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1913. NEW ZEALAND.

TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS DEPARTMENT (ANNUAL REPORT OF THE), BY THE MINISTER OF TOURIST AND HEALTH RESORTS, HON. R. HEATON RHODES.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Minister in Charge of Tourist and Health Resorts Department to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord,— Wellington, 30th June, 1913. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the report of the Department of Tourist and Health Resorts for the year ended 31st March, 1913. I have, &c, R. Heaton Rhodes, Minister for Tourist and Health Resorts. His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand.

The Department was separated from that of Agriculture and Commerce on the 4th July, 1912, and Mr. B. M. Wilson (formerly Director of Tourist and Health Resorts Division of the Department of Agriculture) appointed General Manager. I am glad to be able to say that the record of the Department for the year under review has been a very satisfactory one. The revenue from all sources amounted to £29,711 2s. 5d., against £28,048 3s. 10d. for the previous year, being an increase of £1,662 18s. 7d. The working-expenses amounted to £45,934, against £46,478 for the previous year, being a decrease of £544. Details of the revenue and expenditure will be found in the General Manager's report appended hereto. The booking of tours through the different agencies of the Department has become very popular, and its advantages have been well advertised. The value of tours booked during the year and commission earned show a very substantial increase over the figures for previous years. I have during the je&r visited as many as possible of the places under the control of the Department, and will endeavour during the coming recess to complete my inspection of the remainder. The whole of the resorts have been maintained in good order, and many improvements adding to the convenience of tourists have been made. Full details of the work done *t the different places 'are contained in the General Manager's report.

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