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Rotorua Water-supply, Sewerage, Electric Light and Power Systems. .■ The receipts for electrical energy supplied to consumers amounted to £2,827, against £2,481 for the previous year, being an increase of £346. The water-supply receipts amounted to £1,431, against £1,384 for the previous year, being an increase of £47. At the commencement of the year a continuous electric light and power service was started, and has been maintained throughout the year (Sundays excepted). The lighting-supply was, however, interrupted twice during the year, but only for a few minutes on each occasion. There has been an increase of fifty-six in the number of consumers, while another twenty-six consumers have made additions to their installations. The Engineer's cottage at Okere has been destroyed by fire, and plans are being prepared for a new building. During the year thirty-eight additional connections have been made to the water-supply system. The wooden mains are being gradually replaced by.cast-iron pipes, and a supply of Iβ in. cast-iron pipes to replace a section of wooden pipes in Fenton Street has been received. The sewerage-pumps, which have hitherto been driven by oil-engines, are now deriving their power from two 7| horse-power Westinghouse motors. Rotorua Gardens and Reserves. During the year the tea-kiosk was let for a term of six years at a satisfactory rental. The gardens have been maintained in good condition throughout the year, and the various reserves under the control of the Department have received proper attention. These gardens and reserves are under the immediate control of the local Tourist Agent, instead of being, as formerly, under that of the Engineer in Charge. Rotorua-Rotomahana-Waimangu Round Trip. This trip continues to maintain its popularity, and the receipts for fares on the Department's launches on Lakes Tarawera aiid Rotomahana have been well maintained. £3,031 was received from this source, as against £3,108 for the corresponding period last year. Waitomo and other Caves. The Hostel and guiding fees amounted to £2,871, or an increase of £449 on the figures of the previous year, thus showing that the Caves are gaining in popularity; and, with the improvements now being made to the Hangatiki — Waitomo Caves Road, I anticipate a considerable increase in the returns for 1913-14. Though the present house is capable of accommodating a large number of visitors it is all too small, and, as the beauty of these caves and their proximity to the railway-line are becoming more widely realized, it is imperatively necessary to add to the present accommodation. Plans have been prepared for an extensive addition to the building, and the question of proceeding with the work is now under consideration. Hanmer Springs Sanatorium and Baths. The receipts total £2,299, against £2,166 for the previous year, being an increase of £133, due principally to increase in the number of in-patients. During the year 273 patients were admitted to the Sanatorium, and the Resident Medical Officer reports that under the mineralwater treatment, massage, and electric treatment the majority of the patients derived great benefit. During the year additional hot water has been obtained from wells sunk at points indicated last year by the Rev. Mr. Mason, Otahuhu, with the result that the large cold-water swimming-bath has been converted into a popular tepid bath with mineralized water. The increased supply of hot water obtained has had an appreciable effect on the amount of gas available, and the grounds and buildings are now again adequately lit by means of the natural gas from the water. The steady increase in revenue at Hanmer Springs is gratifying as showing that the efforts of the Department to improve and advertise its Canterbury resort have had a satisfactory result. In the plantation a judicious thinning-out of surplus trees has been done, and a good supply of firewood obtained at small cost. The golf-links have been improved, new groynes erected at the headworks of the water-supply system, and the buildings and grounds maintained in good order. Hermitage, Mount Cook. The receipts for visitors for board, residence, guiding, &c, amounted to £2,676, against £2,376 for the previous year, being an increase of £300. Owing to the very changeable weather the alpine guiding-work was greatly hampered by severe storms, high winds, and heavy floods. During January and the latter end of March record floods were experienced, doing considerable damage to the different glacier tracks, and also washing away the Hooker cage and the whole of the structure of the new traffic-bridge over the Hooker River. A considerable amount of repairing-work was carried out during the year to the glacier tracks in the vicinity, and a start was made on the new horse-track up the Mueller Valley, the track being completed as far as Kea Point. In November the necessary material was carried through, and a new roof of galvanized iron was placed on the Malte Brun Hut, which was also lined throughout with dado linoleum and made very comfortable indeed. A small 8 ft. by 6 ft. kitchen for preparing meals was also attached to the Ball Hut, and has added considerably to the convenience and comfort of the place.

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