Miscellaneous .. .. ... .. .. .. .. 48 27 1,574 2,088 Hermitage— Accommodation and guiding, &c. .. .. .. .. 3,015 2,853 Queenstown Park— Games, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 123 81 Glade House, Milford Track, and Te Anau steamer— Accommodation, guiding, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 587 721 Steamer .. ~ .. .. .. .. .. 199 486 786 1,207 Head Office— Sale of pamphlets, photographs, &c. .. .. .. .. 76 133 Advertising .. .. ~ .. .. .. .. 91 185 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 208 219 Commission on passenger bookings .. .. .. .. 1,498 1,962 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 68 1,881 2,567 £26,630 £30,107

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Schedule showing Financial Position at each Resort.

Note. —No allowance is made in these figures for iaterest on capital expenditure or for depreciation of plant or buildings. The expenditure during the year amounted to £49,823, against £48,4-62 for the previous year, an increase of £1,361. Following is a brief summary of the work carried out at each resort during the year, viz. : — Helensville. Considerable improvements have b'jen made at this resort. A n-w b:ith-building his besn erected with sixteen baths in accordance with the scheme recommended by the Government Bihv.o'.orist. The bowling, tennis, and croquet lawns have also been brought into first-class condition. The work has been carried out by the local Domain Board. Rotorua Sanatorium and Baths. The revenue derived from the sanatorium and baths during the year was £5,103, compared with £5,505 for the previous year, a decrease of £402, caused without doubt by the failure of overseas traffic, as the local traffic appeared hardly to be affected. Various improvements set out in the Balneologist's report have been made during the year, though naturally the full programme of projected additions and i mprovements has been curtailed or postponed. Rotorua Water-supply, Electric Light, and Power Systems. The receipts from the supply of electric energy to the town amounted to £3,418, against £3,237 for the former year, an increase of £171. Sixty-two new consumers were added during the year, bringing the total number of consumers to 550. The additional consumers, together with those who have added extra lights, make a total number of lights added during the year of 445. The energy distributed to consumers during the year totals 242,397 units, being an increase of 50,737 units on the previous total. That the plant at Okere Generating-station has been able to meet the increased demand is largely due to the additional meters installed, which have been effective in checking unnecessary consumption. The total numbers of units generated at Okere and distributed from the substation at Rotorua were 345,333 and 302,636 respectively. The Engineer's cottage at Okere, to replace the one destroyed by fire, has been completed, and is now occupied by the senior Shift Engineer. The distribution-mains have been extended in the suburban area to provide for new consumers. At the main baths a motor-generator set has been installed in connection with the high-frequency apparatus, which eliminates the time and labour necessary in the past to charge the accumulators. A new ironing-machine electrically driven was imported for the laundry. It has been installed, and is working satisfactorily. A motor for the mineral-water pump was also installed, ani has enabled a uniform pressure to be maintained. Rotorua Gardens and Reserves. The gardens attached to the sanatorium grounds have been carefully attended to during the year, and, although the continual dry weather experienced during a portion of the year has been a deterring factor, the gardens and playing-grounds have been throughout in a generally satisfactory condition. The courts have been so fully occupied throughout the playing season that it has been found quite impossible to give any of them a much deserved rest, and arrangements have therefore been made for breaking in a large additional area behind the main building, which will provide an ideal playing-spot and relieve the congestion which at times has resulted. The newly installed kitchen-garden has proved a great success—not only has the sanatorium been kept fully provided, but a large amount of vegetables, &c, has been sent to the hostelry at Waitomo Caves, resulting in considerable economy. Good work has also been done in clearing the Hamurana Reserve and the tracks along the river-bank, greatly to the appreciation of visiting anglers.

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Year 19:3-1.4. Year 19I4-I5. Resort. £ 3 ! g w fc. m 03 H O i o »,s H MB p H S W t« CO 3 »« ft 0> U ° S^ *s s U I" S , T EC rig ft 'S I 00 p.. ■f-H O I Te Aroha Rotorua .. Rotorua Acclimatization District Waitomo Caves Hanmer Springs Hermitage, Mount Cook Te Anau and Manapouri steamers, Glade House and Milford Track £ 1,339 14,928 1,261 3,775 2,088 2,853 1,207 £ 2,574 19,253 645 2,408 3,929 2,928 2,387 £ 1,235 4,325 1 .841 75 1.180 616 1,367 £ £ 1,317 13,580 851 3,503 1,574 3,015 786 £ 2,572 19,461 369 3,056 4,072 3,220 1,962 £ 5,881 £ 1,255 482 447 2,498 205 1,176 Queenstown 81 515 434 123 587 461

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Acclimatization . The trout-fishing generally in the Rotorua Acclimatization District has been good, and, although the average size of the fish has decreased somewhat, they are in much better condition. The average weights for the three principal lakes are : Rotorua, 2 lb.; Tarawera, 6 lb.; and Taupo, 5 lb. The general level of the lakes has been lower this year than formerly, and consequently fly-fishers have been better able to fish the streams. The supply, distribution, and liberation of trout-fry in this district has been carried out by the local officers of the Department of Internal Affairs. These have been distributed as follows : Te Wliaiti, 40,000 ; Ruatahuna, 20,000 ; Taumarunui, 50,000 ; Te Teko, 50,000 ; Galatea, 50,000 ; Tahanatara, 145,000 : total, 355,000. Eighty thousand fry were also liberated in Tauranga and 15,000 in To Puke districts. Both these districts are adjacent to the Rotorua Acclimatization District, and some of the streams are common to all three. Shooting. During the deer-shooting season several good heads were secured. The following statistics show actual results, viz. : Rotorua--Whakatane Counties, sixteen licenses issued, thirteen heads secured, ranging from ten to sixteen points ; Mahia Peninsula, one license issued, two heads secured ; Waikaremoana, six licenses issued, seven heads secured : making a total of twenty-two heads secured by twenty-three stalker's. During the y r ear eight young red deer were received from the game-farm at Paraparaumu, and these were distributed as follows : Mahia Peninsula, 1 stag ; Taumarunui, 1 stag and 1 hind ; Rotoiti, 2 hinds ; Okoreka, 1 stag and 1 hind ; Tokaanu, 1 stag. Some Satnbur deer (or Ceylon elk), comprising five hinds and one stag, were captured in the Foxton district, and liberated in the Rerewhakaitu district, where the principal landowners have undertaken to afford the deer reasonable protection. The shooting season for native and imported game was fairly successful, quail particularly being very plentiful. Nineteen cock and twenty-five hen pheasants were received from the Paraparaumu Gamefarm, and fourteen birds have been distributed in different parts of the district. The balance are at present in the pheasantry in the Government gardens, together with ten young birds which have been hatched and reared there. The district has been well ranged, with the exception of some outlying portions. Proceedings for breaches of the law were taken against twenty-six persons. Fines were inflicted amounting to £27, with costs £14. Several cases were dismissed on technical points, and the vigilance of the Ranger has had the effect of appreciably lessening the operations of the illegal, and putting matters on a more satisfactory footing for the genuine, sportsman. The new launch which has been built locally for the Ranger's use was put into the water in January, and has proved very efficient for ranging the lakes, and will be very useful for other departmental purposes. Te Aroha. Te Aroha does not seem to have suffered in popularity, despite the present adverse conditions, the revenue received from the resort being only £24 less than last year—£l,3l.6, against £1,340. The bath fees have decreased, but the playing-ground fees have considerably increased. No new bath-buildings were erected, but inprovements effected in the existing buildings, and a douche apparatus erected in the Cadman Bath-building on the lines of those in Rotorua. Various small improvements were made, and the buildings, gardens, and playing-greens kept in first-class order. Waitomo Caves. The Waitomo Caves revenue is a little less than last year, being £3,503, against £3,775 for last year. The last [few months of the financial year showed a considerable falling-off. The contemplated additions to the hostel were held in abeyance, though many minor improvements in and around the house were put in hand by the Manager and staff. Te Puia Hot Springs. Plans have been prepared of an up-to-date bath-building to replace the present structures, and, the necessary authority having been obtained from Cabinet, tenders are now being called for the erection of the building. Morere. Instructions have been given for the fencing of the valuable bush reserve to protect it from the encroachment of cattle, and also for the destruction of blackberries and other noxious weeds on the reserve. Waikaremoana. This resort has been well patronized during the year, and the house satisfactorily conducted by the lessees. The time has arrived for an extension to the present building and for improved drainage and lighting. Plans have been prepared by the Public Works Department providing for additions to the buildings and for a system of drainage to a septic tank. The question of going on with these alterations is at present under consideration. Hanmkr Springs. The business at Hanmer Springs has been largely affected by the fire which destroyed the sanatorium. The receipts have been £1,574, compared with £2,088 of last year. Arrangements were made

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after the fire to lease two houses in a suitable position for the purpose of a sanatorium, and the establishment has been kept going, though under great disadvantages to the staff. As the whole of the furniture in the old building was totally destroyed in the fire, a considerable expenditure has been necessary to equip the temporary premises, but the furniture has been bought with a strict idea of its suitability for the new sanatorium. The plans of this are now in the hands of the Public. Works Department, and will provide for a sanatorium on the most up-to-date lines possible. Hermitage, Mount Cook. The returns for this resort are very satisfactory. The erection of the new building (of which a photo is shown in the report) has had a very stimulating effect on the traffic. As I predicted in my last report, even the new building has at times been sorely taxed to find accommodation for the number of visitors, and the question of preparing plans to provide for an annexe to an extension of the hostel is now before the Public Works Department. The question must be faced sooner or later, and lam certain that the traffic to the alpine regions is now only in its infancy. Many improvements have been and are being effected which will add to the convenience of visitors and the attractions of the district. Chief among these was the erection of a convenient hut on the Mueller Glacier. This work, of the most arduous nature, was carried out entirely and in a most satisfactory manner by the members of the guiding staff. The hut commands a most comprehensive view of the whole glacier and surrounding peaks, and forms a base from which sixteen to eighteen fine ascents can be made, and also is the site of a splendid ski-ing ground. A Norwegian gentleman who visited the hut considered the runs up the Mueller and head of the Tasman were equal to the best in Norway. Had it not been for the unusual circumstances, a programme of winter sports would have been inaugurated at the Hermitage and Mueller this season. A high bivouac has also been erected at the Aimer Hocks, at the head of the Franz Josef Glacier in Westland, and will be a great convenience and help to people crossing from the West Coast by way of Graham's Saddle. A number have already done this striking trip, returning to the Hermitage by way of the Copland Pass, and a largely increased number is looked for next season. The hut at Welcome Flat (Copland Track) has also been fully equipped with bedding, cooking utensils, and other necessary articles. 'fhe guiding staff at the Hermitage has had a very strenuous season, and the work performed has been admirably carried out under great disadvantages. The guides (W. Brass and R. Young) who were filling the places of those lost in last season's fatality (D. Thomson and J. Richmond) both volunteered for service at the front, and one of them (Corporal William Brass) fell in action at the Dardanelles. Mr. Brass was one of the most promising and popular guides in the district. Dining the season the Chief Guide (Mr. Graham), who was recovering from a severe illness contracted in the course of his duty, and was therefore not able to do much high climbing, was ably assisted by Mr. C. Kain, Chief Guide of the Canadian Alpine Club, and a substantia] record of climbs was made. Following is a list compiled by the Chief Guide :—

List of Climbs on Southern Alps, Season 1914-15.

Date. Name of Peaks. Height. Climbed by Name of Guides. Remarks. ' | June 21 September 23 November 8 Dei-ember 23 28 Ft. Sealey .. .. ; 8,ti51 Elic de Beaumont. .. 10,200 Footstool .. .. , 9,073 Unnamed peak .. j 7,000 Sealey F. Milne and R. Young .. C. Kain and F. Milne 0. Kain and R. Young Mr. Sutten Turner Messrs. E. P. Lee, M.P., and Seannalland Walton Messrs. Slowman,Maughan, and Rov. Mr. Fisher Messrs. Lee and Walton .. Messrs. Slowman, Maughan, and Rev. Mr. Fisher Miss Lorimerand Mr. Wright Rev. Mr. Fisher.. F. Wright I First asoenl. First ascent. ! C. Kain. 29 Unnamed pnak on Sealey 8,200 Range Footstool .. .. • »J • ■ First- asoent. January 1 2 12 19 28 Mount Sealey .. .. j Mount, Mabel Mount Maunga Ma .. j 8,335 P. Graham. C. Kain. Also Eagle Peak. 8,500 ft. First ascent, made on same clay as St. D a v i d's Dome. February 3 Mount Beattie .. .. 9,000 Messrs. Hugh Chambers and F. Wright 3 5 St. David's Dome .. 10,443 Mount Sealey .. .. Ditto Professor Robinson and Mrs. Robinson Mrs. J. Thomson Without guide. 56 Unnamed peak on Mount' , 8,000 Saaley Unnamed peak on Mount I 8,287 Darby Mount Munga Ma Mount Walter .. .. 9,507 C. Kain. Messrs. Wright and Robert- ,. .) Mount Darwin .. 9,715 Aiguille Range. . .. 9,731 son Ditto Professor Robinson and Mrs. Robinson Professor Robinson and H. Chambers and Wright Ditto .. Professor Robinson H. Chambers and Miss IS. Holdsworth 11 12 Coronet Peak .. .. 8,265 Mount Meeson .. 8,704 Footstool .. .. 9,073 Munga Ma .. .. 8,335 F. Milne. C. Kain.

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List of Climbs on Southern Alps, Season 1914-15 — continued.

During the year four attempts were made to climb Mount Cook from the Hooker side, but, owing to weather and bad conditions, all ended in failure. Seven ascents, including four traverses, were made of Mount Annette (7,351 ft.) by the Sebastopol Ridge from the Mueller Hut; five ascents of the Hochstetter Dome (9,258 ft.), four crossings of the Ball Pass, one ascent of Harper's Saddle, six ascents and ten crossings of the Copland, and five crossings of Graham's Saddle were also made ; and excursions to the Tasman, Hooker, Mueller, Stocking Glaciers, Sebastopol, Sef ton Bivouac, and other interesting view-points were well patronized. Te Anau-Milford Track. The returns from the track have again been unsatisfactory, realizing only £786, against £1,207. This is the more disappointing from the fact that every effort has been made to put the track in firstrate order before the season opened, and a considerable expenditure incurred in so doing. The grass and scrub has been cleared off the track from end to end during the season, suspension bridge over the Arthur River replaced, culverts renewed and repaired through the whole length. An Evinrude engine was placed in the boat on Lake Ada and proved a great convenience. One has also been ordered for the boat on the Clinton River at Glade House, and will be available for trips up the Worsley Arm — one of the finest arms of Lake Te Anau. Many improvements have also been made at the huts, which are now in a very fine state of order. The steamer on the lake has had several improvements effected, and the wharves at Te Anau and the head of the lake have been put in a proper state of repair. Track—Milford to Wakatipu. A considerable amount of work has been done during the season to open up the Grave-Talbot Track from the head of Lake. Wakatipu by the Hollyford and Routeburn Valleys to Milford Sound. A party of four men, under an ex Mount Cook guide, was engaged for some months on the work, and has made very considerable progress in opening up what will eventually be one of the most popular round trips in New Zealand. Agencies and Passenger Bookings. With the decrease in business generally, the commission derived from this branch of business has fallen from £1,962 to £1,498. The total value of tours issued from the different agencies amounted to £37,878, compared with £44,251 last year. Sydney and Melbourne Agencies. The total bookings at Sydney were £2,421, compared with £3,015 for 1913-14 ; and Melbourno, £2,154, against £2,490. The commissions on booking business were —Sydney, £92 ; Melbourne, £76. The expenditure in Sydne} r was £800, and Melbourne £870, made up as follows : — Sydnoy. Melbourne. £ ' £ Rent .. .. .. .. .. .. ..372 300 Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. ..358 435 Miscellaneous .. .. .. • .. .. 70 135 The reports of the Melbourne and Sydney Agents are attached, and from them will be seen the varied work performed by them. They have been availed of by many Departments of State, and have invariably carried out their duties with the utmost satisfaction.

Date. .Name of Teaks, Height. Climbed by Namo of Guidos. Remarks. 'ebruary 16 Mount Sealey Ft. 7,350 F. Wright and Mr. Robertson F. Williams Mrs. J. Thomson '.. S. Turner, F.R.G.S. Without guide. 19 19 24 Mount Malte Brun 10,421 10,421 F. Milne. C. Kain. Mount Sealey First single ascent without guide. 25 Mounts Rosa, Mabel, Kin - sey, and Wakefield Mount Sealey F. Williams F. Milne. 27 8,651 Miss Theomin, Miss D. Chambers, and Mrs. P. Graham H. Chambers and Miss B. Holdsworih. S. Turner, F.R.G.S. P. Graham. 27 28 Mount Montgomery 7,654 C. Kain First ascent and traverse larch 1 Mount Spenco Glacier Dome 7,864 8,047 Miss Chambers, Miss Holdsworth, and Mrs. Graham Ditto .. Mrs. J. Thomson P. Graham. „ 3| 4 8 18 1 9 Mount Rosa Mount Kinsey Proud Peak Mount Blackburn Mount McKerrow Edith Peak Lane Nun's Veil 7,098 6,651. 7,540 7.835 8,072 7,800 8,000 8,975 Without guide. C. Kain. P. Graham. C. Kain First asoent S. Turner, F.R.G.S. Mrs. J. Thomson 27 | BO

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Advertising. The scenic resorts of New Zealand havebeen well advertised'throughout New Zealand and Australia during the year. Advantage was also taken of the Panama Exhibition to make a display in San Francisco papers, and this matter was placed in the hands of the New Zealand Commissioner (Mr. E. Clifton). A joint campaign was also entered on with the Railway Department for advertising in Australia, and it is hoped that the results may be satisfactory next season. An illustrated poster, descriptive of Rotorua and the thermal district, was prepared by this Department, and circulated by the Railway Department throughout New Zealand and Australia. Many copies were also sent to America, India, &c. Similar publications are now being prepared to advertise the alpine and cold-lakes districts. A complete collection of stags' heads and other sporting trophies and enlarged photographs of scenery were sent to the Panama Exhibition, and it is very pleasing to know that the exhibit has been described in many quarters as without a rival in its class in the whole Exhibition. Arrangements were also made to acquire a S3t of films, taken under the direction of Major-General Godley, of the New Zealand troops in their camp in Egypt. The necessary authority to purchase was cabled by your direction to Major-Gensral Godley, and the films should before long arrive in New Zealand, when arrangements will be made for their display in the different parts of the Dominion. During the year a volume on the mineral wateis and spas of New Zealand, by the Balneolog'st (Dr. Herbert), was published, and has been very widely distributed among the medical profession in New Zealand, Australia, and Europe. The work is a very complete one from the medical aspect, and should prove of g'eat value in bringing the properties of New Zealand waters before those most interested. Two thousand five hundred copies of the Balneolcg'st's pamphlet on the mineral wate:s and tourist resorts of New Zealand were reprinted. Ten thousand copies of a pamphlet on Rotorua, 5,000 of one en the Waitomo Caves district, 5,000 of one on Waikaremoana, and 10,000 copies of the "Itinerary of Travel" were also published and distributed through the Agencies of the Department. Ass'stance was also given to the publication and distribution of a pamphlet on Lake Wakatipu by the Dunedin Expansion League. Several of the Department's scenic maps were also republished during the year. The various steamship companies trading to New Zealand have been very fully supplied with literature, and the Department's itinerary of travel has been kept up to date and widely circulated. Details of advertising in Australia are given in Mr. Manson's repoit attached.

REPORT OF RESIDENT OFFICER, ROTORUA. Rotorua, 4th June, 1915. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st March, 1915. The work during the year has been normal and uneventful. Among the new permanent works the following items may be mentioned : Six new ferro-concrete culverts have been made opposite various business premises, and 20 chains of concrete kerbing and channelling have been laid in Pukuatua and Hinemoa Streets. In course of general maintenance-work eight wooden culverts have been laid at points where business or property interests were not sufficiently permanent to warrant ferro-concrete work. Worn-out asphalt footpaths to the extent of 872 ft. have been picked up and relaid, while 1,188 ft. of existing asphalt footpaths have been recoated with tar and sand. Some 495 cubic yards of soft local metal and 255 yards of metal from Te Kuiti or Te Aroha were laid on various streets. 133 chains of soft pumice roads were reformed with the County Council's road-machine, at an average cost of 3s. 6d. per chain. About 6 acres of the rubbish-tip and nightsoil-depot, which was infested with blackberries and other noxious weeds, was ploughed up, and, after the necessary disking and harrowing, was sown in oats, and yielded a fair crop. Apart from the improvement in appearance, this area of land will be useful for augmenting our supply of horse-feed, or, if loft in grass, will be a resting-paddock for any of the horses. In view of the unfavourable seasons experienced during the last few years, the yield of hay from the various local reserves has been so poor that additional cultivable land has become an absolute necessity. Town Morgue. This building was given to the town by the Department, but the cost of moving it to the selected site, and the internal renovation to fit it for its purpose, was borne by the Town Account. Town Clock. The new post-office with clock-tower having been erected, the Seddon Memorial Clock, which had been purchased in England with money raised by public subscription, was duly installed, the Government defraying the cost of a set of chimes. The clock keeps excellent time, and is a most useful adjunct to the town. Its maintenance is a charge against the Town Account. Fire-prevention. The personnel of the Board remains unchanged. The Board having decided after much consideration to purchase a motor hose-tender, negotiations are now in progress, and the machine will be available for use at an early date. The Board's levy on the Town Account was £282, to meet which a rate of Jd. per pound was levied on the value of improvements.

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Hospital and Charitable Aid. The levy made on the Town Account by the Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for year ended 31st March, 1915, amounted to £250 2s. 5d., which was met by a rate of id. per pound struck on the capital value. Progress of the Town. The unsettled condition'of the money-market consequent on the war is reflected in the lull in building operations this year as compared with last year. There were only twenty-six permits issued for new buildings and alterations to existing ones, the total value of buildings affected being £5,835. The total capital value of the town is £503,002. Wm. Hill, Resident Officer. The General Manager. Wellington. Rotorua Town Balance-sheet for Year ended 31st March, 1915. General Account. Receipts. Expenditure. £ s. il. £ s. d, £ s. d. £ i. d. Balance at 31st March. 1914 ~ 232 4 7 Administration— Treasury— Salaries .. .. 302 10 0 Bath fees .. ..1,16118 4 Printing and advertising .. 2 13 Rents of Crown lauds .. 2,017 11 II Audit .. .. .. 6 0 0 Foes and fines (Magistrate's Bank charges .. .. 010 0 Court) .. . . 16 12 6 Bank interest on overdraft 015 0 —3,196 2 9 Office, expenses .. .. 13 11 0 Fees— 325 7 3 Nightsoil service .. .. 306 15 8 Public works— Public pound .. .. 69 15 I Maintenance of streets and Dog registration . . .. 39 15 0 roads (labour and material) 2,971 2 2 416 5 9 Street-lighting .. .. 157 10 0 Licenses— 3,128 12 2 Building permits.. .. 22 0 0 Nightsoil service— Vehicle .. .. 55 10 0 Labour '.. .. 216 5 6 Drivers' .. .. 5 2 0 Fodder and plant .. 78 10 6 Publicans' .. .. 190 0 0 294 16 0 Plumbers' .. 0 15 0 Public pound— Auctioneers' .. .. 28 3 4 Labour .. .. 13 10 0 Billiard-room .. . . 14 0 0 Fodder and advertising .. 46 10 5 Hall .. .. .. 17 0 0 60 0 5 Second-hand dealers' .. 015 0 Public health— Hoardings .. .. 414 0 Sanitary inspection .. 80 0 0 Shows .. .. .. 10 0 0 Public morgue (internal fitHawkers' .. .. 10 0 tings) .. .. 114 15 0 348 19 4 194 15 0 Rents— Public library— Real property .. .. 27 6 0 Salary .. .. .. 60 0 0 Boat-shed compartments .. 12 10 0 Books and papers .. 28 0 0 Explosive-magazines .. 7 3 9 Telephone, &o. .. .. 26 7 1 46 19 9 114 7 1 Public library— Licensing-expenscs—Tauranga Subscriptions .. .. 46 18 9 County Council .. .. .. 28 3 7 Rents .. .. .. 51 3 4 Miscellaneous— 98 2 1 Tauranga County Council — Material sold .. .. .. 4 13 9 Grant from Government Contributions to works .. .. 60 19 6 to meet claim on adjust[solation Hospital—Foes re- mont of accounts when covered from patients .. .. 2 0 0 Rotorua County was Miscellaneous — created in 1887 .. 100 0 0 Native village revenue .. 3 16 Maintenance of town clock Legal fees recovered .. Oil. 0 (101 days) .. .. 4 3 10 Sale of by-laws and badges 0 12 0 Guides' badges .. .. 12 8 Refund, rail freight .. 4 0 8 Ground rent, Section 39, „ wages .. .. 410 4 suburbs .. .. 4 0 0 ~ witness's expenses 0 6 0 Insurance, fire and accident 41 17 1 ~ overpayment .. 10 0 Dog registration .. .. 13 13 6 14 I 6 164 17 1 Penalty— Credit balance at 31st 10 per cent, on overdue rates .. 4 6 1 March, 1915 .. .. 113 16 6 £4,424 15 1 £4,424 15 1 Wm. Hill, 4th June, 1915. Resident Officer, Rotorua. Separate Account. No. 1. Hospital and Charitable Aid Rate Account. Receipts. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Rates, 1912-13 .. .. 319 7 I Debit balance at 31st March, 1914 .. 416 2 „ 1913-14 .. .. 33 6 5 ! Waikato Hospital Board .. .. 250 2 5 „. 1914-15 .... .. 147 11 7 i Printing and advertising .. .. 310 3 184 17 7 ! Postages .. .. .. .. 0 10 7 Debit balance at 31st March, 1915 .. 74 1 10 £258 19 5 £258 19 5

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SOUTHERN ALPS.

P. Graham, photo.]

The Hermitage.

Mount McKerrow (on the left) and other Peaks.

S. Turner, photo.']

Unclimbed Peaks in the Landsborough, from Summit of Mount McKerrow.

S. Turner, photo.]

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SOUTHERN ALPS.

8'. Turit<'.)\ photo. |

Mount Hopkins and Mount McKerrow.

8. Turner, photo.]

Mount Hopkins.

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SOUTHERN ALPS.

Mounts Vampire and Burns.

8. Turner, photo.]

Mount Burns, from the Landsborough.

8. Turner, photo.]

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Southern Alps from Malte Brun Range.

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Southern Alps from Sealy Range.

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Rotorua Town Balance-sheet for Year ended 31st March, 1915- —continued. Separate Account —continued. No. 2. FIRE-PREVEKTION Rate ACCOUNT. Receipts. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Rotorua Fire Board .. .. .. 257 11 6 Credit balance, 31st March, 1914.. .. 70 I 9 Printing and advertising .. .. 310 3 Rates, 1912-13 .. .. 2 5 1 Postages .. .. .. .. 010 8 1913-14 .. .. 51 7 0 Credit balance at 31st March, 1915 .. 0 12 1 „ 1914-15 .. .. 138 10 8 192 2 9 £262 4 6 £262 4 6 JNo. 3. Rotorua Cemetery Account (Section 55, Cemeteries Act, 1908). Receipts. Expenditure. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Maintenance .. .. .. .. 76 14 5 Credit balance, 31st March, 1914.. .. 50 1 4 Bank charges .. .. .. .. 010 0 Fees for exclusive right of burial.. 26 0 0 Balance, 31st March, 1915 .. .. 27 211 „ ordinary burial .. 28 6 0 — 54 0 0 £104 7 4 £104 7 4 Statement of Balances, Accounts. Balances. £ s. d. £ s. d Crodit— £ s. d. £ 8. d. General Account .. Or. 113 16 6 Rotorua Town Account .. 114 6 4 Separate Account No. 2 .. 012 1 Less outstanding cheques .. 81 18 11 No. 3 .'. 27 2 II 32 7 5 14111 6 Cemetery Account .. .. .. 14 17 11 No. 1 .. Dr. 74 110 Cash in hand . . 20 4 4 £67 9 8 £67 9 8 Wm. Hill, 4th June, 1915. Resident Officer, Rotorua. Statement of Assets and Liabilities. Assets. Liabilities. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Outstanding accounts .. .. .. 193 18 5 General Account —Bank .. 114 6 4 Outstanding cheques—General Account .. 81 18 11 Cemetery Account —Bank .. 14 17 11 Balance, being excess of assets over liabilities 2,946 16 0 Cash in hand .. .. 20 4 4 149 8 7 Oustanding accounts— Kerbing and channelling .. 45 3 8 Tar and explosives .. 10 2 Rents— Boat-shed compartments .. 22 10 0 Roal property (houses and sections) .. 14 9 8 Explosive-magazines .. 111 3 Isolation Hospital fees ..5150 Library— Rent of room (Waiariki Maori Land Board) .. 7 10 0 Education Board, Auckland 610 0 Rail fares paid to indigent persons, and recoverable from Charitable Aid Boards 2 3 7 Nightsoil fees .. .. 254 9 3 361 2 7 Outstanding rates — Hospital and Charitable aid and fireprevention .. .. .. 215 2 2 Estimated— Library building and furniture 725 0 0 Nightsoil - depot (building and plant) .. .. .. 155 0 0 Pound cottago .. .. 155 0 0 General working plant .. 480 0 0 Rowing-club shed .. .. 450 0 0 Fencing, &c, Marino Parade 100 0 0 Fencing, &c, gravel-pit reserve 42 0 0 Office furniture and plant .. 170 0 0 Cemetery Chapel .. .. 130 0 0 Benzene-magazine .. 90 0 0 2,497 0 0 £3,222 13 4 £3,222 13 4 Wm. Hill, 4th June, 1915. Resident Officer, Rotorua.

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REPORT OF THE BALNEOLOGIST, ROTORUA. Rotorua, 13th April, 1915. I have the honour to present my annual, report for year ended 31st March, 1915. I have to report that our business at the baths for the year, while being below the average, has been by no means as bad as I anticipated would be the case; a decrease was.naturally expected after the outbreak of war. , As a set-off to diminished receipts, expenditure has been curtailed as far as possible, and a number of projected additions and improvements have been held over, the only structural additions being those to the women's wing of the sanatorium, which were already in hand, and which were greatly needed. The old ward has been divided into cubicles, a large veranda has been made into a semi-open-air ward, increasing the accommodation by four beds, so that the total accommodation at the sanatorium is now thirty-four beds. A modern lavatory has been added, and a sunny open-air sittingroom provided. The similar additions to the men's wing which had been approved have been held in abeyance. At the baths the only addition worthy of mention has been the installation of an apparatus, ordered before the war, for the impregnation of drinking-water with radium emanation. This has a capacity of about fifty doses of 1,000 Mache unit strength per diem, and, so far as I am aware, is the first of its kind in Australasia, though very widely used now in England- So far as my experience yet goes it has proved successful, and a number of patients, especially diabetics and gouty cases, have been sent to Rotorua for the express purpose of taking this water. Apart from the baths, the year has been one of exceptionally hard and trying work, chiefly on account of the epidemic of enteric fever amongst the Maoris, which started last winter, continued through the spring and early summer, and which happily now appears to have died out. The disease, unfortunately, attacked several of the nurses attending the sick, and we have to deplore the death of the Matron, Miss Pownall, from this cause. Energetic measures were taken to cope with the epidemic, and recently 356 Natives submitted to anti-typhoid inoculation and 269 to reinoculation, a total of 625 injections. The Cottage Hospital has been almost always busy, and has fulfilled its purpose of meeting the emergency needs of the district. Finally, I would wish to thank the staff of the baths, office, sanatorium, and hospitals for their ungrudging and loyal co-operation. Arthur S. Herbert, Government Balneologist. The General Manager, Wellington. Statistics. 1914-15. 1913-14. £ s. d. £ s. d. Sanatorium .. .. .. .. 1,763 12 3 2,019 14 9 Baths and mineral water .. .. .. 2,349 3 6 2,587-5 1 Massage and special treatments . . . . 594 10 6 632 3 0 Out-patients' fees .. .. .. .. 531 6 0 407 0 6 I'ump-room . . .. .. . . 27 7 9 32 0 0 Games, camera, &c, tennis-balls .. .. 414 19 0 439 14 9 Tea .. .. .. .. .. 6 3 6 8 II 3 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 55 7 3 10 19 10 Totals .. .. .. 5,742 9 9 6,137 9 2 Summary of miscellaneous— £ s. d. Board and lodging (Rennell and Findlay) .. .. .. 50 12 3 Rent .. .. .. .. .. .. ..450 Dr. Wohlmann's book .. , .. .. .. 010 0 £55 7 3 Arthur S. Herbert, Government Balneologist. -— 1 REPORT OF THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT AGENT, MELBOURNE. Mr. H. J. Manson reports as follows : — I have the honour to submit my annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1915. In reviewing the work carried on at these offices for the above-mentioned period it is distinctly gratifying, in face of the most adverse conditions experienced —at any rate, in the second half of the twelve months under review-—to be able to report steady progress and such satisfying results. The scope of our operations has expanded year by year, until we have become an indispensable link between the Commonwealth and the Dominion. In the early years following the establishment of this Agency it was looked upon as a tourist bureau pure and simple, but that impression has been lived down; and to-day, by Federal and State politicians, by the Press, and by the great mercantile community, we are consulted on every conceivable topic in any way relating to New Zealand's politics, commerce, public institutions, and matters of general interest.

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1 am more than pleased to report only a very small falling-off in the booking receipts as compared with last year. There is no doubt that, although owing to the war we have lost for the time being a great number of European tourists, we have secured visits to our islands from quite a number of Australians who otherwise would have visited the Home-land, Egypt, and the Riviera. 1 have more than once during the year drawn attention to the scanty steamship service between Melbourne and the Bluff. Formerly we had no difficulty in booking visitors right through from Mcl bourne via the South when we could depend on the regular weekly service going and coming. Now there is one solitary boat in three weeks, and a second-rater at that. This has militated against our returns, in spite of which our figures for the year are £2,281 25., against £2,553 3s. Id. for the term covered in my last annual report. I venture to express the hope that this disability under which we labour will be removed at the first possible moment, as well in our interests as in those of shippers and of the travelling public. I did not think it advisable to utilize the whole of the amount allotted to me for advertising purposes, in view of the lateness of the season and the fact that the results likely to accrue would probably not lie commensurate with the expenditure involved, partly by reason of what has turned out to be the most severe drought ever experienced and that the war fever has sunk everything in the nature of an advertising campaign into insignificance. I cannot refrain from quoting a few lines from a recent editorial in the Melbourne Age as follows : " The New Zealand and Tasmanian Governments appeal to tourists from almost every hoarding throughout the cities of Australia ; they post up pictures of mountains and streams, and of vast hauls of fish said to have been made by visiting anglers. To the island State, ordinarily thought to be a sleepy hollow, and to New Zealand, the tourist traffic, chiefly from the mainland of Australia, is worth scores of thousands a year. Railway and coach revenue and private business gain enormously." The systematic distribution of literature has been more than usually well carried out, and I have had, perhaps, even better supplies from the Head Office than formerly; and shipping offices, public libraries (even as far as Durban, Natal), doctors' and dentists' waiting-rooms, leading hotels, and in fact every resort where the public " most do congregate " have been amply supplied with reading-matter. In this connection I was enabled to procure without cost a further edition of the very successful brochure " Maoriland," revised and brought thoroughly up to date. The Melbourne edition ran to 8,000 copies, and the original contributions from Sir John Madden, Professor Rentoul, Lord Plunket, and Professor Baldwin Spencer, whoso beautiful illustrations we again used, were retained. I also put the man responsible for the cost of production, which was considerable, in touch with our Sydney Agent, with a view to his arranging for a similar issue. The Dominion Day function at the Agency has now become something of a social event, and this year the attendance was larger than ever, and for the first time was graced by the presence of ladies. Congratulatory speeches were made on the, occasion by the Lord Mayor, of Melbourne, Sir David Hennessy, Senator Pearce, Federal Minister of Defence, and the Russian Consul-Genoral. All the foreign Consulates in Melbourne displayed their national flags as a mark of respect to the Dominion. Amongst those for whom I have have made arrangements for a trip through the Dominion are the Right Hon. Andrew Fisher, the British Trade Commissioner, G. T. Milne Esq., and Mr. S. G. Hart, of the Indian Civil Service. Matters relating to Customs and commerce generally will be treated in my trade report to the Department of Agriculture, and need not be recapitulated here, though I may be allowed to refer in conclusion to the fact that other Government Departments—notably those controlling Immigration, Lands for Settlement, Customs, Mining, and Defence—are making more and more use of the facilities afforded by this Agency as time progresses. REPORT OF THE NEW ZEALAND GOVERNMENT AGENT, SYDNEY. • The Agent (Mr. W. R. Blow) reports as follows : — On the Ist July the office was removed from 339 George Street to Bull's Chambers, 14 Moore Street. The offices are very excellently situated, being in one of the main streets of the town, and only one minute's walk from the General Post Office. The rent of these premises is £250 per annum, as against £800 per annum paid for the old offices ; the saving in rent that was made in taking these offices is therefore £550 per annum. A saving of over £50 per annum was also made in the cost of cleaning and lighting, thus making a total saving of over £600 per annum. Booking Tourists. In connection with the booking of tourists to and through the Dominion, I regret to report that the money taken at this office is £671 17s. 6d. less than the amount taken for the previous year. Our experience has not been exceptional, as the Union Steamship Company, the Huddart- Parker Steamship Company, and Messrs. Thomas Cook and Son have each suffered a great falling-off in their New Zealand passenger business since the outbreak of war. The following figures will no doubt be found interesting : — . Year, 1913-14. Year, 1914-15. Number of persons booked .. .. 191 156 Amount of money received for bookings £2,952 18s. lid- £2,281 Is. sd. Immigration. Over three hundred foreigners were examined during the year, with a view to seeing if they could pass the education test as prescribed by the Immigration Restriction Act. Of this number, 276 were successful, and certificates were consequently issued to them.

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Advertising. During the year the two hoarding advertisements at the Agricultural Showground and at Katoomba have been continued, and space taken in a " Guide " of a leading city hotel. An excellent advertisement was obtained in the shape of a number of photographic enlargements of the Southern Alps, which the Kodak Company exhibited without charge in the windows of their Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Adelaide branches. I also issued and distributed throughout the Commonwealth some thousands of " Guides " descriptive of Kew Zealand. In this case the result was most gratifying, as, although the booklets have been only a few months in circulation, they have already been the direct means of securing £.120 worth of business; the total cost of the "Guides" to the Department was £4 4s. Work carried out on behalf of other Government Departments. Quite a feature of the work carried on at this office during the year has been the amount of business performed for other Government Departments in New Zealand. Work has been carried out at the request of all the principal Departments, including Immigration, Customs, Defence, Public Works, Postal, and Internal Affairs. lam pleased to state that the office has also been very largely availed of by persons desirous of obtaining information on matters dealing with Customs tariff, immigration, taxation, labour laws, settling, defence, patent laws, and statistics. Much of the increase in this branch of the work is due to the regulations that the Government have found it necessary to draw up on account of the war. Other Departments not affected by the war have apparently found it advisable to use this office more than hitherto. Dominion Day in Sydney. On Dominion Day a luncheon was given on behalf of the New Zealand Government, aud I am pleased to state that it proved a great success. General. During the year advantage was taken of every opportunity of advertising New Zealand by distributing literature, lending magic-lantern slides, and loaning framed photographs. The drought that has been affecting Australia for some considerable time past caused many persons to make inquiries about settling in New Zealand. Most of these inquirers were farmers and artisans, and in each case full information was given, and many intimated their intention of settling in the Dominion.

jpproxiiiuite Cost of I'aiier.— Pre) avation, nor, «iven ; printing (1,100 copies, including illustrations), £82 15a,

Authority : John Mackax, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ls.

Price 9d.]