DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS AND PUBLICITY (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1931 Session I-II, H-02

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1931. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS AND PUBLICITY (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE).

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

The Hon. the Minister in Charge of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts and Publicity to His Excellency the Governor-General. Wellington, 23rd July, 1931. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts and Publicity for the year ended 31st March, 1931. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts and Publicity. His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand.

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS AND PUBLICITY. Sir, — Wellington, 23rd June, 1931. I have the honour to submit the following report on the organization and work of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, with which is now incorporated the Publicity Department, for the year ended 31st March, 1931. Following previous practice, a separate report is submitted in respect of the Department of Industries and Commerce. I have, &c., G. W. Clinkard, General Manager. The Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts and Publicity.

ANNUAL REPORT. Organization and Staff. The amalgamation of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts, the Department of Industries and Commerce, and the Publicity Department was made effective in April, 1930. It was immediately evident that efficient and economical administration demanded that the Head Offices should be brought together in the same premises. Suitable modern offices were secured at a rental appreciably lower than that payable for the separate premises previously occupied, and substantial savings in staff costs were also secured as a direct result of the consolidation of the several offices. The amalgamation has also made possible certain economies at Branch offices. The reorganization has been carried out without friction, and with the loyal support of the controlling officers. At the same time important staff changes were made in the Department's representation overseas. Mr. L. J. Schmitt took up duty, with headquarters in Sydney, as Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Australia. Mr. H. J. Manson, C.M.G., who previously acted in a similar capacity, with headquarters at Melbourne, retired from the Service. A review of our Australian staffing and methods made it possible to reduce staff costs in the Commonwealth by a substantial sum, while increased duties placed upon the staff in Sydney have resulted in the elimination of heavy payments previously made to private interests. Mr. J. W. Collins, previously Secretary for Industries and Commerce, left New Zealand in April, 1930, to carry out the duties of Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Canada and the United States, with headquarters at Toronto.

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The work of the overseas branches and representatives will be referred to later in this report. Mr. W. Hill, for many years District Manager for the Department in Rotorua, retired from the Service in December last, his place being filled by the transfer of Mr. L. J. Bayfeild, previously District Manager at Christchurch. Every endeavour has been made during the past year to effect economies in staffing, and I am glad to be able to report savings under that heading at the rate of several thousand pounds per annum. The staff is giving loyal and enthusiastic service, and efficiency has not been sacrified in the efforts to reduce costs. The Department's Functions. As I have now been in charge of the Department for a period of approximately twelve months, I desire to take this opportunity of reviewing in general terms the functions of the Department and the lines along which, with approval, I propose to work for the future. The consolidation of the work of the Tourist and Publicity Departments is a recognition of the fact that in the main our national publicity effort is directed towards increasing tourist traffic to the Dominion. Publicity is therefore, as our " tourist-sales " advertising, an integral part of the tourist effort. The other main sections of the Department's work are represented by (a) the provision in New Zealand and overseas of booking services designed to facilitate and encourage travel in the Dominion; (b) the administrative control of many of the important scenic assets ; and (c) the provision and control of facilities designed to encourage tourist traffic in New Zealand. These last-mentioned functions are carried out by methods adapted to the differing circumstances. In some few instances the Department operates directly on commercial lines by the provision of accommodation, transport, and guiding services. In other cases steps have been taken to lease particular reserves or property to private enterprise. In large measure the expenditure of the Department is not designed to show a direct financial return to the State. The provision and maintenance of parks and gardens and playing-areas, and the means of access to scenic resorts, subsidies to local authorities for similar purposes, and other expenditure of a like nature represent a continuous charge upon the funds at the Department's disposal. In other instances the circumstances are such that while some revenue is secured the Department cannot expect to derive a return fully commensurate with expenditure which is intended primarily to increase the tourist facilities. Notwithstanding these facts, the total gross cost of the Department is materially offset by the total revenue received, which in the year just ended amounted to £68,524. Broadly stated, therefore, the Department's functions are to encourage tourist travel in the Dominion (and particularly from overseas), to provide the necessary booking services, either independently or in association with overseas travel agencies, to develop facilities, and to control State-owned scenic assets. The effort to increase traffic to the Dominion is essentially made, under two main headings— (a) publicity in varying forms, and (b) the provision of overseas offices and agencies to provide information and booking-facilities linked with the booking-organization within the Dominion. These two phases of what may be called " the overseas effort " are inter-dependent. Publicity must be backed by all necessary provision to enable prospective visitors to secure detailed information and actually to book tours to and through the Dominion. Conversely, overseas travel agencies or departmental branches cannot be expected to secure substantial business for New Zealand unless they are supported by adequate publicity. The matter of our publicity work in its various phases will be dealt with in a separate section of this report. The Department maintains its own offices and staffs overseas to a limited extent only, but representation through honorary agents and part-time officers has been secured at a number of important points largely through the generous assistance of New-Zealanders living abroad. Our own offices at Sydney, Melbourne, and Toronto, and the High Commissioner's Office in London are staffed and equipped not only to assist in publicity work and the giving of information, but also are able to carry out the more difficult work of actually booking tours. The association at those offices of work in relation to trade development, tourist, and publicity activities, and many other duties for a number of Government Departments, has necessitated and justified the establishment of these branch offices. Honorary agents who are mainly, though not entirely, concerned with publicity work are located at Brisbane, Johannesburg, Durban, Calcutta, Colombo, Tientsin., Honolulu, Vancouver, and San Francisco. As opportunity offers, the system of appointing honorary agents is being extended with very satisfactory results. In connection with the reorganization of our Australian representation a decision was made to transfer the main office from Melbourne to Sydney, and in the latter city new ground-floor offices have been leased in a particularly favourable location at the corner of Pitt Street and Martin Place, opposite the General Post Office. This change has necessitated increased expenditure, but the " publicity " value of the move has been ample justification. The office has been attractively fitted and the window-display space put to best possible uses. The results of the change have been entirely satisfactory. During the past year our Australian organization has been greatly strengthened by the appointment of a number of agents on a commission basis, and we now have booking-office representation in twenty-seven of the main cities and towns of the Commonwealth. Definite business results have been secured in face of difficult economic conditions. The appointment of agents on a similar basis in a further twenty-four centres is under action.

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Outside the Commonwealtli the Department has adopted the method of working through its arrangements with a number of well-known travel agencies which conduct extensive travel business with and to all parts of the world. Under these arrangements—revised and improved during the past year —-the travel agencies have been granted favourable commission rates on all business booked to New Zealand. To overcome the difficulties which would be faced by booking-offices overseas not possessed of detailed knowledge of travel in the Dominion, a wide range of standard or " priced " tours —specified in detail, and including all services from arrival to departure—have been supplied to these travel agencies. Satisfactory financial arrangements have been made, and these priced tours can be sold to cover either a short or a long period in the Dominion. I am confident that the greatly improved conditions offered to and through these important avenues of tourist business should be of considerable assistance in drawing traffic particularly from North America and the United Kingdom. Unfortunately, the funds available are at present quite inadequate to provide, particularly in the extensive North American and European field, the publicity which is essential as a support to these improved booking arrangements. We are, however, assisted "materially in that direction by the work of railway and shipping companies, which in varying degrees and at different stages are interested in traffic to the Dominion. The Department's efforts abroad in relation to the important matter of " selling " tours must necessarily be supported within the Dominion by an efficient booking-service. This internal organization has for many years catered effectively for the needs of New-Zealanders who require advice and assistance in arranging itineraries through the Dominion, but in the main centres (and more particularly at Auckland and Wellington) the staffs of the Department's bureaux are largely engaged in booking tours for overseas visitors, many of whom come to us through the agency of our branches overseas. or from travel firms, with which we are continuously in contact, on a commission basis. While, therefore, our bureaux in New Zealand handle a great deal of " local " traffic, they are at the same time an essential part of the organization necessary to deal effectively with tourist business originating overseas. Even the bureaux in the smaller centres provide for overseas visitors a necessary service in readjusting, to meet the changing desires of visitors, itineraries originally fixed either abroad or at the port of arrival in New Zealand. The total value of rail, motor, steamer, air, and side-trip tickets and accommodation coupons issued during the past year was £173,930. Publicity. Prior to the financial year 1930-31, the national publicity work was controlled by the Publicity Office as a branch of the Department of Internal Affairs. As the expenditure on publicity is directed towards the promotion of overseas trade and the development of tourist traffic, there is a very close association with the other functions of the amalgamated Department as now constituted. It is unfortunate that financial conditions have necessarily limited the funds at present available for this work, and, while there has been substantial curtailment and some reorganization of the activities during the past year, every endeavour has been made to maintain a reasonable continuity of action to secure results. The view is taken by the Department that publicity to be effective must be reasonably continuous, particularly in the highly competitive trade and tourist " markets " abroad. We are forced to meet in America, Europe, Australia, and the East the very strong competition of the tourist publicity put out by other Governments and large transportation companies. In fact, outside Australia, at present our main tourist market, our efforts are relatively insignificant in face of the enormous expenditure of other countries. For example, it is reliably estimated that the Canadian Government, through various channels, spends annually, largely in North America, a sum approximating £500,000 on tourist publicity. In addition, the sum of £100,000 is set down as the estimated annual expenditure of the Canadian provincial and municipal governments on similar publicity. This great publicity effort, backed by a favourable geographical location, results in an enormous tourist revenue to Canada, which for 1929 was officially estimated at approximately £60,000,000 and for 1930 at £56,000,000. Italy, Germany, France, and many other countries are also spending large sums in the endeavour to increase tourist traffic. A large proportion of this heavy expenditure is released in America, where, of course, enormous sums are also, spent by national and private interests seeking to draw traffic to the tourist resorts and scenic areas in the United States and Canada. The area over which our publicity effort might be expended is so extensive that a sum greatly in excess of that now available would be necessary to provide effective and continuous results, and the Department is. fully appreciative of the fact that the attractions and resources of the Dominion are relatively unknown over wide areas. It has therefore been essential to limit to some extent the areas over which efforts may be expended, and to carry out a reasonably complete programme in Australia.with relatively more restricted activities in America and the United Kingdom. .A. number .of different. forms .of publicity have been used. In Australia advertising in news- , papers and periodicals has been used, and the results from different publications and forms of appeal " keyed "as a guide to future action. To a minor extent only has it been possible to use newspaper space in other countries. Window-display. material, including "cut-out" designs, posters, transparencies, enlarged photographs, and sporting trophies have been supplied, particularly to Australia and Canada, for use by travel agencies .a^d.in our own offices and in special exhibitions and shopwindows.

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Twenty thousand letter-folders illustrated in colour were despatched to selected lists of Australian residents, and the results justify an extension of this activity to other fields during the current year. Special tour-books, giving details of itineraries, attractions, costs, and booking-facilities were distributed throughout Australia, particularly through our local offices and agencies. Several thousand posters have been distributed in North America, India, South Africa, and Australia, for display mainly through Railway organizations. Several hundreds of enlarged coloured photographs have been distributed for display in suitable positions overseas, and thousands of whole-plate photographs have been supplied to travel agencies, overseas tourists, newspapers, and New-Zealanders going abroad. Large quantities of lantern slides have been distributed for the use of New-Zealanders and others who are able and willing to lecture on the attractions of the Dominion. General publicity literature —mainly in the form of folders in colour, and maps—has been despatched to the number of over a hundred thousand pieces, and heavy printing orders for further supplies are in hand. Articles of a suitable character have been prepared and satisfactorily placed with accompanying photographs in newspapers and periodicals in Australia, Europe, and America. Photographs for similar purposes have been freely supplied to visiting journalists and to overseas papers, and publicity of an excellent character has been secured by these methods. A considerable extension of this work is possible, and is now receiving attention. Film publicity has been a feature of the work of the Publicity Office in past years, but the general change from silent to sound films has materially affected the position both in regard to production and the release of the films. No good purpose would be served at present by the production of any further extensive quantity of silent films which are not generally acceptable in competition with sound films overseas. Notwithstanding this fact, however, the Department is still able to secure extensive publicity based upon the wide range of negatives of good quality produced in previous years. Our films are still showing in over fifty theatres per day throughout the United Kingdom, and the work of controlling from the High Commissioner's Office the distribution of a number of subjects over hundreds of theatres is considerable. The silent films are also freely used for lecturing purposes, particularly in North America. During the past year this class of photographic material has been put to other uses by the production from our negatives of 16-millimeter pictures which are particularly adapted to use in homes, small halls, &c. Some of these small films are being produced and sold on contract for distribution by a well-known photographic house in New Zealand and overseas. Hundreds of copies have gone abroad through this medium. Some of the best of the negatives have been used during the past year for the production—more or less on a experimental basis —of sound films. Explanatory dialogue or " guide-talk " with a background of music has been synchronized to the original pictures with reasonably satisfactory results. Copies of several of these sound pictures (of which nine have been made) have been sent to America, Europe, Africa, and Australia in order that the Department may be able to judge of their acceptance for general release. In view of the relatively high cost of production, it is hoped that some financial return may be secured from theatre interests, and the indications to date in this respect are encouraging. The world-wide improvement in the technical aspects of film-production, the heavy expense involved in relation to sound films, and the difficulty of securing an assured release before audiences satisfactory to our requirements, constitute at present difficulties in the way of any extensive development of this phase of our work. Publicity for the direct purpose of trade-development is in the main carried out in the United Kingdom by the several Produce Boards of the Dominion. The Publicity Section of the High Commissioner's Office assists, however, in this work, particularly in the matter of exhibitions and window displays. A large number of these exhibits have been made during the past year in trade and general exhibitions throughout the United Kingdom, and very favourable comment has been made on the quality of this work. The Department is endeavouring to maintain in its publicity a standard of quality which will enable our material to bear comparison with that of other countries. Financial limitations and technical difficulties make the maintenance of this objective by no means an easy matter. It is, in consequence, pleasing to be able to record the commendation of several overseas critics qualified in this regard. An erroneous impression exists that there is considerable overlapping between the work of this Department and that of the New Zealand Railways. The overseas publicity effort is essentially in the hands of this Department, and the Railway Department does not concern itself with that work. In those matters where the two Departments have similar activities a full measure of co-operation exists, and the Department is working in harmony not only with the Railways and other transport organizations, but with hotel and other interests directly concerned with tourist travel. Departmental Activities within the Dominion. The Department's Tourist Booking Bureaux in New Zealand have already been mentioned in relation to overseas traffic. These bureaux have been maintained in several centres for many years, with gradual extensions to some of the secondary towns. The bureau at Napier was completely destroyed by the earthquake of the 3rd February last, and it is not proposed at present to take any steps for the re-establishment of this branch. When conditions are favourable steps will be taken to appoint a suitable agent as in other centres. It was decided during the past year that circumstances do not justify the continuation of the bureau at Greymouth, and this has now been closed. The Department desires, however, to extend its facilities and strengthen its organization by securing suitable

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representation in the larger towns and cities where the facts do not as yet justify the establishment of our- own offices. Following this policy, agents have been appointed during the past year in Greymouth and Palmsrston North, and further appointments at other centres are proposed. The booking bureaux within the Dominion continue to handle a very large proportion of the traffic, but a decided decline in business which became evident from the beginning of 1931 has seriously affected the returns for the past financial year. Steps have been taken to secure all possible economy in operation, and staff has in some cases been drafted to vacancies elsewhere. Steps are now being considered to effect further economies, particularly at Auckland and Wellington, while maintaining the high standard of efficiency set in previous periods. The staff at the bureaux have again been called upon to work long hours during the summer, and leave is granted only during the autumn and winter months. The Department provides and directly controls facilities at various scenic resorts, particularly at Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Morere Springs, Lake Waikaremoana, Te Aroha, Queenstown, and on the Glade House - Milford Track. These activities have unfortunately been affected financially by the general falling-off in traffic, and every endeavour has been made to reduce costs of operation. The Department also controls, under the Tourist and Health Resorts Control Act, a number of reserves of scenic value, and properties, several of which have been leased (usually under stringent conditions) to private interests. The more important of these are the Hermitage and Reserves in the Mount Cook area, Te Anau Hotel and Reserves, Maruia Springs Reserve (recently leased), and the Wairakei Valley Reserve. The Department also controls the bird sanctuaries on Little Barrier and Resolution Islands. Action is continuously taken to improve the tourist facilities in the Dominion, and this Department, in conjunction with the Public Works Department, carries out work of this nature in many parts of the Dominion. In Appendix A of this report references are made to the various works undertaken during the past year. The appendix also contains extracts from the annual reports of officers controlling branches within the Dominion and overseas. Financial. The revenue of the Department during the financial year under review was £68,524, a decrease of £6,559 over that of the previous year, and the expenditure, including the Overseas Publicity Branch, was £120,413, as against £130,615 for the previous year. The following tables give details of revenue and expenditure for the past six years; also the receipts and expenditure at the main tourist resorts : — Return of Receipts, 1925-31. 1925-26. 1926-27. 1927-28. 1928-29. 1929-30. 1930-31. £ £ £ £ £ £ Receipts .. .. 55,391 61,674 65',447 72,658 75,083 68,524 Return of Expenditure, 192-5-31, 1925-26. 1926-27. 1927-28. 1928-29. 1929-30. 1930-31. £ £ £ £ £ £ Consolidated Fund .. 70,794 76,378 76,865 82,987 130,615* 120,413* Public Works Fund .. 45,096 31,981 36,673 39,254 20,546 60,288 * Includes expenditure of Overseas Publicity Branch. Passenger Booking Branch—Ticket Sales.—l 929-30, £201,766 ; 1930-31, £173,930 : decrease, £27,836.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure at Main Resorts.

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Year 1930-31. Year 1929-30. M © r> H rt d H « «9* B "OoS " O S § Resort. © ** © S* -? .«« S9 4 3 s °gi « a 2.1.8' ° n « -S ".■§.& "8 .5* a m 1a " " f S .& a ®"s s> $ ® g © 2 o § © & =s © 2 © § © © > £ o g< nft« S»' § g< MftPSgoS £ £ £ £ ££££ TeAroha .. „. .. 1,244 3,541 2,297 .. 1,427 3,391 1,964 .. Rotorua .. .. .. 38,367 39,330 963 .. 38,090 34,829 .. 3,261 Rotorua Acclimatization District .. 1,456 855 .. 601 2,677 2,074 .. 603 Waitomo Caves.. .. .. 10,352 8,391 .. 1,961 12,968 9,022 .. 3,946 Lake House, Waikaremoana .. 2,491 3,585 1,094 .. 2,644 3,042 398 Queenstown .. .. .. 223 735 512 .. 354 1,069 715 Glade House and Milford Track .. 2,845 7,179 4,334 .. 3,791 6,44-9 2,658 Morere Hot Springs .. .. 539 394 .. 145 715 436 .. 279 Passenger-booking Bureaux .. 7,893 12,296 4,403 .. 9,704 13,494 3,790

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Conclusion. Comment is frequently made upon the matter of the national value of New Zealand's scenic and sporting attractions and the potential wealth to be derived from a development of the tourist traffic to the Dominion. The Department has a full and lively appreciation of the facts in this connection, and every effort is made by means referred to in this report to bring the attractions of this Dominion before the travelling public of other countries, and to arrange as far as possible to give satisfaction to those who visit the Dominion. At the same time the Department is in a position to appreciate also the difficulties which are involved by reason of our distance from the larger centres of prospective tourist population and the keen competition of other countries. As there are at least fifty National Governments who actively participate in the encouragement of tourist travel, it will be seen that throughout the world to-day the tourist traffic is recognized as an industry of major importance, and that competition is particularly keen at the present time between different countries in securing a share of the enormous sums spent annually in travel, estimated by the International Travel Association at £1,500,000,000. Whereas it is generally recognized through New Zealand that the tourist traffic may be a source of great wealth to any country, there are a number of people who are apparently under the impression that only the transport firms and hotels receive the benefit. That the latter contention is entirely erroneous may be proved by the fact that from statistics compiled by a competent authority it has been shown that the money expended by American tourists iu Canada is distributed as follows : Merchandise, 26 per cent. ; hotels and restaurants, 37-8 per cent. ; transportation, 18-5 per cent. ; confectionery and incidentals, 5-9 per cent. ; theatres and amusements, 8-5 per cent. ; street-car fares, taxis, &c., 3-3 per cent. In addition to the fact that the money expended by overseas travellers confers benefits on different classes of the community, it must not be overlooked that the benefits derived from the tourist traffic are not limited to the money actually spent by tourists within any country. The personal knowledge of economic and social conditions and of trade possibilities gained by visitors often results in industrial and commercial developments of a beneficial character. It will be seen, therefore, from the foregoing that this Dominion has much to gain from the encouragement of tourists, and every effort should be made to this end. Evidence is not lacking to prove that the publicity work carried out in previous years is having an influence in increasing the popularity of New Zealand's tourist resorts, and would certainly have been reflected in increased business had normal financial conditions overseas prevailed. Notwithstanding the present world decline in tourist travel, the Department already has in hand the detailed arrangements for several large parties to arrive during the coming summer, and the general prospects for the season are by no means unsatisfactory. Given adequate funds for publicity, there is no doubt that the Department, with its selling organization overseas and within New Zealand, can do much to exploit to the full the wonderful scenic and sporting attractions of this Dominion. The increase may be gradual at first, but if continuous efforts are made to advertise and sell overseas travel within New Zealand, and to cater for our visitors in an efficient manner during their stay here, there is no doubt that the industry will, in a comparatively short space of time, be regarded as of prime importance to this Dominion.

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APPENDICES. APPENDIX A. NEW WORKS. The following new works have been undertaken, and in a number of cases completed during the year : — Rotorua : New Ward and Blue baths. Sealing of paths and drives in the Sanatorium grounds. Morere : Laying of new pipe-line from intake. Westland.: New huts at Copland Pass and Camp Creek. Tracks at Franz Josef. Mount Cook : Erection of Malte Brun hut. Te Anau - Milford Track : New staff quarters, bath-house, and hot-water system at Quintonhuts. New bridges over Giant and Poisedon Creeks. , w l Stewart Island: Erection of wharves at Golden Bay and Ulva. . EXTRACTS FROM REPORTS OF CONTROLLING OFFICERS. The Trade and Tourist Commissioner for New Zealand in Australia. " On the 9th November, 1930, the Department relinquished the upstairs offices at the London Bank Chambers, and moved to the lower ground-floor of the Colonial Mutual Buildings at the corner of Pitt Street and Martin Place. These offices, which are opposite the General Post Office, are very central, and it is estimated that ten million people pass them weekly. The interior of the new offices are fitted, decorated, and furnished solely with New Zealand timbers kindly supplied, without cost, by the Sawmillers' Federation in New Zealand. The Lord Mayor of Sydney officially opened the offices on the 10th November, 1930, and the function was attended by representatives of many countries, and of industrial, commercial, professional, and tourist interests. "A talking-film of the proceedings, taken by the Fox Movietone News cinematographer, ;was later shown throughout the Commonwealth, resulting in a considerable amount of publicity for the Dominion. " Active steps were taken during the year under review to appoint a number of sub-agents to sell tours within New Zealand, on a commission basis, at twenty-five cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth. These appointments will be extended to other places until this Department has a comprehensive chain which will link up the whole Commonwealth. " During the year arrangements were made for the actual sale of intercolonial steamship, tickets at Sydney and Melbourne offices. Tourists are now able to make, and pay for, all New Zealand travel arrangements at the branches stated, and, in addition, may arrange to obtain and complete the income-tax certificates, and all the necessary forms required. This innovation is much appreciated by travellers. " Follow-up work in conjunction with the advertising campaign was actively pursued, and every effort made by the Department's staff and agents to finalize the sale of tours. " During the year a considerable amount of free newspaper publicity of a constructive character was obtained in all States, and splendid photographic reproductions of New Zealand scenery appeared in weekly papers particularly in Queensland. Sporting attractions of New Zealand were also featured frequently free of charge both by special articles and by illustrations in the daily papers. In Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane a number of special window displays of New Zealand sfighery and sporting facilities were made. This proved a very effective method of advertising the attractions of New Zealand. One particularly good display was made in the windows of Anthony Horderns, Sydney. " Every effort was made to induce travellers to visit New Zealand by means of the judicious distribution of films, photographs, and lantern-slides, and by lectures delivered befpre many , clubs and gatherings of interested persons. Displays and lantern talks were given to "tie Royal Empire Society, the Legacy Club of New South Wales, the Millions Club, the New South Wa,leS Manuftctiirerb' Association, the Australian National Travel Association, the Tourist League of New' South Wales, and various colleges, societies, &c. ' V ; ' " " During the year a visit was paid by me to all the States in the Commonwealth, find bppb'rtutiity was taken of getting into touch with all travel agents with a view to securing their co-operation in increasing the tourist traffic to New Zealand." The Trade and Tourist Commissioner in Canada and United States. " During the year under review, owing to the financial depression prevailing iri North large numbers restricted their travel and their spending. * a i " This was particularly evident in the case of the 1 Round the Pacific Tour ' ofitlie VMoM&iofts it was found that the ship had to leave America with a greatly reduced passenger Ji*r.

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" Close attention has been given since the establishment of the agency at Toronto to the careful distribution of booklets, to the dissemination of photographs to the press, to the writing of special articles on New Zealand for selected magazines, to lecturing before selected groups, to window displays throughout Canada of coloured enlargements of New Zealand scenery, to supplying publicity material, lantern-slides, and films to approved lecturers, and to advertising in selected papers. As a result of the distribution of photographs, the press has willingly published them because of their merit, and in one illustrated Toronto weekly with a circulation of nearly two hundred thousand such photographs have appeared regularly for the last few weeks. " Window displays of coloured photographs, under the auspices of the Canadian Pacific Railway, have been made for months past in all the chief centres and towns in Eastern Canada, and have been most favourably commented on by the press. " Further attention is being given to window and hotel displays of tourist material, including very fine coloured enlargements of the best New Zealand scenery, coloured transparencies, and exhibits of sporting trophies. " Above all, the importance of securing the good will of travel agents towards New Zealand throughout the United States and Canada has been, and is being, sought." Caretaker, Little Barrier Bird Sanctuary. " In presenting my annual report I am pleased to write saying that the native birds are still on the increase, especially those species which are looked upon as rare. In my travels through the forest I am glad to notice an increase in the numbers of the stitch-birds. They are to be seen regularly both in the gullies and on the ridges. The native pigeons are in goodly numbers. " During the long spell of dry weather the kiwis have been coming near the house. They are increasing in numbers. " I have not been fortunate yet in seeing the white Albino kiwi, which I believe is still alive, as I have seen a few white feathers. "I enclose a list of the native birds I have seen on the Little Barrier Island— Bell-bird : Plentiful. Stitch-bird : Increasing in numbers. Wood-robin : Increasing in numbers, not common. Kakapo : Four in all were liberated years ago and were never seen again. (I think they should do well; some should be procured and liberated). Pied fantail: Common and very tame. Parson-bird (tui), pied tit, and grey warbler : Very numerous. Rifleman, or bush-wren : Fairly plentiful. Wood-pigeon : Plentiful. White-head, or white canary: Very numerous. Red-fronted parrakeet: Numerous. Yellow-fronted parrakeet: In small numbers, not common. Morepork owl: Very common. Harrier hawk : Rare ; only one or two seen. White-eye, or blight-bird: In goodly numbers. Ground-lark : Only a few seen in summer. Fantail: Common, and very tame. Brown parrot (kaka) : Plentiful. Kingfisher: A few seen often on the flat. Shining cuckoo and long-tailed cuckoo : Plentiful at certain times. Kiwi: Increasing in numbers." Tourist Agent, Te Aroha. " Bath Buildings, Drinking-fountains, &c. —The bath buildings, drinking-fountains, and pumps have been kept in good order during the year. " Gardens and Playing-areas.—The domain has been well looked after during the year. The display of flowers, the neatly kept lawns, borders and paths have given great pleasure to the many visitors to the Domain. " The track to the summit of Mount Te Aroha has been kept in good order, and a large number of visitors have climbed the mountain. The view from the summit is very fine, and the track makes it an easy mountain to climb. " Fishing and Shooting.—The usual good fishing is again reported from the upper reaches of the Waihou River. Wild duck were plentiful in the swampy parts of the Waihou River and on private lagoons. Some good bags were reported in the early part of the season. Curlew were also very plentiful on the sea-coast near Thames and Waihi Beach, and some good bags were secured by local residents. " Music in the Domain.—The Te Aroha Municipal Band rendered a large number of programmes in the Domain during the year. The band is popular with the public, and always attracts a large number of people to the Domain. " The Auckland Waterside Workers' Band paid a visit to Te Aroha during Easter week, and played several programmes in the Domain. " X-ray Apparatus.-—The X-ray plant has been of great service during the past year, sixty patients having been attended to. The greater number of these were accident cases. " General.—The general work in connection with the maintenance of the baths, gardens, buildings, &c.., has been well carried out. The whole of the Domain has been kept in good order, and its neat and tidy appearance has been freely commented on by the visiting public." District Manager, Rotorua. " Buildings.—The erection of a new block to take the place of the Duchess and Pavilion baths is now practically completed, and it is hoped within one month to have the furniture in and the baths in full running-order. The new baths should prove very popular, particularly the two swimming-pools. As a matter of fact, during the Easter holidays these baths catered for a particularly heavy traffic. The building consists of heart of rimu timber, front blocks having tiled roof, back blocks having patent metal roof. The building covers an area of approximately 30,0C0 square feet, and contains twenty-two private baths, men's swimming-pool, ladies' swimming-pool,

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men's Rachel pool, ladies' Rachel pool, four Priest baths, and four Radium baths. The whole building is completely equipped with administrative offices, massage and rest rooms, &c. At the entrance to the building there is a large hall, 38 ft. square, and a lounge hall, 38 ft. by 12 ft. " The old Duchess bath building was removed to a site on the Department's workshop reserve, and will be equipped and used in future as the departmental store. " A start was made on the building of the new Blue bath, but unfortunately the work has been delayed for financial reasons. " A new propagating-house has been completed in the kitchen-garden grounds and a new storageshed, &c., will be completed within the next month. "A considerable amount of painting and repair work has been done during the year. The painting of the main bath building is well in hand, and a great improvement in appearance has been effected. The smaller buildings, such as the bowling-pavilion, band-rotunda, &c., have also been renovated. It is hoped to put in hand shortly the painting of the Sanatorium, tea-house, and bureau. " The Department will have to face a big job in interior repairs to the main bath buildings at an early date, particularly in so far as the roofs and ceilings are concerned. Gardens. —The playing-areas, flower-beds, &c., have received the necessary attention during the year, and have made a good show of blooms, &c., during the season. The usual supply of vegetables from the kitchen-garden, eggs, and poultry has been obtained for consumption at the Sanatorium and King George V Hospital. " The new hard tennis-court, which was laid down last year, seems to have stood the test very well, and it is hoped that the Department will be able to afford to complete the job in the near future. " The various reserves have been well looked after, the following work having been undertaken in connection with same :— " Kuirau Reserve.—The boundary-fences have been renewed with post and wires. All paths have been dressed with pumice, drains cleaned out, and the noxious-weed pest kept well in. hand. " Arikikapakapa Reserve. —A new entrance has been made to this reserve, owing to the Golf Club requiring the ground where the old entrance was. All paths, &c., have been kept in good repair. " Whakarewarewa Reserve and Model Pa.—l have been able to get a considerable amount of work which was badly needed done to this reserve under the No. 5 Unemployment Scheme. All paths have had a dressing of pumice, the track cleared right to the top of the Trig., culverts made, &c. One whare in the Model Pa has been completely rebuilt, all others overhauled, and the pa generally cleaned up. I still hope to do more towards repairing the pa fences, &c., which badly need attention. " A considerable amount of work has been done in the area of the proposed golf-links by unemploy-ment-relief labour. I have had a rough drive formed round the edge of the lake which some day I hope will be made a proper road. The whole area has been harrowed, rolled, and sown, and lam pleased to say we seem to have got a fairly good strike of grass in most parts. Even if nothing further was done, the area certainly is now much nicer to look upon than it was a few months back. " The bathing-sheds at Picnic and Sulphur Points have been cleaned up and painted, and conveniences erected at both these places. " The main drives are at present being top-dressed with bitumen, &c., by the Public Works Department, and I trust that this will save much maintenance-work in future. " Water and Drainage Section.—-During the year eighty new consumers were connected with the water-mains. " The following pipe-lines have been laid in various streets to provide for extensions and new connections : 3,251 ft. of 1 in., 410 ft. of | in., and 1,926 ft. of J in. galvanized wrought-iron piping. "A 3 in. galvanized wrought-iron pipe connection to 12 in. cast-iron main on Whaka Road has been made to connect supply to the Rotorua Golf-links. A " bubble " drinking-fountain has been installed in the gardens between the bowling-greens and tennis-courts. " The usual maintenance-work on all town mains and on all pipes and fittings in gardens and departmental buildings has been carefully carried out. "I regret to say that trouble in connection with our water-supply has this year been very marked, owing to the exceptionally dry season. Consumers on the higher levels have been without water for days at a time, and many complaints have consequently been received. The question of a higherpressure supply is really one of urgency. " Six new connections have been made to the drainage system. All pumps in connection with the sewage-pumping section, filter-beds, septic tank, main sewers, manholes, branch drains, &c., have been maintained in good working-order throughout the year. " Concrete walls and floors have been built, all necessary hot-water pipes and Robin Hood boiler, &c., installed at the new propagating-house in the kitchen-garden. " The usual trouble has been experienced with the hot-water main from Whakarewarewa, and this year 40 ft. of 6 in. cast-iron main and 12 ft. of 8 in. cast-iron main had to be renewed. " Ten chains of 4 in. cast-iron main supply to the Blue bath, which was choked up with silica deposit, there being only 1 in. waterway, had to be taken up and the pipes put through the fire and silica scraped out. " In connection with the Ward baths all the work in so far as hot- and cold-water supply is concerned has been done by our own staff. This entailed 4 in. supplies to the two swimming-pools, 3 in. supplies to public Rachael baths, 2 in. galvanized wrought-iron supplies to all douches and showers; 4 in. supplies to twenty-two private baths, and the designing and fitting-up of special standing waste-pipes. It will be readily understood, without detailing all the various jobs, that the plumbing-work in connection with our water and drainage systems, baths, &c., is considerable, and it is made much more so by the acids, &c., contained in the earth and the water itself continually eating away the pipes and fittings.

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" Electrical Section. —The year just completed has been one of steady progress, and while no works of a major nature have been carried out, a number of extensions have been made to the lines, and reconstruction of the older lines has been made, where necessary, to meet the demands for increased supply to our consumers. " The most important extensions were as follow : — " Kawaha Point .. .. .. .. 6,600-volt line 60 chains. " Vaughans, 5 mile, Okere Road ' .. .. 400 ~ 20 „ " Goodwins, 2 mile, Okere Road .. .. 400 „ 20 ~ "Powells, Ngongotaha .. .. .. 6,600 ~ 60 ~ "Robertsons, Old Taupo Road .. .. 3,300 ~ 100 „ " Reconstruction of lines was done in Tarewa Road, Ranolf Street, Old Taupo Road, James, Eruera, and Peace Streets, Sophia and Amohia Streets, and at Mamaku. " The cooking load is steadily increasing, and the bulk of the reconstruction is caused by its development. As a result of the heavier mains and transformers, the service to all consumers is much improved. " Maintenance-work has been carried out on the remainder of the system as required. " In June of last year trouble developed at Arapuni, which resulted in the plant there being closed down. We were requested to run our generating-plants to help make up for the shortage in power, and since June we have been operating the Okere plant continuously at its full output. The only regret is that the plant is not large enough to carry a much larger load. " The Diesel plant was also brought into operation and has been run for six days a week, and five hours per day, since June. " The extra running on these two plants has called for extra maintenance. Repairs were made to the flume at Okere, and a new belt procured for No. 1 generator. " In connection with the building of the Baths, alterations had to be made to the supply lines. A 6,000-volt line was built from the substation for this purpose, and a bank of 3-10 kv.a. transformers erected to give supply to all the bath buildings. " Maintenance-work has been carried out for the street-lighting, baths, and Sanatorium, electrical equipment, the gardens, motor lawn-mowers, and the Department's motor-transport vehicles. " The following sets out the units generated and purchased for the year, and the new load connected, &c. : —

" New consumers — Number. Watts. "Light .. .. .. ..128 69,220 "Heat .. .. .. ..89 124,800 "Ranges .. .. .. ..36 178,900 " Extensions— "Light .. .. .. ..138 28,135 "Heat .. .. .. ..88 98,205 "Motors .. .. .. ..30 • 44,801 "New connected load for year, 544-06 kw. " Maximum load for year, 740 kv.a., at 5.30 p.m., 6th June, 1930. " Fishing.-—lt was decided to hand over the administration of acclimatization matters in this district to the Internal Affairs Department in June last, so that a full report on that branch will now no longer go forward from this office. The following is, however, a general description of the conditions of fishing and shooting to be had in the Rotorua district:— " The fishing this season has been excellent, a general improvement having been shown in the catches, both in numbers and quality. The average weight of fish caught in the Rotorua district is 1 lb. better than last year, and the general opinion of anglers fishing during the past season is that the fishing has been better than it has been for the past five or six years. In the Taupo district a similar improvement has been shown, catches of eight to twelve pounders being fairly common. " The completion of the road through Waikaremoana will be of great benefit to sportsmen in this district, opening up as it does excellent sporting country from both the fisherman's and shooter's point of view. " During the past ten days catches from twelve to twenty fish have been common at Tarawera, Rotokakahi, Rotorua, and Rotoiti Lakes.

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Purchased from Year. Public Works Okere. Diesel. Total. Department. 1930-31 .. .. 1,132,819 1,027,807 106,457 2,267,083 1929-30 .. .. 1,543,735 430,716 1,206 1,975,657 Increase for year .. .. .. .. 291,426

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" Shooting.—Prospects looked good for the opening of the native and imported game season, but the weather conditions were not very favourable. However, things will improve in this direction. I am advised that there will be quite as many pheasants and quail as formerly, over six hundred pheasants having been liberated during the year. Protection of deer has been removed during the year, and plenty of sport is to be obtained in this direction throughout the whole district, favourite herds being East and West Taupo, Galatea, Waikaremoana, and Rotoiti. Some very good heads were taken at Tarawera and Rotoiti, twelve and fourteen pointers being common." Balneologist, Rotorua. " Despite the general financial depression in the Dominion, I think that we may congratulate ourselves on the returns of the past year. There has been a slight falling-off in the finances of various departments, notably in bath fees, but, taking the working of the whole establishment, the general returns are satisfactory. " The Sanatorium.—During the year the institution has been very busy, and the resultant treatments have shown gratifying results in cures and improvements. Approximately nine thousand baths and twelve thousand special treatments were given to Sanatorium patients. " The Main Bathhouse. —The buildings have been maintained and kept in repair, and in some departments considerable constructive alterations were carried out. In this latter respect the women's Aix massage was reconstructed, and a room provided for the additional Pyretic couch treatment. At the present time the whole of the outside of the building is being painted, and minor repairs carried out. " Ward Baths. —This new block of buildings, replacing the old Pavilion and Duchess baths, is now practically completed, and most of the baths have been in commission since the beginning of the year. The building itself presents a handsome appearance, and the baths, constructed in the most hygienic and attractive manner, are proving most popular with the visitors to our spa. " Massage and Physiotherapy. —These departments, dealing with the special work in relation to invalids, have carried out their work in a very satisfactory manner." Manager, Waitomo Caves and Caves Hostel. " I regret having to report a big falling-off in the returns at this hostel during the past financial year ; the cash receipts amounted to the sum of £10,352, as against £12,968 for last year. We are fortunate that during the winter months our business showed an increase over all other corresponding periods, otherwise the decrease in revenue would have been much heavier. " During the year the following organized overseas parties visited this resort: s.s. " Malolo " party on world tour ; Wheeler's Pacific Tours ; Criswell South Sea Island Tours. " The total number of visitors for the year was 12,200, which is 1,600 less than last year. " During the year the Public Works Department completed the work of tar-sealing the main road from Waitomo to Hangatiki, and we now have a first-class road giving access to this resort." Manager, Lake House, Lake Waikaremoana. " The new tourist route from Rotorua, through the Urewera, to Lake House was officially opened by the Auckland Automobile Association on the 26th October last, when a party of nineteen cars made the trip. In spite of the rough weather, all arrived at the hostel in good time, and expressed themselves as delighted with the scenic beauties of the road. " The new road proved very popular with motor campers, and from the middle of December until the date of the earthquake of the 3rd February the camping-ground was remarkably well patronized. This is reflected in the substantial increase in the revenue from that source. " During the season the experiment of having a guide on the Waikare-iti Track was tried, and proved a great success, as visitors greatly appreciated the extra attention. A second rowing-boat has been made available on Lake Waikare-iti for the use of fishermen. " A number of improvements have been made to the Lake House farm, including the erection of an up-to-date cow-shed. " The earthquake on the 3rd February demolished four chimneys at the hostel and did considerable damage to crockery and stores. The second earthquake brought down the remaining chimneys and also one which had just been rebuilt, and did further damage to the crockery and stores. " Fortunately no one was injured on either occasion, although there were some narrow escapes from falling bricks. " The hostel and grounds have been maintained in good condition and the plant and equipment in good working-order." The Honorary Agent, Franz Josef Glacier. " The year just ended has not been a good climbing year, very broken and unsettled weather prevailed throughout the summer, but every advantage was taken of what good weather there was, and quite a number of interesting ascents and expeditions were accomplished on the western slopes of the divide in the neighbourhood of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and from the Copland Valley. " The erection of the new hut on Chancellor Ridge affords a fine base, and will open up new fields for climbers, and already quite a number have taken advantage of this fine hut in making a trip to it from the Defiance and Aimer Huts on the Franz Josef. A new hut has also been built near the Douglas Rock in the Copland Valley, and this will now be very helpful for parties crossing the divide by the Copland Pass.

3—H. 2.

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" In spite of numerous floods the tracks in the vicinity of the glacier have been kept in good order throughout the season, and the necessary care of all the huts has been carefully carried out. " A new graded track has been commenced up Alex's Knob and, when completed, this will be an added attraction to the district, as from the top of the knob a very comprehensive view of the glacier and surrounding mountains can be obtained." The Lessee, the Hermitage, Mount Cook. " Facilities at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, have been improved during the year. The road has been completed to within 11 chains of the Ball Hutt, and an hour's motor run from the Hermitage gives both young and old an opportunity of viewing the Tasman Glacier. " The trip to the Hochstetter Icefall and the return to the Hermitage can now be done in one day. " A splendid new hut to hold thirty-six has been erected near the site of the old Malte Brun Hut. The view from this hut is considered one of the finest alpine views in the world, and now that the long walk to the Ball Hut is eliminated by the availability of motor transport it is almost as easy to make the Malte Brun trip in a day from the Hermitage as it was previously to go to the Ball Hut. This hut will now come much more into use for both summer and winter seasons. " The New Zealand Alpine Club have erected a new Memorial Hut at de La Beche corner to commemorate the Tasman Glacier tragedy of January, 1929. " The climbing season from the Hermitage was one of the best ever experienced. The fact that overseas climbers are repeatedly coming back to New Zealand proves that our alpine regions are equal to anything in the world. " With the lifting of the restriction of shooting chamois and thar, this form of sport is an added attraction in the Mount Cook alpine region, and several stalking parties have had excellent results and some good heads were obtained during the season. " Interest in the winter sports is gradually increasing every year, and is being developed by the formation of alpine, ski, and tramping clubs in many parts of the Dominion." The Track-manager, Te Anau-Mixford Track. " The season has been exceptionally wet, floods and storms having been frequent. Much of the good work done by track-hands has been repeatedly wiped out by the elements, but in spite of all reverses the track is being left in very good form. " There have been fewer visitors to the track than usual owing to the general depression existing at present, and consequently this season is being drawn to a close at an earlier date than usual. " A regrettable fatality occurred early in the new year, an Australian tourist, R. Ilarridge, having lost his life in a flooded mountain torrent on the Great Morraine during a cloud-burst. This is the first fatality of this nature that has occurred on the track, and every precaution has been taken to prevent a possible recurrence. " The radio telephone has been tested with excellent results, and we have every hope of it achieving still greater success in the near future. This will prove a great boon to the track when installation is finalized, and we are in direct and easy communication with the outside world. " Accommodation was severely taxed at Glade House during Christmas and New Year rushes, but all took things in the holiday spirit, which helped us considerably." The Manager, Government Hostel, Mileord Sound. " This year the number of tourists has been considerably less than last, owing principally to the depression and bad weather, and later no doubt owing to the unfortunate disaster in Hawke's Bay. " The ' Hinemoa ' made only five trips this season. Her bookings were less than the previous year'. " His Excellency the Governor-General and party arrived at Milford on the 22nd January, aboard the G.S.S. ' Matai,' and remained at Milford until the 26th January. During the visit the weather was unfortunately very unsettled. His Excellency and a small party visited Lake Ada and Giant's Gate Falls and also did several shorter walks in the vicinity of the hostel, which were much appreciated. The whole party was very much impressed with the grandeur of the district. " The Union Co.'s Melbourne steamer made two calls at Milford during the season, which enabled a number of tourists to get a good glimpse of this wonderful fiordland. " All tourists who visited Milford this year have spoken well of the trip, and have appreciated the stay at Milford and the comforts of the hostel."

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APPENDIX B. List of High Ascents at Franz Josef Glacier, Season 1930-31.

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I)ate - I Party and Guide. Name of Peak. Height. Route and Remarks, 1930. Feet. Dec. 8 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, Grey Peak .. 9,654 From Chancellor Ridge Hut across Fox F. Alack and V. Williams Glacier to Pioneer Pass, and thence to summit. Dec. 8 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, Le Receveur .. 9,562 From above hut across Fox Glacier at F. Alack and V. Williams Point A and up north-west ridge. Dec. 10 F. Alack and V. Williams .. Big Mac Peak .. 8,511 First ascent from above hut. Dec. 20 Miss K. Gardiner; Guide, F. Mount Drummond 8,200 From Aimer Hut. Alack Dec. 28 W. Parkhurst, G. Lockwood, F. Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 From Aimer Hut to Graham's Saddle, and Ferrier ; Guide, F. Alack thence by north-east arête. Dec. 29 Same party ; Guide, F. Alack Mount Drummond 8,200 From Aimer Hut. Dec. 30 Same party ; Guide, F. Alack Mount Spencer .. 9,508 By north ridge. Dec. 30 Mr. Whiteparsons, Miss White- Mount Drummond 8,200 From Aimer Hut. parsons ; Guide, M. Lysons Dec. 28 G. Foster, G. T. Foster, J. Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 From Aimer Hut by north-east ridge. Petherick ; Guide, T. Sheeran Dec. 31 W. Parkhurst, G. Lockwood; Minarets .. 10,058 From Aimer Hut by south-west ridge from Guide, F. Alack Graham's Saddle. Same party ; Guide, F. Alack De la Bêche .. 10,022 Same route. Dec. 30 J. Cox .. .. .. Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 Alone. When returning from guiding party over Graham's Saddle. 1931. Jan. 17 A. J. Rae; Guide, J. Cox. .. Minarets .. 10,058 By south-west ridge from Graham's Saddle and Aimer Hut. Jan. 22 Miss R. Harper, Miss Crawford ; Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 Bv north-east arete from Graham's Saddle. Guide, J. Cox Jan. 22 Miss Partridge, Miss Schoefield ; Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 „ „ Guide, M. Lysons Jan. 25 Miss M. Williams, Miss Mc- Halcombe .. 8,743 From Chancellor Ridge Hut; ascent, north Intosh ; Guide, J. Fluety face; descent, same way, and thence to Aimer Hut. Jan. 29 Miss K. Gardiner, Miss Edgar- Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 Ascent by north-east arete from Graham's Jones ; Guides, T. Sheeran Saddle. and J. Fluety Jan. 31 Same party ; Guides T. Sheeran Mount Auroa .. 8,733 Across Franz Josef Glacier from Aimer Hut, and J. Fluety and thence by west face. Feb. 5 Miss Mackie. G. Arras ; Guide, Lendenfeldt .. 10,450 From Chancellor Hut to Marcel Pass and M. Lysons ascended to within 100 ft. of summit of Lendenfeldt, and had to return owing to unsafe conditions. Feb. 10 Miss K. Gardiner ; Guides, P. Mount Sefton .. 10,350 Ascent from a high bivouac, Copland Valley, Graham and F. Alack and thence by a saddle on to the Douglas Glacier tieve, then up west face to summit. Feb. 11 Miss K. Gardiner ; Guides, P. Stephen Peak .. 8,300 From same bivouac, across Douglas Glacier Graham and F. Alack neve, traversing round to south of Sefton, and then up south-west face. Feb. 11 Dr. Beven Brown, W. Fraser ; Mount Spencer .. 9,508 From Aimer Hut, across Franz Josef Glacier, Guide, T. Sheeran and up north face. Feb. 17 Miss D. Moore ; Guide, J. Cox M i n a r e t s and 10,058 From Aimer Hut to Graham's Saddle Mount de la 10,022 traversing round south-west face to south Bêche ridge and thence to summit of de la Bêche, descending ridge and then climbing the Minarets Peaks, returned same route. ieb. 26 Miss Corry, Mr. Cormack ; Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 From Aimer Hut, and by north-east arête Guide, M. Lysons from Graham's Saddle. Mar. 5 Mr. Cormack; Guide, M. Minarets Peak .. 10,058 Ascent up west face from head neve of Franz Lysons Josef Glacier from Aimer Hut. Mar. 2 Philip Game; Guides, J. Cox Mount Rudolf .. 9,039 By north-east arête from Graham's Saddle and J. Fluety and Aimer Hut. Mar. 24 Miss D. Theomin ; Guides, P. Hochstetter Dome /9,258 \Traverse of both peaks from Malte Brun Graham and M. Lysons \ 9,179 / Hut.

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High Ascents from the Hermitage, Season 1930-31.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—-Preparation, not given; printing (590 copies), £17 10s.

By Authority : W- A- G- Skiunbr, Government Printer, Wellington. —1931. Price 6d.]

14

Date. Party and Guide. Name of Peak, Height. Route and Remarks. 1930. Feet. Dee. 4 Mr. Arras ; Guide, A. Brustad Elie de Beaumont 10,199 Via eastern face. Dec. 14 Mr. McCaw ; Guides, A. Brus- Minarets(2 peaks)/ 10,022 \ tad and B. Blunden \ 10,058 / Via eastern side. Dec. 22 Mr. McCaw ; Guide, A. Brustad Mount Cook .. 12,349 Via Linda Glacier, and descent south side of Hochstetter Icefalls to the Hermitage. Dec. 31 Dr.McDowell; Guide, A. Brus- Footstool .. 9,063 From Sefton. tad 1931. Jan. 19 Dr. Bradshaw; Guides, A. Grey Peak .. 9,420 From Haast Hut. Brustad and L. Mahan Jan. 21 Dr. Bradshaw, Mr. Pinney; Grey Peak .. 9,420 Guides, A. Brustad and L. Mahan Jan. 25 Mr. Pinney ; Guide, A. Brustad Unnamed peak to 8,000 Sefton Bivouac Jan. 29 Mr. Pinney ; Guide, A. Brustad Mount Hamilton 9,915 Via Bonny Glacier. Feb. 6 Mrs. White; Guide, A. Brustad Traversed Mount 8,000 Turnbull Feb. 8 Mrs.White; Guide,A.Brustad Minarets lo'o58 j'Climbed two peaks. Feb. 8 Mrs. White; Guide, A. Brustad De la Bêche .. 10,058 Via Banfurly Glacier. April 8 Miss L. Familton, Mr. Char- Mount Elie de 10,199 man, Mr. Grinling ; Guide, Beaumont A. Brustad April 24 Mr. Trott, Mr. Young, Mr. Lower peak of 8,500 From Tekapo. Crearer ; Guide, A. Brustad Mount Luciar Jan. 25 Mr. A. Hayes; Guides, M. Mount Malte Brun 10,421 By western arête. Bowie and L. Murray Jan. 25 Miss Irving; Guide, M. Bowie Edgar Thompson 8,000 From Loophorn Creek. Feb. 15 Miss Irving; Guide, M. Bowie Mount Sealey .. 8,651 By western face. Feb. 10 Miss Irving, Mrs. V. Williams ; Footstool .. 9,073 From Sefton Bivouac. Guide, M. Bowie Feb. 7 Miss Irving, Mr. MacEwan; Minarets .. 10,022 Prom Banfurly Glacier. Guide, M. Bowie Mar. 14 Miss Crawford; Guide, M. Mount Hamilton 9,915 Via Darwin and Bonny Glaciers. Bowie April 26 Mr. J. Fitzgerald, Mr. P. Cors- Mount Sealey .. 8,651 By western face. bie ; Guide, M. Bowie April —7 Mr. A. Hayes; Guides, M. Grey Peak .. 9,490 Via Haast and Freshfield Glaciers. Bowie and L. Murray Jan. 3 Noel Thomson; Guides, V. Mount Cook .. 12,349 From Linda Glacier. AVir.it Williams and L. Mahan Tj , K° l ut>Q tats i f Mount Tasman 11,475 Feb. 8 B. Syme, D. Bryant | Lendenfeldt .. 10!561 ,, Same party .. .. Mount Haidinger 10,059 ,, B. Syme,—. Mace, D. Bryant Mount Johnston 8,858 ,, Same party .. .. Grey Peaks .. 9,490 ,, Same party .. .. Anzac Peaks .. 8,323 Dec. 23 Dr. McDowell; Guide, F. Mount Sealey .. 8,651 Chapman Dec. 29 Mr. A. J. Scott; Guide, V. Mount Malte Brun 10,421 By western arête. Williams Jan. 25 Mr. A. N. Patrick ; Guide, V. Mount Malte Brun 10,421 By western arête. Williams Jan. 29 Mr. A. N. Patrick; Guide, V. Mount Hamilton 9,915 By Darwin Glacier. Williams Feb. 6 Mr. H. McFarlane, "Mr. G. Minarets .. 10,022 By Banfurly Glacier. Brown Douglas ; Guide, V. Williams Feb. 6 Same party; Guide, V. Wil- De la Beche .. 10,058 liams Feb. 8 Same party; Guide, V. Wil- Mount Johnston 8,858 liams Feb. 10 Same party; Guide, V. Wil- Mount Pibrac .. 8,472 By Mona Glacier. liams Mar. 4 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, V. Mount Elie de 10,200 By Lendenfeldt Saddle. Williams and F. Alack Beaumont Mar. 5 Miss K. Gardiner; Guides, V. Mount Walter .. 9,507 Williams and F. Alack Mar. 14 Miss K. Gardiner ; Guides, V. Mount Malte Brun 10,421 Williams and F. Alack April 14 Mr. K. Parker, Mrs. V. Wil- Mount Sefton .. 10,354 By Earle's route. liams ; Guides, V. Williams and M. Bowie April 22 Miss F. A. Roberts; Guide, Hochstetter Dome 9,258 V. Williams April 28 Miss F. A. Roberts ; Guide, V. Mount Sealey .. 8,651 Williams Correction, —The last climb mentioned on page 12 of the annual report for the year 1929 -30 should read as follows ;— 1928. Dec. 21 Mr. A. P. Harper (president, Fyfe's Pass .. 7,100 Landsboro' River, up McKerrow's Glacier, N.Z. Alpine Club) (leader), over Karangarua Pass (5,800 ft.), and Miss R.Harper, Mr. R.Lucas, down Karangarua River, to Scott's Farm. Mr. C. Turner Williams, Mr. (First transinsular crossing by this route.) S. A. Wiren (without guides)