2

G.—6

the winter. The performance of this work, like all that carried on by the trigonometrical staff, evinces in my opinion the high efficiency of the officers employed; and I have every confidence that whenever the subject of tbe surveys shall be seriously undertaken by the Legislature,—if, as I presume would be the case, a scientific commission or a board of visitors should be appointed to investigate the means of placing them on a scientific footing, —it will be found that the small staff which has silently grown up in the work of this department is quite capable of all that can be required to expand the work to any required scale, either of magnitude or of geodetic accuracy, under a more complete organization and on a more comprehensive plan. I have, &c, Theop. Heale, The Hon. the Minister for Native Affairs, Inspector of Surveys. Wellington.

RETURN showing the NUMBER and GROSS AREA of MAPS of NATIVE LAND COURT CLAIMS, &c., received at the Inspector of Surveys' Office, Auckland, from 1st July, 1872, to 30th June, 1873.

JNo. of Area. Province of Auckland — Maps. a. e. p. Prior to 30th June, 1872 ... ... ... ... ... 1,827 2,425,029 0 0 In year ending 30th June, 1873 ... ... ... ... 186 552,929 0 0 2,013 2,977,958 0 0 Province of Haivke's Bay — Prior to 30th June, 1872 ... ... ... ... ... 236 1,233,239 0 0 In year ending 30th June, 1873 ... ... ... .„ 3 6,170 0 0 239 1,239,409 0 0 Province of Wellington — Prior to 30th June, 1872 ... ... ... ... ... 292 833,577 0 0 In year ending 30th June, 1873 ... ... ... ... 103 250,728 0 0 395 1,084,305 0 0 Middle Island — Prior to 30th June, 1872 ... ... ... ... ... 57 21,769 0 0 In year ending 30th June, 1873 ... ... ... ... ... Nil. 57 21,769 0 0 Public Works Department — Plans, Sections, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 32 Province of Auckland ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,013 2,977,958 0 0 Province of Hawke's Bay ... ... ... ... ... 239 1,239,409 0 0 Province of Wellington ... ... ... ... ... 395 1,084,305 0 0 Middle Island ... ... ... ... ... ... 57 21,769 0 0 Public Works Department ... ... ... ... ... 32 Grand Totals ... ... ... ... ... 2,736 5,323,441 0 0 Inspector of Surveys' Office, Auckland, 20th June, 1873. Retuen showing Extent and Cost of Triangtjlatiott executed by the Inspector of Surveys' Department during the Tear, from 1st July, 1872, to 30th June, 1873. Cost. Area—Acres. £ s. d. From 1867 to June, 1872 ... ... ... ... ... 4,197,224 6,820 14 7 Hawke's Bay District ... ... ... ... ... ... 501,120 Bay of Plenty District (estimated) ... ... ... ... 839,296 Waihou District, Marine Survey ... ... ... ... 230,000 1,570,416 1,965 1 2 it a cost of '3 of a penny per acre. Theop. Heale, Inspector of Surveys. Inspector of Surveys' Office, Auckland, 20th June, 1873. By Authority: Geoegb D ldoefby, Government Printer, Wellington. Price, 3d.}