C—lA.

Native surveys : During the year 26 plans, consisting of 56 lots and containing an area of 3,911 acres were received and approved ; 35 traverse sheets were examined ; 6 plans were compiled ; 26 tracings were made for the Valuer-General ; 284 diagrams were endorsed on Court orders ; 29 authorities for survey were issued ; amount of survey costs collected amounted to £1,025 15s. Id. ; 33 certificates of costs were made out for an amount of £403. Statutory plans : 43 plans, having 42 lots, consisting of 24 miles of railway and road, with an area acres, were approved ;57 traverse sheets were examined. For the examination of plans and for tracings, &c, local bodies have paid £22 4s. 6d. Crown plans : 34 plans, containing 90 lots and comprising 14,000 acres, were approved ; 35 traverse sheets were examined ; 60 diagrams have been endorsed for recording on settlers files ; 5 district maps on a scale of 1 mile to an inch are in the course of construction ; 1 town-map drawing (Napier) is nearing completion ; tracings for Valuer-General, gazetting purposes, settlers, Field Inspectors, and general, 1,814 ; reductions, 1,025 (for district and other maps) ; sun-prints, 123 ; tracings for saleposters, 15 ; diagrams on certificates of title and warrants, 134. Future Operations. —There are some large areas in this district which have been purchased from the funds of the Native Land Settlement Account, but which cannot be dealt with for some time owing to the purchases being subject to leases of varying periods. The principal one is Waimarama, on which a certain amount of survey-work is still to be done, and which it is hoped will be offered early in the new year. The Tatara-o-te-Rauhina Block of 5,800 acres, will be available shortly, and its possibilities as to suitability for subdivision are now being looked into. The Crown also possesses a valuable block of about 3,000 acres in the vicinity of Poukawa Lake. This land at present is being grazed under a temporary license, and it is hoped that the dewatering scheme will be so far advanced this year as to allow a certain amount of survey work being carried out. There have been incessant inquiries for this land, which, I believe, when the drainage scheme is completed, will be as good as anything there is in the district. The area lies about 24 miles south of Napier, and adjoins the Napier-Wellington Main Road and Railway-line. The Mohaka Block is the subject of a consolidation of the opposing interests as between the Crown and Native owners. This should be completed this year, and a possible scheme of subdivision be arranged for consideration. The Tutira Block, in which the Crown owns 19,000-odd acres out of a total of about 20,000, is at present the subject of a partition which there is a difficulty in concluding owing to the opposition of the few remaining non-sellers. However, it is hoped that the matter will be finalized at the July sittings of the Native Land Court, and if this eventuates it will be possible to carry out a large amount of survey work on the block to separate the opposing awards. Other future work will consist of a number of miscellaneous matters on hand and which, will arise during the year. Standard Lithography. —A fair amount of progress has been made with this work during the year, although it has been somewhat retarded by the over-increasing amount of routine work. Four district maps will be completed early, and the new Napier map should be forwarded for publication within the next two months. An endeavour will be made during the year to push ahead this work, and the ever-increasing efficiency of the staff in this particular work will materially assist. It may be worth mentioning that over half of the district is now clothed with new 1-mile-to-the-inch maps, and if the work could be undertaken steadily three years should see it completed. Land Transfer Index Maps. —It has not been possible to make much progress with this work owing to the large amount of routine work. Those maps already completed are being continually revised and used as far as possible. Some of our roll maps are falling into disrepair, and lam most anxious to push on with this work when circumstances will permit. General. —In a general review of the work for the year it will be seen that a good average has been maintained. This is noticeable principally in relation to the office-work, which it is believed will further increase during the year. The diagram-work of the Land Transfer Branch was undertaken by the junior officers. Staff. —During the year Mr. W. E. Lynch passed the second-grade Draughtsman's examination, and Messrs. Harding, Burton, and Ellis passed in plan-work. Mr. Harman, temporary draughtsman, resigned during the year, and his place has not yet been filled, and it is hoped a cadet will be appointed in the near future. The staff have carried out their respective duties during the year in a most satisfactory manner, and have given efficient and loyal service. The standard of work throughout has been excellent, and the junior officers and cadets have made marked progress, and I wish to record the keenness in their ambition to become efficient and useful officers. Mr. Woodley joined the staff during the year, and is a good type of lad. Tabanaki Land Distbiot (W. D. Armit, Chief Surveyor). Standard Surveys. —(a) Borough : The standard survey of the Borough of New Plymouth has been continued by Mr. A. C. Haase, acting under the direct control of the Surveyor-General. The field-work for this survey is now almost complete, and a set of plans has been prepared in this office and await the field information. (b) Rural: Authority has been granted to have certain lines of rural standard traverses run in the South Taranaki District, and also a traverse via the Main Coast Road from Patea to New Plymouth. This work is being commenced at the beginning of April by Mr. J. W. Mclntyre. Owing to tar-

14