H.—2.

Te Aroiia. The local Agent reports that the traffic, though spasmodic, has been well maintained, and the revenue from all sources has increased from .£1,321 to £1,438, an advance of £117. The games and bath fees have slightly increased as a result of enhanced charges. The bath-buildings and the gardens have been maintained in first-class order, and a satisfactory arrangement has been made with the local body regarding the control of the library and reading-room in the bathsoffice. Waitomo Caves. This popular resort has been well patronized during the season, the revenue having increased from £3,342 to £3,574. Waitomo is growing vastly in popularity, as will readily be seen by the steady increase in the number of visitoi's and the revenue. Six years ago the revenue was £994, so that the vast strides consequent, mainly in the improvement of the road to the hostel, can be appreciated. The present building is at times all too small for the rush of visitors, and Ihe problem of extension is one which will have to be faced in the future. The building has been kept in good order and the tracks to the caves considerably improved during the season. Owing to the death of the wife of the Manager a change was necessary, and Mr. and Mrs. Cook were transferred from the Hermitage to Waitomo to take the place of Mr. and the late Mrs. Parmenter, who had conducted the place for several years in a most efficient manner. Waikaremoana, Te Puia, etc. Owing to the existing conditions it was considered advisable to renew the arrangement under which this house is conducted by Mesdames Scollay and Dale, and to hold over the question of leasing in the meantime. The number of visitors has been up to the average considering the very bad weather experienced in the district during the year. Reports from Te Puia show that the new bath-buildings have been a great advantage, and have resulted in a steady traffic to the resort. Te Anau-Milford Track. The season opened very well indeed, but in the latter part the number of visitors dropped off. However, the revenue for the season showed an increase of £128 over last season's receipts. A regrettable point was that owing to ill health of himself and wife the pioneer, Mr. D. Sutherland, was unable to open his accommodation-house for visitors. Arrangements were, however, made by the Manager and guiding staff which provided for the satisfactory accommodation of all visitors to the Sounds. Very great difficulties were met with by the staff, owing to floods having washed away bridges at Quintin, (lentle Anne, and Pompolona Creeks, but the trouble was overcome. There was an increase in the number of people crossing from Glade House to Wakatipu by Dore's Pass. Fifteen ladies and five gentlemen made the journey, which is one of unique grandeur and growing in popularity. Agencies and Passenger Bookings. The total value of tours booked was £38,867, against £35,476 for the previous year. The revenue derived from commission amounted to £1,817. This branch of the Department is proving of real convenience to the travelling public, and the booking bureaux are being availed of by increased numbers each succeeding year. Oversea Agencies. The total passenger-bookings at Sydney amounted to £920 and at Melbourne to £914. The Department's honorary agencies at Adelaide, Brisbane, and Vancouver continue throughout the year to steadily advertise the tourist and health resorts of the Dominion. Brief reports from the Agents at Sydney and Melbourne are attached. The expenditure at Sydney and Melbourne has been as under :— Sydney. Melbourne. £ £ Rent ... ... ... ... ... ... 250 300 Salaries (including clerical assistance) ... ... ... 328 561 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... 179 112 B. M. Wilson, General Manager,

REPORT OF RESIDENT OFFICER, ROTORUA. Rotorua, 10th May, 1917. 1 have the honour to submit my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1917. During the year 400 cubic yards of 2|in. blue metal have had to be imported for streetrepair work, principally on Fenton Street South and Tutanekai Street, The traffic (principally motor-cars) has increased so considerably of late that the soft local metal is quite useless to cope with the wear-and-tear. 151 cubic yards of tarred metal chips have been used for repair to streets which had formerly been laid down with this material. In Fenton Street 440 square yards of tarred area have been refaced with " Soltar," and 3,666 square yards of this mixture have been laid in Fenton and Hinemoa Streets for the first time. 2,295 lineal feet of footpaths have been

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