A PUZZLE IN MAPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18887, 9 December 1924, Page 5

A PUZZLE IN MAPS.

CONFUSION OF BOUNDARIES.

WHERE THREE PROVINCES MEET.

Ihe confusion that often f arises from the lack of uniformity in the boundaries

of provincial and land districts and other territorial divisions is humorously doscribed by a correspondent of tho Christ -

church Press. A very striking example is quoted by tho writer. - He says :-V

"It is the area, of land lying between the Conway and Huranui Rivers which is disputed, and my three maps give this area to Nelson, Canterbury and Marl- ! borough respectively. There is no doubtv about it. All are modern maps. The first two have well-defined boundaries, the ;: second has distinctive colouring, while 1 in the third the 'MA' of ' Marlborough 1 is placed well and truly south of the Con- ! way. :' - ,v : , 4;'

"At first sight this appears confusing," but I think I can give an explanation. The first map calls its boundaries provincial boundaries, while the second calls 4 them the boundaries of land 'districts. The third map wisely does not commit itself, but since in it alone the island is divided up into counties, I assume that the Amuri County Council looks to Blenheim for guidance. "• Thus this area is in Nelson Province, Canterbury Land Dis- r trict, and Marlborough something—l don't know what."

The correspondent proceeds—"Let U3 see the natural consequences of this. Suppose not very difficult taskthat, the Government Statistician wanted a .return . of tho number of men who had married their widows' sisters. All returns in the above district would be classified as Nelson. If, however, what was wanted was the number of acres given up to the pasturage of the ring-tailed wombats, : then' tho returns would be Canterbury; •while finally, if what was wanted by the number 1 of county clerks with an honorarium less than £3 6s lOd per annum, then the re- > turn would be through Blenheim. "Thus, if a county clerk was in the happy position of receiving £3 6s 9d per annum, with which to support his wife, who was also his widow's sister, and to keep his flock of ring-tailed wombats, when the various collectors called, lie would send his income to, Blenheim, his wife to Nelson, and his wombats to Christchurch."