H.—2.

The total receipts for the year ending 31st March, 1908, amounted to £1,665 3s. 2d., while those for the year ending 31st March, 1909, amount to £1,751 lis. 3d., an increase of £86 Bs. Id. The baths have been well patronised, especially the public baths, which show an increase of -1,477 baths over the figures of last year. The cold-water swimming-bath, also a public bath, shows a decrease compared with the figures for the previous year. This I attribute to the bath not being opened until the 22nd December, 1908, instead of the Ist November, 1908, so that practically the bath has only been open for four months instead of six mouths. The massage and electric baths have been well patronised during the year, but the electriclight bath has not been in use for want of electric current in the day time. The subjoined tabular statement shows the revenue received under its various heads, and at the same time the previous year's revenue is shown for the purpose of indicating increases or decreases in the different items. Revenue. 1908. 1909. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ a. d. Bath fees ... ... ... 996 12 8 1,096 16 11 Increase 100 4 3 Out-patients' fees ... ... 500 12 6 339 18 6 Decrease 160 14 0 Library fees ... ... ... 911 3 966 Decrease 0 4 9 Players'fees ... ... ... 85 8 9 129 2 3 Increase 43 13 6 Towel fees ... ... ... 15 0 6 17 0 4 Increase 1 19 10 Miscellaneous (rents, phamphlets, 57 17 6 82 2 6 „ 24 5 0 &c.) Tea-house* ... ... ... ... 77 4 3 1,665 3 2 1,751 11 3 Increase in 1909, £86 Bs. Id. Number op Baths taken. The following table shows the number of baths taken in 1909 as compared with 1908: — 1908. 1909. Private ... ... ... 18,187 18,403 Increase of 216 Public ... ... ... 20,669 25,146 „ 4,477 Free ... ... ... Nil. 66 „ 66 Cold-water Swimming-bath. There is not the slightest doubt that if the water in the swimming-bath could by any means be heated it would at once become a most popular bath, and the revenue derived therefrom very materially increased. Works Undertaken during the Year. Buildings. Tea-kiosk. —The most noteworthy improvement to the beauty and utility of the domain has been the erection of a very pretty tea-kiosk, situated on rising ground, and in a commanding position on the south side of the domain overlooking the bowling-green, and a very large portion of the other playing-greens and garden-plots. Grounds. Bowling-green. —The bowling-green has been retimbered with heart of totara. This required attention in order to preserve the levels of the green, as the old supporting rimu timber was rotten and decayed. Macadamised Road, Gart-entrance. —A properly formed macadamised cart-entrance to the domain grounds has been formed from the Wilson Street entrance, at the rear of No. 2 Bath, up to the bath-house. This road was much required for the heavy traffic from time to time necessary in the domain, and has saved considerable expense in the re-formation of other roads and paths much cut up by the traffic necessary before this new road was made. New Asphalt Tennis-courts. —Two new first-class asphalt tennis-courts have been formed on the sulphur permeated grass-plot just below the bowling-green, ami on the south side of the croquetlawn. This is a model spot for tennis-courts, and is handy to the tea-kiosk and drinking-springs, etc. The courts have not yet been opened for play, but 1 anticipate that they will be very considerably patronised when they are, as tennis-playing is very much on the increase in Te Aroha. Cultivation of New Ground. —The rough, unformed large area of ground around the teakiosk has been giaded with nice paths, and ornamented with flower-beds and grass-plots, whilst a pretty artificial lakelet about 33 square feet in area has been formed at the foot of the slope on the south side of the building. A large rose-garden is also in the course of formation. This portion of the domain has been very greatly improved, and now attracts large numbers of visitors. The rough, unformed tract of ground on the slope between No. 2 bath and the massage building has also been graded and sown with grass, whilst pretty flower and grass borders have been formed all the way up the hill. Miniature cascades have been constructed in the creek alongside, and the whole effect is charming, and compels the admiration of visitors. I have, &c, Geo. G. Kenny, M.8., The General Manager, Wellington. Resident Medical Officer. * No tea-house in 1908.

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