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HANMBE. A large, number of visitors—l,474 —have come and gone during the season ending the 31st March, 1898, and indulged in 11,436 baths. The bathing accommodation is now rather limited, only fourteen baths being available, so that many have to wait their turn until the baths are empty. Now that the Hamner Springs are getting better known, and attracting large numbers of people from all parts of New Zealand and the neighbouring colonies, the time has arrived to make further provision for baths. Improvements. The Government has just built a sanatorium on the south side of the baths enclosure, capable of accommodating from sixteen to eighteen persons comfortably. The tariff is fixed at £2 per week for first-class rates ; but provision has been made for three or four at second-class rates, at £1 per week. The building stands about 5 chains from the baths, on a good site, overlooking the plains, and there is every convenience at the sanatorium for taking patients to and from the baths. It is a finely constructed building, having a general sitting-room, ladies' drawing-room, smokingroom, all of which are large and lofty, well ventilated and well furnished, and fitted up with all the latest improvements for the working of the sanatorium. So far, the sanatorium has been kept full. Numbers of applications have been received from people for second-class accommodation, but through want of room their applications could not be granted. Up to this time the sanatorium has been chiefly used by patients more or less affected by the diseases which the baths give relief to, or altogether cure. The management of the sanatorium has been placed in the hands of Mr. and Mrs. McDonald. They are very enthusiastic in their work, and with the assistance of their three daughters—the Misses McDonald—they take great pains to make all their visitors comfortable. The house and surroundings are all well kept. The springs are enclosed by a macrocarpa fence and a belt of well-grown trees, which now afford good shelter. The grounds are laid out in walks, bordered by flower-beds and lawns. Bowling- and tennis-grounds have also been laid down, and are always in good order during the season. Mr. Hood, of Jollies Pass Hotel, has recently erected a large two-story building, the " Hanmer Lodge," within a few chains of the baths, with first-class apartments and every convenience for his large and increasing trade. On the upper floor there are seventeen bedrooms, both double and single, two suites of private rooms, sitting-rooms with bedroom attached. On the ground-floor are a dining-, drawing-, smoking-, and waiting-rooms, and private sitting-rooms with bedrooms attached. The halls are wide and lofty. The house is well furnished and fitted up with all the latest improvements for the comfort of visitors to the springs. The place will comfortably accommodate forty first-class guests. Massage. In connection with the baths Miss Edith Cook, certificated masseuse, practises her art. She is a lady of good experience, and those who have been under her hands testify to the great benefits they have received from her treatment. There have been a great number under her hands this last year. Eoute to Springs, etc. The road to the Hanmer Springs from Culverden, twenty-four miles in length from the railway-terminus, is now one of the best coach- and cycling-roads in Canterbury. Tree- and Shrub-planting. During last spring there were between three and four thousand trees and shrubs planted in connection with the new sanatorium grounds and in removing some of the trees that failed in the old plantations through the land being of a very dry and poor nature. Through the high north-west winds of last summer a large number of these young trees have failed and will have to be renewed this winter. The young trees in the older plantations are now getting well established, and are looking very well. The new lawns laid down in the sanatorium grounds last spring have done well. There is a good sole of grass, and they are now looking well and are kept in good order. Water-service to Sanatorium. Last spring a main of 450 ft. of in. galvanised-iron piping was laid from the main at the baths to the tanks at the sanatorium building ; also, 476 ft. of branch piping through the sanatorium grounds with nine stand-pipes and taps, for the purpose of watering the flower-beds and lawna and kitchen-garden. To" complete this work the pipes will have to be extended about 18 chains to supply the baths and sanatorium grounds with water. This will give 21 ft. more pressure, making in all 45 ft. at the baths. With this extension sufficient water could be got through to meet all the requirements for the baths and sanatorium grounds. Gas-service to Sanatorium. A main of about 420 ft. of 1J in. galvanised-iron piping has been laid from the bath-grounds to the sanatorium ; also, about 700 ft. of branch piping through the building, with brackets and hangers complete. This portion of the work is all finished, and now awaits the arrival of the gas-holder. It will effect a large saving to the sanatorium for lighting and heating the rooms.