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Number of Baths taken. 1906. 1907. £ r^ ate 21,015 18,769 J ubhc ■•■ •• .. ... 19,891 20,598 Pree ••• .. ... ... 139 74 Totals ... ... ... 41,045 39,441 This year's experience shows that the public baths still retain their popularity as against private baths, but this is easily explained as follows: An additional public bath in the shape of a fine, large, cold-water swimming-bath was open during the whole season. Last year this bath was completed only in time to be enjoyed by the public for a very short space of time. Then, again, there is attached to this spa a public bath reserved entirely for the use of children, and as the summer has been a particularly long, hot, and wet one, this bath has been in great demand. These facts, I think, explain the discrepancy, which, in my opinion, would be very much greater if only the swimming-bath were supplied with hot instead of cold water. The number of excursions of school-children and others to Te Aroha has not been so great this year as last, due, I think, partly to weather-conditions, and partly to the local interest taken in the great Exhibition at Christchurch. The inauguration of electric baths and massage has not met with that public support one would have expected, but this, I think, is purely due to a want of education. The public are not yet generally aware of the benefits afforded by this form of treatment, and I think it is only a matter of time—when they become sufficiently educated to appreciate massage and electrical treatment—that this branch of our work will be able to show very different results. Although this year's revenue has not reached that of last year, the improvements effected by the Government in the Domain during the last twelve months have far exceeded those of the previous year, and the comments of the general public and visitors upon these have been unstinted and most gratifying. The swimming-bath, which on certain days of the week was thrown open to females, received a large patronage, the total number of baths taken for the year being 2,223. Massage Building. —This building has been supplied with an electric-light bath and a constantcurrent battery, both of which will prove useful adjuncts to the apparatus already there. Bowling-pavilion. —A new and broad verandah has been placed in front and on two sides of this building, greatly increasing the shaded accommodation for visitors. The front of the open space in the centre has been closed in with a glazed partition, giving greater security and privacy to the pavilion as a whole. These improvements have greatly enhanced the general appearance of the bowling-pavilion, and added much to its utility, points which have been highly appreciated by the pubiic in general and bowlers in particular. Electric Light. —A system of incandescent lamps has been installed in the administrative buildings and in all the baths, while five fine arc lights have been placed at various points of vantage in the grounds. It is needless to state how great an improvement this is upon the old system of lighting by kerosene, and how much appreciated it is by everybody. Telephone. —The Government having established a telephone bureau in Te Aroha in communication with the outlying districts of Gordon, Aratiatia, Shaftesbury, Manawaru, Waihou, Mangaiti, &re, the Department has connected the Clerk's office and the Resident Medical Officer's private residence with this telephonic system, which must prove both an up-to-date convenience and a very great saver of valuable time. Grounds. Fountains. —Two ornamental porcelain drinking-fountains have been erected in the grounds, one in the Octagon for the supply of the waters of No. 8 Spring, and the other in the centre of the lawns directly in front of the Cadman Bath building. The latter fountain supplies pure drinkingwater laid on from the borough mains. These fountains, being picked out in the colours of the Department—viz., white and blue —are in perfect keeping with the baths and administrative offices, and assist very much to further adorn our beautiful grounds. Tennis-court.— A neat new back fence, or barrier, has been erected at the north end of the asphalt tennis-court to stop the balls being driven across the main pathway, or in amongst visitors who may be sitting viewing the play. This fence has supplied a much-felt want, and its establishment has given universal satisfaction. Seats. —Six .seats have been erected at various points on the track leading to the top of the Bald Spur for the convenience of aged or weak people who are not able to go long distances without a rest. These seats have been much appreciated, and the thoughtfulness of the Department in placing them there has met with frequent favourable mention in the columns of the local Press. Bush-house. —-What was once a prominent and unsightly patch in the Domain Grounds on the south side of the cold-water swimming-bath has been converted into a most charming little bushhouse or native fernery. When inside this delightful little retreat, the proximity of trickling water and the shade of the beautiful native ferns, shrubs, and creepers—only requiring another year or two's growth to attain perfection—makes it difficult for one to believe that he is not in reality in the heart of a picturesque bit of New Zealand bush.

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