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Conference of Surveyors-General at Melbourne. At the invitation of the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia I attended, in company with Mr. C. E. Adams, M.Sc, F.R.A.S., Government Astronomer, a conference of Sur-veyors-General of the different States of Australia. This was held at Melbourne in May, 1912, and was called together for the purpose of discussing survey matters and associated subjects of great importance, with the idea of bringing about a reciprocity on same between the different States of the Commonwealth and the Dominion of New Zealand. The New Zealand representatives were well received and hospitably entertained in all the States visited. With the exception of West Australia, 1 visited the Land and Survey Offices of the different States in order to secure information as to their methods, &c, in vogue, and which might be of service to the Dominion. I have given extracts from the report of the proceedings of the conference which may be of interest to the profession in New Zealand. These will be found in Appendix VIII. I might mention that the Surveyors-General of the Commonwealth of Australia expressed the wish of having a conference of Surveyors-General, to possibly combine with the Surveyors' Boards, in New Zealand during the summer of 1914. There has never been a conference of such bodies in this Dominion, whilst meetings have taken place in several of the States of the Commonwealth. There axe still important remits to be considered from the conference held in London on the 31st May, 1911, at the Surveyors' Institution, Westminster, on the question of reciprocity throughout the Empire in the examination and authorization of surveyors, and I would strongly recommend that these be dealt with, along with other scientific subjects, at a conference proposed to be held in this Dominion about the time suggested, and that our Government be asked to grant facilities for such a gathering. The Empire's oversea dominions of Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand are all interested in. this work, and it would be a compliment to this Dominion if the Australasian Section held its meeting in New Zealand. Departmental Changes : Promotions, Transfers, etc. The following changes consequent on my promotion from Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands, Wellington, to the position of Surveyor-General of this Dominion at the beginning of the year have taken place. Mr. T. N. Brodrick, Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands for Canterbury, was promoted to succeed me at Wellington. Mr. C. R. Pollen, Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands for Hawke's Bay, was promoted to a similar position in Canterbury, while Mr. R. T. Sadd, in the same capacity, was appointed to take his place. Mr. F. A. Thompson, Chief Draughtsman at Napier, was promoted to be Chief Surveyor and Commissioner of Crown Lands at Nelson, while Mr. H. Mackay, Land Transfer Draughtsman at Wellington, was promoted to succeed him at Napier. Mr. John Cook, Land Transfer Draughtsman at New Plymouth, was promoted to the Wellington branch, his position being taken by Mr. F. J. Harrop, of the Napier office. Mr. R. S. Galbraith, Inspecting Surveyor, Auckland, was prcmoted to be Chief Draughtsman at Invercargill. Other changes were as follow: —- Head Office : Mr. H. E. Girdlestone, who has been engaged on triangulation work, was returned to the staff of the Wellington District office consequent on the special need for settle-ment-survey work. Mr. K. M. Ballantyne, draughtsman and computer, resigned, and Mr. E. S. Wood, draughtsman, was transferred to Invercargill. During the absence on sick-leave of Mr. H. T. McCardell, Chief Draughtsman, for a period of three months during the year, his duties were efficiently carried out by Mr. H. A. R. Farquhar. Auckland office: Three draughtsmen—viz., Messrs. R. Covil, J. Sims, and W. Scanlen— retired on superannuation. Five temporary draughtsmen were appointed—viz., J. R. Page, L. E. Martin, C. Acton, M. W. Haworth, and W. Moore; also one draughtswoman, Miss D. Warner. Messrs. W. S. Walker, F. A. Gainsford, and H. C. Hooper, temporary draughtsmen, resigned. The following draughting cadets were appointed—viz., A. C. Haase, H. M. Lawrey, A D. Bines, L. B. Freeman, and B. Hutton. Napier office : Mr. F. R. Burnley, assistant surveyor, was transferred to Auckland, and Mr. George Duncan, for many years in charge of the safe, retired from the service. New Plymouth office: Mr. R. R. Richmond, temporary surveyor, was transferred to Canterbury. Wellington District office : Mr. W. M. Gray, staff surveyor, was transferred to the Hawke's Bay District, as also Mr. Olsen, unlicensed surveyors' assistant. Mr. H. L. P. Dyett, staff surveyor, resigned to take up private practice. Mr. R. F. W. Mackenzie passed his surveyors' examination and was thence transferred to the field in the Auckland District. Messrs. L. W. B. Hall and N. A. Middlemas were transferred from the office staff to positions on the field staff in the Auckland District,