H. —2.

Manager, Lake House, Waikaremoana. " Although there has been a decline in the receipts at this resort during the past financial year, there was not sufficient accommodation available to accept all the business offering during the Christmas and Easter holidays. -it. " There has been a further-increase in the revenue from the camping-ground, for, with the opening of the road through the Urewera, this locality has become very popular with motor campers. " On New Year's day there were over two hundred people resident in the main camping-ground near Lake House. . " Four huts fitted with bunks, tables, fireplaces, &c., have been erected on the mam campingground during the year, and have been very well patronized. " A number of improvements were effected at Lake Waikare-iti, including tlie erection 01 a substantial but, the provision of a low-level boat-landing, and the extension of the track round t e lake-shore for a distance of 7 chains." The Honorary Agent, Franz Josef Glacier. " Quite a number of interesting climbs were accomplished during tne season, those of particular interest being the first ascents of Mount Tasman from the Westland side, and also the ascent of Mount La Perouse from the La Perouse Valley, by a party including three ladies, and the first ascent of Mount Copland from the same valley. Mount Cook and Mount Sefton were also climbed by parties from the Franz Josef Glacier. " The tracks in the vicinity of the glacier have been kept in good order throughout the year, and the necessary care and attention to all the huts has been well maintained. The Lessee, The Hermitage, Mount Cook. "The Ball Hut Road has been completed right to the hut. The Malte Bran Hut has been completed, and to meet the growing demand for winter sports we are commencing on enlarging the Ball Hut. t -I " As you will note by the list we have had a very successful climbing season, and fiave been favoured with better weather than usual." The Track-manager, Te Ax at - Milford Track. " The season has been very short, the track having opened on the Ist December and closed on the Bth March. Business has been deplorably slack, and at no time throughout have we been able to consider that the Milford Track was being well patronized. " During the winter months the wharf at Glade House was repaired ; new decking, stringers, and caps of totara now replace the old rotted structure. The timber was felled and squared on the site, the resulting job being very creditable. •" At the commencement of the season the track was under snow and guides were frequently m attendance on the pass in December, and also in January on account of heavy rain. Two large s ips occurred in January between Lake Ada and the mouth of the Arthur River. " The Public Works Department is still working on the additions to Qumtm huts, I his worK should be finished in the course of another month or so. " There have been more than the usual number of trampers across the Dore Pass this season, this track having become more popular since the formation of the Te Anau R.oad. This route has been inspected and a fair amount of clearing done through the The tracK over the pass needs poles to assist trampers in finding the easiest and safest way over. The Manager, Government Hostel, Milford Sound. " Owing to the depression the tourist traffic to Milford Sound has been very quiet this season. The weather has been very favourable. Eleven tourists arrived via the Grave Talbot Pass ; two of these were ladies. Three returned by that route, making fourteen to cross the pass during the season. Three others made the attempt, but were unable to cross owing to mdiflerent weatner.^ " The steamer service from the Bluff to Milford, returning via the Sounds, has been greatly missed this year. The Melbourne steamer has also been taken ofi this year, which also must have made a difference to our bookings. . , . , t r .1 , , ~ " Good progress has been made with the new road that is being formed from the landing to the hostel. All tourists who have visited Anita Bay have enjoyed their trip very much Ihey have appreciated the comfort of the hut there. A new track has been cut from the hut to the Greenstone Beach. Good sea-fishing has been enjoyed this year by the tourists, some of them bringing home large <'The new Cleddau Track has also been well patronized and appreciated by all who have made it. This track promises to become very popular, the scenery in that direction being very majestic.

10