9

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Mineral-water Supply. To supply the baths I propose to draw the Bachel water straight from the spring, which lies some 120 yards to the south-west. The water will be delivered by an underground main under pressure of from two to three atmospheres, and will be used principally for douche purposes. Some 250 yards to the north-west of the building is situated the spring of " Priest" water which we discovered by sinking a shaft, and which, after being surrounded with a wooden grating and a filter of twigs, was roofed over and covered again with earth, pumps being fixed above. This will be used to supply most of the immersion baths, shallow and deep, so that a "Priest" bath can be given without the disagreeable and dangerous accompaniment of sulphuretted-hydrogen fumes. This water will be supplied at a low pressure only, probably about half an atmosphere, and will be a great deal more difficult to manipulate than the Eachel, owing to its corrosive effects on metal. Mud-supply. The mud baths will be supplied from the pools and springs near the lake-shore, to the east of the building. Bath-attendants. To staff these baths properly will require a considerable number of attendants. These, as far as possible, must be possessed of a certain amount of technical skill and previous experience, while in the case of masseurs and doucheurs this is absolutely essential. Engineer. It will also be found advisable to retain an engineer, whose sole duty will be to attend to the machinery and pipes of the baths, and who will have a responsible and by no means sinecure position. Access to Botoeua. Eotorua is most easily reached by train from Auckland, but to get to it from Wellington entails a long and tiresome journey, the sea voyage being to many invalids a very serious obstacle. A great increase in the number of visitors may only naturally be expected when it is possible to get from Wellington by train. Amusements and Scenic Atteactions. Finally, I would most strongly urge the necessity for conserving the natural beauties of the neighbourhood, and for providing amusement and relaxation for visitors. Geysers and mud volcanoes, hot springs and boiling lakes, intensely interesting and fascinating though they may be, are apt after a time to pall, and the visitor turns with relief to less awesome delights. Much has been done already, but there is more still to be done. No one who knows the difficulties that have had to be overcome can fail to admire the skill with which the gardener has converted a sterile wilderness into a beautiful garden, while the bowling and tennis lawns are really first class, and are well patronised. I would advocate the laying-out of really good golf-links, a site for which is readily available, as a measure that would be thoroughly appreciated. Lastly, there remain the magnificent lakes stretching away for miles in a great chain, with virgin forests on their shores, full of beauty and wonder, haunted with ancient myth and tradition. The charms of Eotoiti should be better known and more accessible : and how few ever disturb the quiet beauties of Eotoma ! Eotorua, though less beautiful, lies at our very doors, and I look forward to the day when white-sailed yachts shall be counted by the dozen, and the Maori war-canoe a familiar sight. A good pier and promenade, and a sheltered harbour for boats, will be the first steps towards drawing the attention of Eotorua to the asset she possesses in her lake. Bath Eecbipts foe the Yeae. Taken on the whole the bath receipts for the year ending the 31st March, 1903, have shown a marked increase on any former year. The receipts of the previous year were greatly increased by the influx of people caused by the Duke's visit, and it would not have been surprising if this year we had been unable to show quite such phenomenal returns. The drought too has prevented many visitors from Australia incurring the expense of a visit to Eotorua, and I would point out as a very important feature that the average number of visitors from Australia is very large indeed. In spite of all this, however, the bath receipts have still continued to rise, and show an increase over the phenomenal receipts of last year of no less than £350, a sure sign that the popularity and reputation of Eotorua are not ephemeral. Increased bathing facilities and more advanced methods have, of course, necessitated an increase in the wages bill, but this has been more than compensated by the receipts and by the greater efficiency of treatment. The following are the bath receipts for four years : 1899-1900, £988 75.; 1900-1, £1,027 18s. 5d. ; 1901-2, £1,522 os. 4d.; 1902-3, £1,874 ss. 7d. Potable Mineead Watees. One of the new features has been the retailing of Te Aroha water at the baths at the nominal sum of Id. per glass. This has met a long-felt want, as the weakest point about Eotorua is its comparative paucity in potable mineral water. The water is brought from Te Aroha in jars every two or three days, and arrives in perfectly fresh condition. It is too early yet to speak with certainty in this matter, but I believe that the Department will at any rate not lose financially over the transaction, while the benefits from other points of view are indisputable. I trust that later on we shall be able to supply an iron water, an iodine water, and a purgative water of native origin, in the same way as the Te Aroha water. 2—H. 2.