(J.—lA.

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The map-mounter reports 1,074 maps mounted, 165 books bound, and 10,980 forms printed. A work that will have to be undertaken in the near future is the numbering of all the plans in the safe, and the preparation of a proper plan-index. It is hoped to make a, start on this during the current year. Proposed Operations for 1928-29.—Mr. Phillipps will carry out the resurvey of Runs 244 i, 244f, 244k, Tiger Hill S.D., and do any spotting surveys in Otago Central. Mr. D. M. Greig will undertake the extension of the standard survey of the Borough of Fort Chalmers, and upon the completion of that carry on with some education reserves which require resurvev for the issue of titles under the Land Transfer Act, and also some Native surveys and various spotting surveys in different districts. There will probably be a fair amount of field-work to be done in this di triet in the near future, owing to the lessees of small grazing-runs converting their tenures to renewable leases ; many of the, older run surveys not being accurate enough for the issue of more permanent titles, fresh surveys will be required. There is an urgent need for standard work in Otago, both in the towns and rural districts. The Land Transfer surveys in the Borough of Oamaru are getting into a very unsatisfactory condition owing to the absence of a standard survey. The same applies in a varying degree to all the towns. In many instances original markings have disappeared completely and there is nothing upon which to base a Land Transfer survey. The completion of the standard survey of the City of Dunedin and Borough of St. Kilda is also a matter needing early attention. The standard survey of Inch-Clutha, which was commenced by Mr. Langmuir and carried on by Mr. Burton, has remained untouched since the latter's death. A considerable sum has been spent on this work, and is wasted until such time as the work is carried to completion and the information made available for the use of surveyors generally. Standard traverses are also needed on the Taieri and Tokomairiro Plans. Southland Land District (N. C. Kensington, Chief Surveyor). Standard Surveys.—The standard survey of the Borough of Invercargill has been continued by Mr. Otway, acting under the direct control of the Surveyor-General. Rural.—l 4 surveys were completed, of 2,667 acres, divided into 34 sections. Native Land Court Surveys. —Two Native Land Court surveys, containing 92-5 acres, were carried out by a private surveyor. Village and Suburban.—Under this section 4 surveys, totalling 116 acres, were divided into 33 sections. Town-section Surveys.—B9 sections were laid off in 3 surveys, with a total area of 24-7 acres. Mining Surveys.—Two surveys in this class have been done by private surveyors under arrangement with the applicants. Roads.—Only 1-7 miles of road-deviation and road-widening was carried out. Other Work. —Under this heading is included the Fiordland exploration and topographical survey, the survey of grave-plots at Riversdale, completion of plans of Lillburn Block, levels for drainage Oteramika Hundred, an inspection survey, survey of 8j miles of old river-bed, the exploration of 8,000 acres of bush land in Longwood district with a view to subdivision for settlement, and the chainage of a base to check minor triangulation in Oteramika Hundred. The Chief Draughtsman while visiting Stewart Island repaired one of the original trigs, which was liable to be disturbed by the Marine Department, by taking out the original wooden peg, and cementing a pipe in the old position, and reference bearings were thrown down on to the Town of Oban. Inspection Surveys--Mr. Preston made an inspection of a Land Transfer survey, and the Chief Draughtsman made inspections of 2 Native surveys in Paterson Survey District, with satisfactory results. Traverse Closures.—A. summary of some of the staff surveys carried out by Mr. Preston shows that 19 miles, controlled by 189 stations, closed on an average to 0-16 and 0-17 links per mile. Proposed Operations in Field. —Mr. Preston to complete surveys required and in hand. Office-work. —During the year ending 31st March, 1928, 72 Land Transfer plans with a total area of 3,630 acres, and 45 Survey Office plans of various descriptions totalling 4,952 acres, were examined and approved ; 249 diagrams were placed on Crown leases and other various documents ; 2,186 diagrams were placed on certificates of title for Land Transfer purposes, and diagrams on 1,185 Land Transfer instruments of title were examined and passed ; 275 working, 136 ordinary, 9 poster, and 75 valuation tracings were made, being a total of 495 tracings ;12 survey Office plans were completed, 25 plans, 18 tracings, and 231 lithographs were mounted, and 1 17 lithographs were coloured ; 5 workingplans were redrawn, 1 application and 12 Land Transfer sheet record maps were drawn, and 107 plans were recorded on various maps; 9 tracings were drawn for photo-lithography, and 3 standard publications were revised ; 8 standard plans were drawn, and a large wall map, 9 ft. by 9 ft., of the Southland Land District, on 80-chain scale, was made ; 5 index maps of various boroughs were made for the Valuation Department, and 5 index maps were brought up to date for the same Department. The compilation of data for the new plan register has been steadily proceeding, notwithstanding interruptions to this work through shortage of staff. Staff. —During the year Mr. G. F. M. Stewart succeeded in passing the computers' examination (second grade). Miss Macpherson was transferred to the Wellington District Office, and a new cadet was appointed ; and Mr. W. R. Creeser, draughting cadet, resigned. The staff have carried out their duties in a very satisfactory manner, and I wish to refer particularly to the progress made by the cadets and younger officers, and their keenness to become useful and efficient officers.