H.—2

4

These were taken from the game-farm at Paraparaumu, and were bred from a stag of the Warnham Park (Essex, England) herd and some Otago hinds. These have produced a very fine type of deer, and with the introduction of this strain, and the suggested culling, there should be a great improvement in the Mahia herd within the next three or four years. The country in this district is easily stalked. The Waikaremoana herd was also strengthened by the addition of two stags and two hinds, which were brought from the game-farm by the Ranger and liberated by him. Tin; Ranger reports the deer in this herd as being in good condition, although he noticed three animals which were malformed. He also reports the existence of two or three malforms in the Galatea herd. Mr. George Chirnsidc kindly presented to the Department four fawns from the celebrated Werribee Park herd in Victoria. Some of these, with some from the game-farm, will be liberated in the upper Whirinaki Valley, where they will form the nucleus of a new herd. The fawns from the game-farm were distributed as follows : Mahia, one stag, 1 hind ; Waikaremoana, two stags, two hinds. Fishing. —The trout-fishing during the current season is much better than last year. The netting in Lake Rotorua was not proceeded with last season, and anglers obtained very fair catches. The fish are in fair condition, having evidently improved through the thinning-out process of netting. The other lakes are yielding excellent fish. One fish caught in Lake Okatina weighed 14J- lb. The fishing at Lake Taupo and the various rivers in that locality was good. Owing to unavoidable circumstances detrimental to hatching operations the Department was not able to secure its usual quota of fry and ova this year for liberation. The following quantities were liberated at the respective localities : Lake Okato, 2,000 fry ; Lake Okataina, 3,000 ; Lake Rotoma, 2,000 ; Lake Ngahewa, 3,000 ; Lake Rotokawau, 3,000 ; Wanganui River and tributaries within this acclimatization district, 29,400; Pokopoko Stream, 1,000; Arikikapakapa and Opal Lakes, 500 : total, 43,900. Native Game. —Tin; shooting season (two months) which closed on the 31st July was only open for teal and grey duck. There were plenty of birds, but they were very wary and shy, and only those sportsmen who braved the elements on boisterous days secured average bags. Wet weather generally interfered with the shooting, particularly in the swamp localities. Imported Game —-The classes open for shooting were Californian and Australian quail and cock 2>beasants. Good bags of quail were obtained locally, these birds being plentiful in Whakatanc, Rotorua, and East Taupo Counties, but scarce in Taumarunui locality. In response to numerous requests for quail from other localities, the following quantities were trapped and distributed : Twenty-seven pairs to Hawkc's Bay, twelve pairs to Canterbury, thirty pairs to Southland, and fifteen pairs to Fiji. Waitomo Caves. The year's revenue at Waitomo Caves Hostel shows an increase from £3,574 to £3,596. Various improvements giving increased accommodation and convenience to the staff were effected during the year. A new path was completed from the Ruakuri to the Aranui Cave, enabling visitors to walk through the bush. The total number of visitors to the hostel and caves was 4,468. Te Aroha. Te Aroha has been well patronized, and the revenue has increased from £1,438 to £1,454. The bath, buildings and grounds, drinking-springs, &c, have been maintained in good order. Tito total baths taken during the year numbered 32,188. Waikaremoana and Te Puia. The question of extensions to the accommodation-house at Waikaremoana has still been kept in abeyance, and until normal conditions prevail it will be necessary to hold them over. The house has been fairly patronized, but continuous inclement weather had a bad effect on the traffic. At Te Puia improvements were made in the bath buildings and the gasometer. Hanmer Springs. A good season was experienced at Hanmer Springs, when the Department's revenue increased from £1,732 to £2,262. The buildings and grounds were maintained in good order, and the lighting of the streets, grounds, and buildings by electricity has added greatly to the comfort and attractions of the place. The baths and sanatorium both show increased revenue, and the playing-grounds have been largely availed of by visitors and returned soldiers in the Queen Mary Hospital. Hermitage. The Mount Cook Hostel has had an exceptionally busy season, and the revenue has increased from £4,235 to £4,866. There are many minor improvements necessary at the resort, such as the provision of tennis-courts, &c, but these have had to be placed on the list of works to stand over. Authority has been given for the lighting of the house by electricity, and this work will be put in hand shortly. The season, though arduous, has been a very successful one for the guides department, the returns for the year for guides' fees, horse-hire, and equipment amounting to £849 4s. 6d., against £754 9s. Id. of last year, showing an increase of £94 15s. sd. This is very satisfactory, and is quite a record over all previous years. A considerable amount of improvements and other new work were carried out during the year. A fine comfortable 8 ft. by 10 ft. hut was erected on the site of the Sefton and Footstool bivouac, and has proved a great convenience, obviating the tedious task of having to carry up tent and