5

C—la,

Of the Maori Land Board area. 21.777 acres was surveyed by the staff, while 31,396 acres was surveyed by contract surveyors, which includes an area of 5,403 acres, the survey of which is paid for by the applicants. The area of Native-land surveys contemplated to be put in hand and those actually in progress reaches a total of 813,121 acres. Of this area 204,082 acres is in the hands of the staff, while 609,039 acres is in that of contract surveyors. The continual application of lessees of Native lands in the Auckland District for roadaccess through adjoining Native lands is a matter that will very shortly require to be considered and dealt with, in order to simplify the methods now in vogue and expedite the work required. Inspections. During the year, owing to the rush of subdividing areas for settlement lands in the Canterbury District, which necessitated the transference of surveyors from the Westland District, the inspections of surveys in these places were but few. In Taranaki and Nelson also there were not many inspections able to be made, as other more urgent work did not permit. Those, however, that were made proved to be satisfactory. In the Auckland District Mr. W. -I. Wheeler. Inspecting Surveyor, has made sixty inspections, and Mr. Calbraith. District Surveyor, seven inspections, all of which were very satisfactory. Twenty-three inspections were made in the Ilawke's Bay District by Messrs. Bullard. Brook, anil Cagney, and although the results in some cases show a lack of thoroughness on the part of the surveyors, yet. taken as a whole, they were of a satisfactory character. Although the inspections this year have not been as many as could be wished, owing to various causes militating against it. yet. these being exceptional, will no doubt not occur this year, and thus allow the work being carried on in the usual manner. Gold-mining Survey. Forty-two claims, representing 2.166 acres, were surveyed during the year by contract surveyors. Out of this area 596 acres, in seven claims, were completed, at a cost of 4-645. per acre. The balance of 1.57(i acres was paid for privately, and was distributed in the following districts viz.. Nelson, 394 acres, in six claims: Marlborough, 95 acres, in one claim; Otago, 883 acres, in twenty-three claims: Southland. 198 acres, in five claims. Operations for 1912-13. The field stall at the beginning of the new year comprises sixty-nine surveyors with eleven assistants, and the extent of work actually on hand with them and with the contract surveyors, as well as that actually in progress, will be found in the accompanying reports of the Chief Surveyors lot the respective districts. The work may be summarized as follows: Minor and secondary triangulation, L 899 square miles: settlement survey. 709.096 acres: Native-land survey, 5|:;.121 acres: roads. 316 miles. The areas of 709,096 acres for settlement and that of 513.121 acres lor Native land do not represent all new work, for the survey of more than a third of the former and a fail percentage of tin' latter is completed, but time lias not permitted for plans of same to lie sent in. Apart from the above-mentioned work, there is also the carrying-on of the standardsurvey work of the towns in both Islands, the customary inspection of surveys by the inspecting Surveyors and others, the work of computing tide-tables, and also the necessary computations. <vc. of the various triangles from the different bases in connection with the secondary triangulatioi w being carried on. Surveyors Board. for the report dealing with the Surveyors Board see Appendix IV. Magnetic Observatory and Magnetic Survey. Mr. H. F. Skew B.Sc. the officer in charge of the Magnetic Observatory at Christchurch, who has been ably helped by his assistant. Mr. Thomas Maben. sends in his report for the year, and deals with the records obtained by the Milne seismograph Xo. Hi. meteorological observations, and those of the Magnetic Survey. The latter calls for special attention, due to the valuable magnetic records obtained by Captain Scott's and Mawson's expeditions to the Antarctic. for report on the above see Appendix 11.