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theodolite. The mean difference in the summation of the angles of twenty-one triangles from 180 amounted to 155", with a range between -\-4i'2" to —2*6", a work of high order, and urgently required to control and harmonize several old minor series. Notwithstanding the great extent of this class of work executed in past years, a considerable area has yet to be undertaken in several of the districts where only major series are available, or revision is required of work executed in the early days of the colony in a fragmentary manner at different times by various surveyors working from numerous independent bases, and at a time when the standard of accuracy now demanded was not prescribed or required. The necessity for revision triangulation, to establish homogeneity and symmetry in the minor series, is frequently demonstrated by the requirements of the settlement surveyors in the outlying districts, and also in consequence of the greater accuracy of modern traverse surveys effected with the long steel bands. Full reports and information have been furnished by all the Chief Surveyors as to the character of the triangulations in the several land districts. Owing to the urgent necessity for pushing on with surveys to open land for settlements, nearly all triangulation is in abeyance until your authority is obtained for its resumption. The chief argument in favour of such work is that definiteness, accuracy, and security of title cannot be achieved unless the foundation surveys (that is, the trigonometrical) are complete and reliable. Topographical Survey. The 251,899 acres delineated include the preliminary surveys undertaken to furnish plans and particulars as to character and class of land, soil, vegetation, value, &c, to enable areas of Crown lands to be opened on the " unsurveyed " system without awaiting the longer period required to complete the sectional survey usually insisted upon before opening lands for selection and settlement. The principal areas which make up the total area are 114,745 acres in Hawke's Bay, 86,100 acres in Nelson, and 41,750 acres in Westland. When executed to perfection such preliminary surveys provide ample information to enable the Land Boards to deal with and control applications by would-be settlers, &c. The operations are conducted somewhat as follows : The block of land to be dealt with is thoroughly explored, and a topographical map thereof prepared sufficient to enable the surveyor to design a scheme of roads and subdivisions for submission to and approval by the Chief Surveyor. The next step is to locate and survey the road-lines ; to decide upon and survey back lines of sections ; and, where the country is of a hilly or broken character, to cut out and approximately fix the best fencing-lines to be adopted for the subdivisions. During the course of this survey full information is obtained as to the character of the country, so as to define the flat, undulating, and hilly portions, the geological formation, the quality of the soil, and the forest, scrub, and other vegetation growing thereon. The courses of the rivers and streams are ascertained, the class and value of the lands determined, reservations are made for township and village sites, and for every public purpose prescribed by the Land Act and regulations. A sale map is next prepared, representing the whole of the preceding information as ascertained by explorations and surveys, everything essential in the public interest being clearly represented and excepted from the area to be thrown open for application and settlement. After due notification, applications for the land are dealt with by the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Land Board, who insist that applications shall conform to a general and comprehensive scheme, each selection of land extending from the road frontage to the back line, with a fair apportionment of flats, water frontages, and other advantages. Selectors have the opportunity of securing the land of their choice, and also the additional advantage that the boundaries of their holdings are upon the best practicable fencing-lines, and that the selection will be convenient to work and utilise. By the adoption of the foregoing principles and methods, the orders issued last October and December to expedite the survey and opening for selection of Crown lands were promptly given effect to. Thirty-one additional surveyors were engaged early this year, and the whole staff of 106 surveyors are still busily engaged in extending and completing the settlement surveys, with the result that the remaining Crown land most suitable for close settlement, or even for grazing-areas, has been or will soon be defined, classified, and thrown open for selection.

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