6

H.—2.

The sport exhibit sent to St. Louis Exhibition was much admired, and secured the only gold medal issued by the Exhibition authorities for this class of exhibit. To have secured this in one and practically on the borders of another of the world's greatest sporting countries speaks well for our sporting attractions. Preservation op Native Birds. Much is being done in Little Barrier and Resolution Islands to preserve the avifauna of the colony, but in order to make further necessary provision in this direction, I would urge that the whole of the Fiordland National Park, Otago, be made a sanctuary. On the mainland this is the only area where efforts in this direction are likely to be effective for any great length of time. Meteorological Records. The proper recording of data under this heading is of the greatest importance to tourist and health resorts, and I hope that the arrangements now under consideration with the Meteorological Office, to place the Department's stations on a proper footing, will result in the compilation of reliable statistics. A sunshine-recorder has been supplied to the Department's station at Rotorua, and the records, for comparison with other countries, will be invaluable as a means of illustrating the advantages of our climate. Visits of Inspection. During the year 1 visited Rotorua, Te Aroha, Waitomo, Taupo, Wairakei, Wanganui River, in the North Island, and Milford Sound, Southern Lakes, Mount Cook, and Hanmer, in the South Island. More frequent visits to the principal resorts are desirable, but owing to pressure of work in the Head Office at present the visits are at somewhat long intervals. North Auckland. The round trip from Auckland, via Helensville and Whangarei and back to Auckland, with its hot springs, kauri forests, and fruit districts, shows signs of increasing popularity. The launch service from Dargaville to Wharekohe and on to Whangarei has been improved to give tourists additional facilities for making the trip. The tracks to Nihotapu and Waitakerei Falls has been much improved, the Department having expended a small sum in assisting the local bodies in this direction. Te Aroha. The receipts at Te Aroha for the year to the 31st March, 1905, amounted to £1,542 14s 7d., an increase of £51 15s. 7d. compared with the previous year. The total number of baths taken WftS & W^Sfff,JJ£inte 1 in last year's report have been effected and this resort is now fairly well equipped for present requirements. Some better provision and shelter is however required for dispensing mineral drinking-waters, and the Balneologist recommends the conXtiS o a vapour bath over the hot-water tunnel for treatment of specia cases. The Department had to take in hand the work of increasing the temperature of No. 1 Bath, the ordinary " p conveying the water from the spring and the cold surface-water percolating through the ZnvPtP thereby reducing it to 85 deg. The bath was refloored, lined with timber, and backed up with concrete and a ne- insulated pipe laid on from the spring. This resulted in the temperatTe of the bath rising to 109 deg., which is satisfactory. Baths Nos. 2, 4 and 6 were improved by draining and three extra dressing-boxes and attendants' rooms were constructed. 7 The PariHon Bath buildings were repaired and painted in colours, giving a much brighter and frpsher appearance than hitherto. , ~ , The hot-water supply-pipes from the tunnel to the reservoir were taken up repaired, relaid, aml i nsu lated in order to increase the temperature for the Pavilion private baths The work of restoring the cold-water swimming-bath is now in hand. This bath, built before the Government took control, was of faulty construction, and soon became useless on account of order to supplement the cold-water supply to the Domain, 500 ft, of 3 in. piping was laid from WMtoker Street through the grounds, and fire-plugs fitted to command the different buildings for fire protection. Drainage. The Borough Council have in hand the work of effecting some improvement in drainage, which the Department is assisting with a pound-for-pound subsidy. Water-supply. The Department's cold-water reservoir was repaired and improved for use during the summer, when, owing to the dry season, the borough's supply was cut off. Administration Buildings. The administrative buildings were enlarged to provide a consulting-room for the Medical Officer" waiting-room for patients, a store-room, and conveniences. Grounds. The band-rotunda was removed from the oval to a site parallel with the Pavilion Bath buildings.