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(iv) MORERE HOT SPRINGS This small but deservedly popular thermal health resort continues to provide useful services to visitors. Patronage of all baths remains fairly constantly around the 18,000 mark from year to year. During the year in review the baths were availed of on 18,600' occasions. A small weir was built at the intake for the cold-water supply and this ensures continuity at regular pressure throughout the year. Additional inspection-boxes were placed in the hot-water main and these facilitate cleaning. Routine maintenance has been carried out efficiently and the general appearanceof the reserve and its installations is excellent. The bush-tracks are in very fair order,, but the main asphalt path giving access to the various bathhouses stands in need of repairs and will receive attention. Bathhouses Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are now due for repainting. Paint-work deteriorates quickly as it is affected by condensation of steam from the mineral water. Officers of the Wildlife Section of the Department of Internal Affairs surveyed the bush on the reserve and reported signs of considerable numbers of opossums. (v) QUEENSTOWN (1) The Peninsula Domain This attractive reserve has been maintained in excellent condition and the usual efficient attention was given to gardens and playing areas. The croquet-lawn and bowling-greens were top-dressed and the latter were also plugged with " water weed." The hard tennis-courts were resurfaced. As in previous years, both visitors and residents made the fullest use of games facilities and, as before, bowls were especially popular. The kiosk was completely renovated and enlarged and is under capable management. The proposals mentioned in last year's report to provide additional space for playera have been carried into effect and one hundred new lockers have been installed. (2) Tracks and Huts The facilities for trampers and others under the care of the Department in the Lake \V akatipu district again received attention where required. The track from the EgHnton Valley Road to Howden Hut was cleared, and these operations extended from the hut to Lake Mackenzie. Bridges en route have been rebuilt or repaired and the track is reported to be in safe order. The Howden Hut was virtually demolished and re-erected and the results are regarded as very satisfactory. The construction of a new hut at Lake Mackenzie has been under consideration and it is likely that some provision for this will be made later in the year. Some attention will also be necessary in the case of the Routeburn Huts. Although the tracks to the summits of Ben Lomond and Queenstown Hill were in reasonable order during the period, minor repairs to the surface will be necessary after the winter. The motor services operating, from the head of Lake Wakatipu to Routeburn and Paradise, apart from providing sightseeing facilities, also furnish initial transport to walkers and mountaineers. Occasional washouts after heavy rains were repaired promptly, and both services operated without interruption. (3) Ski-ing Coronet Peak area, the local ski-ing field, continued to be a popular rendezvous for snow-sportsmen. Conditions for ski-ing, however, were not uniformly good throughout the season, but during the period of the visit of the Australian Ski Party they were excellent. The visitors made mbst favourable comments. The 1950 New Zealand Ski Championships are scheduled to take place on this field.

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