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(c) Te Ae,ott a Although conditions were very dry for long periods the playing-areas have been maintained in good order over the season. A great deal of general maintenance-work, hitherto necessarily delayed, has been undertaken during the year. Extensive repairs have been carried out to tracks on Te Aroha Mountain. (d) Queenstown (1) Domain and Gardens. —Maintenance and improvements were carried out as opportunity offered during the winter. The rustic bridge over the lily pond and that over Brewery Creek were renewed. Fences were repaired or renewed, as also were climber rose supports and rose pergolas. Bowling-greens were replugged and top-dressed, and the surfaces relevelled. These greens and the croquet-lawn, which was also topdressed, were in good playing order throughout the season. The tennis-courts were redressed. All playing-areas were well" patronized by visitors, but the bowling-greens were particularly popular. (2) Tracks and Huts.—The . tracks and huts at the head of Lake Wakatipu received -attention during the year, and major repair work was carried out in the Dart Valley. The two old Dredge Huts were dismantled and the material used to build a new large hut •capable of accommodating twenty-four persons in bunks. The track from Paradise to Dredge Hut was placed in good order, and a new track was cut over Sandy Bluff to eliminate a ford that is often dangerous. These activities have been favourably commented upon by walkers and by various tramping clubs. More such work in the district is contemplated during the coming year. Repairs have been made to various bridges including Earnslaw Creek and the Routeburn River. (3) Snow Sport.—The Coronet Peak ski-ing grounds are becoming increasingly popular, and this is reflected in the volume of winter traffic to Queenstown. The ■development of this snow-sports area resulted in full booking of accommodation during -several months of the season. Arrangements are in hand for the New Zealand Ski Championships to be held here in August next. (e) Plane Tables and Vie wing-apparatus Several plane tables are on order for installation in various places of tourist interest throughout New Zealand. Pressure of other .work has prevented the Dominion Physical Laboratory from ■completing reconditioning of certain viewing-apparatus, but delivery of the powerful coast-watching glasses referred to in last year's report has been made. It is hoped to install this equipment at the Hermitage, Mount Cook, in the near future. (/) Radio Communication in Mountain Areas Plans for the installation of two-way radiophone equipment for use in remote mountain areas for emergency and other purposes are being developed on behalf of this Department by the Dominion Physical Laboratory in conjunction with experts of the Post and Telegraph Department. Satisfactory progress has been made, and it is hoped that the installations will commence during the coming climbing season.

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