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also is very much in need of reliable referring-points, as the trig, stations are frequently of little use on account of building operations and the growth of plantations, &c. I therefore propose that Mr. Langmuir shall devote any time he can spare to the survey of a standard traverse along the main lines of road, &c, leaving permanent reference-marks at distances not exceeding one mile apart. I may mention that this proposal was approved of by the late Surveyor-General some years ago; but, beyond putting in a few trigs, in the Taieri, Mr. Langmuir has never been able to spare the time to continue the work. A most important work also, which should be carried out as soon as possible, is the extension of the standard survey of the City of Dunedin. I had your approval of this work some two seasons ago; but the Dunedin City Council refused to co-operate on the usual terms. According to your instructions, Mr. Calder will carry on work in the Naseby District, and I expect he will be fully employed. Mr. Wilmot takes up Mr. Calder's work in the Tautuku Bush, which, with occasional surveys in his own district of Queenstown, will keep his hands full. I propose that Mr. McCurdie shall continue settlement surveys westwards from the Tahaukupu Eiver, along the course of the Catlin's-Waikawa Boad. Mr. Eclie is now engaged in the survey of Blocks V. and VII., Catlin's, for settlement, and there will probably be other surveys required that will keep him employed for the remainder of the season. Mr. Falkiner has still Block 1., Tautuku, to finish, as well as Block IX., Woodland, after which there will probably be other surveys required in the Tautuku Forest. C. W. Adams, Chief Surveyor.

SOUTHLAND. Table I.: Minor Triangulation. —23,880 acres, commenced in November, 1891, are returned under this heading. The country, being covered with forest and destitute of any well-defined hilltops, has been extremely tedious and expensive to work, involving a great deal of heavy bush-felling. The locality is Waikawa District. Rural and Suburban. —The licenses of a large number of pastoral runs having fallen in early in 1893, and Classification Commissioners having recommended that most of these should be subdivided and offered under the small-grazing-run and settlement systems, an exceptionally large area has been dealt with, 146,526 acres having been surveyed into 178 sections, at a mean cost of 6fd. per acre. Town Section Survey. —There are two cases under this head —viz., the Village of Clifden, contiguous to the newly-opened land on the west bank of the Waiau Biver; and some additional sections at Cromarty, a town at Breservation Inlet, near to the Wilson's Biver reefs. Gold-mining Surveys. —These have been trilling in number and area, and, as usual, the fees were paid by applicants. Sawmill Areas, including Valuations of Timber. —A reference to return, Form No. 1, will show particulars of these, the fees for which were also paid by applicants. Road Surveys. —Apart from settlement surveys the mileage under this head is small, and the cost is about the usual average. Proposed Operations for 1893-94. —Triangulation of Waikawa District is to be completed as early as possible, as also the country between Mararoa and Te Anau. It is proposed to extend trig, and topographical survey across the Waiau Biver and along the south coast preparatory to surveying the land allotted to Middle Island Natives. The same is also required at Stewart Island, in order to control surveys of isolated pieces which are applied for from time to time. All the runs are expected to be subdivided by about the end of May. Settlement surveys of some forty thousand acres in Waikawa District are to bo proceeded with as quickly as circumstances will permit. These and various other smaller works will fully occupy the present staff for a considerable time to come, as nearly all the country referred to is forest land. G. W. Williams, Chief Surveyor.

APPENDIX No. 3. RECONNAISSANCE SURVEYS. Wills Biver. In accordance with your instructions of August last I made a survey of the Wills Eiver, and enclose ■plans of same. I started a compass traverse up the gorge from the bridge on the Haast Pass Eoad, but could only get up half a mile or so, owing to the steep rock-faces coming right down from the snow-line. I then pitched camp on the Bealey Eange, and having put up the necessary trigonometrical stations, carried on the triangulation into the Wills Valley, and connected the lower station by standard traverse. This extended over the flats of the Wills, which are open and covered with grass, estimated at about 1,000 acres in extent, and unfortunately overrun with rabbits. The slopes from Mount Brewster on the one side and the Bealey Bange on the other are very steep, and there are several splendid waterfalls on each side, notably one at Cascade Creek, which must have a clear drop of 1,500 ft. From the end of the standard traverse to the pass, the river is fixed by compass traverse, the hilltops being fixed by bearings and sketches from the surrounding stations. After going through a small gorge the river opens out here and there. About two miles and a half from the pass the river opens out into a large shingle-flat, formed by slips from several large creeks running in at this spot. The bush ends here, and it was quite open up to the saddle. As it was in the early spring when I made the survey, the pass and surrounding hills were covered with snow, which made travelling very difficult. Traces of rabbits were seen right up to the pass, which corn6—C. 1.