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becomes me to allude to the proposed astronomical observations about to be entered on, for which this condition gives opportunity; and here, I may remark, that the basis of this colonial survey is astronomical, not geodetic, for reasons which I have already given, resting mainly on the fact that the exigencies of the public and settlers require it (General Report, 7th December, 1876, page 18). It will be seen in reference to the map of meridional circuits appended, that there are twenty-eight initial points of snrvey. These, with some exceptions are, for the time being, placed in the general maps of the colony by means of the Admiralty determinations. The work of independent determination will have to be commenced at the Survey Observatory situated on Mount Cook, Wellington City, for latitude and longitude, from whence differences of latitude and longitude of the other stations will be ascertained, either by astronomical observations, and galvanic signals, or by triangulation, as may be found most fitting. For the purpose of these observations, powerful instruments, with the most modern improvements, have been purchased in London, and all of which have arrived, excepting the clocks, but which we expect at an early date. When at home, in selecting chronographs, I found great difficulty. I examined those of the Greenwich and several other leading observatories, but found all very expensive and few satisfactory. I therefore applied to Mr. James Simms, of the eminent firm of Messrs Trough ton and Siinms. After mature consideration that gentleman informed me that it would take him more time than he could spare to design an instrument, but he showed me a registering sheet by Mr. Ellery of the Melbourne Observatory, which was beyond all comparison the best I had seen. I therefore determined not to purchase this instrument in England, but as I intended to return by Melbourne, to ask Mr. Ellery's kind offices there. This in due course I did, and I have great pleasure in reporting that not only did Mr. Ellery most handsomely volunteer his assistance, but he has since sent us a beautifully constructed instrument that will serve our purpose most admirably. For this assistance our best thanks are due. On the completion or progress of the contemplated astronomical observations, then maps of the Colony or parts thereof can be constructed, and for which the department has now abundant materials. In conclusion, I may remark that during my leave of absence to Europe, I was not unmindful of the interests of the department. By the good offices of Sir Julius Vogel, Agent-General for the Colony, I obtained access to the Greenwich Observatory, where as already reported {Gazette No. 46, May 20th, 1878,) the Astronomer Royal, Sir George Airey furnished, me with certain corrected lunar star distances in connection with local observations executed in the service. By the same good offices I visited the head quarters of the ordnance of survey Great Britain, located in Southampton, when I had an opportunity of examining the several processes interesting to the Colonial Surveyor, in the standard and property branches of field work, as well as in the record and publication of office work. In the principal portion of my enquiries, I was greatly indebted to the courtesy of Colonel Clarke, C.8.,R.E., whose scientific and throughly apt acquaintance with all the higher processes of the art of geodetic survey is well-known. During my stay in England I made several visits to London, for the selection of instruments for the Survey Department, and more particularly for those about to be used in the astronomical branches, nor in the not less useful though ordinary branches was my personal visit without advantage. In several of the districts of the Colony, I have had it most apparently brought home to me that the ordinary instruments employed in plain survey are not available. These districts are specially in Westland, Nelson, and a large portion of the interior of the North Island. Here the face of the country is so rugged or over-grown that neither triangulation nor traverse are applicable under very heavy cost. Hence the advantage of using an instrument that would ascertain distances without these methods. This I anticipated would be served by the micrometer telescope. On consultation with Mr. Simms, an instrument was decided on, four of which have been perfected, and after due test are now in use, or about to be used, here. The great difficulty in Colonial survey is rigid connection of parts or of isolated sections, and with this instrument, I hold that no Chief Surveyor can be excused after this, of doing his work without connection, however dispersive the land survey applications are. For section survey in similar country, Mr. Simms brought to my notice an instrument called the " Tacheometer," much used by the Government of Italy. Four of these also were ordered, and have just arrived. For crossing gullies or following along hill ranges, this instrument, lam of opinion, will be invaluable. The large transit instrument for the observatory of Mount Cook I had fitted, after trial of its success, with a reversing apparatus, which avoids the usual danger of accidents by carriage in the arms of the observer. On our way out, as our vessel stayed three days at Cape Town, two days at Melbourne, and three days at Sydney, through the kindness of the officers in charge of the general Survey Departments, I had the opportunity of examining into the systems of the Cape Colony and the Colonies of Victoria and New South Wales. Previous to this, in passing through the United States and Canada, though I did not visit any of the survey offices, yet I met officers connected with the departments, from whom I had illustrations of their systems given on the spot. Further, I took the advantage of proximity to ask for working plans of actual surveys from the head office of Canada, at Ottawa; and which were kindly forwarded to me at London by Colonel Dennis. I may therefore say, .that though my leave of absence was given purely on personal grounds, I obtained through it extensive information of great official interest. The result of that information would be too technical to dilate upon here. But I may shortly state that in the vast territories being over-run and occupied by colonists of the Anglo-Saxon race, as there is great diversity of physical geography, and infinite variety in the wants of the people, there is no general co-incidence of land-laws nor complete congruity of survey systems, but often wide opposition of principle. If, again, we compare the Colonial'systems with thejsurveys of Great Britain, and its tropical Crown possessions, the contrast is yet more palpable. In the Jnited States, and in the British Colonies of temperate zones, this fact comes prominently to