LAND REGISTRY ACT, 1860. I propose three kinds of Index :— 1. An Index of names, arranged alphabetically. 2. A local Index to each registration map. 3. A Crown Grant Index. The first question is whether there should be distinct Indexes for each Register, i.e., an Index of Proprietors, an Index of Charges, an Index of Leases, and an Index of Inhibitions; or whether a general Index should be kept for the whole, distinguishing the respective Registers by the prefix of some capital letter, as P. for Proprietors, C. for Charges, L. for Leases, and I. for Inhibitions. My own opinion is in favour of the former plan. Though it will multiply Books it will avoid complication. There need only be a Crown Grant Index for proprietors. If hereafter it should be thought best to incorporate the separate Indexes into one, that may be done without difficulty.. XV. The nominal Index will contain the name of the person to whom each Register entry relates, with the number of the entry —thus, Adams John ... ... ■■• ••• ••• ••• 259 Bayley Henry ... ... ••• ••• ••■ ••■ 450 Cheeseman James ... ... ••• ••• ■•• ••• 470 Davis Richard ... ... ••• •■• ••• ••• 582 and so on. The names may be arranged alphabetically year by year or at shorter intervals. As the Indexes become encumbered with names, it may be necessary to rearrange aud compile them. And at longer periods —perhaps every five years—it may be found necessary to open fresh Indexes or to reconstruct the old ones, wiping out references to cancelled or past transactions. XVI. The Local Index will be framed very much upon the same principle as that now in use in the Register Offices. To each Registration Map there will be an Index Book, in which each Section will have its appropriate page or portion of a page; but instead of containing, as the present Index does, elaborate particulars, there will be a reference merely to the Register numbers. It will be superfluous to burden the Index with particulars which may be found on reference to the Register itself. The form of Index will be thus : — Map (City of Auckland). Subsection No. 1. Register Nos. 48, 70, 156, 220, 300, (and so on.) Subsection No. 2. Register Nos. 35, 38, 79, 100, (and so on.) By means of this Index all entries relating to each Section will he brought together under one head.' I have already pointed out the manner in which I propose to provide for cases of subdivision and correction of survey, and to assign to every subdivisional and every corrected Section a new distinctive number of reference. These additional numbers will be from time to time added to the Index, and space must be left accordingly. It is impossible to speculate as to the Number of Sections and Subsections which may thus "■row up in each map district. I do not for my own part anticipate practical inconvenience from this growth of Numbers. If inconvenience should be found in any district, it may be corrected by subdividing the original map. XVII. The Crown Grant Index will not be absolutely needed. But I foresee much convenience by presenting in one view the ramifications of Title, proceeding from each Crown Grant. It need only be kept in respect of the Register of Proprietors. With a view to forming this Index, I propose, in each application to register Title, to require the applicant to specify the Crown Grant relating to the land, and its Number. I have caused an Index to be prepared of all the Crown Grants issued within the Colony, including * the Canterbury Association Conveyances. This Index will be a useful Public Record independently of Registration, and will facilitate the work of the District Registrars. Strangers to Titles, seeking to examine the Registers, will thus have three distinct clues :— 1. The names of parties. 2. The locality of the land. 3. Reference to the Crown Grant, giving the root of Title. XVIII. From time to time, as the Register entries are cancelled, upon change of proprietorship and discharge of incumbrances, I propose simultaneously to cancel the corresponding Numbers in the Index, so that the Index will exhibit, at once, the numbers of all subsisting entries, without encumbering a party searching with the examination of cancelled or past transactions. XIX. In addition to the Registers, Journal, Minute Book and Indexes, it will be necessary to keep some Books of minor importance; —for instance, A Book for noting the exact time of receipt of each application. A List of Certificates issued.

D-No 1

Nominal Index.

Local Index.

Index to Subdivisions and Corrections.

Crown Grant Index

Cancelling Index. Number.

Additional Books.

* These are in the nature of Crown Grants.