H.—2

4

although they had been in the ground for about thirty years. These replaced a section of wooden mains, which had hitherto given considerable trouble. A. further advantage was that a continuous supply to King George Hospital was assured. Works. —At Rotorua many big works are in sight. Tt is intended this year to make a start with the alterations at the Okere power-station, which is now working at its fullest limit of power, and. must in the near future be replaced by a more powerful station. The work of replacing the wooden water-supply pipes with cast-iron ones is proceeding, and an order has already been placed in Australia for a large quantity of pipes. These have been held, up by the dislocation of shipping, but should soon be in New Zealand. The bath buildings at the leading health resort in the Southern Hemisphere, and probably in the world, have naturally, owing to the financial demands in other directions during the past few years, suffered somewhat, and a comprehensive report was prepared by Dr. Herbert before he left for England as to what is required to be done. These works include extensions to the present main bath buildings, and a practical reconstruction of the Blue, Pavilion, and Postmaster Bath buildings, and also for the improvement of the hot-water supply of Priest water. The Dominion has suffered a great loss by the departure of Dr. Herbert, who for some seventeen years occupied the position of Balneologist at Rotorua with great ability. Arrangements have, however, been made to retain his services in England as Consulting Balneologist, and also for him to prepare and publish a complete work on the hot-water mineral springs of New Zealand. Acclimatization. During the deer-stalking season (26th March to 26th April, 1918) twenty licenses were issued for the three herds in the Rotorua-Whakatane Counties; sixteen of the stalkers secured thirty heads. The Mahia Peninsula herd was stalked by Messrs. Ormond and Kennedy, who each secured their quota. During the game-shooting season (Ist May to 31st July, 1918) many good bags of duck, quail, and pheasant were secured in various parts of the district. Black swan were again protected, and there is consequently a perceptible increase in the number of these birds on the local lakes. During the year a number of deer and game were liberated, and it is the intention of the Department to breed and liberate a larger number of pheasants next year. A schedule of the game, and deer received and liberated is appended. Birds and Fish captured and presented to Wellington Zoo or sold. Wellington Zoo : 50 golden and silver carp : 12 black- and. red-billed gulls ; 7 paradise duck ; 3 pairs Californian quail; 1 wild grey duck ; I cock pheasant; 1 mountain-parrot (kea). Frankleigh Park, New Plymouth : 3') golden and silver carp. M>isterton :50 golden and silver carp. Auckland : 100 golden and silver carp. Pheasants. Bred by Banger .. . . .. . . .. .. 28 (Of these, 13 were retained as stock birds.) Received from Auckland Society (gift and purchase) . . .. 130 Purchased from Canterbury Society .. .. .. .. .. 8 Beceived from J. Dobson's game-farm, Aratapu, by purchase for stock .. 6 Held by Ranger for stock .. .. . . .. .. . . 3 Total . . . . . . .. . . .. 175 Of which about 50 were liberated in suitable localities and sanctuaries.

Deer.

Other Deer and Animals. Four Himalayan thar from Wellington Zoo, liberated at Mount Sealey (Mount Cook district) ; three Sambur deer (Ceylon elk) from Himitangi, liberated at Rerewliakaitu herd (Rua.wahia) and Taneatua herd (Whakatane County) , four opossums, presented to Wellington Zoo, liberated at Wai-iti (Ruatahuna); one fallow buck, from Wellington Zoo, not yet liberated. Seven red deer from Paraparaumu Game Farm liberated—l at Mahia Peninsula, 2at Wellington Zoo, 1 Rotoiti herd, I Okataina Reserve, 1 Galatea herd, 1 not yet liberated.

Received from Stags. Hinds. ! Liberated at 1 Stags. HindB. I Werribee Park, Victoria 2 2 Waikaremoana (Paraparaumu stock) 3 Mahia Peninsula (Paraparaumu stock) .. ! Whirinaki Valley (2 from Paraparaumu stock and 2 from Werribee stock) Taumarunui herd (Werribee stock) Rotoiti herd (Werribee Park and Zoo, Otago Society) Galatea herd from Zoo 2 2 Paraparaumu Game Farm 5 I 1 Wellington Zoo 3 2 - 2 1 2_ Total .. 2 i 10 5