C—la

Although there has been a slight falling off in last year's totals, nevertheless, the number of saleable lots dealt with is still exceptional. The Act has been in operation for just over twelve months and has worked smoothly and with a beneficial effect on future urban development. It was necessary to correct two or three anomalies by the insertion of four clauses in the Land Laws Amendment Act, 1947, to provide for machinery matters affecting title registration. An effective liaison has been maintained with the local authorities, who have in all cases co-operated with the Department. Except for the Auckland District, where steps are being taken to reduce the accumulated arrears, all work is up to date. In addition to the scheme plans dealt with, each district handles numerous applications for exemptions from the provisions of the Act. The procedure in these cases requires the consent of the local authority before exemption may be granted, thus involving additional routine work.

Office-work (Plan Examination) The following table summarizes the number of land-survey plans examined and instruments of title prepared for the year ending 31st March, 1948 :

A further increase of approximately 15 per cent, in the receipt of land-survey plans for title purposes has taxed the office staff to the utmost in attempting to deal expeditiously with this current and urgent work. There has been an intensification in the training of computers which is having a beneficial effect, particularly as more experience is gained by juniors. The total arrears in plans awaiting examination throughout the Dominion is 837, compared with 926 in the previous years. Other Office-work There continues to be a still greater demand for general draughting services for many and varied types of work. The following schedule sets out the output in classes of work that lend themselves to such tabulation : Record maps (revised or redrawn) .. .. 123 (270) Cadastral maps (revised or redrawn) .. .. 41 (44) Tracings .. .. .. ~ 7,000 (6,810) Photostats and prints .. .. ..54,581 (48,064) Last year's figures are shown in parentheses. Due to other demands, the vital task of maintaining departmental record maps is falling into serious arrears. Staff that would normally have been employed last year on such records have been engaged on the production of land-holding maps for

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Plans placed Survey Plans examined and approved. District. on Instruments of Title Crown. Other Departments. Maori. Land Transfer. Auckland 18,162 204 205 70 1,050 Gisborne 1,057 23 4 80 Hawke's Bay 1,747 28 11 128 Taranaki 1,281 16 32 14 117 Wellington 7,431 39 105 11 363 Marlborough 489 14 24 3 61 Nelson 2,072 35 29 162 Westland 811 30 4 i 37 Canterbury 5,506 49 40 3 436 Otago 2,372 35 52 168 Southland 1,758 25 35 3 122 Totals 42,686 498 526 120 2,724 Last year (36,338) (419) (477) (70) (2,399)