D.—No. 20.

as thick flax, which are very tedious and costly, and on proper proof that such cutting had been done,, an extra allowance might well be made for it, but then the fact ought to appear distinctly on the bill, and it ought certainly not to be called and charged for as forest. The last item in the Poverty Bay bill is £200 for a sketch map in duplicate, and a map of Poverty Bay, an item which is wholly inconceivable without distinct explanation. There are other smaller matters, such as traverses carried along both sides of rivers, lines having no terminal connections (hanging Jines), pegs, &c, which would certainly be disallowed in the ordinary cases of contract surveys. The bill for the East Coast Survey in like manner includes 43|5- miles of forest cutting, while no such forest is shown on the map —at all events not clearly. It then appears at first sight of the two maps now before me, that there are sums in the bills which are at least open to question, amounting to more than the whole balance claimed ; besides one of the maps being so imperfect that, according to the ordinary rules for contract surveys, not even the first instalment ought to have been paid upon it; there can therefore be no hardship in postponing any consideration of that claim until after my return to Auckland, when, on the map being properly completed by Mr. Graham (who is in Auckland), I will have the bill checked in the usual way, by the officer who has long done that part of the business of my office. In the mean time it may be proper to communicate this report to Mr. Locke, and to whoever may be concerned, in order that any explanation may be furnished, especially as to " forest cutting " and the claim of £200 for maps. When at Poverty Bay, I will as far as possible inspect the work, and inform myself of the nature of the cutting. I will also take care to ascertain if any claims are made against other parties for any portion of these surveys, already so highly paid for by the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister. Theoph. lleale.

12

REPORTS BY THE INSPECTOR OP SURVEYS.