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, 1925 Session I, H-02

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1925. 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.

The Minister in Charge op Tourist and Health Resorts Department to His Excellency the Governor-General. Wellington, 30th April, 1925. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts for the year ended 31st March, 1925. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. Sir, — Wellington, 21st April, 1925. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st March, 1925. I have, &c., B. M. Wilson, General Manager. The Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. ANNUAL REPORT. I have pleasure in reporting that the improvement in the position of the Department mentioned in my last report still continues. In every respect the Department has been exceedingly busy, all the usual resorts and our booking bureaux have been fully taxed, and I trust to be able to record as good a season next year. The direct revenue from all sources has amounted to £47,263, being an increase of £1,559 over the figures for last season, which were approximately £5,500 better than the former one. The policy of keeping the expenditure as low as possible, consistent with efficient management, has kept this side of our operations well in hand. The actual figures are £66,294, as against £60,445, an increase of £5,849. A great increase has resulted from the operations of the Department's booking bureaux. The actual amount of money taken over the counter for tours has amounted to £86,117, an increase of £15,767. This is the surest sign of the growing popularity of the convenience of the system of booking tours with the Department, and with the coming into operation of a concession recently

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granted by the Railway Department, whereby the Tourist Agents can issue straight-out railway tickets, lam hopeful of a still greater increase. The previous system of having to issue a combined rail-and-steamer ticket was found to be cumbersome, and I am grateful to the Railway Department for the concession granted. We may look forward to a heavy season, and the increased accommodation at the various places under the Department's control will enable us to cope with it. These improvements are mainly at Waitomo, Waikaremoana, Mount Cook, Te Anau, and on the Milford Track, and are referred te more specifically under separate headings. Arrangements have been made for the booking of visitors at various hotels and boardinghouses through the Dominion, and this in its infancy, has so far proved popular, and is appreciated by visitors. Oversea tourists to New Zealand numbered 7,365, as against 7,522 the previous year. This slight reduction was undoubtedly due to the maritime trouble in Australia and the infantile-paralysis epidemic.

Statement showing Financial Position at Main Resorts.

Return of Receipts. The following table shows the receipts of the Department from all sources from 1918 to 1925 : — 1918-19. 1919-20. 1920-21. 1921-22. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Receipts .. .. 33,689 42,218 51,038 50,822 40,246 45,704 47,263 Return of Expenditure. The following is a comparison of the expenditure for the past six years : — 1919-20. 1920-21. 1921-22. 1922-23. 1923-24. 1924-25. £ £ £ £ £ £ Consolidated Fund .. .. 68,858 93,720 86,944 59,647 60,445 66,294 Public Works Fund .. .. 6,194 19,041 17,996 5,435 27,264 12,343 The following is a summary of the work of the Department at the different resorts under its control Rotorua. Revenue. —The aggregate total revenue for this year shows an increase of £1,100 over that of the previous year, the increase being chiefly in the revenue from the supply of electrical energy and water. The revenue from the round trip is practically the same as on the previous year, and the value of passenger bookings shows a small increase. But for the inclement weather experienced during the Christmas holiday season, and the travelling restrictions imposed on account of the epidemic of infantile paralysis, the revenue from these two latter sources would doubtless have shown an appreciable advance on the figures of the previous year. Gardens.—During the year the tennis-pavilion, which formerly served players on the lawns in front of the main baths, was moved to the croquet-lawns, and now does duty as a club-house and pavilion for croquet-players, a provision which is highly appreciated. A commodious new tennispavilion has been built in a central position fronting the new grass tennis-courts, east of the main baths. Rooms have been provided for both sexes, and there is ample provision for club meetings. The kitchen-garden and poultry-run provide a good supply of vegetables, fruit, poultry, and eggs for the Sanatorium and King George V Hospital, in pursuance of an arrangement whereby the Health Department bears a share of the maintenance cost. Buildings. —The principal work has been the erection of new tennis-pavilion previously referred to, the removal of the existing pavilion to the croquet-lawns, the entire renovation (including extensive repairs and the installation of a bathroom at the Postmaster Bath cottage) and the erection of twenty-four new dressing-boxes in the women's swimming-bath' iu the pavilion block, A

Year 1924-25. Year 1923-24. » I "i/9 I * I f/0 o 'g g i w o -g g Resort. 6 & 1 o5 ' ® S* S ° §3 g ° §i <2 3 "3 „ <4 -15 ! »5 ft "S ■.& a ® 1 S % ® S •& a S»g 3 a. ° § ,S £ 3 s 8 t)S5 »i>s § g- X5.S goi § g< nftfi go5 P3 HH H pcj SjWW £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ TeAroha .. .. .. 1,451 3,522 2,071 .. 1,568 3,055 1.487 Rotorua .. .. .. 26,911 32,795 5,884 .. 26,041 31,255 5,214 Rotorua Acclimatization District .. 1,945 776 .. 1,169 2,128 751 .. 1,377 Waitomo Caves .. .. 7,100 4,125 .. 2,975 7,280 3,780 .. 3,500 Lake House, Waikaremoana .. 1,305 1,500 195 .. 1,287 1,426 139 Queenstown .. .. .. 207 672 465 .. 222 738 516 Glade House and Te Anau - Milford 2,503 3,418 915 .. 2,101 2,698 597 Track

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considerable amount of renovation was done at the same time to the main structure. The Spout Baths at Whakarewarewa have been entirely repainted and renovated, and considerable repairs were eflected to the bath attendant's residence also. In addition to the foregoing special works, the usual maintenance work in connection with the various baths, Sanatorium, and other departmental buildings, including the staff residences at Te Wairoa, Waimangu, and Okere, was attended to. Water-supply.—The outstanding feature of the year's operations has been the completion of the work of substituting cast-iron mains for the previous system of wooden water-mains. There are now no wooden pijies in the system, and the maintenance costs will be very considerably reduced. The work was primarily under the control of the Public Works Department, but as that Department has no mechanical establishment in Eotorua the actual work was carried out in its entirety by this Department's waterworks staff, augmented by temporary labour. During the year seventy-one new consumers were connected. The progress of the town, as evidenced by the closer settlement of suburban lands, calls for a considerable amount of further capital outlay, as mains will have to be laid in new streets, and localities which have hitherto been served with galvanized piping will now require cast-iron mains to cope with the increased population and provide fire-prevention utilities. Drainage. —As previously reported, this system is in a very unsatisfactory condition in those parts of the town where the sulphur is more prevalent. Frequent blockages have occurred, due to the disintegration of the concrete jointing and, in some cases, the pipe material. In response to representations, the Public Works engineering staff inspected the system, and furnished a report on its condition. It has been decided that a very considerable portion of the system will be renewed, and in the new work the present system of having a main sewer running down the centre of the street will be abandoned. It is intended to run a sewer under the footpaths on each side of the streets. Thirteen new premises were connected with the system during the year. The various blockages were cleared, and all maintenance work in connection with the drainage and sanitary appliances of the various departmental buildings was given the necessary attention. Baths Mineral-water Supply.—The pipe-line carrying the supply of hot water from Whakarewarewa to Eotorua, being of wood, has proved very unsatisfactory, and it has been found necessary to replace the wooden pipes with cast-iron ones. The work is in progress now, and is necessarily slow, as the men can only work about half-time each day so as to minimize the interruption of supply to the baths. Electrical.—A fair demand has set in for rural supplies for farms adjacent to the transmission-line. In this connection two pole substations have been erected on the transmission-line to give a supply at Te Ngae and at Mourea. The Diesel auxiliary plant was brought into commission early in the year, and proved a very valuable auxiliary. It has been used during interruptions to supply from Okere, and is brought into use each evening to assist with the peak load. The total number of units generated during the year was 53,900. The installation of the Diesel necessitated considerable alterations in the substation in the matter of changing over 3,000-volt single-phase feeders to 3,000-volt three-phase. This alteration has provided for future increases of load for a considerable period ahead. A fair amount of work has been done throughout the town in the matter of changing the feeders from single-phase to three-phase. Additional cables have been erected to provide for increase of business, and transformers have been changed to suit variations of load in different localities. For the last few years it has been evident that the increasing demand for energy by the town and suburbs could not be met by the Okere plant even when assisted latterly by the auxiliary Diesel plant, and for some considerable time past the question has been under consideration as to whether a new station should be constructed at Okere with largely increased power, or whether the supply should be brought to Eotorua from another source. The Chief Electrical Engineer has now decided that the additional supply shall be obtained from Horahora, and a transmission-line will therefore be created from Horahora to Eotorua via Ngongotaha. This will be constructed by the Electrical Branch of the Public Works Department. It will also bring the main feeder to the corner of Pukuatua Street and the old Taupo Eoad, and from this point the Department's existing lines will be available to conduct the supply into the town substation. An arrangement has been entered into with the Public Works Department whereby they will sell to this Department the bulk supply, delivered to a substation to be erected at Ngongotaha, at 6,600-volt pressure. This Department will then retail the energy at Ngongotaha and all suitable points en route to Eotorua. The conditions of the agreement provide that the; Okere plant and the Diesel plant must be maintained in full working-order, ready for emergency use at any time, but this Department will have the right to use these two plants in the evenings in order to minimize the peak load, which will have to be purchased from the Public Works Department. Street-lighting has received the usual attention, and additional lights have been erected from time to time as requested by the Borough Council. The usual maintenance work in connection with the various departmental buildings has been carried out. Deer-stalking. —The season ended 011 the 26th April, 1924. Owing to numerous complaints received from settlers as to damage being done to their property by deer, a departure was made this year from the procedure of former years in abolishing limitation as regards the number of licenses issued or the number of animals (stags and hinds) which could be shot. This easement of conditions resulted in a large number of licenses being taken out, and a consequent heavy shooting —so much so that many of the stalkers made representations at the close of the season that the shooting had been overdone, and that unless conditions were tightened up somewhat the herds would be depleted in a season or two. To endeavour to meet tins condition the Eotoiti and Okareka herds frequenting the most closely settled area were amalgamated, with no limit as regards the number of licenses or animals which should be shot. On the strong representation of stalkers the Galatea and Tokaanu herds were closed, and

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as these herds are removed from settlements no hardship on settlers was imposed. In the 1924 season the Galatea herd produced some fine heads, ranging from eight to fifteen points. Some good heads were secured in the Rotoiti herd, and the Okareka herd yielded a fair proportion of fourteen-point heads, Mr. F. Mayo securing a fine royal 37 in. long, with a span of 35 in. A newly opened Whakatane herd was shot over by three licenses, who only got medium heads. The Mahia red-deer herd was closed in 1924 by the landowners, but was opened this year with a limit of six licenses. No reports are yet to hand from stalkers, but good heads have been sighted, and the prospects are good. The Waikaremoana herd was heavily shot over, and a lot of stags shot with light antlers, but investigation showed that these were mainly young animals from the open country around the shores of the lake. Some heavy heads were seen after the season closed, but the country is very difficult to stalk. Game-shooting.—The 1924 season (two months) was not particularly good, generally speaking. The sportsmen had to work for their birds, but good bags of ducks were reported from the swamp areas of Rangitaiki and Whakaki. The number of swans and ducks in the sanctuaries during the season shows that the restriction of the period is leading to an increase in the number of game in these areas. Reports have been received of some landholders with small lagoons on their property feeding the young ducks with maize for a few weeks prior to the opening of the season, thus enabling them to easily secure the daily limit allowed to each licensee. Mallard Ducks. —Mallard ducks were open for shooting in the 1924 season, and during the year 104 young ducks have been reared for liberation in suitable areas. During the year sixty-four of these have been liberated ; the remaining forty will be retained for selection of stock birds, and the balance liberated after next shooting season. Pheasants. —These birds were reported as increasing, but rather hard to shoot. The days of big bags of pheasants are past, owing to the greater number of sportsmen visiting this district. Around the more settled areas a few birds can always be raised with a good dog, particularly in the maizegrowing districts, but in bush districts or in heavy scrub country they are harder to obtain. Pheasantry. —Over 200 pheasants were liberated throughout the district prior to the opening of the shooting season, 1924, and a further supply of young ones will be liberated at the conclusion of the 1925 season. These liberations gave a fair sprinkling of birds for the Wairoa, Whakatane, Rotorua, and Taupo Counties, and materially increased the number of the present wild stock, and supplied the necessary new blood. It is intended to secure some entirely new pheasants of imported Mongolian strain and English Black Neck variety to cross with the stock birds at present in the Department's pheasantry. This year it was noted that there was a higher percentage of unfertile eggs than in any previous year. The curator has ascertained from various pheasant-breeders throughout the North Island that this defect was very prevalent, and is ascribed to the extremely wet summer affecting the birds during the mating season. Trout-fishing.—Towards the close of 1924 season the fishing was very fine, and many large and notable catches up to 20 lb. weight were secured. Some of the best of these were mounted and sent to the British Exhibition, where they attracted great attention, and no doubt the fact that there are many overseas sportsmen in the Rotorua and Taupo districts at present is due to the impression created by these specimens. So far, the catches as regards weight or numbers are not equal to those of last year. Whether in their cycle of life-history the trout reached their " peak " last year and are now receding, or whether the fact is due to the backward summer added to a late-spawning winter and the lower level of stream-waters, cannot at present be determined, but the fact remains that fishing for this season is not equal to last. A total of 282,000 rainbow trout-fry was liberated within the acclimatization district. Of this number 172,000 were liberated in the Wairoa County waters, and 110,000 in the various waters from the Waipunga River on the Napier-Taupo Road to the Whakatane and Waimanawa Rivers in the Bay of Plenty area. Marking Trout.—During the year further consideration was given to the marking of a number of rainbow trout in certain waters in the district in an effort to definitely ascertain the life-history of the Salmo iridens. With this object some five hundred oxydized-silver tags were ordered and received from London. These will be used during the present year to mark trout of varying sizes. A comparison will be made by microscopic inspection of the scales taken from fish at the time of fixing the tags, and again when such trout are captured. Ranging. —In February, 1925, an Assistant Ranger was appointed. For the present his headquarters will be in the Wairoa County. Owing to the wide area of this district, comprising as it does the counties of Rotorua, Whakatane, Taupo, and Wairoa, it was absolutely impossible for one man to effectively range the district. Rotorua 'Bath Buildings : Balneologist's Report. As you will see by the accompanying return of receipts, there has been a satisfactory increase in the revenue from the bathhouse and Sanatorium in the past twelve months. This increase has been mainly from the Sanatorium, the massage departments, and out-patients ; while the bath returns show a slight falling-off. This latter fact indicates that fewer tourists and casual bathers have visited our spa, but an increase in the number of patients shows a wider sphere of usefulness as a health resort. No doubt the infantile-paralysis epidemic and restrictions on travelling have kept away visitors from Rotorua during the later months of this period, with the consequent reduction of bath receipts. During the year the Sanatorium accommodation has been fully taxed, and we have had on several occasions to keep a waiting-list of patients for admission. In many respects the institution, an old and patched-up building, is unsuitable as a modern hydro-therapeutic establishment, and is often

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inadequate in its resources for up-to-date treatment; and especially is this so for the better class of patient, who naturally objects to the lack of privacy in open wards and cubicles. From my statistics approximately 40,000 special treatments (exclusive of baths) were given during the year, and the massage stafE have shown excellent results in their work of maintaining and improving the general well-being of our patients. With the exception of general maintenance and the laying of a new pipe-line from Whakarewarewa, no new works have been carried out, but plans are in hand for the new " blue " swimming-pool, and others arc; being prepared in connection with rebuilding the old Pavilion bathhouses. These latter works, delayed by the war and post-war periods of financial stress, are now an urgent necessity, and 1 hope to have them well 011 the way of construction by the end of the present year. Apart from the above urgent works in connection with our establishment as an up-to-date spa, there is a crying necessity for better and more suitable accommodation for the invalid visitor to Eotorua. While the healthy tourist is adequately catered for in excellent hotels and boardinghouses, there is no place, apart from the Sanatorium, where the better-class invalid can be accommodated. This is, in the face of progressive scientific work, a serious drawback to Rotorua, and I would strongly urge that a modern hydro be built where invalids could get nursing, special diets, and separate rooms, when higher fees could be charged for such service. Since the beginning of the year a greater number of overseas visitors have come to our spa for treatment, indicating the growing importance of and knowledge of our springs abroad. In connection with my balneological work I should like to place on record the invaluable assistance which I have received from my staff, who, through unfailing attention to their duty, have so materially helped me to carry out the work in this spa. With the increasing numbers of oversea visitors —visitors who are conversant with European spas —I have had many opportunities of receiving their personal views regarding the restrictions and drawbacks of our own establishments, and I should like to state that the general consensus of opinion points to the fact that we do not realize or recognize the valuable natural assets of our thermal districts. Certainly we are singularly endowed in our own particular district, where unique mineral waters, unlimited fields for sport, and interesting surroundings make a total of attractions that could not be found anywhere else in the world.

Return of Receipts, Years 1923-24 and 1924-25.

Waitomo Caves. The cash returns for the hostel and caves amounted to the sum of £7,101 14s. JOd., which amount is £222 ss. lid. less than the previous year, the reduction in accommodation being £328 ; but cave fees and equipment show an increase of £55 and £34 respectively. The number of visitors for the year was 8,163, which is a record for this place and shows an increase of 763 over 1924. There was a large increase in the number of overseas visitors. During the year just ended our business was badly affected by the railway strike last April, when we practically lost the whole of the Easter business. The Public Works Department have a number of men engaged in the work of excavating for the site of the proposed additions, and should complete the work in four months' time. All buildings, paths, and fences have been maintained in good order, and the work of excavating the site of the proposed additions is now proceeding. It was found necessary to recast the plans of the proposed new building. These have been finally settled by the Government Architect, and the work will be proceeded with as soon as the excavations are completed. Te Aroha. Business at Te Aroha was practically the same as last year. Revenue was about £85 less than last year ; and total number of baths taken was 22,188, compared with 23,743 last year.

J 924-25. J Increase. j Decrease. 1923-24. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ e. d. £ s. d. Bath fees .. .. .. 2.728 3 3\ / 2,799 8 3 Treasury credits . . .. 24 7 6 j '' \ | 96 6 0 Games fees .. . . .. 786 11 5 . . 66 12 11 1 853 4 4 Out-patients' fees .. .. 556 10 0 17 17 0 . . 538 13 0 Sanatorium fees .. .. 5,148 19 3\ , 9 „ _ f 4,649 4 8 Treasury credits .. .. 1 15 Of ' \ 77 10 0 Massage ' .. .. .. 1..832 6 0 133 18 6 .. 1,698 7 6 Te Aroha water . . .. j 202 9 7 .. 17 4 6 219 J 4 J Rachel water .. .. .. 032 032 Miscellaneous .. .. .. [ 936 936 Totals .. .. 11,290 8 8 8 585 ] 9 227 0 11 10,932 7 10 i i i j Net increase, £358 0s. J Id.

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Bath-buildings and Drinking-springs. —The necessary work in connection with the maintenance of these buildings, &c., has been carried out, and the working of these institutions has been quite satisfactory. The water-supply (both hot and 'cold) has not given any trouble. Gardens and Playing-areas.—These have been kept in good order, and the display of flowers during the season has been very fine. The playing-areas have been kept up to their usual excellent standard. A new croquet-lawn has been made, and the players have now sufficient room for present requirements. The garden staff have been very busy during the twelve months. Night Bowling.—The night bowling was nearly a month later in commencing as compared with last year, but the return was a little better : 948 bowls tickets were sold, value £46 165., and the cost of lighting the green from the Ist January, 1925, to the 23rd March, 1925, was £10 12s. 7d. The Te Aroha Bowling Club have made alterations to the lighting system, and no trouble was experienced during the season. Whether it will continue to be satisfactory remains to be seen, as it has not as yet been tested by a strong gale. Massage Department. —The electrical apparatus required for this Department has been installed, and 452 treatments, value £113, were given during the year. Advertising. —Te Aroha has been fairly well advertised during the year. Arrangements were made by the Department to advertise the Domain, &c., per the medium of the date-marking machine in the Te Aroha Post-office. The local Chamber of Commerce have had lantern-slides made of the best views in Te Aroha, and these have been shown in one of the picture-theatres in Auckland. The Government photographers (two) visited Te Aroha and photographed all the places of interest; a film was also taken of the Domain, river, and other subjects, and will be shown in the picture-theatres of New Zealand. Landslip, 26tli May, 1924. —As a result of forty-eight hours' heavy rain and strong gales a slip took place on Bald Spur, and the debris was carried across a portion of the Domain and right out to the main street. Steps were promptly taken to remove the mud, rocks, branches and trunks of trees. The cost of removing the debris and repairing the damage done to asphalt footpaths, drains, seats, fences, ponds, lawns, and the path up Bald Spur was £323 9s. 3d. The place where the slip occurred has been planted with willows, some four thousand cuttings having been put in. These have made good growth, and should help to bind together the loose soil on the hillside. Waikaremoana. The receipts have shown a big increase all round, and again proved the popularity of this resort. As in all previous years, the urgent need of more accommodation was badly felt; but, as operations are now being commenced on the proposed additions, this difficulty will be eliminated in future. The launch and boats were again well patronized, while the discovery of the missing boat at Waikare-iti, and the addition of an extra one, greatly enhanced the pleasure of visitors. The road to the hostel from the outlet was in a bad state during most of the year and militated against the traffic of private cars. Arrangements were made with the Public Works Department to put on some extra labour, with the result that a great improvement has taken place, and there is now no difficulty in private owners driving their cars right to the hostel door. Te Anau - Milfoed Track. This track was at the start of the season placed under the control of Mr. L. M. Cheriton, formerly chief guide at Waitonio Caves, and Mr. P. E. Challis's long connection with the Department ceased. This season, taking all things into consideration, has been very satisfactory. The new wharf erected at the head of the lake has proved a great help in the landing of stores and passengers. The track from the wharf to Glade House has been maintained in good order. The work throughout the season has been efficiently carried out by the staff at Glade House, the hut-keepers, and track hands. Although good work has been done on the track itself, much has been left at a standstill owing to the fact that trackmen and horses have been engaged packing stores over the pass to Quinton and Sandfly Huts, due to the late arrival at Milford Sound of the Government steamer " Tutanekai." Five new bridges have been erected between Glade House and Pompolona Huts, and one between Sandfly Huts and boatshed, the last-named taking a good length of time, as the required stringers (50 ft.) were hard, to locate. The track itself has been chipped and cleared of overhanging grass, &c., from Sandfly Huts to Arthur Kiver crossing ; Arthur Kiver crossing to Quinton Huts ; Quinton Huts to Mintaro Hut; and from Pompolona Huts to Glade House. A great amount of filling has been done on the pass, but this work has been practically ruined by frequent crossing of packhorses. Drains and culverts have also received much needed attention. The telephone-line over the track has been kept in splendid order and condition. It has not been unworkable for more than one hour at a stretch throughout the whole season. This has proved a great help in successful working of track generally. The old house at Sutherland's has been demolished, and some of the timber from same has been used for the erection of boat-shed at Sandfly Hut. The boat-shed will be ready for the launch at the end of the season. The bush, noxious weeds, &c., have been cleared away from Glade House, thus lessening to a very great extent the fly pest. The drainage has been carried into the river, this in itself making the sanitary conditions around the house much more satisfactory. Bonzol lavatory pans have also been installed throughout. Throughout the season there have been numbers of visitors staying at Glade House, and according to inquiries made we may expect many more next season, thus proving that the track is gaining popularity. With the Dunedin Exhibition in sight the coming season should prove a record one.

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Great improvements were effected by the Public Works Department in the road access to Te Anau, which has so long been a cause of trouble, and this work is still being gone on with. Before next season it should be put in first-class order and be the means of increasing traffic. Westland. Judging from the amount of business in the different bureaux, the tourist traffic to the West Coast has been very heavy. The Department having no specific place under its control on the West Coast, naturally no report can be made thereon, but no effort has been spared by the Agents to foster the tourist traffic through from Nelson to the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers, and the many interesting places on the way. Large numbers of visitors have called at the office to express their appreciation of their trips to Westland. The Greymouth Agency of the Department has been fairly patronized by the local people, and better results are expected from this source. Very satisfactory results have been obtained by the establishment of the booking system at Nelson, and the thanks of the Department are due to the Labour Department for allowing us to use the services of their local agent, Mr. G. F. Grieve. This office should shortly be able to produce good returns. Stewart Island. This popular resort, although not under the direct control of the Department, has had 3,722 visitors from December to March, an increase of eighteen over a similar period of the previous year. The Publicity Department have taken a quantity of cinematograph-film and still photographs, and a booklet is being got out putting the advantage of the island as a holiday resort before the public. The Hermitage. Reports from the lessee show that a heavy season was experienced at the Hermitage. Inspection by officers of the Department show that the house was well run, and managed in an up-to-date manner. The electric light and heating plant has been installed, and is working satisfactorily, while the additional accommodation is now practically completed. The following is a list of climbs made during the season : —

Date. Party and Guide. Climb. Route. Height. 1924. Feet. April 16 Miss S. Payton ; Guides "Footstool .. From Sefton Bivouac to Main Divide, thence rock 9,073 Milne and Pope face to summit; descent by same route April 10 Guides 0. Williams and Aiguille Rouge From Malte Brun Hut, crossing north-west arete of 9,371 Murrell Malto Brun to Beathan Glacier, up same to rock rib running to summit; descent by Beathan and Tasman Glaciers to Ball Hut Nov. 9 Mr. J. Roberts; Guide Mounts Kinsey From Hooker Hut, descending Wakefield Ridge to 0,750 Milne and Wakefield Hermitage Dec. 14 Miss de Beer; Guide Mounts Sealy From Mueller Hut through Sladden Saddle to 7,351 Pope and Annette snow face; descent same route 1925. Jan. 5 Messrs. Rose and Aubin ; Footstool .. From Sefton Bivouac to Main Divide, thence rock 9,073 Guide Murrell face to summit; descent by same route Jan. 8 Messrs. Porter and Rose; Nun's Veil, Established high camp from Ball Hut, on Leibig 8,975 Guide Milne Priest's Cap, Range, from high camp traversing Priest's Cap and Havelock to Nun's Veil; on return traversing Priest's Cap to Havelock Peak. Descent to camp Jan. 9 Messrs. Porter and Rose; Two unnamed Crossing Leibig Range into branch of Jolly, ascend- 8,006 Guide Milne peaks ing unnamed peak ; descending to snow face, thence up unnamed peak, descending same route Jan. 14 Mr. and Mrs, Guthrie; Mount Sealey From Mueller Hut through Sladden Saddle to snow 8,651 Mr. Wilson ; Guide face ; descent by same route Stout Jan. 14 Messrs. Rose and Aubin ; Aiguille Rouge From Malte Brun Hut across main west arete of 9,371 Guide Murrell M'alte Brun, thence across Beathan Glacier up rock rib leading to summit; descent by snow face to head of Beathan, returning same route to hut Jan. 17 Messrs. H. E. L. Porter Mount Conway From de la Beche Bivouac up leading ridge to 9,510 and H. Chambers; Fretichay Col, thence to summit; descent by Guide Milne same route to just below Col across snow basin to point under glacier peak, thence direct ascent to bivouac Jan. 18 Masters Ross and Fitz- Mount Darwin From Malte Brun Hut up Tasman Glacier, up 9,715 herbert north face Darwin, following ridge to summit; descent by couloir directly below summit, up glacier to Hochstetter Dome; traversing same north to south, returning to Malte Brun Hut Jan. 19 Mrs. Anderson; Guide Mount Kinsey From Hooker Hut descending into Tasman Valley.. 0,750 Milne Jan. 19 Mr. C. H. Rose; Guide La Perouse .. From Hooker Hut to Harper's Saddle, traversing 10,101 Milne Main Divide across each peak to summit; return same route to Hooker Glacier, returning Hooker Hut same evening Jan. 20 Miss D. Barker; Guide Mounts Kinsey Up Hooker Valley till directly under Kinsey ; usual 0,750 Stout and Wakefield route to summit, following ridge to Wakefield; descent by scree to Hermitage

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Overseas Agencies. The Australian main agencies of the Department, Melbourne and Sydney, had heavy work during the year. From Melbourne, the head Australian office, the Government representative, Mr. H. J. Manson, reports a very busy season, and much good work has been done to further the interests of New Zealand generally. No opportunity was missed of bringing our attractions prominently before the Australian public, and steamer accommodation from Australia was heavily taxed during the season. Mr. Manson states the supplies of literature to hand from the Otago Expansion League, the White Star Line, the Mount Cook Motor Company, the Southland League, as well as that from Head Office, have been liberal, and just what were required for the purpose. The enlarged photographs supplied by the Publicity Department were suitably framed, and a number of them have, with good effect, been hung in the Bank of New Zealand and leading hotels. Arrangements have also been made to display others in the newly decorated rooms of the English Speaking Union, the Geelong Club, and

Date. | Party and Guide. Climb. Route. Height. I " Jan. 20 Mrs. Anderson ; Guide Mount Sealy .. From Mueller Hut to Sladden Saddle ; descent to 8,651 Milne Annette, following same ridge to Hermitage Jan. 22 Master Ross and Mr. Mounts Marie, From Mueller Hut by north ridge of Marie, following 8,051 Bishop Massey, and ridge to summit of Sealy, returning Hermitage by Sealy Annette Ridge Jan. 22 Fitzherbert .. .. Pi brae and From Hooker Hut by ridge from Turner's Peak; 9,716 Nazomi descent by same route. (There was no witness to this climb.) Jan. 22 Mrs. Anderson ; Guide Footstool .. From Sefton Bivouac to Main Divide, up rock face 9,073 Murrell to summit, returning by same route Jan. 22 Messrs. Chambers and Mount Hardingei From de la Bache Bivouac up rock ridge directly 10,100 Porter ; Guide Milne under glacier peak, across snow basin, up rocks to Main Divide, thence by ridge to summit; descent by same route Jan. 24 Miss Barker; Guide Mounts Rosa and From Hooker Hut, traversing Rosa and Mabel and 6,997 Milne Mabel unnamed peak; descent by snow and scree to east side of Tasman Valley Feb. 1 Professor and Mrs. Algie, Harper Saddle From Low Cook Bivouac and Noeline Rocks, re- 8,559 Mrs. H. Porter ; Guide turning same day to Hermitage Milne Feb. 1 Miss Barker; Guides Footstool .. From Sefton Bivouac to Main Divide, up rock face to 9,073 Murrell and Williams summit, returning by same route Feb. 3 Masters Ross and Fitz- Footstool . . From Hooker Hut to Copeland Pass, following Main 9,073 gerald Divide to summit of Footstool; descent in steps of previous party, 1st February Feb. 3 Miss Barker; Guides Mount Giant From Gorilla Hut to Col, following western arete to 7,836 Murrell and Williams ("Rotten summit; descent same route Tommy") Feb. 4 Mr. H. Porter; Guide Mount Sefton.. From Sefton Bivouac across head of Huddlestone 1.0,354 Milne Glacier to spur leading to Tucket's Col, following main arete to summit; descent by same route. (This is first descent by this route since Fitzgerald and Zurbriggen in 1895.) Feb. 5 Masters Ross and Fitz- Mounts Spence From Mueller Hut to Barron's Saddle, up ridge to 7,661 herbert and Mont- summit, following Main Divide to summit of gomery Spence ; descending some distance into Landsborough side down snow couloir, thence across to face of Spence, rejoining ridge of Montgomery Feb. 6 Messrs. Porter and Mount Darby.. From Mueller Hut up rocks from glacier, returning 8,287 Barker by snowfield through Sladden Saddle ; descending to hut Feb. 6 j Miss Theomin; Guide Mount Mont- From Mueller Hut to Barron's Saddle, following 7.661 Murrell gomery eastern arete to summit; traverse same to Fyfe's Pass, descending to hut Feb. 7 j Messrs. Porter and Mount Bannie From Mueller Hut up glacier to ridge between 8,300 ! Dawson Bannie and Vampire, thence to summit; descent by same route Feb. 7 Mr. Vosseller and Miss Malte Brun .. Ascent by main western arete; descent by same 10,421 Ewart: Guide Milne route to head of glacier, thence to hut Feb. 10 Messrs. Vosseller and Mount Cook .. From Haast Hut by Linda route, returning by same 12,349 Rawnsley; Guide Milne Feb. 13 Ross and Fitzgerald .. Malte Brun .. From Malte Brun Hut, using steps of Vosseller's 10,421 party to head of glacier, thence by main arete to summit; descent by same route Feb. 28 Mr. S. Turner; Guide Unnamed pass From Burch Hill Station up valley to low pass Milne between Lloyd Peak and Edgar Thomson, crossing to head of Dobson ; descent by same route to Birch Hill Mar. 17 j Mr. J. Roberts; Guide Mounts Sealy and From Mueller Hut, through Sladden Saddle by 8,651 Milne Annette snow face to summit; descent to Hermitage by Annette Mar. 23 i Miss Theomin; Guide Nun's Veil .. From Gorilla Hut up creek, then south snow face; 8,975 Milne descent by same route Copland Pass was ascended nine times, Ball Pass once, Glacier Dome twice, and Graham's Saddle three times during the season.

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in other places where they are likely to do good. Copies of the large book entitled " Progressive New Zealand," which was specially prepared for the Wembley Exhibition, have been placed in the readingrooms at Menzies', Scott's, the Oriental, and the Windsor, the four best hotels in Melbourne. Half a dozen of the enlarged photographs showing catches of swordfish and mako shark have been framed, and will be displayed in a prominent position at the Windsor Hotel, where they will be sure to attract attention. Mr. Manson succeeded in making arrangements with the Wireless Company to give a series of talks on New Zealand. His first address was given a few weeks ago. It was entitled " New Zealand, the Scenic Wonderland," and proved a pronounced success. A number of listeners-in who heard it spoke enthusiastically of the address. The next address is to be on " New Zealand, the Fisherman's Paradise," and at stated intervals others will be prepared on subjects likely to be of interest to listeners-in. The Sydney Office was kept equally busy, and the Agent, Mr. W. R. Blow, reports that, from the numerous inquiries and the amount of correspondence received, there was every prospect of a record tourist season to New Zealand, but this was upset by the maritime strike early in January, and the infantile-paralysis outbreak also naturally affected tourist traffic. On the 22nd September, 1924, the Department again commenced taking money for the sale of tickets wanted by tourists for travelling in New Zealand. From the date of commencement to the end of the year the sale of tickets was very good, but, for the reasons given in the previous paragraph, our bookings fell of! very considerably during January, February, and March. The total number of persons booked from the 22nd September till the 31st March, and the amount of money taken, were as follows : Number of persons booked, 36 ; amount of money received for bookings, £881 13s. 7d. Much information was distributed during the year, both verbally and by letter, to Australians and overseas visitors to Australia who contemplated settling permanently in the Dominion. These people represented all classes of trades and professions, and in each case the best advice and information was given, and, where possible, suitable literature was distributed. Advertising. —Valuable advertising-work was done in New South Wales, and at small cost. The main items were — (a.) By the publication of photographs and illustrated articles on New Zealand in the New Zealand Loan magazine, the " Australian and New Zealand Press Directory," and the Country Life newspaper : (6.) By the showing in shop-windows of enlarged photographs and magic-lantern slides of New Zealand at Katoomba and Sydney, by Mr. F. E. Tomlinson, photographer, of Wellington : (c.) By the advertisements that have been inserted in the Sydney daily papers by the White Star Company (Limited), of Christchurch : (d.) By the placing of framed enlargements of New Zealand scenery in the leading hotels in and around Sydney: (e.) By the placing of literature-cabinets (seeing that same are always stocked with New Zealand literature) in the leading hotels and shipping companies in and around Sydney. Just before the end of the year arrangements were made with Farmer's Broadcasting Service, of Sydney, for lecturettes on New Zealand scenic resorts, to be delivered by Mr. Blow at intervals during the coming winter. This will be an excellent free advertisement, and should do our Department a great deal of good. General. —Every opportunity was taken during the year to keep the offices before the travelling public, and, in this respect, photographs of our scenery were distributed to likely advertisers, magic-lantern slides were loaned to persons who wished to deliver lectures, and parcels of literature were handed to various shipping companies for distribution on board overseas trading-vessels. The honorary agencies at Brisbane and Adelaide and Durban were kept well supplied with literature and photographic material, and the Agents all report being kept busy answering inquiries and affording information generally to intending visitors. Arrangements have just been made for the appointment of an Honorary Agent at Johannesburg, Mr. B. Avery, a member of New Zealand's first South African Contingent, long settled there in business, having undertaken to accept the position. Mr. A. S. M'cClintock, of Perth, Western Australia, has also consented to act as the Department's Honorary Agent there, and plentiful supplies of literature are being sent him for placing on vessels arriving there from overseas. The expenditure at Sydney and Melbourne was as follows : — Sydney. Melbourne. £ £ Salaries and wages .. .. .. .. .. 731 779 Rent 561 405 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. 253 258 £1,545 £1,442 Work of Agencies generally. —I feel that I cannot speak too highly of the work of the Agents at the booking bureaux of this Department. All agencies were heavily worked, especially during the holiday periods, and satisfaction was experienced by nearly all who did business with the Department.

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Following are the actual returns from each agency, compared with the previous year : — 1923-24. 1924-25. £ a. d. £ s. d. Auckland .. .. .. .. 10,454 13 5 14,562 6 2 Rotorua .. .. .. .. 4,818 16 10 4,736 18 3 Wellington .. .. .. .. 20,068 17 5 23,850 18 11 Christchurch .. .. .. .. 20,731 17 0 23,439 9 8 Dunedin .. .. .. .. 10,140 13 5 13,551 4 8 Invercargill .. .. .. .. 3,962 710 4,272 4 4 Te Aroha .. .. .. .. 8 13 2 96 9 8 Greymouth .. .. .. .. 164 15 3 1,548 14 4 Nelson .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 3 6 £70,350 14 4 £86,117 9 6 The credit-note system from Sydney and Melbourne was again put in force towards the end of the season, and notes to the amount of £1,313 were issued.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (625 copies), £14 10s.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92s.

Price 6d.~\