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Additional staff quarters in the nature of huts have been erected. A completely new water-supply has been installed. Forty-two conducted party tours visited Te Anau, compared with 17 in the previous year. Milford Track : The Milford Track opened on 28th November and was closed on 15th April. Seven hundred and sixty-four persons made the journey from the Te Anau end alone, and it is estimated that more than 1,000 visitors walked the whole or a portion of the overland journey during the season. Very little maintenance could be undertaken during the season as all facilities were needed to cope with the numbers passing over the track, but, since closing, this essential work has proceeded in pace with the labour and materials available. M.v. " Tawera" : This vessel, based on Te Anau, serves the Te Anau-Milford Track, and during the season carried 1,677 passengers, including day excursionists. Cascade Creek Camp: Some serious damage was caused by fire in October, 1947, but arrangements were made to transfer a building from Marian Camp, and the temporary dislocation of the service thereby minimized. Passenger Services from Te Anau: The New Zealand Railway Road Services bus based on Te Anau operated excursions to Eglinton Yalley and provided transportation over the open section of road for passengers arriving from Milford Sound via the Homer Tunnel. The privately-owned launch " Quinton McKinnon" again proved popular, and many cruises, chiefly to the western fiords, were operated on Lake Te Anau. Hotel Milford : The year just ended constitutes a record for the Hotel Milford inasmuch as more guests have registered during the season than during any previous three seasons together. About two-thirds of these people walked the Milford Track, and of that number approximately 10 per cent, only made the return journey. The majority of visitors returned via the Homer Tunnel. Accommodation was severely taxed at Christmas and New Year, and casual bookings could not be accepted. At one time, on the site of the old public-works camp, there were almost as many campers fending for themselves as there were guests at the hotel. Many visitors made the excursion to Quintin Huts and Sutherland Falls from Milford in preference to undertaking the complete overland journey. That part of the track that lies around the shores of Lake Ada proved very attractive to some guests at Hotel Milford who were satisfied fully with a day excursion to the Giants Gate Falls and the head of Lake Ada. Cruises on Milford Sound and fishing trips were operated every day during the season. New Zealand Railways Road Services reinstated their taxi service from the Hotel Milford to within 3| miles of the western portal of Homer Tunnel. This extra transport facility was much appreciated, and it also enabled visitors to inspect the Chasm. A larger vehicle may be placed in service on this route next season. It is hoped that Bailey bridges will be placed in position by next January. These will enable transport to operate from Milford Sound to within a short distance of the western portal of the tunnel. Lake Pukaki.—Pukaki Hotel: This hotel is leased and is not under departmental management. Consequent upon hydro-electric developments at Lake Pukaki, the hotel is being moved to a new site, and the reconstructed building will provide improved accommodation for a small number of travellers. (3) MISCELLANEOUS {a) Little Barrier Island The Caretaker indicates in his report that all the various native birds continue to thrive, but that kakas appear to be somewhat fewer in numbers. There is a steady increase in kiwis, and these birds are now found throughout the island from sea level to the summit. 2—H 2

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