H.—2

6

List of High Ascents at Hermitage during Season of 1019—20 —continued.

Te Anatj - Milfoed Track. It. is satisfactory 1" note thai this popular route is again regaining its popularity, and last season was an exceptionally heavy one. Unfortunately, the rush was somewhat unexpected, and some difficulty was experienced in the early part of the season. However, this year the track staff will be sent down considerably earlier to get the track and the boats in proper order. Additional accommodation will be provided at the Quintin huts and at Pompolona, and it is hoped to get the telephone-line on the track restored. Arrangements have been made with Mrs. Sutherland to again open her residence for visitors, and this should have the effect of relieving congestion al Sandfly Point. The season was marred by an unfortunate occurrence resulting in the loss of a Dunedin lady, Miss Reed, who in bad weather became separated from her companions. and was never seen again, Active search was made by the guiding staff, the police, and others, but without effect. Overseas Agencies. The usual annual reports have been received from (lie officers in charge of Melbourne and Sydney agencies, and show that a large amount of work has been satisfactorily dealt with, and that the offices have been of great use h> other (iovernment Departments. The expenditure at these places has been — Sydney. Melbourne. ' £ £ Rent ... ... 390 3(10 Salaries (including clerical assistance) ... ... 465 6*70 Miscellaneous ... ■■■ 711* J7G

REPORT OF '1 , 111-) RESIDENT OFFICER, ROTOHUA. I beg lo submit niv annual report, for the year ending 31sfc March, 1920. During the year the maintenance work on the streets and roads has been attended to as far as funds would permit. As regards suburban roads, 48 chains have been re-formed, 71 chains have been ploughed and re-formed with the small grader, and all have been coated with pumice. Some 26 chains of the metalled street in I he inner area of the town have been hand-picked, given a coating of 2| in. metal, rolled, and blinded with either metal chips or obsidian gravel from ilemo Gorge. The advent of a motor traotor in the town afforded a Long-soughi opportunity of doing some heavy ploughing on the Wairoa Road and on Feriton Street South. The scarifying of these roads would have sufficed, but, as we have not the necessary implements, ploughing had to be resorted to. Fifty chains were thus treated, and much more was necessary, but a halt hail lo be called on account of a depleted exchequer. The result was satisfactory so far as it went, but in the case of Fenison Street the full advantage was m>l secured because of the Eaci that we could m>l afford lo put a heavy-enough sheeting of i), in. blue metal on the scarified surface, and we have not a heavy-enough road-roller lo give the metalled surface the necessary consolidation, As a, consequence the work done cannot be regarded with much satisfaction, but il must, serve as a temporary measure, and will probably suffice iill after Ihe winter season. Thai portion of I'Ynloii Street from Eruera Street intersection to the g Is entrance of the railway-yards has lo carry \rt-y heavy traffic, and will have to be similarly treated, but i! is useless disturbing the present road surface till we have a sufficient reserve of blue metal with which to sheet the section.

* Includes cost of furnishing new offices.

Date. Nairn: of Peak. Height, in Feet. Climbed by BiOuto and Remarks. Name of Guide. 1020. Feb. 1 Mount .Scaly 8,(151 Mr. Slott, Mrs. Stott .1. Stout . . Ascent anil deeents by wtitii lace. Feb. 2 I'Vb. l>. Mount Darby . . 8.2S7 Mr. 1.. II. Lindon, Mrs. Lin don Ditto I'. Graham Traverse ascent by north arete, ; descent by cast face. Ascent and descent by west face. Ascent and descent by east lace from Mueller Hut. Ascent and descent by north face from Memorial Hut. Mount Jcauneltc 8,000 P. Graham Feb. 5 Mount Maunga-Ma 8,33fi I Mrs. Linden 1 J . Graham Feb. 12 AnzfirO Peak Lean Peak .. I 7,623 and 8,323 .. j 8,000 Mrs. Linden F. Milne . . Feb. 12 Mr. L. H. London .. P. Graham Ascent and descent by south avfte from Copland Pass and Hooker Hut. Ascent and descent by west face from Ball Hut. Ascent and descent by west face and thence over Annette and down ridge to Sabastopol and the Hermitage. Ascent and descent by west arele from Malts Brim Hut. Ascent and descent by east face from Hooker Hut. Traverse ascent by way of Ball Pass and east face, descent north-western face from Hooker Hut. I Feb. 13 Mount Johnston 8,858 Mrs. Linden I ,, . Milne . . Feb. 17 Mount Sealy .. Mount Malte Brun Ruareka Peak .. Turner Peak 8,051 .. 10,451 8,000 7,540 Mr. J, Barker, Miss I). Barker, Mr. D. Deans, Mr. C. Deans, Mr. C. Burdon, Miss S. Fox, Miss N. Smithson Mrs. Linden 1'. Graham F. Milne . . Feb. 18 Feb. 23 Mr. L. H. Liridou, Mrs. Lindon Miss K. Joachim . . F. Milne, .1. Stout P. Graham Mar. 2(i