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6

Electric Light. In connection with the establishment of an electric-lighting plant in the town, it has been decided to instal the light in the bath and other buildings under the control of the Department. The Resident Medical Officer's report will be found in another appendix. Rotorua. The Rotorua season was normal in the early months, but an unusually large stream poured in towards the end of the summer. The gross number of tickets issued by rail to Rotorua was greater than any previous year, and is further evidence of the increased oversea traffic, as Rotorua is directly affected by any variation in the numbers of outside visitors. It is noteworthy that the recent census affords striking testimony of the expansion of Rotorua since the Department took charge, the population in 1901 being 914, and having by 1906 risen to 1,965. The appended return shows the railway bookings for the past six years: —

Return of Number of Passengers booked to Rotorua for Years ending 31st March, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906 respectively, exclusive of Bookings from Flag Stations.

The receipts for the year for sanatorium accommodation amounted to £1,014 2s. 4d., as compared with £1,004 4s. 7d. for the previous 3-ear. The out-patient fees, however, show a decrease from £871 6s. in 1904-5 to £673 17s. in 1905-6, due chiefly to the establishment of additional private practices. Free maintenance, medical treatment, and baths of thewalue of £549 9s. 3d. were granted during the year. Hospital wards were added to the Sanatorium during the year in order to provide means of attending to patients requiring surgical aid. Prior to the erection of these wards considerable hardship and suffering occurred to several patients who met with accidents in the Rotorua district, owing to there being no hospital in the district. The free medical treatment of the Native population is still being carried on by the officers of this Department, and the whole cost, except medicine and transport, is a charge against the Department's vote. The expense is further increased since the new wards were opened and occupied to a great extent by Natives. ... Mineral Drinking-waters. The sale of mineral drinking-waters realised £181 18s. 4d., an increase over the previous year, when the receipts were £142 Bs. 3d. Baths. The total number of baths taken during the year shows an increase of 2,819, the numbers being 100,430 for 1905-6, and 97,611 for 1904-5. The receipts were £2,789 13s. 2d. for 1905-6, and £2,764 9s. sd. for 1904-5. Bath Buildings. Additions were made to the Pavilion Bath building by adding eight private baths, as well as fitting up three needle baths. To provide an increased supply of Rachel water an additional tank with a capacity of 25,000 gallons was built. New Bath-Building. The contract for the new bath building was let to Mr. W. E. Hutchison, of Auckland, and the work is now proceeding under the control of the Public Works Department. Tea-house. The tea-house receipts for the year amounted to £448 lis., a slight decrease (£lO 3s. 7d.) compared with the previous year.

Ordinary. Year ending 81st March. Holiday Excursion. Special Excursion. Round Trip. Single. Return. Total. First. Second. First. Second. First. Second. First. Second. First. Second. 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 666 1,080 1,530 2,080 2,574 2,953 1,458 2,161 3,659 5,058 5,288 5,546 551 923 1,081 1,176 1,317 1,249 718 1,877 2,099 2,886 3,392 3,172 395 884 370 671 423 707. 1,236 4,806 1,039 2,389 1,687 2,783 175 106 132 157 421 1,694 144 199 200 309 354 381 106 192 386 640 793 680 5,606 12,122 10,891 16,956 15,828 17,955 '484