H.—2

" Shooting.—Prospects looked good for the opening of the native and imported game season, but the weather conditions were not very favourable. However, things will improve in this direction. I am advised that there will be quite as many pheasants and quail as formerly, over six hundred pheasants having been liberated during the year. Protection of deer has been removed during the year, and plenty of sport is to be obtained in this direction throughout the whole district, favourite herds being East and West Taupo, Galatea, Waikaremoana, and Rotoiti. Some very good heads were taken at Tarawera and Rotoiti, twelve and fourteen pointers being common." Balneologist, Rotorua. " Despite the general financial depression in the Dominion, I think that we may congratulate ourselves on the returns of the past year. There has been a slight falling-off in the finances of various departments, notably in bath fees, but, taking the working of the whole establishment, the general returns are satisfactory. " The Sanatorium.—During the year the institution has been very busy, and the resultant treatments have shown gratifying results in cures and improvements. Approximately nine thousand baths and twelve thousand special treatments were given to Sanatorium patients. " The Main Bathhouse. —The buildings have been maintained and kept in repair, and in some departments considerable constructive alterations were carried out. In this latter respect the women's Aix massage was reconstructed, and a room provided for the additional Pyretic couch treatment. At the present time the whole of the outside of the building is being painted, and minor repairs carried out. " Ward Baths. —This new block of buildings, replacing the old Pavilion and Duchess baths, is now practically completed, and most of the baths have been in commission since the beginning of the year. The building itself presents a handsome appearance, and the baths, constructed in the most hygienic and attractive manner, are proving most popular with the visitors to our spa. " Massage and Physiotherapy. —These departments, dealing with the special work in relation to invalids, have carried out their work in a very satisfactory manner." Manager, Waitomo Caves and Caves Hostel. " I regret having to report a big falling-off in the returns at this hostel during the past financial year ; the cash receipts amounted to the sum of £10,352, as against £12,968 for last year. We are fortunate that during the winter months our business showed an increase over all other corresponding periods, otherwise the decrease in revenue would have been much heavier. " During the year the following organized overseas parties visited this resort: s.s. " Malolo " party on world tour ; Wheeler's Pacific Tours ; Criswell South Sea Island Tours. " The total number of visitors for the year was 12,200, which is 1,600 less than last year. " During the year the Public Works Department completed the work of tar-sealing the main road from Waitomo to Hangatiki, and we now have a first-class road giving access to this resort." Manager, Lake House, Lake Waikaremoana. " The new tourist route from Rotorua, through the Urewera, to Lake House was officially opened by the Auckland Automobile Association on the 26th October last, when a party of nineteen cars made the trip. In spite of the rough weather, all arrived at the hostel in good time, and expressed themselves as delighted with the scenic beauties of the road. " The new road proved very popular with motor campers, and from the middle of December until the date of the earthquake of the 3rd February the camping-ground was remarkably well patronized. This is reflected in the substantial increase in the revenue from that source. " During the season the experiment of having a guide on the Waikare-iti Track was tried, and proved a great success, as visitors greatly appreciated the extra attention. A second rowing-boat has been made available on Lake Waikare-iti for the use of fishermen. " A number of improvements have been made to the Lake House farm, including the erection of an up-to-date cow-shed. " The earthquake on the 3rd February demolished four chimneys at the hostel and did considerable damage to crockery and stores. The second earthquake brought down the remaining chimneys and also one which had just been rebuilt, and did further damage to the crockery and stores. " Fortunately no one was injured on either occasion, although there were some narrow escapes from falling bricks. " The hostel and grounds have been maintained in good condition and the plant and equipment in good working-order." The Honorary Agent, Franz Josef Glacier. " The year just ended has not been a good climbing year, very broken and unsettled weather prevailed throughout the summer, but every advantage was taken of what good weather there was, and quite a number of interesting ascents and expeditions were accomplished on the western slopes of the divide in the neighbourhood of the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and from the Copland Valley. " The erection of the new hut on Chancellor Ridge affords a fine base, and will open up new fields for climbers, and already quite a number have taken advantage of this fine hut in making a trip to it from the Defiance and Aimer Huts on the Franz Josef. A new hut has also been built near the Douglas Rock in the Copland Valley, and this will now be very helpful for parties crossing the divide by the Copland Pass.

3—H. 2.

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