C—lA.

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District which proved too rough and inaccessible to warrant subdivision for settlement; inspection, supervision, and passing of Waikawa Jetty contract; reports and engineering surveys in conection with East Taieri drainage scheme; exploration and report on route from Wakatipu to Milford; miscellaneous small surveys and reports; re-establishing and repairing trig.stations, &c. Explorations. —Towards the end of December and the beginning of January last Mr. D. Macpherson, by permission, accompanied Mr. Grave, of Oamaru, and others in a very interesting trip over a mew route from Wakatipu to Milford which had been located some two years ago by Mr. Grave and party. His full report on this, together with a sketch-map showing the route followed, was forwarded to you on the 4th March last. Inspections. —Two Land Transfer subdivision surveys in Toetoes and Eyre Districts, coinprising some 45,000 acres, were inspected by Mr. C. Otway, District Surveyor, during the year. Traverse Closures. —Twenty-eight circuits, totalling 115 miles, returned by the staff, show an average closing-error of 029 link on the meridian and 0"31 link on the perpendicular per mile. Proposed Operations. —Mr. C. Otway has just commenced the subdivision of 1,250 acres in Chatton District, which will probably finish in May. He will then, proceed to Lillburn District and commence the subdivision of some 3,400 acres in Motu Bush. Mr. D. Macpherson has in hand some 3,500 acres in Alton and Aparima Districts, which he expects to finish about the end of December next. He will then undertake the subdivision of further areas in the same districts, provided they are released from sawmilling operations. Mr. N. L. Falkiner is nowengaged on the subdivision of about 760 acres in the Hokonui District. When this is completed lie will survey some small sections at Ocean Beach, Campbelltown Hundred, and afterwards proceed to cut up about 2,000 acres in Jacob River Hundred, together with any further area that may be found suitable in that locality. Mr. H. M. Thompson is at present subdividing about 2,000 acres in the Long-wood Survey District, and when this is completed he will proceed to Lillburn District to explore some large blocks of Crown land there, with a view of having any suitable portions cut up for settlement. General. —The unusually wet seasons during the past two years have been very unfavourable for field operations generally, but I am pleased to say that in spite of this the staff have returned a very satisfactory amount of work. Office-work. —During the year the new lithographic map of Invercargill City referred to in my last annual report has been completed, and since its publication has been much in demand ; six lithographic maps of survey districts have been thoroughly revised and brought up to date; the preparation of lithographs of the interior districts has been put in hand, one map containing four districts being almost completed. New Land Transfer record maps of the Town of Gore have been compiled, and several old maps brought up to date, but much remains to be done in compiling these records whenever opportunity offers. Eighty-six ordinary survey plans, representing an area of 19,327 acres, and 11 statutory plans, have been examined and passed; 17 lithographic tracings for sale plans, 389 miscellaneous tracings, and 455 working tracings were made; 144 Land Transfer plans were traced and maps of ridings revised for Valuation Department; 20 local bodies' schedules were prepared in duplicate, and 853 maps of various descriptions mounted. Two returns for Parliament were prepared, one in connection with the timber industry and one of Crown lands; also a return in triplicate for the Royal Forestry Commissioners. The work, of compiling two large county index-maps has been gone on with whenever possible, and I am pleased to say that one is nearly completed. The time, however, of the draughting staff has been almost entirely taken up in coping with the current work and the renewing of old index, application, and other maps, so that the index work, though much needed, has had to be placed aside for a time. Land Transfer. —141 plans, representing 20,339 acres, were examined and passed; 41 Proclamations, &c, coloured off on titles singly and 13 in duplicate; 1,350 diagrams placed on certificates of title; and 950 deeds and other instruments examined and passed. A considerable part of one draughtsman's time has been occupied in. assisting the Land Transfer Draughtsman with this work. Changes of Staff. —During the year there have been considerable changes in. the staff. Mr. C. Robinson was transferred to Christchurch, and Mr. R. S. Galbraith succeeded him here as Chief Draughtsman. Mr. G. W. Palmer,, Receiver of Land Revenue, was promoted to Christchurch, and Mr. A. D. McFarlane transferred from Westland to take his place. Mr. E. S. Wood, draughtsman, was- transferred here from Head Office. Mr. E. D. Thompson, cadet in the Receiver's office, has been promoted to the Head Office; and three cadets, Messrs. G. A. Harvey, F. W. E. Mitchell, and T. H. Reid, have been appointed to the Lands Branch of this office. In conclusion, I desire to record my appreciation of the efficient manner in which all the officers of both field and office staff have discharged their respective duties, and of their loyal co-operation and assistance during the past year. G. H. M. McClure, Chief Surveyor.