THE SURVEYS OF THE YEAR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1893, 2 March 1888, Page 10

THE SURVEYS OF THE YEAR.

The annual report on the surveys of New Zealand is always an interesting document in that it contains complete and wellarranged information as to progress of the preparation of the country for settlement, as well as of the exploration of the more unknown regions which are gradually being mapped out and opened to the adventurous settler. In the Surveyor-general, Mr M'Kerrow, New Zealand is fortunate in having an exceptionally able man, who has not only the scientific knowledge necessary, but practical knowledge and experience in regard to land and the occupation thereof, extending «ver a long series of years. An excellent official, he is a great deal more than that, and his counsel has at critical times been most valuable to successive Governments in the administration of the land laws.

The report which was presented to Parliament in the second session of 1887 covers the operations of the Survey department for the 12 months ended the 30th June last. The total expenditure was £94,401 lGs lOd, but of this more than one-fourth was refunded for services rendered to other departments and fees recovered for mining and other surveys ; so that the net cost of the Crown land surveys was not quite £70,000, being nearly £10,000 less than for the previous annual period, and £35,175 less than the average of the previous nine years-. It is explained that the decrease is due "to the fact that the triangulation "and other standard works are now so " well advanced thatoperationsin theseclasses "of survey have been much curtailed of " late." In respect of settlement survey, the areas and number of sections surveyed are considerably in excess of the two preceding years; aggregating to 343,590 acres—subdivided into 3704 sections. Included are a number of sections under 50 acres each, laid off for village settlements, and it is noted that the small size of these has brought the average cost of this class of surveys up to 2s Id an ucre, being 3d higher than last year The settlement surveys, Mr M'Kerrow further remarks, are now almost entirely in bush and hilly districts, so that " the tendency will "necessarily be towards a greater cost per " acre, for many of the road lines have to be " graded, and in bush sections back corner " pegs are now put in. On a less careful and " complete system the surveys might be cxc- " cuted at less initial cost, but a few pence " per acre saved would be a sorry compensa"tion for badly selected road lines and "vaguely marked boundaries." The town section surveys executed covered 2547 acres in 9!) 7 lots, and the rate per lot was £1 5s 4d ; 208 applications for mining surveys — quartzmining leaseholds, special claims, coal, and other mineral areas— w ore dealt with; the aggregate area being G509 acres, and the cost a little under Gs per acre. Major triangulation over 1,177,771 acres and minor triangulation over G9G.3GG were effected during the twelve months, and the topographical and trigonometrical survey covered 1,512,58!) acres. In Westland, the triangulation which for sevejal years has been extending southwards from Hokitika is now completed, "the whole of the inter- " vening coast districts to Martin's Bay being " now trigonometrically and topographically " surveyed." A very important branch of the work of the department, for which there are special appropriations, has been the opening up of Crown lands for sale by road lines 3 . The importance of this can hardly be overrated. Pioneer roads into the bush are almost necessary antecedents to settlement, and in their absence no material increase can be expected. During the year ended June 30 a great deal of this road work was done, and it is noted that "as soon as the timber "on the road line is felled and olear,ed and

" the merest track formed the settlers follow "up and occupy the land." The detail state, ments of the several chief surveyors show that 171 miles of road have been graded, ready for construction, 68 miles felled and cleared for formation, 89 miles of bridle road made, nine miles widened into cart road, and 160 miles of,'cart road constructed or improved; the total cost having been £64,964 5s 3d— money exceedingly well laid out. For the purpose of investigation of Native title and individualisation of the same, 167 blocks, comprising 68,465 acres, were surveyed by the Survey Office staff' and 160,526 acres in 159 blocks by authorised" surveyors; and Mr M'Kerrow states that there are in the Awarua and other adjacent blocks in the Upper Rangitikei about 300,000 acres now under survey. In Nativeland purchase surveys nearly 800,000 acres are being dealt with. These facts are significant as to the altered tone of the Native mind in respect of European settlement. Surveys and roads are the practical solutions of the Native difficulty.