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ture in the latter locality seldom, if ever, rises above the freezing-point and the snow-line is at sealevel. These points suggest what interesting results would be obtained if the Hermitage was made a meteorological station on similar lines to that on the summit of Ben Nevis. " The Huddleston Glacier is a fac-simile of many glaciers of the Antarctic, especially where steep mountain-sides occur with comparatively little gathering-ground on their summits; but to get an idea of some of the greater Antarctic glaciers, one must imagine the Hooker Valley filled with ice which is continuous with ice in the Tasman Valley as far as Birch Hill Creek, or farther. In a like manner, the shingle-slips would have to be imagined as slopes of neve, as a rule, uncrevassed, and joining with the ice in the main valley in a smooth and even curve. " The great points of contrast, however, between South Victoria Land and the Southern Alps are that in the former there is very little snowfall, practically no running water, and the slopes of rock, whether rock is situ or talus, remain permanently frozen throughout the year, while in the latter area the winter snowfall, though heavy, practically disappears during the summer, the glaciers are constantly diminishing by melting, which takes place even above the snow-line, and the nature of the rock renders it more liable to disintegration, which is accelerated by the running water in summer and the frosts in winter. "Yours, &c, "H. T. Fbrrar, 8.A., "Geologist to the National Antarctic Expedition." QUEENSTOWN (LAKE WAKATIPu). During the past year the principal work carried out in the Wakatipu District has been the improvement, at a cost of £650, of the Queenstown Domain, which is now becoming a favourite resort for visitors to the lake. A bowling-green has been laid down in the Domain. Other works undertaken by the gardener and his assistants included the removal of gum-trees killed by the previous severe winter's frosts, the planting of a number of new trees in suitable places, sowing of grass-seed, repairing gates, erection of rabbit-proof fence round part of the park, the gravelling of paths, and general maintenance and improvement of the grounds. A considerable amount of work remains to be done in the park during the coming year. It will also be necessary to give some attention to the planting of trees, and other improvements on the Queenstown hill track. The question of purchasing land for golf-links in the vicinity of Queenstown is still in abeyance. OMARAMA-PEMBROKB COACH SERVICE. A coaching service was last season established between Omarama and Pembroke in order to encourage travel between Mount Cook and Lake Wanaka direct, instead of having to return to Dunedin. This new service reduces the distance to be travelled by 241 miles. The trip should prove a very popular one. The cost to this Department is £80 and to the Postal Department £40 for the season. SOUTHERN LAKES AND SOUNDS. Glade House, Lake Te Anau. This house was purchased in October, 1903, from Mrs. L. J. Garvey. The purchase included the right to the Crown lease of 50 acres. The house was opened in November under the Department's control, Mr. and Mrs. Garvey being appointed to take charge for the season. The number of visitors during the five months to the 31st March was 285, and the receipts £166 65., which is much greater than any previous season's business. The house, which is beautifully situated at the head of the lake, on the banks of the Clinton River, is much too small for the growing requirements of this tourist resort, and plans and specifications are now being prepared to provide for additional bedrooms and sitting-rooms. The additions to this house are a most urgent necessity. The traffic over the route is growing very rapidly, and last season, even with the aid of eight tents, at times the demands for accommodation could not be met. Tt is expected that the traffic will be much greater during the coming season, Te Anau-Milford Sound Route. The overland route from Lake Te Anau to Milford Sound has sprung into great popularity as a tourist track since the Government assumed control of the track in October last. During the summer of 1903-4 visitors to the number of 272 travelled this route. Included in the number were tourists from all parts of the world, and one and all express the keenest appreciation of the grandeur of the sounds and the adjacent mountain, waterfall, lake, and canyon scenery. The track was in good order during the summer, and a number of ladies travelled it with ease. This overland journey is considered to be one of the grandest walking-tours in the world. The best of photographs give but a faint idea of the glories of the Clinton Canyon, the Arthur Valley, and the precipices of Milford Sound. Right from the starting-point —Glade House, at the head of Lake Te Anau —the tourist is surrounded by an incomparable array of fine sights. The Clinton Canyon is fourteen miles in length, walled by vertical cliffs in some places 3,000 ft. to 4,000 ft. in height, and sloping back therefrom to still greater elevation. The valley is filled with the richest of forest-growth, and the foot-track winds for many miles through a beautiful beech bush, skirting the Clinton River, an ideal trout-stream. Then the route crosses McKinnon's Pass, on the other side of which are the Sutherland Falls, the Arthur River, Lake Ada, and Milford. The Department has been fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. R. Murrell as Guide in Charge. Mr. Murrell, with his staff, maintained the track, guided tourists, and provided for them at the several huts en route. The receipts from guiding-fees, hut accommodation, &c, amounted to £345 Bs.