C.—lA

Standard of Length.—During the year 78 bands were compared with the standard, the total length being 374 chains. Of these 30 were steel bands of a length of 230 chains and 48 were invar bands of a length of 144 chains. Maps, cfee.—Good progress has been made in the preparation of the standard maps on the 1 mile to the inch scale. In view of the Census in April, 1936, all offices and particularly the Head Office were very busy preparing the necessary maps for this important function. The topographical map of the Tararuas has now been completed, and will be published during the coming year. This map, which is well up to date, should be of great benefit to trampers in this region. The motorists map of Wellington District is well under way and should also be published during the coming year. Preparation of Flying Maps.—Preparation of flying maps of the Dominion has been under consideration for some time, and a commencement was made with these during the year in collaboration with the Aerodrome Branch of the Public Works Department. The Dominion has been divided into six strips and the first map, the main feature of which is the flying route from Auckland to Palmerston North, is practically completed, and publication of same in folder form will shortly be on issue ; the other series will be published in due course. The maps are on a scale of 8 miles to an inch, the size of each map being approximately 30 in. by 18 in., and when folded 9 in. by 5 in. Information is shown on the map in approximate colours, the main flying routes, aerodromes, landing-places, &c., being shown in red, water in blue, and roads in orange, while topographical information is shown in varying grades of colour up to 6,000 ft. ; above that height no colour is shown. These maps should meet a long-felt want and will be of great benefit to flyers.

Table A.

Table B.

5

Class of Work. Area. Average Cost. Total Cost. £ s. d. Minor triangulation .. .. .. 98,614 acres 0-40d. per acre 163 14 9 Topographical survey for settlement .. .. 6,293 acres l-57d. per acre 41 2 2 Rural, by staff .. .. .. .. 39,201 acres 2-29s. per acre 4,490 8 3 Suburban, by staff .. .. .. .. 1,130 acres 1641s. per acre 927 6 3 Town, by staff .. .. .. .. 181 acres £1-82 per section 1,249 15 6 Native Land Court, by staff .. .. 5,182 acres 0-99s. per acre 254 14 2 Native Land Court, by private surveyor .. 5,680 acres 1-1 Is. per acre 313 19 2 Roads (city) by staff .. .. .. 119-3 miles £50-4 per mile 6,016 14 2 Roads (rural), by staff .. .. .. 255-3 miles £24-4 per mile 6,228 4 1 Other work by staff .. .. .. .. .. 5,093 18 2 Total cost of completed work .. .. .. 24,779168

Land District. Rural Survey. Acres. Acres. Auckland and North Auckland .. 22,817 9,967 Gisborne .. .. .. .. 5,000 Hawke's Bay .. .. .. 2,203 Taranaki . . .. .. . . 685 849 Wellington .. .. .. .. 306 46 Marlborough .. .. .. 268 Nelson .. .. .. .. 1,341 Westland .. .. .. .. 722 Canterbury .. .. .. . . 2,056 Otago .. .. .. .. 3,544 Southland . . .. .. . . 259 Total .. .. .. 39,201 10,862