H.— 2

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in the shape of the various douches and special baths, so essential in the proper practice of hydrotherapy, the result of the year's work has been satisfactory. Works undertaken during the Year. Baths and Buildings. Swimming-bath. —The cold-water swimming-bath has been thoroughly repaired, put into commission, and a male attendant placed in charge. Life-buoys and appliances for the game of waterpolo have been supplied to this bath, and have done much to popularise it among the younger members of the community. The bath has been well patronised by men and boys, and bids fair next season to be as much in demand with the girls. No. 6 Bath. —The bottom of this bath has been repaired, and a much larger tail-race supplied, thus enabling the bath to be emptied more rapidly for cleaning purposes. Sulphur Bath. —The old wooden bath in this building has been removed, and replaced by a large iron enamel bath, thus conducing to greater comfort and cleanliness. Massage. —The old No. 3 building has been painted externally, and the interior renovated and painted throughout, and the whole converted into a modified massage establishment. It is supplied with a douche apparatus, massage operating-room, box vapour bath, and electric bath, with lounge and dressing-room attached, and supplied with a certain amount of necessary furniture. Administrative Building. —The waiting and consulting rooms have been supplied with the necessary furniture. Library. —New books to the. value of £30 have been added, the Borough Council contributing half the cost, and its representative assisting in the choice of the books. This additional supply of books has been much appreciated, and doubtless accounts in a great measure for the increase in revenue under this head. Bowling-pavilion —This has been painted in the Department's colours, and it now presents a neat and well-kept appearance. Miscellaneous. —A quantity of suitable crockery and glass mugs for the drinking-springs has been supplied during the year. Grounds. Quoit-pitch. —A quoit-pitch was formed on a piece of vacant ground behind No. 2 Bath, to supply a source of amusement for visitors during the winter months, when the playing-greens are closed. Track to Trig. Station. —This track has been cleared, the washouts filled in, and the overgrowth cut away, leaving it in good order, and thus making accessible one of the beauty-spots of the district. Miscellaneous Maintenance-work. —Two large rockeries have been formed on sulphur-patches, one below the largest of the lakelets and the other near the cart entrance to the Domain. These have been planted with cannas, mesembryanthemums, and other flowers, and with their wealth of bloom have converted what was before unsightly spots into points of beauty. The paths have been carefully graded, and thoroughly drained by sinks and gratings, to carry off storm-water. They have been spread with gravel, which, having now become consolidated, leaves them all in good order. The path to the " Octagon," being of too steep a grade, will not hold the gravel, and will require in the future to be tarred. The overflow from the Domain reservoir has been brought in to supply the lakelets with fresh water, by utilising a quantity of old 2 in. piping. This supply, however, has not proved sufficient, for in spells of dry weather the water has been required by the baths, and there was therefore no overflow, thus proving that the reservoir is not large enough to meet the requirement of the Domain. The rough, unsightly piece of ground on the south side of the lakelets has been cleared, graded, and sown in grass, immensely improving the general appearance of that part of the^Domain^grounds.^j Recommendations for the Coming Year. The following recommendations, contained in the reports of previous years, are still under consideration, viz. : — 1. Prospecting for an additional Supply of Hot Water. — (Vide introduction to this report.) 2. Construction of Vapour Bath. —Utilising the hot vapour now going to waste in the tunnel. 3. Construction of Douche Bath. —This is really more necessary now than previously, seeing that males are debarred from using the douche in the massage building. I would recommend the construction of a small annex at the rear of the south end of the Cadman Building, supplied with a simple douche nozzle capable of being used by the patients themselves, but with the main tap outside, under control of the attendant, so that the bather can only use the water for a given time. 4. Construction of an Electric-light Bath. —As the electric light is now being installed in the grounds and buildings, I would urge this as being an appropriate time to instal an electric-light bath. It is safe and easy of administration, and the working-cost practically nil, and possesses undoubted valuable therapeutic properties. There is plenty of room for such an installation in the present massage building. _ LTi Eg 5. Emergency Ward. —Very many cases have occurred during the past year, some of them proving fatal, but all going to show the real necessity for some such building where urgent cases can be immediately attended to and properly treated. 6. Extension of Bowling-pavilion. — The completion of this work before the opening of nest bowling season is very necessary. 7. Tea-house. —The fact of applications having been received for the liberty to supply light refreshments to the general public within the Domain grounds points to the necessity for the construction of a tea-house. There is, I think, very little doubt that such an establishment would be very largely patronised, and add to the pleasure and enjoyment of our visitors.