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quite complete, but not returned this year, as the maps are unfinished) has on hand 19,000 acres near Whangamomona, to the east and west of the Stratford-Ohura Eoads, and I have no doubt but this exceptionally energetic officer will have 10,000 or 12,000 acres of this area to his credit at the end of the year. Mr. Laing will continue his present block in the Upper Tongaporutu District of about 25,000 acres, of which he will possibly complete 15,000 acres. Mr. Oldfield will continue his work in the Upper Whenuakura District, and will finish the remaining 14,000 acres that he has on hand, and which will complete the sectionizing of the old Kaitangiwhenua Block. Office-work. Examination of Plans. —The plans passing through this branch, under Mr. Carrington's charge, were as follows : Ninety sectional plans of settlement surveys, comprising 127 sections, 82,464 acres; three trig, plans, 43,000 acres ; ten road plans, 10£ miles ; eight railway plans, 25 miles ; three miscellaneous plans, 6,000 acres : making a total of 114 plans, comprising a gross area of 125,464 acres and 35-J miles of roads and railways. The traverse reduction sheets for the whole of this work numbered 345. It is only fair to the computer, Mr. Carrington, to state that he recomputes, single-handed, the whole of the survey-work put into his hands for examination. Compilations. —ln this district I find the state of these to be somewhat as follows : Twentyseven Crown-grant record-maps of survey districts and forty maps of towns and villages have been made. The arrears comprise eight maps ; but as there is no sectional work in these districts, and as the land is at present mostly Native, this class of recording is practically complete, and there are no actual arrears with the exception of keeping transactions up to date. Thirteen road record-maps are finished, but, in addition to eight on which there is at present no sectional work, fourteen still require to be compiled. Twenty-six out of twenty-nine 80-chain lithographs of survey districts have been made, leaving only three at present necessary, as there is no settlement on the remainder. All 40-chain district maps in settled country are up to date. Altogether 208 block sheets have been prepared out of a total of 296 where there are sectional surveys, leaving eighty-eight, on which there is more or less section-work done, still to complete ; of these five are in hand. Fourteen sale lithographic tracings have been prepared by Mr. Gordon, who, in fact, attends to practically all drawings required for photo-lithography. Land Transfer Work. —During the year 135 Land Transfer plans, comprising 533 sections and subdivisions of an area of 10,912 acres 1 rood 38-91 perches, were checked and approved. The tabulated returns, as compared with last year's report, show a slight diminution. Perhaps this may be caused somewhat by owners at present being unwilling to cut up land, under the conditions and restrictions imposed by " The Public Works Act Amendment Act, 1900," as to width of streets and the liability for constructing the same. Trig. Maps. —Of these there are standard maps of the whole land district, except in seven districts, where there is little or no work at present. Of course triangulation extends all over the province. Reserves, " Thirds " and " Fourths," Maps, &c. —During the coming year I propose having compiled special maps in counties and road districts to show all reserves in the land district, together with a special ledger with a view to defining what is to be done with all reserves with regard to gazetting, vesting, leasing, or other disposal. Maps to illustrate the expenditure of "thirds" and "fourths" are also being prepared. A start has been made on both these very necessary proposals. Shortly after my arrival here, Mr. Pollen, Chief Draughtsman, was promoted to the Chief Draughtsmanship in the Auckland Office. His departure from this district was very much regretted not only on account of his thorough knowledge of all Lands and Survey administration, but also of the kindly and courteous manner in which he carried out his important duties. He is succeeded by Mr. John Langmuir, an Otago District Surveyor of acknowledged experience and ability. In conclusion, I have much pleasure in placing on record my appreciation of the willing and zealous aid extended to me by all members of the staff since I have taken charge of the Taranaki Land District, which has materially lessened my labours here. James Mackenzie, Chief Surveyor.

WELLINGTON. The gross area surveyed during the year under the various headings is approximately 176,877 acres, besides 127 miles of roads and railways. The particulars are as follows : — Topographical. —Messrs. Morice and Lewis have in hand 81,000 acres in the eastern part of the Awarua Block, and 57,000 acres on the North Waimarino Block respectively, which may be considered to come under this class of surveying. Triangulation. —Mr. Lowe has an area of about 1,716,000 acres of major triangulation in the Eangitikei-Manawatu District in hand, including an area of about 348,000 acres of minor triangulation, covering country which was once flat bush land ; this will enable the whole of the old trig, work to be brought into harmony by means of the Eay trace. Rural and Suburban. —The chief surveys of this class have been the Maungaraki Settlement, an extension of the Korokoro Settlement, Belmont District; Linton's Estate, Eangitoto District, for close settlement; Crown Lands at Kai Iwi, Kaitieke, and along the hills of the Euahine Eange. Town. —The surveys under this class have been the Mowhanau Township in the Kai Iwi Block, containing 22 acres, subdivided into 119 allotments, at a cost of 14585. per allotment (the survey was much delayed owing to the high wind prevalent) ; the Mataroa Township, Ohinewairua District, containing 165 acres, subdivided into 154 allotments, at a cost of £1 2s. 6d. per allotment; also an extension of Taihape, at a cost of £39 Bs. sd.

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