C—la

Most of the survey work of a routine nature under (8), (9), and (10) above as well as a proportion of the work under (7) will be carried out under contract. A start was made on second and third order triangulation and topographical mapping in the Rotorua-Taupo district during the year, while 100 miles of precise levelling up the Waikato Valley for hydro-electric development was completed. This latter party will be transferred to the Bay of Plenty district •during the year to establish datums for drainage and river control development. The longitude observations required for the final control of the geodetic triangulation, which were held up by adverse weather conditions, will be -completed early in the year. Town Scheme Subdivisions (Land Subdivision in Counties Act, 1946) The following table summarizes the number of plans, saleable lots, areas set aside as Crown land and reserve, and cash received in lieu of land dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the above Act for the year ended 31st March, 1949

Town Scheme Subdivisions, 1948-49

The further increase in the number of saleable lots dealt with is mainly due to the fact that during the year accumulated arrears in the Auckland districts were reduced to normal conditions. It has been noticeable that many favourable comments have been received from local authorities in regard to the efficiency of the Act in providing a muchneeded control of residential development. Local authorities continue to co-operate to the fullest extent with the Department in the administration of the requirements of the Act. Steps were taken during the year to delegate power for the approval of subdivisions into six or less allotments to the Chief Surveyor of the district •concerned. This has relieved congestion at both district and head offices, thus avoiding unnecessary delays in land transactions. Approximately 1,000 applications for exemptions from the provision of the Act were received by district offices during the year. These exemptions comprise the subdivision of land into single allotments, generally in isolated localities, and involve the submission of each application to the local authority for .approval before exemption can be granted. This creates unnecessary delays and

5

District. Number of Plans. Number of Saleable Lots. Cash Received in Lieu of Reserves. Areas Set Aside. Area: ' Roads. Total Area. Crown Land. Reserves. North Auckland and South Auckland -Gisbome Hawkes Bay Taranaki Wellington Marlborough .Nelson Westland .. ■Canterbury Otago :Southland Totals 314 7 18 19 58 23 59 9 123 44 16 4,411 25 64 121 697 254 257 147 997 527 101 £ s. d. 5,827 11 0 28 5 0 31 8 0 513 2 7 448 14 10 75 11 0 469 16 6 98 12 6 3,875 1 11 109 4 1 64 19 3 A. It. P. 14 3 35 1 ill 6 2 36 0 0 32 5 0 20 0 1 25 1 0 35 A. K. P. 136 3 26 4 0 20 12 08 24 0 06 2 1 05 3 3 20 7 3 25 9 3 12 40 2 13 A. K. P. 188 1 32 0 0'06 0 1 31 3 1 33 24 1 10 7 0 37 7 1 25 4 3 28 24 2 33 36 3 10 3 2 18 A. E. P. 2,066 2 28 71 1 29 45 1 13 74 2 26 296 0 33 162 0 29 136 0 19 52 1 06 479 2 11 300 3 37 41 0 18 690 (538) 7,601 (5,815) 11,542 6 8 (7,095 14 5) 29 3 34 (8 3 33) 231 0 15 (211 0 24) 301 1 23 (218 0 085 3,726 2 09 (2,693 3 04) (Last year's figures are shown in parentheses.)