C.-l.

the maps prepared many years since, but wrinkled and faded, and practically useless for reference by the public. Similarly three new application maps of survey districts have been renewed. Forty-seven tracings have been drawn and lithographed at the Head Office as sale-posters, while 190 working and other tracings have been prepared. I find that seventy-two maps have been mounted, and at intervals during the year one of the draughtsmen has reduced and plotted on the record-maps a large number of blocks to keep pace with the recording of Land Transfer certificates, &c. I regret to state in this connection that I have not yet been able to undertake the systematic recording of the leases in perpetuity, which I found on taking charge had not been undertaken in this office, and thus there is an accumulation of work in this direction. I will, however, make an effort, with the officers at my disposal, during the next year to compile and have as many record-maps of all tenures brought up to date as time and circumstances will permit, as I have looked upon these maps as hardly of less importance than the working-plans. With a view to the better care and arrangement of the working-plans and records in the office-safe, I took advantage of the offer of the Head Office to supply new portfolios. A number —forty-eight in all—was requisitioned for, and in this way a large number of the old dilapidated folios have been set aside. I found also that a more direct method of indexing and arrangement of the many working-plans and records was necessary, and I have devoted one of the draughtsmen for some weeks to this work. I am again pleased to place on record my appreciation of the assistance tendered me by the officers here throughout the past year. John Hay, Chief Surveyor.

APPENDIX 111.

BEPOET ON VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS. During the year fifty-one sections, with an area of 833 acres, were taken up under village-home-stead regulations, and thirteen sections, with an area of 88 acres, under other tenure. For the same period twenty sections, with an area of 463 acres, were forfeited or surrendered under village-homestead regulations, and twelve sections, with an area of 161 acres, under other tenure. The number of village settlements in the colony is now 183, and the total number of settlers under all systems on the 31st March last was 2,019, the area held 42,043 acres, and the annual rent and interest £6,153 7s. lid., classified as under :— Number of Settlers. Resident. Non-resident. Total. Under village-homestead regulations ... ... 992 437 1,429 Under other tenure... ... ... ... 337 253 590 Totals ... ... ... 1,329 690 2,019 In the North Island ... ... ... 601 250 851 In the Middle Island ... ... ... 728 440 1,168 Totals ... ... ... 1,329 690 2,019 Area held on the 31st March, 1902. A. B. P. Under village-homestead regulations ... ... ... 30,469 1 10 Under other tenure ... ... ... ... ... 11,574 1 3 Total ... ... ... ... ... 42,043 2 13 In the North Island ... ... ... ... ... 17,966 029 In the Middle Island ... ... ... ... ... 24,077 124 Total ... ... ... ... ... 42,043 2 13 Annual Bent and Interest. £ s. a. Under village-homestead regulations ... ... ... 4,732 8 7 Under other tenure ... ... ... ... ... 1,416 19 4 Total ... ... ... ... ... 6,149 711 In the North Island ... ... ... ... ... 2 347 18 11 In the Middle Island ... .. ... ... ... 3 801 9 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... 6,149 711

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