13

H.—2

(c.) No. 2 Bath ; hot 'plunge; used by both sexes at different hours (20 ft. long, 7 ft. wide, 4 ft. deep ; mean temperature, 102° Fahr.). —The concrete bath has been increased in size by the formation of a flight of stops leading down into it. The interior of the building has been made more roomy; all wooden linings have been renewed, and the whole building painted inside and out, making a very inviting bath. It is the hottest public bath in Te Aroha, and therefore at present the favourite. It is used for the cure of rheumatism and all allied ailments. This bath, like all other baths at Te Aroha, was originally constructed of wood, and had then a mean temperature of 112° Fahr., but since the wood has given place to concrete the temperature has fallen to 102° Fahr. For the treatment of most cases this temperature is sufiicient. At present the only want that this bath is in need of is an extension of about 4 ft. to the partition which cuts off the splash from the cold shower. (Estimated cost, 10s.) (d.) No. 1 Bath; warm plunge; for ladies only (12ft. long, 10ft. wide, 3ft. deep; mean temperature, 94° Fahr.). —The original site of this bath was immediately over the springs supplying the bath, and its mean temperature was 102° Fahr. ; but, at the suggestion of the Inspector of Works, Eotorua, the late Domain Board had a new building erected and bath constructed (at a cost of £196 145.) alongside the spring, and then led the water into it. The result, I regret to say, has not proved satisfactory, for the temperature fell to 91°, and was never higher than 98°; so that this, which was at one time the most favourite bath for ladies, has become practically deserted. The original temperature — viz., 102° — was not evidently sufiicient to warrant losing any of this heat through conduction by drawing it off by means of cold metal pipes, and having the heat still further reduced by constant contact with the cold concrete walls of the bath proper. In order to try to restore the popularity of this bath, I would recommend that in the first instance the bath be lined throughout with wood, which for practical purposes is a non-conductor of heat or cold, and, if this fails, to replace the bath-building over its old site, substituting a new wooden bath for the present concrete one. I have heard many ladies deplore the loss to their use of this particular bath. (Estimated cost of lining this bath, £15.) (c.) Removing " Octagon" Building, and No. 8 Drinking-spring. —The old Octagon building, which formed a little summer-house, with its supply of Te Aroha drinking-waters, has been removed to a lower level, so as to take advantage of the laws of gravity, and at the same time to reduce the supposed superincumbent pressure of water upon the source of the spring, and also to secure a perfectly fresh stream of water for drinking purposes. Originally this water had to be lifted from the well surrounding the spring by means of a small hand-pump. Now the water is directly drawn from a tap. The overflow from the spring is led into a glass-lined concrete tank immediately adjoining, which collects a supply for purposes of distribution, as a valuable drinking-water, to Eotorua and other parts of the colony. The building has been somewhat renovated and freshly painted. In order to provide more attractive immediate surroundings for this famous spring, I beg to recommend that suitable white-marble fountain-fittings be attached to the outlet, and that the Octagon be fitted with comfortable garden-seats. These, I think, will assist in making the drinking of this water far more inviting than at present. (Estimated cost of fountain, £15 ; seats, £5 10s.: total, £20 10s.). (f.) Completion and Opening of Bowling-green. —The contract for the work of excavation and formation of this green was completed last year, but the finer work of forming the green, grading the slopes, fencing the ground, sowing the seed, &c, was undertaken and completed by the late Board during this financial year. The levelling of the ground, an important work requiring great exactitude, was kindly undertaken by Mr. Harrison of Devonport, a surveyor, who is a bowling enthusiast, and who gave his services without fee or reward. But I understand that this levelling process must be carried out every year at the hands of one who can efficiently use the theodolite, so that if we are unable to get this work done voluntarily it will form a small annual charge on the Department. The green was formally opened on New Year's Day, 1903. It has proved a great attraction, and has been largely patronised throughout the season, being considered by many old bowlers one of the best greens in the colony. (g.) Erection of Bowling-green Pavilion. —On the rising ground adjoining the bowling-green the Domain Board erected a somewhat small pavilion, painted in appropriate colours outside and varnished inside. It is divided into three compartments ; two rooms at either end, one being used as a gardener's tool-room, and the other is fitted with lockers, and is used for storing bowls, mats, scoring-boards, &c. Between the rooms is an open space with a seat all round, and the whole forms a very artistic and useful building. (h.) Formation of Terrace. —A piece of ground about 180 yards long by 30 ft. wide, lying about midway and across the Domain, and about 90 yards to the rear of the " Cadman " bath, has been formed and levelled in the rough to form a terrace at a contract price of £153 14s. 6d. This will help much to beautify the grounds, but requires now the hands of a landscape gardener to supply the finishing touches in grading slopes, formation of paths, sowing grass-seed, &c, in order to complete the work. (i.) Te Aroha Waters. —At the request of the Balneologist we have during the last few months been sending 30 to 40 gallons of drinking-water from the Octagon Spring to Eotorua, where it is being dispensed in the Sanatorium-grounds at Id. per glass. It is gratifying to know that the J3alneologist (Dr. Wohlmann) appreciates the valuable medicinal properties of this water, as we understand it is being used freely at Eotorua with benefit. I think that this benefit might be made more general by the introduction of Te Aroha waters, to all the large centres of the colony. Since I have been here some of the medical men of Auckland have made requisition for them. The medicinal qualities of these waters, no less than their acknowledged superiority as a splendid table mineral water, warrant their being placed before the public in a more systematic manner.