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13

H.—2

A tea-kiosk similar to those which have proved so popular at Rotorua and Hanmer is being erected in the grounds. It is to be regretted that during the very dry weather in the early portion of March a grasstire, which started in a paddock at the north end of the township, destroyed a large portion of the beautiful native bush and vegetation on the north side of Bald Spur, on Mount Aroha, forming part of the park. Waitomo and Ruakuri Caves. There has been a very large increase in the number of visitors to these caves this year, the numbers having more than doubled last year's figures. The number of visitors for 1907-8 was 1,227, as against 572 for 1906-7, and the revenue £584 ss. 10d., as against £182 9s. lOd. The limited accommodation has so far been a great drawback to visitors, and last Christmas week it was found necessary to erect three house-tents for sleeping purposes and a marquee-tent for use as a temporary dining-room. Plans have been drawn up for a new accommodation-house. The Waitomo Caves are in very good order, and considerable improvements have been effected in the access to Ruakuri Caves. Rotorua. The traffic to Rotorua for the year under review shows a considerable increase over last year, the bookings by rail being 20,113, as against 18,243, an increase of 1,870. The appended table showing bookings by rail from all officered stations to this resort for the past eight years illustrates its increasing popularity : —

Return of Number of Passengers booked to Rotorua for Years ending 31st March, 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906, 1907, and 1908, respectively exclusive of Bookings from Flag-stations.

The total revenue from this resort amounted to £9,647 4s. 6d., which, compared with the previous year, £9,269 7s. 10d., shows an increase of £377 16s. Bd. Increases are shown in the receipts from Sanatorium patients' fees, electric-light charges, tennis and other games, round trip, and tea-house, whilst decreases are shown in the out-patient fees, sale of bath-tickets and towel-hire, dry massage and electrical treatment, water fees, sale of mineral water, launch licenses and wharfage charges, and miscellaneous receipts. The new bath buildings are now practically completed, and will be opened to the public in the course of a few months. With the increased facilities offered by these baths, it is expected that the receipts in this connection will be considerably increased. Sanatorium and Hospital Buildings.—An additional male-ward containing all modern conveniences is being added to these buildings, and should prove of considerable service. Arrangements are also being made to supply the bathrooms with hot Rachel water, thus enabling patients to take mineral baths on the premises. The gardens, bowling, tennis, and croquet lawns have been kept in good condition throughout the year. Tea-house. —The receipts at the tea-house for the year amounted to £659 Is., being an increase of £265 Is. 9d. over the takings of last year. During the greater part of the summer an orchestra provided music on the tea-house verandahs, and this no doubt added greatly to the popularity of the tea-house. Waimangu Round Trip. —This trip is still as popular as ever, the receipts for the year being £1,831 2s. 6d., an increase over last year's figures of £53 Is. .'id. It was found necessary to place a larger launch on Lake Tarawera to cope with the passenger traffic, and the launch formerly in use was transferred to Lake Okataina. The receipts at the Waimangu Accommodation-house amounted to £1.">0 ss. 6d., being a decrease of £1 2s. 3d. on the returns of the previous year. W'haharewarewa Reserve. —This popular reserve still continues to be one of the chief attractions of the district. Waikite Geyser, which has not played for about fourteen years, was brought into action by the Department during the year. The other geysers, Papakura, Pohutu, Waikorohihi, Prince of Wales's Feather, and Kereru, have also been unusually active. The old Spout Baths at Whakarewarewa are now entirely beyond repair, and plans are in hand for a modern batli building to replace them and give accommodation suitable for requirements. A cottage has been erected for the Caretaker in a position overlooking the Geyser Reserve, to enable him to continually observe what is taking place, and assist in the preservation of its attractions.

Ordinary. Holiday Excursion. Special Excursion. Round Trip. Year ending 31st March. Single. Return. Total. First. Second. First. Second. First. Second. First. Second. Fint. Second. 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 666 1,080J 1,530, 2,080 2,574 2,953 3,114 3,845 1,458 2,161 3,659 5,058 5,288 5,546 5,739 6,613 551 923 1,081 1,176 1,317 1,249 1,194 1,712 718 1,877 2,099 2,886 3,392 3,172 2,655 3,177 395 884 870 671 423 707 935 707 1,236 4,806 1,039 2,389 1,687 2,783 3,010 1,999 175 157 106 l 421 132 j 1,694 144 199 200 309 354 381 478 460 106 192 386 640 793 680 665 674 5,606 12,122 10,891 16,956 15,828 17,955 18,243 20,113 484 454 175 751

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