107

G.—l

Works Carried on by the Rotorua Town Board. I have the honour to report as follows, re the works carried out by this Board during the year ended 31st March, 1897 ; also, please find attached hereto a return of the receipts and expenditure of this Board for that period :— Public Works. 203 chains of rural and suburban roads were formed. 125 chains of rural and suburban roads were reformed. 750 chains of footpaths were reformed and gravelled. 250 chains of streets were maintained and reformed. 720 chains of main roads were maintained. 170 chains of rural and suburban roads were planted with trees. 5f acres of the Town Belt were cleared, ploughed, diso-harrowed, and planted with ornamental and forest trees. A total of six thousand trees were planted out during the planting season. 24 chains of old paling fencing were removed from around the Town Square, and partly re-erected round the public pound section. The public pound was re-roofed and repaired, and the floors of the covered sheds were paved with stone ; also, new pound notice-boards painted, lettered, and erected. 3 acres of the Pukeroa Recreation Reserve were substantially fenced off and planted with ornamental and forest trees. The field- and wicket-gates were given three coats of white zinc-paint. 5 acres of the cemetery reserve were cleared of scrub, and fenced in with posts and sawn rails on higher and drier ground than the position usually used. Entrance gates were erected and painted ; also an old two-roomed cottage removed and re-erected inside the gates for the use of the clergy, and the storage of the necessary appliances for interments. Thirty-six sets, of cast-iron garden-seat legs were obtained, and the seats made locally, and placed at convenient points for the use of invalids and visitors. 20 acres of scrub around the old township and on the vacant sections within the new township, which were being used for purposes endangering the public health, were cleared and burned off. This, combined with the establishment of a nightsoil system on approved sanitary principles, has so materially improved the sanitary state of Rotorua that there has not been a single case of typhoid during the year. Baths. The number of baths taken during the year was 33,158, being an increase of 4,252 over the preceding year, and the receipts from this source were £631, being an increase of £128 lis. 3d. Receipts and Expenditure. The revenue of the Board has been entirely inadequate to meet the requirements of the place, and it is so be hoped that due provision will be made during the current year to enable the Board to proceed with urgently required improvements to the streets and roads, and other works of a public nature, with a view to enhancing the general attractions of the place as a health resort. A statement of the receipts and expenditure for the year ended the 31st March, 1897, is appended hereto. R. D. Dansey, Chairman.

Statement of Receipts and Expenditure of the Rotorua Town Board during the Twelve Months ended the 31st March, 1897. Beceipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. To Balance on 31st March, 1896 .. .. 254 14 6' By Public works .. .. .. 680 1 2 Bath fees .. .. 631 0 0 Under Licensing Act .. .. .. 52 18 5 Local licenses .. .. 131 0 0 Salaries and offices expenses .. .. 38 3 9 Rents.. .. .. 34 15 0 Other expenditure .. .. .. 205 16 2 Other sources .. .. 78 19 10 875 14 10 976 19 6 Deposit on contracts refunded .. .. 12 12 0 Deposit on contracts .. .. .. 12 12 0 Balance at 31st March, 1897 .. .. 153 910 £1,143 1 4 £1,143 1 4

HANMER. As you will see by return of baths shown, the springs have been better patronised this year than any of the preceding years. Visitors from all parts of the world in search of health, others for pleasure-trips, and I think more tourists would have come but that a rumour got out that there was no accommodation here. This was partly true, as for some time nothing but shakedowns could be had at either place. Next year we hope to have more, as the new sanatorium now in course of erection, and another house being built by Mr. Hood, should afford ample room for all travellers. These places were greatly needed. Some invalids complain of the long distance between the baths and accommodation-houses, and I think that, on account of the houses being closer to the springs, we shall have more people in winter. There were several cures effected this season. People suffering from rheumatism, &c, and numbers of visitors who have been here before with rheumatism came back for their holidays this season, and are now quite well; in fact, in most cases the baths do great good, if they do not actually cure. All rheumatism taken in time will soon be cured by the use of these baths. Suggestion. I think, if the Government would issue tickets on all the southern railway-lines at a reduced rate to people coming to the baths, it would largely increase the revenue of the railway,. and also the number of visitors to the springs.