H.-2

1914. NEW ZEALAND.

TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE), BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, HON. R. HEATON RHODES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of H-is Excellency. The Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resouts Department to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Wellington, 25th June, 1914. 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, 1914. I have, &c, R. Heaton Rhodes, Minister for Tourist and Health Resorts. His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand.

Annual Report of the General Manager of Tourist and Health Resorts. Sir,— Wellington, 20th June, 1914. I have the honour to submit herewith my report for t!io year ended -'Mst March, 1914. I have, <fee., B. M. Wilson, General Manager. The Hon. El. HeatonTßhodes, Minister for Tourist and Health Resorts. i> In view of the outbreak of smallpox and the industrial unrest during the early part of last season, and the fact that there was no Easter traffic in the pas! financial year, it was reasonable in expect that the financial returns at the various resorts under the control of the Tourist Department should fail to maintain the high standard reached last season. 1 am pleased to be able to report, however, that in spite of these drawbacks the actual revenue shows a Blight increase over the previous year. The actual figures are: 1912-13. £29,711; 1913-14. £30,107, an increase of £396, which may, I think, be regarded as satisfactory proof of the growing popularity of our tourist resorts and of the value of the work of the Department. The principal places under the control of the Department— Rotor ua, Mount Cook district, and Waitomo Caves—have all been well patronized throughout the season, and at Mount Cook and Waitomo the accommodation has been at times taxed to the utmost. The manner in which the managers of these resorts grappled with the difficulties which sometimes arose owing to an unexpected influx of visitors reflects great credit on their general administration. At Waitomo, in one instance, over seventy people arrived in one day and required to be accommodated. Not thirty of them had advised the manager of their intended arrival. A sixpenny telegram appears very desirable in the circumstances, and would be the means of avoiding much disappointment.

In view of the outbreak of smallpox and the industrial unrest during the early part of last season, and the fact that there was no Easter traffic in the past financial year, it was reasonable to expect that the financial returns at the various resorts under the control of the Tourist, Department should fail to maintain the high standard reached lasl season. 1 am pleased to be able to report, however, that in spite of these drawbacks the actual revenue shows a slight increase over the previous year. The actual figures are: 1912—13, .£"20,711; 1913-14, .£•'!(). 1(17. an increase of £396, which may, I think, be regarded as satisfactory proof of the growing popularity of our tourist resorts and of the value of the work of the Department. The principal places under the control of the Department — Rotorua, Mount Cook district, and Waitomo Caves —have all been well patronized throughout the season, and at Mount Cook and Waitomo the accommodation has been at times taxed to the utmost. The manner in which the managers of these resorts grappled with the difficulties which sometimes arose owing to an unexpected influx of visitors reflects great credit on their general administration. At Waitomo, in one instance, over seventy people arrived in one day and required to be accommodated. Not thirty of them had advised the manager of their intended arrival. A sixpenny telegram appears very desirable in the circumstances, and would be the moans of avoiding much disappointment.

I—H. %