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water, which contaminates the spring and renders the water unfit for drinking purposes. For this reason, and also to secure a pure water for purposes of analyses, I would recommend that these two springs be surrounded in such a manner as to protect them from the introduction of any surface-water or other foreign matter. (j.) Fump-room. —ln my report of last year (subsection (c) page 13), recommendations were made for the betterment of the " Octagon " drinking-fountain. Since then, experience has intensified the necessity for a very important and early departure from the present mode of supplying our drinking-waters to the general public, which, to say the least of it, is primitive in the extreme. The present custom is to put an enamelled mug at each spring, but as the mugs were too often carried away, they have latterly been attached to the pump by chains. Even then we frequently find that a mug-handle has been wrenched off. I strongly recommend the Department to completely sweep away the old order of things, and by introducing a new regime, provide a nice bright pump-room, with a bar (attended by a smart maid in the uniform of the Department), at which all the Te Aroha waters and other mineral drinking-waters of New Zealand could be supplied in clean glass tumblers. Owing to the isolated position of the various springs no adequate supervision can be exercised, and in the " Octagon " building numbers of youths congregate, and by their behavious frequently cause great annoyance to visitors. By a scheme such as I have outlined all the drinking-waters would be brought to one centre and be under control, thus making the drinking of our waters far more wholesome and inviting than at present. (k.) Washing Towels. —Under the control of the late Domain Board it was considered sufficient to add to the duties of the bath-attendants that of washing all the towels. This work was done alternately by each of them when off proper bath duty. This condition still obtains, but it may fairly be said to have outgrown itself. The number of baths taken has increased so much that the bath duty alone is sufficient for any one attendant, and what before was of little or no moment is now a grevious burden which is increasing rapidly. I would, therefore, recommend the Department to appoint a suitable laundry-maid to take charge of the work, as is done at Rotorua, or have the towels washed by contract at per dozen. (I.) No. 7 (Sulphur) Bath. —This bath is very old and in a very dilapidated condition. It is seldom used, and only by those suffering from some form of skin-disease and who are forbidden by the regulations to take any of the public baths or the Cadman (private) Baths. In order to keep these latter baths free from use by persons with skin-diseases, the baths set apart for such should, in my opinion, be made as comfortable and inviting as possible, instead of as at present, as dingy and miserable a looking place as one could very well find. At all times those suffering from skin-diseases are naturally reluctant to reveal the fact, and do their utmost to hide it from their neighbours. The temptation then is very strong for those with skin-disease to say nothing about it to the attendants but to seek another bath. If the skin bath was made as inviting as possible, the bather would not have cause for complaint, and no excuse for breaking the regulations. (m.) Attendants' Room in Public Baths. —One result of the year's experience (now that attendants are at the public baths) has brought into prominence one great drawback in the constructure of these buildings —viz., the want of some small room with a fireplace in which the attendants can sit during cold wintry weather while not actually in attendance on bathers. Under present conditions the attendant has the choice of two alternatives, either to remain outside in the cold or keep inside in an atmosphere not particularly warm and saturated with moisture, neither of which is conducive to health, and both of which are the cause of much complaint. Seme such room attached to each of the public baths (Nos. 1, 2, 4, and 6) would prove of great utility, and is, in fact, an absolute necessity during the winter months. (n.) Library. —This very popular institution is sadly in want of a supply of new books. It is now over two years since any were purchased, and then only a dozen or so were bought. The late Domain Board voted £10 annually for the purpose. The revenue for the year averages £14, and this could be greatly increased if the stock of books was regularly added to. The system of management is very defective, but with the present awkwardly arranged building no great improvement can be effected. When the contemplated alterations to the office buildings are carried out a much better system can be introduced. All that we can offer our visitors for winter amusement is an asphalt tennis-court and a climb to the top of the Bald Spur or trig, station ; but in wet weather even these are not available. Consequently we have no place for indoor recreation, such as always forms an important part of the equipment of every hydropathic establishment at Home or on the Continent. A spacious, well-conducted library and reading-room would in some measure supply this deficiency. (o.) Lighting the Grounds. —l hope that the lighting of the baths and grounds, which is very meagre at present, will soon be changed by the advent of the electric light. I have, &c, Ttko. Gγ. Kknny, M.8., Resident Medical Officer. The Superintendent, Department nf Tourist and Health Resorts, Wellington.