8

H.—2

Work in the electrical department has been particularly heavy, and owing to the limited space there has been a good deal of congestion. On this account we have doubtless lost a certain number of patients. The Pavilion Baths continue to be well patronized in spite of the dilapidated condition of the building. Laundry. This is now in full working-order, and though the saving is not so greet as was anticipated it has resulted in very much greater convenience and satisfaction, and the things are done well and do not go astray. The laundry has been kept fully occupied, and at times could hardly keep up the demand on its services. Sanatorium. Practically all the year round the Sanatorium has been fully occupied, and during the summer months there have usually been a good number waiting for admission. The consequence has been a distinct increase in the receipts. Hospital. In January the new Hospital was opened, and the old emergency wards are now used to accommodate some of the domestic staff. The new Hospital is now under the control of the Hospitals Department. It has been fully occupied since it was opened, and the new operatingtheatre has been a great boon. We are now able to keep many patients who would previously have had to be sent to Hamilton. Isolation Hospital The new building was opened at the same time as the Hospital, and the old shed which did duty for so many years for an isolation hospital has at last been reduced to ashes. There has not as yet been any necessity to open the new building, and the main part of the credit may be ascribed to the District Nurse, whose patient teaching of the Natives seems to be at last bearing fruit. . Maori Out-patients. The numbers here are undiminished, and though there is at times a little friction owing to the peculiar ideas of the Maoris in regard to medical treatment, yet they are gradually being educated up to an understanding of the real principles, and their objection to hospital, and more especially to operations, is gradually being eliminated. We are fortunate in having had several very successful operations on Maoris, and these patients are doubtless spreading our fame abroad. Since Dr. Wohlmann's departure this department has been attended to by Dr. Crooke.

APPENDIX 111. REPORT OF RESIDENT OFFICER ON TOWN OF ROTORUA. The Resident Officer (Mr. William Hill) reports as follows on the municipal administration of the Town of Rotorua :— Finance. The total revenue for the year (omitting shillings and pence) was £4,334, being a decrease of £178 on that for the previous year; but when it is noted that our two main sources of revenue —namely, Crown rents and half bath fees —together show a decrease of £342 as compared with the previous year, it will be apparent that the revenue from general sources has been well maintained. The General Account is further reduced this year by £98, being the debit balances of two of the separate accounts —viz., Hospital and Charitable Aid Account and the Fire-prevention Rate Account. These debits are, of course, covered by rates outstanding at end of financial year. The sanitary service shows a small deficit, due to heavy renewals of pans, and the fact that the horse (having met with an accident) was incapacitated for a considerable time, during which period another had to be hired. The profit on the Pound is not so large as that for the previous year, but this is due to a renovation of some of the buildings which had to be undertaken during the current year, and as a consequence we have now a more commodious shed in which to house the animals, and a better-drained yard. Public Works and General. During the year the sum of £3,609 has been expended in improving and maintaining the streets, roads, bridges, and culverts within the town. This is considerably in excess of last year's expenditure under this heading, but is principally due to the exceptionally heavy metalling which had to be done on Fenton Street, between the town and Whakarewarewa. For a few years past this road lias boon only receiving bare attention, and in consequence, and also because of a wet winter, was in a very bad condition. Practically the whole length of the road has been metalled, and in some parts has had to have a good bottoming put in first, and although