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The Chairman stated that he had telegraphed to Auckland for information necessary to complete a report of the condition of surveys conducted under the Native Lands Court, and craved the indulgence of the Conference. Mr. Humphries presented an approximate statement of the condition of surveys in the Province of Taranaki, accompanying the same with certain explanatory remarks. Mr. Dobson presented an approximate statement of the condition of surveys in the Province of Nelson, accompanying the same with certain explanatory remarks. Mr. Clarke presented an approximate statement of the condition of surveys in the Province of Marlborough ; and also showing area of forest lands, lakes, and open country. Mr. Weber presented an approximate statement of the condition of surveys in the Province of Hawke's Bay, accompanying the same with certain explanatory remarks. Mr. Jackson stated that he had received a telegram from Mr. Thomson, expressing his regret at being detained from attending the Conference, by serious illness in his family. The Chairman introduced the second subject for consideration, viz:— ll.— The necessity of basing all Surveys upon Triangulation, and ihe mode in ivhich such Triangulation should he carried out. Moved by Mr. Tole, seconded by Mr, Dobson, and carried, That each Chief Surveyor be requested to furnish a return showing the total cost, cost per acre, and relative cost in forest and open country, of the triangulation executed in his Province ; and also the date of commencement of such survey, together with a statement as to whether such triangulation has been systematically applied to the connection, correction, and determination of the true position of ordinary block and sectional surveys in his Province, and if so, to what extent in each instance ; also the number of Crown grants of erroneously surveyed lands, the defects in which have been disclosed and remedied by the aid of such triangulation. Moved by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Weber, — A. That, in the opinion of the Conference, it is necessary, in order to insure greater accuracy in all future surveys, that the method of prosecuting them should be based upon an accurate system of triangulation,—wherever the nature of the country admits of such a process being performed. B. That wherever practicable, a careful system of major triangulation (the sides to average between eight and fourteen miles) should be undertaken over the whole area of the Colony. C. That a minor triangulation (the sides to average between two and four miles) should be performed simultaneously with, or as soon as possible after, the major triangulation; such minor triangulation to be based upon the sides of the major triangulation, and to be prosecuted over all lands (admitting of the performance of such a process) that have been sold, or likely to become shortly sold, throughout the Colony ; excepting only such lands over which minor triangulation has already been executed accurately, or is in course of execution, by the Provincial Governments. (Negatived.') . D. That in order to secure a uniform and a harmonious system in carrying out the details of these triangulations, the entire direction of the works should be undertaken by and at the expense of the General Government, and that, for the performance of the works, a special staff should be appointed and controlled from a central office. ( Withdraicn.) Moved by Mr. Hewlings, seconded by Mr. Cass, That the Conference do adjourn for one hour. The Conference reassembled at 2.45 p.m., when the consideration of Mr. Jackson's set of resolutions was resumed. After some discussion, Mr. Jackson asked and obtained leave to amend his resolutions as follows, namely : — Expunge resolution " D," and substitute as follows : — That no lands should become granted in future, unless the surveys shall have been based upon triangulation. (Negatived.) That every triangulated point ought to be connected with the marks of existing surveys. (Negatived.) Moved by Mr. Dobson, seconded by Mr. Tole, and carried, That after .the word " Colony," in resolution B, all the following words be omitted. Moved by Mr. Dobson, seconded by Mr. Tole, and carried, That after the word " Colony," in resolution B, the following words be added : —" This work to be undertaken by the General Government at the cost of the Colony." The resolutions A and B (as amended) were then put and carried. Moved by Mr. Jackson, seconded by Mr. Humphries:— A. That a minor triangulation, the sides to average between two and four miles, should be performed simultaneously with, or as soou as possible after the major triangulation, such minor triangulation to be based upon the sides of the major triangulation, and to be prosecuted over all lands (admitting of the performance of such a process) that have been sold, or likely to become shortly sold, throughout the Colony, excepting only such lands over which minor triangulation has already been executed accurately, or is in course of execution by the Provincial Governments. (Withdrawn.) B. That no lands should become granted in future unless the surveys have been based upon triangulation. ( Withdrawn.) C. That any triangulated point ought to be connected with tho marks of existing surveys, (Withdraivn.) After some discussion, Mr. Jackson obtained leave to withdraw his resolutions. Moved by Mr. Humphries, seconded by Mr. Dobson, That to establish and secure certainty in the boundaries of all granted estates, it is essential that no Crown grant should in future be issued until the survey of the land has been properly connected with the triangulation, and the land delineated upon a record map ; and to enable grants based upon former faulty surveys to be gradually cor-

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