15

H.—2

The mineral waters of the colony have been advertised by special exhibit forwarded to the Dublin Exhibition, and the thermal phenomena and the mineral baths were largely represented at the Departmental exhibit at Christchurch. With the completion of the various baths now being built, I would advise the even more extensive advertisement of the New Zealand spas in Australia, Great Britain, America, India, and the South Pacific. Hitherto, with many of the baths in a somewhat primitive condition, there might be some hesitation in attempting to induce visitors to undertake a long and expensive journey; but for the future I think we may safely enter into competition with the most famous spas of the world, and not fear invidious comparisons. In a paper published in the last Official Year-book 1 completed the classification of practically all the known mineral waters of the country, and am now engaged in the completion of the series of popular handbooks to the New Zealand watering-places, and on a similar work, viewed from a more scientific standpoint, for the use of the medical profession. Te Puia. —A complete report on the potentialities of these springs, with recommendations as to the construction of baths and for the general development of the place as a mineral-water health resort, has been submitted to the Department. Helensville. —My recommendations of last year for the construction of the first instalment of a complete bathing establishment have been most satisfactorily carried out by the local authorities. A small but substantial building, containing a suite of porcelain private baths, with a pumproom and ticket-office, has just been completed, and forms the nucleus of the larger scheme outlined in my departmental report. Hanmer. —Considerable improvements have been effected here during the year. A prettily tiled pump-room has replaced the old and somewhat ramshackle structure which formerly housed an ineffectual pump, so that now the waters can be taken in comfort and in daintily clean surroundings. Several other of the suggestions made last year have also been carried out, and I have forwarded plans for the erection of natural vapour baths over No. 1 Spring. The plans provide, in addition to vapour baths, inhalation cabinets, complete suites of douche-massage, dry-massage, and electrical rooms, with appropriate offices, the whole being warmed from below by the natural heat of the spring. If these baths can be erected during the coming winter, Hanmer should be thoroughly equipped next season for the proper and scientific treatment, of suitable cases. What I have urged in regard to Rotorua and Te Aroha, as to the need of the provision of music, applies with special force to Hanmer, which is so self-centred and where visitors are thrown so largely on their own resources. Te Aroha. —Here also improvements have been effected in the bathing establishment. The staff has been strengthened by the appointment of a masseur as well as a masseuse for the season, and several additions have been made to the balneological apparatus at the disposal of the Resident Medical Officer. To utilise the steam from the tunnel spring, a vertical shaft has been carried to the surface, and I am now engaged on plans for a vapour bath and inhalatorium to be erected on this site. The amount of mineral water at present available at Te Aroha militates against a high-pressure douche system; but in every other respect the spa should soon be able to boast of a wery full equipment. Rotorua. —On the whole the year has shown a distinct and favourable increase on the previous one, in spite of the fact that a large proportion of the tourist traffic was diverted to Christchurch, and that exceedingly wet weather has prevailed ever since Christmas. With two exceptions there has been a marked increase, both in the amount of work done and of receipts, in all the departments under my immediate charge. It seemed a pity to house expensive apparatus in our old sulphurous buildings, but in the new baths I would advise that, while avoiding needless extravagance and display in the purchase of the latest outfits merely because they are the latest, the electrical and allied departments should be fitted with the very best and most improved forms obtainable of, all apparatus that has been proved by experience to be of real value in the treatment of disease. Such apparatus should include, in addition to high frequency, .r-ray, light baths, and similar instruments, the machinery necessar}' for the utilisation of vibration and mechanical massage, including eventually a complete Lander outfit, space for which was specially provided when the buildings were designed. The other exception is under the heading of sanatorium receipts. That such a diminution should have occurred during a year which has been marked by exceptionally heavy work is explained below under the heading " Sanatorium." In my first report I urged as the essentials of a properly equipped spa—Perfect sanitation in the matter of drainage; a pure water-supply; a properly equipped bathing establishment; adequate provision of recreations and amusements. The works now completed should insure the first two items. The water-supply, coming as it does from a spring far removed from all possible sources of contamination, should be absolutely above suspicion; its abundance and high pressure should also go far to insure the success of the water-carriage sewerage system. New Baths. —The new bath buildings, while not completing the original scheme, should yet be one which for architectural beauty and for completeness of internal fittings would do credit to the most famous spas of Europe, while for excellence and variety of mineral waters supplied, it need fear no comparison with any bathing establishment in the world. In view of the strenuous competition of the increasingly numerous spas of other countries, a complexity and finish of