TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2149, 3 August 1907, Page 2

TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS

THE DEPARTMENTS’ ANNUAL REPORT. OPTIMISTIC REMARKS. (Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, last night. The annual report of the Tourist and Health Resorts Department, which was presented to Parliament to-day, states that the year ended March last showed the greatest ncrcaso in oversea traffic yet recorded in any one year. The increase was chiefly made up of Australian visitors, and tho Exhibition is credited with being responsible for a great portion of tlie expansion. The cardinal factor, however, is considered to be tho opening of agencies of the Department at Melbourne and Sydney. The number of recorded visitors from all countries was 968-1, as against 7142 for the previous year. Tlio value of the traffic was estimated at £484,000, as against. £357,000 for the previous year. The amount of direct revenue collected was £18,202, an increase of £2381 over the preceding 12 months. The excess of arrivals over departures for the five years that tho Department had been in operation totalled 51,772, as against- a total of 15,688 for the previous five years. The Minister (Sir J. G. Ward) considers that it would be advisable to add to the High Commissioner’s staff in London an officer who would be in a position to take more active steps in bringing this country’s attractions under the notice of the vast population of Great Britain. ROTORUA SANATORIUM.

Dr. Wolilmann, Government Bal--1 neologist, in his report on the Roto- • rua Sanatorium, says:—“On the l whole the year has shown a distinct and favorable increase on the previous one, in spite of the fact that a - large proportion of the tourist traffic - was diverted to Christchurch, and - that exceedingly wet weather has prevailed ever since Christmas. The new bath buildings are not complete, s but the original scheme is one which ; for architectural beauty and completeness of internal fittings would : do credit to tlie most famous spas of > Europe, while for excellence and variety of mineral waters supplied it need fear no comparison with any bathing establishment in the world. With the completion of the various baths now being built, I would advise the oven more extensive advertisement of the New Zealand spas in Australia, Great Britain, America, India, and the South Pacific. Hitherto, with many of the baths in a somewhat punitive condition, there might be some hesitation in attempting to induce visitors to undertake a. long and expensive journey, hut for the future 1 think we inay safely enter into competition with the most famous spas of the world and not fear invidious comparisons. The total receipts for the year amounted to £4836, of which bath Ices accounted for £2614. The previous year’s total was £4784. Free medical attendance during the year represented £235, whilst free baths, etc., had been given to the value <■! £88.” . TE AROHA. At To Arolia the receipts tor the year were £1533, or £IOO less than during the previous year, the’;slight shrinkage being ascribed to the Exhibition.