C—la

The actual areas dealt with, have decreased considerably in the Auckland District, while other districts generally show increases. Final land surveys are in many cases awaiting finality of schemes of subdivision. An analysis of the cost of survey work apportioned to the various districts are listed hereunder:—

Last year's figures are shown in parentheses. There is a slight increase in the amount of work issued on contract to private surveyors as compared with the previous year. Fifty-nine private surveyors were employed on contract during the year. It is not possible for private surveyors to absorb any more contract work, as in every case the private practitioner has more private survey work than he can cope with. Field-work in Hand The following summarizes the field-work that was awaiting action at the end of the year : Geodetic triangulation .. .. .. Base-line measurements. Topographical mapping .. .. 1,590 square miles. Standard traverses .. .. .. 12 miles. Topographical surveys for settlement .. .. 35,942 acres. Land surveys for settlement .. .. 136,827 acres. Maori land surveys .. .. .. .. 12,847 acres. Roads .. .. .. .. .. 185 miles. The efforts of the depleted field staff will be concentrated during the year on the reduction of the accumulated land-settlement surveys. Final land surveys are in many cases awaiting final decision in regard to the scheme of subdivision to be adopted. These accumulated arrears have increased 100 per cent, since last report.

3

District. By Staff Surveyors. By Contract Surveyors. Totals. Percentage. Number of Surveyors. Staff. [ Contract. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Head Office 1,373 8 5 1,373 8 5 2-8 1 Auckland and North 6,923 11 4 2,933 11 1 9,857 2 5 19-9 6 27 Auckland Gisborne 1,554 5 9 1,554 5 9 31 • 2 Hawke's Bay 4,216 15 5 477 7 6 4,694 2 11 9-5 3 3 Taranaki 2,267 5 2 173 0 4 2,440 5 6 4-9 2 2 Wellington 6,152 19 5 2,136 10 9 8,289 10 2 16-7 4 15 Marlborough 2,370 12 3 29 3 6 2,399 15 9 4-8 1 1 Nelson 2,001 3 4 246 10 9 2,247 14 1 "4-5 1 2 Westland 528 12 7 64 16 6 593 9 1 1-2 1 Canterbury 6,318 3 1 2,384 19 11 8,703 3 0 17-6 3 4 Otago 2,861 17 8 318 8 2 3,180 5 10 6-4 2 4 Southland 4,279 7 1 4,279 7 1 8-6 2 Totals 40,848 1 6 8,764 8 6 49,612 10 0 (49,586 14 11) 100-00 27 (28) 59 (60)