H.—2

In addition to the above, it is desired to record the successful ascent of Mount Tutoko, in the Milford Sound district, by Mr. S. Turner, E.R.G.S., and Mr. P. Graham, of Waiho, Westland. Both these gentlemen, who have a long and honourable connection with ciimbing in New Zealand, are congratulated on their great achievement. Te Anau - Milford Track. There was a very considerable increase in the number of visitors to this resort this season, and a lot of work was done by the local staff. There were many heavy floods to contend with, but the staff managed to get four large bridges erected, all culverts replaced, the telephone-wire placed in good order, and the track generally well looked after. Up to the 31st March 420 people arrived at Glade House ; most of them went over the track, and did the return journey in five days and a quarter, including the stay at Milford. This speaks well for the state of the track. The launches in Milford Sound were thoroughly overhauled and painted, and the engines are in first-rate running-order. As an indication of tho manner in which tho staff worked under sometimes most adverse conditions, it is significant that during the season many callers and writers expressed their appreciation of what was done for them, and of their enjoyment of tho trip. On the other hand, only one party had any complaint to make, and they certainly struck most unfortunate weather on their journey. Various improvements to the huts have been authorized as a result of your visit to the district, and these should make for more comfortable conditions in the future. The road from the Key of tho Lakes has, as in past years, been the subject of much adverse comment, but a large amount of work has been carried out by the Public Works Department during the year, and when the present contract is completed there will be a first-class metalled road from Inveroargill to Elaxey Crook, and authority has boon given for additional expenditure, which should enable the road to bo placed in good order through to Te Anau. QIJEENSTOWN AND STEWART ISLAND. Business has boon very satisfactory this season in Southland, and the Invercargill Agent has been very busy. His sales of tickets have been £3,962, as against £2,246 for tho previous year. Most of the tours were booked by local people, and the increase in business may be taken as an indication that tho advantages of booking through the Department are becoming better known. The " Moeraki," which calls direct to Bluff from Melbourne every six weeks, brought a good number of tourists for Bluff on its November and January trips. As in past years, a number of tourists who booked at our northern offices called at the local bureau for information on their way to the Southern Lakes and Stewart Island. The increased number of maps and up-to-date pamphlets issued by the Department has been appreciated. A. number of local people called for a supply of these to send to their friends overseas. Quoenstown and Stewart Island were very popular, as usual, and it was difficult to secure accommodation, especially at the latter resort, during the holidays. Neither of these trips is expensive, consequently they are well patronized by local people at excursion times. A. new tri-weekly motor service was started at tho beginning of the season from Inveroargill to Te Anau and Manapouri, and this induced more local people to do the Milford trip. A good service was maintained throughout the season. At Quoenstown it was decided, as a result of your visit, to convert part of tho present bowlingpavilion into a tea-kiosk, and this kiosk is now being dealt with. The Department has received many complimentary letters on the excellent state of the gardens at Quoenstown. Overseas Agencies. The agencies in Australia —Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide —wore fully occupied during the year, and a great amount of work was performed by these officers for various other Departments as well as our own. The expenditure at Sydney and Melbourne was as follows : - Sydney. Melbourne. £ £ Rent .. 663 350 Salaries and wages .. .. . . . . . . 729 798 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. ..321 244 £1,713 £1,392 South Africa. —Mr. Middlebrook, a well-known South African business man, has been appointed Honorary Agent to the Department at Durban. His office has been well supplied with literature, photographs, &c. Already fruits of this appointment are apparent by people arriving in New Zealand through his instrumentality.

Approximate Cost o) Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (600 copies), £11,

Authority : W. A. G. Skinneu, Government Printer, Wellington.—l924.

Price (id.]

8

Date. Party. Guides. Climb. Particulars of Route. 18/2/24 Mr. II. E. L. Porter .. F. M. Milne, VV. C. Wilhams Mount Burns, 9,000 ft, (Fhsst traverse) Ascent from Mueller Hut up glacier, taking off to rock ridge leading west of Bernard Pass ; ridge to summit, Descent by McKerrow Glacier and smooth slabs to Landsborough, up Spencc Glacier to Fyfe's Pass, thence to hut. Ascent from Hooker Hut by rock ridge to snow face under Edith Peak, following snow face to Mount Beatrice ; over both peaks of Dilemma, descending by slabs to col between Dilemma and Unicorn, following eastern ridge to summit. Descent by same route. 28/1/24 Mr. II. E. L. Porter .. F. M. Milne .. Unicorn Peak, 8,300 ft, (First ascent)