C—la

It will be noted that approximately 17 per cent, of the survey work has been carried out under contract by private practising surveyors. This is due to the fact that the field staff have been concentrated on land-settlement surveys. The bulk of the work under the headings " Housing," " Road and Railway," and " Maori Land Surveys" has been carried out under contract. The number of contract surveyors employed by the Department has increased from 55 to 60, while the departmental field staff has only been increased by 1. Field-work in Hand The following land-title surveys are either in hand or awaiting action. This return shows a slight increase on the previous year, which indicates that there will be little opportunity of putting in hand a number of urgent surveys:— Rural and settlement surveys . . .. 62,785 acres Maori land surveys .. . . . . 1,031 acres Road and railway surveys . . . . 154 miles Town section surveys (housing) .. . . 4,000 sections Topographical surveys . . .. 3,200 sq. miles Town Scheme Subdivisions The following table summarizes the number of plans, saleable lots, and areas set aside as roads and reserves dealt with in accordance with the provisions of section 16 of the Land, Act, 1924, for the year ending 31st March, 1946:—•

lii no year of the Department's history has there been such activity in the closer subdivision of land in counties. The number of saleable lots on the subdivisions approved has increased from 2,552 to 3,615. This activity has necessitated considerable investigation of proposed subdivisions by both district and Head Office staff to ensure that any proposed development accords with town-planning principles. Definite arrangements have now been made with the Main Highways Board in order to ensure that closer subdivision on main and State highways makes adequate provision for increased traffic.

4

District. Number of Plans. Number of Saleable Lots. Area : Recreation Reserves. Area : Roads. Total Area./ Auckland and North Auckland Gisborne Hawke's Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough Nelson Westland Canterbury Otago Southland Totals 202 5 7 5 38 11 24 4 70 19 1 2,190 17 56 8 377 51 218 13 561 122 2 A. R. P. 64 0 12 9 0 06 1 1 10 3 3 32 3 2 03 1 1 02 A. K. P. 98 2 32 0 2 23 0 0 15 0 0 11 17 2 02 0 0 20 6 0 15 4 2 14 4 1 34 A. K. P. 936 0 0 9 2 06 29 1 03 9 0 21 138 3 08 72 0 04 66 0 23 7 3 02 176 3 13 41 1 07 0 2 04 386 (271) 3,615 (2,552) 83 0 25 132 1 06 1,487 1 11 (969 2 10) Last year's returns are shown in parentheses.