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As the medical man of this district is resident at Culverden, twenty-four miles from the Thermal Springs, direct telephone communication between the springs and Culverden would be of much advantage. This has been borne out by several cases during the past season. My patients have been mainly rheumatic and pulmonary cases. One cannot help feeling that much valuable information is lost by the lack of " case-books " at Hanmer. This is in a measure unavoidable, as patients not under treatment by the visiting medical man naturally will not volunteer information as to their ailments. The keeping of " case-books " at the Sanatorium will be of advantage. The nucleus of a library now exists at Hanmer. It is to be hoped that visitors will add to this as occasion serves. As far as one can at present judge, the outlook for the coming season is encouraging. Charles T. Little, M.A., M.8., Ch.B., Ist June, 1897. Visiting Medical Officer to the Hanmer Thermal Springs.

APPENDIX No. 9.

REPORT ON MOUNT COOK HERMITAGE AND GLACIERS. During the year the management of the Mount Cook Hermitage has been placed in the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Ross, formerly of Glentanner Station ; and Mr. T. C. Fyfe has been engaged to act as guide to tourists wishing to explore the wonders of the Mount Cook district. Considerable sums have been expended by the Government in putting the place into thorough order, catering for the requirements of visitors, and improving the coach-road from Pukaki to the Hermitage, and tracks to the neighbouring glaciers. During the early part of the season there was, unfortunately, no regular coach-service from Fairlie Railway terminus, and the number of visitors was therefore somewhat limited, owing to the uncertainty of means of going and returning. Since January last a regular bi-weekly coach-service has been established under contract with the Postal Department, and the number of visitors has increased considerably. The arrangements made for the comfort and convenience of visitors appear to have met with general appreciation, and I think there is every reason to anticipate a very successful working during next year's tourist season. I append herewith reports by the guide and by the Crown Lands Ranger as to the condition of tracks, and of the Hermitage generally. ■ . Sidney Weetman, Commissioner of Crowu Lands.

Report by the Guide. A good number of visitors made use of my services—the Ball Hut and Tasman Glacier being the favourite excursions. All expressed their satisfaction with the accommodation of the hut, and their great delight at the beautiful scenery of the Tasman Glacier. Another hut is in the course of erection on a site situated about fourteen miles from the terminal face of the Tasman, on the Malte Brun side, and the view from this is most extensive, and one, if not the, best to be obtained on the Canterbury side of the higher peaks of the Alps. Here, too, can be seen to perfection the magnificent sunrise effects on Mount Cook. During February I accompanied Mr. Malcolm Ross in an endeavour to discover an easy pass over the divide into Westland, and ultimately, after much difficulty and danger, we succeeded in crossing the Lendenfeldt Saddle at the head of the Tasman, and we came to the conclusion that the pass known as "Fitzgerald's" is the only one of any practical use in the vicinity of the Hermitage. I think that if a track were formed up the Copland, and a hut erected in Welcome Flats, and also a track carried up as far as possible on the Hermitage side, there would then be no great difficulty for an average pedestrian to cross and make the connection. And if this were done now this pass would gradually become known, and, I believe, soon justify further improvements. The tracks around the Hermitage are now all in good order, with the exception of the suspension bridge across the Hooker, which is about to be repaired. T. C. Fyfe.

Report on the Repairs and other Work which have been effected at the Hermitage, Mount Cook. Both outside and inside the house is now in good order and condition, and comfortable. Furniture. —This is all in good order. Linen and everything very clean and tidy. For the dining-room, passage (new part), and smoking-room, linoleum for the floor; for the dining-room windows, cretonne curtains; for the bedrooms (12), muslin curtains; and for the ladies' sittingroom, one couch, two easy-chairs, two small chairs, and curtains and poles for the windows ; these, with cretonne for covering couch and chairs in different rooms, have all been supplied new, and will arrive at the Hermitage on the 27th April. When all these are put down, and in their places, they will make the house very comfortable indeed, and for the next season everything will be in proper order for visitors. The repairs going on for nearly the whole of the past season renctered it impossible for Mrs. Ross to have the house as comfortable as it is now. A piano and billiard-table are very much needed, and should be procured in time for the opening of the season in October.