THE SURVEY OF CROWN LANDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7556, 6 May 1886, Page 3

THE SURVEY OF CROWN LANDS.

The following communication from the Chief Surveyor (Mr C. W. Adams) was read at the meeting of the Land Board yesterday morning:— ■■"■ ■ .. . :.'•'.

In reference to. the report upon Strath-Taieri and Nenthonand, I wish to state that I do.uot tliink it ™r tor the commissioners to throw the blame on the Survey department, or call in question the judgment of the surveyor who cut up the land; as it is the practice of this department to carry the wishes of the Waste Land Board i i all settlement surveys. I cannot speak positively as to every section referred to m the report, as these surveys were executed before I; took charge; but • I believe my predecessor (the late Mr Arthur),was careful to consult the wishes of the Waste Lands Board as to the subdivision of Crown, lands for settlement. I beg, however, to draw your attention to one case.at least—where the report recommends that sections 1 to 15, block VII, Strath-Taieri, be grouped together and let for three years, while the Laud Board on December 19,1882, decided that section 9 of this block was too large as surveyed, and should bo subdivided into three sections, which was done; also in the case of ruus 210 and 210F, recently surveyed, the sections have been laid off accordiij<* to the wishes of the Land Board, but quite contrary to my wishes and' the judgment of the surveyor employed, who wrote to me on the subject as follows: .."Although you; do not ask my .opinion about the agricultural block, I might be allowed to remark .that I; think it is a great mistake: reserving this to be subdivided into small sections when it could have been with greater advantage worked into the adjoining small rims, aod thus have given them a value which they will not now possess." I referred this matter to yoiirseif,,and also the Surveyorgeneral, but was requested to carry out the wishes of the board ill the matter. In the "same way we are now subdividing some of the Kurow blocks into sections which, I tliink too small, but as the petitioners asked for small sections, their wishes have been attended to. '.' . , I

~ Mr Mackenzie, said that;with respect to the refereace made, in the letter to run 210; he had no hesitation in saying that the land surveyed as they had suggested would be taken-up. ' The Chief Cojoiissionkh said the letter was simply meant to show that the surveyors did not cut up land according, to their own views, but' were guided by; the: orders they received from the board or the Government.

■;. Mr Brown thought' the instructions should be produced to show by whom they were given land who was to blame." From the letter it appeared "that,either the hoard or the Government were'to blame.' He moved—"That the chief surveyor be requested to furnish the board with the instructions received by the Survey department for the survey of the land referred .-■'': -■•:''.'■'•"■ .■■-'.•• '. ■'■ ■"■■ ■ '■ '■ .'•'. ■"-.-■■ :

Mr Bho>vn said, the chief: surveyor had informed him that he had receiveil a communication from the Government asking him to visit the Rankleburn district with a view to carrying out what was resolved. He hoped that the report would be submitted to the board as soon as it was ready. ." ' .:.; : ' . . i