DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, HON. W. NOSWORTHY.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1924 Session I, H-02

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19-24. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE) BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, HON. W. NOSWORTHY.

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

Tho Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts Department to His Excellency the Governor-General. My Lord, — Wellington, 2nd June, 1924. 1 have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts for the year ended 31st March, 1924. I have, Ate, W. Noswoimiy, Minister of Tourist and. Health Resorts. His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER OK TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. Sir,— Wellington, Ist May, 1924. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st March, J924. I have, &c, B. M. Wilson, General Manager. The Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. ANNUAL REPORT. On the whole the Department has had one of the most successful and busy seasons in its history, and is steadily growing in public popularity. In accordance with instructions received from you. every effort has been made during the past few seasons to curtail expenditure, consistent with adequate management and maintenance of our tourist resorts. The expenditure during the past year amounted to £60,445, as against £59,647 for the previous year, a slight increase of £798, whereas the receipts from all sources totalled £45,704, as against £40,246 for the previous year, an increase of £5,458. The excess of expenditure over receipts for the; past year, £14,741, is, with the exception of the year 1916-17, the lowest on record since the inception of the Department, and is a decrease of £28,000 on that of the year showing the greatest excess, 1920-21. In the past four years the expenditure has been decreased by £33,275. The passenger-booking system continues to maintain its popularity, and the Department has had a busy time during the year attending to the many inquiries regarding tho various tourist resorts. The bureaux in the various centres have been largely used by visitors and our own people, who appreciate the value of the information supplied and the conveniences afforded them. In this connection it may be of interest to you to know that since the inauguration of the scheme the amount of cash taken in the Department's bureaux in New Zealand has amounted to £664,824. During the year the Department made an innovation by opening a bureau on the west coast of the South Island, and an officer has been stationed at Greymouth in suitable premises. The results so.far have been quite encouraging, and on the success or otherwise of this agency will depend further similar extensions in other parts of New Zealand. Various motor companies—mostly in tho South Island —have combined together to further the tourist traffic to New Zealand, and it is understood that representatives of the combination will in the near future tour Great Britain, United States of America, Franco, and other world centres with an exceptionally fine selection of moving pictures depicting the scenic attractions of New Zealand. The Department is co-operating in every possible way with, this organization, whose efforts are sure to result in a much increased number of tourists to New Zealand. As mentioned elsewhere, we are setting our house in order by increasing the, accommodation at our resorts. We have, of course,

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nothing to do with the hotel or other accommodation in the main cities ; but when the expected large influx of tourists comes to our country I hope it will be found there is nothing lacking in this respect. Advertising; . In addition to the usual advertising-work, new booklets have been published on Waitomo and Te Aroha. Assistance has also been rendered various progressive leagues with their publications. Lantern-slides numbering 3,277, and photographs 2,165, have been lent to lecturers in all parts of the world. New enlarged panoramic photographs have boon sent to Honolulu, San Francisco, Vancouver, South Africa, and the different agencies in Australia. Arrangements have, been made with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company to distribute the Department's folders through their different offices in Canada, and a large supply of panoramic, photographs has been supplied the company. A request has just been received from tho manager for a further collection of these. It hasL been interesting to note the largely increasing number of visitors from the Eastern world : a great many from India, China, Java, the Straits Settlement, &c, have called at and availed themselves of the services of the bureaux. The number of arrivals in New Zealand describing themselves as " tourists " up to 31st March last was 7,522. The previous year there were 6,588.

Statement showing Financial Position at Main Resorts.

Return of Receipts. The following table shows the receipts of the Department from all sources from 1917-18: — 1917-18. 1918-19. ,1919-20. 1920-21. 1921-22. 1922-23. 1923-24. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Receipts .. .. 32,935 33,689 42,218 ■ 51,038 50,822 40,246 45,704 Return of Expenditure. The following is a comparison of the expenditure for tho past six years : — 1918-19. 1919-20. 1920-21. 1921-22. 1922-23. . 1923-24. £ £ £ £ £ £ Consolidated Fund .. ..53,656 68,858 93,720 86,944 59,647 60,445 Public Works Fund .. .. 1,620 6,194 19,041 17,996 5,435 27,264 The following is a summary of the work of the Department at the different resorts under its control :— New Works. It has been for a long time apparent that additional accommodation is required at some of the Department's resorts, notably Waitomo Caves, where many intending visitors have had to be turned away and the stay of others curtailed. In accordance with your instructions, plans have been prepared for large extensions to the present building at Waitomo, which should, if the necessary funds are provided, meet requirements there for many years, and I am at present dealing with the question of the provision of tennis-courts, bowling-greens, and, possibly, golf-links at Waitomo. Arrangements have been made with the Public Works Department for the lighting of the Hostel and the caves by electric power, provision being made that tho stalactite and other formations in the caves are protected from injury by the wiring. Plans have also been prepared for extensive alterations and additions to the Waikaremoana Accommodation-house ; Te Anau Hotel; and provision has been made for improvements to the tracks and huts in the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers districts. In view of the great agitation from, settlers and others interested as to the depredations of rod deer on their properties, and the necessity of drastic action being taken in this respect, it was decided to set an example to other acclimatization societies in this direction, and all restrictions on the shooting of red deer in the open season were removed in tho Rotorua district. It is too early yet to form an estimate of the results of this policy, but the matter will be referred to in my next annual report. The effect of the alteration is that any holder of a license may shoot as many animals (stags or hinds) as desired, without regard to the number of points on the antlers. There have,, however, been complaints from stalkers as to the scarcity of deer, and it is possible that some of the reports as to the size and depredations of the local herds have been exaggerated. There is reason to believe that there has been in some places an indiscriminate slaughter of animals for their skins.

Year 1! i2:s-2+. Year 1922-23. Resort. 4 a, o p c a M S t, w »S 3, • sg-B •Jo eg " •W c =d rr O M " ? S oj > h r-. ~ o M I i o» ■ ■4-! o h g » 2i s * = Te Aroha Rotorua Rotorua Acclimatization District . . Waitomo Caves Lake House, Waikaremoana, Quoenstown Glade House and Te Anau- Milford Track £ 1,568 26,041 2,128 7,280 1,287 222 2,101 £ 3,055 31,255 751 3,780 1,426 738 2,698 £ 1,487 5,214 £ 1,377 3,500 £ 1,489 22,876 1,677 6,143 1,240 217 1,467 £ 3,106 28,463 1,060 3,983 1,732 747 1,940 £ 1,617 5,587 £ 617 2,160 139 516 51)7 492 530 473

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Rotorua. Revenue. —The general revenue from all sources shows an increase of about £3,616 on the figures of the previous year. Tho increase is mainly in electrical supply revenue, but other sources, such as sale of fishing licenses, sanatorium fees, passenger booking, and miscellaneous revenue, show increases. Gardens. —Two pieces of waste ground, lying respectively between the Queen's Drive and the kitchen-garden, and the laundry and Hincmoa Drive, have been cleared of shrub and dug over. The long dry season experienced in the summer, coupled with the friable nature of our soil, caused the surface of the grass tennis-courts to break up badly. An experiment is being made with two of the grass-courts in the matter of laying down a coating, 3 in. deep, of volcanic deposit from Tarawera. This deposit is of an adhesive quality, and it is hoped that a hard smooth surface will be obtained, and thus overcome a condition that is a continual source of complaint from tennis-players. Electrical. —The outstanding feature of the year's operations has been the establishment of an auxiliary plant in the form of a Diesel engine of 240 b.h.p., directly coupled to an alternator of 187 K.V.A. capacity, generating at 3,000 volts. The auxiliary plant was purchased from the To Aroha Borough Council, and has been housed and set up on a site on the Wairba Road. The plant is now in operation, and has enabled us to supply the full need of all requirements. The number of units generated at Okero during the year was 759,219, and the number of consumers at 31st March was 1,005. Water-supply. —The work of replacing the wooden mains with cast-iron ones is still in progress. As regards the town proper, the replacement has been completed, and the only wooden mains now in existence are a portion of the main delivery from the reservoir to a point near Whakarewarewa. The iron pipes for replacement of this portion are now on the ground, and the work is in progress. It has at present reached a point half-way between Whakarewarewa and the Homo Gorge. Drainage. —This system is far from satisfactory in certain portions of the town, more particularly those portions where sulphur is most prevalent in the soil. The action of the sulphur has a disintegrating effect on the cement at the pipe-joints and the brickwork on the manholes. Blockages are frequent, necessitating the opening-up of the sewer at various points to effect clearances. This affords clear evidence of serious trouble at tho pipe-joints ; and tho matter is being investigated by the engineering staff of tho Public Works Department, with a view to remedial measures being devised and undertaken. Acclimatization. Fish. —The most noteworthy feature of this section is the wonderful improvement in the condition of the trout found in Lake Taupo and its contiguous streams. The two closing months of last season (April and May, 1923) yielded good sport to anglers from all the waters in this district, and gave promise of even better conditions for the opening of the present season (October, .1923, to May, 1924). These expectations have been ampty justified, and the wonderfully fine specimens which have been secured at Taupo are the theme of general comment, and have been the subject of many Press notices. Some splendid specimens have been mounted and sent to the British Empire Exhibition, so the fact that the fishing in the Rotorua district is at present equal to what it was in the palmy days of some fifteen years ago has been made known in many parts of the world by the spread of this knowledge, which must eventually be a considerable feature in inducing anglers from overseas to come here. Indeed, this result has become an accomplished fact during the past season, as the number of anglers from overseas has appreciably increased. Their catches have given them the utmost satisfaction as regards numbers, weight, and condition of fish. Last season trout from 11 lb. to 191b. were caught, while this season definitely ascertained catches of an average of 9-| lb., 1.1 lb., and 12 J lb. have been secured. Individual fish weighing 201 lb. have been caught, and it is expected that even this will be exceeded before the present season closes. An angler found a fish stranded during a heavy flood in the Tongariro River (feeding Lake Taupo) which scaled 261b., and doubtless that angler's life-long regret will be that he had not the opportunity of catching it. The fishing in Lake Rotorua has not yielded such abnormal, catches, but it has maintained a very good average, particularly at the mouths of the different fishing-streams, while many have been caught on the fly. The average weight of the fish was from 7 lb. to 8 lb. The fish, taken from tho various other lakes of the thermal region have been in good average condition. Okataina and Rotoma trout, though fairly large in size, and of good flesh, are not very numerous. Owing to the absence of suitable spawning-streams feeding these two lakes, it will be necessary to stock more heavily next season. Reports received from Lake Waikaremoana show that there was good fishing in both lake and river in that district, and several trout weighing over 10 lb. were caught in the smaller lake, Waikareiti. The Department's policy of annually stocking these waters with fresh trout-fry will be continued for a further period in order to bring the fish to a still higher standard. The river fishing has been only fair, though the Whakatane and Tarawera Rivers yielded some fine trout, while tho Rangitaiki River is now attracting the attention of many anglers. This is one of our finest trout-streams, and when it is properly stocked will provide very fine fishing, particularly in its upper reaches. This will also apply to its tributary stream, the Whirinaki River, which flows through the Galatea and Te Whaiti country. This will be stocked with fresh fry during the season. Deer-shooting. —The deer-shooting season closed on the 26th April, 1923, and some very fine heads were secured by a number of licensees. Only four of the various herds were open for stalking. The Tokaanu herd area was opened for the first time, with a limitation of three licenses only, allowing two stags per license, with not less than ten points. This is a young herd which was established ten years ago, the animals being bred from the famous English deer of Warnham Court, and the opinion of those who shot over the Tokaanu herd was that if it were properly stocked and culled it would prove one of the best herds in the Dominion. The best head was a magnificent sixteen-pointer, shot by Mr. R. Levin, of Feilding. The Galatea herd, which was closed in 1922 and well culled, yielded good sport, a limit of fourteen licenses, and two stags being allowed per license. Several twelve- and fourteen-point heads and one of fifteen points were obtained, and the general condition of both heads and stags was distinctly good. The whole of the Galatea deer-country is ideal for the purpose, and the herd is now spreading down the

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bush country between the Rangitaiki and Whakatane Rivers. Deer are also to be seen in the large basin which lies between the upper Rangitaiki and Whirinaki Rivers. These localities will undoubtedly become tho future homo of the deer, and the heavy bush country will give greater protection to the animals than the more open country adjacent to the homestead. The Okareka herd, described by certain local sportsmen as being of an inferior typo and valueless, was nevertheless well patronized. Owing to complaints from settlers as to damage done to their cultivations by deer, four stags and one hind were allowed to each licensee. The herd was thus heavily shot over, and some good heads wore secured on the outskirts of the bush land, the best being a fifteen-pointer. As a result of the heavy shooting, most of the stags seen were young, the older animals having been shot. The Rotoiti herd is fast becoming scattered owing to sawmilling operations and closer settlement. Some heavy heads of good quality were shot, and Mrs. Grace Brown, of Pongakawa, secured a wellshaped fourteen-pointer. Tho Waikaremoana herd was also opened, the limit being three stags per license, and one of the finest heads over got from the Waikaremoana forest was shot by Mr G. Ormond, of the Marau country. The Mahia herd, the oldest established one in the Rotorua district, was closed last year, and heavily culled by Messrs. Ormond. .Bros. Feathered Game (Native).— -The game-shooting season opened on the Ist May, 1923, for a period of two months. It proved to be the wettest season on record for many years, and the swamps and lakes were, flooded to a greater extent than usual. Many sportsmen procured limit bags of native game, of which the grey duck was the most plentiful. The black teal and black swan were also numerous, and though the turnstono and golden plover wore not plentiful, good bags of godwits (kuaka) wore obtained on the coast and estuaries or lagoons in Whakatane and Wairoa Counties. Imported Game. —The imported game opened for shooting comprised cock pheasants, Californian and Australian swamp-quail. The bags obtained wore above the average of the past throe years. In several instances, in the Whakatane County, shooters secured the limit of ten cock pheasants for the opening day. Opossums. —The open season for the taking of opossums in the Rotorua district commenced on the 15th June, and lasted for one month. There was no limit to the number of licenses or to the number of skins allowed to be taken. The license fee was £2 10s., and a royalty in addition of Is. per skin taken, payable to the Government. Some sixty-three licenses were issued, and a revenue of £235 12s. 3d. was received from the proportion of half the net revenue from the fees, royalties, and fines collected by the Government from this source. This amount was the third largest on the list, Wellington easily heading the iist with £1,315, and Otago second with £886. Pheasant Rearing and Distribution. This Department's ranger personally supervised operations at the pheasantry throughout the year, for the purpose of rearing young pheasants for liberation throughout the district to assist the natural increase of the present stock of wild birds, and also to infuse fresh strains of hardy birds of well-known types. The high standard thus secured was appreciated, as evidenced by the number of acclimatization societies in tho North and South Islands who purchased from this Department the surplus birds. The total number of young pheasants reared this year did not equal the number raised during the previous season. This was partially owing to the smaller number of stock birds kept; and partially to the fact that the ranger was not able to give lu's entire attention to the pheasantry, owing to the pressure of other work. Most of tin; acclimatization societies in the Dominion which rear their own pheasants employ a curator who concentrates on. this work alone, leaving ranging-work to be done by others. For the last two years or so the Department has carried on with one man, and any one who has attempted to roar pheasants will readily recognize that one man cannot do justice to pheasantry operations and general ranging in his ordinary hours of duty, and other arrangements will require to be made in this respect. Special care was required to see that the stock of hen pheasants would be laying early during September, so that before the end of January the liberation of the young birds of not less than four months old was commenced, and continued till the. end of March, by which period 285 birds had boon liberated. The later hatchings, amounting to 107 birds, will not be liberated until after the close of the shooting season (30th Juno, 1924), when a selection, will bo made of some special birds for the stock pens, and the balance liberated in the East Taupo County, Tongariro National Park, and in Wairoa County, H.B. The Rotorua Acclimatization District is an area of over 7,000 square miles, much of which is broken country, and tho number of pheasants liberated over this area seems comparatively small. The main idea, however, is that young pheasants should not be turned out before the shooting season, as so many of them would be slaughtered. The intention is to distribute the birds over a very wide area to assist the stock of wild birds, prior to producing fresh strain. With this end in view the birds have boon liberated mostly in game sanctuaries and scenic reserves, in both of which shooting is prohibited. In the matter of conserving the game, the Department gladly acknowledges the groat assistance given by the officers and members of the Whakatane and Wairoa Rod and Gun Clubs, both of which organizations have their headquarters within the Rotorua Acclimatization District. In both cases the members have helped the ranger freely in the work of distribution of pheasants. Experiments are being conducted at the pheasantry in crossing the golden and Amherst species of pheasants, and, though those beautifully plumaged birds are usually considered aviary show birds, the ranger hopes to produce a hybrid which will prove a fertile game-bird. Mallard Duck. —In compliance with a request from the Department of Internal Affairs for some young mallard ducks for liberation in the Pouto Sanctuary at Kaipara Heads, four young birds wore supplied. In order to secure a fresh strain, the ranger procured several wild birds, and Mr. James Rae, of Opouriao Valley, who has a very fine collection of English mallard ducks, kindly presented this Department with three settings of their eggs. From those sources fifty-eight young mallard ducks were roared by the ranger, and liberated in several lakes and sanctuaries in this district. It has been found that the mallard previously liberated in this district has successfully crossed with both tho grey and brown duck, and the hybrids are very pugnacious. Owing to the steady increase of the mallard, it has been decided to open them for shooting dtring the 1924 season, with a limitation of six mallard, per day per gun.

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Ranging. —The whole of the district has been well ranged during the year, and every portion has been visited. Owing to repeated reports of dynamiting in the Whakatane rivers, a ranger has been temporarily appointed for that district, at the instance of the local rod and gun club, by which action it is hoped this objectionable practice will be stopped, or materially checked. Proceedings were taken by the ranger against several offenders for breaches of the fishing and game laws, the offenders being convicted and fined in each instance. In consequence of the improvement in the game and fishing obtainable in the district, the practice has grown up among the landowners, mostly Natives, in the Taupo and Tokaanu localities, of charging anglers a fee for the right to go on their property to fish. At Ruatoki, in the Urewera country, the Natives have formed an anglers' club of their own. and any outsider wishing to fish in this locality is compelled to join the club, and to pay a ss. membership fee, before he is allowed to fish. These practices are a source of great annoyance and irritation to anglers, especially those from overseas, who complain very strongly of the imposition. In consequence of receiving numerous complaints, a conference will be held between the Natives and the Departments interested, and it is hoped some settlement of this very irritating question will be arrived at before next fishing season. Marking Trout. —For some time past the lack of definite information regarding the life habits of the trout has become very apparent, particularly as regards the actual age, spawning-periods, rate of growth, range of travel, tho effects of the parasite, and other details. The present knowledge of these matters is largely assumption, and the advisability of marking trout has often been urged by scientists and scientific bodies. The Department intends to make a commencement with this work, and has consequently ordered 500 oxydized-silver tags with which to mark the trout. A commencement will be made on receipt of the tags from England, and the work will be carried out by tho departmental Ranger (W. Cobeldick), who has had previous experience in this branch, of ichthyology, and who has already collected over one hundred different sets of trout-scales of the rainbow and brown varieties of trout. 'Bath Buildings : Balneologist's Report. As shown by the following statement, the general receipts for the year present a marked increase, and our financial returns are more satisfactory than they have been for the last ten years ; particularly is this noticeable in the receipts from tho Sanatorium and massage departments. No doubt the Empire Exhibition has drawn away many of our habitual visitors, and this will account for the falling-off in other respects. During the year the Sanatorium has ably maintained its sphere of usefulness, and the percentage of cures has been well above the average. The time is more than ripe for the expansion of our treatments, as the accommodation in the present main bathhouse is quite inadequate for our hydrotherapeutic work. In the beginning of March last, following upon the meeting of the New Zealand Medical Conference in Auckland, a great number of medical men visited Rotorua. This occasion was, particularly in respect to the overseas medical visitors, an opportune one, and they were greatly surprised to find at our spa such up-to-date facilities for hydro-therapeutic treatments. Moreover, as the subject of arthritis was dealt with exhaustively at the Conference, I was glad of the opportunity to demonstrate the practical side of our work in combating this widespread malady. In connection with the International Society of Medical Hydrology, I am writing a series of articles of the treatments carried out at this spa. The first article was published in The Archives last January, and has been quoted in several of the medical journals. As The Archives is circulated throughout the spa world, these notes should help to familiarize the European and American hydrologists with the value of our unique mineral waters, and the importance of Rotorua as an active hydro-therapeutic centre. In the course of the year 25,000 treatments —exclusive of baths—were given, and the statistics of our cures are indicative of the value of our spa work. The main line of criticism levelled by the overseas visitors to our spa is that we do not; make enough of our wonderful assets, and in certain respects one must admit that such criticism is just. Our natural assets are without parallel, but we do not present them in an attractive form. Our treatments arc as up-to-date as circumstances will permit, but there are serious defects in the conditions governing our work. Many of the baths require modernizing, and the appointments of some of our most important treatments leave a wide field for improvement. In conclusion, I should like to place on record my deep indebtedness to my staff who, by loyal service 'to myself and the Department, have so materially assisted mo in carrying out my duties as Government Balneologist.

Statement of Receipts.

Particulars. 1928-24. Increase. 1922-23. Decrease. Bath fees Treasury credit Players' fees Out-patients' fees Sanatorium fees Treasury credit Massage foes Te Aroha water Radium water Miscellaneous £ s. d. 2,799 8 3\ 96 6 0/ 853 4 4 538 13 0 4,649 4 8\ 77 10 0/ 1,698 7 (i 219 14 I £ s. d. £ a. d. 3,384 4 1\ 54 9 0/ 810 7 3 548 5 6 2,794 11 10\ 313 5 11/ I,259 8 9 270 0 3 0 l> 9 1 3 0 £ s. d. 542 18 10 42 17 1 1,618 16 II 1) 12 0 438 18 Ii 50 (i 2 0 6 9 1 3 0 Totals 10,932 7 10 2,100 12 9 9,436 2 4 604 7 3 Slet increase, £1,4! 16 5s. 6d.

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Waitomo Cavks. Tho cash returns for the hostel and caves amount to £7,280, an increase of £1,037 over the previous year, due no doubt to the splendid weather conditions which continued through the tourist season, with the result that the motor traffic increased by over 200 per cent. With improved roads this branch of our work will become greater each year, and motorists now make this hostel the stopover place between New Plymouth and Auckland or Rotorua, on account of it being so centrally situated. The number of visitors for the year was 7,400, and would have been greater only we could not give accommodation to all who desired it. This especially applies to the Christmas and New Year period. During the year the painting of the hostel and buildings was completed, and all buildings, fences, and tracks have been maintained in good order. The new bridge over the Waitomo Stream leading to the Aranui Caves was completed, also the work of regrading and metalling the hostel road. Tho principal increase in the business for the year is made up as follows : Accommodation, £607 17s. 9d. ; caves fees, £531 4s. 6d. ; equipment, £46 10s. Te Aroha. The affairs of the Department at To Aroha are in a healthy condition. There is an improvement in tho financial position, as will be soon from the tables previously printed. The tea-kiosk was closed, as it, was a losing proposition, and visitors were well catered for in this respect by private enterprise. Tho building was converted into a residence for the Tourist Agent. The total number of baths taken during the twelve months amounted to 23,743, as compared with 23,673 for tho previous year. 1923-24. 1922-23. Private baths .. .. .. .. .. 10,165 11,801 Public baths .. .. .. .. .. 13,085 11,232 Electric baths . . .. .. .. 493 640 23,743 23,673 Bath Buildings and Drinking Springs. —The necessary maintenance work in connection with those buildings, &c, has been carried out, and the working of these institutions has been quite satisfactory. During the twelve months 146 cans of No. 15 Spring water have been forwarded to Rotorua. Tin; water-supply has not given any trouble. Night Bowling. —The wot stormy weather prevented bowlers getting in much play at night. The revenue from this source was £44 IBs., and the cost of lighting the green from the Bth December, 1923, to the 21st March, 1924, £9 19s. Bd. Massage. — During the year, as indicated in my last report, a massage department was established, and 733 treatments, value £183 55., were given. New massage-rooms have been built on to tho Cadinan Bathhouse, and electrical apparatus is being installed. When this is completed the massage department will be practically up to date, and able to cope with nearly all the treatments that are likely to be required This departure is sure to result in a largely increased business at Te Aroha. General. —The general work in connection with tho whole institution has been carried out in a most satisfactory manner, and the general prospects are most encouraging. Waikaremoana. The past year has again shown a decided increase both in the returns and the number of people who have visited the hostel, and proved the growing popularity of this resort. Although tho number of visitors was greater this year, the manageress (Mrs. Dickson) endeavoured to accommodate as many as possible in the house itself, without utilizing outside buildings, and this fact was much appreciated by the guests. The staff again proved satisfactory, and everything worked smoothly and well. The launch was in great demand, and was the subject of many pleasing comments, both on her usefulness and the order in which she was kept. Tho five, small boats were also freely used, and, while the woar-and-tear during the busy season was very heavy, proved satisfactory. A feature of the season was the increased number of overseas visitors who included Waikaremoana in their itinerary, and all spoke in glowing terms of tho many and varied scenic beauties. Although the bad roads, floods, &c, again prevented a lot of people from visiting tho hostel during tho latter part of the season, tho fact that metalling operations are now being carried a further stage should ensure next year a further and much larger increase. The Hermitage, Mount Cook. This most popular resort has been administered by the lessees, the Mount Cook Motor Company (Limited), in a very satisfactory manner, and they have effected many improvements in the building and surroundings. These have all been made with the approval and assistance of the Department. The main improvements have been in the hot-water heating-system, the erection of a now dormitory building for use in the busy season, the provision of billiard-tables, gramophone, tennis-courts, artificial skating-rink, motor-garage for private cars, and several other minor matters. The lessees inform me that there has been a very great increase in tho traffic during tho last season, and this they ascribe to the large amount of advertising and publicity work they have done. No doubt they have done a groat deal in this respect, and are entitled to congratulations on the result. A very large amount of work still requires to be done in the way of electric installation for lighting and heating,

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and further extensions of the accommodation, and these matters will come before you in due course. For the purpose of record a list of all high ascents during the past two seasons has boon filed in the Department's records. The most notable climbs were the following : —

Date. Party. Guides. Climb. Particulars o£ Route. J 6/2/24 Professor and Mrs. R. M. Algie, Mr. H. E, 1.. Porter Mr. It. L. Wigley .. J. Stout, P. M. Milne, W. C. Williams F. M. Milne, N. S. Murrell Guideless Mount Cook, 12,349 ft. Ascent from Haast Hut by Green's route ; descent by same route. 12/8/28* Mount Cook, 12,349 ft. Ascent via Haast H ut and. Linda Glacier ; descent by same route. Ascent from Malte Brun Hut up main north-west arete from head of Malte Brun Glacier ; descent by same route. Ascent to head of Malte Brun Giacicr, north-east face and main arete to summit; descent by same route. Ascent by south-east face from Londonfeldt Saddle ; descent by same route. 19/1/24 Messrs. H. C. Chamhcrs, H. E. L. Porter, C. S. Barker Professor and Mrs. It. M. Algie Mount Malte Brun, 10,421 ft. 21/1/24 F. M, Milne, N. S. Murrell, J. E. Rawnsley P. M. Milne, W.C. Williams Ditto 6/1/24 Professor and Mrs. R. M. Algie, Messrs. F. W. Vosseler and J. E. Rawnsley Miss J. M. Grave, Mr. A. J, Grave Mount FJie de Beaumont, 10,200 ft. 7/1/23 J. Stout, VV. 0. Williams Minaret Peaks (E. Peak), 10,058 ft. Ascent from Malte Brun Hut, crossing Tasman Glacier, thence by snow slopes to summit; descent by same route. Ascent from Malte Brun Hut, crossing Tasman Glacier, thence by snow slopes to summit; descent by same route. Ascent from Waiho Gorge via Defiance Hut to Aylmer Bivouac ; left Bivouac, crossing upper snowfields of Franz Josef Glacier by Grand Corridor to Saddle between de la Bech6 and Minarets, thence to summit of Minarets, returning to Saddle, thence to summit of De la BeohA Descent by usual routo to Malte Bran Hut, Ascent from Malte Brun Hut to Graham's Saddle, thence to summit of De la Beche, crossing to Minarets, joining Grande's party in Saddle, and descending to Malte Brun Hut. Ascent from Sefton Bivouac, crossing eastern ridge to Main Divide; final ascent by North Face. Descent by same route. Ditto. 16/1/23 Professor and Mrs. R. M. Algie W. C. Williams, N. S. Murrell Ditto 28/2/23 Messrs. Julian Grande and R. L. Wigley P. Graham .. I) e la B e c h e , 10,058 ft. ; Minaret Peaks, 10,058 ft. and 10,022 ft.f Guide J. Dennehy, Guide H. Busoh Minaret Peaks, 10,058 ft, and 10,022 ft., and De la Becbi, 10,058 ft. 28/2/23 2/1/23 Miss J. M. Grave, Messrs. A. J. Grave and F. W. Vosseler W. C. Williams, N. S. Murrell The Footstool, 9,073 ft. 10/1/23 Professor and Mrs. R. M. Algie Messrs. F. W. Vosseler, A. Smith, J. Rawnsley, R. Bates, L. Gross, G. H. SeddonJ Mr. J. W. Townley .. F. M. Milne, J. H. Dennehv F. M. Milne . .' Ditto 18/12/22 Hochstettei' Dome, 9,258 ft. Ascent from Malte Brun Hut over low [leak to summit; descent by same route. N. S. Murrell Ditto Ascent by Tasman Saddle ; descent by same route. Ascent by direct route ; descent by same route. 3/12/23 19/12/23 Mr. A. J. Grave, Miss J. M. Grave, Mr. 0. H. King Rev. K. Biokersteth, Professor H. Stewart, Dr. Bevan Brown Messrs. E. M. Moore and E. Mate Mr. G. C. Arras VV. 0. Williams 24/1/24 .1. Stout, .1. H. Pope Ditto. 20/1/24 20/2/24 8/2/24 1/3/24 Miss 1). Theomin Mr. H. E. I.. Porter .. J. H. Pope •• VV. C. Williams, J. Johnson l<\ M. Milne, J. E. Rawnsley F. M. Milne, A. K. Ritchie ,, The F o o t s t 0 o 1, 9,073 ft. Mount Hamilton, 9,915 ft, Grey Peak, 9,800 ft, Ascent from Malte Brun Hut; descent by same route. Ascent from Hooker Hut through Fitzgerald's Pass, traversing peaks on Moorhouse Range to the Footstool ; final ascent by rock and snow to summit. Descent to Main Divide, thence to Sefton Bivouac. Ascent from Malte Brun Hut by Darwin Glacier to head of Bonny Glacier, thence by main arete to summit; descent by snow eol, thence same route. Ascent from Haast Hut over Glacier Dome, crossing Haast Ridge to Haast Glacier, on to Pioneer Pass, thence to summit. Ascent from Malte Brun Hut up Tasman Glacier, thence by north-west face of Darwin, following rock ridge to second summit; descent by same route. Ascent up Darwin Glacier and up snow couloir beyond Bonny Glacier, thence by diagonal upward traverse to summit ; descent by same route. Ascent via Graham's Saddle and Aylmer Bivouac ; descent by same route. 31/12/23 Messrs. H. G. Chambers and H. E. L. Porter Guideless Mount Darwin, 9,715 ft. 21/1/24 Messrs H. E. L. Porter and G. S. Barker Guideless Mount H a e c k e I , 9,649 ft, 6/3/23 Mr. Julian Grande P. Graham, F. M. Milne Peak Barnieoat, 9,200 ft. * Firs t Fin } All it ascent during winter months. Total time, sixtei it traverse from east to west, climbing the three pt members of the Tararua Tramping Club. :;n hours from llaast Hut. taks,

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In addition to the above, it is desired to record the successful ascent of Mount Tutoko, in the Milford Sound district, by Mr. S. Turner, E.R.G.S., and Mr. P. Graham, of Waiho, Westland. Both these gentlemen, who have a long and honourable connection with ciimbing in New Zealand, are congratulated on their great achievement. Te Anau - Milford Track. There was a very considerable increase in the number of visitors to this resort this season, and a lot of work was done by the local staff. There were many heavy floods to contend with, but the staff managed to get four large bridges erected, all culverts replaced, the telephone-wire placed in good order, and the track generally well looked after. Up to the 31st March 420 people arrived at Glade House ; most of them went over the track, and did the return journey in five days and a quarter, including the stay at Milford. This speaks well for the state of the track. The launches in Milford Sound were thoroughly overhauled and painted, and the engines are in first-rate running-order. As an indication of tho manner in which tho staff worked under sometimes most adverse conditions, it is significant that during the season many callers and writers expressed their appreciation of what was done for them, and of their enjoyment of tho trip. On the other hand, only one party had any complaint to make, and they certainly struck most unfortunate weather on their journey. Various improvements to the huts have been authorized as a result of your visit to the district, and these should make for more comfortable conditions in the future. The road from the Key of tho Lakes has, as in past years, been the subject of much adverse comment, but a large amount of work has been carried out by the Public Works Department during the year, and when the present contract is completed there will be a first-class metalled road from Inveroargill to Elaxey Crook, and authority has boon given for additional expenditure, which should enable the road to bo placed in good order through to Te Anau. QIJEENSTOWN AND STEWART ISLAND. Business has boon very satisfactory this season in Southland, and the Invercargill Agent has been very busy. His sales of tickets have been £3,962, as against £2,246 for tho previous year. Most of the tours were booked by local people, and the increase in business may be taken as an indication that tho advantages of booking through the Department are becoming better known. The " Moeraki," which calls direct to Bluff from Melbourne every six weeks, brought a good number of tourists for Bluff on its November and January trips. As in past years, a number of tourists who booked at our northern offices called at the local bureau for information on their way to the Southern Lakes and Stewart Island. The increased number of maps and up-to-date pamphlets issued by the Department has been appreciated. A. number of local people called for a supply of these to send to their friends overseas. Quoenstown and Stewart Island were very popular, as usual, and it was difficult to secure accommodation, especially at the latter resort, during the holidays. Neither of these trips is expensive, consequently they are well patronized by local people at excursion times. A. new tri-weekly motor service was started at tho beginning of the season from Inveroargill to Te Anau and Manapouri, and this induced more local people to do the Milford trip. A good service was maintained throughout the season. At Quoenstown it was decided, as a result of your visit, to convert part of tho present bowlingpavilion into a tea-kiosk, and this kiosk is now being dealt with. The Department has received many complimentary letters on the excellent state of the gardens at Quoenstown. Overseas Agencies. The agencies in Australia —Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide —wore fully occupied during the year, and a great amount of work was performed by these officers for various other Departments as well as our own. The expenditure at Sydney and Melbourne was as follows : - Sydney. Melbourne. £ £ Rent .. 663 350 Salaries and wages .. .. . . . . . . 729 798 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. ..321 244 £1,713 £1,392 South Africa. —Mr. Middlebrook, a well-known South African business man, has been appointed Honorary Agent to the Department at Durban. His office has been well supplied with literature, photographs, &c. Already fruits of this appointment are apparent by people arriving in New Zealand through his instrumentality.

Approximate Cost o) Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (600 copies), £11,

Authority : W. A. G. Skinneu, Government Printer, Wellington.—l924.

Price (id.]

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Date. Party. Guides. Climb. Particulars of Route. 18/2/24 Mr. II. E. L. Porter .. F. M. Milne, VV. C. Wilhams Mount Burns, 9,000 ft, (Fhsst traverse) Ascent from Mueller Hut up glacier, taking off to rock ridge leading west of Bernard Pass ; ridge to summit, Descent by McKerrow Glacier and smooth slabs to Landsborough, up Spencc Glacier to Fyfe's Pass, thence to hut. Ascent from Hooker Hut by rock ridge to snow face under Edith Peak, following snow face to Mount Beatrice ; over both peaks of Dilemma, descending by slabs to col between Dilemma and Unicorn, following eastern ridge to summit. Descent by same route. 28/1/24 Mr. II. E. L. Porter .. F. M. Milne .. Unicorn Peak, 8,300 ft, (First ascent)