C—lA

Aerial Branch The main work has been the plotting and contouring of the 1 : 25000 sheets of areas required by the State Forest Service and the Geological Survey. The drawings of three 1 : 25000 sheets, and the third topographical sheet for the Fiji Government, have been completed. Contour plans in connection with the Clarence River hydro project and the Rimutaka Tunnel were prepared from aerial photographs for the State Hydro-electric and Public Works Departments. Approximately 800 prints, enlargements, and mosaics were made for various Departments. The area covered by new photography was approximately 4,100 square miles, and 10,000 prints were received and indexed. Draughting and Computing Examinations The examinations were held in October, when 70 candidates presented themselves. Passes were obtained as follows : first-grade Draughting, 3 ; first-grade Computing, 1 ; second-grade Draughting, 15; second-grade Computing, 5. Many partial passes were granted. GEOGRAPHIC BOARD The Honorary Geographic Board, which, since 1924, had advised the Department on questions of nomenclature on maps published by the Department, was clothed with legislative authority by virtue of the passing of the New Zealand Geographic Board Act, 1946. The Honorary Board had for many years considered that its decisions should be made binding by law. The new Act incorporates the provisions and procedure prescribed under the Designation of Districts Act, 1908, which was repealed by the new legislation. The Board set up comprises the Surveyor-General (Chairman), two Maori representatives, one representative of the Federated Mountain Clubs, one representative of the Geographical Society, and two Government representatives. The first meeting of the Board will be held later in the year when rules of nomenclature will be adopted and the correspondence on questions of place-names which has accumulated since the last meeting of the Honorary Board dealt with. The findings of the Board will in future be advertised for objection, on the determination of which they become binding. No meeting of the Honorary Board was held during the year. SURVEY BOARD Two examinations were held for the qualification of surveyors during the year, the results of these being as follows :

The number of pupils registered during the year was as follows : Lands and Survey Department .. .. .. 12 Private surveyors .. .. .. .. 14 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 26

10

— September, 1946. March, 1947. Totals. Number of candidates 59 64 123 Passed full examination 8 8 16 Obtained credits in subjects 40 48 88