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General. Map Publication. —The detailed figures relating to this will be found in the Chief Draughtsman's report appended hereto. The number of standard one mile maps published is much below the annual number required to keep the map publications comparatively up to date, and arrears which must be overtaken in the future are now accumulating. Town Schemes.—These again show a diminution both in number and area, with a large proportion comprising the reparcelling of former areas. Proclamation of Roads, &c.—During the past year a number of applications for the proclamation of road-lines laid out by the Native Land Court under the provisions of the Native Land Acts were considered and dealt with. The statutory notices under section 487 of the Native Land Act, 1931, were forwarded to the local authorities of the districts concerned, and in the majority of cases no objections were raised to the proclamation of the road-lines as public highways. Under the Land Transfer Act, 1915, 111 Warrants for the issue of certificates of title were examined and certified to in terms of section 13 of the Act. A number of applications to bring land under the Land Transfer Act were also considered and approved in pursuance of section 19 of the Act. Under section 106 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925, six Proclamations were issued closing unformed and unused roads intersecting or adjoining land acquired under that Act. Staff. The technical staff has been much reduced during the year by retirements, resignations, and otherwise, so that only the most essential services can now be carried out. As times return to normal there will be considerable arrears of useful work to be brought up to date, work on which has had to be temporarily suspended meanwhile. Among the senior officers whose services have been lost to the Department are Messrs. W. Paltridge, W. Bardsley, 11. S. T. Tyers, H. F. May, and Miss R. Gillanders. Appreciation. In conclusion, I would bring to your notice the appreciation of the Chief Surveyors of the services rendered by their staffs during the year, to which I also desire to add my personal thanks to the whole of the technical staff for their excellent work in carrying out their various duties. H. E. Walshe, Surveyor-General.

APPENDIX.

HEAD OFFICE, DRAUGHTING BRANCH. (A. J. Wicks, Chief Draughtsman.) Map Publications.—The total maps published during the year were 68, and the cost of printing £865 Is. 9d. The maps comprised survey districts (§ mile to 1 in.), 30 ; survey districts (1 mile to 1 in.), 20 ; counties (I mile to 1 in.), 4 ; towns, 1 ; territorial (4 miles to 1 in.), 3 ; miscellaneous, 10. The total number of copies printed under all headings was 16,203. Cash sales of lithos from all districts amounted to £887, as against £1,389 for the previous year, whilst maps purchased by other Departments show a return of £409, as against £289 for the previous year. Maps to the value of £829 were issued free or used in the office. Town Schemes.—There was a further decrease in the number of town schemes, 78 only being approved, as against 99 for the previous year. More than 50 per cent, of the schemes were from the Auckland and North Auckland Districts. Analysis of the schemes show that 264 acres were subdivided into residential lots outside the boundaries of boroughs and town districts, and of this area new roads accounted for 19 acres ; road access reserves, 7 acres ; recreation and other public reserves, 16 acres ; leaving a balance of 222 acres subdivided into lots available for sale. Draughtsmen's and Computers' Examination.—The annual examination was held in September, 1932, when 62 candidates presented themselves for examination. The results were as follows : Draughting : 39 candidates ; of whom 8 obtained first-grade passes (Messrs. F. Coleman, W. Conway, H. E. Ellis, E. A.. Goldsbury, C. Holdsworth, S. J. P. Kennerley, A. Rocard, and J. K. Woodley), and 14 obtained second-grade passes (Messrs. C. Allen, A. T. Bell, K. A. Bell, B. L. Burns, S. S. Clifford Jones, J. H. Cook, R. R. Harris, C. R. Lyons, P. R. Malthus, S. V. Meyer, T. A. McLeod, W. Rogel, L. H. Skelton, and 0. Wilton). Computing : First-grade, 6 candidates ; of whom 3 passed (Messrs. W. S. Boyes, F. H. Jennings, and R. J. Owen) ; second-grade, 17 candidates ; of whom 4 passed (Miss A. S. Muir, Messrs. G. L. Frank, J. Healey, and C. Holdsworth). Standard of Length.—During the year eleven bands were compared with the standard, the total length being 58 chains. Of these, seven were field surveyors' ordinary steel bands of a length of 42 chains, and four were invar bands of a length of 16 chains. Maps, do.—During the year good progress has been made with the 4-mile series of maps, and also with the standard maps on 1 mile to 1 in. scale. The preparation of tracings and searching for existing data in connection with the Hawke's Bay re-establishment has continued to occupy a considerable portion of the draughtsmen's time.

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