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Number of Baths taken. On the whole this year's figures confirm last year's, in the matter of the popularity of the public over the private baths, as the following table will show. There is a slight decrease this year in the number of private baths taken, but an increase in the number of public. The figures read as follows :— 1907. 1908. Private ... ... ... 18,769 18,187 Decrease of 582 Public ... ... ... 20,598 20,669 Increase of 71 Free ... ... ... 73 Nil. The cold-water swimming-bath, open only from the Ist November to the 30th April, is still growing in favour with both sexes, the total number of baths taken for the year being 2,850, an increase of 637 over the number for the previous season. No. 4 Bath, a warm public bath reserved entirely for the use of children, has been in as great demand this year as last, except in the case of visiting children, and this, 1 consider, is due to the great falling-oil in the number of school excursions to Te Aroha this year as compared with previous years. Instead of there being six or seven picnic excursions, each averaging, roughly, 250 children, there have been only three such excursions this year. The patronage afforded the massage and electric bath during the past year is a decided improvement over the previous year, and more revenue has consequently been earned by this branch. This year's experience at Te Aroha has shown that of the patients desirous of taking massage and ill- electric bath quite three-fourths are females. The year just closed has been one of stead}' progress in the matter of improvements undertaken and completed, especially in connection witli those improvements effected in the Domain, and the pretty gardens are daily becoming more noted for their beauty. During the months of February and March Te Aroha, in common with the rest of the Dominion, experienced the then prevailing spell of extremely dry weather, and during the early part of the latter month a grass-tire, which originated in a paddock at the north end of the township, spread rapidly up our beautiful mountain, and destroyed much of the native bush and vegetation on the north side of the Bald Spur. Works undertaken during the Year. Baths and Buildings. Admin is/rat / n Buildings .—The Library and Reading-room has been renovated throughout. The walls have been repapered and the ceiling painted. No. £ Bath. —The whole of the interior of No. 2 Rath lias been cleaned and repainted; also the passage and waiting-rooms. In addition, the attendant's room, waiting-room, and passage have been covered with linoleum in lieu of cocoanut matting, and three new leather couches for the use of bathers have been provided. Grounds. Paths, —The main path up to No. 15 Spring and No. 2 Bath has been graded and re-formed, and is now an easy and pleasant walk to the upper portions of the Domain. Gardener's Col /aye. —The ground round about the gardener's cottage and No. 6 Bath, formerly a rough and unformed area, has now been tastefully laid out in flower-borders and miniature grass lawns, and presents an attractive appearance quite in keeping with other portions of the grounds. Sprint/ No. 17. —This spring, commonly known as the "Eye-water Spring," has been con verted into an ornamental pond, with a miniature fountain playing in the centre, whilst a few trout-fry and goldfish have been liberated in the pond. No. 2~ Spring. -Spring No. 22, a small iron spring situated about 1(10 yards behind the Octagon and to the left of No. 4 Bath, and reached by a somewhat steep path, has now been converted into a very pretty little spot. The path leading to it has been graded and formed, and all pine-roots removed. The spring itself is situated in a natural grotto-shaped basin in the cliff, and a drain has been dug and pipes laid to carry away the overflow, and the surroundings are consequently kept dry and clean. A cemented arch in the formation of the natural rock has been made above the spring, and the water is now clean and inviting. Meteorological Instruments. —A Cassella barometer, rain-gauge, wind-gauge, and two thermometers have been erected on a selected spot near the bowling pavilion, and the observations are taken daily by the Tourist Agent, and the records duly furnished to the Meteorological Department in Wellington. I have, &c, Geo. C. Kenny, M.D., The General Manager, Wellington. Resident Medical Officer.