o.—lA.

Genekal. Map Publications.—The detailed figures relating to this will be found in the Chief Draughtsman's report appended. It is to be noted that the number of standard map editions is still below that required to keep stocks reasonably up to date and arrears are accumulating. Grown Copyright in Maps.—There is noted a growing tendency for the Department's maps being used very freely and not always with permission in the preparation of maps for commercial or advertising purposes. The attention of persons likely to use our maps for such purposes has been drawn to the provisions of the Copyright Act, and to the intention to safeguard the Crown's interest in the maps compiled and published by the Department. Town Schemes. —The number of these schemes is again low, but there appears to be an indication of a slight increase for the coming year. Warrants for Title, &c. —One hundred and seven Warrants for the issue of certificates of title were examined and certified to under the provisions of section 13 of the Land Transfer Act, 1915. Several applications under section 19 of that Act were also considered and approved. No Proclamation of road-lines under the Native Land Act were dealt with, and one only under section 106 of the Land for Settlements Act, 1925. Standard op Length. It is now nearly twenty years since the fundamental standards were examined and compared with the Imperial standards. Former comparisons have shown slight variations, and it is intended therefore to forward one of our standards to National Physical Laboratory for comparison during the coming year. Staff. The field and indoor technical staff have been kept exceedingly busy during the year, quite a considerable part of the work being due to the present conditions and which would not be required in normal times. The Department has lost the services in the field of Messrs. P. S. Sherratt (by retirement), T. R. Burt and J. T. H. Buttress (by resignation), and in the office Messrs. R. W. Grigor (retirement), T. M. Logie and E. G. W. Selby (resignation), and F. R. Wilson (deceased). Appreciation. Your attention is directed to the appreciation of the Chief Surveyors of the services of their staffs during the year, and I also desire to express my own personal thanks to the whole of the staff for the excellent manner in which the work of the technical branch has been carried out. 11. E. Walshe, Surveyor-General.

APPENDIX.

HEAD OFFICE, DRAUGHTING BRANCH. (A. J. Wicks, Chief Draughtsman.) Map Publications. —The number of editions of maps published during the year was 72, and the cost of printing £812. The maps comprised survey districts (J mile to 1 in.), 20 ; survey districts (1 mile to 1 in.), 29 ; counties (1 mile to 1 in.), 8 ; territorial (4 miles to 1 in.), 1 ; towns, 4 ; miscellaneous, 10. The total number of copies printed under all headings was 18,628. Cash sales of litho maps from all districts amounted to £1,204, the purchases by other Departments show a return of £237, while the value of maps issued free or used in the office amounted to £943. Town Schemes.—The number of town schemes approved was practically the same as for the previous year, 76 being approved, about 40 per cent, of which were in the Auckland and North Auckland Districts. Analysis of the schemes show that 298 acres were subdivided into residential lots outside the boundaries of boroughs and town districts and of this area new roads accounted for 23 acres, recreation and other public reserves 20 acres, leaving a balance of 255 acres subdivided into lots available for sale. Draughtsmen's and Computers' Examination. —The annual examination was held ,in September, 1933, when 53 candidates presented themselves for examination. The results were as follow : Draughting —40 candidates, of whom 5 obtained first-grade passes (Messrs. C. Allen, R. R. Harris, J. A. Hayward, G. R. Galbreath, and 0. H. Wilton), and 14 obtained second-grade passes (Miss M. Pirrit, Messrs. A. V. Brown, S. J. Bryers, J. C. R. Fabian (Valuation Department), W. A. Fraser, D. W. E. Hayward, E. T. Healy, C. R. Lane, E. Leikis, A. J. Reid, A. J. Stewart, W. S. Taylor, C. T. T. Webb, and J. A. Whitcombe). Computing —Two candidates (Messrs. K. W. T. Holcroft and G. T. Railton) completed the first-grade examination; second-grade, 11 candidates; of whom 5 passed (Messrs. J. C. R. Fabian (Valuation Department), J. Leather, E. N. Muir, K. P. Potete, and H. F. Tomlinson). Standard of Length. —During the year 72 bands were compared with the standard, the total length being 314 chains. Of these, 30 were steel bands of a length of 190 chains and 42 were invar bands of a length of 124 chains. Maps, <&c. —During the year good progress was made with the 4-mile series of maps, as also with the standard maps on the 1 mile to 1 in. scale. The preparation of tracings still continues in connection with the Hawke's Bay re-establishment.

2—C. IA.

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