5

H.—2

AdENCIES. The only extension in agencies of the Department during last year has been the opening of one in Vancouver, 8.C., in conjunction with the Industries and Commerce Department. lam convinced that the Dominion has been compensated many times over for the outlay by the work done in the oversea agencies. Some indication as to the influence that these agencies have in encouraging both tourists and settlers to come to New Zealand may be gained by quoting the number of callers at the Sydney and Melbourne agencies during the past year. They were, Sydney, 16,738; Melbourne, 11,982; being -an increase of 3,607 and 6,013 respectively over the previous year. To get the best possible results from these agencies, however, it is desirable that the Dominion should be very much more largely advertised in the States where the agencies are established. In order to give some more detailed information as regards the work being done by these agencies, I append hereto extracts from the reports of the Agents in charge. The Govei nment Agent at Sydney writes, — " The period under review marks the second year of the agency's establishment in New South \\ ales, and the public have been quick to grasp and take full advantage of the facilities placed at their disposal. At the present time the chief difficulty with many visiting the Dominion is the evil reputation acquired by the Tasman Sea and the ignorance of the comfort with which the trip can be made. The ever-increasing number of visitors in search of information may be accepted as a proof that the office is getting into closer ioucli with the people of the Commonwealth. The office has been used not only by the New South Wales residents, but also by New-Zealanders visiting this country, and 1 have endeavoured to assist the latter in every possible way. The promotion of settlement has not been lost sight of. This year the number of callers amounted to 16,738, representing an increase of 3,607 over the preceding period, which, however, only covered a little over nine months. The figures are all the more gratifying in view of the fact that the International Exhibition was no longer the centre of attraction. Following up last year's precedent, I compiled a return of the actual number of passengers can ied out of the Port of Sydney to either Auckland or Wellington, and this shows an abnormal increase. In 1906-7 the total number was I 1,362, whilst 1907-8 amounts to 18,979, giving an increase of 7.617. These figures, for which 1 am indebted to the shipping companies, require no comment, but, if necessary, should prove most conclusively the wisdom of establishing the oveisea agencies. It is fair to assume that the large number of passengers carried can reasonably be ascribed to the Department's judicious advertising of the Dominion's wealth of scenic attractions, and to the enervating heat of the past summer months in Australia. " Display of Trout. —During the year a magnificent exhibit of trout was made at the agency, and attracted more than ordinary attention. " Tourists from Queensland. —Queensland as a future field for exploitation is fraught with great possibilities, and I am strongly of opinion that the Department would be acting wisely in opening up a sub-agency. New Zealand seems the natural playground for the Queenslander, and the trip to the Dominion could as easily be undertaken as the usual trip to Tasmania. What is required, however, is some central place where one could secure printed information concerning travel. At present the majority of people desiring a change select either the Blue Mountains or Tasmania, both of which are well advertised. " Tourist Traffic. —Every opportunity is taken of supplying the principal hotels, &c, with descriptive matter, and carefully chosen literature is put aboard the mail-steamers. The judicious loan of lantern-slides is also an important factor in more vividly bringing before the people of this State the advantages offered by the Dominion to the health-seeker, sportsman, and prospective settler. During a portion of the year there was on view at this agency a series of fine oil paintings pertaining to settlement, and these came in for a lot of admiration. I regret to state that during the year the intercolonial shipping companies found it necessary to raise their fares, which must have an effect on the tourist traffic. In order to advertise the beauty of New Zealand scenery the Department has sent out framed photographs of the various resorts. These are hung in the shipping offices and hotels, so that people may have their attention directed to our country." The Government Agent in Melbourne writes as follows: — "During the year 11,982 persons visited the agency, of whom 11,091 were local and 891 foreign. From these figures it is clear that the residents of this State, as well as visitors from foreign countries, are making good use of the facilities offered in the shape of securing up-to-date and reliable information appertaining to New Zealand. The major portion of inquiries came, of course, from those who were desirous of knowing more about the tourist and health resorts, and every effort was made to send them away fully satisfied and anxious to pay a visit to the Dominion. Those making a tour of our resorts are, whenever possible, supplied with a carefully prepared itinerary showing time and cost of trip. The general information sought on matters pertaining to New Zealand is naturally wide and varied. One of the principal subjects is that of land, and what is offered in this respect by the Dominion Government. Quite a number of farmers from Victoria and other States have gone across with the intention of settling on the land. The demand for literature relating to this question has been considerable, and, although it is not possible at times to see direct results, it is reasonable to suppose that definite migration will follow. " At all times it is difficult to ascertain the amount of money taken by those deciding to make their homes in New Zealand, and until December I was unable to state as completely as I should have liked the amount of capital taken ; however, I gathered that during the months of December, January, February, and March no less a sum than £21,401 was possessed by those who booked their passages to New Zealand for the purpose of settling there. If these months represent a fair average for the year —and there is no reason why they should not —it is an indication that the