9

H. 2

will have been met. There will be considerable revenue from the water, drainage, and electriclight systems. The Government gardens have been maintained as formerly, and continue to be a source of enjoyment to a very large number of people, particularly invalids who are unable to take the various attractive side trips. The geysers in the Whakarewarewa Reserve, although during the first half of the year somewhat less active than formerly, have shown during the latter half more activity than for several years. On 30th April, 1907, Waikiti Geyser became active after a period of thirteen years' quiescence. In March last Mr. L. Birks, Engineer in Charge, was appointed Chairman of the Rotorua Town Council," vice Mr. Wallnutt, resigned. By this appointment the Council gets the services of an experienced Engineer, and the disadvantages of dual control of works in the town by this Department and the Council are to some extent minimised. Lakes Rotorua and Rotoiti. In accordance with Order in Council of the 18th January, 1906, which constitutes the above lakes a harbour within the meaning of "The Harbours Act, 1878," all steamers and launches plying for hire have been licensed, and their appliances inspected from time to time, and the traffic suitably regulated. During the past year additions have been made to the Rotorua wharf, and new wharves have been erected at Hamurana, Okere, and Te Ngae. The revenue for licenses and wharfage dues for the year amounted to £JOS. A New Round Trip. A new road is being constructed from Lake Rotoiti to Lake Okataina, and a track from the latter lake to Tarawera. This, when finished, and a motor-launch placed on Lake Okataina, will provide an additional and very attractive side trip for visitors to Rotorua. The journey will be made by steamer or launch from Rotorua wharf across Lake Rotorua, through Ohau Channel, and across Lake Rotoiti, then by coach to Lake Okataina, across Lake Okataina by launch, and thence by foot-track to Lake Tarawera, and launch to Te Wairoa, and coach to Rotorua. With the opening-up of this trip the traffic on Lake Tarawera is likely to be greatly increased; it will therefore be necessary to have a much larger launch on this lake than the one at present, which was found of insufficient capacity on several occasions during the past season. Administration of Acclimatisation in Rotorua. In February last a special acclimatisation district was created, with Rotorua as a centre, and this district was placed under the control of the Tourist Department. The Engineer in Charge at Rotorua has been appointed local controlling officer, and under him have been placed a Ranger and Curator. The small hatchery, a short distance from Rotorua Township, erected by the Marine Department has been placed at this Department's disposal, and arrangements have been made for collecting and eyeing a large quantity of ova for distribution in the district, and for sale to other societies throughout the colony. Since this district was placed under the control of the Department a request has been made by the Wairoa Acclimatisation Society that their district should also be joined to the Rotorua district, and controlled in the same manner as the Rotorua district. The sport in the Rotorua district has in the past year been well up to the previous year's standard, and an enormous number of fish have been taken. Lake Tarawera has provided very excellent sport, and to meet the demands of anglers an oil-launch and two new boats have been placed on this lake. Taupo. The Domain at Taupo has been considerably improved during the year. The report of the Board will be found in the appendices to this report. Tongariro National Park. Some improvements have been made to tracks and camping-huts in this park during the year. I feel sure the attractions of this park are not receiving the attention of the people of this country or of oversea visitors that they deserve, due in a large measure to the want of better means of access, and to the absence of a suitable accommodation-house. Its volcanic and thermal phenomena with the magnificent mountain, lake, and forest scenery, make its attractiveness for the holiday-maker and sightseer unique. As a health sanatorium it could not be excelled. The completion of the Main Trunk Railway will make the access to this park easy, and if good accommodation were provided the park would annually draw a very large number of people. I regard its attractions as being amongst the finest in New Zealand. Taranaki. The Egmont Park has attracted its usual number of visitors. Two hundred pounds subsidywas paid to the. Board for maintenance and improvements as formerly. The report of the Chairman of the Board appears in the appendices. Wanganui River. The trip down this river becomes more popular year by year. The sum of £400 has been paid to the River Board for improvements, 2—H. 2.