H.—2.

" The following table sets out the units generated and purchased for the year and the new load connected

" Total new load for year, 31,908 kw. "Maximum load for year, 855 kva., 5.30 p.m., ]9th June, 1934. " Water-supply. —During the year thirty-five new connections were made to the mains, and 2,310 ft. of piping, ranging from \ in. to 2 in. laid. The system has been improved by the laying of 2,000 ft. of -1 in. C.I. main in Devon Street, 2,300 ft. of 3 in. C.I. main in Sophia Street, 3,000 ft. of 4 in. C.I. main on Main Tauranga Road, 4,476 ft. of 3 in. C.I. Main on Taupo Road, 6,800 ft. of 2 in. G.W.I, pipe in Clayton Road, and 2,000 ft. of 1-| in. pipe in Old Taupo Road, also 370 ft. of 2 in. and 330 ft. of l\ in. G.W.I, was laid to-the borough motor-camp. This work was very necessary and will enable the Department to give a more satisfactory supply to those consumers on the higher levels, who previously could depend on a partial supply only during the summer months. " The usual trouble has been experienced with blow-outs, &c., due to the nature of the country through which our mains are laid, but this has received prompt attention and the inconvenience caused has been kept down to a minimum. The Department was called on to perform extra duties in connection with the Royal visit, establishment of Native camps, &c., and this was satisfactorily carried out. " Drainage.—Seven new connections were made to the system during the year. Eighty feet of 8 in. cast-iron main was renewed and 10 ch. of 6 in. E.W. pipe installed to allow of new road-formation by Borough Council. The usual blockages, &c., were met with, particularly in the sulphur-affected area. The new bowling, tennis, croquet, and golf pavilions have been connected to the system. " The usual maintenance-work on pumping-plant, town mains, man-holes, sanitary fittings in gardens and departmental buildings, &c., has been duly carried out. Maintenance-work in Rotorua is a very big item, and, though experiments are continually being carried out, and in some cases improvements have been shown, generally speaking, it has not been found possible to successfully deal with the destructive action of the acids in the earth and in the water on pipes, fittings, buildings, &c. " Sanatorium Grounds, Departmental Reserves, &c. —The grounds have been kept in good order and have been the subject of much favourable comment during the summer just past. The golf course particularly has been well patronized, and the amount of fees taken from it this year warrants further improvements being carried out. " The bowling-greens, tennis-courts, croquet-lawns, &c., stood up to the summer play very well. " Supplies of plants to Waitomo and flowers to the Chateau Tongariro and Waikaremoana have been sent at intervals during the year. " The various paths, drives, &c., have been laid in bitumen and, though a little more bleeding is necessary before they become reasonably smooth, the work is a distinct improvement. The old pumice walks required a lot of attention and the dust nuisance detracted considerably from the beauty of the gardens. " The layout of the grounds around the Blue Baths has been completed, and the building now shows up to much better advantage. " The meteorological station has been removed from the grounds to the District Office enclosure, and the old site in front of the sanatorium has been made into a bed of cannas, which this summer made quite a good show. " Kitchen Garden. —The suggested policy of closing this area as a kitchen garden has now been definitely carried out, and I feel sure that the move was a wise one. With the extension of the grounds, golf-links, &c., it seemed entirely wrong to have a vegetable garden, fowl-runs, &c., in that position, and as over a period of years it was found that the garden did not pay the ground can be put to much better use in providing additional space for the golf-links. " Reserves; Model Pa, Whaha.—Considerable repair work has been done to the pa during the year. This area had, unfortunately, been let go for many years, and it has been a big job to bring it back to what it should be. The area now, however, is fairly presentable, and this year, if the necessary funds can be found, I hope to complete the improvements with the erection of look-out towers, &c. The area as a model of the old-time Native pa is of considerable interest to tourists. " Section 49, Whaka.—Tm area is gradually being improved, and 75 per cent, of the native shrubs, &e., put in are now established.

11

Purchased from Year. Public Works Generated. Total. Department. 1934-35.. .. .. 2,909,828 308,729 3,318,557 1933-34.. .. .. 2,589,414 365,489 2,954,903 Increase for year .. .. • • 353,654

I ; J — New Consumers. Extensions. T~ ~ 1 _ ~ Light. i Heat. Ranges. Light. ; Heat. Motors. j ] Number. Watts. ' Number. Watts. Number. Watts. Number. Watts. Number. Watts. Number. Watts. 58 23,880 | 70 60,600 21 1,010 101 15,295 104 69,054 24 49,251