7

I.—4a

Department incorporated herewith ; but in forest lands the trenches may be cut for a length of 3 ft. only. (5.) All previously surveyed mining areas or allotments that may adjoin or be within 5 chains of the land under survey must be shown on the plan, together with the tie-lines used to determine their position. (6.) In all cases the actual boundary-lines of the land surveyed must be measured by the surveyor, unless there be insuperable obstacles in the way. In such cases the course adopted in ascertaining the distance across or through the obstacle, and in prolonging the boundary-line, must be clearly shown on the plan. (7.) When the boundaries are found to interfere with any existing mining privilege, or other survey, the intersections must be carefully fixed, and shown on the plan ; and such other distances must be given as will admit of the relative positions of the different surveys being shown accurately on the district mining plans, and also allow of the exact area being calculated, should it be considered necessary to excise any part from the land applied for. (8.) The surveyor's plan shall show the boundaries as marked out by the applicant, and the position of the pegs or other marks used in the marking-out. (9.) On every angle- or corner-peg used by the surveyor in surveying the land there shall be distinctly cut or burnt the applicant's distinguishing mark, together with, in the cases following, the initial letters of the mining privilege, that is to say : " S.C." for a special claim, "E.C." for an extended claim, " S.S." for a special site, " W.E." for a water-race, " T. 8." for a tail-race, " M.L." for a mineral license. (10.) The traverses in forest lands, required to ascertain the position of the corner-posts put into the ground by the applicants before the actual boundary-lines can be cut, should be altogether avoided, but, if absolutely necessary, must be as few as possible. Tubulations of these, as well as of the block boundaries, observed and measured, showing closures and connections, are to be furnished to the Chief Surveyor, together with the plan. (11.) In surveying water-race areas the surveyor is expected to furnish a plan showing the levels and size of the race. (12.) Care should be taken to show on the plan and note in the report those parts of the race which pass through sold lands, cultivations, areas held under the Land and Mining Acts; and the points where the race intersects other races, roads, tracks, tramways, or any other mining area, or any public or private land, however held, should be clearly defined. (13.) The boundaries and areas to be covered by the water-surface and embankment of a dam should be shown on plan, as well as all leased or sold lands, cultivations, or any other mining area or other land, however held, which the dam, if filled, would interfere with. (14.) In the case of surveys of underground workings, which have to be carried out under the supervision of the Survey Department, special instructions will be issued in each case. (15.) The surveyor's plan shall be drawn to the following scale: — Chains to an inch. Claims or blocks containing 5 acres and under .. .. .. .. .. 2 Claims or blocks from 5 up to 30 acres .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Claims or blooks from 30 acres upwards .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Races under two miles in length .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Races from two miles to five miles in length .. .. .. .. .. 10 Races over five miles in length .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 Reservoirs under 2 aores in extent .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Reservoirs from 2 aores to 20 aores in extent .. .. .. .. .. 5 Reservoirs from 20 acres upwards in extent .. .. .. .. .. 10 (16.) If the scale of 10 chains to an inch for plans of claims or blocks exceeding 30 acres in area be found too small to properly indicate any buildings or other improvements that are on the ground, the 5-chain scale must be used, or enlargements made to show them plainly. (17.) Topographical features, such as mountains, spurs, gorges, rivers, creeks, lagoons, waterfalls, roads, tracks, or other physical features of or affecting the land surveyed, must be shown in full on all mining survey-plans. (18.) The surveys of mining claims or blocks must be plotted on sheets prepared by the department, to which the requisite surveyor's certificate is attached. These forms will be sold to any surveyor on application to the Chief Surveyor or to the Mining Eegistrar of the district. Other mining surveys may be plotted on antiquarian or double-elephant paper, of a size of not less than 18 in. square. (19.) The surveyor will be held responsible for the accuracy of the certificate attached to his plan; and if, on receipt of an official plan from a surveyor, it shall be found deficient in any necessary information, and if the omission be considered to be the result of a want of proper care on the part of the surveyor, he will be called upon to supply the deficiency at his own cost. (20.) No surveyor shall employ more than two field-parties in the field, unless authorised surveyors are placed in charge of such field-parties. (21.) The survey-fees shall, in the case of each survey, be payable according to the following scale:— (a.) Not exceeding 30 acres, 4s. per acre, but not less than £5 ; except in the case of extended claims, as hereinafter provided. (b.) Exceeding 30 acres and up to 50 acres, 3s. 6d. per acre, but not less than £6. (c.) Exceeding 50 acres and up to 100 acres, 3s. per acre, but not less than £8 15s.