15

C—la

been employed for three months in the Grey County by the Valuer-General, and Mr. A. J. Whitehorn is Acting Crown Lands Ranger in his place. Mr. Hursthouse, Crown Lands Ranger, Westport, was transferred to Marlborough, Mr. F. Ward from that place taking up his duties. Mr. D. Nelson, from Gisborne, passed bis examination and was appointed assistant surveyor, and Mr. W. D. Armit, a cadet trained in the Nelson District, passed the Surveyors' Examination at the last sitting at the first attempt, and is now appointed assistant surveyor in this district. Cadet J. A. Montgomerie lias been transferred from the local office at Reefton to a draughtsman's position at New Plymouth, and the Reefton Lands and Survey Office is now placed under the charge of Mr. Henry Smith. Land Officer. Mr. D. Thomson, Land Officer at Westport, iR to be transferred to Auckland as draughtsman on the 30th April, and Miss S. Montgomerie is taking up his duties at Westport as assistant under Mr. James Stevenson, staff surveyor, who is appointed Land Officer at Westport. In conclusion, 1 wish to place on record my appreciation of the manner in which the staff, both office and field, have rendered me their willing co-operation and assistance. Robt. T. Sadd, Chief Surveyor.

MARLBOROUGH. Triangulation. —The only work of this nature carried out during the year has been a little breaking down to enable the sectional work in progress to be brought under check. Rural. —A total of 6,039 acres under this head lias been completed in twenty-five sections, all of which is situated in rough bush country. The excessive rainfall of last season in the northern half of this district caused great loss of time to the survey parties engaged, and accounts in a great measure for the comparatively high cost per acre shown in schedule against rural and suburban lands. In Native Land Court work, surveys of eighteen subdivisions in various localities, comprising 1,719 acres, have been completed, partly by the staff, and partly by private surveyors, at schedule rates. Town Section Survey. —This comprises the survey of education reserves and Crown sections in the Town of Picton. Roads. —In this class 18 miles were completed, principally in the Sounds County, in rough bush country, at a cost of £531 9s. 6d., or £2953 per mile. An intricate railway and road survey, Picton-Blenheim, is now nearing completion, having occupied Mr. Hodgkinson. of the field staff, for the greater part of the year. Other Work. —The expenditure under this head amounts to £190 16s. Bd., made up by the cost of surveys, readjustment of boundaries between the Crown and Native lands, Gore Survey District, scenery-reserve survey, compass traverse of summit of Mount Duppa Range (land district boundary), &c. Standard Survey. —The standard survey of the Town of Blenheim was extended for a distance of about two miles into the suburban areas. Inspecting Surveyor Climie carried out an inspection covering the whole of the Town of Picton standard work, completed at various times and by different surveyors. The result of Mr. Climie's inspection was, on the whole, satisfactory, and certain recommendations made by him with regard to the standard marks are now being attended to. Proposed Operations. 1912-13. —The settlement-work of the coming year will lie mainly, if not wholly, in the Heringa and Wakamarina Survey Districts, where an area of 7,000 acres is Hearing completion by Mr. Hunt, and 400 acres by Mr. Hodgkinson in Pine Valley. There will also be the usual miscellaneous work required, such as the pegging of isolated spotting surveys, &c., and the completion of the Picton-Blenheim road and railway survey. This latter, owing to the original faulty work— -magnetic bush traverse —and the almost utter lack of reliable survey data, has given great trouble to the surveyor engaged, and the ground covered has of necessity been extended greatly beyond the limits first, contemplated. Office-work— -The number of new plans received during the year was 52, consisting of 1 I departmental plans—settlement survey —with an area of 6,039 acres; 8 Native Land Court, containing 1,720 acres; 16 Land Transfer plans, of 558 acres; 11 plans defining eighteen miles of roads; and 6 office compilations; 289 tracings were prepared, 766 diagrams were placed on certificates of title, Crown leases, Arc. : and 8 photo-lithographic tracings were prepared. Changes of Staff. —The retirement on superannuation of Mr. Frank S. Smith, Commissioner of Crown Lands and Chief Surveyor, after many years of faithful service, led to my transfer from New Plymouth to fill bis position. Mr. W. F. Marsh, Chief Draughtsman, was transferred in Max to Dunedin on promotion, his place being filled by Mr. A. D. Burns, of the local staff. In December Mr. W. Lindsay, Draughtsman, resigned, the vacancy being filled by Mr. E. Pfankuch, from the New Plymouth staff. In conclusion, I beg to record my appreciation of the manner in which the whole staff has worked, and for their active assistance and co-operation during the year, and of the valuable assistance I have received from Mr. Burns. W. H. Skinnkk, Chief Surveyor.

WESTLAND. Triangulation. —I have no work to report under this heading for the year. Standard Survey. —Mr. District Surveyor Harrop made a start with the standard survey of the Borough of Greymouth, but was called away to assist in Canterbury surveys before mucn was accomplished. This work will be resumed as opportunity offers. Topographical Survey. —Messrs. Morison and Harrop completed 7.000 acres under this heading at an average cost of 2'sBd. per acre.