H.—2.

" Mount Te Aroha.—The track to the summit of Mount Te Aroha has been kept in good order during the year and a number of visitors have climbed to the summit. The excellent view from the top well repays the climber for the energy used in getting there. On a clear day Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, Waihi Beach, the Firth of Thames, the Thames Valley, and Mount Ruapehu can be seen quite well. The climb through, the native bush is very attractive. " Fishing and Shooting.—Local fishermen report good catches of trout in the upper reaches of the Waihou River. Wild ducks were plentiful at the beginning of the season, and curlew and godwit provided good sport along the coast near Thames, Waihi Beach, and Tauranga Harbour. " Music in the Domain.—The Te Aroha Municipal Band has rendered a good number of programmes in the domain during the year. The programmes are well patronized and appreciated by all. The band is playing well, being in training for the band contest that will be held at Te Aroha during the coming Easter Week. " X-ray Apparatus.—The X-ray has been used frequently during the year, seventy-nine patients having been treated. In December, 1934, the apparatus was overhauled by Mr. Croker, Head Masseur, Rotorua Baths. The X-ray plants have given no trouble during the year. " General. —The general work in connection with the gardens, baths, buildings, drinkingfountains, &c., has been well carried out. No new work has been done during the year. " Judging by the present indications and the excellent advertising that Te Aroha has had, and the publicity being given throughout the Auckland Province about the coming Easter Week Band Contest, there should be an improvement in the revenue during the coming twelve months." District Manager, Rotorua. " Buildings.—During the year the old tea kiosk has been converted into a bowling pavilion, the old bowling pavilion into a golf pavilion, and the tennis and croquet pavilions have been enlarged and very much improved. All clubs now pay a rental to the Department for the use of pavilions, whereas previously the bowling club only did so. " The main office has been enlarged as part of the scheme, which it is hoped to complete within the next few months. This is a work which, had times been better, would have been undertaken long ago, and it will certainly prove of great benefit to the public and the staff and will help to ensure increased efficiency in the administration. " Maintenance-work has been attended to on all departmental buildings, and as you are aware this is a considerable item in Rotorua. " Electrical Section.-—As a result of the general financial stringency, no important extensions of electrical lines have been called for during the year, but a good deal of work has been done in the strengthening and maintenance of existing lines. " The following extensions were made :— Volts. Phase. Chains. " Springfield Farm .. .. .. .. 3,000 1 40 " View Road .. .. . . .. .. 230 1 31 " Okere Road, 4-mile peg .. .. .. 230 1 21 " Okere Road, Omania . . .. . . .. 230 2 41 " The reconstruction of the Whaka low-tension distribution was completed. A new low-tension line Was built in the Government Gardens to give a direct supply to the drainage and Priest hot-water pumps, and also to supply the tennis and golf pavilions. The whole of the Tourist Department supply to the baths, gardens, and sanatorium is now metered and controlled from one point of supply. " In connection with the building alterations, the tea kiosk, the croquet pavilion, and the main office were rewired. " General maintenance-work has been carried out on the town lines, and the poles from Mourea to Te Ngae were reinforced to guard against further line troubles. " The Okere plant has been maintained in fair order and has been operated one shift per day throughout the year. " Towards the end of the year we were approached by the Thames Borough Council re purchase of our Diesel plant. As a result it was agreed to sell it to them, and the plant was dismantled and removed to Thames in December. " This plant had been operated only for standby purposes since 1926, and owing to the growth of our own load was too small for effective use as a standby. " Maintenance-work has been carried out als required for the following sections of the Department : Baths, electrical and electro-medical apparatus ; sanatorium, electrical and electro-medical apparatus ; gardens, motor lawn-mowers and tractor, and the Department's motor-transport vehicles. " In September delivery was taken of a 20 h.p. Hillman saloon car for official duties, and in March a 10 cwt. Model A Ford runabout was transferred to this Department from the Public Works Department in place of the old Model T Ford, which was issued to the Department in 1919. " The street-lighting system has been regularly inspected and maintained.

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