15

C—lα

never been explored or triangulated, and this work is worthy of consideration with a view to having it put in hand in the near future. Office-work. —During the year 15 new Land Transfer record maps have been prepared, comprising the Towns of Riverton, Mataura, Mataura Bridge, and Otautau, and the Winton, Oteramika, Mabel, Lothian, and Mataura Hundreds, and several old maps revised and brought up to date. A new Crown-grant record map of Manapouri Township was made, and several of the older working plans which were becoming illegible were redrawn. Two new lithographic maps were completed, containing a number of the interior survey districts, and 3 old ones revised, and I am pleased to say that these district maps now cover practically all the important parts of the land district. Four new application maps and 1 new index map have been finished, and 4 more of the former and 2 of the latter are in hand, but on account of the tax of ordinary routine work on the draughtsmen's time progress with these very necessary maps is unavoidably slow. Sixty ordinary survey plans, representing an area of 51,543 acres; 56 statutory plans, mostly of roads to be taken and closed; and 7 plans of new towns for Governor's approval were examined and approved. 1,078 diagrams were endorsed on Crown grants and other instruments of title; 89 lithographic tracings for sale plans, 493 miscellaneous tracings, and 314 working tracings were prepared; 148 Land Transfer and Deeds plans were traced, and maps of ridings prepared and revised for Valuation Department; 387 maps of various kinds were mounted, and 20 local bodies' schedules of " thirds,'' &c, prepared. A large map showing new ridings was made for the Wallace County Council, maps prepared in connection with three Supreme Court cases for Justice Department, and 3 maps of Waimatuku River District for rating purposes. Towards the end of January Mr. Deverell commenced the preparation of a map of the greater part of Otago Land District, on a scale of 2 miles to an inch, for lithographic purposes, and has since been continuously engaged on this work. The map is on the same lines as the one he drew of Southland, Wallace, part of Lake counties for this land district, and which has proved so useful here since its publication. Land Transfer Work. —l27 plans, comprising an area of 60,011 acres, were checked and approved, 1,539 diagrams placed on certificates of title (including 48 Proclamations, &c, coloured off on titles), and 581 deeds and other instruments of title examined and passed. The Land Transfer Draughtsman has the assistance of one draughtsman when required for endorsing of diagrams, &c. Changes of Staff. —The following changes in the staff occurred during the year : Mr. H. M. Thompson, Assistant Surveyor, resigned as from the end of May last; Mr. K. C. Mack was appointed to this office as draughting cadet; arid Mr. T. G. Phillips, draughting cadet, was transferred here from Auckland. In conclusion, I wish to thank the officers of the staff, both field and office, for their willing and efficient assistance in the work of the Department during the past year. G. H. M. McClurb, Chief Survevor.