DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE). BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, RIGHT HON. SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1929 Session I, H-02

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1929. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE). BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, RIGHT HON. SIR JOSEPH WARD.

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

The Hon. the Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts Department to His Excellency the Governor-General. Wellington, Ist June, 1929. 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, 1929. Joseph Ward, 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, 31st May, 1929. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st March, 1929. I have, &c., B. M. Wilson, General Manager. The Right Hon. Sir J. G. Ward, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. ANNUAL REPORT. The revenue of the Department during the financial year just ended continues to show a satisfactory increase, and has risen from £65,447 to £72,658, while the expenditure has increased from £76,865 to £82,987, which shows a difference between the receipts and expenditure of £10,329, an improvement in this respect of £1,089. The expenditure included a non-recurring item of £1,300, part payment from the Consolidated Fund of the cost of repairs to and a new engine for the s.s. " Tawera " on Lake Te Anau. In response to many requests the Department opened an office in Napier for the booking of tours there, and so far the business has been eminently satisfactory in its results. The main items of interest to the Department during the year were the opening of the hostel at Milford Sound, the new hostel at Waitomo Caves, and the opening of Mr. Sullivan's hostel at the Fox Glacier, Westland. All these matters will be referred to later. The near completion of the Rotorua-Waikaremoana Road via Ruatahuna brings up the question of the necessity for further additions to the Department's hostel at Waikaremoana, which, although only recently added to, will require further extensions to cope with the large flow of traffic that it is anticipated will come via this new route, which is one of exceptional beauty. A new launch has been ordered for the lake, the old one having done yeoman service for about a quarter of a century. The laying-out of play areas at Waitomo —i.e., tennis-courts, golf-links, &c. —has been gone into, so that visitors can find amusement after they have visited the Caves, and thereby be induced to stay longer at this Department's excellent hostel. The Department is contemplating the resumption of the Te Anau hostel and steamer, and the purchasing of the present building at Lake Manapouri —or, failing this, the erection of one on the Crown land adjacent to the lake. This action will bring the whole of the Fiordland country under the direct management of the Department —i.e., Lake Te Anau, Te Anau - Milford Track, Manapouri, and the Doubtful Sound Track —and should tend to greatly improve tourist traffic to this region.

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It is of interest to note the shooting by Mr. E. J. Herrick recently of the first moose in this district. The herd was originally imported from Canada by the Department, and liberated in 1910 in Dusky Sound. Plans and specifications for the new bath buildings at Rotorua are approaching completion, and this matter is more fully referred to under the Balneologist's report. The new bivouac on the Aimer Glacier, South Westland, has been completed, and should be of great utility to alpine climbers. Arrangements are also in progress in regard to the new hut on the Chancellor Ridge. Approval has been given to the survey and construction of the Fox Glacier Track and suspension bridge being put in hand. Speaking generally, the year's work all round has been most satisfactory, and I take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the work of an enthusiastic and well-equipped staff of managers and junior officers. The managers all have an intimate knowledge of the country, and the juniors are being sent on information tours at every opportunity. I look forward with confidence to being able to present an equally satisfactory account of our stewardship at the close of the next financial year. The following tables, giving the details of revenue and expenditure for the past six years, are printed in accordance with the usual custom, and also the receipts and expenditure at the main tourist resorts : — Return of Receipts, 1923-29. 1923-24. 1924-25. 1925-26. 1926-27. 1927-28. 1928-29. £ £ £ £ £ £ Receipts .. .. 45,704 47,263 55,391 61,674 65,447 72,658 Return of Expenditure, 1923-29. 1923-24. 1924-25. 1925-26. 1926-27. 1927-28. 1928-29. £ £ £ £ £ £ Consolidated Fund .. 60,445 66,294 70,794 76,378 76,865 82,987 Public Works Fund .. 27,264 12,343 45,096 31,981 36,673 39,254 That the popularity of the Department's passenger-booking system is growing is shown by an increase of £16,379 over the previous year. The total amount received from this source was £206,103.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure at Main Resorts.

Here it may be interesting to note some of the overseas parties who have visited New Zealand from America, as a result of this Department's correspondence with leading American travel firms. The Wellington District Manager reports : — " The majority of the tours were booked with Australians and Americans, and the number of the latter seems to be increasing every season. The number of tourists from the British Isles' and the Continent is very disappointing, in view of the amount of money spent on tourist publicity in England. Certainly, the direct boats between England and New Zealand are well filled, but most of the passengers seem to be New-Zealanders returning—very few tourists for New Zealand. Two large parties of Australian bowlers were booked for extensive tours, and the following is a list of parties booked through overseas agencies: Skinner-More party, booked through American Express Co. (Chicago office) ; Bush party, booked through Crabtree's Travel Office ; Borg party, booked through American Express Co. (New York office) ; Suermondt party, booked through Universal Steamship Agency, Pasadena, California ; Buchanan party, booked through Australian Travel Service."

I Year 1928-29. | Year 1927-28. £ "n '"d W <d •+§ ;ra HH °a)§ ° 'S <£> Resort. ® *w £ g< • «♦_, £ ft | °N «« 1 °2» jg ~ ."£J ° CO -J 00 ft *0 .& g ""I § § £ £ .& c S'SS S 0 ® 3 S o 3 « S > a S g oE©S>S g Ph xftS n °o5 g ft PHHHW Mhhis £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ TeAroha 1,280 -3,437 2,157 .. 1,344 3,147 1,803 Rotorua .. .. .. 35,670 32,494- .. 3,176 32,992 33,712 720 Rotorua Acclimatization District .. 2,214 1,673 .. 541 1,820 1,062 .. 758 Waitomo Caves .. .. 12,406 7,570 .. 4,836 10,224 5,611 .. 4,613 Lake House, Waikaremoana .. 3,155 2,571 .. 584 2,424 1,933 .. 491 Queenstown .. .. .. 277 1,045 768 .. 276 804 528 Glade House and Milford Track .. 3,967 5,770 1,803 .. ! 3,443 5,449 2,006 Morere Hot Springs * .. 550 475 .. 75 564 464 i .. 100 Passenger-booking Bureaux .. 10,203 11,333* 1,130 .. j 9.778 10,216 ; 438 * Expenditure includes £761 for office fittings at new bureaux at Wellington and Napier.

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In addition to these, Pacific Tours, Ltd., brought down a personally conducted party of twentyseven, under the guidance of Mr. J. L. Wheeler, a frequent visitor to New Zealand. The whole of the arrangements for transport and accommodation of this party were made by the Department, whose Inspector accompanied them throughout the tour. The all-round improvement in the Department's position in this respect must, I think, be regarded as satisfactory. It reflects credit on all our officers engaged in pushing the attractions of our New Zealand resorts, both at home and abroad —mainly in Australia, which is our most fruitful field. In this connection it was decided to arrange for our Australian outside agents, Messrs. Barnett and Firth, to travel occasionally on the steamers from Sydney and Melbourne, and, by dint of addresses and meeting personally intending tourists, to prepare their itineraries and give advice generally. This experiment, which it is intended to further extend next season, has had very good results, and travellers have expressed their appreciation at being able to obtain first-hand up-to-date information and to plan their tours to the best advantage before landing in New Zealand. Both of these officers —and, indeed, all the Department's booking officers—have done good work during the year ; and though the number of visitors has materially increased, the complaints, which are inevitable in such a large and complicated business, have been almost infinitesimal, while the record clerk has been kept busy in filing letters of thanks and congratulations. Following are a few extracts from letters received from visitors, appreciative of the work of the Department : — From Mr. A. K. Turner, president Auckland University College Students' Association, dated 10th April, 1929 : "I have to compliment your Department on the very excellent travelling arrangements made for our team, and to thank the officers concerned for the courtesy and efficiency with which they made their arrangements." From Mr. H. Sumner Martin, care of Grand Hotel, Auckland (28/3/29) : " I am leaving New Zealand to-day after an eight weeks' tour of both Islands, and take this opportunity of congratulating your Department upon the excellence of its arrangements for the comfort and enjoyment of tourists. We have had a most interesting and enjoyable trip, due largely to the excellent itinerary prepared." From Mr. Ernest Baynes, care of Midland Hotel, Wellington (14/2/29) : " I returned to Wellington this afternoon after a month's tour in the South Island, and wish to compliment your Office on the very excellent itinerary prepared for me. There was not a single error in it —times of leaving by train, motor, or anything else." From Mr. H. R. Manchester and party of four, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. (14/3/29) : " Now that we are completing the trip you arranged for us over a portion of the South Island, it is a pleasure to advise that we have found the itinerary most complete and satisfactory. We found the hotels comfortable and clean. We were well taken care of, and have enjoyed the journey all the way." From Mr. A. E. Kimpton, Toorak Road, Toorak, Melbourne, Victoria (11/2/29) : "We sail for Sydney to-morrow after having spent a wonderful time in your glorious country, and I must thank you very much for the excellent arrangements you made for our comfort." From Miss Dorothy Paine, R. 6, Sta.C, Box 481, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A. (12/2/29) : " Before leaving your country I should like to write a little note telling you how much I enjoyed my visit there. I was in the North Island two weeks and the South Island six weeks. While in the South Island I was independent except for the ten days I took the Milford Track walk —that was the happiest time I have had on my trip." From Miss Irma Russell, 6 Peppin Street, Camberwell, Victoria, Australia (17/1/29) : " I have just completed a tour of the South Island arranged by your representative. While we have thoroughly enjoyed the scenery of the South Island, we feel that the feature of our whole visit has been the Milford Track, where we received the utmost attention and consideration. Though we are leaving for Australia to-morrow, we both wish we could have spent longer in New Zealand, and hope to return in the near future." From Mr. T. P. Gregory, manager of the State Savings-bank, Victoria (18/1/29) : " I desire to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation for the excellent manner in which you arranged my tour through the North and South Islands during my two months' sojourn in New Zealand. On all sides I met with the greatest courtesy in my travels, which goes to prove that your Department is splendidly managed. I am looking forward at no distant date to returning to New Zealand, when I shall be pleased to again place myself under your charge." From Mr. R. Ikawa, Osaka, Japan (15/1/29): " Please accept my sincere thanks for your courtesy extended to me during my stay in this country. I can assure you that I shall always cherish the memory of the very pleasant tour I have had under your kind arrangements." From Mr. Frank A. Weller, 631 S'o Arden Boulevard, "Los Angeles, California (10/1/29) : " Just a line to thank you for the interest shown in outlining my trip through the North Island, and to say that I have enjoyed every minute of my stay. We arrived at every point on time, and our accommodations were everything that could be expected —and, in fact, far better than we anticipated. We are leaving to-morrow with pleasant memories of our visit in your wonderful country." From Miss Lilian Stott, care of Grand Hotel, Wellington (8/1 /29) : "I would like to express through you my thanks to the person who suggested that there should be a Tourist Agent on board the ' Manuka ' for the convenience of passengers. Mr. Firth was invaluable in arranging and rearranging tours, and, personally, I have been thoroughly satisfied with the splendid South Island itinerary which he mapped out for me." From Mr. R. G. Abderson, of Ebbett Motors, Ltd., Hood Street, Hamilton (14/12/28) : " I have to thank you very sincerely for the arrangements made, which are most suitable and satisfactory. I feel I should never have succeeded in booking through without the good offices of your Department." From Miss Lilian M. Ashford, care of A. G. Orchard, Esq., 2145 Smith Street, Regince, Saskatchewan, Canada (20/8/28) : " You were good enough to arrange a short tour for me in May last, and I

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am writing to tell you how delighted I was with the way everything worked out. The hotel accommodation was excellent, motor services the same —in fact, nothing could have been better." From Mr. A. J. McDonald, Dubbo, New South Wales (27/5/28) : " Before concluding, I wish to compliment the various officers in the bureaux throughout New Zealand for the information and assistance they gave me. For a Government Department their civility was wonderful. It was really a pleasure to be associated with them." From Mr. E. Wenzel, 315 Flinders Lane, Melbourne (21/5/28) : " It is with pleasure I record my appreciation of your no-small contribution to the thorough enjoyment experienced on my all-to-hurried trip, finishing on the ' Aorangi' to Sydney from here to-day. The Mount Cook Section of the itinerary was a delight, and Rotorua and the geysers from there on the way to Taupo wonderful." From Mr. E. W. Wade, secretary, Dominion of New Zealand Bowling Association, 40 Office Road, St. Albans, Caristchurch (26/4/28]: "At a meeting of the executive of the New Zealand Bowling Association held recently great satisfaction was expressed at the successful conclusion of the recent tours Of the Victorian and South Australian bowlers through the Dominion. The travelling arrangements were perfect, and caused no worry or anxiety during any stage of the journey. Will you please accept yourself, and convey to your officers, the sincere thanks of my association for the very fine itineraries arranged for both parties, and for the admirable manner in which all the necessary details were carried out. Various members of both parties expressed to me their thanks for the splendid arrangements made for their comfort, which were very much appreciated by all." From Colonel G. C. E. Elliott, care of Bank of Montreal, Victoria, 8.C., Canada : "On leaving New Zealand, I desire to acknowledge how greatly your organization has assisted us in our travels through your pleasant country. I sincerely hope that at some future time we may be able to revisit it and once again call on your courteous aid." From Mr. 11. A. Nyman, 38 Broome Street, Cottesloe, West Australia (10/4/28) : " I cannot leave beautiful New Zealand without expressing my admiration and thanks for your very efficient Tourist Bureau. I visited your Wellington office early in February and had a marvellous itinerary prepared for me, which worked absolutely without a hitch. I was given valuable information and advice." THE YEAR'S WORK. The following is a summary of the work of the Department at the different places under its control: — Rotokua. Revenue. —The revenue for the year amounted to £35,670, an increase of £2,678 over the previous year. Buildings. —A massage-room, 25 ft. by 10 ft., for women has been erected on the rear veranda of the Main Baths. All necessary couches, cupboards, and fittings have been made and supplied. The room will be used for Aix massage work, to relieve the congestion in the main building. The interior of the Duchess Bath has been repainted, and extensive repairs have been made to the concrete-work in the pool, rendered necessary by the destructive action of the sulphur in the soil. The work of renovating the spout baths at Whakarewarewa, principally in the matter of painting of the exterior and interior, is nearing completion. The lessee will bear a substantial proportion of the cost of this renovation. The Waimangu Tea-house has had additions in the shape of a bedroom, washhouse, and bathroom. The various departmental buildings have had the usual attention as regards painting and maintenance, and are all in very good order. Gardens. —The outstanding feature in this connection has been the levelling of a large area in the sports-ground to make it suitable for hockey or football. At the request of the Tennis Club, a large volley-board has been erected, adjoining the grass tennis-courts. The playing-grounds and floral areas have received all the necesssary attention throughout the year. The usual supply of eggs, poultry, vegetables, and fruit has been obtained from the kitchen-garden for consumption at the Sanatorium and King George V Hospital. Water-supply. —During the year seventy new consumers have been connected to the mains. In several of the suburban streets which had hitherto been supplied with 1 in. piping, 4 in. cast-iron mains have been laid, with the necessary fire-hydrants, to the extent of 4,000 ft. This will enable the fire brigade to cope with any fires in this locality. During the year, for purposes of new connections and extensions, 1,904 ft. of |in., 237 ft. of fin., 10,061 ft. of 1 in., and 2,600 ft. of 1J in. galvanized piping has been laid. All maintenance work in connection with the complete borough supply has received the necessary attention. Drainage. —During the year eleven new connections have been made to the main sewer, necessitating the laying of 111 ft. of 4 in. earthenware piping. The filter-beds have received all necessary attention in the way of digging and scarifying, and all maintenance work has been attended to. Electrical. —No work of outstanding importance has been carried out during the year, but, on the other hand, a large amount of work has been done in making extensions and alterations to the distribution system to meet the demands of consumers. To improve the supply in the Fenton StreetHaupapa Street area a bank of three 10 kv.a. transformers was erected close to the intersection of this street, and the secondary distribution was also rearranged. In the Lytton Street area the single-phase 3,000-volt lines were changed to three-phase, and additional transformers erected, and the secondary distribution was reconstructed. At Ngongotaha 80 chains (approximately) of lowtension lines were erected to give supply to two dairy-farms and some domestic consumers. On Malfroy Road West a transformer and 20 chains of lines were erected to give supply to a dairy-farm. On the Okere Road (approximately three miles from Rotorua) the 6,600-volt line was reconstructed

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for about 10 chains, and about 40 chains of low-tension lines were erected to give supply to a dairyfarm. The range load has increased steadily, and has meant a good deal of extra work rearranging the distribution-lines where required. Along with the new work, a good deal of maintenance has been carried out, so as to keep the distribution system up to the required standard. Our main supplies during the year have been drawn from the Public Works Department powerstation at Horahora, but considerable use has also been made of the Okere power plant. Early in the year the Public Works Department made arrangements with this Department for the Okere plant to be operated sixteen hours per day, six days a week, so that the output from the Okere plant has been much increased. Regular maintenance work has been carried out on the plant, and extensive repairs were made to the buildings, flumes, handrails, &c., and the plant is in as good order as can be expected considering its age and service. The Diesel plant has been called into service on two occasions—once during the fire at Horahora, when it was in service from eight to sixteen hours per day for over a week, and for a few hours on a Sunday when supply was not available from Horahora. Jt has been maintained in good order. Maintenance work has been carried out at the baths and Sanatorium, and for the gardens mechanical equipment. The motor generator set for the electro-medical apparatus in the Main Baths, and the storage battery, were removed from the basement and re-erected in a new generator and battery-room. The Department's transport equipment was added to by the purchase of a five-seater new-model Ford car, and the old car was converted to a light delivery-truck. The following table sets out the units purchased and generated, the new load connected for the year, &c. : —

Number. Watts. New consumers —Light .. .. .. .. .. 104 51,450 Heat .. .. ..81 81,700 Extensions —Light .. .. . . .. 82 13,710 Heat .. .. .. ..40 47,800 Ranges .. .. .. .. .. .. ..34 188,000 Motors .. .. .. .. .. .. ..54 86,713 Connected load for year, 469-4 kw. Peak load for year, 512 kw. (6.30 p.m. on 30/3/29). From the above figures it is obvious that there has again been a substantial increase in the units purchased and generated, and also in the connected load, although during this year no new areas have been given supply. That such increase can be made seems to indicate that there is a good deal of development going on in the area which we supply, and that our tariff charges are low enough and our service good enough to encourage consumers to make a liberal use of the facilities at their disposal. Acclimatization. For the sake of overseas readers, and so that extracts for publication may be conveniently made, 1 have made a feature in this report of this section, and am indebted to Ranger Cobeldick for the information. Ranging.—During the year ended 31st March, 1929, all work pertaining to the acclimatization branch of this Department's administration was carried out in a thorough and painstaking manner. The ranging by the Department's rangers, both honorary and salaried, was effectively attended to, and the wide area of the whole of the extensive district controlled by them was well patrolled in an earnest endeavour to prevent or detect any breaches of either the game or fishing laws. The extra rangers appointed have had a considerable deterrent effect oil the activities of many of the poaching fraternity, and a very large portion of their time was occupied in investigating numerous reports of alleged irregularities. Sufficient evidence in law to substantiate some of these cases was not forthcoming, but in some eight others a prosecution was taken before a Magistrate's Court. Nine convictions were obtained for these offences, and the total fines amounted to £20, together with £5 14s. costs. The diminishing number of Court prosecutions compared to previous years can be attributed in some measure to more efficiency in ranging. Deer-shooting. —This season opened on the 26th March and closed on the 26th April, 1928. Stalking under separate regulations was allowed in the deer herds at Mahia Peninsula, Waikaremoana country, Whakatane County, Galatea district, Rotoiti-Okareka, Taupo County, and at Tokaanu reddeer areas. The number of licenses available was only limited in the cases of the Mahia, Whakatane, and Tokaanu herds. In the Taupo and Galatea herds a limit was imposed on the number of animals allowed to be taken; but there was no limit to the number of licenses for issue, or on the number of

Generated. Purchased from m , , 'lotal. Horanora. Okere. Diesel. 1928 .. .. .. 1,028,030 678,923 5,360 1,712,313 1927 .. .. .. 1,186,990 j 201,018 .. 1,388,008 Increase for year .. .. j .. .. 324,305

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deer allowed to be killed, in either of Rotoiti-Okareka or Waikaremoana herds. In consequence of the heavy shooting that has taken place over the various herds, the deer are not nearly so numerous as they were a few years ago, and many of the stags sighted were quite young animals whose years have been too few to allow of their developing a heavy growth of antler. The finest heads, as usual, were taken in the heavily timbered country, and even in those remote places there is evidence that the stags are deteriorating as far as contour and spread of antlers is concerned. It is suggested that fresh blood should be again introduced, as no liberation of fresh deer stock has been made for eight years past. Mahia Herd.—Several good heads were shot in this herd by Messrs. Ormond Brothers (four), but nothing was got that approached the twenty-four-pointer obtained by Sergeant Wade, of VVairoa, three seasons ago. The area and numbers of deer now in this herd are getting more limited, and the heavy culling operations is resulting in a better type of animal being evolved. There is very little heavy-forest country about the peninsula, and it is only owing to the heavy scrub shelter, isolated patches of bush, and. abundance of food that deer do so well there. Messrs. Ormond and sons are to be congratulated on their efforts to improve the standard of this herd. Waikaremoana Red-deer Area. —Some twenty-nine licenses were issued for this herd. Owing to the heavy shooting of the last five seasons, of both stags and hinds, the deer are not nearly so plentiful, but good sport was reported. Two thirteen-pointers shot by Messrs. McKinnon and Tapper, six twelve-pointers by Messrs. Murphy, Kalenberg, Albricht, and Boyes, and one eleven- and two ten-pointers by Messrs. Ormond, Hodgson, and Campbell, of Wairoa, were the best secured. Many of the other stags were only young animals that would have been better left for later-season sport. An endeavour was made to get more stalking-ground taken from the adjoining sanctuary area, but this was not agreed to. It .remains for the stalkers to conserve the deer in this herd for themselves, and in the interest of future sport, by asking for some restriction upon the number of stags that can be shot next year, and stop the present wanton destruction of the fine hinds. It is obvious that without a good herd of hinds there cannot be a fair proportion of good young stags bred. Whakatane Herd. —All the license-holders in this herd got their limit of heads, the best one secured being a sixteen-pointer shot by a Whakatane sport. Two twelve-pointers were also shot around Mount Edgecumbe. Galatea Herd.—This herd has not recovered from the intensive shooting and culling operations of several seasons past, and new country requires to be traversed to get the better class of heavy heads. The best head for points was a seventeen, secured by Mr. H. Harding, of Matamata ; while two fourteenpointers, seven twelve-pointers, and fifteen others ranging to ten points were shot by Messrs. Strange, Bell, Brown, Kneebone, McDonald, Hine, Roach, and Wells. The afforestation operations about the Galatea area are resulting in the deer being compelled to seek more undisturbed shelter in the heavy native forests further away. Some of the older stags in this herd are pushing gradually towards and beyond Ruatahuna, and will in a few years join up with the deer on the outskirts of the Waikaremoana herd. Rotoiti-Okareka Red-deer Herd.—This herd has been very heavily shot over, and some thirty licenses were issued. Owing to the facilities of good roads and the use of motor-cars, license-holders were enabled to scour almost every portion of this area, and some very fair heads were obtained from the bush-covered portions about Rotoiti, Tarawera, Okataina, and Rotoehu. Several good heads were seen in the Kaituna River valley and about the Rotoma bush. Mr. J. Keeley, of Whakatane, got the pick with two fine fourteen-pointers. Messrs. Rowland Brown, Borick, Fielding, Emmett, Hirst, Hawkins, Moore, Johnston, and Spencer Brothers all got heads of from ten to thirteen points each. Tokaanu Herd. —The red deer in this herd were open to a limit of six licenses only, each licensee being entitled to two heads. Owing to timber-cutting operations and closer settlement, this herd is beginning to scatter. A stag is reported as having been seen on the summit of Ruapehu (an altitude of 9,175 ft.) during the stalking season. Messrs. Stanley Gillies and Milligan secured very fair twelve- and eleven-pointers, and two fourteen-pointers were shot by another party of sportsmen. This herd still requires to be limited in regard to the number of deer shot and licenses issued; and it is also suggested that an interchange of new blood would be an advantage to the class of heads in a few years. Where this fresh blood is to be obtained to improve the va-rious herds is quite another matter, owing to the abolition of the two principal sources of supply—viz., that of Paraparaumu Deer-park, near Wellington, and the Werribee Deer-park, in Victoria. Taupo Herd. —This herd was again opened to take two of the species of deer liberated there. First-class sport was obtained from both the Japanese deer and the red deer. This herd will be the mainstay of deer-stalking sport in the Rotorua Acclimatization District for years to come, by reason of its splendid isolation over the whole of the Kaimanawa Ranges, where there will be no close settlement for many years, and where the heavy forest areas are almost unlimited and abundance of feed and water to support a large herd of deer is continual. Roads are few, and motor-cars can only be used as bases to work out from, and to flying-camps. The possibility of shooting deer out of a motor car or truck, as has been done in other places, is a very remote one so far as the Kaimanawa Range is concerned. Most of the. stalkers found the Japanese bucks very hard to approach, and quite a few had a strenuous time in getting the two Japanese bucks and two red-deer stags allowed under each license. The following gentlemen obtained particularly fine specimens: Mr. J. G. Holmes, of Te Awamutu (two Japanese bucks) ; Mr. G. S. Casey (one red stag and one Japanese buck) ; Mr. M. Dunningham (one red stag and one Japanese buck) ; Mr. H. L. Rose (one red stag and one Japanese buck) ; Mr. J. Byrt Jordan, Auckland (two red stags and two Japanese bucks) ; Mr. P. Seabrook (two Japanese bucks) ; Mr. T. S. Ormiston (two Japanese bucks). The heads secured by Mr. Holmes were equal to the world's record head for the Japanese species (obtained the previous season by Mr. J. B. Jordan, about three miles from where Mr. Holmes bagged his specimens this year).

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An investigation of the Indian spotted deer (Cervis axis) has been authorized by the Department, and this will be carried out by Messrs. T. Ormiston and James Holmes, of Te Awamutu, during thf 1929 stalking season, if time permits. Feathered Game. —The usual season for feathered game was opened for two months—from the Ist May to the 30th June, 1928. The duck-shooting was above the average bag in favoured places only, most sportsmen obtaining eight to fourteen ducks the first day. The only large bag reported was the limit, shot on one of the Orini lagoons, where the ducks are hand-fed in a very isolated spot. Fair shooting of both ducks and swans was reported from Tarawera Swamp and the lagoons about Mount Edgecumbe, Ruatoki, Waimana, and parts of Matata Swamp. In Taupo County good bags were obtained at the Tokaanu end of Lake Taupo, where Chief Ranger Yerex, of the Department of Internal Affairs, and Mr. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay, got near the limit bag on the opening day. A fair number of ducks were also shot on Loch Invar and the Runanga lagoons, and Lakes Rerewhakaitu, Rotomahana, Rotoma, and Rotoehu. In the Galatea district several sportsmen had good shooting, also at Reporoa Valley, Waikato River, and Atiamuri. In the Wairoa County portion of the district the wild ducks were extremely plentiful, but owing to there being so much water about the lagoons not a great number were shot. Swans were also numerous. Pheasants provided good shooting all over the country, though individual bags were not large. Californian and Australian quail were very scarce, and the Virginian quail have been practically shot out in the Wairoa areaPheasant and quail shooting was above the average over the Rotorua, Whakatane, and Taupo Counties, one party taking the limit of ten cock pheasants for three successive days in the vicinity of Opepe, where the shooter had the luck to come across the progeny of a fairly large liberation made there some three seasons before. Over one hundred pheasants were shot off this area during the first month, most of the birds going to Hawke's Bay. The big patches of maize grown all over the Rotorua and Whakatane Counties held a lot of pheasants, and these were nearly all obtained during the opening week. Quail were plentiful along the Tarawera, Rangitaiki, and Waikato River banks, but are not quite so numerous as they were five years ago ; the swamp-quail are exceedingly scarce in many places where they formerly flourished. There is every indication that either the limit of twenty ducks a day will have to be reduced in future years or the duration of the season curtailed to six weeks, to give the game a better chance of surviving against the ever-increasing number of sportsmen, and the scores of vermin, such as rats, hawks, stoats, weasels, and wild cats. Protection should be removed from stoats and weasels and a bonus paid for their destruction. There are more efficient methods of dealing with the rabbit nuisance wherever it exists than relying on the very doubtful assistance of either the stoat or weasel pests, which are slowly doing as much harm to our decreasing native and. game birds as all the other natural enemies put together. Trout-fishing. —The last trout-fishing season was a very successful one towards its close, large creels of well-conditioned trout up to 8 lb. weight being taken at or near the mouths of all the local streams, and in many of the lakes and larger rivers, during the month of May. Overseas fishermen angling and trolling in several lakes secured large numbers of fine fish. The trolling in Rotorua Lake is not up to the average of the other lakes, the extensive netting operations carried out for so many years being the primary cause. The liberations of the past two years have not had time to mature into trout of the legal catchable size of 10 in. With the increasing supply of trout-food visible, and more intensive restocking of trout-fry or yearlings over another three or four years, Rotorua Lake can be brought back to something like the fishing-conditions prevailing about twenty years ago. Fair average baskets of trout were also caught in Lakes Tarawera, Okataina, Okareka, Rotoiti, Rotoehu, and Rotoma. The Waikato River between Huka Falls and the district boundary, above the head of Arapuni Lake dam, also yielded up good fighting-fish, and the same conditions apply to the Whirinaki, Rangitaiki, and upper Whakatane Rivers. Fishing in the lower Tarawera and Waimana Rivers was not so good as last season. More stocking is needed in these places, as there are more natural enemies of the young fry present than is the case in the lakes. Many individual catches have been recorded in the Fishing Gazette by its correspondent, Mr. A. Carruthers, himself a keen fisherman. A new angler's fishing-camp has been established near Murupara by Mr. W. Bird on a favoured fishing reach, and about a mile of the worst of the scrub and gorse has been cut back to allow the anglers access to this ideal fly-fishing water. The popularity of Lakes Rotoiti and Okataina as fishing resorts is growing each season, a large number of fishing-shacks being erected about the shores of Rotoiti, while a substantial fishing-lodge has been erected at Okataina, where also launches and boats are available. Authentic catches of up to thirty trout for two rods were often taken in a day. Messrs. Booth and Thatcher, of Sydney, made an average weight of 5 lb. with Rotoiti trout. The Tarawera Lake fish gave a slightly better average, one catch of Messrs. Baker and Pooley going just over 6 lb. One of the best trout was recently caught in Lake Okataina by Lord Liverpool, which scaled 10 lb., and another of the same weight was caught off Ngongotaha Stream, Lake Rotorua, by Mr. Cunningham. Opossum Season. — The trapping season for taking opossums in the Rotorua Acclimatization District was again opened for a month from the Ist to the 31st July, just fifty-seven licenses and one landholder's permit being issued to trap opossums. The total number of skins on which royalty was paid reached 3,045. The highest catch by a party was made by Messrs. Armstrong Brothers, of Arapuni, who marketed 234 skins, but the average catch per man was only about fifty-odd skins. This low average in a limited district where previous catches averaged 200 per license-holder points to the fact that the opossums are already heavily depleted, and unless a close season is enforced they will reach the point of extermination. As the opossum is the most valuable wild fur-bearing animal

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in the Dominion, it will be necessary, in the interests of preservation of this asset, to have a close season in 1929. Those societies that were far-sighted enough to introduce opossums into their respective districts in the earlier years have reaped and are reaping rich profits from the fur industry. Last season the total of opossum-skins marketed amounted to 139,300, while in 1926 it reached 155,000 skins. Now it is recognized that the opossum thrives best in rough bush country, where it does little or no harm to indigenous timber-bearing trees, and costs nothing for upkeep and increase, other acclimatization societies are endeavouring to seek ways and means of stocking up suitable areas with a good class of animal, as a future source of revenue. This is not to be wondered at when the best class of any skins brought from 14s. to 225. in the open market this past season. Liberation of Pheasants. —During the year, principally owing to complaints that too much of the ranger's time was taken up in rearing pheasants, less work was done in this direction than in previous years. The preparations for a season's rearing take considerable time for nearly a year ahead. The total number of pheasants liberated throughout the district was 119 ; of these, eighty-three were liberated in the Whakatane, Rotorua, and Taupo Counties, and thirty-six in the Wairoa County. Several breeding-pens of birds were furnished, or added by fresh blood, to some breeders in the district, and all birds reared by them will be purchased for future liberation within the local areas. An order for some two hundred birds was given to a well-known Auckland breeder, who was seeking orders from various societies. These should be available for liberation at the end of the 1929 gameshooting season. Mallard Ducks. —Seventeen mallard ducks were liberated in suitable places in the district, and those previously liberated in the Wairoa County, and Lakes Okareka, Qkataina, Lock Invar, and Rere whakaitn, have been seen with broods of ducklings. As the strain liberated was from some bred in the district for about twenty years, it was deemed advisable to procure a fresh strain of new blood, and imported birds from England have now been procured for future rearing operations. This should result in an improvement in the class of wild stock in two or three years. Trout-fry Liberation. —A considerable increase in the number of trout-fry liberated in the district was made in 1928. Since the netting of the local lakes was discontinued it was evident that, with the ever-increasing number of anglers, heavy restocking work was required. This has been the Department's endeavour, and the returns furnished show that the following liberations were made throughout the district: Rainbow trout-ova — Wairoa County, 400,000. Rainbow trout-fry — Whakatane County, 77,500 ; Waikato River, 15,000 ; Taupo County, 5,000 ; Matata Area, 2,500 ; Rotorua Lake, 250,000 ; Rotoiti Lake, 300,000 ; Tarawera Lake, 200,000 ; Okataina Lake, 125,000 ; Rotokakahi Lake, 100,000 ; Okareka Lake, 75,000 ; Rotoma Lake, 7-5,000 ; Rotoehu Lake, 75,000 ; Ngahewa Lake, 10,000 ; Tikitapu Lake, 10,000 : total, 1,720,000. Research Work. —A considerable number of samples of trout-scales were taken and preserved for future reference in regard to the Rotorua trout-fisheries, and statistics were taken of the temperature of the various waters, together with a record of the visible food-supply. No tagged or marked trout were recovered during the season. General. —The thanks of the Department are due to those officers of the Police Force who assisted the rangers in connection with cases of poaching, and to those gentlemen in the Wairoa County, Messrs. Richards and Mills, who assisted to rear and liberate trout-fry, also to those keen members of the Wairoa Rod and Gun Club who were responsible for the liberation of both pheasants and troutfry with their ears. The ranger's motor-vehicles proved most efficient for all classes of acclimatization work which had to be carried out, and the motor-cycle proved its usefulness in enabling a wide area to be ranged in very quick time. Extension of District. —One of the most interesting matters during the year was the fact that the Opotild Acclimatization Society, whose district joins the Rotorua district on the eastern boundary, asked to be taken into the Rotorua Acclimatization District. The Government being agreeable, the whole of the Opotiki County will be incorporated within the boundaries of the Rotorua Acclimatization District, and administered in future by this Department. The Opotiki sportsmen will now reap the benefit of sharing in better trout-fishing, game-liberation, ranging, and restocking of rivers at the same license fees, owing to the stronger financial resources and expert knowledge and organization of this Department. A start will be made at once to bring the Opotiki area up to the standard of Rotorua district. Rotorua Bath Buildings.—Balneologist's Repobt. The Government Balneologist reports as follows : "I have the honour to submit my report on the Rotorua baths for the year ended 31st March, 1929. " The financial returns, as you will note, show a satisfactory increase in all the departments under my control. This is gratifying to myself, because it indicates, an increasing appreciation of our service by visitors to this Spa. " During the past season a great number of overseas patients availed themselves of the mineralwater baths and treatments, and derived considerable benefit from the cure. The Press Conference, which was held in Rotorua in February last, was a particularly important function, inasmuch that the natural assets of our baths and the work of medical hydrology gained a widespread publicity throughout the Dominion. " The Sanatorium. —As indicated by the financial returns, the institution has been particularly busy throughout the year, and our list of patients waiting for admission has stressed the fact of restricted accommodation and the urgent need for a larger and more up-to-date building. During the year approximately 15,000 special treatments (exclusive of baths) were given to Sanatorium patients ; and the majority of these received considerable benefit.

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" Statistics, covering a period of six years, collected from the case-sheets of patients who had undergone treatment in the Sanatorium, were published in the special ' Rheumatic Number of The Archives of the International Society of Medical Hydrology ' in August last, and our results compared very favourably with those obtained at any of the European Spas. " The Bathhouse and other Buildings.—These have been maintained as efficiently as possible for service, but lack of funds to expand our work has at times seriously interfered with progress. That this fact is apparent was manifested by a widespread press criticism throughout the Dominion —a criticism which, though it may be productive of ultimate benefit, kept many visitors from coming to Rotorua at that period of the season. This year a new massage-room was added to the Main Bath building. This has considerably relieved the congestion in the women's massage department. " Massage and Electrical Therapeutics.—Owing to the increase in our work of physiotherapy, various items of electrial equipment have had to be duplicated—viz., Bristowe tables and diathermy apparatus. The X-ray plant installed last year has proved invaluable as an aid to diagnosis, and the financial returns show an increasing revenue from this source. The Plombi4re douche, which has been to hand for some time past, is still waiting accommodation for its installation. " Staff. —During the past year the staff have carried out their duties in a loyal and faithful manner, and a great deal of the success of our work here has been due to their whole-hearted co-operation. " Summary. —I have stated in my previous reports the need for additional accommodation to adequately carry out and expand the work of this Spa, and, as each season arrives, the limitations of our buildings are more acutely felt. The Old Pavilion buildings have long since fallen into decay ; the Blue Bath is in an almost similar state ; the Main Bath building requires extensive repairs ; and the Sanatorium —an institution which is endeavouring to provide for the treatment of rheumatic patients —has long outlived its sphere of adequate usefulness. However, lam in hopes that the present year will see the beginning of a new era of progress, when, with a new and well - equipped Pavilion building, a new and commodious swimming-bath, the attractions of our Spa should induce a considerably augmented patronage. Also, a new Sanatorium is a contingency which will have to be met in the near future, for not only is the present building out of date and inconvenient, but it is too small for the demands of our work. " In this connection 1 have pleasure in stating that the plans for the new Pavilion Baths and the extended Blue Bath (swimming) have now been definitely settled and agreed upon by the Government Architect (Mr. J. T. Mair) and Dr. Duncan. The final plans are being attended to with despatch by Mr. Mair and his staff ; the necessary authority has been obtained from Cabinet, and I hope for the very early calling of tenders for these most necessary works. The improvements in the Sanatorium establishment and the repairs to the main Bath buildings will have the attention of the Department when these first-mentioned works are completed. " There has been a considerable amount of dissatisfaction during the year owing to the dust nuisance in the gardens, caused by the large motor traffic there, and the Public Works Department have under attention the question of oil-spraying the paths, or finding some other means of coping with this trouble. " The Exhibition at Budapest having been abandoned, the conference of balneologists at which Dr. Duncan was to represent New Zealand had also to be abandoned. " In conclusion, I should like to place 011 record my appreciation of the interest and support which the Dominion members of my profession have given to our work at this Spa." Waitomo Caves. I have the pleasure of once again having to report an increase over the previous year of £2,243 18s. 6d. The total cash receipts amount to £12,405 ss. 3d., against £10,224 6s. Bd. last year. During the year 15,000 visitors inspected the caves ; this number is 1,845 in excess of last year, when 13,155 visitors were recorded. The new hostel was completed and handed over by the contractor last May, and was completely furnished in time for this year's tourist traffic. Our visitors are very generous in their praise of the appointments of the new building, which they state is equal to any hotel in this country. It is very gratifying to know we are now in the position of being able to properly cater for the tourist traffic and I am certain that in a short time we will have to make further extensions to meet the demand that is put on this popular resort, for on several occasions we have had to refuse applications for accommodation. The work of forming roads and footpaths around the Hostel grounds was carried out by the Public Works Department, and is completed except the tar-sealing, on which a start will be made this month. During the year several railway excursions from Auckland, Wellington, and other places were run by the Railway Department. Te Aroha. The revenue for the year ended the 28th March, 1929, shows a decrease of £64 os. 6d. as compared with the previous twelve months. Baths show an increase of £5 18s. lid., massage an increase of £30 55., library an increase of £14 35., but games show a decrease of £91 9s. 4d. This is accounted for by the small number of season tickets (bowls) sold, the extremely hot weather, and also the tennis club having their own playing-areas. Bath Buildings —Drinking -fountains. —The necessary work in connection with the upkeep of the bath buildings, &c., has been carried out. The pipe-lines, both hot and cold, have been put in good repair, new valves being put in where required. Two old drinking-fountains were replaced with two

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from Rotorua. The new tepid bath was opened in November, 1928, and has been freely patronized. The baths and mineral-water supplies have given no trouble during the year. Eighty cans of No. 15 water were sent to Rotorua, as compared with ninety-six the previous year and 138 in 1926-27. Buildings, <&c.—A kitchenette has been added to lower pavilion, and is much appreciated by the croquet and bowling clubs. The roof of the upper pavilion has been repaired and painted, and new planking put around the upper bowling-green. The veranda of the head gardener's cottage has been widened and converted into a nice room ; with the exception of the kitchenette this work has been carried out by Head Bath-attendant, Howell. Night Bowls. —The sum of £33 12s. was taken for the season, as compared with £29 9s. for 1926-27. Games. —The revenue from this source shows a decrease of £91 9s. 4d. as compared with the previous year. The very hot weather during the last quarter and the small sale of bowls season tickets at £2 10s. accounts for this loss. Only nine season tickets at £2 10s. were sold, as compared with thirty at £2 2s. the previous year. Music in the Domain. —The Te Aroha Municipal Band has rendered a good number of programmes during the year. Nelson and Westland. The business at the Nelson and Greymouth booking bureaux has maintained the standard of the previous season, and these offices have proved of great use to local people and visitors. Though the Department has no places actually under its control in Westland, except the Maruia Springs, it is naturally interested in the traffic to this favoured part of New Zealand, and it is understood that the two main resorts —the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers—have had a very busy season, the Franz Josef in particular. As regards the Fox Glacier, it has many peculiarities and beauty-spots to offer the tourist. The Hostel has not had the busy season that the Franz Josef Hostel has enjoyed, no doubt on account of the fact that it is not as yet so well known to the travelling public, but will come into its own, rewarding the enterprise of Mr. Sullivan on opening his fine house. It is only a matter of a short period of time when the Fox Glacier will become a rendezvous for numerous visitors. The month of March and also part of April proved a very busy time at the Fox Glacier Hotel. Overseas tourists have called into this office and stated that the glaciers, in their opinion, offer the most wonderful scenery that could be obtained anywhere. Some prefer this trip to any other in New Zealand. The motor trip from Hokitika to the glaciers is full of interest, the road winding through beautiful bush scenery and passing many typically beautiful lakes. The Department will do its best during the coming season to assist in ensuring a reward for the enterprise of those responsible for the opening-up and maintenance of the travelling conveniences in this district. All possible assistance will be rendered by its officers. Reports generally show that the excellent standard of motor transport, &c., has been maintained. Westport to Greymouth Road. —This road is being rapidly formed. The main works now to be completed are two bridges, one of which is over the Fox River. When the road is completed —and it should not be long now —the distance between Greymouth and Westport will be sixty miles, approximately. On the way tourists will have an opportunity of viewing the Pancake Rocks at Punakaikai, and the nikau-palms at the same place. Maruia Springs.—This is another resort which should come into more prominence in the near future. I understand that there are as many as one hundred visitors at the Springs during the weekends in the summer season, and during the week also the resort is well patronized. The scenery on the way from Reefton to the Springs is admirable ; at times the car goes through avenues of trees whose branches from each side cross over, forming an arch. The Springs at Maruia are very hot, and many cures have been effected there. Certain works on the Fox Glacier section have been referred to in my introductory remarks, but these are matters more for the Public Works Department than the Tourist Department. Messrs. Graham Bros, supply the following list of climbs on the Westland side of the Alps :—

List of High Ascents at Franz Josef Glacier, 1928-29.

Date. Party and Guide. Name of Peak. Height. Route and Remarks. 1928. Feet. Aug. 26 Guides, Frank Alack, Charles Graham Saddle .. 8,759 First winter crossing—from Aimer Bivouac Jensen to Ball Hut: first crossing of Southern Alps on ski. Wonderful trip in beautiful weather. Sept. 4 Guides, Frank Alack, Charles Copland Pass .. 8,750 From Hooker Hut to Copland Valley; also Jensen on ski. Nov. 30 Alan James; Guide, F. Alack Elie de Beaumont 10,200 Ascent and descent from Malte Brun Hut by south face and head of Tasman Glacier. Dec. 2 Alan James; Guide, F. Alack Minarets .. 10,058 Traverse. Ascent from Malte Brun Hut De la Beche .. 10,022 by Ranfurly Glacier to summit of Minarets and thence to top of De la Beche ; descent by south-west face to Graham Saddle and ; Franz Josef Glacier to Defiance Hut.

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List of High Ascents at Franz Josef Glacier, 1928-29 —continued.

The Hermitage, Mount Cook. Reports from the management are to the effect that a good season was experienced. Officers of the Department have visited the establishment from time to time to see that the terms of the lease were being properly carried out, and everything in this respect has proved to be satisfactory. A heavy climbing season has been gone through, and it speaks well for the experienced corps of guides maintained by the Mount Cook Co. that the season has been entirely free from accident. A list of climbs made under the supervision of the guides is printed for the purposes of record : —

Date. Party and Guide. Name of Peak. Height, j Route and Remarks. 1929. Feet. Jan. 16 Miss N. Wagstafl: ; Guide. F. Minarets .. 10,058 Ascent and descent round south-west face Alack of De la Beche from Graham Saddle and Aimer Bivouac. Feb. 8 Mr. Anderson ; Guide, F. Alack Glacier Dome .. 8,000 Ascent and descent by the Haast Ridge from (about) Ball Hut. Feb. 16 Miss M. Glynne; Guide, J. Pope Roon and Moltke 8,000 Ascent and descent from Defiance Hut, 6,850 traversing Mount Moltke both ways. Feb. 18 Miss M. Glynne; Guides, J. Mount Spence .. 9,508 Ascent and descent by north face from Aimer Pope, F. Alack Bivouac. Feb. 20 Miss E. Barratt; Guides, F. Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 Ascent and descent by north-east arete from Alack, C. Jensen Graham Saddle and Aimer Bivouac. Feb. 21 Miss E. Barratt; Guide, F. Mount Bismarck 8,324 Ascent by crossing Franz Josef Glacier at Alack Mount Roon .. 8,000 Aimer Bivouac and ascending the MelMount Moltke .. 6,850 choir Glacier, and thence by north face to summit of Bismarck descending to Zubbriggen Col, then traversing Mounts Roon and Moltke to Defiance Hut. Feb. 24 Miss M. Barron; Guide, F. Mount Roon .. 8,000 Ascent and descent from Defiance Hut, Alack Mount Moltke .. 6,850 traversing Mount Moltke both ways. Feb. 24 Misses D. De Beer, L. Roberts, Mount Drummond 8,200 Ascent from Aimer Bivouac by Aimer Glacier Stevenson, and Scott, and St. Mildred Peak 7,600 to Newton Rock, and thence west face to Mr. Mitchel; Guides, A. top of Drummond, traversing St. Mildred Graham, Syd. Howman Peak on descent. Feb. 28 Mr. K. Garrack ; Guide, P. Mount Drummond 8,200 Ascent from Aimer Bivouac and Geikie snowGraham St. Mildred Peak 7,600 fields to top of Drummond, traversing St. Mildred Peak on descent, returning to bivouac via Aimer Glacier. Mar. 10 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, J. Mount Spence .. 9,508 Ascent and descent by north face from Aimer Pope, M. Heinz Bivouac. Mar. 11 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, J. Mount Jervois .. 8,675 Ascent from Aimer Bivouac by north arete Pope, M. Heinz Meteor Peak .. 8,700 to summit of Jervois; descent by south arete to Col, then up north arete to summit of Meteor, returning to Col and descending steep snow couloir to Franz Josef Glacier back to bivouac. Mar. 22 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, P. Wests Peak .. 8,642 Ascent from bivouac on Pioneer Ridge, Fox Graham, F. Alack Glacier to Newton Pass, and thence east arete, to summit; descent same way, and then traversing Franz Joseph Glacier snowfields to Aimer Bivouac. Mar. 23 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, F. Matinga Peak .. 8,000 Ascent and descent from Aimer Bivouac by Alack, Syd. Howman north-west arete from Geikie snowfields of Franz Josef Glacier. Mar. 24 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, F. Mount Bismarck 8,324 A.scent by crossing the Franz Josef Glacier Alack, Syd. Howman .. Mount Roon .. 8,000 at the Aimer Bivouac and descending the Mount Moltke .. 6,850 Melchoir Glacier and thence north face to summit of Bismarck; descent to Zubbriggen Col, then traversing Mounts Roon and Moltke to Defiance Hut. Mar. 24 Mrs. Mona Wilson; Guides, J. Glacier Dome .. 8,000 Ascent from Memorial Hut, traversing Pope, M. Heinz (about) Glacier Dome and Grand Plateau to upper Linda Glacier, returning same way.

Date. Party and Guide. Climb. Height, j Route and Remarks. _ I 1928. Feet. Sept. 11 Messrs. J. Pope and H. Cox- i Hockstetter Dome 9,250 Ascent from Lendenfeldt saddle on to main head ridge, then to summit; descent by same route. Sept. 13 Messrs. J. Pope and H. Cox- Elie de Beaumont 10,200 Ascent by Ledenfeldt Glacier to snow-face head to summit; descent by same route. Nov. 23 Miss Wheeler ; Guide, V. Wil- Mount Sealey .. 8,651 Ascent from Mueller Hut by western face ; liams descent by same route. Dec. 2 Mr. H. E. L. Porter; Guide, Minarets Peaks ... 10,058 Ascent by Ranfurly Glacier to summits; A. Larsen descent by Graham Saddle to Rudolph Glacier. Dec. 11 Miss K. Gardiner; Guide, V. Mount Hamilton 9,915 Ascent via Darwin and Bonny Glacier; Williams * descent by same route. Dec. 21 Miss K. Gardiner; Guide, V. Minaret Peaks .. 10,058 Ascent by Ranfurly Glacier to summit; Williams Mount de la Beche descent by same route.

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Date. Party and Guide. Climb. 1 Height. Route and Remarks. 1928. Feet. Deo. 22 Miss K. Gardiner; Guide, Y. Aiguilles Rouges 9.371 Ascent up Beetham Glacier on to snow and Williams , ice slopes to summit; descent by same route. Dec. 23 Mr. A. Scott; Guide, A. Brus- Turnbull .. 7,400 Ascent from Malte B run Hut up rock slabs tad to summit; descent by traversed peak to Darwin Glacier. Dec. 27 Mr. K. Parker; Guide, A. Twin Peaks .. 8,030 Ascent from Ball Hut up slopes to summit; Brustad descent by same route. Dec. 30 Miss M. Lewis and Mr. A. Sealy .. .. .. Ascent by western face to summit; descent Scott; Guide, A. Brustad bv same route. 1929. Jan. 1 Messrs. W. G. Mace, H. N. Mur- Lean Peak .. 8,000 Ascent from Hooker Hut; descent from ray, and Rod Syme. (No Copeland Pass to West Coast. guide) Jan. 2 Messrs. 0. Pope and E. Lewis Mount Annette .. '7,351 Ascent by Sebastapol Ridge; descent by Mueller Glacier. Jan. 6 | Miss Gardiner ; Guide, V. Wil- Mount Cook .. 12,349 Ascent from Haast Hut by Linda Glacier; liams ; Porter, L. Mahan descent by same route, sixteen hours. Jan. 6 Misses L. and E. Familton ; Anzac Peak .. 8,323 Ascent from Haast Hut across Hockstetter Guide, C. Hilgendorf ice plateau ; descent by same route. Jan. 6 Dr. Bradshaw; Guide, A. Minaret Peaks .. 10,058 Ascent from Malte Brun Hut; descent by Brustad ; Porter, C. Turner same route. Jan. 7 Mr. B. Maughan; Guide, J. Mount Sealy .. 8,651 Ascent from Mueller Hut by western face: Crombie descent by same route. Jan. 7 Messrs. W. G. Mace, H. N. Mur- Minaret Peaks and 10,058 Traverse from Aimer Bivouac to Hermitage. ray, and Rod Syme. (No De la Beche 10,022 Ascent by western face from Pranz Josef guides) 10,058 Glacier; descent by east face of De la. Beche to Tasman Glacier. (Accomplished on foot in one day.) Jan. 10 Messrs. H. E. L. Porter, A. Aiguilles Rouges 9,371 Ascent from Malte Brun Hut; descent by Chambers, and T. Latham same route. Jan. 19 Mr. Eric Lewis and Rev. Wil- Footstool .. 9,073 Ascent from Sefton Bivouac to Main Divide, liams ; Guide, V. Williams ; then rock and snow route to summit; Porter, C. Hilgendorf descent by same route. Jan. 27 Mr. A. Jackson; Guide, L. Footstool .. 9,073 Ascent from Sefton Bivouac to Main Divide, Mahan final ascent by northern face ; descent by same route. Jan. 27 Messrs. S. arid C. Turner, Syme, Mount Cook .. 12,349 Ascent from Haast Hut by Linda Glacier; Mace, and Miss Byles ; descent by same route. (Twenty-five Guide, A. Brustad hours.) (Certified by A. Brustad.) Jan. 30 Miss Edgar Jones ; Guides, A. Mount Cook .. 12,349 Ascent from Haast Hut by Linda Glacier; Brustad, A. Larson descent by same route. (Twenty-one hours.) Jan. 3.1 Mr. A. Jackson; Guide, V. Mount Cook .. 12,349 Ascent from Haast Hut by Linda Glacier; Williams ; Porter, C. Hilgen- descent by same route. dorf Feb. 11 Mr. H. E. L. Porter and Miss Mount Silberhorn 10,750 Ascent from Haast Hut over plateau on to K. Gardiner ; Guide, V. Wil- Mount Teichel- 10,400 ice-ridge to summit of Silberhorn, traversliams mann ing ridge to Teichelmann ; descent by same route. (First ascent of Mount Teichelmann.) Feb. 12 Miss Byles; Guides, A. Brus- Lean Peak .. 8,000 Ascent from Copland Pass; descent to tad, A. Larsen Hooker Hut. Feb. 16 Mr. H. E. L. Porter and Miss Mount Bannie .. 8,600 Ascent from Mueller Glacier by rock route K. Gardiner; Guide, J. to summit; descent by same route. Crombie Feb. 18 Messrs. E. Blomfield and R. Mount Sealy .. 8,651 Ascent by western face from Mueller Hut; Paterson ; Guide, J. Crom- descent, to Mount Annette, then to Hermibie , tage. Feb. 18 Messrs. E. Blomfield and R. Mount Annette .. 7,351 Ascent from western side; descent by Paterson ; Guide, J. Crom- Sebastopol Ridge to Hermitage. bie Feb. 20 Mr. E. Blomfield; Guide, J. Mount Footstool 9,073 Ascent from Sefton Bivouac to Main Divide, Crombie final descent by northern face ; descent by sama route. Feb. 20 MissM. Byles ; Guide, A. Brus- Turner's Peak .. 7,679 Ascent from Ball Hut to Ball Pass, then to tad summit; descent by same route. Feb. 22 Miss M. Byles and Mr. A. Ellis ; Mount Footstool 9,073 Ascent from Sefton Bivouac to Main Divide, Guide, A. Brustad final ascent by northern face ; descent by same route. Feb. 23 Mr. E. Blomfield; Guide, J. Mount Mabel .. 6,858 Ascent from Hooker Hut, making traverse Crombie Mount Rosa .. 6,997 of two peaks to Ball Pass; descent to Proud Peak .. 7,540 Ball Hut, Feb. 23 Miss K. Gardiner and Mr. Mount Green .. 9,305 Ascent from Tasman Glacier up ice-ridge H. E. L. Porter ; Guide, V. between Walter and Green, following rock Williams ridge to summit; descent by same route. Feb. 24 Miss K. Gardiner; Guide, V. Mount Turnbull 7,400 Ascent from Malte Brun Hut up rock slabs Williams leading to summit; descent fay same route. Feb. 28 Mr. Brown'Douglas ; Guide, A. Mount Malte Brun 10,421 Ascent from Malte Brun Hut via western LarsenJ arete ; descent by same route. Feb. — T. H. S. Fyfe andjjj. Wright. Mount Malte Brur 10,421 (No guide)

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Milford Track. This tourist track continues to maintain its large number of visitors and to gain in popularity. The number of visitors during the past season has been greater than ever before ; and, in spite of a disastrous fire which destroyed Glade House, the management and staff were able to maintain a thoroughly efficient service. Unfortunately, some of the machinery to be used in the wireless service up the lake was destroyed in the fire, and that improvement has had to stand over. The contractors will have it in operation by next season. The Department has received many letters of thanks for, and congratulations on, the excellence of its service. Among these are communications from the Otago Expansion League, whose president (Mr. Todd) did the trip for the first time : Hon. John Cecil and his wife, who called personally to express their appreciation of the outing ; a party from the Otago Tramping Club ; and a great many others. The following from the report of the Milford manager is of interest: — " I arrived at Milford Hostel on the 10th December, 1928. Since that date we have accommodated 581 guests for various periods. The new Hostel has been much appreciated by the tourists and tramping clubs. Thirty climbers arrived from Elfin Bay via Talbot Pass and returned to Queenstown by the same route during the season. The R.M.S. " Manuka " called here four times, embarking and disembarking passengers on three of the trips. The s.s. " Kotare " made nine trips from the Bluff to Milford, returning via the Sounds, each trip embarking a number of tourists for this round trip. Another trip which was well patronized on this route.was to go per " Kotare " to Doubtful and Smith Sound, thence via Lake Manapouri. This, I consider, will become a very popular trip in the future. Trips to Anita Bay have been well patronized ; also special trips on moonlight nights. Quite a number of tourists have made excursions up the Cleddau Valley to the junction of the Tutoko and Cleddau Rivers. They have all been impressed with the grandeur of this trip. The general expressed intention of the tourists is to return and spend at least a week at Milford Sounds." The Dunedin Manager in his report mentions : — " During the off season members of the staff visited various resorts to personally acquaint themselves with the resorts in question. All the local resorts have been welJ patronized—Queenstown, Mount Cook, Pembroke, Milford Track —drawing a full quota of visitors. A party from the Otago Tramping Club was organized for the Milford trip. The party consisted of twenty-seven persons, and the trip was highly successful; in fact, the question is being mooted of another party for the coming season. The hostel at Milford Sound has proved very popular with all track visitors, and all the services on the track are running smoothly and efficiently. No complaints of any serious nature have been received in connection with the track. The inauguration of a steamer service to Milford has filled a long-felt want, and, with improved steamer facilities, will soon be one of the most popular trips in the South Island. For variety of scenery with the combination of lakes, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, forest, and native-bird life, the round trip by the overland walk across the Te Anau-Milford Track and returning by steamer through the West Coast Sounds is unsurpassed anywhere. The Manapouri-Doubtful Sound Track has attracted an increased number of visitors. The prospects for the coming season with a more regular steamer service from Melbourne to Bluff and Dunedin are very bright, and the South Island resorts will certainly benefit accordingly." This traffic will surely grow every year, and under good management there will be a large tourist business at Milford, which is a justification, for the enterprise of the Government in erecting Milford House and for the development of the steamer service from the Bluff. This should be fostered and encouraged in every possible way. Better steamers will mean better business. The Track Manager, Mr. Cheriton, reports on the track generally that the keepers of the Pompolona and Quintin Huts have carried out their duties to his satisfaction, while the track staff have done excellent work, having re-formed seventeen miles of track, apart from bridges, fillings, culverts, &c. The telephone-line has been kept in good order. Overseas Agencies. The following reports have been received from the Chief Australian Agencies :— Mr. H. J. Manson (Melbourne Agent) in his report states :— " I have the honour to submit herewith my annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1929. It is gratifying to be able to report that the year's work just completed has been satisfactory in all respects, the varied nature of which, though onerous at times, has nevertheless been interesting. The publicity campaign committed to our care has loomed large in our activities, and evidence is not wanting to show that the appropriation allowed for the purpose has been economically and judiciously expended. The results up to date have been most encouraging, and are only an earnest of what is possible of accomplishment in the future. "It is difficult to estimate the full cash value of propaganda work of this kind and its far reaching effects, but the definite and direct returns in our actual bookings speak for themselves. In this connection lam glad to report a substantial increase over last year's figures. They are as follows : Year ended 31st March, 1929, £5,447 Bs. Bd. ; 1928, £3,377 3s. 9d. : showing an increase of £2,070 4s. lid. (or 60 per cent.), which must be regarded as satisfactory when the limited shipping facilities at this end are taken into account. Given a more up-to-date and more frequent steamer service between Melbourne and the southern portion of the Dominion a still further improvement in our bookings can confidently be looked for. It is pleasing to note that steps are at present being taken by the Government to bring about this much-desired and long-looked-for improvement. Any success achieved in this direction will- be most welcome so far as the travelling public is concerned

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"The services rendered by Messrs. R. M. Firth and W. P. Barnett, who were appointed as the Department's travel salesmen at the beginning of the year, have been of the greatest value, inasmuch as the energy and enthusiasm displayed by them, combined with our publicity campaign, have largely contributed to the decided increase in the number of visitors from the mainland to the Dominion, the figures, as far as can be gathered, constituting a record. The advent of these travel salesmen has not only stimulated our own activities, but has had the effect of infusing new life into kindred organizations seeking a share of the tourist traffic. The struggle for affluent visitors is now world-wide, and it is important that New Zealand should be a vigorous competitor in every field where scenic goods are in demand, especially when she can supply them in abundance, variety, and firstclass quality. Our publicity work has enabled us to keep abreast of the times, and if it be continued along sound lines it should yield fruitful returns. In introducing our attractions to the people of the Commonwealth different methods of advertising have been adopted. One of our most effective means of portraying our scenic wonders, sporting and other resources, has undoubtedly been the use of moving pictures. These have, at frequent intervals, been displayed with marked success at many of the leading theatres in the various States. The screening of carefully selected films at the Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and the Brisbane Town Halls was also immensely successful from an advertising point of view. To these entertainments representative citizens and ex-New-Zealanders were invited, and in each case those who accepted the invitations filled the hall. The GovernorGeneral, Lord Stonehaven, and a distinguished gathering attended the display at Melbourne ; the Governor of South Australia, Sir Alexander Hore Ruthven, and Lady Hore Ruthven, at Adelaide, and the Governor of Queensland, Sir John Goodwin, and Lady Goodwin, at Brisbane. Parties from the respective Government Houses attended, with Their Excellencies. Sir Dudley de Chair, the Governor of New South Wales, was unfortunately absent from Sydney on the occasion of our display in that city, but nevertheless a representative gathering was present. " In organizing our Melbourne display the reservation of seats at our offices was made a special feature, and as a result over thirteen hundred seats were booked by personal application, thereby giving prominence to our location in the city. It is of the utmost importance that our office address should be well known, and opportunities such as this to bring people right within our doors are not missed. " Other methods used to advertise the Dominion, though not quite so spectacular in themselves, have proved effective. The Kodascope used for projecting the smaller films has been utilized to the fullest extent to smaller groups of interested people both at the offices and at clubs and private gatherings. The organized distribution of our excellently prepared literature through an increasing number of channels has also assisted to stimulate interest in our various attractions. The same may be said so far as our posters are concerned. Lantern-slides have also played no small part in our j)ropaganda work. " Empire Shopping Week was taken advantage of to give prominence to goods manufactured by the Dominion. In co-operation with the movement here an arresting window display of our many productions was made in one of the busiest portions of the city. The exhibit attracted considerable attention, and elicited inquiries for many of the articles shown. We were also represented at the Royal Melbourne Show and the Brisbane Shows, where advantage was taken to bring our tourist attractions before large gatherings of people. As other occasions arose they were availed of to attract attention to New Zealand. The part taken by us in the Advertising Arts Ball was an instance of this, as was our association with the New Zealand historical display given as part of the Australian Board of Missions Pageant in the Melbourne Town Hall. In addition to this, our newspaper and magazine campaign entailed considerable work, and was, I am glad to state, productive of many inquiries and subsequent bookings. " So that the part played by New-Zealanders in the Great War was not overlooked, active steps were taken to be fittingly represented in the Anzac Day celebrations. Returned New Zealand soldiers were encouraged to join their unit in the march, and were provided with a New Zealand flag. A prominent position in the procession was allotted to them, and I am exceedingly glad to report that they received a rousing reception along the entire route. On behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand I placed a wreath on the Cenotaph. Generally speaking, New Zealand affairs have been kept well before the notice of the people of Australia during the past year. Many factors have contributed towards this, such as the famous Kingsford Smith flight across the Tasman, the successful visits of the New Zealand rifle team, the rowing crew, and football team, as well as our association with the Chamber of Commerce, Englishspeaking Union, Rotary Ciub, and Travef Promotion League. " The encouragement of settlement in the Dominion has not been overlooked, as frequent inquiries are made as to the conditions that obtain. Several prospective settlers had capital varying from £2,000 to £10,000. " Apart from these various activities many other important matters have engaged our attention. Innumerable inquiries covering a wide range of subjects have been dealt with, including work on behalf of the New Zealand Departments of State, all of whom have made use of our representation here." Mr. W. R. Blow (Sydney Agent) reports as follows : — " I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st March, 1929. " Tourist Traffic to New Zealand, and Passenger-booking Business.—lt gives me very much pleasure to again report a record year as regards the amount of money that was collected at this office for the sale of tickets for travel and accommodation in the Dominion. For the year ended 31st March, 1928, the record sum of £5,545 3s. 9d, was collected, but this year all previous records have been broken

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through, the total bookings reaching the large figure of £7,503 os. 10d., showing the substantial increase of £1,957 17s. Id. over the takings for last year. This large increase in our tourist business is particularly gratifying, as during the year the Sydney business people have continually complained of slackness of trade caused by dry seasons and strikes in various industries. Although our takings have been so satisfactory they do not represent half the people that we have given information to or on whose behalf tours have been mapped out. Experience shows that it is impossible to persuade more than about 50 per cent, of the people who call upon us for advice to purchase tickets. Credit, however, must be given to this office for these people visiting the Dominion. I attribute our success to the fact that our Department's booking system is becoming so well known, and is continually being so favourably commented upon. Quite recently a distinguished Australian who had visited the Dominion wrote to the Sydney Morning Herald eulogizing our Department's methods, and suggesting that they should be copied by the Tourist Department in New South Wales. Undoubtedly, the New Zealand Government's advertising campaign, and the appointment of an outside seller of tourist travel, has contributed towards our success. " Considerable comment has been raised in New Zealand regarding alleged favouritism of the North Island resorts by the Australian offices. As far as this office is concerned the allegation is completely refuted, as an analysis of our bookings has been made and conclusively proved that over 50 per cent, of our people travelled through both Islands of New Zealand. " At times during the year unfavourable comment has been made by some foreign tourists, wishing to visit the Dominion on our immigation regulations, principally when such tourists have had passports vised by British Consular offices. Some Australian tourists would have preferred to take their own motor-cars to the Dominion, but did not do so on account of duty having to be paid. In these cases unfavourable comment was raised, and disappointment expressed. " Permits to Foreigners for Temporary Residence in New Zealand. —The issuing of permits, on behalf of the Customs Department in New Zealand, to foreigners who wished to visit the Dominion for business, pleasure, or health was continued during the year as usual. Each applicant was carefully examined, and each passport was checked before certificates were signed. A total of 485 permits were issued ; and, although this work took up an amount of time it was cheerfully undertaken, because in many cases it led to tickets for travel and accommodation in the Dominion being sold to foreigners who probably would not have called at the offices had permits not been necessary. " Advertising.—During the year, especially the latter half, there was much activity as regards advertising the Dominion. The advertising campaign launched by our Government in Australia commenced, as far as New South Wales was concerned, about the middle of August, 1928, when contracts were entered into with the Sydney Morning Herald, the Evening News, the Daily Telegraph Pictorial, the Bidletin, and the Home Magazine, all published in Sydney, at a cost of about £650 : These contracts were all for six months. " Special features of the advertising campaign included a reception that was given at these offices on Dominion Day, when a representative gathering of the leading citizens of Sydney called and paid their respects. Another feature was a display of cinematograph-films of New Zealand at the Sydney Town Hall, when a large audience of invited guests were entertained by seeing excellent pictures of New Zealand scenery, sport, and scenes of Maori life. Still another feature of the campaign was the appointment by the Department of an outside representative for the purposes of stimulating the tourist traffic to the Dominion. " In September, 1928, the twenty-ninth International Eucharistic Congress was held in Sydney, and thousands of visitors came to Sydney to attend same. Opportunity was taken to circularize the delegates, calling their attention to New Zealand and the facilities offered by our Government to distribute information to inquirers. Arrangements were made to send special representatives with the delegates when they travelled to Brisbane. As a result of our efforts many of the delegates visited the Dominion before returning to their various homes. " During the year I made arrangements with the Orient Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., to show films of New Zealand scenery on their steamers travelling from England to Australia. Nineteen films were supplied to the company, and these are being shown as opportunity offers. " During the year the Empire Forestry Delegation, consisting of delegates from all parts of the British Empire, held a conference at Canberra F.T., and opportunity was taken to bring the Dominion under the notice of the delegates by sending to the Conference a large quantity of literature. The Dominion obtained quite a number of other advertisements, chief of which were by an exhibition of New Zealand pictures painted by the well-known artist Henry Full wood ; by the distribution from this office of framed pictures—Auckland Weekly Neivs (sporting issue), and copies of News and Views to hotels, clubs, &c., and by illustrated articles that appeared in newspapers and magazines. "I regret to report that every now and again unfavourable comment on happenings in the Dominion is cabled from New Zealand to newspapers in Australia. Such information is usually very much exaggerated, and if action could be taken to minimize same, New Zealand's good name in Australia would not suffer. " Commercial Work carried out on behalf of other Government Departments. —I am very pleased to be able to report that other Government Departments have continued to make great use of the offices during the year. Our work in this direction has principally consisted of buying Australian hardwood timber for the Departments of Public Works, Post and Telegraph, and Railways, and for these Departments alone timber to the value of approximately £117,500 has been purchased. Our work for other Departments has been very varied, consisting chiefly of rendering reports on trade and customs matters to the Departments of Industries and Commerce, and Customs ; collecting moneys due to Immigration Department by assisted migrants ; paying allotments on behalf of the Naval Defence Department; supervising the payment of moneys by the Native Land Boards to certain

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Natives resident in Sydney, and making investigations on behalf of the Land and Income Tax Department. In addition to the foregoing, miscellaneous services have been rendered on behalf of nearly every Department of State in the Dominion. The lasge sum of approximately £120,700 was expended on behalf of the Government for sundry services. The following summary may be interesting : Expended on behalf of—Public Works Department (approx.), £38,810 ; New Zealand Railways Department (approx.), £74,267 ; Post and Telegraph Department (approx.), £4,336 ; Tourist Department (approx.), £3,231 ; Internal Affairs Department (approx.), £56 : total, £120,700. " General.—ln conclusion I am pleased to state that the usefulness of the offices, both as a tourist agency and as a general inquiry office, has been recognized and largely availed of by both Australia and New Zealand. As hitherto, every endeavour was made to render the fullest possible service both to the Government and to the public. In this connection lam very pleased to report that I had the loyal co-operation of each member of the staff." Reports have also been received from the Department's Agents in the other Australian States, Vancouver, South Africa, and India, which all go to show that these gentlemen are doing their utmost to put the attractions of this country before residents in their territories. Little Babrier. The following annual report has been received from Mr. R. H. Nelson, the manager, and will be of interest to the many enthusiastic lovers of New Zealand bird-life : — " In presenting my annual report to you for the period ending on 31st March, 1929, I beg to state that a large part of my time has been spent in travelling over the island. I have covered a lot of new ground, and am pleased to report a fairly large increase in the numbers of native birds, especially in those species which are counted rare, such as the North Island robin, the stitchbird, the yellowfronted parrakeet and the bush-wren, and also the native pigeon. The kingfisher, the ground-lark, the white-eye, and the fantail, are to be seen everywhere. " There seems to be any amount of feed for the birds. Last season and this also there have been heavy crops of fruit on the trees. The native birds were feeding on them in scores, especially the figs and grapes. The blackbird and thrush take a large share of the fruit, and so do the rats. " Many of the birds are coming about the house, the tuis and bell-birds predominating. Last year they came down in large numbers and we fed them on sweet foods, as well as porridge and sweet milk. We have had them this season, but in smaller numbers. They will likely increase, as they did last season. We had them until well into August and September last season, when the mating-time commenced. It is very interesting to watch the bell-birds and the tuis feeding out of the tins, also coming into the house. Even the bell-birds sing sweetly on the table while we are having our meals. The tuis are not so tame, although they also enter the kitchen. They are singing the whole day. " During the last twelve months I have seen many of the kiwis. During the very dry weather they came much about the house ; we put out dishes containing water, and the kiwis came about every evening, and we could see them drinking. On two occasions I saw one close at the kitchendoor ; one walked through between my legs. I have not seen the white kiwi for some time. " During the last twelve months I have shot many rats, as well as three cats. I have also destroyed many of the noxious weeds. I have also gone far along the beach every month and found everything clear. Twice I have been right round the island in the mail-carrier's boat. There were no signs of any one having been trafficking on the island. " On the sth February this year three members of Parliament visited the island, again leaving on the Bth—i.e., Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie, Hon. F. Mander, and Hon. G. Garland. On the 18th February, the Rev. Lionel B. Fletcher and Mr. G. Woodhams visited the island, and left again on the 21st. On the 4th March Mr. Oliver, Director of Wellington Museum, with Mr. Osborne and Mr. Lindsay, visited the island, and left again on the 11th."

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