TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE). BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. HON. W. NOSWORTHY.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1921 Session I-II, H-02

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Session 11. 1921 NEW ZEALAND.

TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE). BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS. HON. W. NOSWORTHY.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts Department to His Excellency the Governor-General. My Lord,— Wellington, 30th July, 1921. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the' Department of Tourist and Health Resorts for the year ended 31st March, 1921. I have, &c., W. NoSWORTHY, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand. >

ANNUAL REPORT OP THE GENERAL MANAGER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, Sib,— Wellington, 29th July, 1921. I have the honour to submit herewith my report for the year ended 31st March, 1921. I have, &c, B. M. Wilson, General Manager. The Hon. W. Nosworthy, Minister of Tourist and Health Resorts. ANNUA L REPORT. The direct revenue received by the Department from all sources for the year ended 1920 was the highest on record to that date, being £42,218, an increase of £8,529 over the previous year. This year there is a further increase of £8,820, making a total of £51,038, clearly showing that the public in New Zealand and in outside countries are making greater use of the services, provided for thenconvenience by the Department. In this connection it is interesting to note the large increase in the volume of business done at the booking bureaux, which indicates that these, services are being more availed of as they become better known. For the. purposes of comparison I quote the figures in the year before the war (1913) and last year : Value of tours issued in 1913, £25,955 ; value in 1921, £69,447. There has during the year been a large number of visitors from America, and this must be attributed to a certain extent to the large supplies of lantern-slides, literature, &c, sent to many

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inquirers to be used for lecturing purposes, and also to the lectures given in America by many New-Zealanders who have been supplied with th'o necessary material from here. One of the most important events during this year was the completion of the work of laying pipes from Whakarewarewa and bringing a new supply of Rachel water to our RotOrua baths. This has satisfied a long-felt want in the water-supply. Approximately 500,000 gallons of water per day can be drawn from this source, and is already being used in the old pavilion baths and the main swimming-pools, thereby conserving tire Rachel Spring in the grounds for the main bath building, and incidentally maintaining an efficient service for Aix massage treatments. A fact to which attention may be drawn is the success which has attended the planting, near the new tennis-courts, of a collection of New Zealand native trees and plants. The collection, which is a most interesting one, is too large to be given in detail in this report, but includes kauri, totara, pohutukawa, several forms of hoheria, veronica, olearia, coprosma, cordylina. It is also proposed, if possible, to establish a comprehensive collection of New Zealand ferns in another part of the gardens. The net expenditure for the year was £93,720, against £68,858 net for the previous year, an increase of £24,835, due, as in the previous season, to the increased cost of supplies and the necessity of keeping the reputation of the hostels up to their previous standard.

Schedule showing Financial Position at Main Resorts.

Note. —No allowance is made in these figures for interest on capital expenditure or for depreciation of plant or buildings. Return of Receipts. The following table shows the receipts of the Department from all sources from 1915-16 : — 1915-lfi. 1916-17. 1917-18. 1918-19. 1919-20. 1920-21. ££££££ Receipts .. .. .. 31,067 33,137 32,935 33,689 42,218 51,038 The amount of the passenger-bookings at the, different agencies shows an increase of £16,412 over the figures for the year ended March, 1920. Return of Expenditure. The following is a comparison of the expenditure for the past six years : — 1915-16. 1916-17. 1917-18. 1918-19. 1919-20. 1920-21. ££££££ Consolidated Fund .. .. 47,966 45,785 48,732 53,656 68,858 93,720 Public Works Fund .. .. 5,167 1,094 967 1,620 6,194 19,041 The following is a, summary of the work of the Department in the different resorts under its control:— Rotorua. Tourist Season. —The season was well up to that of last year, which was a record. It is pleasant to be able to record that the value of tickets sold in the course of passenger-booking in this office shows an advance of over £930 as compared with last season's figures. Buildings. —Beyond the usual maintenance, the only outstanding work has been the building of an additional room to the upper story of the Balneologist's residence, and the interior renovation in the matter of painting and repairing, and the painting of the exterior of the same building. Gardens and Reserves. —These have had the usual attention ; and despite the prevalence of wet weather at the commencement, and the dry weather at the end, of the year, the floral display in the

Year 192i {0-21. Year 19 .9-20. Resort. U a I M H M-CD H £ tH CO » 45 Ph <e a o ° 5~ -3a ft A | a » <D S i> b O — ™ ft 'S O PS CD s 3 a P< H M CD w *h w »£ft •~ a 9 5j 2 « IS o h S8 ® g S £ 3 m o A Te Aroha . £ 2,029 21,831 1,145 7,528 1,491 2,533 6,596 3,926 £ 4,230 41,269 1,605 5,237 1,559 5,364 8,010 5,384 £ 2,201 19,438 460 68 2,831 1,414 1,458 £ I I 2,291 I . • ■ £ 1,798 19,245 1,065 6,699 £ 3,281 26,435 1,043 3,886 £ 1,483 7,190 £ Rotorua Rotorua Acclimatization District Waitomo Caves Lake House, Waikaremoana Hanmer Springs Hermitage, Mount Cook Te Anau and Manapouri steamers, Glade House, and Milford Track Queenstown 2,327 5,912 1,978 5,029 5,918 2,621 2,779 6 643 22 2,813 251 1,009 758 ! 179 627 448

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gardens has been particularly good. No. 3 bowling-green has been rekerbed with 9 in. by 3 in. totara planking. The new grass tennis-courts arc; promising well, and it is hoped that the greater portion of them will be in use next season. The demand for more tennis-courts and croquet-lawns is very pressing. The new grass tennis-courts will meet the former demand, while the latter will be partially, if not wholly, met by utilizing a portion of the ground at present occupied with the grass tennis-courts. Nothing has been done during the year towards the construction of new asphalt courts, owing to the scarcity and high cost of cement and tar. The new sports-ground area has been sown down in grass, which, considering the light nature of the soil, is taking well. Water-supply. —The number of leaks in the wooden mains requiring attention during the year equalled four and one-third per working-day. Forty-three new consumers were connected to the supply during the year. The work of replacing the wooden mains with iron pipes is well under way,the reticulation of the principal streets having been completed. Drainage. —During the year sixteen new connections have been made to the main sewer. The filter-beds have received the usual attention. Numerous blockages in the main sewer have required attention, owing to the injurious effects of sulphur on the cement and brickwork of pipe-joints and manholes. Native Camp: Royal Visit. —The Department's staff carried out all work in connection with the water-supply to the camp, a work which entailed the laying of 800 ft. of 3 in. and 200 ft. of fin. piping with all necessary taps and fittings. Electrical. —During the year sixty-seven new consumers were connected to the mains, and a vcinappreciable addition to the day load was made in the form of motors and domestic appliances. The bindings of the transmission-line were renewed throughout the entire length, as the old bindings had been giving way whenever high winds occurred. During the year 640 321 units were generated at the power-house. The difficulty in supplying the demand for energy has now become acute, and further applications for supply are being refused until the auxiliary supply can be established. This, of course, is a temporary expedient pending completion of the more elaborate enlargement scheme, the chief feature of which will be the erection of a large power-house on a fresh site. The preliminary work in the matter of taking the land having been completed, a commencement will now be made with the work. In the meantime a considerable amount of work has been done during the year in the matter of rearranging the reticulation of the town mains, assuring the better distribution and more equable balancing of the load throughout the town. Acclimatization. Ranging. —During the past year the acclimatization branch of this Department's work has been considerably extended in the scope of its activities. An assistant ranger was appointed early in the year, and the whole of the large area of the Rotorua Acclimatization District has been well ranged by frequent visits of the ranger and his assistant. A number of cases of breaches of both Game and Fishing Regulations were investigated, and action taken in the, Magistrate's Court in eighteen of these cases against fifteen different persons. Convictions were secured in sixteen cases. The total amount of fines was £42, and the total costs to defendants was £30 os. Bd. = £72 os. Bd. The thanks of the Department are, due to those police officers in the district who so willingly gave their assistance for the cause of acclimatization during the year. Red Deer. —The various deer herds in the district were, culled where necessary during the year, and the increase noted in the growth of numbers was a factor in increasing the number of deershooting licenses this year. All these herds are comparatively quite young compared with those in Otago, Nelson, and Wairarapa districts; and though nothing in the way of a record has been secured, either for weight, length, width, pr number of points, compared with heads from those herds mentioned, they have provided sport for a limited number of sportsmen for some years, while some fine good royal and imperial heads up to seventeen points have been secured. Last season no young fresh strain of deer calves were liberated in the local herds, the only five available from the game farm at Paraparaumu being presented to the. Auckland Society to form a new herd in that district. This season eight deer fawns were mustered, and will be liberated with the various herds in the district. Last season's deer-shooting closed on the 26th April, 1920, and only one license-holder failed to obtain his two heads. Fourteen stalkers got their two heads each, and six more got one head each, a total of thirty-four heads. These do not include deer shot by the owners or occupiers of land who exercise their right under the Act. This season the number of licenses available for deer-shooting was increased to twenty-five for the herds (Rotoiti, Galatea, Okareka) in the Rotorua-Whakatane Counties, but no limit was placed on the number of licenses available, for the Mahia Peninsula herd and the Waikaremoana herd, both in the Wairoa (Hawke's Bay) County, which are better-established herds. The other herds being fostered by the Department at Tokaanu, Kaimanawa Mountains, Mount Edgecumbe, and Waimana Gorge are increasing and doing well, amid good feed and shelter. Sambar Deer. —The two herds of Sambar deer (Cervus unicolor) that have been liberated near Mount Tarawera and Taneatua-Ruatoki are thriving well; and two or three of the original stags, which were well-grown animals when liberated, have been seen carrying massive antlers. These deer were all captured in the big flax swamps of the Himitangi-Foxton district by the Department's ranger, where they were very numerous. In a few years' time they will provide good sport and venison for deer-stalkers. Feathered Game. —The season for feathered game opened on the Ist May, 1920, and closed on the 31st July, 1920. It was a very successful shooting season altogether, average bags of pheasants

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and quail being shot, though the quail arc decreasing in numbers. The native game that was open for shooting during the season was limited to grey duck, black teal, and black swan. Very fair shooting was obtained in the favoured places frequented by the ducks. The limit of twenty-five head per gun per day was reached by quite a number of shooters on the opening day in the Rangitaiki Swamp. The native game was not so plentiful in the Rotorua and Wairoa (Hawke's Bay) Counties, nor about Lake Taupo. Fishing and Liberation of Fry. —The district upheld its unrivalled fame for the trout-fishing, and the popularity of the sport was shown by the great number of anglers' licenses inspected which were issued by outside acclimatization societies. Large catches of good fishing-trout were recorded from all parts, and the decrease in the number of thin, flabby, and diseased trout was a pleasing feature. General satisfaction was everywhere expressed by the anglers at the discontinuance of the, netting operations in the open season, particularly at Lake Taupo. Since the, opening of the present season in November, catches of fish up to 10 lb. in weight have been general, and in Lake Okataina specimens up to 14 lb. have been taken, and many anglers have caught twenty-five to sixty fish in a day, of which the greater number were in good condition. A consignment of 50,000 brown-trout ova was received from the Hakataramea Salmon-station, Otago, hatched out by the ranger, and distributed in the rivers of the Whakatane County. From the trouthatchery 50,000 rainbow ova were received and taken by motor to Whakatane, where, as eyed ova, they were laid down in artificial hatching-redds in suitable places. Five boxes of rainbow ova, containing 250,000 eggs, wen; also received from the Government hatchery, for hatching out at Lake Waikaremoana, where they were transported, and the work of hatching and liberating carried out by this Department's ranger. In addition to the above, the ranger stripped some 400 good rainbow-trout pens at the Mokau Falls when hatching out ova at Lake Waikaremoana, and procured 368,400 ova, which hatched out in good order for fish running so late in the year. Almost the whole of these fry were liberated in the rivers and streams of the Wairoa County, and 26,000 ova were sent to the Ruakituri River, where they were hatched out and distributed by Mr. W. Richards, assisted by Mr. C. Mills. A further consignment next season should complete the stocking of the waters around Ruakituri for some years. Pheasants : Rearing and Liberations. —During the year one new pheasant-pen was erected by the ranger, and the pen erected last year was divided up for the stocking of breeding-pheasants—some; seventeen hens and three cock birds. The results were satisfactory. Some of the birds have already been liberated, and the balance not required for next year's stock, pen will be distributed in small lots all over the district, both as fresh-blood stock and (in view of the statutory close season in 1922) as an augmentation of the existing birds. It is proposed to further extend the phcasantry for larger operations next year. Scientific Investigations. —A considerable amount of time was given by the ranger and assistant to assisting Mr. W. J. Phillips, of the staff of the Dominion Museum, in his scientific investigations of the trout of the thermal region of Rotorua Acclimatization District. Bath Buildings : Balneologist's Report. In all the departments under my control there has during the past year been a marked increase in the revenue ; particularly has this been so in the receipts from sanatorium patients, consultation fees, and baths. The returns from massage fees are apparently less than those of last year, yet the actual number of treatments given was greatly in excess of the previous year ; this is explained by the fact that the fees for sanatorium treatments are, included in the returns from that institution (approximately 17,000 treatments were given to sanatorium patients during the year), whereas in the previous annual returns these were, by transfer credits from the Defence and Health Departments, included in the massage receipts. The year generally has been an exceptionally busy one, and the resources of our establishment taxed to their utmost; especially has this been felt in the massage department, where groat difficulty was experienced in fitting in the increasing numbers of patients. •As anticipated in my last annual report,' a great number of overseas patients have visited Rotorua and received treatment; and, with the continued social and industrial unrest in Britain, one expects an increasing popularity for our spa. Owing to the present financial stress the strictest economy has been exercised, and demands on expenditure withheld at every possible point; this, naturally, has hampered the expansion of our activities and made the work difficult both for myself and staff. Throughout the season the sanatorium has been unable to cope with the applications for admission, but much useful work was done in the institution for the more helpless type of case. Notwithstanding the harassments due to lack of accommodation in the main bath-house, I should like to place on record my appreciation of the work done by my staff, whose zeal, efficiency, and cheerfulness have so materially helped me to carry out the work of this spa during the past year. In conclusion I should like to enter a plea for the serious consideration of expanding our spa work in New Zealand. It has been admitted by the world's leading hydrologists that our mineral waters are without rival; and I need not point out that with the increasing number of nervous disorders and an accumulating prevalence of fibrositis (so-called rheumatic affections) everything should be done to make our spa the most valuable and efficient in existence ; moreover, since 1914, with the knowledge gained by war experience, hydrotherapy has become an exact science capable of effecting cures that were previously considered impossible. Therefore, pari passu with the expansion of the work of the Health Department, I would urge that the work of our spas is as valuable as that of any branch of medical science ; and, in view of the means in hand, spa work in New Zealand should be considered in the light of a national necessity.

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Comparative Statement of Receipts. 1921. 1920. '. £ s. d, £ -s. d. Consultation fees .. .. .. .. 637 16 0 462 8 0 Sanatorium fees— Treasury credits .. .. .. .. 584 14 5 Cash .. .. .. .. .. 2,534 4 2 1,288 8 7 Bath fees .. .. .. 3,347 15 6 3,017 17 3 Massage fees— Treasury credit .. . . .. .. 5 8 4 Ordinary patients .. .. .. 1,052 3 9 938 7 0 Soldier patients (Treasury credits) .. .. .. 759 8 9 Players'fees.. .. .. .. .. 555 15 1 637.8 11 Te Aroha water — Treasury credit .. .. .. .. 110 Cash .. .. .. .. .. 373 011 347 0 3 Radium water .. .. .. .. 19 4 3 19 6 9 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 30 0 2 178 16 10 Totals .. .. .. .. £9,141 3 7 £7,649 2 4 Waitomo Caves. The returns for this hostel show an increase over previous years, the cash returns showing an increase over last year of £817. This is very satisfactory when one considers the interruptions to the tourist traffic by the railway strike, floods, and shipping difficulties. We have had very few oversea visitors compared with previous years, but each season a greater number of visitors arrive by motor-car, and as improvements to the roads are being carried out this source of revenue will increaseAll buildings and tracks have been maintained in good order, and during the off season the majority of fences were repaired. Wo hope to finish this work during the winter. In the matter of electric plant, a new engine has been installed, and the plant is giving every satisfaction. The water-supply system, which was started last year, has been completed, and we now have a splendid supply of good water. The following is a statement of cash receipts for the year : Accommodation, £4,410 17s. ; guiding, £2,826 7s. ; equipment, £267 ss. ; rent, £14 Is. Bd. ; photographs, £5 Is. ; Court fees, £9 Bs. Bd. : total, £7,533 os. 4d. The number of visitors was 7,600. Te Aroha. Revenue. —Te Aroha has had a very successful year. The receipts show an increase in all principal sources of revenue, amounting in the aggregate to £186 16s. 10d., the totals for the respective years being £1,999 15s. 6d. and £1,812 18s. Bd. Baths and Springs. —The total number of baths of all classes taken during the year was 37,038, as against 35,376 for the previous year. A marked increase is shown in private baths, and a slight falling-off in public baths, though the latter phase can only be characterized as normal fluctuation. The details are:— 1020-21. 1919-20. Private baths .. .. .. .. .. .. 18,070 16,206 Public baths .. .. .. .. .. .. 18,968 19,170 Generally all baths and springs have received whatever attention was found necessary to keep them in first-class order, but no new work was undertaken. Gardens and Playing-lawns. —These have been maintained in first-class order, and their all-round attractiveness was very favourably commented upon. All the main paths were retarred and resanded, and a number of new garden-seats were made by the staff. The new playing-area behind the Cadman Bath building —referred to in my last report —has consolidated, and the preparation of a good sward is being taken in hand by the head gardener and staff. Tea-kiosk. —The kiosk has more than maintained popularity, as the increase in receipts will show, though on account of the cost of raw materials an increase in price of refreshments was made this season. Waikaremoana, Te Puia, and Morere. The extension of the building at Waikaremoana has not been proceeded with, for financial reasons, but a considerable amount of improvement has been effected in the way of drainage, bathroom, and other facilities. The traffic to the lake has been greater than usual, and I anticipate a considerable increase this season. For the like reason the rebuilding of the Te Puia building has been held over. At Morere a custodian has been appointed, the baths and paths kept in good order, and the fencing of the reserve is now being undertaken. Tongariro National Park. The completion of the Whakapapanui cottage early in 1920 having made the park much more easy of access than formerly, there has been a large increase in the number of visitors during the

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year. Tents have been provided to give additional accommodation at the cottage when required. The cart-road to the cottage has been kept in repair, and a survey for a permanent motor-road has been made by the Public Works Department. A track has been formed from the Whakapapanui cottage up the lower slopes of Ruapehu, and a commencement made on one leading to the Tama Lakes at Ngauruhoe. A new mountain hut has been built on the south-west side of Mount Ruapehu,'and repairs done on the track connecting it with Ohakune. The extension of Whakapapanui hut is now under consideration —or, rather, the erection of a similar hut and a caretaker's cottage. Hermitage. This resort was largely used during the season, with the result of an increase in revenue of £684. Unfortunately, owing to several changes in management, due to the breakdown of the manager in health and the appointment of a temporary one, and other causes, the expenditure has increased to a larger extent than was anticipated, and resulted in an augmentation of £2,092. It is confidently expected that this amount will be reduced during the coming season. The heavy cost of cartage of goods ninety-six miles from the rail-head by lorry is a tremendous factor in the expenditure at the Hermitage. During the year the place was visited by 963 people, of whom 424 were from the South Island, 371 from overseas, and 168 from the North Island. Of this total number approximately 820 were conveyed by the motor company, the remaining 143 arriving by private car. The returns for the year for guides' fees, horse-hire, and equipment were £889 19s. Id., as compared with £945 16s. Id. for last year's taking, showing a decrease of £55 17s. The decrease is due to some extent to the fact that several climbers who have been coming annually to the mountains cancelled their engagements and did not visit the Hermitage this summer, owing to the increase in the motor-company fares and the extra tariff at the hostel. The added expense also influenced a number of people in curtailing the number of excursions they wished to make. The weather, too, was very unsettled and changeable, and frequent falls of snow on the higher peaks made the conditions bad for the more serious climbs. During the early part of last winter the, material (weighing about a ton) for a new bivouac to be placed on Mount Cook, at the head of the Hooker Glacier, was conveyed up the Hooker Valley to a point beyond the Hooker hut but owing to bad weather and the broken nature of the, glacier the staff were! unable to complete the work. The repairs to all the different tracks were put in hand, and these were kept in good order throughout the year. The alpine huts were also kept well supplied with provisions. The chamois and thar on the reserves-have frequently been seen during the season, and, when able, to get a near view of them, all appeared to be in excellent condition. Though this was not a good climbing year, a few high ascents have been successfully accomplished, the most difficult one being the ascent of Mount La' Perouse by Mr. H. Chambers, of Hawke's Bay. Though it is the second ascent of the mountain, it is the first time it has been climbed from the eastern side, which meant a very long climb and a traverse, of two other peaks before the, summit could be reached. The first ascent was made from the La Perouse Valley, Westland side, on the Ist February, 1906, by Dr. E. Teichelmann, Rev. 11. E. Newton, Messrs. R. S. Low and A. Graham. Besides the high ascents recorded as under, the following minor climbs were also made : Two ascents of Hochstetter Dome ; four ascents of Glacier Dome ; four traverses of Mount Wakefield ; four ascents and two crossings of Mount Kitchener ; five ascents and two traverses of Mount Annette; three ascents and three crossings of the Copland Pass ; two crossings of Graham's Saddle ; three ascents and one crossing of Barron's Saddle. Mounts Ollivier and Sebastopol, Scaly Range, were also ascended several times. Included in the following list of climbs is a number of first ascents made at the head of the Godley Valley by Mr. W. A. Kennedy's party during a visit to that district in January: —

List of High Ascents at Hermitage during Season 1920-21.

Date. Name of Peak. Height, In Feet. Climbed by Name of Guide. Iloute and Remarks. 1920. April 5 Mount Darby Mr. F. Rolleston, Mr. Holtz Mr, H. Chambers, Mr. I). McPherson P. Graham Traverse — ascent by north arete ; descent, east face. Ascent by west arSte ; descent by Mona Glacier from Hooker hut. 8,287 Dec. 29 Pibrac Peak 8,472 P. Graham 1921. Jan. 3 Unnamed peak between Mount Potorman and Mount McClurc (Godley district) Mount Cuminc (Godley district) 7,400 (about) Mr. W. A. Kennedy, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Sutton Turner J. Lippe .. Ascent from high bivouac on east side of Godley Glacier under Mount D'Archiac (first ascent). First ascent from above bivouac. Jan. 5 8,223 Mr. W. A. Kennedy, Mr. Sutton Turner, Mr. J. Anderson Mr. W. A. Kennedy .. J. Lippe .. Jan. 7 Mount Wolseley (Godley district) 8,438 J. Lippe .. Ascent and descent by eastern arete (first ascent from above bivouac). Ascent by western face from Aimer bivouac. Jan. 7 Mount Jervois 8,675 Mr. H. A. Jpll, Miss Lorimer, Mrs. Bradford Mr. H. Chambers (Cuideless) Jan. 6 Mount Jellico Mount Low 9,400 9,653 P. Craham Ascent and descent by northeast arete from bivouac in at_-.i; T> 1

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List of High Ascents at Hermitage during Season 1920-21— continued.

Te Anau - Milfoed Track. The number of visitors who have done the walk to the Sounds is well ahead of all other seasons. There have been visitors from England, America, Australia, China, and other countries. Accommodation. —At Sandfly Point there are now very good new huts erected, filling a long-felt want. One hut is built to accommodate twenty-four ladies, is 14 ft. wide and 40 ft. in length, is divided into two rooms, and has given satisfaction to all who have been in it. There is also a large dining-room, 12 ft. by 24 ft., to accommodate all at one time, it having two large tables, which has given satisfaction to all the, visitors during the season. Telephone Communication. —The telephone-wire has been erected through from Glade House to Sutherland's, and is greatly appreciated. The track on the whole from end to end is in good order. Wherever required new culverts have been put in.

Date. Name of Peak. Height, in Feet. l limbed by Name of Guide. Koute and Remarks, _ Jan. 6 Mount Sealy .. 8,651 Mr. McGeorge, Mrs. McCeorgo, Murray McGeorge, Mr. Maughan Ditto R. Young and J. Dennehy R. Young \ Ascent and descent by west face from Mueller hut. Jan. 7 Mount Darby .. 8,287 Ascent by north arete ; descent by east face. Ascent and descent by northeast arMe from Hooker bivouac. Ascent and descent by south arMe from Copland Pass - Hooker hut. Traverse —ascent by east arete from Barron's Saddle, and •thence by main arete to Fyfe's Pass back to Mueller hut. Ascent and descent by south 'arete from Copland Pass. Ditto. Ascent by east arMe, Mount Sealy, descent west face; ascent east arete Mount Jean, descent west face ; returning to Hermitage over Annette. Ascent and descent by east face from Mueller hut. Ascent and descent by west face. Ascent and descent by Darwin and Bonnoy Glaciers and north arete from Malte Brun hut. Ascent and descent by northwest slopes and arMe. Ascent from Hooker hut to Copland Pass, thence by main divide, traversing Du Faur and Cadogan Peak to summit, descending east face to Hermitage. Ascent by eastern arMe, and descent by west face and across Annette back to Hermitage. Ascent Mount Sealy east arete, descent west face; ascent Mount Jean east arete, descent west face from Mueller hut. Ascent by south-east face to divide to north-east of peak, and thence by main arete to top ; descent same way. Traverse — ascent by south arete from Copland Pass to summit Lean Peak, and thenoe by main arMe to Edith Peak; descent by east face back to Hooker hut. Ascent and descent by south arMe from Copland Pass. Ascent by east arMe to divide and north-east arMe to summit, descent same way. Jan. 10 Mount Jellico . . Mount Low .. Mount La Perouse Lean Peak 9,400 9,653 10,101 S.000 Mr. Chambers P. Graham Jan. 11 Mr. McGeorge, Mrs. McGeorge, Murray McGeorge, Mr. Maughan Mr. II. Chambers, Miss I. Chambers, Mr. Maughan R. Young Jan. 20 Mount Montgomery 7,661 P. Graham Lean Peak Professor Algie, Mrs. Algie Miss I. Chambers Mr. Maughan, Captain Minchinton R. Young Jan. 25 8,000 Jan. 25 Feb. 5 Lean Peak Mount Sealy Mount Jean .. 8,000 8,651 8.200 P. Graham P. Graham Feb. 8 Mount Maunga Ma 8,335 Professor Algie, Mrs. Algie Ditto' R. Young, C.Williams Ditto Feb. 9 Mount Sealy .. 8,651 Feb. 8 Mount Hamilton 9,915 Mr. Garrick, Captain Minchinton I'. Graham Feb. 9 Mount Chudleigh Ditto P. Graham 9,686 Feb. 13 Footstool 9,027 P. Graham Feb. 13 Mount Sealy .. Mr. .1. Kingseote R. Young 8,651 Feb. 17 Mount Sealy . . Mount Jean .. 8,651 8,200 Mr. Garrick P. Graham Feb. 18 Mount Burns .. 8,984 Mr. Garrick P. Graham Feb. 26 Lean Peak Edith Peak .. 8,000 7,600 Mr. Garrick, Mr. A. Roberts, Dr. Forster P. Graham Mar. 4 Lean Peak Miss Wenley, Miss Russell, Mr. Barker Mr. Garrick, Mr. A. Roberts 8,000 A. Cowling Mar. 12 Mount Green .. 9,305 P. Craham, J. Stout

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It was unfortunate that when the heavy rush of visitors set in the arrangement made for the opening of Mrs. Sutherland's house, and the use of her launches at Milford Sound, was unable to be kept. This resulted in a certain amount of congestion at Christmas-time, and disappointment to some who were unable to see the Sound. The Department has completed arrangements for the supply of a large launch from the Bluff, which will be in commission next season and will accommodate all comers. Arrangements will, it is hoped, also be made for accommodation at Milford Sound. The steamers on Te Anau and Manapouri have been overhauled and repaired, and are in good running-order. Overseas Agencies. The usual annual reports have been received from the officers in charge of Melbourne and Sydney Agencies, and show that a large amount of work has been satisfactorily dealt with, and that the offices have been of great use to other Government .Departments. The expenditure at these places has been : — n . „ „ Sydney. Melbourne. £ £ Rent ..-.. .. .. . . .. .. 612 275 Salaries (including clerical assistance).. .. .. .. 757 846 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. ,'50(1 212

REPORT OF THE RESIDENT OFFICER, ROTORUA. I beg to submit my annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1921. During the year the maintenance of work on the streets and roads has been given as much attention as funds would permit. About 94 chains of pumice roads and streets have been re-formed and coated with fresh pumice ; in most cases this has necessitated the use of the plough and the grader. The long spell of dry weather, coupled with the friable nature of the roading-material, has prevented surface consolidation, a result best obtained when there has been occasional wet weather. The metalled streets in the inner area have been patched ; and various sections, totalling about 30 chains, have been blue metal, blinded with a mixture of local obsidian gravel and metal chips. This gives a very satisfactory result, but, of course, requires regular maintenance, principally in the form of additional supply of metal, in order to get the best results. Unfortunately, lack of funds prevents such supplies being systematically procured. Patching of metalled streets, a method of repair imposed on us by limitation of funds, is most unsatisfactory, as it causes inequalities in the road-surfaces. They should be periodically scarified or ploughed, then harrowed to properly distribute the existing metal, and a sheeting of new metal added. During the year about 304 cubic yards of metal and metal chips have been brought from Te Aroha, and 120 yards of local metal, and put on the streets. About 4£ chains of tarred metal has been laid on footpaths, and the middle section of Arawa Street has been retarred and sanded. The street trees have received the usual attention in the matter of pruning. During the year a special grant of £250 was given by the Government for the repair of the southern portion of Fenton Street. As the money was not available until the close of the year no action was possible, but the work will be undertaken early in the ensuing year, when the whole of the money will be expended in the purchase of blue metal, the labour in formation of roadway and spreading being a charge on the General Account. The financial stringency as detailed in my last annual report has boon accentuated this year by a further award giving the an additional increase in wages. It has therefore not been possible to undertake any new work. The levy on the Town Account made by the Waikato Hospital and Charitable Aid Board for the current financial year is £318 lis. 7d., as compared with £237 6s. Bd. of the previous year. To meet this a rate of in the pound was levied on the capital value. The levy for fire-prevention purposes made by the Fire Board was £412 10s., as compared with £720 ss. of the previous year. This was met by a rate of fd. in the pound on the value of buildings within the town area. The library rate was ¥ \jd. in the pound. Seventy-four building permits were issued during the year for new buildings and alterations to existing ones, the total value of such being £21,510. The rateable (capital) value of the town is £540,557.

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