THE SURVEYOR-GENERALSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 34, 8 February 1906, Page 5

THE SURVEYOR-GENERALSHIP.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, this day. The latest gossip in regard to the Surveyor-Generalship, says our Welllington correspondent, is that Mr. Marchant has applied for three months' leave of absence as from March 31st next, as a preliminary step to his finally quitting the public service on a pension of £500 a year, and that the Government va.l at once take steps to effect a change in the present status of the higher officials of the department, by which the position of Surwyor-General will be made sub rdinate to that of the Under-Secretary, who will hence forth have control over the whole of the Lands and Survey branch. It is admitted that such an arrangement would make "for the smoother and more efficient administration of the department. Messrs. Strauchon (Commissioner of Crown Lands at Wellington), Humphries (Commissioner of Crown Lands in Canterbury), and Roberts (Commissioner of Crown Lands in Westland) are Baid to be in the running for the Surveyor-Generalship, the chances being !in favour of the first-named. It is understood that Mr. McKenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands at Auckland, is anxious to obtain a transfer to We lington, which would probably follow were Mr. Strauchon appointed SurveyorGeneral..