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11. MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF RESORTS, HOTELS, ETC., UNDER THE DEPARTMENT'S CONTROL (i) Sanatoria and Baths Rotorva.—The Bath House is now treating patients to its maximum capacity the whole year round, and this is likely to continue. Considerable additions would be required to supply treatments to all who applied if overseas visitors began to arrive. The number of overseas visitors at present remains negligible, and it is clear that facilities are sufficient only for New Zealand residents. The closure of the Air Force Convalescent Hospital and the provision of mineral baths and a pyretic bath at the Services Convalescent Hospital have reduced the number of Services patients. The average number of patients in the Sanatorium over the year was 39. This number could be kept to between 50 and 60 if it were possible to obtain adequate staff at the Sanatorium and Bath House. The Acting-Balneologist reports that 8,138 treatment baths were given to Sanatorium patients during the year, and that massage and special treatments numbered 8,001. There were 1,474 first consultations and 2,026 second consultations. Constant difficulty has been experienced with regard to staff, and the Sanatorium shares in this respect with all hospitals. For long periods it has been impossible to utilize much of the Sanatorium accommodation owing to this staff shortage, with the result that waiting-lists have grown in length and delays in admission have increased. The work of bath attendants and office staff has been carried out efficiently, and tributes have been paid to the courtesy and attention of these members. The energies of the works staff have resulted in a supply of hot mineral water that was considerably better than in the preceding year. A temporary Priest public bath was constructed for women, and the addition of new pyretic baths has been of great assistance in providing valuable auxiliary treatment. There is a general shortage of trained masseurs and masseuses in New Zealand, but the reduced staff has efficiently carried out the massage and physiotherapy work associated with the balneological establishment. Te Aroha.—Revenue receipts were maintained during the year and again show a slight increase. The number of treatment and other baths increased by about 6,000 to 29,383. The Cadman Bath building was repainted, and minor repairs and maintenance work were carried out in the reserve. A survey was made of the domain, and plans were drawn up for a scheme of reconstruction, including new treatment and swimming-bath buildings. The buildings in present use are of wood and are from forty-five to sixty-five years old. Alterations were carried out to the administrative building. The Mokena Geyser, source of the spa's hot mineral water supply, was rebored during the year. As a result of the five months'. drought there was a shortage of cold water towards the end of the season. This prolonged drought brought about poor conditions for growth, and garden displays were not of the usual high standard, while greens and courts suffered severely during the season's play owing to difficulty in watering. The patronage of the games facilities and the revenue derived from them have remained steady.

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