THE SURVEYOR GENERAL AND MR H. JACKSON.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1583, 17 March 1879, Page 3

THE SURVEYOR GENERAL AND MR H. JACKSON.

[Press Special Wire.] Welljkoton, March 15. The following are the charges seriatim brought by the Surveyor-General against Mr Henry Jackson: - charge No. I—That since you (air Jackson) have been put under the o<d-rs of the 1 epartment of General Sttrvey, you have conduct _d nearly all your surveys cm magnetic or approxi mate magnetic meridian, and tHs in non-con-formity with the survey instruction of 1876, which require the work to be more on t>".e meridian. With respect to this charge the Commis.-ioners state that the instructions niven for the gn dwiee of settlement surveyors wtre most explicit, And that Mr Jackson h*d not conformed to them on th» ground that he had the verbal permission of the Surveyor-General to disregard them so far as old surveys were concerned. The Commissioners boWever say tint the evidence does not show that Mr Jaciclon had obtained this verbal permission, while generally they decide that lie had been unable to rebut the charge. Charge 2—New Surveys.—That you (Mr Jackson) are now having new surveys executed still on magnetic or approximate magnetic meridian. A<s regards this charge the Commissioners find that as lately as July, 1878, soCalled new surveys were commenced by Mr Jack-on on magnetic or approximate magnetic meridian.

Charge 3—This eharec is to the effect that Mr Jackson had neglected to make field-check, as per instructions. Tho Oomii-isnior.ers find that this charge has not been substantiated. Charge 4—ln this charge it is asserted that Mr Jackson ordered his assistants to set aside the more essential principles of their instructions, viz , true meridian and methods of record and reductions. The Commissioners express an opinion that, with respect to this charge, Mr Jackson practically set an example of insubordination to his assistants.

Charges No. 5 and B—These charges are to the effect that Mr Jackson ignored instructions under authority for office records, and that his plan of keeping office maps on rolls was inefficient. The commissioners report that Mr Jackson's reply to these charges was, that he had an insufficient staff to carry otft his instructions : that he had no convenience in the way of office accommodation, and that he had no office safe. Upon full consideration the Commissioners came to the conclusion that Mr Jackson had not manifested the zeal which might have been expected from an oftker in his position. Charge No. 6—This was to the effect that Mr Jackson had neglected to prepare index maps, showing records of alienation'. Tho Commissioners find that this charge has been sustained, but alleged at the same time that Mr Jackson had a partially insufficient staff. Charge No. 7—This is a general charge of neglect to attend to the system of topographical plant', distances, &c. Prom the report of the Commissioners; it, appears this charge was not pressed, but that Mr Jack-sort amply justified his conduct. , Charge No. 9—This charge refers 1 jk'enerally to the fact that previous circumstanced were obstructive to Mr Jackson meeting" the responsibilities laid upon him by the Government, and thereby his survey work was made to run counter to adjacent surveys. The Commissioners say that, although there is considerable complaint of the surveys, yet no legal disputes would be likely to arise therefrom. This is practically the whole of the report, which concludes without any definite proposal. Wellington, March 15» Mr Jackson has received intimation that if he will send in his resignation, he will receive .£6OO compensation for loss of office ; but that, if he refuse to resign, he would be dismissed without payment. He has replied that he prefers to receive dismissal.