C.—la.

14

Land Transfer Index Maps.—lt has not been found possible to make much progress with this class of map. Twenty-three maps have been drawn, and the Heretaunga maps are now in the course of construction. The maps of this district are most urgently required, owing to the present large roll maps falling into disrepair. General.—ln a general review of the work it will be seen that a considerable increase has been shown over the preceding year. This is principally noticeable in regard to the office-work. Present indications are that the technical staff will be called upon to meet a further increase during the year. The census maps may be specially mentioned, in so far as they were carefully and expeditiously carried out without any additional assistance. A large amount of intense subdivisional work was done by contract surveyors on requisition from the Native Land Court. During the year a staff surveyor joined up, and carried out a large amount of miscellaneous field-work. Taranaki Land District (W. D. Armit, Chief Surveyor). Topographical Survey for Contour Maps.—A commencement was made on this work by Mr. McCabe, and to date 77 square miles of country in Paritutu and Egmont Survey Districts have been mapped in the field. Of this amount 62 square miles have been finally mapped, the remainder being carried on to 1926-27. In connection with this survey a total of 80 miles of levels, with a closingerror of 0-013 per mile, have been run, and forty-five concrete bench-marks established. This work will be continued during 1926-27 by Mr. Adams. Rural.—An area of 18,079 acres, all by staff surveyors, and comprising thirty-four sections, is returned under this heading. An area of 10,000 acres, being portions of Taumatamahoe and Whakaihuwaka Blocks, is included in the above acreage. Village and Suburban.—A total of- 45 acres, in six subdivisions, is returned for the year. Town Section Survey. —Only one quarter-acre section is shown under this heading. Native Land Court Surveys. —The area of Native Land Court surveys completed during the year amounted to 1,160 acres, all surveyed on contract except 41 acres by staff surveyor. Compiled plans, nine in number, were completed in this office, and amounted to a total of 8,252 acres. Roads, Railways, and Water-races. —1-38 miles of railway survey were completed during the year. Other Work. —This expenditure amounts to £246 16s. 9d., and is accounted for by small miscellaneous surveys, road-deviations, bench-marks, and levelling, inspection surveys, &c. Inspections. —Inspections of surveys at Stratford and in Egmont Survey District were carried out by Mr. McCabe. Closures. —The summation of average closures gives an error of about 1-2 links per mile, covering surveys in all classes of country. Office-work. —The total number of plans checked under all headings in the Computing Branch amount to 140, with 118 traverse sheets. Of these Crown settlement surveys represent 18 plans, covering an area of 28,365 acres, and divided into 52 sections. The greater portion of this area comprises portions of the Taumatamahoe and Whakaihuwaka Blocks, the balance being made up of alterations to existing leases. Native Land Court surveys were represented by 54 plans, of which 9 were compiled. The area of the surveyed blocks totalled 1,160 acres, while the compilations amounted to 8,252 acres. Road and railway surveys accounted for 2 plans and 4 tracings, covering 1-4 miles. The balance of plans examined comprised other takings under the Public Works and Land Acts (21) and miscellaneous (39). This work has been kept well up to date by a small staff, the greater part of the time by one officer only. Land Transfer : In this branch 147 plans, with 211 traverse sheets, were checked and approved, covering 579 lots, of a total area of 3,895 acres —very slightly larger than last year. Titles : Plans placed on instruments of title of all kinds numbered 2,098, and 353 copies of leases and licenses were prepared by the office staff. Compilations : For photo-lithography 5 tracings of standard publications and 17 sale plans were prepared ; 9 compilations were also completed for Native Land Court purposes. A total of 930 in. by 30 in. index record maps have been prepared for the Lands and Deeds Department. In addition, 2 20-chain 30 in. by 30 in. maps of Part Wairau and Cape Survey Districts, and 4 town maps on scale of 4 chains, were completed. Miscellaneous : The usual tracing-work has required constant attention during the year, and the preparation of census maps may also be included under this heading. The supply of information to the general public, selectors tracings, surveyor's data, diagrams and tracings to illustrate letters to Head Office, and general Proclamation tracings required a total of 281 tracings. For the Valuation Department 180 tracings were prepared. Native Land Court Surveys.—The total area of Native Land Court surveys completed during the year amounted to 1,160 acres, of which 1,119 acres was done by private surveyors under authority, and 41 acres by a staff surveyor. An area of 512 acres is now under survey by contract surveyors. Native Land Court Work. —The authorities to survey issued during the year for West Coast settlement and ordinary Native lands total 22, covering 53 subdivisions of an area of 1,813 acres, at an estimated cost of £405. The total area on hand under authority by surveyors at 31st March, 1926, is 512 acres. Of authorities issued prior to 31st March, 1925, an area of 321 acres, covering 5 subdivisions held by 3 authorities, has been completed, and plans received during the year. The total area of Native Land Court surveys completed during the year amounts to 1,160 acres. The number of plans endorsed to comply with Judges' instructions was 326 ; of these 236 have been forwarded to the Registrar, Native Land Court, for attachment to partition orders. The area of Native land placed on diagrams amounts to 17,780 acres. 297 plans have been forwarded for use at Native Land Courts. The survey costs (including cost of examination of plans and interest due) collected for ordinary Native Land Court and West Coast settlement surveys amounted to £794 lis. 9d.