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" The bowling, tennis, and croquet lawns have been well patronized during the year. As a matter of fact, the fees received from this avenue show an increase of £64 18s. lOd. This fact, considering the times we are passing through, shows that these facilities have lost nothing in popularity with the general public. The past summer has been one of the driest experienced for years, and consequently during the last two months the ends of the greens showed signs of being the worse for wear. At present two of the bowling-greens are being partly returfed, and should, therefore, stand up to next season's play better than they have this year. The hard tennis-court has been top-dressed during the year. The ground formerly used as a small croquet-lawn is now being redug and laid down as a new green for winter bowling and summer croquet. " The various reserves have been well looked after, and the following gives a short description of what has been done :— " Model Pa and Whaka Reserve. —All tracks, including that to the Trig. Station, have been overhauled and are in good order. The model pa has been kept clean and in as good a state of repair as possible, without spending any appreciable sum of money on materials. New signs have been erected and others repainted throughout the reserve. V Block 49, consisting of 9 acres, which has been taken over by this Department from the Lands and Survey Department, has been completely cleared, stumped, and is now ready for planting in native shrubs, &c. " Kuirau Reserve. —During the year a scheme was started to divert the boiling water which flows alongside the road from the Kuirau spring. Borough employees entered the reserve and cut a drain without permission of the Department. The scheme has now been abandoned, and the Borough Council intends repairing the damage done to the reserve. The actual Kuirau spring maintains its usual level, and some day will undoubtedly be of value as a source of hot-water supply for baths, &c. " Sanatorium Reserve: Golf-links.— By the time next year comes round I hope to have a good nine-hole golf-course, despite the fact that the Department has been unable to grant any money for the construction of same. A month ago I mapped out the nine holes and the fairways are now cut and temporary greens placed. " Sanatorium and Baths. —I attach the usual annual report from the Government Balneologist in connection with these two institutions. It is satisfactory to note the increased revenue derived from the baths for the year. From a business point of view every effort has been made to popularize the baths, both with the local people and visitors, and I look forward to a continued increase in revenue with the completion of the new Blue bath building." Balneologist, Rotorua. " Following in the wake of the general financial depression throughout the Dominion, our receipts from the Sanatorium, and certain departments of our Spa establishment show a considerable falling-off —this mainly in the Sanatorium and out-patients' fees. The baths fees, on the other hand, are markedly increased. The popularity of the baths, mainly in the recreational, pools, is no doubt due to the improved facilities for bathing and the attractiveness of our new buildings. The Ward baths have attracted many bathers and the new Blue swimming-pool, providing facilities for mixed bathing, has been popular to the extreme limit of its resources. " The falling-off in the revenue from 1 the Sanatorium, apart from the widespread necessity for individual economy, has, to a degree, been influenced by the various Hospital Boards cutting down their guarantees of patients' fees, and the medical practitioners conserving their treatment of rheumatic patients at home. " The Sanatorium.—Throughout the year the institution has been maintained to the limit of its efficiency and the buildings both within and without, have been painted and repaired. " Approximately ten thousand baths and nine thousand special treatments were given, and the results have been entirely satisfactory. " The Main Bathhouse.—The more urgent repairs to the building have been carried out, and the whole of the outside of the building painted. No new constructional alterations have been added. " Massage and Physiotherapy. —These departments have been maintained to the highest degree of efficiency and the new pyretic-couch treatments have proved a boon to many of our patients. " Staff. —During the past year there has been a radical overhaul of our entire stafi, which has been considerably reduced. However, they have cheerfully risen to the increased hours and duties, and loyally carried out' their service to the Department. " Summary. —Despite depression and restrictions in individual finance, Rotorua has been probably the most popular holiday place of the Dominion this year, and there is no doubt that the new baths have been important factors in attracting visitors to our Spa. " The new Blue bath, with its facilities for communal bathing, has been particularly popular, and I am assured that when the whole scheme is completed it will be the social rendezvous of the township." Manager, Waitomo Caves and Caves Hostel. " I regret once again having to report a big decrease in revenue at this hostel during the past financial year. The cash receipts amounted to the sum of £7,322, as against £10,352 for last year. " During the year the following organized oversea parties visited this resort: S.s. ' Malolo,' s.s. ' Mariposa,' Pacific Tours, Criswell South Sea Island Tours, and the New South Wales Football Team. " The Labour Day week-end excursion from Auckland was only modestly patronized, forty people taking advantage of the reduced rate. " The total number of visitors for the year was 8,500. This number shows a decrease of 3,700 compared with last year, when 12,200 people visited this resort. " During the year all buildings, fences, tracks, and furnishings have been kept in order. " The Public Works Department have just completed resealing the Waitomo Road, so that our visitors should have a first-class road to travel on for many years to come."
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