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nothing to do with the hotel or other accommodation in the main cities ; but when the expected large influx of tourists comes to our country I hope it will be found there is nothing lacking in this respect. Advertising; . In addition to the usual advertising-work, new booklets have been published on Waitomo and Te Aroha. Assistance has also been rendered various progressive leagues with their publications. Lantern-slides numbering 3,277, and photographs 2,165, have been lent to lecturers in all parts of the world. New enlarged panoramic photographs have boon sent to Honolulu, San Francisco, Vancouver, South Africa, and the different agencies in Australia. Arrangements have, been made with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company to distribute the Department's folders through their different offices in Canada, and a large supply of panoramic, photographs has been supplied the company. A request has just been received from tho manager for a further collection of these. It hasL been interesting to note the largely increasing number of visitors from the Eastern world : a great many from India, China, Java, the Straits Settlement, &c, have called at and availed themselves of the services of the bureaux. The number of arrivals in New Zealand describing themselves as " tourists " up to 31st March last was 7,522. The previous year there were 6,588.

Statement showing Financial Position at Main Resorts.

Return of Receipts. The following table shows the receipts of the Department from all sources from 1917-18: — 1917-18. 1918-19. ,1919-20. 1920-21. 1921-22. 1922-23. 1923-24. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ Receipts .. .. 32,935 33,689 42,218 ■ 51,038 50,822 40,246 45,704 Return of Expenditure. The following is a comparison of the expenditure for tho past six years : — 1918-19. 1919-20. 1920-21. 1921-22. 1922-23. . 1923-24. £ £ £ £ £ £ Consolidated Fund .. ..53,656 68,858 93,720 86,944 59,647 60,445 Public Works Fund .. .. 1,620 6,194 19,041 17,996 5,435 27,264 The following is a summary of the work of the Department at the different resorts under its control :— New Works. It has been for a long time apparent that additional accommodation is required at some of the Department's resorts, notably Waitomo Caves, where many intending visitors have had to be turned away and the stay of others curtailed. In accordance with your instructions, plans have been prepared for large extensions to the present building at Waitomo, which should, if the necessary funds are provided, meet requirements there for many years, and I am at present dealing with the question of the provision of tennis-courts, bowling-greens, and, possibly, golf-links at Waitomo. Arrangements have been made with the Public Works Department for the lighting of the Hostel and the caves by electric power, provision being made that tho stalactite and other formations in the caves are protected from injury by the wiring. Plans have also been prepared for extensive alterations and additions to the Waikaremoana Accommodation-house ; Te Anau Hotel; and provision has been made for improvements to the tracks and huts in the Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers districts. In view of the great agitation from, settlers and others interested as to the depredations of rod deer on their properties, and the necessity of drastic action being taken in this respect, it was decided to set an example to other acclimatization societies in this direction, and all restrictions on the shooting of red deer in the open season were removed in tho Rotorua district. It is too early yet to form an estimate of the results of this policy, but the matter will be referred to in my next annual report. The effect of the alteration is that any holder of a license may shoot as many animals (stags or hinds) as desired, without regard to the number of points on the antlers. There have,, however, been complaints from stalkers as to the scarcity of deer, and it is possible that some of the reports as to the size and depredations of the local herds have been exaggerated. There is reason to believe that there has been in some places an indiscriminate slaughter of animals for their skins.

Year 1! i2:s-2+. Year 1922-23. Resort. 4 a, o p c a M S t, w »S 3, • sg-B •Jo eg " •W c =d rr O M " ? S oj > h r-. ~ o M I i o» ■ ■4-! o h g » 2i s * = Te Aroha Rotorua Rotorua Acclimatization District . . Waitomo Caves Lake House, Waikaremoana, Quoenstown Glade House and Te Anau- Milford Track £ 1,568 26,041 2,128 7,280 1,287 222 2,101 £ 3,055 31,255 751 3,780 1,426 738 2,698 £ 1,487 5,214 £ 1,377 3,500 £ 1,489 22,876 1,677 6,143 1,240 217 1,467 £ 3,106 28,463 1,060 3,983 1,732 747 1,940 £ 1,617 5,587 £ 617 2,160 139 516 51)7 492 530 473