H.—2.

withl'vW n S /S leS ' padd f ° ckS ' ™ w f! eds > & c " ™q»ire to be provided. Inquiries are being made with a view of placing a steam or oil launch on this lake h Pfl v™lT d H etWeen th » M ° k^ U Fa, L s and 0ne P° to completed excepting for about 20 chains of heavy rock-cutting near Bosey Bay The completion of this road at an early date is necessary. A boat-shed for protection of the boat at Lake Waikaro-iti is required. Maeuia. to , I hav /„ een ™able to visit Maruia and Lake Haupiri, but have arranged to send an Inspector iff P ?i, y °?- existing condition of things in connection with the hot springs at those places. After this report is received Dr. Wohlmann will be consulted and a line of action determined Hanmee. . There be en f. lar § c increase of visitors to this resort during the past year. The Sanatorium and bath buildings have been maintained in good repair, and the gardens kept in order A new hot-air bath was obtained from Sydney. Begulations were made providing for three free beds m the Hanmer Sanatorium for indigents. No free beds were given previously. Before next season it is proposed to build a large house to be managed on first-class lines, and to utilise the present house exclusively for those desirous of obtaining cheaper accommodation. The present system of having one house with two tariffs is not satisfactory. It is proposed that the charges tor baths should be revised, and the practice of giving free baths to ordinary boarders at the Government Sanatorium discontinued. The system of issuing tickets will be amended and made more convenient for visitors. It is also proposed to make an additional swimming-bath for males Commencing next season, the baths will be kept open continuously from 6 a.m. till 10 p m during the tourist season. This will necessitate the appointment of two additional bath-attendants for which provision is being made. It is also proposed to form a track to the top of Conical Hill immediately behind the spa, placing seats at convenient distances along it, and erecting a small shelter-pavilion on top of the hill. Sanatorium. The year 1901-2, compared with the previous year, shows an increase of thirty-one visitors accommodated at the Sanatorium, and an increased revenue of £204 Is. 4d., the particulars being as follows: -1900-1: Visitors, 412; receipts, £1,139 19s. lOd. 1901-2: Visitors 443--receipts, £1,344 Is. 2d. ' Baths. n on7 he 7 ear 1901_2 ' compared with the previous year, shows an increase of 233 visitors and 2,304 baths, and an increase of revenue of £64 19s. 6d., the particulars being as follows-—l9OO-1 • Visitors, 2,114; baths, 17,964; receipts, £487 6s. lOd. 1901-2: Visitors, 2,347; baths, 19 985--receipts, £552 6s. 4d. ' ' Mount Cook : Southeen Alps. The road from Fairlie to Pukaki is in good condition, but from Pukaki to the Hermitage Hotel it is not so good and requires repairs. A new road deviating from the present road has been formed for several miles, and it is intended that this should follow the terrace formation along the lake-side. This deviation, if completed to Pukaki, would save one hour on the journey, and permit later starts from Pukaki and the Hermitage Hotel respectively. It is desirable that this should be completed at an early date. Additional and improved hotel accommodation is very much required at Pukaki. Special representations are being made to you on this subject. An excellent coach service has been maintained by Messrs. Kerr and Frayne. I intend endeavouring to arrange fora new coaching time-table for next season, so that passengers may avoid having to stop at Fairhe on Sundays. The reserve at Glentanner, where luncheon is taken by coachpassengers, is being more extensively planted with trees. The Hermitage Hotel is now under control of this Department. The building is in good condition, but a quantity of new furniture is required, which it is proposed to provide before next summer. A new wash-house is an urgent necessity. Some repairs, repainting, and improvements to grounds are necessary, and should be carried out next spring. Arrangements are being made to sell the farm-dray which is now used, and to replace it by a light spring dray which may be used m case of accident to climbers. Four ambulance stretchers, splints, bandages, and medicines will also be provided, the former to be placed at the Hermitage, Ball Hut, Malte Brun Hut, and at the foot of Ball Pass, in Hooker Valley, respectively. Alpine guide Clarke is being instructed how to render first aid to the injured. It is proposed to send books to form a small library. A billiardtable would prove an acceptable means of evening recreation, but to provide for it a special room would have to be built. This matter may, I consider, stand over for a year or two. Telephone connection between Lake Tekapo and Mount Cook would be a great advantage to visitors and settlers in that district. Although it could not possibly prove remunerative from a direct-revenue point of view, its establishment would permit business-men from Christchurch, Timaru, Oaniaru, Dunedin, and elsewhere going to the Hermitage for rest and recreation and at the same time be in touch with their business. In the meantime a pigeon service is being arranged for between Lake Tekapo and the Hermitage Hotel. The visitors to the Hermitage this season included a party from Government House, comprising Lady Banfurly, Lady Constance Knox, Captain Alexander, and Mr. Charles Worsley, artist. This party remained for five weeks in the district, and crossed the Great Tasman Glacier, spending two nights in the Ball and Malte BruD Huts respectively. Professor Heim and Dr. Hundhausen, two eminent Swiss geologists from Zurich, also visited the Southern Alps. Following these remarks on the Mount Cook district I have inserted Dr. Heim's interesting statement. 3—H. 2.

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