17

H.—2

A good many tracks about Stewart Island exist, and there is little necessity for further improvement in this direction, but some of the tracks are in need of repairs. I am glad to note that private enterprise is doing something towards the improvement of accommodation on the island.

APPENDIX IT. REPORT OF GOVERNMENT BALNEOLOGIST. Sir, — Government Sanatorium, Rotorua, 16th May, 1904. I am very pleased to report that the past year has been a busier one than ever before for Rotorua. The returns from the baths, the Sanatorium, and the paying out-patients all show remarkable advances on those of the previous year, and events have proved that any expenditure on improvements has been immediately, justified, not only by the increased satisfaction given to visitors, but by the increase of receipts. As I pointed out last year, the expense of forming a first-class mineral-water health resort is very considerable, and I do not think it would be advisable, or, indeed, necessary, to aim at making more than one first-class spa ; but I think that we should gradually improve Te Aroha and Hanmer, until they have at least all the bathing facilities which Rotorua now enjoys, and concentrate our main efforts on making Rotorua absolutely first-class. During the year I have visited Te Aroha and Hanmer, the springs of Katikati, Waingaro, Great Barrier Island, Waiwera, Kamo, and Ohaeawai, and several tourist resorts of the South — Stewart Island, the Lakes, and Milford Sound —with a view of gaining some idea of their possibilities as health resorts. Rotorua. As I pointed out in my last annual report, the essentials of an important mineral-water health resort are first-class bathing appliances, including all those electrical and mechanical accessories required by modern treatment, perfect drainage, an abundant water-supply of a purity above suspicion, and plenty of amusements. The past year has seen important steps taken towards securing two of these conditions—the drainage, which is now being completed in capable hands, and the new baths, which, I understand, are to be proceeded with at once by contract. In my previous report I outlined the scheme for the new bath buildings, and this scheme, with minor alterations and improvements, will, I trust, be adopted in its entirety. That new buildings are most urgently required is only too plainly evidenced by the condition of the old Pavilion Baths. Originally erected of worn-out second-hand timber they are now in a state of utter decay, and require a quite disproportionate expenditure in repair and upkeep. In addition, while suitable enough for their original purpose, they are totally unfit for that graduation of employment which is essential to scientific treatment. By the erection of temporary buildings, such as the Aix-massage and the dry-massage and electrical departments, I have been enabled, to a much greater extent, to vary the treatment to suit the varying needs of individual patients, and a large number of people have been benefited who would otherwise have been sent away unrelieved. Indeed, so great has been the pressure on the baths, that already the original temporary buildings have been almost lost in a mass of annexes. On the men's side, additional accommodation has been obtained by building out a bath-room and three dressing-rooms; on the women's, by absorbing one wing of the Duchess Bath. Provision is also being made for the use of dry massage and electricity at the baths. By the additions to the Aix baths we shall be enabled to put through a very much larger number of bathers a day, with greatly increased receipts and no corresponding increase of expenditure. The other principal improvements during the year have been the erection of the " local sulphur-vapour baths " ai the Blue Bath, and the provision of additional dressing-boxes at the Duchess Swimming-bath. Even with these additional boxes there is often not sufficient accommodation for bathers. During the year a second masseur has been obtained for the Aix baths, and a third operator is being engaged for dry-massage and electrical treatment. The bath figures are eloquent of the progress made by Rotorua during the past year. The estimated number of baths given between the 31st March, 1903, and 31st March, 1904, reached the enormous total of 102,259, an increase of 7,413 since last year. Of these baths 89,731 were paid for, bringing in a revenue of £2,415 2s. 10d., and 12,528 were free, being for the most part given to Sanatorium patients. The following is a comparative return showing the bath-revenue earned: — „ Total Number Reodpts. Year - of Baths. £ s. d. 1900-1 ... ... ... ... ... 56,081 1,027 18 5 1901-2 ... ... ... ... ... 80,003 1,522 0 4 1902-3 ... ... ... ... ... 94,846 1,874 5 7 1903-4 ... ... ... ... ... 102,259 2,415 2 10 The following shows the consultation fees paid in by the Medical Officer and by (lie Government Balneologist:--1900-1 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 419 10 0 1901-2 ... ... ... ... ... .. . . 480 7 6 1902-3 ... .. ... ... ... ... ... 589 10 0 1903-4 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 817 17 0 That so much revenue has been earned by the present baths, handicapped as they are by all the disadvantages of draughty buildings and primitive arrangements, is a fair indication of what 3—H. 2,