H.—2

Te Aroha. This resort has maintained its popularity during the year, though the receipts are slightly less than last season, the number of baths taken being 22,071, as against 24,000, and the massage treatments being about the same. Authority has been given for the long-desired hot-water swimming-pool, and the matter is now being dealt with by the Public Works Department. It was found to be impracticable to divert enough hot water into the cold swimming-bath, and it was decided to utilize and extend the old hot-water reservoir at the back of the No. 2 Bath for this very desirable alteration to the grounds. Bath Buildings and Drinking-fountains. —The necessary maintenance work in connection with these buildings has been carried out, and the working of these institutions has given no trouble during the year. The mineral-water supply has been quite satisfactory, and the fountains freely patronized. Gardens and Playing-areas. —The grounds have been kept in excellent order during the year. The long spell of extremely dry and hot weather in January and February made it difficult to keep up the usual good display of flowers. The playing-areas also suffered, and an independent supply of water had to be installed to prevent the loss of the bowling-greens, lawns, &c. The worst portions of the asphalt paths have been repaired, and work on the new croquet-lawn commenced. It is hoped to have this playing-area ready for next December. Library and Reading-room. —This institution has been well patronized during the year. The reading-room is kept well supplied with newspapers, and is popular with the public. Games.— The revenue from this source shows a decrease of £19 os. Bd. as compared with the previous year. The opening of the Te Aroha Tennis Club's new courts, and the very hot weather during the last quarter of the year, account for this loss. The charge for bowlers' season tickets was reduced from £2 10s. to £2 25., and thirty were sold, as compared with six at £2 10s. for the previous year. Fishing and Shooting. —A few large trout were caught in the Waihou River during the season, and good fishing was to be had in the upper reaches of the same river. Some good bags of wild duck were secured at the opening of the shooting season. During the early part of the season the many swamps adjoining the Waihou and Piako Rivers afforded good sport to the duck-shooter. Music in the Domain.—The Te Aroha Municipal Band has played frequently in the Domain during the past year. The local band is very popular, and attracts a large number of the public to the Domain whenever it plays there. General. - All the work in connection with the Te Aroha Domain has been carried out in a very satisfactory manner. The grounds, under the charge of Head Gardener Powell, have been kept in excellent order, and many favourable comments have been heard about the neat appearance of the whole Domain. Nelson and Westland. The Nelson and Greymouth offices have shown a considerable increase on last year's business, and the bureaux have been capably conducted by the officers in charge. An office has also been opened in Westport, and satisfactory results are looked for from this, especially as it is well supported by local enthusiasts, whom I met on my last visit to the Coast. The early completion of the road along the sea-coast between Westport and Greymouth will be a material factor in improving tourist conditions in this district. The traffic to the South Westland glaciers has been very heavy and is rapidly growing. The new accommodation-house near the Fox Glacier, which will be in active operation next season, will be a big help in dealing with the ever-increasing traffic, and should be the means of inducing tourists to devote longer time to South Westland than they usually do. Certain people seem to be imbued with the idea that a day is enough to spend in the glacier district, whereas a week is all too short; but when they have made up their minds to spend only a definite period in a place it is difficult to persuade them to change. This is my personal experience, and also that where I have been able to induce people to spend a longer time in any special locality, the Department soon hears about the matter from any district which has been eliminated from a tour. MeSsrs. Graham Bros, have supplied the following list of high ascents made from the South Westland side : —

They have also sent in a list of similar ascents in previous years, and this has been departmentally filed for record, if required in the future.

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Date, j Party and Guide. Climb. Height. Route. 1928. Feet. Feb. — Mr. and Mrs. Maturin; Guides St. Mildred Peak 7,800 Ascent and descent by south-west face from F. Alack, W. Harcourt Aimer bivouac. Feb. — H. J. Griffith ; Guide C. Jensen Mt. Roon .. 8,000 Grand traverse from Aimer bivouac over nhie. of Franz Josef Glacier, and then by Zubbriggen Col over Roon and Moltke to Defiance Hut. Mar. I Mrs. Ivan Wilson; Guides F. Aurora Peak .. 8,300 From Aimer bivouac and west arete from Alack, C. Jensen Franz Joseph Glacier. Mar. 2 Mrs. Ivan Wilson; Guides F. Mt. Conway .. 9,500 From Aimer bivouac across Franz Josef Alack, C. Jensen neve and thence by Frenchy Col and north artte ; descent same way. Mar. 3 Mrs. Ivan Wilson; Guides F. High Peak and 7,000 From Aimer bivouac and south arete from Alack, C. Jensen Stirling Rocks Aimer Glacier. Mar. 12 Mrs. Ivan Wilson; Guide F. Lean Peak ., 8,000 From Douglas Rock bivouac to Copland Alack (same day) Edith Peak .. 7,850 Pass and thence by south arete; descent same way to Copland Pass, and thence to Hooker Valley to Hermitage. Mar. 14 Mrs. Ivan Wilson ; Guides P. ! Mt. Malte Brun 10,421 Ascent by western arete from Malte Brun Graham, F. Alack i Hut; descent same way.