C.—lA.

10

New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition.—The Exhibition at Dunedin threw extra work on the staff both of the Head Office and District Office, principally in connection with the plaster model of Dunedin and the surrounding district, though the packing and setting-up of the various instruments shown also took considerable time and labour. Town Plans.—The number of these approved during the year showed an increase of twenty-five, this year's number being 340. As before, the greater part represent subdivisions in the vicinity of the City of Auckland, 64 per cent, being from the North Auckland District, while Canterbury, Auckland, and Wellington contributed 14 per cent., 8 per cent., and 7 per cent, respectively. An analysis of the schemes approved during the last ten months of the year show that a gross area of 3,410 acres was subdivided for town purposes during that time. Of this area, 2,767 acres were available for disposal as lots, 412J acres were for new roads, 13 acres for future roads and rights-of-way, and 217J acres were provided for recreation and other public reserves. Draughtsmen's Examination. —At the examinations held in December last ten draughtsmen and six computers presented themselves. Of these, the following were successful: Draughting—First grade, Mr. T. J. Lowndes ; second grade, Messrs. R. P. Fletcher, A. 0. Woodall, K. M. Melvin, C. B. Hodge, and H. R. Cochran. Computing—Second grade, Miss Simmons, Messrs. E. W. Pickford, A. W. Hampton, and R. Anderson. The setting and marking of these papers takes considerable time, but, owing to the nature of the work, is practically all done out of office hours and away from the office. Standard of Length.—Nineteen working-bands, of a total length of 141 chains, were compared with the official standard band No. 1 during the year, and certificates issued. Seven private surveyors' standard bands, each 1 chain in length, were compared with the Imperial standard band No. 1, certificates being issued. Four Invar bands, of a total length of 10 chains, were tested with Imperial standard band No. 1, making a total for the year of 158 chains. The ten-link comparator and standard scale were thoroughly cleaned and oiled, but these cannot be used until housed. The introduction of Invar bands into more general use, this material now being obtainable locally, makes the provision of a place where comparisons may be made with a reasonably constant temperature more urgent, as at present weather conditions account for very lengthy delays at times.

APPENDIX 11. EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL REPORTS OF THE CHIEF SURVEYORS. North Auckland Land District (H. J. Lowe, Chief Surveyor). Rural. —During the year 5,331 acres of rural land were surveyed by staff surveyors, and 1.170 Sores by private surveyors. Topographical.—Work in this section comprised an area of 13,258 acres by staff surveyors, and none by private surveyors. Town Section Surveys.—Staff surveyors subdivided an area of 28 acres into town sections, and a small survey of acre was executed by a private surveyor. Village and Suburban. —An area of 102 acres was surveyed by staff surveyors in this section. Roads.—Staff surveyors completed 12 miles of road surveys, and 1 mile was carried out by private surveyors. Native Land — All work in this section, comprising an area of 7,332 acres, was executed by private surveyors. Other Work. —This work included topographical surveys, inspections of roads, &c., reports and schemes of subdivision, alignment surveys, reinstatement of trigs, intersections on standard blocks, engineering surveys, grades and levels for new roads, &c. As in the previous year, inspections of Land Transfer surveys formed one of the chief items in this section, and a further important factor was the preliminary surveys in connection with the Orakei subdivision. Office-works. —During the year the Crown Lands Branch received 205 plans, and 178 were examined and approved; 219 town scheme plans were dealt with ; 49 plans were compiled in the office, and 3 were received, examined, and approved ; 5 maps were drawn for photolithographic reproduction ; 48 block-sheets were prepared ; 104 sale plans were drawn ; 1,058 tracings, including field data, were prepared ; 441 certificates of title and 410 leases were endorsed in duplicate ; 100 Proclamations were issued : 916 plans were recorded. The year's work has also included general work, sun-prints, colouring of lithos, mounting, correspondence, searching, reports, and general office-work. Standard Surveys.—During the year the office-work in connection with this branch, carried out by the Crown Lands Branch staff, has included 16 sheets drawn, additions to 36, 26 examined, 41 tracings made and 30 checked ; 19 traverse sheets have been checked, and general work, preparation of field data, reduction of chainages, &c. Native Land Branch.—ln this branch the year's returns show a total of 45 survey and 14 compiled plans received, 52 plans examined and approved ; 100 schedules of cost were checked ; 2 caveats lodged ; 8 Native Land Courts attended ; 150 Court orders endorsed in duplicate; 22 tracings were made, and 4 compilations. Land Transfer Branch.—7l2 plans were received during the year, and 648 examined and approved.