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(I—la

Field Inspections. —Nine field inspections were made by Messrs. T. Brook, Land Officer and Inspecting Surveyor, T. Cagney, and W. M. Atkinson, which were, with one exception, satisfactory. Several inspections were made by Mr. J. D. Climie, Inspector of Surveys, which were not altogether satisfactory, and demonstrate the necessity for every surveyor's work, whether staff or private, being inspected in a systematic manner at least Once a year. Work in Progress. —The following are the principal surveys in hand : Sherenden and Waihau Settlement, 26,740 acres, completed in field and plans in progress. Huiarua Block (national endowment) : Area surveyed and returned 7,597 acres, comprising small grazing-run No. 98 of 2,697 acres, and the balance in four sections under renewable lease. This block was originally cut up into three small grazing-runs by Mr. Farnie in the year 1910, and no alteration has been made in the area of small grazing-run No. 98. Improved road-access is being surveyed through freehold about three miles in length, and arrangements being made for legalization. The Mangairoa Block, 18,000 acres, and Omahu No. 2, 2,500 acres (Native Land Court surveys), are completed in field, and the plan of Omahu is well on towards completion; also the Native Land Court survey of Wharekahika Block, 40,500 acres, nearly completed in field, is delayed for the hearing of an appellate case. Proposed Operations, 1918-11/.. —Mr. E. H. Farnie, District Surveyor, has m hand the Kaiwaka Block (Crown lands), 14,483 acres. Mr. J. Roddick is to execute the survey of the northern portion of the Waipaoa Block, 12,000 acres, recently purchased from the Natives. Mr. H. E. Walshe, Tahoraite No. 2 Block, 1,000 acres, and supervision of unlicensed assistant's survey of Otawhao Block, 2,357 acres (well in hand), and later Omahaki and Timahanga Blocks, 33,000 acres. Mr. T. Cagney is to complete Mangawhariki Block, Native Land Court survey, 7,100 acres, and take in hand preliminary survey of Tahora Block, Crown lands, 49,000 acres. Mr. W. M. Atkinson : 6,000 acres Crown lands, Waikaremoana, and southern portion of Waipaoa Block of 12,000 acres mentioned above; also supervision of 8,568 acres Crown lands, being executed by an unlicensed assistant working under a permit issued by Mr. W. M. Gray; the latter is, I regret to say, laid up at the Wairoa Hospital with an attack of appendicitis, and will be incapacitated for several months. Private surveyors, under 48 authorities for survey, have in hand the subdivisions of 32,865 acres requisitioned for by the Native Land Court. It was found necessary during last year to increase the staff by the employment of two more Assistant Surveyors and three unlicensed assistants in order to cope with the survey of the Sherenden and Waihau Settlements and other surveys; since the completion of the field-work of the above estates, one Assistant Surveyor and one unlicensed assistant have been transferred to Auckland. Transfers. —I was transferred from Nelson to Hawke's Bay as from the Ist June, Mr. C. R. Pollen taking charge of Christchurch. Mr. F. A. Thompson, Chief Draughtsman, was promoted to the position of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor at Nelson, and was succeeded by Mr. H. Mackay. Mr. E. H. Farnie was transferred from Gisborne to Napier in order that there should be a District Surveyor at Napier, and Mr. T. Cagney took his place at Gisborne. Mr. F. R. Burnley, Assistant Surveyor, was transferred to Auckland on the 25th February. This last year has been characterized by greatly increased activity both in land settlement and survey work, and I have to commend the staff on the admirable way in which they have carried out their duties by using their best efforts to push on with the work so as to further the settlement of the land. Robt. T. Sadd, Chief Surveyor.

TARANAKI. Minor Triangulation. —An area of 46,400 acres in the Mapara, Ohura, and Rangi Districts, &c, has been completed, at a cost of l'63d. per acre, to control settlement surveys in hand. Rural. —A total of 41,936 acres under this head has been completed, in 176 sections, at a cost of 3595. per acre, most of which is situated in very rough forest country, Some 3,700 acres of it being scenic reserves with long rough boundaries enclosing small areas. An additional 45,693 acres has been completed in the field, and plans plotted sufficiently to allow of sale maps being issued shortly. Village and Suburban. —76'7s acres, in 14 lots, was surveyed in Tahora and Whangamomona, at a cost of 34555. per acre, the roading, owing to the nature of the country, being very expensive. Town Section Surveys. —An area of 4275 acres, comprising 82 lots in the Tahora and Whangamomona Townships, at a cost of 36345. per allotment, was surveyed. Native Land Court Surveys. —The total area of Native land surveyed was 51,311 acres, into 96 subdivisions, at a total cost of £3,219 Bs. Id., or 15'05d. per acre. Of this amount, the staff surveyed 3,746 acres (2 subdivisions), costing £390 9s. lid., or 25'01d. per acre, and private surveyors completed 47,565 acres (94 subdivisions), costing £2,828 18s. 2d., or 14 - 27 d. per acre. The above areas were contained on 77 plans received for examination, 67 of which were approved. Of these plans, 33 were received on account of authorities issued during the year, and 44 were received for authorities issued prior to the Ist April, 1912. Seven plans received for examination prior to the Ist April, 1912, and 1 plan, compiled in the office, have also been approved during the year. Forty-two authorities were issued under the Native Land Act, 1909, for surveys covering 93 subdivisions of a total area of 53,724 acres, at an estimated cost of £3,340. Fifty-one subdivisions, of a total area of 26,040 acres, representing 51 autho-