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recording and cadastral mapping. Land dealings, both private and State, have almost reached record figures, with a consequent increase in survey plan examination, recording, and general draughting. The following briefly summarizes the various activities carried out by survey and draughting branches of the Department during the past year:—• ROUTINE ACTIVITIES Land Surveys The following table summarizes the various classes of survey work carried out by staff and contract surveyors for the year ending 31st March, 1946. In this year's return the cost of topographical mapping is shown. Up until 3'lst December, 1945, this work was costed as part of the military mapping programme. The cost thus shown includes an amount of £4,056, which is the cost of services, such as transport and equipment, supplied to topographical mapping parties by the Army:—

Summary of Fields-work

lii order to compare the above return with that of the previous year it is necessary to deduct therefrom the amount of £15,143 listed against topographical mapping, which item was not included in last year's return. Under the heading of " Extra-urban Planning " is returned an amount of £623 which covers the cost of the preparation of data and a scheme of an area of 37,000 acres embracing the mining districts west of Huntly. The surveyor in charge of the party was responsible for the assembly of data covering all factors having any bearing on the present and future development of the mining district. The final scheme, which was prepared on behalf of the Raglan County Council, has been completed and forwarded to the local authority for action in accordance with the provisions of the Town-planning Act, 1926. The scheme is the first of its type prepared in New Zealand, .and has been received by all parties concerned with satisfaction. Preliminary surveys for settlement purposes have increased from 71,515 acres to 139,261 acres while the rural areas surveyed for title purposes, the

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Class of Survey. Area, Mileage, &c. Average Cost. Total Cost. Minor triangulation 39 square miles .. l-8d. per acre £ 190 s. 12 d. 8 Topographical mapping (1: 63360) 3,144 square miles £4-82 per square mile 15,143 7 5 Topographical survey for settlement 139,261 acres 7-48d. per acre 4,337 8 0 Topographical survey for housing 25 acres 34-4s. per acre 43 0 0 Rural surveys 70,322 acres 3-09s. per acre 10,847 14 5 Village and suburban surveys (2 acres to 694 acres 36-64s. per acre 1,271 8 7 10 acres) Town sections (including housing) 1,275 lots £5-29 per lot 6,740 14 2 Standard traverse surveys 12 miles £40-31 per mile 483 14 8 Maori land surveys 749 acres 7-52s. per acre 281 10 6 Road and railway surveys 68-75 miles £51-57 per mile 3,545 7 0 Maintenance of survey marks 353 15 5 Inspection and investigation surveys 1,072 16 11 Location of boundaries and compass 1,430 0 8 surveys Special surveys (Armed Services) 208 6 3 Police Department (surveys and Court 131 4 2 attendance) Engineering surveys 355 1 7 Extra-urban planning 623 0 4 Miscellaneous (reports, &c.) 2,527 12 2 Total cost 49,586 14 11