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H.-l.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS.

The Conference met in the Provincial Library, Wellington, on Saturday, the 12th April, 1873, at noon. Present : Mr. Cass, Mr. Humphries, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Dobson, Mr. Tole, Mr. Heale, Mr. Weber, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Williams. Moved by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Hewlings, That Mr. Heale do take the chair. Carried. Mr. Heale opened the Conference by suggesting that to-day the Conference should take into consideration the order to be adopted with a view to bringing the various subjects for consideration regularly before the Conference. Mr. Williams presented a memorandum, which was, on motion put, read by the Chairman. Mr. Jackson submitted a set of draft propositions as a basis for the proceedings of the Conference. After some discussion on each head separately, it was resolved, That the following subjects be taken into consideration in the order given : — 1. The actual condition of existing surveys in the several Provinces. 2. The necessity of basing all surveys upon triangulation, and the mode in which such triangulation should be carried out. 3. Ought the sectional surveys to be, as heretofore, under the direction of the Provincial Governments, or should the General Government undertake the whole charge of these surveys ? 4. Whether a code of instructions should be published for the general guidance of all Survey Staffs in the Colony; and whether there should not be an Inspector of Surveys appointed by the General Government to see that such instructions are carried out in the various Provinces ? 5. Is it advisable or not that lands granted on faulty surveys should be resurveyed prior to the completion of the triangulation ? 6. Should there not be periodical examinations held for the purpose of granting certificates of competency to surveyors; and should not a prohibition be made against any person practising the profession without such certificate of competency ? Moved by Mr. Humphries, seconded by Mr. Jackson, and carried, That each Chief Surveyor be requested to furnish a statement of the actual condition of existing surveys in his Province, to embrace the following heads : — 1. What area of land has been triangulated—defining major triangulation from minor triangulation ? 2. What area of land has been completed in sectional surveys ? and 3. What area still remains to be surveyed of sold lands ? 4. What sums of money have been placed on the Provincial Estimates during the past year for surveys ? and 5. Whether such sums are adequate to the requirements of the service ? 6. What is the acreage of granted lands, and also that of sold lands in the Province ? Moved by Mr. Cass, seconded by Mr. Tole, and carried, That the Conference do now adjourn until Monday, at 11 a.m., at the same place.

The Conference met in the Provincial Library, "Wellington, on Monday, the 14th April, 1873, a^ 11 a.m. Present: Mr. Cass, Mr. Humphries, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Dobson, Mr. Tolc, Mr. Heale, Mr. Weber, Mr. Hewlings, Mr. Williams. Moved by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Weber, and carried, That Mr. Heale do act as Chairman during the Conference. The minutes of the previous meeting were read by the Secretary, and confirmed. SUBJECT POR CONSIDERATION. I.— The actual Condition of existing Surveys in the various Provinces. Mr. Tole presented an approximate statement of the condition of surveys in the Province of Auckland, accompanying the same with certain explanatory remarks. Mr. Hewlings presented an approximate statement of the condition of surveys in the Province of Canterbury, accompanying the same with certain explanatory remarks. Mr. Jackson presented an approximate statement of the condition of surveys in the Province of Wellington, accompanying the same with certain explanatory remarks. Mr. Jackson presented a return showing approximate areas of forest, open lands, and lakes, within the Province of Wellington. 2