H—2

The growth, of weeds has been kept in check. Seventeen wild cats have been destroyed. Few rats have been caught, and although it is not suggested that the pests have been eradicated, there is evidence that their, numbers have been reduced to a point where they are no longer a serious menace. During the year a radio telephone with a small generating-plant was installed, and the sanctuary is now in communication twice daily with the naval base at Devonport. The General Manager made an official inspection early in 1946. Official permits to land on the reserve granted to approved visitors {restricted principally to naturalists or those . interested scientifically in our avifauna) were availed of by nine persons, who stayed for varying periods up to ten days on the island, and by three others for a few hours only. There is every evidence that the sanctuary is being conducted on proper lines, that the natural inhabitants are thriving, and that adequate patrols have been carried out. (b) Roto ma (1) Electrical System. The year has shown marked progressive development in the electrical distribution of power in the Rotorua area, 257 new connections being addded, comprising 229 houses and 13 rural connections. The growth of the load has been curtailed in terms of the Electricity Control Regulations, and has not kept step with the applications for increased loading by consumers. The Department has, during the year, been fully conscious of the need for supplying the rural areas adjacent to Rotorua with the benefits accruing from the availability of electric power. The farming district of Kaharoa was surveyed, and authority to reticulate the area at a. cost of £6,150 was obtained. Owing to non-delivery of materials it has been impossible to proceed with the work, but immediately these are to hand the matter will receive attention. The reticulation of two other areas was authorized, and progressive attention will be given as soon as delivery of the materials makes this possible. New construction completed during the year provided the old Maori settlement at Hinemoa Point with electric power. An extension of the high-tension lines was carried out at Ngakuru to serve farmers not included in the original reticulation and to open up country not yet settled. Cable has been installed in the State housing block for underground reticulation, and is being continued in pace with the building construction. No other major new construction was undertaken, but a total of 11 miles of small extensions, mainly low-tension lines, was made. General maintenance of lines, as in the previous year, was pushed ahead in an endeavour to overtake arrears. Reinspection of consumers 7 installations has progressed steadily, and all country areas and the southern end of the borough have been completed. The system was particularly free from interruptions. In common with other supply authorities, it was found necessary to pursue a policy of power-conservation to keep the daily load within the limits set by the Electricity Controller, resulting in load rejection at stated periods during the winter months, (2) Water and Drainage System.—lncreased building activity resulted in a number of domestic connections to the water and drainage system, but the work has been hampered by the non-arrival of cast-iron pipes on order for more than fifteen months.

14