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examining, compiling, and recording is steadily progressing. It is hoped to make during the ensuing year a more extended use than heretofore of blueprint and photo-lithography, and to persevere with the construction of key and index maps, thereby aiding economy and efficiency both in field and office work. Changes of Staff.—At the end of May last Mr. G. J. Roberts, after having been for nearly thirtyseven years ably identified with every phase id departmental work, was constrained to retire through ii health, at which date I succeeded him as Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor for West land. Mr. Skeet was promoted to the charge of Southland, and was succeeded as Chief Draughtsman iii July by Mr. F. A. Thompson. At the end of February Mr. W. F. Robinson resigned his appointment as Assistant Surveyor, having been appointed to the stall' of Canterbury College, after some five years' capable service in this district. In June Mr. V. .). Ilarrop, Senior Draughtsman, was transferred to Napier, after nineteen years' good work in Westland. Miss S. M. Montgomerie, of the draughting staff, was transferred from the Nelson staff in May. and about tin- same time Mr. K. G. Hogan was transferred from the Education Department and appointed draughting cadet here. Mr. Stavely was transferred from Blenheim as draughtsman in June, Mr. New-man. Draughtsman, was transferred to Christchurch in November after some nine years' service here. .Mr. Bateman, Draughtsman and Computer, was appointed in November. In August Mr. W. Wilson was transferred as District Surveyor from the Loads Departmenl. My thanks arc due to all (he officers, both the lie Id and Ihe indoor stall, for their hearty CO operation in the year's work. G. H. M. McClure, Chief Surveyor.

( LNTERBURY. Rural and Suburban.-- The lotal area under ibis heading for the year amounts to 30,327 ai reSj and consists chiefly of blocks resumed for closer settlement under the Laud for Settlements Act—viz., Buddo, Fyvie, Tripp, Clandcboye, Ladbrook, aud Hornby Settlements. These were surveyed by Messrs. Allom, Young, Davis, and Freeman. The number of sections is 101, and the total cost £1,156 10s. Ud. = 0-7<is. per acre. Part of the Tripp Settlement was in high broken country, but the rest of the blocks were level agricultural land. Town Surveys. —The work under this heading comprises 3-:! acres, in 13 sections, at a cost of 51-14s. per section, being the land cut up for workers' dwellings in Walker Settlement, anil two or three small reserves for post-office sites. &c. The high cost is owing to the amount of travelling. Field Inspection. —Owing to pressure of settlement surveys, only six formal inspections have been made during this year —three by Mr. Allom and three by myself ; but, in addition to this. I have been out on several surveys to get a general idea of the work as to pegging, &c, and to advise in reference to boundaries. The general results of the inspections made were satisfactory, but in one instance some amendments were necessary before the work could be passed. Road Surveys.—These comprise 14-5 miles, at a cost of £14-(i7 per mile. Other Worf. —The charge under this heading, £102 19s. lid., is for field inspection, laying down of tide-gauge levels at Lyttelton, and running out boundaries of scenic reserves and miscellaneous reports. Proposed Operations for 1910-11. —At present there arc three Land for Settlements blocks to be cut up, comprising 5,395 acres : a topographical survey of some 2,450 acres of Crown land in the Mount Thomas Survey District : and about 100 acres of reserves in various localities. When the report of the Pastoral Runs Commission has been made and considered, it is probable that a good deal of surveying will be required in the adjustment of new boundaries. These surveys will all be in high broken country. and I do not think it would be advisable to send the surveyors out till at least the end of September. Magnetic traverses on the best fencing-lines would, I consider, answer the purpose required, as the land is of small value. During the winter I propose, as opportunity offers, to put Mr. Allom on the extension of standard traverse lines on some of the main roads radiating from Christchurch. This is very necessary to govern the subdivision coming in under the Land Transfer Act, the triangulation, on account of the plantations and other obstructions, now being of little use. Mr. Allom will also have a certain amount of inspection-work to do. Office-work. —In the draughting branch, 25 plans, comprising 30.4(H) acres, and 62 road and railway plans, of a total length of 24-|- miles, together with the tabulations, have been examined and passed. Photo-lithographic tracings of Geraldine Township, Ashley, Selwyn, Mackenzie, and Ashburton" Counties, also tracings for posters of Walker. Fyvie, Buddo. Clandcboye, Ladbrook. and Tripp Settlements, have been completed and sent to Head Office. On my arrival in Christchurch 1 put in hand the compilation of county maps on the mile-to-the-iich scale, showing the land tenures up to dale. for exhibiting in the passages. Five of these are now complete, and are proving of great convenience to the public, and a saving of time to the draughtsman in charge of the Public Room. The balance of the counties will be dealt with in the same way as opportunity offers. A large amount of miscellaneous work has been done in I he preparation of tracings for field data, the Pastoral Runs Commission, duplicate tracing of standard work for Timaru Borough Council, recording the plans in office records, placing plans on Crown tenants' certificates of title, and other details of office routine. As set out in previous annual returns, there are large arrears in the recording of plans on the Crown-grant record plans, block sheets, <fee. I have been trying to have this work put in hand ; but. with the limited staff and the exigencies of settlement-work, not much progress has been made. A plan of Greater Christchurch will also be put in hand as soon as I can spare the draughtsman to undertake il. Changes in Stuff. —Mr. McClure, Chief Draughtsman, was promoted to the Chief Surveyorship of Westland, and left for there in June ; at the same time I was transferred to this office from Auckland as Actin-: Chief Surveyor and Chief Draughtsman. Mr. W. Darby, Draughtsman, retired on the 31st March. Miss A. 0. Adams and Miss N. Dwyer resigned during the year. Mr. W. F. Newman, Assistant Draughtsman, was transferred to this office from Hokitika in November, and Mr. E. L. Hornibrook joined as temporary draughtsman in August. Mr. Cadet J. C. Young passed into the grade of Assistant Surveyor in September.