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11. MAINTENANCE AND DEVELOPMENT OF RESORTS, HOTELS, ETC., UNDER THE DEPARTMENT'S CONTROL (1) Sanatoria and Baths liotoi'uai.—The number of out-patients under the social security system remains high. A few overseas patients, principally from Australia, I have received treatment a't the Spa, Difficulty has been experienced in mantaining the Baths and the Sanatorium at full capacity owing" to the shortages of bath attendants, massage operators, nursing, and domestic staff,, and the resultant waiting-list remains heavy. The supply of hot mineral water to the Main Bath building has improved and justifies the tapping of alternative sources by means of bores earlier in the year. The massage and physiotherapy section lost the services of some highly skilled operators, and this, together with restrictions on the use of electricity, has hampered the work in this department. Towards the end, of the year treatments had to be rationed severely, with many patients receiving less ,than the institution would like to have given. The average number of patients in the Sanatorium over the year was 31, as compared with 39 in the previous period. Altogether, 6,399 treatment baths were given to Sanatorium patients, and 6,425 received massage or special treatments. There were 1,158 first consultations and 2,099 second consultations with the Acting Government Balneologist. Te Aroluh.—Revenue receipts remained practically the same as during the previous year. There was increased patronage of the pleasure baths,.but a marked falli.ng-off in games revenue accounted for by the late opening of these facilities owing to bad weather. All bathing installations have been maintained in good order, and improvements in the nature of cold water-supply to the swimming-bath and additional hot water to the children's bath have been- effected. Difficulty has been experienced in maintaining the supply and' replacement of towels and bathing .costumes. This also applies at Rotorua, Considerable maintenance. work was undertaken during the year. This included replacement of valves and pipes, restoration of temperatures and pressures to private baths, repair and repainting of interior of bath-house walls, reboring of both hot-water bores and the lifting and cleaning of the hot-water main. Main pathways were resurfaced and the tracks to Bald Spur and the Mountain were completely cleared. Mor ere Hot Springs.—This thermal resort continues to enjoy increasing patronage. Accommodation available has been severely taxed, and many visitors who would have stopped over here during the holiday periods were obliged to be content with an inspection of the reserve, brief enjoyment of the bathing facilities, and continuance of their journeys, Boundary fences have been re-erected or repaired as necessary, all bath buildings have been painted, and the Caretaker's residence and establishment maintained in good order and condition. Additional seats were installed in the reserve. Parking facilities were improved. Depredations of deer and goats' are now only slight and are confined to the top ridges.

Ilel&7bsville. —At the close of the preceding year representations were made to this Department in connection with the further development of this popular health resort.

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