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Morere Hot Springs. The Department's proportion of the bath receipts from the springs amounted to £71 155., a slight increase on the figures for the previous year. Further work has been carried on during the year in the direction of completing the fence round the reserve, the adjoining owner of land paying half the cost. . Hanmer Hot Springs. Owing to the heavy expense of working, it was decided to close the accommodation-house on the 30th November, 1908, and convert it into a sanatorium for the sole use of patients requiring medical treatment. It was opened for this purpose on the Ist December, 1908, but as the resident doctor did not take up his duties until the 6th February the institution did not get into thorough working-order under the new auspices until that date. Dr. Herbert Chesson, M.R.C.S. England, D.P.M. London, has been appointed Resident Medical Officer, and is assisted by an efficient nursing staff. The total receipts from all' sources for 1908-9 were £1,609 7s. 9d., a decrease of £566 6s. 6d. on the previous year's figures. The decrease is, however, due to the changed purpose of the building and reduction in fees charged. The conversion of the accommodation-house into a sanatorium necessitated numerous internal alterations, some of which have been completed, whilst others are still under way. The bathhouses have also undergone repairs and alterations, provision having been made for the fitting in of a step-down bath and a needle bath in the male massage-house. The new high-pressure water-service to the sanatorium and the Township of Hanmer provides an abundant supply of fresh water for all purposes, including protection from fire, hydrants for this purpose having been placed in position round the various buildings in the sanatorium grounds. A revenue of £58 12s. was collected from the township for water rates. The grounds have been kept in excellent order, and have been greatly appreciated by the public. Pukaki House. The number of visitors and the revenue show a large increase over the previous year's figures —viz.: 1908-9—Visitors, 889; revenue, £825 Is. 2d. 1907-B—Visitors, 690; revenue, £625 14s. lOd. Increase—Visitors, 199; revenue, £199 6s. 4d. Several minor improvements have been carried out during the year, and the house and premises have been maintained in good order and condition. Mount Cook Hermitage. There was a large increase of revenue at this resort during the current year, the receipts being £1,796 10s., against £1,405 12s. 6d. during the previous season —an increase of £390 17s. 6d.; whilst the number of visitors also showed an increase—viz., 309 in 1908—9, against 261 in 1907-8; the number of visitors from oversea numbered 101. The accommodation during the season again proved inadequate, and many intending visitors could not come owing to no rooms being available at the time they required them. The old parts of the house is showing signs of decay. This, coupled with the inadequate accommodation, makes the erection of a new house an urgent necessity. Owing to the unusually dry summer, the watersupply failed, and for three weeks a supply had to be carted from the spring at Governor Bush, which is adjacent to the proposed site of the new house. The chamois were seen only once during the season in the Hooker Valley, and nothing was seen of the thar. Chief Guide Graham reports : — " In accordance with instructions, I proceeded from Wellington to the Hermitage, arriving here on the 28th October. Considering the heavy snow-fall which had covered the whole of the Mackenzie Plains during the winter, I was surprised to find so little snow remaining in the valleys and on the lower ranges round the Hermitage. The absence of frost during the winter, followed by a mild and warm spring, I believe, was the cause of the snow dispersing so rapidly. " Immediately on arrival at the Hermitage I made an inspection of all tracks in the vicinity, also visiting the Tasman Valley, going through to the Malte Brun Hut. The Ball and Malte Brun huts I found to be in splendid condition, both being quite free from snow, and had received no damage during the winter. The glacier-tracks were also in good order, few slips having occurred; very little repairs were needed to make them passable for horse traffic. " There was a considerable increase of visitors to Mount Cook this summer, and the guiding staff was kept very busy during the season, especially from the latter end of December till the end of March. " The summer, on the whole, was a warm and dry one, and gave favourable opportunities for visitors to make excursions to the different glaciers and various points of interest in the vicinity. The unsurpassed beauty of the Upper Tasman Glacier and the magnificent view obtained from the Malte Brun Hut is deservedly becoming more and more popular, and is attracting each year an increasing number of visitors. " In company with Mr. Dennistoun, of Peel Forest, I crossed the divide by Graham's Saddle on the 6th December, in fourteen hours and a half, from Malte Brun Hut to Waiho Gorge, reduc-