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work was done during the season in repairing bridges and improving the track generally, it is intended to send the workmen down this year earlier than usual, to enable the track to be in first-class order for the opening. WAKATIPU - MILFORD SOUND TRACK. The question of finding a suitable route from Milford Sound to Lake Wakatipu to obviate the necessity of travellers returning over their previous path to Glade House has received consideration, but the estimates obtained go to show that the cost of such a voute is at present prohibitive. The greatest difficulty would be to negotiate the precipices at the head of the Cleddau, where there is one almost perpendicular precipice of 2,000 ft. The cost of making even a foottrack practicable for experienced men with guides would be some £2,500, while the piercing of a tunnel and grading of the half-tunnel track up the sides of the precipices would cost many thousands of pounds. During the season arrangements were made for Mr. Graves, of Oamaru, the well-known mountaineer, and two other gentlemen, accompanied by one of the Mount Cook guides, to again explore this route, which will undoubtedly be one of surpassing interest and beauty. The party were successful in making the crossing, but no detailed report has yet been received from Mr. Graves. Agencies and Passenger-booking System. The different agencies of the Department have been exceedingly well patronized, and the free information given and conveniences afforded by them have been the subject of many flattering testimonials. The facilities afforded in the direction of enabling tourists to obtain their tickets before commencing their journeys are coming more into use. This is evidenced by the fact that business to the value of £37,622 was done, as against £32,245 last year. The increase would have been considerably greater but that the lease of the New Zealand Agency premises at Melbourne expired in November last, and temporary offices could only be obtained on the sixth floor of the Equitable Building. This alteration made the office less easily found, and consequently the bookings there fell off very considerably. Commissions on the business done totalled £1,791, an increase of £240 over the previous year. The steady increase in bookings made shows that the convenience of the system is being recognized by travellers. A gratifying feature of the year has been the number of people who, having previously obtained their tickets through the Department, have again come to book further tours. Advertising. The various resorts, the booking system, and agencies have been well advertised during the year by medium of magazines, newspapers, and other suitable avenues, both beyond and within New Zealand. Special attention has been directed towards the United States and Canada, in view of the increased services inaugurated and more popular vessels having been placed on these routes. All these vessels have been well provided on the down run with literature descriptive of our tourist and health resorts, giving particulars useful to those contemplating touring in the Dominion. The Department's representative at Vancouver and the Union Company's representative at San Francisco have seen that suitable literature is distributed to persons able and likely to make a trip southwards. In addition to this man}- sets of lantern-slides have been sent to influential people who have intimated their intention of lecturing on New Zealand in Canada, the United States, Australia, and other countries. This system of advertising is one that shows good results. Acclimatization and Sport. A great amount of activity lias been displayed by the Department's officers in the Rotorua Acclimatization District. The amount of ova taken during the season was 1,605,000, being some 400,000 less than last year's collection. This was partly due to the spawning season being quite a month later than usual, and also to the rivers being continually in high flood, caused by the heavy rains. The total value of ova sold was £126 155., the value of ova delivered to various acclimatization societies free was £76 55., while the value of fry liberated within tho rivers of the district was £262 10s. The working-expenses in connection with the collecting, hatching, delivery, <fee, was £96. During the season the following animals and birds were liberated in the district. Eight deer were received from the Paraparaumu Game Farm and liberated as follows : Two to Mahia Peninsula, two to Galatea district, three to Tokaanu, one to Okareka (.Rotorua). Seventy English mallard ducks were received for liberation. Ten were liberated at Whakatane; fifteen were liberated at Picnic Point, Rotorua Lake; sixteen were liberated on Lake Rotorua; eight were liberated on Police Reserve, Green Lake; fifteen were liberated at Taumarunui; three were placed in the Rotorua Gardens aviary. Four Canadian geese were liberated on the Police Reserve at Green Lake. Twenty brace of pheasants were also received from the Wellington Acclimatization Society and liberated in the following localities : Seven at Te Ngae, ten at Taumarunui, ten at Whakatane, eight at Fairy Spring, Rotorua. Trout-fishing. The trout-fishing in the district lias compared very favourably with the past season. Although lid very large fish have been taken, large numbers of medium-sized good-conditioned fish have been taken both in the Taupo and Rotorua and the number of licenses issued compared