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Traverse Closures. —The staff surveyors' closures, twenty-four in number, comprise 120 miles of traverse, being 0-45 on meridian and 0-53 on perpendicular per mile. Inspections. Twenty-three field inspections were made by Messrs. Bullard. Brook, and Cagney. The results indicate in general satisfactory work, but in some cases call for more thoroughness or the part of surveyors, and emphasize the necessity of consistent attention to independent field checks. Work in Progress. —The field-work of the following surveys has been completed by the staff, and plans are now well in hand —viz., Whitiatara Block (Crown land), 1,281 acres ; and road-access to Manawaangiangi, 7 miles (to be formed during the winter). Also surveyed by contract 12,070 acres, the Manawaangiangi Settlement, unavoidably delayed through the surveyor's illness and rough weather. The field-work of the following surveys is approaching completion—viz., Pohokura (Crown land), 50.160 acres : Tutaekuri No. 1 (Maori Land Board), 12,500 acres : and 15 miles of roads in Wharekahika Block. The above surveys make up a total of 63,500 acres of Crown land, 12,500 acres of Maori Land Board surveys, and 22 miles of roads (past season's work) to be plotted during recess and returned next year. Proposed Operations. 1912-13. —Mr. Farnie to complete Mangairoa Block, 18,000 acres (Native Land Court), and proceed with survey of Tangakaka Block. Mr. Roddick to complete Huiarua Block, 7,750 acres, and proceed with survey of Crown lands in Tahora Block, 48,000 acres. Mr. Walshe, after completing Pohokura Block, to report on Timahanga and Omahaki Blocks, 26,000 acres, with view to subdivision. Mr. Cagney, after completing Tutaekuri Block, to proceed with survey of Omahu No. 2 Block, taken over from Mr. Brook. Mr. Atkinson to complete the survey of Crown lands in Kaiwaka Block, 14,000 acres, sundry small surveys, inspections, and the more urgent town standard surveys in Hastings and Napier. Private surveyors, under thirty-eight authorities for survey, have in hand the subdivision of 29,425 acres requisitioned for by the Native Land Court. Other requisitions are coming in. Office-work. —During the year 507 plans were examined and approved, representing an area of 227,531 acres. These divided up into their several classes are as follows : Land transfer, 239 plans, 69,429 acres : Native Land Court, 127 plans, 116,275 acres ; statutory, 107 plans, 1,436 acres ; Crown lands. 30 plans, 39.568 acres ; reserves, 4 plans, 823 acres. In addition to these 719 instruments of title, such as transfers, leases, mortgages, &c, have been examined and reported on, 3,358 copies of plans indorsed on titles, and 143 authorities to survey issued upon requisition of the Native Land Court. There is a marked increase in the number of plans received, and in the general office-work. Transfers. —Mr. H. G. Price, Chief Draughtsman, was at the beginning of January promoted to Christchurch, and Mr. F. A. Thompson was promoted from Hokitika to succeed him in Napier. Mr. G. H. Bullard. Inspecting Surveyor and Land Officer at Gisborne, was promoted to be Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at New Plymouth, and Mr. Thomas Brook, District Surveyor at Napier, was promoted to succeed him at Gisborne. Mr. W. M. Atkinson, assistant surveyor, was transferred from the Auckland District at the beginning of March. At the end of July, 1911, Mr. L. W. Ward, assistant surveyor, resigned from the staff in order to take up private practice. I desire to thank the staff for their active and intelligent co-operation and assistance. C. R. Pollen, Chief Surveyor. TARANAKI. Minor Triangulation. —An area of 27,000 acres has been completed, mostly in the Mapara District, to control settlement surveys in hand. Rural. —A total of 37,193 acres under this head has been completed in 147 sections, most of which is situated in very rough forest country. Another £7,000 acres would have been completed and ready for disposal but for the exceptionally wet season and delay occasioned by the alteration of Stratford Te Koura Railway. Town Section Surveys. —An area of 13 acres, comprising sixteen lots, in the Matiere Township was surveyed. Native Land Court Surveys. —During the past year the work in this branch has considerably increased. Sixty-one authorities under the Native Land Act, 1909, were issued to private authorized surveyors and one to a staff surveyor, covering 178 subdivisions, of a total area of 46,733 acres, at an estimated cost of £3,448. Of these the survey of 111 subdivisions, of a total area of 6,426 acres, representing twenty-two authorities, have been completed, forty plans received, and thirty-four approved. Fifty-three subdivisions, of a total area of 33,003 acres, representing thirty-two authorities, are now under survey and nearing completion ; nine requisitions, representing forty-six subdivisions, of a total area of 46,548 acres, have been recently received, and are now being dealt with. Of authorities issued prior to Ist April, 1911, under the Act of 1909, thirty-four plans of forty-eight subdivisions, of a total area of 42,992 acres, have been received and approved during the year. Of authorities issued prior to Ist April, 1910, under the Act of 1894, six plans of eighteen subdivisions, of a total area of 12,347 acres, have been received and approved during the year, completing all authorities then existing under the old Act. Roads, &c. —In this class 4-28 miles were completed by the staff, at a cost of £60 6s. 6d.. or £14-09 per mile. The contractors for Native Land Court surveys, however, completed 28-5 miles of road, at an average cost of £20-11 per mile. Inspections. —Only a few inspections have been carried out over survey-work in progress, but I am of opinion that more would have been advisable had time and opportunity permitted.